ofenvs3000semester

[ofenvs3000semester]

Hey there,

This was a really mature and informative answer to this question. I like it a lot! I’ve enjoyed the content too! I didn’t expect a course associated with biology to task me with answering so many questions about myself, what I value about nature and how I function. It’s been very informative, and has taught me a lot about how I work best as an interpreter, and even as a human. Reading everyone’s posts, I felt similar to you- it was nice hearing just how much it meant to everyone.

I’m happy to hear about your experience in Vancouver! I’ve had a similar experience on Vancouver Island. I didn’t even need an interpreter to tell me a story- just to get me outside. You are right- it doesn’t need to be an elaborate operation- just something that lets you reflect.

I resonate with your belief in being a learner as well as a teacher. Our stories as interpreters will surely involve a lot of learning, and being able to learn is an important skill. I will admit, however, that I am a bit of a sucker for structure. I like when the answer is pre-determined, simple to understand and find. But I know that rigidity is difficult to learn from, and I’m trying to unlearn. It’s a process. 

Again, I really liked your approach to answering this question. Recognizing that the answer for what works best for you might not be the same today that it was yesterday. I just hope you continue to learn and grow as a person, to become the best one you can possibly be!

Unit 10 Blog Post

Describe your personal ethic as you develop as a nature interpreter. What beliefs do you bring? What responsibilities do you have? What approaches are most suitable for you as an individual?

With this being the last blog prompt of the semester I would like to reflect on what this course has taught me, how the content has shaped my view on my responsibilities as a nature interpreter, and how I can move forward and take some of these lessons with me. I honestly just took this course as an elective but have seriously enjoyed the content and interaction with everyone in this class. I think it is difficult to mirror this exact experience outside of this course, of sharing and reading other peoples experiences with nature and how sacred they are to them. Going into this, I never thought I would be given the opportunity to rehash some of my times in nature and have really never thought about how much they actually effected me. 

A belief I currently have, that has taken time to develop, is to keep my mind open to the experiences that nature has to offer. I do not think you have to be in the most aesthetically scenic landscape to see something new and/or interesting. I walk the same loop in Guelph and see different animals, plants, flowers, meet new people, and am a better version of myself afterwards each time. Some of my best memories in nature have happened at unexpected times. For example, I travelled out west to Vancouver this past summer to visit my roommates. We spent time in Whistler, Squamish, Lions Bay, and went to Gambier Island by boat. However, my favourite moment was the little hike we took right before heading to the airport, next to my roommate’s house in her suburban neighbourhood in North Vancouver. I am unsure if it was the way the sun was peeking through the massive trees, the last conversations we were having before the car ride to the airport, or the bittersweet feeling I was experiencing; but there was so much joy in that little mundane walk. Now, from a nature interpreters perspective, my roommate did a great job at telling us the little bits of information concerning our surroundings. She did this via storytelling in correlation to the area we were in, and it made me feel that much more connected to the area she had grown up in. By pointing out certain rocks, trees, and hills, and telling us the silly names of these objects that her classmates came up with, or the little anecdotes she had experienced herself; we all felt like we were there with her when they happened. I think that reflecting on this experience has taught me that interpreting nature for others does not have to be this whole elaborate operation. A memorable lesson of sorts can just feel like friends talking to one another and simply having a good time.

I believe that as a good teacher you have to be an even better learner. In my opinion there is always room for growth and improvement. Growing up, myself, and probably some of you reading this, have had a teacher that was a total rigid stickler. Their lessons felt almost militant and there was no room for error. It gets to a point where the information is being absorbed, but it is almost out of the fear of not being able to make a mistake. My current path is to become a high school biology/visual arts teacher and I hope to have the opposite reaction from my students. While there is value in structure, there is more value in being able to make a mistake and learn from it. I have enjoyed learning the content about learning styles and how we can effectively maximize the information we have in different methods. These militant teachers I previously mentioned, were pretty stuck in their ways of pen to paper, and lacked a lot of diversity in their lessons. I think my responsibility as someone who is teaching learners is to let the learners teach me. I can only understand the impact of the information I am relaying if they show me that they are absorbing it holistically. 

As an individual who is consciously making the effort to learn and grow, I think the approaches most suitable to me might change with time. Currently, I approach learning by asking questions about the content; whether that be to myself or my peers. I think it is very valuable to understand why we are learning this information and why it is important in context. I have a hard time just blatantly understanding theories, statistics, and stories without diving into the purpose of that information. In the example of the Tragedy on the Timiskaming, I had a hard time conceptualizing the reason for the trip in and of itself. Until I read the description and realized that the stereotype of the time period was to make men of the young boys. I would like to approach nature interpretation in the sense that every individual deserves equal opportunity, but every individual learns differently. I think this notion has become present through the blog posts, creating of the children’s podcast and ongoing adult podcast, and my overall learning in this course. 

As we wrap up this semester I have spent my own personal time reflecting on my growth as not only a student, but a person. I feel as though I can tackle other course content more efficiently because of some of the lessons I have learned in this course. I am now better at putting the purpose of a lesson in the context of a bigger picture and I have gained a sense of perspective of the professor or TA that is relaying said content. At this point, I no longer need my teacher to make the content appropriate and conducive to my learning, I can now do that for myself. Like I mentioned earlier, becoming more aware of who I am as a learner has truly made me a better learner; and hopefully a good teacher. Thank you to everyone who has shared personal stories and information, I have learned a lot of interesting facts about Canada and places all around the world! 

[ofenvs3000semester]

Hello, I love your post! I think you’re on the right track, reading through what you had to say.

I failed to explicitly mention this in my own post, but personalizing your work is maybe the best part of an interpretation career. What works for one person might not work for the next, but addressing those differences will lead to a far better experience for everyone involved. I loved your idea of weaving story-telling into your interpretation, that sounds like a wonderful way to engage your audience!

Your point about fostering deeper emotions by drawing yourself to artistic aspects resonated with me. I have my own favorite songs that remind me of my time in nature, and I think that deeper connection you can foster with nature is important to fostering a deeper love and appreciation for nature. 

I loved your plan for focusing on engagement. Your message is only as effective as your audience takes it to be, so getting their attention and involvement is crucial. That’s speaking as someone who needs that kind of involvement to better understand things- I think it’s a wonderful idea. Likewise, creating a safe environment for them to connect is an important responsibility. Having conservation and respect as your primary messages is also a good choice, and will go a long way- even if they don’t become environmentalists, a respect for nature and its processes is a must. 

Overall, I think you are very much on the right track! I hope your career as an interpreter kicks off and goes well.

Unit 10 Blog Post

As a nature interpreter, my personal ethics heavily emphasize respect for the environment while ensuring that actual knowledge is being taught. My favourite way to approach almost anything is making sure that it’s personalized. Of course, I am catering to a general audience, but I would make sure that I’m remaining authentic to my true self and allowing others to interpret what they see their way. To do this, I would involve tons of story-telling as I think this could create opportunities for those I am teaching to apply their memories and experiences to what they see. I would also try to incorporate building a deeper appreciation for nature through the various forms of art, as this helps me feel stronger about protecting the environment and maintaining its longevity.

A strong emphasis on respecting the environment would be one of the points on my agenda that I am heavily pushing. Bringing up conservation and respect for the environment would allow for the idea of sustainability to begin to be fostered, along with creating a genuine environment for all those I am teaching to adopt these ideologies. I would hope that through storytelling, I can begin to mention the loss of habitats for specific species and the impact that it has on the ecosystem and surrounding species just so my audience can start to think more about what we can do to conserve our environment and all the organisms that reside in it. Incorporating these ideas into the stories that I tell can help make sure that a wide variety of ages can easily digest the content I am teaching. 

One way to ensure that I maintain authenticity while being an interpreter is to foster the deeper emotions I feel in nature by being drawn to the artistic aspects of what I see. While in nature, I tend to think of the songs I am reminded of by the feelings I have, along with appreciating the actual view that I see in the environment, which causes me to feel more of an emotional connection to the surrounding areas, allowing myself to create a deeper appreciation for nature. Serenity is one of the feelings that being in nature provokes of me, which I mentioned in my original discussion post. I’d hope that by trying to get people to connect with the artistic aspects of being in nature, including the natural sounds you’d hear with the songs that being nature reminds you of, you can have this same feeling relayed. While this may not be the case for everyone, I think it can still be conveyed to certain people or similar feelings can be felt. 

I prefer approaches that are more focused on the engagement I get from my audience. Ideally, I would take people on interpretive walks through a variety of environments. I would create conversation as I went on these paths to better understand my audience and cater more to its current demographic. Having the adaptability to speak to different audiences would benefit my approach and allow me to ensure that I can relay my content and information to any age demographic. My responsibilities as an interpreter would be to create a safe environment for my audience to connect with each other and their surroundings, and have conservation and respect for the environment, which are two things they leave with after I finish our walk/hike. It would be my responsibility to have these ideas be what my audience feels stronger as I hope I can inspire them in the slightest to put more effort into conserving and protecting our environment and, along with that being more respectful to our environment and the state that is into they can feel strongly about and begin to become mindful of their own actions that impact our environment.

I think I have the qualities to be an effective interpreter as a few of my strengths are in public speaking and communication. These two skills would be highly beneficial for connecting and reaching my audience. When being an interpreter who is guiding a crowd on a walk and trying to teach them, the way you communicate depicts just how they interpret what they see and whether or not they feel strongly about any of the ideas I am trying to teach them about. Using this could help me tell stories that are more engaging, help with all my responsibilities as an interpreter, and ensure that my ideologies and personal beliefs are taught. Hopefully, using my communication skills, I can foster a deeper appreciation for the environment from my audience and influence their own behaviours and emotions when they are in nature so they can feel stronger connections to nature, spend more time outdoors and hopefully inspire them to do what they are capable of to help with protecting our environment.

[ofenvs3000semester]

Final Blog Post!

What are my personal ethics as I develop as a nature interpreter? I was stumped by this question for a moment. It should be easy, but explaining why you do what you do isn’t as easy as you’d imagine. I guess a good place to start with is a question unit 10 asked- “what motivates you to do this work?” I’ve already discussed trying to figure out who I am or what I’m “meant” to do in previous blog entries. But it’s a question I’ve genuinely had to stop and ask myself. I feel like I’ve been on autopilot for so long, just working through my education as I saw necessary. I sought a Marine and Freshwater biology major because I valued the environment, and because it seemed the most interesting, but I wasn’t too sure where I wanted to go using it. I now want to truly test the waters (no pun intended) and see what I’m capable of. So I signed up for this course! And I think I’m onto something. 

For me, a fulfilling career definitely involves working with nature in some form. I value the environment and think a career helping to protect it would be in line with my values. Historically, I’ve done very well in scientific/research positions, but despite that I don’t know if that’s for me. I don’t feel very motivated to get out there and do science. Perhaps that’s just me doubting my capabilities, but as it stands I don’t feel like I can put myself out there very well. So what else is there I can do involving nature that lets me help the environment, even indirectly? Something I’ve always valued is uplifting and inspiring others. I’ve demonstrated this a few times, especially in my career as a swim instructor. I’ve always enjoyed showing enthusiasm towards kids, letting them know I’m just as excited as they are, letting them show me how wonderfully they understand what they’re learning. Nothing makes me feel good quite like watching someone succeed with my guidance. So perhaps I could combine this with my passion for nature, in a career as a nature interpreter? It’s certainly worth a try!

What do I believe in? I’ve already explained that I value nature and the environment, so you could say I believe in that. I believe nature is a wonderful thing, and that the animals, plants, and other parts of nature need to be protected. More than that, I believe that everyone should have an equal opportunity to appreciate nature as I have. We’ve already unpacked privilege in this course, and in the process I considered things that I have never quite considered. I never considered how lucky I was to have been given access to the outdoors as a child. To me, going outdoors was as simple as walking across the street to my local park, or taking a short drive with my parents to a natural park. I was given access to resources I never even really considered scarce, resources I thought everybody just “had”. I’d take pride in giving everyone an equal opportunity to experience nature through my lens, whether that be explaining to them how our world works to letting them see it for themselves. 

Even more than this being my belief, it’s also my responsibility as a nature interpreter to break down these socioeconomic barriers keeping people from truly enjoying nature. Leveling the playing field so that anyone can enjoy nature, not just the privileged, is a task I take seriously. As to how I’d do it, it mostly boils down to treating every participant equally, regardless of income, race, etc. These barriers can be difficult to break, but I think I can do it! 

My second belief, and in my opinion, goal and responsibility, is to help participants find a sense of place among nature. I spoke about, in my very first blog post, how with the help of my own interpreter I found a sense of place on the rocky coast of Vancouver Island, British Columbia. The roaring waves, the serene trees, the very smelly sea lions on the rock just offshore. I want to provide that feeling to a new generation, be it through the sights they’ll see, the skills they’ll learn, and the creatures they’ll meet. I feel like I’ve suffered, being stuck indoors doing work, and I wish to provide an escape to anyone who’s willing. This sort of work would be refreshing to not only others, but to myself as well. 

The final question remaining is what approaches are most suitable for me. In a previous blog post, I spoke about how I wasn’t sure what kind of learner I was- and as such, I wasn’t sure how best I’d teach. A quiz I took suggested I was an auditory and visual learner, but I’d consider myself a tactile learner too. It’s possible a teaching role with all three might be best for me! For example, I might handle an animal, encouraging participants to feel it, while showing off its unique features and explaining them to onlookers. I feel like a career working with animals might be best for me, as it gives me something to work on (training the animal), learn about (about the species and the individual), and of course, share. 

All that said, I don’t think a career as a nature interpreter is that far-fetched for me. It’d combine my love for nature with my love for teaching, and let me share my love with the world while making a difference in a small yet meaningful way. To tie this back to the very beginning, I think that doing as such has been a goal of mine since the very beginning, whether I knew it or not. I considered biology to be the most interesting major I could take, and I don’t think I can think of a more satisfying way to spread that interest and inspire a new generation of biologists.

[ofenvs3000semester]

Hello, I loved this blog post! Watching ants move about has always been a fun pass-time for me. Occasionally You’ll find a bustling community just above the surface between the cracks in the sidewalk. I’ve made it a hobby to stop and watch them for a little while whenever I come across one. I’ve seen what you’re describing, too, though! When the underground colony intersects with a rock on the surface, you remove the rock and give them all a big surprise. It IS a fascinating natural phenomenon! I too used to get freaked out by the little larvae and eggs, but I’ve gotten over it for the most part. It’s too cool to be freaked out by!

It’s funny you mention the difficulty getting people to care about small, biting, stinging insects. They play an equally important role in the environment, yet are so less appreciated than the bigger insects. Hopefully there are good interpreters out there able to grab people’s attention regarding these important critters. Or maybe we should strive to be that positive change?

I had no idea about ants raising livestock! That’s such an interesting symbiotic relationship, but it makes total sense- the aphids get food and protection and the ants get their honeydew. What a fascinating relationship!

I think you did a great job interpreting this for me. I think you had the right idea as to how to present it, too. Thank you for sharing this with us!

Unit 9 Blog #1

If you were anything like me as a kid, I bet you spent some time flipping over rocks and logs to discover tiny animals hidden beneath. Maybe you found salamanders, worms, and beetles, maybe something even more exciting for a young mind investigating nature for the first time. I can almost guarantee that something you found while doing this was a hectic, bustling colony of ants. I know when this used to happen to me, I would jump backwards, startled and somewhat unsettled by the squirming pile of tiny bugs, but as I became accustomed to this sight, I would notice how organized these insects seemed to be, gathering up the larvae and eggs and marching them into the tunnels to remove them from this newly exposed section of their home. After a while, I began to have an appreciation for these tiny workers.

As a group that is often overlooked and found to be more of a nuisance than anything else, ants aren’t usually the target of discussions promoting insects, although I hope some of this perspective can be changed eventually. It is much easier to sell a crowd on what we call the “charismatic megafauna” of insects. Things like praying mantises, monarch butterflies, and the large and colourful beetles of the world are easier to convince people to care about than flies, ants, or biting and stinging insects that people are predisposed to dislike. I believe that this could go into a deeper discussion about how we place more value on things that are more visually appealing or clearly benefit us, but that is another topic.

I’m going to delve into a couple of aspects of ant life that many people wouldn’t know about in hopes of instilling that just because these creatures are tiny and may be seen as a nuisance to us, they have been evolving and living their own complex lifestyles for such a long time, and deserve at the minimum respect (because despite my endearment for these little insects, I know this isn’t realistic to expect from others). I bet you never would’ve guessed that ants engage in agriculture! Some ant species keep other insects as livestock in the same way we keep cows. A group that can often be found in these livestock roles are Hemipterans, common name “true bugs”, funnily enough. Aphids are one example of Hemipterans often kept as livestock, and ants will feed them, take honeydew they produce for their own food (much like us milking cows), and even cull their population for protein when it is large enough. Other ant species are known to keep gardens of fungus or plants, some even going to the extent of producing herbicides to maintain these gardens and co-evolving with the gardened plant species.

Ants are so complex, and I truly encourage anyone interested to look into them more, and for everyone, perhaps consider why it is that we value those “charismatic megafauna” insects more than smaller, less visually appealing ones.

[ofenvs3000semester]

Unit 9 Blog

This prompt stumped me for a bit. There are quite a few things about nature I consider fascinating, but to “interpret” about one without preparation? I worry about how well I will do. But just maybe I can make it work! One of my favorite natural processes has to be the creation of fossils. 

Picture this; an ancient jungle, long before humans ever roamed the earth. Inhabiting this world are dinosaurs, a reign that lasted over 165 million years- over 66 million years ago. One of these prehistoric creatures is pursued by a larger predator- dodging left- dodging right- but unfortunately, it’s eventually caught. We shouldn’t mourn, as this is just the circle of life. Nonetheless, its flesh is devoured by the larger creature, until heavy rains force them to leave, seeking more stable land. The body is left behind, until a rainstorm washes the body into the ocean. It sinks, sinks, sinks to the bottom. What’s left of the flesh is eaten by the denizens of the sea, or it just decomposes in the blue. Eventually, after everything, only the skeleton and teeth remain. This isn’t the end for these remains, however- as it decomposed, it began to be covered in sediment- mud, sand and silt kicked about by the water. At first it’s simply covered up, but then it’s buried under layer upon layer of hardening stone. The weight of the ocean, stone and time squashes them flat. Eventually, however, something incredible happens- water seeps into the bones carrying with them minerals. These minerals fill up the spaces between cells and crystalize. The crystals form stone that eventually replace the bones. Over thousands of years, the skeleton was “petrified” in a process called Permineralization. This process only really occurs near and around water, but also where water ONCE existed. This means that a lot of fossils are dug up in places that in the present are very dry, but once held great bodies of water. Perhaps the part of this process that intrigues me the most is the concept of time. The idea that this all is possible, given thousands to millions of years, is incredible to me. In time, the weight of the ocean and rock can both preserve remains as well as mineralize them. The very landscape can change, but these fossils are preserved for people to observe today.

That’s my ramble for today. I’ll admit, I wasn’t quite ready to interpret something like this. I usually like doing significant research beforehand, and I’d like to think that in a future interpreting role I’ll be much more well versed in the subject matter I’m talking about. I’m still learning! But I’m very excited to learn. I can’t wait to see what my fellow bloggers talk about!

[ofenvs3000semester]

Hello, I don’t think an answer to this question could be written any better. Your language you use is descriptive and grand, describing how nature is music in a deep yet understandable way. 

I hadn’t considered silence to be musical, but your post has definitely changed my mind. The way silence can evoke emotions not unlike a proper song can do, makes them more alike than I had initially imagined. You’re so very right!

Your note that nature often inspires music is so very true, also. I used quite a different comparison, instead citing how VIDEO GAME MUSIC will often use certain instruments to express the “vibes” of different settings, subtly telling a story and reflecting on the landscapes.

To connect this to your closing remarks, I liked how different instruments and styles could also be those unique to certain cultures, cultures native to the environments and regions that the music is trying to express. I also firmly believe in allowing for interpretation from people of different cultures, and how it helps expand our horizons. Garnering a better understanding of the world and those we share it with is a privilege like no other.

I was also amused by your choice of song! A song that reminds you of nature doesn’t need to speak about nature directly to relate to it- The same goes for my chosen song- Spaceman by the Killers. It takes me to the time I spent in BC in the summer, between the forest and the deep blue sea. Wonderful memories.

Blog Post 07 – Nature Interpretation through Music

Where is Music in Nature? Where is Nature in Music?

Nature and music are intricately, as we step into the natural world, we find ourselves surrounded by an orchestra of sounds: the rustle of leaves, the gentle flow of a stream, birds chirping at dawn. These natural melodies form the soundtrack of our experiences, inviting us to listen and connect.

Every element of nature contributes to this harmonious experience. The wind whispers through trees, creating a soothing lullaby. Waves crash against the shore, each swell punctuating the silence with rhythmic beauty. Even the silence itself can be musical—there is a unique quality to a quiet forest or an open field at dusk. These sounds not only define a landscape but also evoke emotions, transporting us to places of peace, reflection, or adventure. The same can be said about nature in music, nature profoundly influences music creation. Many composers and musicians draw inspiration from their surroundings. Think of Vivaldi's "The Four Seasons," where each movement captures the essence of a particular time of year, Country music often holds words about scenic farm scapes with golden fields and wild animals that litter the landscape. Folk music often tells stories of nature, reflecting the landscapes and experiences that shape their cultures.

The relationship between nature and music is a dialogue. Just as nature offers us a canvas of sounds, musicians translate their experiences into melodies that can express our feelings about the world. This connection invites us to explore the beauty of both, whether through listening to a favourite song or venturing into the wilderness. For me, one song that instantly transports me back to a natural landscape is "September" by Earth, Wind & Fire. It transports me into my favourite season, fall. My birthday, Halloween, thanksgiving, and then rolling into the Christmas season is my favourite time of the year, and though this song only mentioned September and though the song doesn’t directly speak about nature other then small snippets about the clouds and the sunshine, it still reminds me of fall days filled with the various oranges, yellows and reds that litter the trees, that first breeze that makes you put a coat on. Those moments are encapsulated in song for me and brings me into nature, to me it’s the very core of fall in musical form.

When connecting to music and nature I think about how I would listen in the back of the truck with my parents while driving around the country or into town for various things, I was lucky to be able to experience privliage like this. Although different cultures and classes have kinds of music, sometime music can be restricted for some. Music and Nature interpretation go hand in hand, this means that someone who cannot listen to music as often, easily or at all will not be able to interpret nature as easily as I have been able to. This can mean that I might value or interpret nature differently due to my experiences that others might not understand or agree with. However, the interpretation of different cultures and sounds from different locations can allow me too expand my knowledge and point of view.

Nature is a source of endless inspiration and creativity, just as music can capture the essence of the natural world. By immersing ourselves in both, we discover a deeper understanding of our experiences. Nature can be interpreted through music just as much as music can be found in nature.

[ofenvs3000semester]

Blog 7

If nature is art, and music can be considered a medium of art, then surely nature can be considered a source of music! From the rhythmic noise of water crashing and receding on the ocean’s shore, to the melodic calls of creatures of many species, many elements that we consider important parts of music (such as pitch and frequency, rhythm, even) are also found in nature. Some of it is from abiotic factors, like the former example, and this rhythm comes from a multitude of forces of nature working together in harmony, not unlike a band working together with a multitude of instruments to play a song. A song of nature! Where there’s rhythm there’s music. And that rhythm can be practical too- Think of my second example- the melodic calls of many species. The noises they use to communicate, are they not adjacent to music in a way? Like how music can communicate a message, or how interpretation can share a story about the natural world around us, these animals use it to communicate an important warning, challenge, or have another meaning. 

The second question did stump me a bit, but gave me an idea. I play a lot of video games, and found that different instruments were often used to convey different environments. Flutes and violins for peaceful forests, steel drums for a gorgeous beach, or oboe and numerous other wind instruments for a dry desert. In a way, using instruments to convey the “vibe” of a region isn’t too different from how interpretation tries to introduce, familiarize, and wow an audience in regards to their natural setting. This is even better if they use instruments/music traditionally played by cultures native there. Often this music is even inspired by nature, and amplifying these voices and their understanding of nature is another benefit of sharing music!

As for the final question, There are a few songs that bring me back to nature. One is “Riptide” by Vance Joy, which I remember from my time in BC for my co-op. I had a lot of free time, and one good memory I had was being on the breezy beach with friends, one of whom had a guitar. She played and sung that song- and I have fond memories of lying in the sand just listening. Many of my other musical memories were from BC, as my entire time there was spent surrounded by nature. “Spaceman” by the Killers comes to mind as well. Another song that comes to mind, albeit a random one, is the theme song from Plants Vs. Zombies, a game I’d often play at the cottage when I was a kid. The game and its songs hold a special place in my heart, and so does the time I spent in nature with the songs stuck in my head!

[ofenvs3000semester]

I’m very impressed with how you dissected this quote! Your description of the quote is very no-nonsense, straight to the point. I really liked the train station analogy- and in my own dissection I expanded it further, describing how each moment is another sleeper (the wooden plank between rails) on the railroad that is our life, constantly being built before us and held together by the events of the past.

I especially liked your comparisons to the national park service. I’ve never quite needed a historical perspective to appreciate nature, but I understand that history is a big part of environmental interpretation. Even the parts that I appreciate, the rocks and the waves, are the way they are because of eons of influence from the elements and time. 

Of course, I understand the importance of stories being told, as well . We’ve ought to do our part to make all voices heard, no matter how small they may seem- as they are still a part of the past, building towards the future, and it gives an increased understanding of the past and what it meant and means forevermore. 

Integrity is definitely the name of the game. In my dissection I also looked at the definition of being morally correct, and this also definitely applies here. Being an environmental interpreter should involve uplifting every voice and story, as it’s only fair to do. It’s our duty!

Blog 6-amenvs3000fall

Edward Hyams’ quote in The Gifts of Interpretation reminds us that the past is never really gone. The past is always influencing the present, even in easy that we can't really see. Edward states that while there’s no special value in something just because it’s old, there is value in integrity. Integrity means keeping things whole, and that includes acknowledging the past as part of that wholeness. Hyams compares this to thinking a train station only exists while your train is passing through it, which seems absurd when you think about it. The station is still there before and after your journey, just like the past is still with us, even when we’re not thinking about it.

The National Park Service highlights that historical interpretation helps people feel connected to a place and its history. By sharing stories about the past, we help others see how those stories continue to shape the present. This idea of connection ties back to Hyams’ point about integrity and keeping the past, present, and future connected is what gives our understanding of the world meaning. History helps us make sense of the world, it can inspire, educate, and even caution us. When it comes to nature, history is essential for understanding how landscapes, ecosystems, and communities have changed over time.

In the context of environmental interpretation, history adds depth to the stories we tell. Think about the signs you see at national parks or historical landmarks. By understanding the history of a landscape or community, we get a fuller picture of why it matters today. But we also have to ask ourselves: Whose stories are we telling? Are we including all voices, or are we leaving out important parts of the past?

At the end of the day, Hyams is reminding us that the past is always part of the bigger picture. We can’t just leave it behind as though it’s irrelevant. In both nature and history, everything is interconnected, and our job as interpreters is to make sure those connections stay alive. By telling the stories of the past, we help shape the future and keep the whole story intact.

[ofenvs3000semester]

Unit 6 Blog Post

“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 is quite a curious quote. If I had to make sense of it, in short, it means that even though the past is behind us, it’s important to take its lessons forward with us.

“There is no peculiar merit in ancient things, but there is merit in integrity”. What this line is trying to explain is that there isn’t necessarily any importance to the past- it is, simply put, the past, a thing that happened. There isn’t a merit in the things of the past, but, there is a merit to integrity. According to Oxford languages, “integrity” can be summarized as “the quality of being honest and having strong moral principles; moral uprightness”, and likewise “the state of being whole and undivided”. Both definitions fit what the past, and history, provide- For the former, part of acknowledging the past is about being “responsible” for it- showing responsibility for the actions and events of the past (after all, they did happen and we must accept that) is a way to be “honest” and maintain strong moral uprightness. Likewise, the latter quote stands true- the event of the past did make us/the world as it is today, and it’s important to acknowledge that the past holds a piece of us. After all, “integrity entails the keeping together the parts of any whole”, and they are very correct when they say these parts are scattered throughout time- through our history.

Part of maintaining integrity is accepting the past as it is and learning from it, taking the lessons forwards in time. Pretending the past doesn’t exist is, as they said, like “believing that a railway station through which our train has just passed, only existed for as long as our train was in it”. I mentioned, earlier, that the past is just a thing that happened, but is the past ever truly “over”? Every moment that passes is another addition to the railroad that is life, another sleeper (the often wooden bar between rails) holding the rails in place. Each railway station is an important event and a lesson learned, but just because we are no longer actively perceiving it like we are the present doesn’t mean it never existed or never mattered. It would be foolish to think this way, and therefore it’s foolish to think there’s nothing else we can learn from the past.

I can very much relate to this quote. Too often I try to separate myself with who I once was, often out of ill-directed embarrassment or unnecessary shame. But even if I wasn’t super satisfied with who I once was, it’d be foolish to think that it never happened. There are still things to learn from the past, and it’s all pieces of the railroad that led me to where I am today, and is leading me to who I will be! It’s an exciting idea, to think of how much I have learned and will continue to do so. 

[ofenvs3000semester]

Hello Francesca! 

It’s always nice to meet another Marine and Freshwater biology student. I’m glad I’m not the only one who feels inexplicably connected to the ocean! I’ve been lucky enough to have visited both coasts myself, and seen my fair share of wildlife at both. This was especially true for the west coast, where I stayed in a small town far away from most of civilization for a co-op. I was working at a marine sciences center here, so I was able to see a plethora of species that were being taken care of and studied. Even better, I got to explore the wilderness around the town, including a small piece of the west coast trail. Here I saw some of the coolest sights, as well as a rock completely covered with sea lions! It was such a wonderful sight and helped reinforce my love of nature.

It was also really nice to hear about your love of rabbits. It’s not a silly thing to write about at all! It’s so nice to have an animal you just feel connected to. I find I have a similar relationship with dogs, having grown up around them and having a few now, but I still can’t say they’re my favorite animal. I’m not sure what that favorite animal is, but I’ll let you know when I find it!

As for your final question, I honestly wish I had an answer. Some things make us happy for a reason, but sometimes there isn’t as much a reason. And there doesn’t need to be! I love the ocean, but do I have a deep history with it or a specific reason why I love it so much? Not really! I just really appreciate it. And that’s okay! I hope you can summarize for us a few of the other things that make you feel connected to nature, someday. I’d love to hear about them!

-Owen

Unit 5 Blog Post

This week we have no prompt for our blog post so I wanted to write about the things that make me feel most connected to nature. They are all very random and specific so bear with me. I am not sure why the things that make me feel most connected to nature do so, it is just a feeling I get that I am trying to describe. 

The first of these things would be the ocean. This summer I was lucky enough to visit both the Atlantic and Pacific oceans and it was very special for me. I am not around any oceans that often so I had somewhat forgotten the beauty of them but as soon as I saw/smelled the ocean in the distance I remembered what I was missing. I try to describe why they make me feel the way they do and I think it may just come down to the vastness of it all. Staring out at the seemingly endless ocean puts things into perspective for me as I think about the amount of life within it. I got to see some of their inhabitants like seals, otters, whales, and a whole bunch of invertebrates (my favourites). It was very special to get to be in and near the oceans this summer and I loved getting to put my knowledge to the test as a marine and freshwater biology student. Since coming back to Guelph it seems to be the only thing I think about most of the time and I really hope I can live near an ocean in the future. 

Some friends I met in the Pacific (top row), and Atlantic (bottom row) oceans this summer!

The next part of nature that I feel especially connected to are rabbits. This feels a little silly to be writing about but I am following our no prompt theme of what we are thinking about. I do however know why I feel especially connected to rabbits and that is because I had a pet bunny for eight years when I was younger. He was always around during my formative years and obviously left a huge mark on me which I did not realize until I was older. Now whenever I see a rabbit on someone's lawn or running in the woods it pulls on my heartstrings and I have to stop and be near them for a bit. I just think they are very peaceful and gentle creatures that actually have a lot of personality. I love watching them interact with their environments by munching on grass or just laying around. I see the beauty of nature through rabbits, so much so that I have a tattoo of one!

Rabbit on my lawn recently (left), my rabbit (right)

My list of specific nature-related favourite things goes on forever but if I had to narrow it down to two it would be those. I am still searching for a way to describe why I feel the way I do and what exactly that feeling is so maybe someone here has some insights on it? Also, I would love to hear what specific things make everyone else feel extra connected to nature! 

Thanks for reading my ramblings. I hope everyone has a great Thanksgiving!

-Francesca :)

[ofenvs3000semester]

Blog 5

I wasn’t expecting a free prompt this week, but I honestly appreciate it. I’ve had a lot on my mind, and I’m happy to relate it back to environmental interpretation too.

I guess what I’d like to talk about this week is… Identity. Who am I? No, seriously, who am I? I have trouble describing myself when asked. I understand a part of this issue is dissociation and uncertainty brought forth by my OCD, which likes to search for a solid answer that I’ll never receive, but I find myself asking this question nonetheless. I feel I’ve been held back by my OCD especially, which would rather I stay in my comfort zone than ask difficult questions. But there’s surely more waiting for me, beyond this prison I call “comfort”.

I’ve asked myself this question a lot in relation to my career, and my exploration of environmental interpretation. I wasn’t quite sure what I wanted to do, getting out of high school. I was generally pretty good at everything I took (except french), so I had plenty of options. But I didn’t know. Even my eventual choice, Marine and Freshwater Biology, was just based off of a hunch that learning about nature was the most interesting of my options. So where am I now? I’ve gotten to explore my interests a lot these past few semesters- I’ve been taken to the west coast (BC) for a co-op to study snails, and to the great lakes for another to study plankton. And piece by piece, I build a better idea of what kind of person I am- for starters, I don’t quite think I’m a researcher- But I still love nature and sharing that enthusiasm for nature with others. Perhaps an environmental interpreter is in my future?

That said, I’ve had my doubts about that, too. Am I really enthusiastic and outgoing enough to be an environmental interpreter? Would I know what to say? To do? I was stumped by this. And for a little while I questioned whether this course was even for me. But the last discussion post was a great one. It was interpretive, like art is in general, and being able to describe the beauty I saw in nature was euphoric. I was reminded of the times where I found myself lost in nature, such as back on the west coast watching the waves collide with the rocky shore, and another time in Mexico watching the clouds above a jungle treeline. I think there’s a lot for me to appreciate, and even better, I can share that appreciation with others! I have experience teaching, it’s not too unfamiliar to me- I work part time as a swim instructor, and can definitely show enthusiasm to a small audience about the things I’m knowledgeable in. Of course, that would mean I need to learn quite a bit more. Perhaps in my work I’ll find a particular subject I’ll excel in, and be able to talk and present about that. 

There’s a lot of possibilities! And each step I take to find something that works for me is another step closer to better understanding myself, as a person and an interpreter. I can’t wait to be myself!

[ofenvs3000semester]

Blog post 5

I wasn’t expecting a free prompt this week, but I honestly appreciate it. I’ve had a lot on my mind, and I’m happy to relate it back to environmental interpretation too.

I guess what I’d like to talk about this week is… Identity. Who am I? No, seriously, who am I? I have trouble describing myself when asked. I understand a part of this issue is dissociation and uncertainty brought forth by my OCD, which likes to search for a solid answer that I’ll never receive, but I find myself asking this question nonetheless. I feel I’ve been held back by my OCD especially, which would rather I stay in my comfort zone than ask difficult questions. But there’s surely more waiting for me, beyond this prison I call “comfort”.

I’ve asked myself this question a lot in relation to my career, and my exploration of environmental interpretation. I wasn’t quite sure what I wanted to do, getting out of high school. I was generally pretty good at everything I took (except french), so I had plenty of options. But I didn’t know. Even my eventual choice, Marine and Freshwater Biology, was just based off of a hunch that learning about nature was the most interesting of my options. So where am I now? I’ve gotten to explore my interests a lot these past few semesters- I’ve been taken to the west coast (BC) for a co-op to study snails, and to the great lakes for another to study plankton. And piece by piece, I build a better idea of what kind of person I am- for starters, I don’t quite think I’m a researcher- But I still love nature and sharing that enthusiasm for nature with others. Perhaps an environmental interpreter is in my future?

That said, I’ve had my doubts about that, too. Am I really enthusiastic and outgoing enough to be an environmental interpreter? Would I know what to say? To do? I was stumped by this. And for a little while I questioned whether this course was even for me. But the last discussion post was a great one. It was interpretive, like art is in general, and being able to describe the beauty I saw in nature was euphoric. I was reminded of the times where I found myself lost in nature, such as back on the west coast watching the waves collide with the rocky shore, and another time in Mexico watching the clouds above a jungle treeline. I think there’s a lot for me to appreciate, and even better, I can share that appreciation with others! I have experience teaching, it’s not too unfamiliar to me- I work part time as a swim instructor, and can definitely show enthusiasm to a small audience about the things I’m knowledgeable in. Of course, that would mean I need to learn quite a bit more. Perhaps in my work I’ll find a particular subject I’ll excel in, and be able to talk and present about that. 

There’s a lot of possibilities! And each step I take to find something that works for me is another step closer to better understanding myself, as a person and an interpreter. I can’t wait to be myself!

[ofenvs3000semester]

Hello!

I couldn’t agree more with what you’ve written. In my own blog post, I suggested that we can interpret nature through art by considering the fact that nature IS art. I made a point that each individual’s personal interpretation, determining what the art meant to them, is what leads to reflection and emotional connection.

Often, what I like to interpret from nature is the magic that is its development. What else is more miraculous than the fact that we can witness nature as it is today? To elaborate a bit more, that part of my brain likes to wonder how terrain became the way it is, how an animal evolved to have the features it has now, and the like. An additional example would be the photo you posted- I think it’s so cool that the tree has “eyes”, and my brain wants to know exactly how it came to be like that. A quick google search suggests that this is where the tree purposefully shed branches it determined no longer beneficial (i.e. its leaves wouldn’t receive enough sunlight). How cool is that?

I love what you wrote about being a nature interpreter. Sure, you’re telling a story to your audience, but your bigger goal is to introduce your audience to the beauty that you see, much like how you might share with a friend what you interpreted from an art piece. I hope you get the opportunity to do just this in the future!

Unit 04 Blog Post

The interpretation of nature through art is not only reserved for professional artists or those in creative fields. As someone who is passionate about environmental interpretation, I think that nature itself is an artist, and it creates moments that can inspire reflection, emotional connections and allows for oneself to open up to the beauty that nature offers and finding ways to share that with others. Just as I have used nature as a learning tool in my previous experiences, I see art as a way to engage people emotionally, mentally and physically with the environment.

I believe that nature offers endless opportunities to capture moments of beauty, whether through pictures of a sunrise, the intricate patterns of leaves and tress, or the texture of rocks in the water. Here is a moment where I felt captivated by nature's beauty:

Art allows us to pause and appreciate these details in a way that daily life often doesn't. It is not about creating "perfect" paintings or sculptures but about recognizing the beauty in the world and helping others do the same.

The Group of Seven mentioned in the course provides an excellent model for this kind of interpretation. These artists captured the essence of Canada's natural landscapes not by showing human figures but by allowing the viewer to immerse. They cause an emotional response that helps shape our identity, and individual appreciation of the land we live on. As an interpreter, my aim is to channel that same emotional depth and feeling when engaging with audiences, whether through photography, a story, or an outdoor experience.

When I think of the "gift of beauty" in nature, I reflect on the concept of seeing and sharing moments of subtle beauty that might go unnoticed. It's in the sunset and sunrise pictures we always feel compelled to capture, or the first snowfall that makes us smile. These moments are brief but extremely important and profound, and when we share them, whether it be through pictures, words, or experiences, we show that appreciation to others. This act of sharing the beauty creates both a personal and collective connection to nature. By recognizing the "gift of beauty", we also might have a desire to protect and preserve it.

My role as a nature interpreter becomes not solely about providing information but about awakening a sense of beauty and responsibility in those who experience nature through my lens. I may not have the creativity/eye of a painter, or the skills of a photographer, but I can offer moments of beauty that invite others to appreciate the world around them. In this role, I would focus on using both emotional and intellectual approaches to communicate the beauty of nature, ensuring that everyone I guide walks away with a lasting connection. I would engage in creative activities that end in reflection, while incorporating their own personal experiences and skills to that. The goal is not only to see beauty, but to understand it and appreciate it.

Interpreting nature through art is a way of helping people slow down and engage with the world around them in meaningful ways. It is not about being a talented artist but about sharing the gift of beauty that nature offers and inspiring others to see it and notice it too.

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

Unit 04: Nature Interpretation through Art and Planning for “All” Scenarios. (2024). Uoguelph.ca. https://courselink.uoguelph.ca/d2l/le/content/898489/viewContent/3863606/View

[ofenvs3000semester]

Blog post 4

This week’s writing unit left me thinking. Who AM I to interpret nature through art? For art itself, I’d consider myself a very inquisitive person- maybe too inquisitive- often looking for the meanings and messages art can convey. This message might be a literal story, or a subtle hidden message. Ultimately, however, its meaning is left up to the viewer’s interpretation, and what they take away from it depends on how they interpret it. 

Being an interpreter is almost like being a translator, between nature and an audience, sharing with the audience the meaning, the story, behind nature- not unlike how someone might try to describe to an audience the meaning of artwork! Interpreters share the what, why, and how of nature with the audience, telling a story much like how an art piece would- and by that definition you could even consider nature itself “art”! Better yet, the “meaning” of nature might not even be what I previously described- much like with artwork, what ultimately matters is the viewer’s interpretation, as that’s what they take away and what encourages them to contemplate what they saw. The interpreter’s goal is to share a particular message, be it the literal meaning (biology/natural history) or their own interpreted meaning, but the viewer will undoubtedly interpret nature in their own unique way. It doesn’t have to be a literal meaning, either- their meaning can just be what they appreciate most about nature. Me, for example, I love shallow lakes and rivers you can see the bottom in, and I love seeing insects crawl around. 

So, in short, THAT’S how I believe I, and others, interpret nature through art- by interpreting nature AS art- through the stories we’re told and the stories we tell ourselves. What were the Group of Seven doing, if not sharing their interpretation of nature through a snapshot of paint and effort? 

Well then, how do I interpret “the gift of beauty”? To me, the beauty comes from the miracle that is its creation. Let’s say I see a wave-soaked shoreline and wonder to myself how it came to be- thinking about the thousands of years in which water wore down the rocks to a smooth surface, breaking some stones up so much to the point they exist as sand. Better, I’ll pick up a rock from that beach and observe the layers in it- different eras of substrate compacted by the ocean’s weight. Alternatively, I’ll see a flower, and see how the stem buds out into the blooming petals at the tip, contemplating how it (literally) blossomed from a little more than a green bud to a beautiful crown of petals. I may see a bug, and think of how it grew from a small grub to the marvelous creature it is today- or better, I’ll consider how it evolved from however it’s ancestors appeared to how it appears today- what natural events led to it evolving to develop the adaptations it has today. What is more beautiful than the fact we’re here to witness all of this wonderful nature, in the form it’s grown over centuries to take?

Okay, I might have gotten carried away writing so much, but I hope this all makes sense! Life can be beautiful.

[ofenvs3000semester]

Hello!

I think you summarized privilege very well. The “invisible backpack” metaphor was a good starting point, but you really hit the nail on the head describing it as “unearned” advantages. 

I made a similar point to you when describing how it impacts environmental interpretation. I acknowledged the privilege money would provide, having greater access to green space and the outdoors in general. I had failed to consider, however, privilege regarding physical ability and health. Of course someone who had difficulty walking would struggle to experience nature the same way an individual in good health would, and I’m embarrassed that I forgot to mention that in any capacity. As you mentioned, acknowledging the various privileges that exist can help make a more inclusive environment- and working to remove these barriers is part of our role as environmental interpreters. 

I’m also a huge fan of the article you posted. It summarizes privilege very well, and I like the consideration it gave to environmental justice- Not every group is equally able to be environmentally mindful- some are limited by their own circumstances. Some people are outright unable to “live in harmony” with nature like this individual was able to. And what a wonderful opportunity it is, to find your place in nature. I hope, as an environmental interpreter, I can open these opportunities to a wide range of people, with different levels of privilege from all sorts of backgrounds and cultures. 

Unit 03 Blog Post

Peggy McIntosh describes privilege as an “invisible backpack,” full of resources that some people carry without even realizing it. Privilege includes aspects such as race, socioeconomic status, language and gender. My personal definition of privilege houses the idea of unearned advantages that shape our experiences in life in different ways we may not be aware of, including how we may engage with nature. In nature interpretation, privilege plays a significant role in not only who has access to natural spaces, but also how they experience and interpret them. As interpreters, acknowledging the various privileges that exist can help create more inclusive and fair experiences for all individuals.

A person’s privilege determines how easily they have access to these experiences. For example, a person coming from a wealthy background may have grown up visiting national parks, taking swimming lessons and attending summer camps. In comparison, someone from a lower-income background may have had fewer opportunities to engage with nature. This is an example of privilege. A key aspect to privilege in nature interpretation is accessibility. Someone who lives in an urban environment may not have easy access to nature. Trails and outdoor activities may cater primarily to those who can walk, hike, or physically engage with nature. Privilege, in this case, includes having an able body or good health. As an interpreter, recognizing this privilege could allow for alternate ways to engage with nature such as virtual tours or accessible paths.

Although I grew up in an urban environment. My family made it a point to take frequent trips to local parks as well as enrolled us in summer camp where we were able to kayak, hike and play sports outdoors. Even while at school during the year, we made field trips to lots of local parks where we learned about indigenous culture, animal species and local flora. At the time, I never considered these experiences as privileges. However, reflecting on it now, I realize that having access to these opportunities was not something everyone had.

An article by Rachel McKimmy on how she moved to a rural area and had to deal with the intricacies of nature.

Many nature activities such as hikes, or outdoor activities assume that participants already have a level of comfort with being outdoors. However, for people who have not had the same access to nature, these experiences may feel intimidating. As environmental interpreters, we must recognize that our audiences come from different backgrounds. By being aware of these differences, one can bridge that gap and create more inclusive and accessible experiences to everyone. A way to do this could be collaborating with community groups that serve underrepresented populations by ensuring that environmental education is accessible to everyone.

Nature should be accessible to everyone, regardless of background or privilege. By acknowledging our own privileges, we can better cater to a diverse range of audiences and make the natural world a place for everyone to connect and enjoy.

[ofenvs3000semester]

Blog post 3

Privilege isn’t something I considered when looking into nature interpretation, but it’s something I am no stranger to. My working definition for privilege defines it as an advantage given to an individual or group by efforts beyond their own or by circumstances. I liked the description of it from the unit outline, so I included aspects of that in it. 

My privilege? I am white and a Canadian middle class citizen, with a very good education. While my ability to attend at university is due in part to my hard work at school, paying for my tuition was primarily done by my parents, who had saved money since I was younger. I speak English, which as the unit discussed puts me in a very good place academically (not to mention I’m privileged enough to be able to borrow my parents car to drive to school every day). Likewise, I have a very stable part-time job in the form of a Lifeguard, and although this took me lots of time and training, I was privileged enough to be signed up for this at a young age and driven to training.

But how does this influence nature interpretation? Another privilege I hadn’t mentioned was my accessibility to the outdoors. Living in the suburban neighborhood of Milton and later Georgetown, I was still surrounded by plenty of greenery, and not far from any of these towns were plenty of green space- Rattlesnake Point, Hungry Hollow, and many more. I was privileged enough to not only have access to these wonderful locations, but to be taken there by my parents. Likewise, I was privileged enough to have had many other getaways into nature, such as at a cottage off of lake huron and at numerous different summer camps in the Muskoka region.

What I am getting at with all this is that even exposure to nature can be considered a privilege. As an interpreter, I cannot allow MY familiarity with nature to lead me to assume everyone I interpret for is at the same level- I need to interpret at a level that’s welcoming to all. That said, as mentioned in the example on the units page, I also cannot assume that everyone is immediately comfortable in the outdoors not perfectly equipped to face any challenge it might throw at us. Part of being an interpreter may include preparing those we interpret for with the skills and equipment necessary to find their sense of place, safely.

I believe the purpose of the “risks” section of the unit 3 page was, in part, to stress exactly this- we can’t assume that everyone has the same abilities and strengths as the rest of us, due to our own strengths and, most importantly, privilege. Preparing for the worst, just in case, is a sure way to prevent tragedies from occurring.

[ofenvs3000semester]

Hello there!

I wasn’t sure what to expect from the posts this week. I was anticipating a loose, theoretical summary of the things people would want to be. I sure didn’t have a clear idea of what I wanted to do. So I was surprised to see you with such a specific vision for the future! I envy you, having such a clear idea of exactly where and what you want to do.

Fishing is never an activity I took much interest in. I remember fishing a bit when I was very, very little, back when my parents could gush about how cute I looked with a teeny fishing rod. But I never stuck with it growing up. If anything, it just made me feel bad to stick a worm on a hook and stab a fish to catch it. I know better now, of course, how it’s just the cycle of predator and prey, and that fishing can be sustainable under the right conditions. 

Of course, I too often discredit the benefits of just being outside in the great outdoors. Alaska, while definitely cold, would be a wonderful setting for people to find a sense of place. Especially while occupying themselves with an activity like fishing- and you seem to have the perfect experience to act as a guide! Considering each group member’s individual needs is incredibly considerate, and the mark of a good interpreter. I wish you the best of luck in your career, and I hope you get the opportunity to make this role a reality!

Blog 2- amenvs3000fall

I envision my ideal role as an environmental interpreter would be as a fishing guide in Alaska, as i feel that it connects my love for the environment with a desire to share it with others.

Growing up, fishing trips were more than just opportunities to catch fish. They were hands on experiences in learning. Each trip bettered my understanding of the ecosystems I fished in, not just of the aquatic ecosystems but the forests and landscapes around them. I’ve carried those lessons with me into adulthood, always striving to improve my skills while appreciating the larger picture of conservation and sustainable practices. Fishing became a way to feel connected to nature and to others, which is something I aim to pass along as a guide.

As a fishing guide in Alaska, my role would be more than just leading clients to a prime fishing spot. It would be about helping them see the landscape and the fish they catch through a lens of respect and stewardship. Not everyone learns the same way, and part of my job would be tailoring each experience to suit my clients needs. Some people might learn best through hands-on practice by casting lines, reeling in fish, and handling the gear. Others might need visual aids, scientific facts or storytelling to grasp the bigger picture of why sustainable fishing is important, or how the delicate ecosystems we fish depend on our care.

Alaska offers a wild, pristine setting where nature is still untouched by much of the outside world, and guiding there would provide great opportunities to teach and learn. For me, being a fishing guide would involve sharing stories about the local fish species and the ecosystems they inhabit, using my own knowledge of environmental science to connect the experience of fishing to larger ideas of conservation. I would help clients recognize that fishing is more than just a sport and help them build their own experiences and relationships between them and nature, playing a positive role in that balance.

Whether it is a seasoned angler or someone who has never held a fishing rod, I believe everyone can learn something new no matter what skill level, or age they are. There are many ways to fish no matter the skill level, whether it be my trolling or casting, some clients won't even have to lift a finger to have a fish to reel in! My goal as a guide would be to help clients have the best time of their lives and not only improve their fishing skills but leave with a deeper appreciation for the environment they’re fishing in.

Ultimately, being a fishing guide in Alaska isn’t just about teaching people to fish, it’s about creating a connection to the natural world, and helping them see that, like me, they are a part of it. It’s about creating memories that, much like my own, will stay with them long after the trip is over.