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Hello,

I definitely agree that my personal beliefs have a lot to do with how I interacted with this course. As much as I did learn a lot this semester I like to believe that I already had quite strong personal beliefs and morals so it didn’t really affect them that much but I did gain a strong appreciation for my responsibilities to nature, as part of interpretation and just in general.

I 100% agree with taking an interdisciplinary approach to just about everything in life so that extends to nature. I’m in a very interdisciplinary program so I have spent the past four years looking at almost everything academic and in turn a lot of non-academic things, from an interdisciplinary approach. I think there is so much value in looking at a subject from multiple perspectives. I think there is a lot of value to be gained from including many voices and perspectives in important decisions about our world, about the environment or otherwise. 

I appreciate that you have reflected on your future goals in this post. I didn’t think to include that in mine but I think it’s a great idea. I personally hope to learn more about nature outside of school and make more of an effort to engage with nature. 

Thank you for your post, I really enjoyed it!

ethics as an interpreter

As I embark on my journey as a nature interpreter, I find myself being guided by mainly my personal beliefs and responsibilities. This ethical base is a compass that leads me towards more understanding and appreciation.

One of my personal beliefs lies in the interconnectedness of life forms and our ecosystems. I view nature as a vital part of our existence as it is and deserves respect for its beauty, importance and abilities and should thus not be seen as separate from humanity. This belief fuels my passion for being a nature interpreter as I strive to convey interconnectedness to others.

Another huge contributor to my personal ethics is the responsibility I feel towards both the natural world and the people I engage with as an interpreter. I find myself to be a mediator between these two and thus it is my responsibility to bridge the gap between us humans and the rest of the beautiful natural world. Along with this role comes the duty to inspire and install a sense of wonder. Through fostering a deeper connection to nature in these individuals I can empower them to become advocates for environmental conservation and sustainability as well and spread awareness.

 Through fulfilling my responsibilities of being a nature interpreter, there are a few approaches that reflect my personal ethics. First, prioritizing authenticity in my interactions with the audience and natural world is a top priority as I strive to ensure the information being presented is accurate and clear so that everyone is able to understand and acknowledge the importance and complexity of our ecological systems.

I also embrace a holistic and interdisciplinary approach to nature interpretation through insights from ecology and history. This is because I have taken a variety of history in the environment and animals in history courses as well as a field ecology course that helped me connect to nature on an even deeper level and sharing these insights with others will help resonate on a more intellectual and emotional level.

Lastly, I am committed to ensuring that everyone is able to enjoy nature. Ensuring that everyone has the opportunity to experience the transformative power of nature regardless of their background or circumstances is my top priority. 

As I continue to develop as a nature interpreter it is also important that I learn and grow with it and am mindful of the evolving nature and am open to new ideas, perspectives and experiences that challenge and deepen my understanding of the environment. My main goal is to inspire others to discover, reflect and act towards a more harmonious relationship with our natural world.

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Hello,

I’m so glad you mentioned passion and sharing what you’re interested in because when it comes to learning I have always felt that it is 100x more interesting to learn when you know the person who is teaching is really passionate about what they are teaching. 

I also appreciate that you included a point about making sure everyone is able to enjoy nature. I think the quality of the accessibility is sometimes overlooked and it really isn’t fair that anyone should have to compromise on the quality of their nature education. I feel like most of the time all it takes is a little extra thought and effort to make a big difference in someone else’s experience. The quality of the outcome often far outweighs the amount of work you have to put in by just taking that one little extra effort. 

I can’t believe I forgot to comment on my experience with the podcast. Thanks for bringing that up! I agree that it showed me a totally different side of nature interpretation. It was a completely novel experience trying to bring a very visual and hands-on subject like nature, to an audio format, but I enjoyed it. It was a challenge trying to help the audience picture something using only audio but I think we were successful. 

I really enjoyed your post! It sounds like you’ve gained a lot from this course.

Last BLOG

As I think about everything I've learned in this course about becoming a nature interpreter, I realize it's changed me a lot. It's not just academically but ethically and personally. It's also about how I see my role in talking about and protecting the environment. It's made me really think about how I can take all this classroom learning and use it out in the real world.

First up, I absolutely love nature. That's the big reason I'm doing this class. I've always been amazed by the outdoors, and this course has made me want to share that amazement with others even more. Like from the textbook by Beck, Cable et al, (2018) mentioned, sharing what you're passionate about can really make a difference. It's not just about dumping facts on people; it's about making them see why nature is so awesome. I want to get people as excited about saving the planet as I am.

Another big thing I've learned is how important it is to make sure everyone feels welcome in nature. The outdoors should be for everyone, no matter what challenges they might face getting out there. We talked a lot about making sure things are accessible for everyone, whether that means having braille for people who can't see well or making sure paths are wheelchair friendly. Nature doesn't leave anyone out, and neither should we. I strongly believe that nature isn't just for the few. It's for everyone, no matter their background or abilities. This means I've got to think creatively to make sure everyone can join in

I also realized that learning about nature is never done. The world is always changing, and there's always something new to discover. I want to keep exploring and finding out new things, and I want to help others do the same. It's like what Rodenburg (2019) said: being curious and always ready to learn more is super important.

After taking this class it makes me feel like it's my job to make sure that when I share nature, I do it in a way that everyone can enjoy. This means thinking about different people's needs and making sure they are welcomed and accessible to all. Beyond just pointing out cool plants or animals, I see it as my responsibility to educate people about the challenges our environment faces and inspire them to be part of the solution. It's about stirring up a sense of wonder and a desire to make a positive impact.

I've also spent a lot of time thinking about how different people connect with nature. Some might like to learn by doing things with their hands, while others might enjoy listening to music inspired by nature or looking at nature art. Stories or history about a place can also make it come alive in a new way for people.

While nature is all about disconnecting from screens, I think technology can be a great tool if used wisely. Things like apps for identifying flora and fauna, or podcasts about nature (which could provide loads of insights by the way!), can enhance the outdoor experience without taking away from the magic of being in the moment.

Building upon that, creating and hosting a podcast as a nature interpreter opened up a whole new world of insights for me, way more than I expected. It wasn't just about sharing cool facts about nature or talking about the outdoors; it became a journey of discovery, connection, and learning that went both ways, between me, my guests, and my listeners. 

For me, as an individual diving into the world of nature interpretation, finding approaches that resonate with my personality and strengths is crucial. A strategy that feels most suitable for me is definitely getting hands on, I love doing things where everyone can actually touch and see stuff up close. Imagine going on a walk and being able to touch the leaves, smell the flowers, or even spot animal tracks. It's like making everyone feel like they're part of the adventure, not just watching from the sidelines.

In a nutshell, my journey as a nature interpreter is guided by my love for the natural world, a commitment to inclusivity and education, and a belief in the power of hands-on learning and storytelling. My mom, who recently passed, always used to say “get outside today”. I will hold on to that saying forever, and definitely do that.

References:

Beck, L., Cable, T. T., & Knudson, D. M. (2018). Interpreting Cultural and Natural Heritage: For a Better World. Sagamore Publishing LLC.

Rodenburg, J. (2019). Why environmental educators shouldn’t give up hope. Environmental Literacy. https://clearingmagazine.org/archives/14300.

Cheers!!! -Virginia

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My Personal Ethics and Nature Interpretation

I think this week’s prompt is one that I have sort of been mentally working through all semester. I’ve taken quite a large variety of courses over the past four years and have thought about the ethics of the different fields, whether that be anthropology, writing or biology. I think it is very important to consider the impacts that we have on the world around us and the people and animals on it. The ethics that I bring into my role as a nature interpreter are shaped by both my own personal morals, and what I have learned since being here at school.

My own moral foundation tells me to be respectful of everything around me and the other people, plants and animals that I share the world with. They tell me to make every effort to understand where other people come from and their perspectives on a situation or life in general. When it comes to nature interpretation, my existing morals make sure that I consider how both the people that I am interacting with and teaching could feel and how my actions affect nature itself. I want to make sure that everything I do as a nature interpreter is accessible to as many people as possible, since not everyone has the same learning style, mobility levels, and ages. I want to make sure that no one feels left out when I interact with them since everyone deserves to have equal access to nature and to learning about nature. My existing morals also dictate how I interact with nature itself. I want to be respectful of any plants and animals that I might come across while out in nature and make sure that I leave no trace of my trip into nature. For the sake of both the environment and future people, I don’t want my presence to harm nature. This also goes back to making sure everyone can access nature. If I, or anyone who goes into nature, damages it, that could jeopardize future interpreter’s opportunities with nature. Ultimately, though, I think the most important part is making sure that nature itself is unharmed. The balance that is struck in nature can be so delicate and I know I would feel horrible if I did anything to risk disrupting it. 

On top of the morals that I grew up with, over my time in this course and university as a whole I have learned multiple things that have impacted my ethics. What I learned in my anthropology courses and ecology courses have taught me more about people and the world around me that has only strengthened my morals. The more I know about the world the more strongly I believe that it deserves nothing but our respect and protection. Especially with the state of climate change at the moment and the ways that my courses have focussed on it. This focus has made the importance of being educated about nature and the world around us incredibly apparent to me. This course has also taught me more about all the different ways that one can be a nature interpreter. This has added to my personal ethics by expanding on my empathy to the other ways that people learn and teach. 

Out of all the ways that one can be a nature interpreter I think the one that now speaks to me the most is a role where I get to interact with the public and with animals. Following my ethics, this role would prioritize making nature accessible to everyone while also protecting it as much as possible from people. To me this means keeping my nature interpretation to areas that are relatively resilient and where my presence won’t cause any negative effects. To try and make my interpretations as accessible as possible I would turn to the internet where I can help connect people that don’t have easy access to nature, with nature. I think that is one way that the internet can be incredibly positive. 

The responsibilities I have as a nature interpreter include my responsibilities to nature, to the people I am teaching, and to myself. My responsibilities to nature are to make sure that I am not harming it and even further than that, that I am helping nature by educating people. My responsibilities to the people I teach are to make sure that the information I am teaching them is accurate, that they are not in danger, and that nature is accessible to as many people as possible. It’s all well and good for me to teach people more about the environment but if no one can reasonably access what I am teaching, I might as well not even do it. Finally, I do have a responsibility to myself and that is one responsibility that often goes overlooked in my experience. For the sake of myself and my work, I have to make sure that I am not getting burned out or over committing myself. I want nothing more than to be able to do everything all the time for other people and the world around me, but that can sometimes come at the expense of my own mental and physical health. So I have to make sure that I prioritize my own health sometimes. With nature interpretation that might just look like taking time just to myself to go for a walk with my dog and relaxing in nature, instead of trying to constantly be in interpretation mode. 

It’s impossible to do anything in life without your personal ethics playing a role and these are a culmination of all your experiences, things you have learned and people that you surround yourself with. This course has opened my eyes to the field of nature interpretation, and it, like everything else, has impacted my personal ethics.

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Hello,

As soon as I opened your blog I was excited to see your topic. I’m a little jealous that I didn’t think to discuss bioluminescence as well. It really is an amazing part of nature. It really is a beautiful phenomenon. Your post made me think about where bioluminescence came from. Since there are such a variety of plants and animals that have this ability, this suggests to me that it has evolved multiple times. Does it work the same in all these organisms? It is such a standout trait that it seems hard to believe that it isn’t some sort of special circumstance in nature. The fact that the ability for living organisms to create light somehow evolved is so fascinating. 

Thank you for bringing up this topic! It has really got me thinking about all the interesting traits we see in nature.

The Enchanting World of Bioluminescence!

Hi friends!!

Welcome back to another week of blogging… I can’t believe this is the 9th week of blogging! Time really does fly. 

Today I am going to introduce you all to the captivating and mesmorizing world of Bioluminescence! I remember learning about this in a documentary after seeing photos online of bioluminescent beaches and it is one of the most fascinating phenomenons ever! 

To begin, picture this: a moonless night, the ocean gently lapping at the shore, and suddenly, the water bursts into a mesmerizing display of ethereal blue-green light. This is not a scene from a sci-fi movie; it's the magical world of bioluminescence! Bioluminescence is the ability of living organisms to produce light and can be encountered in summer evenings from the flickering lights of fireflies, or in the depths of the ocean from bacteria and sharks (NOAA, 2017). 

What truly sets bioluminescence apart is its sheer beauty and versatility. From attracting mates, luring in prey, communicating with fellow organisms or warding off predators, bioluminescence serves a variety of purposes in the natural world (National Geographic, n.d). For example, the vampire squid uses this as a defensive behaviour as instead of ejecting dark ink to defend against predators, they instead eject sticky bioluminescent mucus which can confuse and delay predators (National Geographic, n.d). Additionally, another really cool theory is that some biologists theorize that some species who are not bioluminescent themselves, take advantage of species that are. For example, a sperm whale might surround itself with bioluminescent plankton in order to eat fish who are the planktons predators as their glowing alerts the whale that fish are nearby (National Geographic, n.d). It is so fascinating to me how the language of light can work in such enticing ways. 

So, the next time you find yourself under the starry night sky or lurking out into the ocean, remember the hidden world of bioluminescense that lies just beyond our sight. It’s a good reminder that even in the darkest corners of the Earth, there is still light to be seen, illuminating the beauty of the world around us.

To end this blog, I wanted to leave you with a question to ponder... in what ways can we draw inspiration from nature's ability to illuminate even the darkest of places within our own lives? What is the hidden symbolism here?

Thanks for reading and looking forward to hearing back!!!

Natalie

Works Cited

NOAA. (2017). What is bioluminescence? National Ocean Service. https://oceanservice.noaa.gov/facts/biolum.html

National Geographic. (n.d). Bioluminescence is light emitted by living things through chemical reactions in their bodies. National Geographic Education. https://education.nationalgeographic.org/resource/bioluminescence/

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The Balance of Nature

It took me a while to think of an answer to this week’s questions. As much as I think that nature as a whole is impressive, pinpointing a specific aspect of nature that I believe is above and beyond the others, was difficult. The idea that finally won me over was the way that plant and animal species adapt to their ever changing environments. I know it is not a conscious activity, but the idea that everything in nature around us evolved from single celled life, through what was ultimately accidents, is truly amazing. 

Picture this. A group of rabbits find their way into a new area. Their old home was green and lush, but this one, due to multiple circumstances, is white and snowy for a large portion of the year. Unfortunately, not all of the rabbits will survive this new environment. There are many factors that contribute to this but one of them is predation. The rabbits that have darker coats are easier for the predators to spot and are killed at higher rates. By the end of the snowy season, the rabbits have on average lighter coats. These lighter coats are then passed on to their offspring making future generations more fit for this new environment. This is just a hypothetical obviously but it is based in real processes. 

This is just one of many examples of how organisms and nature as a whole can change over time to suit the environment. However, change in nature is not always beneficial. The random nature of that change means that mutations can occur that kills a lot if not all of a population. When that happens, the one individuals that survive can pass on their genetics and their descendants might be better equipped to survive if faced with the same issue in the future. 

I find this whole balance so incredibly fascinating. When looking at it on a small scale it may look like dangerous outside forces are bad for a species, but when some individuals can survive the forces and pass on their potentially beneficial genes, they become better suited for this force in the future. 

I’m not sure how anyone can deny that this is an interesting dynamic. It shows that where there is danger and negative forces for a species or populations, there is also potential for benefit or improvement. Obviously, on an individual scale there is no benefit, but species wide there can be a benefit to these opposing forces.

That is one of the things I find so interesting about nature.

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Hello,

I love how you discussed the use of nature in songs in a metaphorical way. I hadn’t considered that aspect before, but you are totally right! Nature is present in songs much more as ways to describe how someone is feeling than it is in a literal sense. 

I also loved the song you chose that reminds you of nature. I am listening to it right now and it sounds so nostalgic. It is definitely a summery song. It is making me feel pretty sick of this weird winter we’re having right now. 

I didn’t know that bird songs were so similar to human music, I always just thought they were called songs because they sounded pretty and musical. I guess that is what makes us recognize them as music. 

Thanks for your perspective!

The Melodies of Nature (BLOG 7)

Hello everyone and once again, welcome to my nature blog! I am SO excited about this week's topic: music in nature and nature in music. As some of you may have read from my previous posts, I am someone who really enjoys spending time in nature and using its wonders to inspire my art. Growing up as a creative person, I took an interest in visual arts and dabbled in theatre, but my main passion is music. I learned to play guitar, ukulele, tenor saxophone, and my favourite instrument by far is my voice.

Whether it's classic choir pieces, musical theatre songs, or fun pop hits, I've always noticed most songs use nature as imagery and description for lyrics. Nature is in music is everywhere. So many music pieces use nature to connect the audience to an emotion that is trying to be delivered. For example, passion and intensity can be represented by relating to fire, a landslide, or thunder. An example of love or happiness could be described by the warm embrace of the summer sun. Nature also inspires writers to talk about places they've been, experiences in nature, or even tell fictional stories that would be deepened by describing the environment it's happening in. This in itself is a form of nature interpretation presentation, it allows for effective communication in an engaging way while also inspiring and encouraging others to be curious about what nature has to offer (Hooykaas, n.d). For me, there are certain songs that I correlate to nature and that help me remember experiences I've had in the outdoors. Music has such a strong connection to memory and emotion, it's not surprising that some of my favourite experiences at the cottage or the lake bring a few songs to my mind. One of these songs from way back in my childhood is “When the Night Feels My Song” by Bedouin Soundclash, and it's the first song that comes to mind when I think of nature and music. This song reminds me of getting up and going to summer camp, singing in your group, and going to play Manhunt in the forest. Every time I hear this song now it makes me think of hot summer days, hiding under trees from the sun after playing, and having the campfire smell linger on my clothes.

Take a listen to the music video of this awesome song:

Nature also has its own wonderful songs that weave its melodies through the world around us. From the gentle rustle of leaves in the wind to the powerful sounds of a thunderstorm, the sounds of nature inspire awe and wonder. There are so many examples of nature's sounds that bring us out into the outdoors to observe and listen to them. Nature's music inspires exploration and new opportunities for interpretation. An example of this in my life is the renowned songs of birds. Each species has its own unique melody, from the cheerful song of a robin to the haunting call of the loon. Humans tend to be drawn to the lovely songs of birds as they remind us of our own harmonies and melodies (Gray et al., 2001). Bird calls can be recognizable because they emulate our human musical scale and notes, and a species’ song can be sung in many ways using octaves to create harmonies (Gray et al., 2001). My early interest in birds came from positive memories of sitting outside watching them at my grandparent's house or hearing their calls while playing outside. Experiences like these spark interest in being out in nature. Some more of my favourite examples of awesome nature songs are calls of spring peeper frogs letting you know warmer weather is coming, they call all together in a chorus. I hope to hear from these little guys at my local pond soon, I'm ready for spring!

References:

Gray, P. M., Krause, B., Atema, J., Payne, R., Krumhansl, C., & Baptista, L. (2001). The music of nature and the nature of music. Science, 291(5501), 52–54. https://doi.org/10.1126/science.10.1126/science.1056960 

Hooykaas, A. (n.d.). Unit 07: Nature Interpretation through Music [Online Unit Notes]. ENVS3000 Nature Interpretation. University of Guelph. Available from: https://courselink.uoguelph.ca/d2l/le/content/858004/viewContent/3640021/View

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Nature and Music

This week’s prompt first got me thinking about what qualifies as music in the first place. Does it have to be purposeful? Or have some discernible pattern? What makes a bird song, a song? In the end I came to the conclusion that, to me, music is just a collection of sound. Obviously you are free to disagree with me, but I think music can be just about any noise or sound, including those in nature. Especially because everyone has different preferences. A sound that I hate, someone else might like and visa versa. 

When considering sounds in nature as music I definitely think there is music all around us in nature. There are the more obvious examples like bird songs, which we literally call songs, but there are plenty of animals that make recognizable noises. Such as a wolf’s howl or the call of a whale. In the end, all of these examples are communication, through music. That’s one of the reasons that we humans create music too. 

However, animals are not the only sources of music in nature. I think one of the most beautiful noises/music in nature is a thunderstorm. The mixture of the rain and the occasional booms of thunder make for a relaxing backdrop to a cozy afternoon inside. Water in general is responsible for a lot of nature’s best music. From waves crashing against the shore, to the trickling stream. 

The concept of nature in music is another interesting idea because at first I tried to think of nature sounds in more traditional music but I think the themes of nature are more prevalent in music than its sounds. Some songs talk about the weather or simply remind me of nature and being outside. 

I think some songs that take me back to nature are ones that I associate with sitting around a campfire as a kid. Campfire songs. Such as 99 bottles of beer on the wall. As much as these types of songs can now drive me crazy from the repetitiveness of them, they still remind me of a great part of my childhood and about being outside with friends. 

What do you all think? Can the sounds we hear in nature really be considered music? Just the animal noises? The water too? Let me know what you think.

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Hello,

I’m so glad you brought up heirlooms and even just a person’s own significant items because I had not thought about that scale of history. I had been more focused on the grand worldwide scale, but I think you are 100% correct. I would probably be considered a sentimental person and I find so much value in items, especially ones that once belonged to my grandparents. I have a bracelet from when my grandmother was a child that is very important to me. It is nice to feel connected to the history of one’s family. Another way that I think people do that is by tracking their ancestry. My mum has done a lot of work to track her family tree and it is so interesting to find out information about people that lived hundreds of years ago. 

Thank you for reminding me about the personal side of history!

Importance of Interpreting History

Hi everyone!

Welcome back to another blog!

In today’s blog, I will unpacking the quote by Edward Hyams stating, “There is no peculiar merit in ancient things, but there is merit in integrity, and integrity entails the keeping together of the parts of any whole, and if these parts are scattered throughout time, then the maintenance of integrity entails a knowledge, a memory, of ancient things. …. To think, feel or act as though the past is done with, is equivalent to believing that a railway station through which our train has just passed, only existed for as long as our train was in it.” 

As I read this quote over and over again, trying to really grasp the sense of what he was trying to imply and express, I believe that this quote can be understood in many different ways depending on how you want to see it. In the first part of the quote, I believe he was trying to express how the importance and goodness of history and ancient things is not necessarily the history in itself, but rather the togetherness, the knowledge and the memories that come from it and how it is passed throughout time. For example, chapter 15 of the textbook explains that it's important to interpret history as, “Interpretation breathes life and meaning into past events, architecture, and artifacts. In doing so, it nurtures the development of a personal identity as individuals hear inspiring or thought-provoking stories of the past, and it forms values to guide living in the present” (Back, 2018). Meaning that, the importance of history and old buildings or museums is not the architecture itself, but rather how we remember history and keep the past alive in order to create our future and share these memories. 

The second part of the quote I believe represents the idea that we cannot define our own ‘history’ or ‘tracks’ simply by only considering the railways that we’ve been on…for our history extends beyond the present and the past is made up of the tracks that got us here. In the larger picture of the world, I believe this holds true in issues such as discrimination or war that were large conflicts of the past throughout history that created the world we live in today. To remember not only the happy stories of our past but also the tragic ones are what makes interpreting history so important. In my own life, the idea of things such as my great grandmother's wedding ring or my grandfather's artifacts from when he was in the army being passed down through generations comes to mind. It is not necessarily the wedding ring or the artifacts that are important to have, but more so the meaning and the stories behind them that show where I came from and how the lives of those before me have lived. 

As nature interpreters, I believe this is an important idea as it's our job to make an impact on people’s lives to become a part of their history. To help people see how history relates to their own lives by telling stories of the past is a way to help people remember and keep memories alive. To extend beyond merely what is physically present and instead create lasting feelings and memories. Can you think of any historical artifacts, buildings, etc that have made you remember memories or moments from the past? How has history shaped you into the person you are today?

I look forward to hearing back from you! 

Natalie :)

Beck, L., Cable, T.T., & Knudson, D.M. (2018). Interpreting cultural and natural heritage: for a better world. Sagamore Publishing.

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Who cares about history anyways?

"There is no peculiar merit in ancient things, but there is merit in integrity, and integrity entails the keeping together of the parts of any whole, and if these parts are scattered throughout time, then the maintenance of integrity entails a knowledge, a memory, of ancient things. …. To think, feel or act as though the past is done with, is equivalent to believing that a railway station through which our train has just passed, only existed for as long as our train was in it" (Edward Hyams, Chapter 7, The Gifts of Interpretation)

I had to mull over this quote for a little while. It took a few rereads before I really understood what the author was trying to convey. I’m not sure if that is my own lack of understanding or the way it is written but either way it did take me a while to gain meaning from it. 

This quote brings to mind the saying ‘those who forget history are doomed to repeat it’. The idea that history is in the past and therefore we don’t need to think about it or consider it is ridiculous. Sure, we can’t do anything to change what has passed, but we also can’t afford to just forget about it altogether. The world as we know it is a function of everything that has ever happened. If we don’t learn from the mistakes we have made in history, we won’t be able to prevent those mistakes from happening again.

The popularity of Stonehenge is proof of the human interest in our history. Where did it really come from? How did people so long ago build it? So many question...

In regards to nature, there is one very consequential place where we need to be using history to inform our current and future actions, climate change. By studying tree rings and ice cores we can learn a lot about the history of our world’s climate. We have learned that while there are normal fluctuations in the climate, these take place over very large periods of time and the changes that we are currently experiencing are comparatively very fast. Without looking at the history of our world, we wouldn’t be able to say with nearly as much certainty how truly dangerous our current, and recent past, actions are for our future. The history of our environment is crucial if we hope to have any chance of saving it. 

Another point worth discussing from this quote is the emphasis on the word integrity. One of the meanings of the word integrity is used in this quote, specifically the use of the word in terms of something staying together or being structurally sound. Integrity can also be doing the right thing when no one is watching/ you won’t get any reward for it. I think this relates to the quote as well because we have to do the right thing for our future and our past, even if neither of them are watching us, history because it can’t and the future because just like us they may chose to ignore their past. 

Do you think the author meant for their use of the word integrity to have a double meaning?

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Hello,

I was curious to see what other people chose to focus on for their free write blog post and I really appreciate your pick. I definitely agree that there is something special about a sunset. I think there is something special about that transition time from day to night, and with sunrises from night to day in a similar way. The peacefulness of the world slowing down at the end of a day. Not only is a sunset a beautiful natural phenomenon but it makes you stop and stare, just taking in nature for a moment. These moments are often taken for granted but it is important to appreciate them. I love sunsets but have not really taken a moment to appreciate them much recently. With them being so early in the day this time of year I have been busy with school when the sun is setting, but as they get later and later I look forward to being able to fully appreciate them again soon. 

Thank you for your post!

Blog 5: The beauty of Sunsets

For this week's blog post since we have the liberty to write whatever we are thinking about I thought this would be an amazing opportunity to talk about one of the beautiful wonders of the world…..Sunsets!!!

Sunsets have always held a special place in my heart. As I've journeyed through life, I've noticed that I'm not alone in this feeling. In a recent blog post discussing the interpretation of nature through art, I found that many others share my fascination with these breathtaking displays of nature's beauty. It's fascinating how something as simple as the setting sun can evoke such profound emotions and connections within us.

For me, gazing at a sunset is not just an act of observing; it's a moment of deep connection and introspection. There's something inherently calming about watching the sun dip below the horizon, painting the sky with vibrant hues of orange, pink, and purple. As the day transitions into night, I find myself enveloped in a sense of peace. It's as if the world momentarily pauses, allowing me to fully immerse myself in the beauty of the moment.

Jay Griffiths suggests that art has the unique power to evoke emotions such as sympathy and empathy within us (Beck et al., 2018). Similarly, sunsets, being nature's work of art, offer more than just aesthetic pleasure; as they carry profound meaning for many individuals. For some, they symbolize the end of a hectic day, offering a moment of rest and reflection. For others, they serve as a reminder of loved ones who have passed away (Harris & Writer, 2021). Regardless of the interpretation, sunsets have an ability to evoke a sense of awe and wonder that is unique to each person.

In a fast-paced world filled with constant noise and distraction, sunsets provide a welcome opportunity to slow down and appreciate the beauty that surrounds us. They remind us to pause, take a deep breath, and immerse ourselves in the present moment. In a way, they serve as nature's gentle reminder to cherish the fleeting moments that life offers.

As I reflect on my own experiences with sunsets, I'm reminded of the countless moments of joy, comfort, and connection they've brought into my life. Whether shared with loved ones or enjoyed alone, each sunset holds a special place in my heart, serving as a timeless reminder of the beauty and wonder of the natural world.

Sunsets are more than just a daily occurrence; they're a source of comfort, inspiration, and connection for countless individuals around the world. So, the next time you find yourself looking at a sunset, take a moment to appreciate its beauty and try to hold on to the moment you are living in. I have attached photos of some of my favourite sunsets! If you guys have any photos I would love to see them!!!!

Beck, L., Cable, T. T., & Knudson, D. M. (2018). Interpreting cultural and natural heritage: For A Better World. Sagamore-Venture Publishing.

Harris, M., Writer, S. (2021). The meaning of sunsets.The Uproar. https://nashuproar.org/44574/features/the-meaning-of-sunsets/

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Science Communication Education

Considering the perspective of science in nature interpretation this week got me thinking about science communication as a whole. Nature interpretation is just one form of science communication. One of the reasons that there is such a disconnect between science and the general public is because while the scientific community is doing great work, making discoveries, learning more about topics such as the natural world, they aren’t always as good at translating their work for the general public. This becomes an issue when the topics at hand are important for the public to know. Things such as climate change directly affect people, but for a long time people outside the climate science community were uniformed on the issue. Many people still are. The importance of scientists learning effective communication skills cannot be understated. Being able to make great discoveries is all well and good but if no one outside the science community has access to that information, then the discovery doesn’t mean nearly as much. 

This is why I think courses like this one and other science interpretation courses are vital to the education of future scientists. I have taken multiple courses that are geared towards science communication, including a course actually called ‘science communication’ during my time at Guelph, and I think they have done wonders for my potential future in science. Unfortunately, these courses are not required/standard in many science programs. I strongly believe that they should be. 

I think nature is one place where there is a good opportunity to bridge the gap between science and the public. There are some very simple aspects of nature that most people can experience by simply going outside. It is easy for people who have no interest in other parts of science to find interests in nature. However taking that interest and turning it into further learning is where communication skills on the part of the nature interpreters becomes important. When people have an inherent interest in a subject it can be easier to get them to pay attention to more complicated and more substantial topics. Taking an interest in the forests and hiking, and turning it into knowledge about forest ecosystems and the plants and animals that make forests what they are. Turning an interest in fishing into a passion for protecting endangered marine life. 

The ability to engage an audience while teaching them about the importance of nature and science as a whole is a balance that can be difficult to strike. You don’t want to over complicate things but also don’t want people to feel like you’re dumbing things down for them. Over all, learning about how to be an effective science communicator is an important part of learning to be a scientist and should be part of standard science higher education.

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Hello,

I found your approach to the prompt incredibly interesting. I had not thought about music at all when faced with this prompt, but upon listening to a bit of Vivaldi’s Four Seasons I can see (or should I say hear), exactly what you mean. I recognized ‘spring’ right away from movies but knowing the context and the intention behind it I can definitely hear the connection to spring and nature in the music. 

I also found your mention of the ocean to be very compelling. While I do love listening to the ocean from the shore, I am definitely someone that is more intimidated by its sheer scale when actually in the water. 

In regards to your closing questions. I find beauty in the life I see in nature. I love to see how the flowers grow from day to day, to watch and listen to the new birds in the spring, and to see the leaves change in the fall. These things never fail to bring a smile to my face.

Thank you for your interpretation about the relationship between art and nature.

Week 4, Art and Nature

Who am I to interpret nature through art? Well, I am the observer, I am the audience. I am merely a student who yearns to see the world through the eyes of the artist. To interpret nature through art we are limited by what the artist chooses to show us. We can choose to go deeper and do a meta-analysis of the period the piece was made, and the socio-political views of the time. We can look into the prevalent scientific paradigms in that era, but ultimately we are only shown what the artist wants us, the audience, to see. 

A piece of “art” that immediately came to mind when reading this week's material was Vivaldi’s Four Seasons, likely due to my history with my old choir, which gave me the opportunity to perform a Vivaldi masterwork in Carnegie Hall, New York. Vivaldi wrote each piece in a way that, in my mind, perfectly construes the feeling of each of the seasons, with cold dissonance and harsh rhythms of winter, to the slow calm legato of summer. Even in Autumn, you can hear a mirroring of spring which comes directly after the last remnants of summer dissipate. While this may not be the usual view when asked how you interpret nature through art, I resonate with music more than paintings. The way a series of notes rhythms and volume levels can convey information and the feeling of a story being told by the composer is just fascinating to me. Lyrics or no lyrics, the message, meaning, or interpretation can still be understood. 

As for the gift of beauty, discussed in the textbook, the principle reads, “Interpretation should instill in people the ability, and the desire, to sense the beauty in their surroundings—to provide spiritual uplift and to encourage resource preservation“. My interpretation of the gift of beauty is the ability to find oneself in a sense of awe just by viewing (or hearing) something you find beautiful. This obviously will vary from person to person, I personally find the ocean of great beauty, and I'll find myself watching the tides for hours just basking in its vastness, feeling at home. While others are terrified of the sea and want absolutely nothing to do with it. Some people find peace and tranquility deep in a forest, while others are filled with panic and dread. I guess ultimately beauty is all up for interpretation, and that’s what makes it beautiful. There are no concrete criteria that make something beautiful, it changes depending on who you ask. But often for everyone, there will be some aspect of nature that fills you with a sense of beauty, and with that feeling comes another, one of protectiveness. A desire to preserve this beauty so that others can experience the same, may that be your friends or family, future or present. 

I leave you with this, what do you find beauty in? And why? Don't just give me physical attributes, but tell me what it reminds you of, how it makes you feel.

Till next week o7

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Interpreting Nature Through Art

Nature can be viewed through many mediums. Whether in person, on the screen, or in art, nature can make a great impact in anyone’s life. One particular medium stands out to me, and will be the focus of this post. Art, more specifically visual art such as paintings and pictures. 

One of the aspects of art that make it such an appealing way to view nature is the fact that people have been capturing, and more importantly sharing, nature this way for thousands of years. Some of the art that people created all those years ago is still being viewed today. Famous paintings such as “Starry Night” by Van Gogh and “Water Lilies” by Monet depict a view that existed over 100 years ago, but that is now seen by hundreds of people everyday in museums.

I think anyone can interpret nature through art. Now more than ever. With a camera in every smartphone in the world, billions of people have the ability to capture and share the beauty that they see in nature. I know I probably have at least 100 pictures in my phone right now that I have taken of nature over the past few years. Some I have shared with others, some just for myself. 

People love to share beautiful things with each other. The act of capturing beauty and giving it to someone is a form of love. It tells someone that you found something that you think is beautiful and you thought of them, you wanted to share that beauty with them. 

There is a certain level of responsibility when it comes to interpreting nature through art. One has to make that by sharing that art or even just creating it, they are not harming the beauty that they tried so hard to capture. If sharing pictures on social media of your favourite beach causes a bunch of people to find it and end up leaving lots of garbage behind, the picture has done more harm than good. Wanting to share the beauty of that place is great, but it can be a double edge sword when doing so destroys the very beauty that you loved in the first place. 

Overall, I think sharing art of nature has a net positive result since many of the pieces of art depict places that most people will never be able to visit. In some cases of old paintings and drawings they may depict nature that no longer looks the way it does in the painting, capturing its beauty forever.

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Hello,

I really appreciated all of the aspects of privilege that you explored in this post. You brought up multiple things that I had not previously considered. Your mention of both the privilege of language and mobility stuck with me especially. 

You used English as an example and although the argument could be made that knowing the dominant language in any given place provides a certain level of privilege, I think a handful of languages, English especially, give another layer of privilege to those who speak them. There are many places that, even if the main language of that area is not English, their tourist attractions, including nature sites and historical sites, will have the information available in English along with the language of that area. It makes traveling, and learning, as an English speaking person easier than some other languages. 

I had not considered the mobility aspect of nature interpretation, but when reading your post, I was struck by how truly impactful the privilege of mobility is. Not to mention how important it would be for something that takes place in nature, where the rough terrain adds another layer of challenge for people who need mobility aids. 

Thank you for bringing up these two areas of privilege that I had not considered. Your post was very informative. 

Privilege in Nature Interpretation

I define privilege as an advantage given to a particular group that often goes unnoticed by the beholder. It is prevalent in every aspect of life, including nature interpretation. Nature interpretation is most abundantly available at natural and historical sites. It may be in the form of a lecture, but often involves walking with a guide who will interpret the environment while showing specific notable aspects. As it is usually spoken, privilege based on language is obvious. If a tour is done in English, non english speakers will not be able to understand or effectively participate. On the site, the physical ability to walk through terrain, see, and hear the presentation is another privilege that impacts ones ability to participate. The elderly, blind, deaf, and physical disabled often don't have the privilege of participating in such tours. The price of the transportation and the tour itself is another consideration in attending a nature interpretation. It is a privilege to be able to afford to go on one of these tours. The last privilege I will address is not having to worry about discrimination while attending a tour. Not being part of a minority limits the worry of facing discrimination when in a new environment or with new groups of people. While many would never think twice about attending a tour due to their race, gender, disability, etc, it is a very real part of peoples lives. The fear of being treated poorly in the situation may stop people entirely from attending the tour.

Aside from the attendees of a nature interpretation, the guides and site workers also face privilege in their jobs. Like the attendees, the ability to speak the language of the majority proficiently is a privilege that can determine whether or not a person can work as a nature interpreter. If the guide is not part of a minority group, they likely wont have to worry as much about how their presentation is received and the feedback they are given. The ability to work as a nature interpreter can also be seen as a privilege. The job requires plenty of education, which many don't have access to. Nature interpretation is a very low paying job, on average, so the ability to dedicate a career to this field is often limited to those who can afford to support themselves and their families while receiving a low income.

When examining nature interpretation closely, it is obvious that many aspects of privilege are involved both internally by workers and externally by attendees. Privilege cannot be removed entirely from this situation, as it is always present, but there are steps to be taken that can limit the effects it has on the tours. Making tours accessible to physically and mentally disabled, creating a zero tolerance policy for acts of discrimination, and providing tour in multiple languages are just a few ways nature interpretation sites can limit the effects of privilege. While many more steps are possible, the key to making a change is recognizing ones privilege and actively trying to create an equal experienence for everyone.

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The Role of Privilege in Nature Interpretation

Privilege plays a role in nature interpretation like it does in all aspects of life. Referring back to the backpack analogy, privilege is not something that is only present in some circumstances. It may affect different aspects of one’s life to varying degrees, but the advantages it gives never go away. Privilege is the inherent advantages that a person has, such as where they are born, their sex, or how wealthy they are. 

In the realm of nature interpretation, one large effect that varying levels of privilege has is the access to nature. Although most people can go outside and experience some form of nature, being wealthy enough to travel or being born in certain countries can give someone greater access to nature than others. For example, someone who grew up in the middle of New York City and who can’t afford to travel far outside it, would not have the same level of access to nature as someone who grew up beside a national park, or even someone who also grew up in New York City, but who can afford to travel to find nature. 

On top of being able to access nature, being able to take the time off of work or time from other responsibilities is another privilege that not everyone is afforded. When someone has responsibilities that prevent them from being able to spend time in nature, it doesn’t matter whether they live in the middle of the most lush forest on earth, they won’t be able to access it. 

Another place where privilege affects nature interpretation is the differences in access to education. Being able to learn about nature and participate in more expensive experiences to further one’s nature education can heavily rely on one’s privilege. Living in a place where these programs exist and being able to afford them are two ways that privilege can connect to the issue of nature education. 

It is the responsibility of those with these types of privileges, to do what they can to level the playing field. Whether that is people with excess wealth, using it to help fund free nature education programs so more people have access to them, or if it is governments helping to bring nature to places that it otherwise wouldn’t be, such as in large cities. Having the inherent advantages brought by privilege is not a bad thing, but failing to acknowledge them can very easily lead to a level of ignorance that is. 

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Disclaimer: I am reblogging this late because I originally replied as a comment last week, before the due date, which can be seen on the original post, because I didn't know that I had to responds as a reblog for it to count. My apologies!

Actual Response:

I was struck while reading your post by your first memory from your childhood. The one about going for walks down a path near your house and picking apples. It reminded me immediately about a path that runs alongside a ravine that is behind my childhood home. We would walk along it, following the river all the way to the lake that was at the centre of the town that I grew up in. It was a beautiful trail year round. Although admittedly sometimes a very tiring walk midwinter, when we were covered head to toe in snow gear and could hardly move! It is incredible the little memories that can resurface unprompted when reading about the experiences of others. 

I know you mentioned that winter was your favourite as a kid and I definitely know what you mean when it comes to the snow covered trees. Seeing them now still makes me stop and stare. 

Those pictures of Nova Scotia are absolutely breathtaking! I have always wanted to visit the East coast and I will have to make sure to include Nova Scotia when I finally make it out there. Do you have anywhere closer to home that speaks to you in the same way? It is so special having somewhere that is as peaceful as those pictures look, but it's a shame that your place is so far away. 

Thank you for sharing a little bit about your relationship with nature with us!

01: My relationship with nature.

Hi everyone! I’m a 4th year zoology student at the University of Guelph, and welcome to my blog! For this first blog I’ll be talking about my relationship with nature and how it has evolved. 

Since I was a kid I have always had a large interest in nature, especially with animals. Growing up in Milton, a very fast-growing city, I took every chance I could get to go outside and be more connected with nature. I think my earliest memory of this is when I would go for walks with my parents and my Grandad when I was about four years old. There was a very short walking trail near my house that had an apple tree, and we would walk there every week to pick apples. While it was a very short and simple experience, I remember really enjoying just going outside and spending time with my family.

As I got a little bit older, me and my family would frequently drive to local conservation areas a lot of the time to go for walks in the forests. Most of the time I would spend those walks looking for any animals I could find. My favourite time of year to do these walks was in the winter because I found the snow-covered trees very pretty and peaceful. Winter was always my favourite season as a kid, and I spent a lot of time playing outside in the snow with my brother. 

One place that has always been special to me is Crawford Lake. This is the conservation area that me and my family went to most of the time, and it is still one of my favourite places to go for walks. I always found the boardwalk around the lake to be very peaceful and fun to walk along as a kid. I would frequently stop to look over the railings for snapping turtles in the water below me, and while I only got to see them one time, it was something I won’t forget. I also went there for many school field trips. I remember our tour guide telling us ghost stories about things that had happened at the lake, and while those stories scared me as a kid, I think they helped me feel more connected to the place.

Another place that I have always had a strong connection to is the pond my Grandma has in her backyard. Since I was little I remember it being one of my favourite places to be. I spent a lot of time there with my brother and cousins just looking for frogs, and looking at the koi fish that lived in the pond. I now have three cousins who are all under the age of ten on that side of my family, and so I love to go look for frogs and fish with them like I did when I was their age.

I think one of my favourite places I have been is Nova Scotia. This is where my uncle and his family live, and I have gone there twice to visit them. Being there feels so much different from living in the fast-paced city that I’m used to, as it is much more peaceful and laid back. I spent two weeks there this summer living at my uncle's house near Lunenburg, and it was an experience that really stuck with me. My uncle lives in a house that he built, in a forest by a river. It was such a relaxing experience to be there, and to take little day trips out to the ocean everyday. Hearing the history behind the sites such as Peggy’s Cove and the town of Lunenburg really stuck with me too. I have always loved being by the ocean, and sometimes I think about moving there one day because of how amazing it was to be there. Even though I have only spent about 3 weeks in total there, I think it offered me that “sense of place.” (I’ve included some pictures I took in Nova Scotia below!)

I could talk about many other experiences that have connected me to nature, but these are just a few that have shaped my relationship with it today. Overall, especially being a zoology student, nature is a very important part of my life!

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I can relate to your desire to experience variety in your environmental interpretation. I would love to be able to explore a bunch of different areas of nature. I have a variety of interests and love learning about them all, so I am glad that nature interpretation would allow me to dedicate time to many different parts of the natural world. 

I also appreciate that you included your idea to use virtual learning methods. In some places and even just at different times of the year it can be hard to spend as much time in nature as one may wish. With virtual learning methods, like the ones you mentioned, we can teach people about nature from thousands of kilometres away, or we can post videos teaching people about it that can be accessed at anytime from pretty much anywhere. Making science and nature more accessible is important if we want to preserve it. We have to make people care, and sometimes that takes some virtual education, as well as actually going out into nature. 

I also appreciate that you want to take the nature education to schools, rather than making the students come to you. It can be expensive and difficult to organise a field trip and by being flexible and taking the learning to the students, we can make it even more accessible. 

Overall, I really loved your posts and the pictures you included are beautiful!

My ideal role as an Environmental Interpreter

Environmental interpreters are like nature heroes, helping us understand the language of ecosystems. They use guided tours, nature walks, and fun programs to connect the amazing world of nature with people who are curious and want to explore. They paint pictures with words about biodiversity, conservation, and how our planet is delicately balanced. It's like they're storytellers for nature! Ultimately, bridging the gap between the intricate wonders of nature and the curious minds eager to explore them, and that right there would be my ideal role as an environmental interpreter.

I would range from the serene landscapes of national parks and wildlife reserves to busy city green spaces. Museums, zoos, and botanical gardens would also be hosts for my ideal interpretations, sharing stories about their natural history and why it is so important that we take care of the environment. Imagine walking through a lively botanical garden while being guided by someone who’s telling you all about the hidden tales of each plant and flower. 

In our current society, we spend a lot of our time looking at screens, environmental interpreters are changing how they share their love for nature. Virtual tours and online classes are some of the great new ways to connect people who might be unable to go outside with the beauty of the natural world. Using technology would allow me to  make cool videos and presentations that grab audience’s attention and  leave you motivated to take care of the environment, after all we only get one planet, we must take care of it. 

Beyond just leading tours and fun programs, I believe environmental interpreters are like community champions for nature and protecting our planet. I would love the opportunity to team up with schools, local groups, and organizations to spread the word about taking care of the environment. Organizing cool events, workshops, and programs to help communities learn about and support sustainable practices would be another one of my ideal roles.

Being an environmental interpreter is a really interesting and varied job. These storytellers don’t just explain natures mysteries but also help people feel a strong connection to the environment. In the face of all the changes and challenges our planet is facing, environmental interpreters are encouraging us to rediscover how amazing and important the world around us truly is.