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Hi Heather! 

I really enjoyed reading your post; it was like a breath of fresh air. You really had such a bright light and positive outlook on nature and your role as a nature interpreter. I loved and truly respected your take on the protection and conservation of nature. I think a lot of us are often found guilty of recognizing a problem such as deforestation, garbage found in our ecosystems, etc. and instead of putting a stop to it, turn a blind eye. I believe that this course was definitely eye opening for a lot of us in truly seeing the importance of nature and our responsibility to preserve its beauty. I can say that from now on, I personally will second guess a lot of my decisions and make sure I not only protect physically, but also advocate for the sustainability and justice of keeping our world’s beauty and conserving it. 

As I previously mentioned, a lot of people find it easier to turn a blind eye than act on something, and I think a lot of that comes from a lack of knowledge. Ensuring that people are understanding of the importance as well as connecting in their own ways is extremely important. As you mentioned, technology these days often creates a disconnect with people and nature. It's even seen with the younger generations - less and less go outside to play. Its really sad considering they are not building these connections with nature that we had at that age, and likely that will translate into their later lives. I think it's extremely important to educate everyone, especially the younger generation so they understand the importance of preservation and nature interpretation. They (as well as us) are the future that will be running the world, so building these personal attachments are crucial in the long run as well. 

I also agree that I did not see the correlation between a lot of the different ways of interpreting. Sure, I could picture it in art, however science, history and music are all new concepts to me, and especially after reading all of the blog posts of the different experiences and ways people have interpreted nature through these methods, I was fascinated by it! It has inspired me to look into different mediums when interpreting, and definitely awoke a creative side that I have not seen in a while. 

I 100% think that you would succeed in a role of nature interpretation. You have a great outlook on nature as well as recognize what the importances are. You have touched on all aspects that I would as well deem crucial for a successful nature interpreter, and crucial to change the world for the better. Good luck this summer! I think you have a great foundation and will learn plenty out in Newfoundland! 

I wish you all the best in your future endeavors and as you embark on this new journey!

Best regards,

Natasa

The role of a life time

Welcome to my blog, 

As someone pursuing a future in nature interpretation, my priority will always be the protection and conservation of nature. There is no future in nature interpretation if there is no nature to interpret. This has always been a belief I have carried and will continue to carry for the rest of my life. My second priority will be people. Throughout this course we have learned about the importance of sharing the beauty of nature with others, and all the ways this can be done. Aside from my responsibility to nature itself, my responsibility to the public is another major driving factor in my life. Ensuring that as many people as possible understand the importance of the natural world and form their own personal attachments to protect it in the future. 

Right now, I am a student. I have only just started my journey as an adult and am unsure of who I am. However, I have developed several core beliefs that I will continue to adapt and build upon. I believe in the significance of nature, and I believe that as humans we can change. We have long taken the natural world for granted, seeing it as a commodity or something to be owned. We are a part of nature, just one cog in the cycle, we are not separate or above any other part of nature, and as soon as we understand that, change can occur. 

Rodenburg (2019) says that he wouldn’t do the work he does if he didn’t believe in impact experiences in nature can have on people. I think most nature interpreters would agree. I want to pursue this week because I have experienced the significance of nature myself and have been changed by it. And I wish to share the love I have for nature with as many people as possible. I find myself drawn to working with students. Young kids who will one day have the responsibility of fixing the world that was left to them. In a world of increasing technological advances, it is becoming easier to keep kids inside instead of urging them outside (Rodenburg, 2019). It falls to the hands of teachers and interpreters to ensure that kids are creating meaningful experiences in nature so that one day they’ll make better choices when it comes to protecting nature. This is one of my goals that I hope one day I will achieve. 

One of the most impactful things I read in our textbook, was that each interpreter is responsible for continuing their own learning and seeking resources to better themselves (Beck & Cable, 2018). Every class I’ve taken, have helped me get to where I am today. Even the ones that weren’t specific to my major, helped me learn more about the world and apply it to my own experiences and build new skills. 

Beck & Cable (2018), remind the reader that becoming someone (as an interpreter) takes time. They discuss how one needs time to travel, to read, to learn, to watch and to contemplate one’s life and work (Beck & Cable, 2018). I have only just started my journey. The beliefs I have now are strong, and good place to start, but I need time in the real world to create my own experiences and find out who I am in order to be a good interpreter. 

One thing I will take with me from this course, is that there is no one way to interpret. Throughout the semester we learned that one can interpret through art, science, history, music and more (Hooykaas, 2024). Art was a newer idea for me, growing up art and science always seemed so separate. But here I learned how easy it is to integrate art, science, and history together, to make a better story. Wheeler (2016) taught us that art helps us create richer experiences for our audience. Music has a similar affect, Gray et al (2001) remind us that every culture has some form of music, it is universal. Music can also be found in nature, through birds, whales, rain, wind, and more. The idea of the windchime, where human invention and nature mingle is an example of ways people interact with nature, maybe without even fully realizing it. 

Right now, I prefer a more hands on approach in my role as an interpreter. I enjoy being out in the field with students and showing them the wonders of nature. I find that my excitement transfers best when it’s authentic and that happens when I’m out in nature. As a visual learner I know how difficult it can be to keep up with someone who’s simply talking to you. This is where I find hands-on experiences most helpful. Obviously oral communication is one of the most common forms, but it can be hard to absorb all that knowledge, by slowing down and looking at something together, it presents the opportunity for the student to see what it is you’re talking about and ask questions in a judgement-free environment. I learned a while ago to not be scared of asking questions and it’s something I urge for others to do as well. If you don’t ask, you’ll never learn. 

I will strive to continue educating myself on environmental topics, this way I will have a solid background when presenting environmental sciences to the public/students. I’m going to continue to adapt my interpretation skills and incorporate music, art, and history into my science background. I strongly believe that in order to be a great interpreter, I need to continue to learn. To expand my horizons and understand more of the world. 

This summer, I’ll be venturing off to Newfoundland for 4 months to work at a research institute as a marine interpreter. I will 1000% be applying the knowledge I’ve learned from this class, as well as all my other course, and past work experience. Beck & Cable (2018) mention travel as a way to better oneself, and I have the privilege of getting to embark on a journey to figure out who I want to be. Aristotle said, “knowing yourself is the beginning of all wisdom.” 

I’m excited to find out who I am.

That’s all!

References 

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

Gray, P. Krause, B. Atema, J., Payne, R., Krumhansl, C. & Baptista, L. (2001). The Music of Nature and the Nature of Music. Science. 291. 52-54.

Hooykaas, A. (2024). Unit 07, Unit 04, & Unit 10.  [Lecture notes]. ENVS3000 Nature Interpretation. University of Guelph.

Rodenburg, J. (2019). Why Environmental Educators Shouldn't Give up Hope. Environmental Literacy. ClearingMagazine.org.

Wheeler, E. (2016). The craft of engagement. Legacy, 27(6), 29–31.

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Hi Zeina!

Your post really resonated with me. I liked your connection to flow. It reminds me a lot of Chapter 3 in the textbook, where it explains that there is a difference between learning something and to absorb it; by absorbing it, we are enjoying it (Beck et al., 2018, Chapter 3). That to me describes flow quite literally. By being in this state of optimal experience, you must enjoy what you are learning, and therefore you are absorbing it. By enjoying what you are learning, you are led to these feelings of clarity and fulfillment as you mentioned. This was also one of my personal ethics. I am a true believer in enjoying what you do. Not only will you get a better experience out of something, but the people around you feed off of the passion and energy you give off. If you are truly excited and happy to be talking about something, it will ignite a spark in other individuals potentially leading them to better ‘absorb’ this information, ultimately enjoying it. I liked your point about children and the importance of instilling them with the appreciation and connection with nature from a young age. A lot of your interests and learning is done during childhood, so by immersing a child in nature it will definitely ignite a spark in this field. A lot of people say that from the age of 7 (I think) and under, its easier for children to learn certain things such as languages instead of adults, so it makes perfect sense to begin this interest young. 

I deeply respect your dedication to confronting challenging topics during your role as a nature interpreter. Many people tend to shy away or turn a blind eye to these kinds of subjects, however I also believe it is very important to address. I also said I would do this in talking about my responsibilities. In order to be as inclusive as possible, I think it is extremely important to talk about these subjects. Recognizing historical events that may evoke different feelings in certain individuals is important to allow for everyone to feel heard and acknowledged. 

I think your background in child and family studies and biology give you the perfect foundation for such a role. You evidently have experience in looking from different perspectives and recognizing not only the biology aspect but also the human interactions that come with nature interpretation. I think you would kill a career in this!

Overall, your post was very well written. It is nice to see some of the overlap we had in our takeaways from the course, as well as appreciate some points that I had not thought of myself. I commend you for taking the less ‘easy’ approach and acknowledging the hard conversations as they are equally, if not more important than a lot of others. 

Great work, I wish you a great rest of the semester and journey as a nature interpreter! 

Best regards, 

Natasa

References:

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

Flowing with Nature - Interpretive Ethic

Hi everyone! 

I can't believe it's already time for our final blog post! It's crazy to think how quickly time has flown by. It feels like just yesterday we began this journey of exploring nature interpretation. As I reflect on my journey, I'm excited to share with you my personal ethics as I continue to develop as a nature interpreter. This journey has been one of self-discovery, filled with moments of inspiration and growth. So, let's dive into what beliefs I bring, the responsibilities I hold, and the approaches I find most suitable.  

Earlier in the semester, I remember watching a podcast that really stuck with me: “Flow, the secret to happiness” by Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi. He introduced the concept of "flow," a state of optimal experience where individuals are fully immersed and engaged in their activities, leading to feelings of clarity and fulfillment (Csikszentmihalyi, 2004). Overall, the message encourages viewers to seek activities and experiences that bring them into a state of flow, where they can find joy and purpose in their lives (Csikszentmihalyi, 2004). 

Just as Csikszentmihalyi discusses finding happiness and meaning through activities that lead to a state of flow, nature interpretation encourages individuals to immerse themselves in nature in a way that promotes a similar sense of engagement and connection. Whether it's through guided hikes, wildlife observation, or hands-on conservation activities, nature interpretation provides avenues for individuals to enter a state of flow where they feel fully absorbed and connected to their surroundings. As I continue to develop as a nature interpreter, I am committed to creating experiences that enable individuals – peer, family or friends – to immerse themselves in nature, find joy and purpose in their interactions with the natural world, and cultivate a deeper connection with the environment. 

For someone like me, who is passionate about nature and working with kids, the importance of educating the next generation to stay in touch with nature as well as conservation is crucial. This belief is deeply ingrained in my personal ethics and the responsibilities I feel as a nature interpreter. Through my journey in the Arts and Science program, where I'm minoring in both biology and family and child studies, I've come to recognize the profound importance of nature in a child's development.  

Children are naturally curious and eager to explore the world around them. By fostering a connection with nature from a young age, we can instill in them a lifelong appreciation for the environment and a sense of responsibility for its protection. As a nature interpreter, it is my responsibility to provide opportunities for children to engage with the natural world in meaningful ways.  

Additionally, as we delve deeper into the complexities of nature interpretation, I recognize the importance of addressing difficult issues that may arise. Incorporating the importance of addressing difficult issues into my personal ethics as a nature interpreter is essential for fostering a comprehensive understanding of the natural world and its complexities. As the textbook emphasizes, interpretive sites often grapple with critical issues that may span historical, environmental, cultural, and social domains (Beck et al., 2018, p. 94). It is the responsibility of interpreters to engage visitors in meaningful conversations about these topics, providing accurate information, fostering dialogue, and promoting critical thinking. 

This dedication to confronting challenging topics is consistent with my belief that activism and education can bring about constructive change. In my role as a nature interpreter, I understand the importance of giving people context, a different point of view, and chances for reflection regarding matters like social justice, degradation of the environment, civil rights, and racial tensions. Interpreters can help individuals form stronger bonds with their surroundings by exploring these difficult subjects. As well as inspiring people to think about how they can contribute to the future of our planet. 

Moreover, my background in both biology and family and child studies has equipped me with a holistic understanding of the interconnectedness of natural and human systems. This interdisciplinary perspective enables me to approach difficult issues from multiple angles, considering their implications for both ecological and social well-being. By integrating scientific knowledge with principles of child development, I strive to create educational experiences that resonate with diverse audiences and inspire them to become agents of positive change in their communities. 

As a nature interpreter, I consider myself a conversation starter who pushes people to face hard realities and imagine a future that is more equitable and sustainable. I aim to enable people to make informed decisions and tackle urgent environmental and social issues by sharing information based on science and fostering critical thinking. 

I am filled with a sense of purpose and optimism for the future as I wrap up this post. Through my journey in nature interpretation, I have come to recognize the transformative power of immersive experiences, storytelling, and education in fostering a deep connection with the natural world, particularly among children—the next generation who will care for and protect environmental. 

My approach to nature interpretation is based on a commitment to providing meaningful and profound experiences that develop a lifetime love for environment and a sense of responsibility for its conservation, from embracing the idea of flow to fostering children's natural curiosity and sense of wonder. By tackling challenging topics and offering precise information based on empathy and science, my goal is to enable people to become advocates for social justice and the environment. 

Thank you to all of you who took the time to read my posts throughout the semester! I thoroughly enjoyed reading all of yours. I wish each and every one of you all the best!  

- Zeina :) 

References  

Beck, L., Cable, T. T., & Knudson, D. M. (2018). Interpreting cultural and natural heritage: For A Better World (pp. 94). Sagamore Publishing. 

Csikszentmihalyi, M. (2004). Flow, the secret to happiness. https://www.ted.com/talks/mihaly_csikszentmihalyi_flow_the_secret_to_happiness/transcript?language=en 

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Final Blog!

Hi everyone, welcome to my final blog!

This week we were asked to connect all that we have explored and talked about during this course. Through the semester, we have explored many subjects that may have skewed our perception on nature, our role in nature as well as simply appreciating and recognizing the beauty of our world. I have expressed in previous posts that while I have always appreciated nature, it was admittedly not something I had always given much thought. I could recognize it for its beauty at certain times but I never really got to see the impact that it holds and how truly important it is to us, as well as how privileged we are to be able to live in and experience such a beautiful world. After taking this course and exploring the role as a nature interpreter, I can confidently say my perception has changed, and I now look at the world and our nature in a very different and more appreciative light. Join me today as we delve into my role as a nature interpreter after this eye opening semester.

Along with these personal ethics, I do have some beliefs that I would like to share as I explore my role in nature interpretation. My first belief is that everybody has the ability to learn, as long as their specific learning styles are employed. By introducing information in various learning styles, every individual will have the opportunity to learn in the ways that work best for them, and thus will increase the amount of learning that will occur (Beck et al., 2018, Chapter 6). Following that, my second belief is the importance of getting to know your audience (Beck et al., 2018, Chapter 7). By learning specific demographic characteristics about your audience, it allows for differences in presentation, delivery, information that is included, interest levels, complexity levels, etc  (Beck et al., 2018, Chapter 7). It may also go in hand with my first belief of determining the learning styles. This will allow for me and other interpreters to really target our messages and the information that is being presented in the most effective way for optimal learning. 

I have learned that there are various responsibilities that must be considered for the optimal experience, learning and passion of an individual. First, being able to recognize our privilege. By unpacking our invisible backpack and recognizing the unearned assets which one may possess is very important. Not many people have the same opportunities that others may, and its important to recognize this. This may affect how people view nature and the kind of experience they have. Sometimes people may not have an amazing experience because of this. Therefore I recognize that my responsibility would be to make sure that everyone feels included and can do my best to allow for each individual to have the best experience they can. For example, this can be by making sure to include accessible pathways for someone in a wheelchair, visit areas that are no-to-low cost for those that may not be able to afford it, addressing historical events that may be important to individuals to show cultural support, etc. Again, making sure I know my audience well and catering to various different learning styles is another responsibility I recognize. For auditory learners, a presentation they can listen to or audio-guided tapes can be provided for most effective learning, visual learners may be provided with a brochure with some visual aids to follow along, etc  (Beck et al., 2018, Chapter 6). 

While I could go on forever about what I took away from this course, I believe that these are the most important to me. By instilling these ethics and beliefs outlined in this post, it will allow for optimal learning for myself and the individuals being taught, thus passing down the passion and love for nature. All in all, this course has taught me so much about our beautiful world, its importance in life and my importance as an interpreter. I am excited to embark on this newfound passion of mine and hope you will join me. 

I hope everyone has a great rest of the semester and hopefully I will see you one day on a nature tour guided or around interpreting nature yourselves! 

Best regards,

Natasa

References

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

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Hi! 

I thought your post was extremely well written and opened another perspective on nature’s diversity. As you mentioned, people (myself included) often become very consumed with the chaos of their life and don’t ‘stop to smell the roses’. It's important to appreciate the beauty and diversity of our green world. There are so many aspects to nature as you mentioned and its vast diversity is something so astonishing and unbelievable in thought. Everything surrounding us is a part of nature, and contributes in one way or another to our or other ecosystems in our world and their existence and functionality. 

I mentioned in a previous post about the importance of stopping, observing and really taking in and appreciating what we have around us. It not only grounds us, but can be a reliever of stress and has been proven to boost moods and calm oneself. The effect that it has on us is remarkable, and as you mentioned often overlooked. If you think about it, every single thing is a derivative of nature, which really emphasizes its importance. Recognizing it for not only what it is, but also in appreciating its beauty is something so important. We should all be extremely grateful for our world, and contribute to preserving its natural beauty. I know that we all oftentimes preach about protecting our Earth, but sometimes our words are empty. I think we can all do some reflecting and recognize where improvements should be made. Do you feel that you have any changes you should make in order to immerse yourself in nature, as well as protect it from dangers? 

Overall great post! I look forward to hearing more from you.

Regards,

Natasa

Embracing Nature's Diversity: Exploring Its Most Incredible Phenomenon

In a world often consumed by the rush of daily life, it is easy to overlook nature's breathtaking diversity. Today, I will shine a spotlight on what I believe to be the most remarkable phenomenon in the natural world: its unparalleled diversity. Join me on a journey as we celebrate the astonishing variety of life on Earth and discover how each of us can forge a deep connection with its wonders.

Nature's diversity is nothing short of incredible and inspiring. From the majestic redwoods of California, reaching skyward and touching the clouds, to the vibrant coral reefs of the Great Barrier Reef, pulsating with life beneath the waters, our planet is home to millions of extraordinary ecosystems, each a masterpiece in its own right. This rich abundance of biodiversity paints a vivid portrait of nature's ingenuity and resilience, captivating our imagination and inviting us to explore its boundless wonders.

Here are some photos from a weekend getaway in Niagara Falls, ON. Look at the diverse array of colours!

There is something for everyone to connect with within this vast assortment of life. Whether it is the graceful flight of a hummingbird or the gentle sway of a towering palm tree, nature speaks to each of us in its unique language. Nature's boundless diversity ensures that there is something for everyone, regardless of age, expertise, or background, inviting all citizens to explore, learn, and connect with its wonders (Beck et al., 2018). In these moments of connection, we find comfort, wonder, and a profound sense of belonging in the world around us.

So, how can we nurture this connection with nature? It begins with simply taking the time to pause, observe, and appreciate the world around us. Whether embarking on a hike through a lush forest or simply marvelling at the intricacies of a single flower, there are countless opportunities to immerse ourselves in nature. By doing so, we enrich our lives and deepen our appreciation for the beauty and complexity of the natural world (Beck et al., 2018).

Moreover, embracing nature's diversity is not just about personal enrichment but also about recognizing our role as stewards of the planet. As we witness the devastating impacts of climate change and habitat destruction, it is more important than ever to take action to protect and preserve our precious natural spaces. Whether supporting conservation initiatives, advocating for environmental policies, or simply making sustainable choices in our daily lives, we have the power to make a difference.

In essence, nature's diversity is its most incredible phenomenon, offering us a window into the richness and complexity of life on Earth. By honouring its magnificence and embracing our connection to it, we not only enrich our own lives but also contribute to the collective well-being of our planet. Let us step outside with open hearts and eager spirits, embarking on a journey of discovery and appreciation amidst the captivating beauty of nature's diverse wonders.

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

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Volcanic Lightning

Hi everyone! 

I hope this last week has been good for everyone and everyone now has some relief given that our podcasts are submitted! This week, we were asked to interpret the most amazing thing about nature. It took me a second to figure out what that was, so I did a little bit of research and found out all about something called volcanic lightning. Volcanic lightning is a charge of lightning that occurs as a result of a volcanic eruption, instead of a regular thunderstorm. Imagine the 2 things in nature that people are typically afraid of. It's crazy! Don’t think that's cool enough? Let me give you some more information about them.

Alright so how does this happen? Well, it took a long time for scientists to figure out its exact cause. It occurs at the beginning of a volcanic eruption in 2 places; either close to the ground in thick ash clouds or high up near the stratosphere within the fumes of volcanic smoke. Their locations have different reasons behind them occurring. 

For the volcanic lightning that happens near the ground in thick ash clouds, studies show that when the volcanic eruption begins, individual ash particles rub together, which then creates enough static electricity for a lightning bolt to occur (Fearon, 2020). The volcanic lightning that occurs high up near the stratosphere is a little more unordinary. The cause of this type of volcanic lightning is actually the opposite of what you would think, it's because of ice (Fearon, 2020). Research shows that both the smoke and water vapor rises from the volcano, causing ice to form at very high levels (Fearon, 2020). From that point, lightning is generated with the same mechanism as it does in a thunderstorm - ice crystals collide and then generate enough electric charge to initiate a lightning bolt (Fearon, 2020). Who would have thought that the opposite of fire and lava would actually initiate that? It's so cool! 

Other reasons for this phenomenon would be fractoemission and radioactive charging (SciTechDaily.com Authors, 2022). Fractoemission is when the rock particles break apart during the explosion, causing charged particles and static charge to form (SciTechDaily.com Authors, 2022). This also happens closer to the volcano’s base since it is something that happens in high energy places (SciTechDaily.com Authors, 2022). The ash particles have a natural radioactivity that is above the normal level, and charged areas are created once they decay. This is called radioactive charging (SciTechDaily.com Authors, 2022). Scientists are fairly unsure of this mechanism, but do believe it is a contributing factor in some cases. 

While I can describe this phenomenon for ages, nothing will truly explain how cool these are until you get to see them for yourselves. So, I’ve attached a few photos and a video for you guys to see how fascinating it is. 

Photos and videos are from Vulkane.net. 

Thank you guys for tuning in and hope that you guys have a good rest of the week!

Until next time,

Natasa

References

Fearon, R. (May 28 2020). Volcanology: The Study of Volcanic Activity and Predicting Eruptions. Discovery. www.discovery.com/science/volcanology--the-study-of-volcanic-activity-and-predicting-erupt.  

SciTechDaily.com Authors. (May 9 2022). Volcanic Lightning: The Science behind This Spectacular Phenomenon. SciTechDaily.  scitechdaily.com/volcanic-lightning-the-science-behind-this-spectacular-phenomenon/.  Vulkane.net Authors. Volcanic Lightning and Dirty Thunderstorms. Vulkane. www.vulkane.net/en/volcanism/volcanic-lightnings.html.

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Hi! 

I really liked your blog post. I think you did a great job explaining the relationship between nature and music. The campfire song from spongebob is a classic, and I loved that you associate that with nature and campfires. Do you have any other songs that remind you of a personal experience about nature? I talked about Flowers in Your Hair by The Lumineers. I had a summer that was the top song I played, so for me it always reminds me of riding bikes, being at the beach, taking walks outside and being in nature. If you have heard it, you definitely know what I’m talking about. It is the epitome of good-vibe summer outdoors kind of music. Do you have a song that does that for you? 

I thought the information on Plant Wave was really cool. I think I saw that once in a cartoon when I was little, but never thought it could be real, yet here we are haha! I will have to test that out and see what it can come up with. It's interesting that it can be picked up, considering that they say that plants hold a lot of energy and frequency. Some even play music and talk to their plants to keep their energy high. I wonder if there would be a difference in the music for plants with these ‘high energies’ versus ones who don’t get spoken or sang to. 

Overall you had a great post! Thank you for sharing. 

Have a good week,

Natasa

Blog 7: Planting musical roots

I believe music in nature is very easy to find. Birds are found on every continent and sea birds such as the Albatross spend most of their life at sea or near water. One could even say that it is very difficult to find a location where birds have not colonized. One of the unique aspects of birds is their mating rituals, which involve multiple dance routines, plumage colors, structures such as nests, and, most importantly, songs.

Male Bowerbird decorating its nest with bright objects to attract a potential mate.

Bird songs and calls are perhaps the most recognizable characteristics of birds apart from their wings and beaks. Many bird species identification books and keys use bird songs and calls to identify the species since you cannot always see a bird, but you can definitely hear it. Characterizing bird songs as music, as defined by humans, tends to be controversial. Musicians, composers, scientists, researchers, and bird experts cannot agree that bird songs are music. One of this week’s assigned papers, ‘The Music of Nature and the Nature of Music’ by Gray et al. (2001) supports that bird songs are music but articles over the years from (2012) and (2023) still showcase that the discussion is ongoing and will likely not reach a concrete conclusion any time soon.

Nature in music is, in my opinion, vague. Can you call a song describing a couple’s divorce, written after the author went on a nature hike as being inspired by nature? Does the song have to mention or explicitly revolve around nature to be considered as a song inspired by nature? I do not know, to be honest, but that’s the beauty of music as an art form, it's subjective, so you can define nature in music however you want.

Plant Wave in progress, where electric singnals from the plant are being converted to music.

Regarding nature in music, I want to talk about a specific type of music or phone application; Plant Wave. Plant Wave is a phone application that converts electrical signals produced by plants into music that plays through the app by using a sensor that is hooked up to the plant. The creator of Plant Wave, Joe Patitucci, has released some songs he has made using plants. I personally find this fascinating since you do not think about plants when it comes to music but Joe Patitucci did, and he has opened a gateway for people to enjoy nature even more through Plant Wave.

My story revolving plant wave is funny as I found one of Joe’s songs on Spotify while listening to a playlist about space themed synthwave music (think about the interstellar movie theme). I found this rather amusing because while looking for music relating to the vastness of space, I ended up back on Earth listening to a plant’s electronic signals instead. This scenario showcases how the reach of nature can be further expanded using media as described by this week’s assigned textbook chapter reading. If Joe had not decided to share his nature experience with the public, I would have never gone down the rabbit hole that was plant wave.

C-A-M-P-F-I-R-E-S-O-N-G song being performed live in public for the first time

As for a song that takes me back to natural landscape, I think about the CAMPFIRE song song (yes it is song song, not a typo) from SpongeBob Squarepants. The whole episode revolves around how camping can be fun and dangerous. Nowadays, whenever I hear camping or campfire, that song immediately comes to my mind, especially the sear bear scene (if you have watched the episode, you know the sea bear scene).

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Nature in Music

Hi everyone,

I hope you have all had a great reading week! This week, our blog prompt urged us to think about the universal language of music, and how its cultural and emotional powers are reflected in nature. While most may just be thinking of strumming a guitar or playing the drums, there are many more forms of music that are often overlooked. Earth’s natural sounds are certainly a form of music, and maybe once upon a time was what influenced music today. Today we will be exploring music in nature, and nature in music. 

Nature is present in music in many forms. Whether that be birds singing or chirping, waves crashing, trees rustling or wind blowing. Earth’s sounds are natural to us, and provide a feeling of calmness. When needing a break from school or after getting worked up, I will often take a break and step outside and it will instantly calm me as I become present in nature and am aware of what's around me. People will fall asleep to nature sounds as it provides such a calming presence. It reduces stress and improves moods vastly. Earth provides us with the most raw and natural form of music. 

Nature can also be seen as an inspiration to music. Many composers and artists have used nature as their muse and have come up with famous and beautiful pieces. For instance, Vivaldi has composed The 4 Seasons, which is a group of 4 pieces that each tribute and express one of the four seasons. It contains sounds pulled from nature and sounds inspired by it. 

There are many songs that bring back memories tied into nature as well. The textbook explains how this stems from the earlier days of Yellowstone where songs and performances were used as an integral part to every evening campfire. These interpreters would use banjos, guitars and accordions. A lot of music that is associated with campfire songs and summer I find have sounds similar to these instruments. Country music is extremely big in the summer, and is often associated with being outside and in nature. Country music has a lot of influence from these sounds and instruments and thus shows the impact it has in modern day music. 

I don’t listen to country music, but my favourite summer song is “Flowers in Your Hair” by The Lumineers. It definitely has some country influence with the use of the guitar, banjo and spoons/maracas (this is just from what I hear, the instruments may be wrong). This song brings me back to swimming in the lake with my friends. We spent a weekend at a cottage and spent the whole time in and out of the water. This song continuously played when making dinner, being outside, swimming or by the campfire. A lot of that weekend we spent being outside since we were at the cottage, so I have a lot of memories in nature there. This immediately came to my mind as the song to remind me of nature. Take a listen!

Thanks for listening,

Natasa

References: 

Knudson, L.B.T.T.C.D. M. (2018). Interpreting Cultural and Natural Heritage: For a Better World. Sagamore Publishing LLC. https://sagamore.vitalsource.com/books/9781571678669 

The Lumineers. (23 Jan 2021). Flowers in Your Hair. [Video]. Youtube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aHa0DhMXPL4

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Hi Virginia, 

I really liked your post! You did a great job of analyzing and dissecting Hyman’s quote as well as connecting it well to our learning. It is very evident you have a deep understanding of both the significance of Hyman’s words as well as the content we have discussed in the course. I liked how you connected the quote with Fleischner's definition of natural history. I had not thought about the relation between the two, and you provided me with a better understanding of both. It really conveys your understanding by being able to connect the two so easily. You highlighted the importance of how historical significance “keeps the stories and events from the past true and connected”. I really liked Hyams’ analogy on the railroad station, and it seems that you did too. Dismissing the past shows the failure of understanding and recognition of its significance on the future and present events. The past holds so much more value than people give it credit for, and its extremely important to be able to understand that. 

Overall, you have a great post! Your knowledge and understanding is very evident in your words. You have a great way of expressing yourself. You remained respectful and emphasized the importance of all of Hyams’ points while including your own interpretation and connecting it to our course today. 

All in all, great job and I look forward to your future posts! 

Have a good weekend,

Natasa 

Nature Interpretation through History BLOG 6

In this weeks blog we were asked to dissect the quote written by Edward Hyams:

"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)

This quote resonates deeply with the essence of integrity and its interconnectedness with the past. Join me as I unfold all of the wisdom embedded within Hyams' words.

Hyams' first quote really stood out to me: "There is no peculiar merit in ancient things", this statement challenges us to reassess our perceptions of antiquity, and it urges us to look beyond the surface and dig deeper into the essence of integrity. Here, we are reminded of the importance of preserving the unity and coherence of our historical knowledge.

Continuing on, Hyams emphasizes the intrinsic value of integrity, stating, "keeping together of the parts of any whole", This resonates with Fleischner's definition of natural history as "intentional, focused attentiveness and receptivity to the more-than-human world, guided by honesty and accuracy." Just like natural historians carefully write down what they see in nature to tell a complete story about the natural world, historical interpretation works in a similar way to keep the stories and events from the past true and connected.

Furthermore, Hyams emphasizes how crucial it is to remember and understand old things, which we also have learned throughout our course. As people who explain nature, it is our job to respect the stories of who lived before us. In doing so, we help keep our shared history alive and make sure that our culture and nature is passed down to future generations.

The analogy of the railway station is a great reminder that time moves ever so quickly and many things change. Ignoring the past means that you are missing out on important lessons, just like thinking a train station only exists when the train is there. We're encouraged to appreciate history's depth and how it continuously affects us.

In summary, Hyams' quote acts as a timeless guide, helping us further understand integrity, historical interpretation, and how the past connects to the present. As we explore nature interpretation, lets remember the valuable lessons Hyams teaches us. We should respect the stories/artifacts of the past and take our responsibility seriously in preserving them from the future. By doing this together, we can ensure that both our natural and cultural heritage remain intact for many generations to come.

Cheers! Thanks for reading!

-Virginia

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History and Nature

History is an extremely important part of our world today. It contributes to our society, our decision-making, our current events and infinite other aspects of our lives. Its contribution is often overlooked and not many people realize the power that history holds, and the continuous patterns that we see stemming from history and into our lives today. 

This week, we were asked to unpack the following quote written by Edward Hyman:

“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)

The quote begins by speaking about how something simply being old and ancient doesn’t mean it holds value, however the integrity that one has is what holds true value and worth. This means that the quality and worth of something is not as a result of its age, but rather its from the meaning that it holds. To preserve the integrity would be to preserve the artifact, and oftentimes one cannot work without the other. They go hand in hand. Without the integrity of the object or artifact, it simply holds no value other than taking up space. By preserving its meaning, we are able to appreciate its value and recognize it for the worth that it holds. And vice versa, by simply knowing the meaning will have a lot less value without the artifact itself. The artifact and integrity together is what holds the value. 

As Hyman continues, he emphasizes the importance of maintenance of integrity. By preserving these historical artifacts and events, its value and importance is remembered overtime. While it's not only about remembering, but as previously mentioned it's about being able to use the information of history in today's events, to recognize where our knowledge stems from and to acknowledge the importance of the past. In order to understand this knowledge, the memories must be preserved in order to recognize its significance and integrity today.

Hyman uses a metaphor to explain this. “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”. What happens in the past does not stay in the past. It is carried into every aspect of today. It is equivalent to believing that a station only existed as long as the train traveled through it. Dismissing the past reflects a failure of being able to understand and recognize its significance on the present. 

Overall, Hymans quote touches on the importance of being able to recognize and appreciate the past, as its significance on the present is vast. This can be applied to interpreting nature as well, for instance the importance of recognizing the events that occurred on the land we live on, the importance of knowing which kind of plants, animals or other aspects of nature have been proven to be harmful in the past, and simply acknowledging the privilege we hold by being able to have access to such beauty in nature, contributed by the events of the past.

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Hi Lauren,

What an interesting read! Your fascination with shipwrecks reminds me a lot of my little sister. After watching the Titanic she has been obsessed with both the story of the Titanic and shipwrecks in general. Its crazy how many facts she knows, and so I couldn’t help but respond to your post. 

The facts you have shared are so interesting! I admittedly knew nothing about shipwrecks other than they can be a cool artifact for people to explore. It's insane to think about all of the aquatic life living down there, and what home they made from the nooks and crannies of the ship. I had no idea the role that microorganisms play in preserving shipwrecks as artificial reefs. Who knew such small creatures could play such a big role! I am curious to know how they do this? 

I also had no idea that the Great Lakes was named as one of the best shipwreck diving spots in the world! Who knew something so cool is so close and easily attainable! Although, I can’t say I would be on board (no pun intended) to do that. But, I can praise and be impressed with those that do!

You did such a great job on sharing the interesting facts as well as endangerments of shipwrecks. It is clear that it is definitely an area of interest for you, and you may have sparked it in me too! I will definitely be looking more into shipwrecks and the role they play in aquatic life. 

Thanks for sharing Lauren, and I look forward to hearing from you in the future posts! 

Have a good week :)

Natasa

NATURE & SHIPWRECKS (unit #5 - freestyle)

Hello friends, 

We are back again this week with the most exciting prompt yet: no prompt! I am taking this opportunity to talk about my biggest childhood interest… SHIPWRECKS!

You might be wondering how this relates to nature at all but deep-sea shipwrecks are biodiversity hubs. I have always been interested in shipwrecks because I am both terrified and in awe of them. My main fascination is with how such an inorganic and visually man-made object is completely emersed by aquatic life and fits so well in an ecosystem it was never intended to be in. 

STOCKTREK IMAGES. (n.d.). A sunken ship lays on its side near Grand Bahama Island, Bahamas. How do we find shipwrecks—and who owns them? National Geographic. Retrieved from https://www.nationalgeographic.com/history/article/how-do-we-find-shipwrecks-and-who-owns-them. 

Shipwrecks are considered “islands of biodiversity” because they offer a structure for an incredibly wide variety of species to inhabit, which creates pockets of very high biodiversity, acting as artificial reefs (Hamdan et al., 2021). Imagine a sandy sea floor with not much going on besides some small rocks and vegetation, now put a huge stationary shipwreck there, and eventually, many species will call this new isolated habitat their new home. Many shipwrecks are dripping with so many species that you cannot even see bare metal anymore.

It is clear from photos that there are lots of different fish, vegetation, and corals that inhabit old shipwrecks, but we are missing a very important aspect of shipwreck ecosystems: the micro-organism colonies! In our defense, we can't see them but they make up a huge portion of biodiversity. Microorganisms establish and preserve shipwrecks as artificial reefs, allowing other species to thrive in/on shipwrecks. It is amazing how much power the tiny species hold and how influential they are to full ecosystems. (Hamdan et al., 2021)

Murat. (n.d.). Bream Fish around the shipwreck. How do we find shipwrecks—and who owns them? Adobe Stock Images. Retrieved from https://www.bristolaquarium.co.uk/animal-stories/animals-that-find-a-home-in-sunken-ships/

I have never had the opportunity to visit a shipwreck other than kayaking over top of a boiler. I love watching videos of people diving to explore shipwrecks, although I can't imagine ever doing it myself. I am incredibly curious to hear if anyone has done this? I would absolutely love to hear your experiences! We (Ontario locals) live in the perfect place to go shipwreck diving because the Great Lakes have cold water and low salinity which are fanatics conditions for the preservation of shipwrecks. The Great Lakes are regarded as one of the best shipwreck diving spots in the world. (Harrington, 2019) 

I have always found shipwrecks interesting because of the duality that the vessel wasn't strong enough to complete its voyage but it is strong enough to be preserved underwater for (possibly) hundreds of years, sometimes in near-perfect condition. However, the shipwrecks of the Great Lakes are in trouble!! Invasive species of the Great Lakes like zebra mussels (Dreissena polymorpha) and quagga mussels (Dreissena rostriformis bugensis) are threatening our beautifully preserved nuggets of history. These filter feeders can cause damage through heavy weight and even corrosion of some metals, if enough pile up. Additionally, they release carbon dioxide which can severely alter water quality and the conditions that help preserve shipwrecks. It is insane that these huge structures that can last up to thousands of years can be threatened by something as small and seemingly passive as mussels. (Harrington, 2019)

Thanks for reading, hopefully you see shipwrecks from a slightly different perspective! Who knew shipwrecks were so intertwined with nature (I did because I am a nerd who loves shipwrecks)! 

References 

Hamdan, L. J., Hampel, J. J., Moseley, R. D., Mugge, R. L., Ray, A., Salerno, J. L., & Damour, M. (2021, April 22). Deep-sea shipwrecks represent island-like ecosystems for marine microbiomes. OUP Academic. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41396-021-00978-y 

Harrington, M. (2019, November 20). Aquatic invasive species threaten shipwreck preservation in the Great Lakes: Wisconsin sea grant. Wisconsin Sea Grant | University of Wisconsin. https://www.seagrant.wisc.edu/blog/aquatic-invasive-species-threaten-shipwreck-preservation-in-the-great-lakes/

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5: Nature and Mental Health

Hi everyone! 

I hope you’ve had a good week! Given no prompt this week, I thought I’d talk a little bit about an article I saw which I thought was really interesting and is often overlooked. This article focused on nature and mental health, and the ways that exposure to nature can be a natural remedy for some illnesses. 

I mean, it makes total sense. As university students, we have stress constantly surrounding us. And often, the stressors do not always root from school. People often deal with stress in different ways, however many people can say that spending time outdoors is one way to help relieve it. The amount of times that I feel anxious, extremely stressed or am just having an off day my automatic instinct is to go out for a walk, spend some time outside or just get some fresh air.

But did you know that being outdoors and surrounded by nature is scientifically proven to help with mental health problems such as anxiety and depression? There is a form of therapy called ecotherapy that does just that. It's a formal treatment where people simply practice activities outdoors. It's led by trained professionals who are there to help you and guide the treatment. Some activities include walking along the beach, hiking in forests, gardening or farming, and so many more. These simple activities that are oftentimes dismissed and overlooked in day to day life help way more than people think. You may not even realize that by needing a break from work when feeling extremely overwhelmed and heading outside for a walk may actually be you practicing ecotherapy! 

Whenever spring approaches and the weather becomes warmer, the sun shines brighter and the days get longer I am always yearning to be outdoors. Oftentimes, I make a pact with myself and will make sure that I go for a walk everyday, or try to at least spend some time outside to take advantage of the beautiful weather I have missed. I can confidently say that those days I am the most productive, I feel the most refreshed and the most calm. I mean, seasonal depression is a very real thing, and helps prove this. Even this past week where we were able to see the sun for the first time in what feels like forever, I can confidently say that my mood changed drastically. To be clear, I am not comparing my stress from school or lazy days to those with mental health issues as those are 100% more serious, but just speaking from my own personal experience, I can definitely agree with this form of therapy. 

So, if you ever feel that you are in a rut, go outside and touch some grass, literally! Spend more time outdoors and maybe you’ll see a change in your mood, your productivity and your mental state. It's interesting to see how big of an impact nature has on us more than by just being a pretty view. This course is showing me some really cool facts about nature and the importance it has, and I am excited to learn more! 

Thanks for listening and have a good week! 

Natasa

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Hi Bableen, 

I really enjoyed reading your post. It’s funny, because while reading about your experience in the Banff mountains, I was telling myself how amazing of a writer you are and how intricate you are in describing the details of your experiences. You truly showed how storytelling is indeed a form of art, and you have definitely mastered it! Also coming from a family who immigrated to Canada, I know how big of an impact storytelling has. My mom and grandparents have endless stories of the war, their journey over here and life back home. I have always created a mental image of what their lives were based on the stories they have told me. I would argue that storytelling can be one of the most beautiful forms of art, as the way you feel after hearing someone’s meaningful experience lingers.

I think you had a really great and unique approach to this week’s prompt, different from a lot of the blog posts I have read. I enjoyed your quotes that you included from Susan Strauss as it gave us another perspective and another view on art and nature. Your writing was consistent in describing the gift of beauty and how you related and perceived it. Overall I think you did an amazing job on this weeks post and I am excited to see your future posts. 

Keep up the great work!

Natasa

Art With Words

“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” (Beck et al., 2018). In the grand scheme of things, I am one of many nature interpreters who want to continue upholding and instilling people with the desire to sense beauty in their surroundings through art. Since there are many forms of art, it isn’t a hard thing to achieve. Instead, it's picking which artistic medium will help my ability to connect people with nature. I have always enjoyed taking pictures of natural beauty like the sunset or animals I may see. Within those images you see the sky turning mesmerizing colors while it casts shadows on the trees. This is how I interpret the everchanging gift of beauty because the sunset you saw today will not be the same tomorrow. 

I believe that interpreting nature through art is a personal journey and it is very subjective depending on personal experiences that leave an impact on you. For instance, consider a morning hike I experienced in the Banff mountains. The sun was rising slowly, painting the landscapes with soft hues. I found myself surrounded by a serene stillness that could only be interrupted by the ruffling of leaves as the wind blew through them and the distant sound of birds. The cold mountain air filled my lungs and the dew covered grass sparkled under the morning light. In that moment, I felt a heartfelt connection to the natural world around me. 

Granted, I didn’t follow all of Susan Strauss’ instructions when it comes to storytelling, but without showing you a single picture, I hope that I was able to paint an image in your head using my words. When I was younger, I would sit with my grandparents and urge them to tell me stories about their childhood and what their life was like back home. As I hadn’t seen their home and there were no pictures to share, they conveyed their sense of journey through expressions, gestures, and vivid imagery. Their storytelling was so immersive that it made me feel as if I were right there alongside them. 

I think we often forget that storytelling is also a form of art. As Strauss once said, “in the world of interpretation, the job of the storyteller is to bridge the gap between human beings and the natural world.” When I create art inspired by my experiences, I don’t fixate on presenting the absolute truth. Instead, I dwell on how I can convey my genuine emotions and paint a pretty picture of the beauty around me. I carefully curate my words to make a sentence that would capture the essence of those moments and share the impact the experience had on my perception of the world. By doing this, I hope I am fulfilling my ability as a nature interpreter by bridging the gap between people and nature. As well, I believe it invites others to find and relate to nature through their own unique connection and appreciate the subjective beauty that nature holds. 

I took this picture a little after 6 am while hiking :)

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

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Art in Nature

Many people and artists will say that nature is an inspiration to art, and I 100% agree. There is a certain feeling that comes with connecting with nature; one that inspires, one that makes you feel and one that opens your creative side. It’s the feeling of wanting to capture the beauty that you are experiencing in that moment, whether it's through a painting, a photograph, music, or a poem; there are endless possibilities of how these feelings are expressed, and endless possibilities of how these moments are interpreted. 

The Gift of Beauty can be a perfect representation of this. As I see it, the gift of beauty refers to the idea that each person interprets things in different ways based on their own experiences, their own feelings, what they are going through in that moment, and so on. Life is all about interpretation, and nature is included. You never know what someone is going through, and what may be to you just a peaceful walk with a nice view, to them may be something more. The gift of beauty allows people to appreciate what surrounds them, to allow oneself to perceive these feelings on a spiritual level and express it as they wish. 

How I choose to interpret nature is often reflected through photographs. While I am not a professional by any means, my camera roll is filled with thousands of photos of moments that I find beauty in. Whether it be a breathtaking sunset, the calming beach or a peaceful summer morning coffee on my porch, I am always snapping a photo. Recently, I have been looking into finding a professional camera to enhance these photos as I find that the beauty I see in them is just not justified through the phone’s camera. I find that whenever I am outside, whether it be on a vacation, hiking through trails or simply on my daily walks, I always come back with at least a few photos. To be outside and in nature grounds you, and allows you to connect with Earth in an indescribable way. I love to have these moments to look back on, and see what was so beautiful to force me to stop and capture it so I have the moment for the rest of my life. 

All in all, beauty is in everything. Sometimes, we take it for granted, but other times we feel so spiritually aware that it forces us to express these feelings through art. I would love to explore different mediums as maybe I would feel even stronger and open up a more creative side of myself. When I was younger, art was a passion of mine that I slowly lost over the years. I would love to wake that passion back up, and maybe next time I am out and see the gift of beauty in nature, I will pick up a paintbrush and a canvas and paint how I feel. 

Thanks for listening. See you next week,

Natasa

(P.S., I had some really cool photos to share that I have taken over the years, but unfortunately my computer won't allow me to upload them, hopefully I figure it out! Thanks :) )

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Hi Natalie! 

Your post was extremely touching and I found that you had such a unique and personal connection to privilege that allowed me to see it from another perspective. Reading from the textbook, hearing about privilege and being able to recognize it based on what others have told you is one thing, however experiencing and recognizing the privilege you hold over others first hand is another. You have done an amazing job focusing on different aspects of privilege, and gave people a first hand experience that allowed you to really recognize your privilege regarding those with disabilities. You provided a different perspective and remained aware of your privilege throughout your post. 

A lot of these challenges that people face are overlooked, for instance lack of accessibility for those in wheelchairs as you mentioned in your post. I think that it is extremely important to shed light on the changes that need to be made in our public nature spaces regarding inclusivity for everyone. This can extend into other disadvantages that may skew an individual's interpretation on nature such as financial privilege. By providing such small tweaks such as ramps or free access to different parks and conservation areas, we can provide the inclusivity and experience that every person deserves to have. 

All in all you provided a great perspective and a great post! I wonder, do you think that by providing changes in our natural spaces where people who find themselves unable to participate in certain activities can become included will allow for a world where privilege in nature is less prevalent? 

Have a good week!

Natasa

Unpacking the World of Privilege

Hi everyone!

Welcome back to my third blog post!

So far, we’ve talked about more light hearted subjects such as my evolutionary relationship with nature, my personal experiences with nature and my ideal world as an environmental interpreter and what that would entail. In this week's post, I am going to reflect on what role privilege plays in nature interpretation and how I have experienced forms of privilege within my own life.  As we head into this weeks blog post, I acknowledge that myself and those who read this, might feel moments of discomfort or uneasiness however, I believe this to be an important topic to reflect on. 

To begin, privilege to me is the advantages and benefits that come with having a certain identity such as race, gender, or economic status that often provides easier access to opportunities, resources and overall a heightened sense of well-being and success. As mentioned in the readings this week, many individuals born into more privileged environments, “are not taught to recognize their own privileges,” and after reflecting on my own life, I’ve realized that there are many ‘invisible backpacks’ I carry that I haven’t truly recognized (Gallavan, 2005). To get personal and transparent, I am white, middle class, speak English, was able to get a University degree with help from my family, was not born with physical or cognitive disabilities and wake up each day with a roof over my head and food on the table. Although many of these things might seem small or trivial, the impact they can hold is significant without even realising it. 

An experience in my life where I truly realized my own privilege, was when I volunteered at Kids Ability to assist in a swim program for children with disabilities. I learned through my time assisting these children that there are barriers and obstacles they face that do not make them any less of a person, but that gives a person like me an amplitude of challenges I will never have to face. If I connect this topic to the world of nature interpretation, the concept of privilege is particularly important when considering individuals with disabilities as they may face various barriers that affect their ability to access and interpret the natural world around them. For example, physical access to natural spaces that lack wheelchair ramps or accessible trails or inadequate visual or tactile tools such as braille or audio descriptions. As mentioned in the textbook, it is important as nature interpreters to integrate all audiences by providing opportunities for building social skills for those with and without disabilities while also recognizing our own privilege we carry in relation to those around us. Some suggested examples of proper etiquette when working with people with disabilities are: don’t “talk down’ to a person with a disability, speak in a normal tone of voice, be patient and encouraging, do not lean on a wheelchair or any other assistive device, offer assistance only when permission is given, etc (Beck, 2018). Most importantly, as an interpreter it is important to treat every person in your audience the way you would want to be treated and in regard to people with disabilities, “interpreting to people with disabilities involves getting people to participate and learn by building on their knowledge, interests, and skills, just as with any group of visitors!” (Beck, 2018). 

Thank you for reading and I hope you were able to take something away from this post, whether that be reflecting on your own privilege or gaining more knowledge on how to interact with those around you. As always, treat others the way you want to be treated and be kind!!!!!

Cheers, Natalie 

References:

Gallavan, N. P. (2005). Helping teachers unpack their "invisible knapsacks". Multicultural Education, 13(1), 36. https://link-gale-com.subzero.lib.uoguelph.ca/apps/doc/A137921591/AONE?u=guel77241&sid=bookmark-AONE&xid=9fe2f151

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

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Blog 3 - Privilege in Nature

As we continue to talk about nature interpretation and the different perspectives, topics and feelings regarding interpreting nature, I am able to have a deeper understanding and recognition for less surface-level types of discussions such as privilege in nature. At first glance, I took privilege in nature simply to be the advantages some hold over others when exploring nature, but after further thought it is clear that it is not only that, but also recognizing that the privilege one holds in nature can completely skew their interpretations, experiences and journeys of our world. 

While this may be a bit of a tough concept to grasp, take living in Canada for instance. We are so privileged to live in a country where nature is so beautifully preserved and accessible to us. There are many countries that cannot say the same, where their citizens or government don’t have the funds, means, or willingness to preserve the beauty of their country. We have many parks, nature conservations, camping grounds, lakes, fields, zoos and so many other parts of our country that have been so well preserved to allow people to enjoy, appreciate and immerse themselves in its beauty. 

Financial privilege also plays a role in how one may interpret nature. Many artifacts that we are able to explore come with a cost such as admission fees, tickets, reservations, and so on that may make it difficult for some people who are less financially inclined to have the same opportunity to see these places as others may have. They may also not have access to a car or method of transportation if the place is too far to travel to on foot. A lot of people’s interpretation of nature comes from the experiences they share with it, and if they do not have the financial means to support these experiences, their interpretation may differ. For instance, participating in camps, going to zoos, camping, traveling, and so on. 

The final privilege that we will touch on today is cultural privilege or barriers. These are factors that are formed by cultural history, beliefs, morals, and so on. There are some cultural beliefs that may prevent individuals from participating in some activities as it does not pertain to their beliefs and what they may be familiar with. A lot of what culture is shaped by is the climate and resources that certain groups of people had access to in history. Those coming from other countries today may not be familiar with some of the activities that are normalized here, and thus choose against participating in them. And vice versa, they may also participate in other activities that others may not be familiar with. Thus, for these reasons different cultures may have different perceptions on nature and interact with it in different ways. 

After delving into this topic of privilege in nature, I can say that I hold a lot more privilege in nature as a white, English speaking Canadian citizen than I previously have recognized. I can also however see where others may hold privilege over me. I am curious as to the privilege you may or may not hold and how you think that it affects your interpretation on nature.

Thanks for tuning in,

Have a good week!

Natasa :)

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Hi Daniel!

After reading lots of different posts from the people in this class, I can say truly that yours stood out to me the most. While many others focused on being a tour guide and professions revolving around that, you took a really unique approach and came up with a job that sounds really amazing. I feel so inspired thinking about what could come out of this, and all of the creativity and beauty that would surround it.

It has been a while, but all through my childhood all I would do was find different ways of using art to express myself. I unfortunately lost interest over the years, but this post really inspired me to look at life from an artistic perspective again. 

Nature makes people feel certain ways. As I described in a previous post, I had the luxury of being able to spend my summer in Europe, one of the countries I visited being Greece. The feeling and connection I felt while visiting was indescribable. Nature can allow you to feel a real connection that I had never thought about expressing through art; if only I had a paper and pen to write or draw the way I felt! It inspires people and awakens their creative outlet, which you did amazing at connecting with this job! 

The passion that you describe you have for music is amazing to see. I am glad you were able to incorporate that in interpreting nature. I truly hope that one day you are able to pursue this! 

Great job once again, and I look forward to seeing your post next week. P.S, I loved the mushroom song!

Best regards, 

Natasa

My ideal Environmental Interpreter Job

My ideal role of environmental interpreter is teaching a course about how to connect to nature through music and art. This would involve me teaching people cool aspects of nature and showing them how to express what they are interested in through their preferred medium. Ideally, this would be mostly music based, since I have much more experience in music than art, but I enjoy talking about, learning, and creating both. I would help guide people on how the decision-making process and formation of their art or music can be inspired by aspects of nature. I would also help people with the technical aspects of translating their ideas into physical works, and how to create things in a way that conveys their ideas well. The nature interpretations aspect could involve walking through natural areas and explaining to people what is happening around them or why some things look or act the way they do. This could also be done indoors through visual aids or physical examples of organisms. These explanations would be geared towards providing people with an understanding of their place in the environment around them and how aspects of the environment interact with them. This could include things like what local forgeable plants or mushrooms are and how to identify them, interesting scientific explanations of local flora and fauna, or what ecosystem services are provided by this environment. I could also show people examples of nature interpretation or connections to nature conveyed through art and music to help inspire them and give them ideas for their own works.

A picture I drew inspired by how cool and otherworldly I think the ocean looks.

This class would take place in and nearby a local forest or other natural area such as the Arboretum, Hanlon Creek, or Speed River. It would likely require an indoor space for parts of the music and art creation, but a lot of the work could be done outdoors as well. Some of the interpretation would also probably be indoors, especially during rain or other weather that may discourage people from attending an outdoor class and damage the art or music tools.

A song I made inspired by my enjoyment of walking around looking for mushrooms

To successfully run this course, I would need a variety of personal and professional skills. I would need strong interpersonal skills to interact positively with people and help them in a meaningful way that does not make them feel inadequate or attacked in any way. I would also need leadership skills to run the course and maintain the respect of the people I am teaching. For professional skills I would need scientific skills, music and art experience, and general workplace skills. The scientific skills I would need include the ability to research and understand the environment and the ability to simplify that knowledge and convey it in an easily accessible format. The music experience would include songwriting, recording and producing music, and instrumental skills. The art experience would include drawing, painting, other unconventional art media, and composition. I would also need general skills such as the ability to present information well, organizational skills, and a strong sense of initiative.

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My Dream Job Interpreting Nature

Hi everyone! Welcome to this week's blog. 

As last week’s post suggested, I love to travel and experience new cultures, foods and environments of different countries and cities. Thus, when asked about my ideal role as a nature interpreter, my mind immediately went to incorporating travel into this job. My ideal role would house the idea of organizing trips to a specific country, where we would tour countless monumental nature spots including (but not limited to), mountains, rivers, trails, escarpments, beaches and so on. At these spots, I would talk about the different animals, plants and wildlife that live in these areas; ones that we are not used to seeing at home, and provide lots of information regarding the different species as we connect with it. I myself would love to be able to see and experience the wildlife in another country, and I am sure there are plenty of others who would say the same. 

This role would require some skills in order to ensure an informative, effective and positive experience. While there may be countless beneficial roles, those that stand out as the most important would definitely revolve around being well-educated on the topic, engaging and informative. Considering my passion for travel and nature, I know that being well-educated will be extremely attainable as the information I will be required to know is something that truly interests me, making the learning a lot easier. As per being engaging, I have participated in countless events and roles that require presenting and speaking, and know that it is my strong suit. I would find a way to be engaging and informative to each individual by catering to their different learning styles such as auditory, visual and tactile learning styles. 

For auditory learners, they can either stay to listen to the tour and presentation as we go along, or we can provide a ‘podcast’ like audio guided tape that can allow the individual to experience the journey on their own, while being explained all of the facts and information to them regarding the species present. For visual learners, we can give a brochure or booklet with different facts, visual aids and so on that they can use to follow along during the tour. And, for tactile learners, they are able to learn through the amazing experience that is to be provided!

Once the daily tour has been completed, the individuals will have the option to go around on their own and interpret nature themselves. They will be able to discuss with their peers and use the tools and guides as an aid to have an interactive experience. This way, I am able to teach as well as answer questions and thus learn different things myself along the way. 

To conclude, this job would be ideal for me as it involves many different topics that peak my interests including traveling, teaching, experiencing, learning and interpreting nature. The people who would choose to be apart of this journey would be likely like-minded individuals who would not only allow me to speak about my passions, but teach me different things along the way as well. There is never enough learning to be done, especially in a foreign place with endless new things to be discovered. Hopefully you too would enjoy this and would want to join me on this journey! 

See you next week,

Natasa