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[shenvs3000f23]

Thank you for sharing,

I really enjoyed reading your blog post. The section about the climate crisis and understanding eco-grief was very interesting to me. I have obviously been informed of the climate crisis and understand to some extent what is going on, but eco-grief is something I have never heard of. I completely agree with it though and appreciated your detailed explanation. It is something that I have felt before, definitely. As someone who deeply appreciates and enjoys nature, seeing the seemingly daily news of a new disaster is difficult. It is very discouraging as it seems no matter what I do, such as driving a fuel efficient car, carpooling when I can, using reusable containers, limiting one use plastics, to name a few; everything always gets worse. You brought up a great point though that however hopeless it can seem at times, we are all in it together. There are many who feel the exact same way. This is a very comforting thought that I appreciate you bringing to light.

We all need to stick to our values in order to hopefully one day repair some of the damage we have done to our climate. Even though it can seem hopeless at times. It is our responsibility for ourselves and future generations to preserve the natural world for all to enjoy and benefit from.

Personal environmental ethics

Blog post 9: 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?

I believe that the interconnectedness between humanity and nature is profound, shaping our perceptions and responsibilities towards the environment. As I begin to see the world through this new lens of a nature interpreter, I recognize that it's not only about appreciating the beauty and complexity of the natural world but also about creating a set of personal ethics that govern my interactions, beliefs, and responsibilities towards the natural world. These ethics will shape my relationship with nature throughout the rest of my life and can impact the choices I make about my career path, where I decide to live, who I surround myself with, and most of all, my relationship with myself.

At the core of my ethos are foundational beliefs that shape my role as a nature interpreter. I believe in the intrinsic value of biodiversity and see immense value in protecting and preserving it. This belief forms the foundation of my responsibility, to act as a steward, advocating for the preservation and sustainable coexistence with our environment.

My personal environmental ethics and beliefs also influence several aspects of my day-to-day life as I strive to live and act in alignment with my values. My knowledge and understanding of how consumerism is detrimental to the environment is one of the driving factors that has led me to place less value on physical possessions and live a more minimalistic lifestyle. My interest in sustainability and human impacts on the environment also led me to make a personal decision to stop eating meat for environmental and ethical reasons as I became more informed on how the meat industry worked as a teenager.

But with climate action and staying informed on the climate crisis comes eco grief, an emotional response to the widespread degradation of the natural world and a sense of helplessness or powerlessness. As a nature interpreter, you are forced to face the widespread impacts of environmental degradation, habitat loss, and species extinction. This emotional connection, often referred to as eco-grief or ecological mourning, is a profound and personal experience that I have also witnessed in many of my peers. It involves mourning the degradation of landscapes, biodiversity loss, and the loss of ecosystems that hold deep personal significance.

Eco-grief is not a burden to carry alone but is a shared sentiment among anyone who deeply loves and appreciates the natural world. It is important to acknowledge this grief, but not to let it weaken my commitment to advocate for nature. On the other hand, it is important to prioritize your own mental health and wellbeing. Being constantly exposed to new climate disasters and inequalities through news or social media can be mentally taxing and make us feel as if every issue is our burden to carry and problem to solve. I do think it is our responsibility to take climate action but to not pass a point where this action is detrimental to our own mental health.

In navigating this emotional aspect of climate action, I feel a responsibility to share with others that it is okay to only give what time and energy they can without having negative personal impacts. I wish to create spaces that nurture empathy and understand that everyone’s ability to give differs. It is important to also share stories highlighting nature's beauty and resilience to instill a sense of hope and empowerment within young people, encouraging others to join in the efforts to protect and restore our environment for future generations.

I believe in conveying accurate information while also honouring the emotional and cultural significance of natural landscapes. By participating in inclusive experiences that invite diverse perspectives, I hope to foster a sense of belonging and responsibility within myself and towards the environment in all individuals.

Additionally, my environmental education in my childhood taught me to prioritize the principle of “leave no trace” or “take only pictures, leave only footprints”. This exposed me to advocating for responsible and sustainable interactions with nature at a young age. Through leading by example and promoting sustainable behaviours, I strive to inspire others to cherish and protect our natural spaces as I do.

In conclusion, my journey as a nature interpreter is to recognize the intrinsic value of nature and the tragedies of the climate crisis without becoming overwhelmed or consumed by it. Recognizing and understanding eco-grief not as a hindrance but as a driving force for change, I remain committed to taking climate action and acting in accordance with my values in my daily activities.

[shenvs3000f23]

Thank you for sharing,

I really enjoyed reading your post. There are many insightful ideas that brought to light new perspectives on these topics and questions that I have not had previously. For example, when you stated that your most prominent belief that you put at the forefront of importance is biodiversity. That everything, no matter how small or large, plays an equally important role in the entire ecosystem. This is something that is often forgotten in everyday life, in my experience. We say we hate mosquitos, or are afraid of snakes and spiders and how we do not want them around. However, these species are all crucial pieces to the whole puzzle that we call an ecosystem. That without them, many other, if not every other organism and their processes would be affected. This is a great point to bring up that definitely needs a greater mention in this field.

I also liked how you mentioned using technology as a tool for engagement. Like in many fields, people tend to get stuck in the ways of the past. That if something worked 50 years ago, it is bound to work now. Although that is true, technology can greatly speed up the process of learning about the natural world and allow for more people than before to gain knowledge on it. I as well love to use INaturalist to help me identify plant species in the woods.

All in all I really enjoyed reading your post and found it very insightful.

Final Blog Prompt

Nature interpretation is something that involves a profound engagement with the environment and natural world, and is something that demands a sort of self-awareness and a development of one's personal ethics. As I navigate the path of nature interpretation, my personal ethics are ever evolving, and are shaped by a set of core beliefs, unique experiences and unique responsibilities, and an overall individualized approach to a balance between education, interpretation, and inspiration. 

At the core of my personal ethics in nature interpretation are my foundational beliefs, which serve as a sort of moral compass and guiding principles for my interaction with the natural world and others. One of my fundamental beliefs is my high regard of biodiversity, and the understanding that it holds in every place on the globe, and everything on the globe as well. Everything in this natural world is interconnected, and everything relies on everything one way or another, whether it is readily apparent or not. This belief is one of the main contributors towards my personal ethics towards nature interpretation, putting biodiversity preservation at the forefront, and seeing that everything has a place in the ecosystem, even mosquitoes in the summertime. 

Another one of my fundamental beliefs is environmental stewardship, as to me, nature interpretation is a platform that can be used to educate others on the responsibilities we all have for the environment. Not only does this involve education, but also involves inspiration, as someone can be educated by uninspired, so they do not contribute towards environmental stewardship, but can also be inspired but uneducated, perhaps trying to help but not knowing how or possibly doing something harmful that they thought was good. A happy medium between education and inspiration needs to be instilled in all scenarios so that those being spoken or relayed information to stay engaged, while also being educated. 

However, ethics in nature interpretation are not all core values and foundational thought, but also action, and responsibility, and as a nature interpreter, there are many responsibilities that I believe that I have, which can be divided into responsibilities to nature and responsibilities to the audience. 

Responsibilities to nature are the set of responsibilities that I have towards the environment that go beyond observation, one of which being the obligation to reduce my ecological footprint during any interpretational activity. This involves thoughtful consideration of the environmental impact me or anyone I am with may have on the ecosystem, and taking consideration towards any sort of fragile or delicate habitat and vulnerable species. Furthermore, the responsibility for stewardship and intervention is also required. This responsibility involves not only intervening when necessary, but also understanding and being able to tell when to not intervene. Stewardship also involves actively participating in conservation efforts whenever possible. 

Responsibilities to the audience is the second part of nature interpretation, as you have to respect the environment while also participating with an audience seeking knowledge and connection. One key responsibility is communication. Accurate, scientific information is needed to be conveyed to the audience so that they can receive an understanding of the natural world, and unbiased information is needed so that they can develop their own connections with nature. It is my place to aid in interpretation, not force them to believe what I do. Furthermore, there is a responsibility to create a sense of connection with the environment. Nature interpretation should not just be all education and facts, but should be found in the hearts of those you educate and inspire. This also involves the responsibility to be able to craft inspiring narratives and be able to emotionally connect with those you interact with, and provide the ability to form meaningful relationships with nature. 

Finally, a responsibility to be able to juggle education and entertainment, while crafting narratives and creating stories is important in order to inspire, education should come first, and integrity of facts and information should not be compromised for the sake of narrative or entertainment. A balance should be formed to ensure that the audience remains engaged while accurate and scientific information is conveyed. 

While these are some of my responsibilities and my ethics, I believe that there are many approaches that are individual to me and that uniqueness should be embraced. A significant aspect of my individual approach is relatability. I believe that being able to relate to those you are talking to is the first step in education and interpretation, as by relating you make yourself seem more approachable if questions arise, you make yourself more engaging, and you have the ability to get into specifically what they are interested in if it is relevant. By blending facts with unique experiences, one can create a holistic experience that individuals feel cater to them, not some broad overarching topic that can apply to anybody. 

Furthermore, my approach embraces technology as a tool for engagement. Throughout my time as a Manual Worker for Bass Lake Provincial Park, I had found myself using technology to identify plants, animals, and all kinds of species in the park. An app called iNaturalist is one that I had frequented as I was able to see what kinds of animals my friends were identifying, as well as taking photos of animals or plants that I see and being able to identify them with a click of a button. Interactive mediums, digital databases, and photographs are all essential in creating a unique, memorable experience.

In the world of nature interpretation, personal ethics serve as a moral compass and can guide an interpreter through life, their approaches, their responsibilities, and their beliefs. The foundational beliefs can shape someone’s perspective, the responsibilities that they hold towards nature and their audience, and their unique, individualised approaches that can help their audience feel engaged, and special throughout the whole process. As I continue to develop myself and my moral compass throughout my life, I believe that my ethics serve not only as a reflection of myself, but as a commitment to the connection that is held with nature.

[shenvs3000f23]

Unit 10 Blog

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?

This prompt is one that forces me to look at myself from an outside perspective. For me to truly analyze my skills, weaknesses, and experience as it pertains to being a nature interpreter. Since beginning this course, I feel as though I have developed as an interpreter. I have learned important skills such as how to "effectively serve and relate to audiences" (Beck et al., 2018) as mentioned in chapter 7 of the textbook. Or how to truly engage an audience and choose my words wisely as mentioned in chapter 5 and Mill's "formula". These are just a few examples of the new insights and skills I have developed and been made aware of.

With the role of a nature interpreter and having the audience to be able to share my knowledge with, there are certain ethics that need to be followed. There are many different ethics that are relevant when it comes to nature interpretation. Of these, there are personal ethics that I as an individual must come up with and comply to.

The first aspect of myself that can influence my personal ethics are my beliefs. The largest belief I have is the need for people to stay connected to nature. In today's fast paced world, it is so easy to get caught up in our little worlds and forget about the one around us. With school, work, and social life, I find myself often forgetting to stop and take a look around. I forget the sound of walking through a trial in a forest. The branches breaking beneath my feet and the sounds of the crunching leaves. Or the sounds of the birds chirping and rustling of critters around me. This forgetfulness of nature is something that I am sure I am not alone in. There are many beneficial aspects of staying connected to nature. The greatest benefit I witness is the improvement of my mental health. The world is so fast, but taking a few hours to appreciate nature shows you how slow life can be. There is a great sense of calm that comes over you in nature. Due to this, I believe everyone should prioritize staying connected to nature in whatever way they can. This can be done in many ways. From taking a different route walking to pass through a natural area, to looking out the window a little longer than usual. Or even taking a trip to spend some time in nature. However you are able to do it, incorporating more nature into your life is bound to improve your life in many ways.

With having the role of a nature interpreter, there are certain responsibilities that come with it. I believe one of these to be a responsibility to do whatever I can to improve people's relationship with nature. Having the platform of a nature interpreter allows me to reach more people than normal. Using this, I can help to show people that nature is everywhere. I can help them to understand it and identify certain aspects. I know for myself, this has been true. I am currently in a plant ecology and lab ecology classes. The professors are extremely knowledgeable and have taught me so much. The main skill I find myself utilizing that has changed my perspective of nature is identifying plants. I have had multiple labs where the goal is to identify plant species. From this, and the help of my professors, I am able to identify many more species than previous. I know what they are, what they do, how they interact. Now, whenever I am in nature, I find myself much more aware of my surroundings. When before all I saw was a wooded mess, now O see dog woods, ash, maples, walnuts, and so much more. I understand why these things are where they are and their purpose in the surrounding ecosystem. Due to the help of interpreters around me, I now view nature in a different way and am much more immersed by it. This is the some impact I would like to have as an interpreter. I have experienced first-hand how it can change someone's perspective and allow them to be more involved with nature.

It has taken a lot of trial and error in order for me to find what works best for me as an individual when it comes to learning. The best way I have found so far is a hands-on approach. This type of approach really allows me to be fully immersed in whatever I am trying to learn. It also makes questions arise that I would not have if I were simply book learning. Going through the whole process forces me to know every step, and from this, questions inevitably arise that I would not have if I were not learning hands on. For example, I can identify a certain tree online, but doing it hands on in person makes it more difficult. Sometimes I cannot see the leaves of the tree, or it may be a different season and the plant looks different than the book or website I learned from. When in person, all of these variables are accounted for and I can use my resources, such as books, websites, and professors to get a more real world knowledge of certain things. It makes the skills learned more applicable and diverse since I know not only book knowledge, but how to apply it in the different circumstances that are inevitably came across in the real-world.

Personal ethics are very important when you are in an influential role. My personal beliefs play a role in developing the responsibilities I believe I have as an interpreter. I also hope that one day I can play a positive role in someone else's life and help them to realize their true passions and knowledge, as others have done for me in my life.

[shenvs3000f23]

Thank you for sharing!

I really enjoyed how you shared your experience of nature combined with music. How it adds to the already beautiful elements and is able to make you more present, I find this as well. It is one thing to walk through nature, but with music, it can be so much more. It makes ideas and thoughts come to mind that wouldn't have otherwise. It makes the scenery have more meaning, be more vibrant, and overall, you are more aware of what is going on. I have never listened to classical music in this way, but I am very interested in doing that now. I mainly listen to folk music and older country when outdoors. I find it brings a sense of nostalgia and calmness that goes well with an outdoor setting.

Hello everyone, 

I hope you are all enjoying our last few days of the beautiful autumn weather – certainly my favourite season, so I’ll be sad to see it go! 

I am not much of a musically inclined person, I never even learned how to read music in school! Nonetheless, I absolutely love listening to music, if you are anything like me, I have about a million different playlists for various moods, ‘vibes’, and activities on my Spotify. My family is in Vancouver, so I spend a good amount of time in the mountains, and I always find myself listening to ‘folky’ and rock songs that embody the whole “granola-girl” aesthetic whenever I am out there (I find it funny how I rarely listen to that playlist when I’m in Ontario). In my opinion, nature interpretation is all about gaining an appreciation for nature and being fully present and in tune with it. Listening to the music of the trees blowing in the wind, birds chirping, and the crunching of leaves beneath your feet is probably the best kind of music for being present and one with nature. Still, if I had to pick a genre of music that spoke to me most while outdoors – or elicited a feeling of being fully present – it would have to be contemporary classical music. The absence of lyrics allows my mind to take in all the beauty around me. The calming melody of the classical instruments kindles the sense of “presentness” that I find so important about being outdoors – and in any aspect of life. In the same way photos and social media can push for immediate interpretation (as stated in the textbook), I would argue that music has the ability to transport you to another realm of awareness and presence, one where you can tune out some of your incessant thoughts that consume your day, and one that can evoke feeling and emotion. I think it’s super cool that we humans aren’t the only species who communicate through music, for example, think of whales or birds, even insects have the ability to feel rhythm! There is a reason music can induce great emotion and memory, it is ingrained in our history as a species and we wouldn’t have it if it weren’t for nature and our great ancestors evolving animal vocalization into the sounds of music we hear today. If I had to pick some songs that transport me to a space where I can be fully immersed in nature – sticking with my contemporary classical genre – the following are what I would recommend: 

Sunken Dreams by Alban Claudin & Esther Abrami

Minerva by Akira Kosemura

Avril 14th by Aphex Twin, Daniel Hope, Jacques Ammon, Christoph Anacker, Jane Berthe, and Kaiser Quartett

I look forward to hearing what you have to say about this week's prompt because I sort of struggled with it haha!

All the best,

Olivia

[shenvs3000f23]

Blog 7

Where is music in nature? Where is nature in music?

Music is in nature everywhere; from bird songs to the wind swaying the trees. I never really thought about this idea before, however, having it being brought up, it showed me how music is everywhere. Music in nature also serves many varying purposes, just like music in our everyday lives. To continue with bird songs, certain songs are to attract a mate, others to communicate or warn others. Another interesting example is that of grass hoppers. They play their legs and wings like a violin and string to produce a noise. It is amazing to think about all the the similarities in our music, and the music in nature; from the messages, to the methods.

Music, like nature interpretation, is an art. There are infinite ways to say and deliver the same message. For example, in music, a common theme is relationships. However, there are songs with the overall message that are sad, exciting, upbeat, calming. This is the same for nature interpretation. Explaining a specific topic to someone can be done is so many ways. It can be done through stories, songs, examples, experiences. Music and interpreting nature are very alike in these ways. In addition to this, music and interpretation can be interpreted in many different ways; depending on ones past experiences, mood, or character. For example, someone who has a negative mindset may take a reminiscent song as sad. However, a person who is optimistic can take it as a look at past events and be happy that they happened. Nature interpretation is similar. Peoples past events and upbringing can make them see nature in many different ways. Someone who dislikes snakes for example, will likely think of snakes as negative and be biased towards them. While someone who is fond of them will want to learn more, and understand that they play an important role in ecosystems.

Nature is in music is many different ways, however, it is less explicit as bird songs and grass hopper violins. I find there is more of an implied sense of nature in music. Songs often try to convey a feeling. They can do this in many ways. One example is the tone and tempo they use. In nature, fast, abrupt movements often induce worry and panic. Such as leaves rustling as an animal is running through them, or loud high pitched noises of an animal in distress. This concept is the same in music. Fast paced, usually higher pitched music conveys the feeling of the song to be unsettling and worrisome. The opposite is also true. Calm, drawn out sounds like water running through a stream, and deeper, slower songs that are more predictive bring a similar feeling, one of calmness and predictability. In this way, nature is in music. Another way it is is the places music can take you to. I often find myself listening to a song and think how great it would be to listen to during a walk in the woods, out fishing, or any other activity. As well, if I listened to a song in nature and it had a great impact on me, whenever I hear that song again, it takes me back to nature. In that way, nature is in music since it brings your mind and thought to it.

A song that takes me back to a natural landscape is "Ballad of a southern man" by Whiskey Meyers. I only listened to it a few times while fishing. However, the lyrics and storytelling always remind me of growing up and being involved in nature. Whether that be sitting around a campfire with friends or fishing and hunting with my dad. There is something about it that brings me right back to the things I love in nature.

[shenvs3000f23]

Thank you for sharing!

I really enjoyed your interpretation of this quote. How you related it to the antique chair really made it easy to follow and understand. From how the chair was made, who it was made by, etc., you explained the quote in an easily digestible way. It reminded me of a watch I have in my family that belonged to my great grandfather. I have always known of the watch, but never really questioned it. Questions such as the ones you posed. Where was it made? what had the person wearing it been doing? These question made me think about something in my life in a different way and dive deeper into it. This is a great example of how speaking of the past and asking questions can further others to do the same. In this way, history can be maintained more and hopefully in a more integral way.

I also agree with your mention of the textbook reading relating to the quote. That we are able to learn from our past and use these lessons to better our futures and not make the same mistake twice. This reminds me of growing up in particular. When you are a child, you are supposed to make mistakes. It is from these mistakes that you learn and grow as a person and hopefully not make as many mistakes in the future. Although, as shown in everyday life, we do not always learn from our mistakes and often repeat many of them.

Unit 6: Nature Interpretation through History

"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."

To put it plainly, this quote describes how the property of history brings about an importance to things. The first part of the quote mentions that ancient objects are not inherently important but the act of keeping them intact and pure makes them important. This makes me think of a beautifully carved antique chair or one of the gigantic redwood trees in British Columbia. These are objects of the past; they were either made for a different time or were born from a different time, yet here they are all these years later. Following this, the quote lists what keeping the integrity of something really means. It can be more abstract than just maintaining a really old chair. Integrity could be the stories that comes along with the chair. Who has sat in it? Who potentially died in it? Where was it made? What was it made from? Who was the person that made it? The list goes on; there are so many stories and details that could come about something as simple as an old chair. Keeping the answers to these questions associated with objects is also maintenance of integrity. The last half of the quote outlines a metaphor that the past does not simply pass by us and disappear like a train at the train station. That would be silly to think, not only is the train still existent on the tracks but its influence on the station it passed by may extend much further than is easily seen. Historic objects can share what humankind was up to long ago as well as our connection to nature. 

To me, one of the most interesting artifacts that has been recovered was a piece of a harpoon embedded within a live bowhead whale. This piece of harpoon was dated to be over 100 years old! This harpoon piece delivered a snapshot of the history of humans' connection with humans. Whales used to be hunted for resources but now they are protected. This one poor whale had left a reminder to the world of the cruel behaviour humans once threatened nature with. As a developing nature interpreter what ancient artifact could be more important than that?

To add to previous points, the textbook mentions that “We need the past for our sense of who we are. We need the past for a sense of our civic responsibility, how all these benefits and freedoms came to us, and what it is our duty to protect.” The past gives us all of our context for our future. We need to understand the past to understand what we as a society have to do in order to function, what rights were given to us and what we must defend to keep our integrity. I think it is also important to understand the flip side of this. To be given these rights, whose might have been taken away? We need to appreciate our history and what past people's experiences have given to us while also remaining humble about what we do have.

[shenvs3000f23]

Blog 6

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.

This quote is describing the idea that although history has passed, we should not forget the events and lessons that occurred. That the many events in the past by themselves may seem insignificant, but together, they have a greater meaning. For example, the first finch ever observed by Darwin in the Galapagos islands seemed insignificant. However, that one finch made up a whole library of others studied. Their observations, together, allowed for comparison, patterns to be saw, and conclusions to be drawn. This seemingly insignificant finch and its behaviour made up a crucial part of a whole that changed the way we view the natural world, forever.

This is a crucial idea that often times we, as a society forget. Many mistakes have been made in the past; with their repercussions being witnessed. However, we still often repeat history and more often than not, it ends in a similar way. This is seen in events such as war, types of government, and economic patterns, to name a few.

The part of the quote that states "the maintenance of integrity entails a knowledge, a memory, of ancient things" shows why we as humans, often repeat history. There is no maintenance of integrity of history. Often times, certain parts are left missing or falsehoods put in their place. Or there is simply a miscommunication through generations and events simply left out. Over years and years, we begin to forget how certain aspects of history truly were. Due to this lack of maintenance of the integrity of history, we easily fall into the same trap and do not learn from the past. It is foolish of us to believe that the "railway station through which our train has just passed, only existed for as long as our train was in it". That past events have no influence or lessons for the present; and that the present has no influence or lessons for the future. We as a race have been making mistakes for thousands of years. With these mistakes, came lessons. If we do not maintain the history and the lessons learned, they were all for nothing. We will simply be stuck repeating events whose results have already been discovered.

This can even be related to personal life, with the same concept applying. For example, as a child, I would go fishing with my dad often. I did not know much, but was eager to learn. One day when we were out, I tied my own knot (a fairly new skill). I had a bite and set the hook. After about 30 seconds with a fish, that for younger me, was quite large, the knot broke and the fish got away. After that, my dad taught me how to tie a stronger knot. If I had forgotten about that time and mistake I made, I would still likely be losing fish today due to a weak knot. Past events and mistakes allow us to learn for the future, whether that be at a personal level, or society as a whole.

[shenvs3000f23]

Blog 5

I am looking forward this week to being able to talk about anything! Although it has been great to learn about nature interpretation, this is a welcomed change. I was trying to think of a topic when I opened up my phone and saw that it was one year ago today that I got my dog, Benny. So, he is who I am going to make my post about.

I had a family dog growing up, however, Benny is my first dog that is mine. I got Benny from a family friend who had an accidental litter. I never planned on getting a dog as I am in school, but once I saw him I just could not resist. He is a big mix with parts fox hound, beagle, and rottweiler. He is a medium sized dog now and weighs about 65 pounds. He has been a lot of work, but so worth it.

When he was young, we began crate training him and doing all of the necessary obedience training. The hardest part was at night. We got him at a very young age since the people who had him were not equipped to handle the 10 puppy litter. He would wake up every hour every night until he was about 2 months old to go to the washroom, whether that be in his crate, or outside. After he was fully trained to go outside, it was much easier, but he did not sleep through the night until he was around 4 months.

Although he was and is a lot of work, and caused many sleepless nights, it was all worth it. One of the his favourite things to do is go for a walk in the woods. He loves other dogs and seeing people, but he never gets as excited as running through the forest and long grass. We have explored more of my home town than I ever have before because of this. One of my favourite adventures with him was recently. Thanksgiving weekend we went to a trail about half an hour from my house. We walked it for about 2 hours and saw deer, turkeys, and trout in the stream we walked along. Benny, although he does not usually like water, was walking in the shallow parts of the stream, picking up sticks and leaves out of it. That was also the first time he has seen a deer that close, he was very excited. He even tried crossing the stream on a narrow section over a fallen tree. He got so frustrated as he was nervous but eventually, was able to do it.

Getting him was one of the best decisions, despite the work. He has taught me so much and has encouraged me to go on adventures I never would have otherwise. He is still learning as he is just a year old, but so am I. He always makes me laugh and shows me the importance of living in the moment. That the simple things can bring you the greatest joy. I attached a picture here of him as well!

[shenvs3000f23]

Thank you for sharing!

I could not agree more with this weeks blog being well needed during this time of the year. Writing, especially about something you are passionate about is a great stress reliever. In regards to the weather, last weeks warmth was definitely welcomed. I am a landscaper on the weekends and it was very nice to have that in between of overly hot humid weather and cool and damp like it is now, it made for a more enjoyable work experience. Your writing about turtles reminded me of a time this year we were out on a job. We were laying a patio right near a river and when we came back from lunch, a medium size female snapping turtle was making her way back down to the water. We made sure she made it safely, then, we noticed something a few meters to the right of where we were working. A hole was there with eggs in it! We were very careful not to disturb it and set up a little fence so we always knew where it was, of course, we made sure the area was cleaned up and free of hazards after. Your post reminded me of this and I thought it was something you may find interesting! I do hope they were able to make it to the water safely and survive to create a new generation of turtles for others to enjoy and appreciate. It was truly amazing to have been a part of and witness an event like that.

Blog 5

Although I am finding it interesting to learn about different aspects of nature interpretation and being able to talk about them through our blogs, doing a blog post on what we are thinking about is just what I need this time of the semester! As we have all been getting through midterms and making our way through the semester, I have personally spent the last week trying to enjoy the last of the warm weather before the cold front comes in. Last week I was swimming in the river near my house on the days that were 25+ degrees and this week I am getting out my hats and scarves because the wind is so chilly! 

 For this blog post I am going to take the opportunity to talk a bit more about where I live and my favourite animal, turtles! Bear with my thoughts as I try to reign them in through this blog post! If you have read my first blog post, you probably already know how much I love my little slice of heaven called Eden Mills. I am always happy to brag about our town and I feel that it fits so well with this course that I have to talk about it! Currently I volunteer through RARE with turtle conservation in my village. Ideally after graduating, I would love to continue to work in turtle conservation (preferably somewhere warm and on the ocean) as they are a species that is so highly impacted by humans, whether it be through garbage dumped in the ocean or what we see more locally of turtles being hit by cars as we build roads through their wetlands. 

 When I’m out either waiting for the baby turtles to hatch or waiting for a turtle to finish laying her eggs people will often stop and ask me why I do it. A valid question as I’m sometimes waiting for hours on end! It gives me the opportunity to talk about turtles and why I care so much and hopefully it inspires them to care as well! I feel that this course will really help me when I’m in a situation like that again where I get to interpret the life of turtles to someone who has taken the time to ask me about it. For example, even if I release 100 babies safely in a wetland in the appropriate place (muddy shallow water with lots of coverage, babies spread out so they are not too close together in case a heron comes along), there is a very low chance that any of them will make it to sexual maturity. Although all this information might not be as interesting to others as it is to me, something that can usually get people interested is the release of baby turtles! Being able to find something that can grab the audience’s attention then gives us the opportunity to share this other information with them. 

I've attached some pictures of the babies I got to participate in releasing this year! I hope you enjoy!

[shenvs3000f23]

Blog 4

prompt: Who are you to interpret nature through art? How do you interpret “the gift of beauty”? (Your readings – specifically Chapter 5 of the textbook – will be helpful for this!)

Nature is something that is often difficult to describe in words. It brings to us a complexity that sparks emotions and feelings. There have been countless times where I, and I am sure others, have felt this way. Whether its an awe inspiring sunset or an animal in its natural habitat. Even something simple that has a great meaning to you, like a special creek or fishing hole. Art allows for a snapshot of these events that are often better at portraying how they made you feel, than words.

Art to me can be anything, from pictures, sculptures, paintings, and music. I have always consumed art, whether it be consciously or unconsciously. From my friends posting photos of nature online, to seeing paintings in my local museum and family members houses. I always understood, on the surface, what the purpose of these works of art were, however, never that in depth. This is something I have been actively trying to work on. If a work of art catches my eye, I will not only appreciate the vain beauty of it, but try to go deeper. Why was this created? What do the elements of the piece mean? Is there anything excluded from the piece, why? When you are critical in viewing art, you begin to see a story. You feel as though you are in the shoes of the creator of that piece. It is truly an amazing experience to be able to appreciate the moment that inspired the artist so much to want to capture it. This is a skill I am still working on, and will be forever as there are endless ways to look at and interpret art. That is what makes it so great, anyone, at any age can appreciate it in their own way and interpret the gift of beauty.

I have found that the one method of art that always intrigued me the most was music. Ever since I was younger, I have been in touch with the lyrics of songs and appreciated the story telling more than anything. This is why it is my favourite form of art. In just a three minute clip, someone can tell you a story about an event in their life. The instrumentals add to it as well. They can inspire emotions based on what the person is singing about and add a layer to that story that makes you feel as they did. With high upbeat tones making you feel happy or excited, as they were. To slow and drawn out instrumentals bringing sadness, longing, or defeat. There is an element of music that touches so many senses at once to provide a completely immersive experience of art.

Art can often seem as something that is exclusive. That is is something for the rich or more experienced to own and appreciate. However, what makes art so great is anyone can interpret it. This is why is it so important in regards to nature. Not everyone can see in person the great phenomena and beauty of it. However, especially with technology, it makes it easier than ever to view any piece of art. This allows a unique opportunity for anyone to experience a snapshot of events in nature that they likely never would have. it Allows anyone to build an appreciation for the gift of beauty that is nature.

[shenvs3000f23]

Thank you for sharing,

I really enjoyed your post and it brought ideas to my mind that I have never had before. For example, when you mentioned that what is in art is just as important as what is absent. I have never thought of this before, but it makes perfect sense. Often times I have pre conceived ideas of what I think should be included in a certain piece of art, based on its topic. With this, I expect certain ideas to be portrayed. However, if I pay attention to not only what is present in the art, but absent, it has a greater impact. Why was this idea that I thought was so important not included in the work? Are there any other ideas that could be included or excluded, to expand on what is already there?

I also related to your final paragraph on how looking for inspiration forces you to be more in touch with your senses. Although I am not a very artistic person, I understand what you mean. You never notice how much is actually right in front of you, until you are required to look for it. I have noticed this due to some of my courses this year. I have two botany related courses where we have to identify plant species in labs. I now find myself when walking outside trying to identify plants; this is something I have never done before. It has opened up a new way of looking at something. It showed me just how complex and interesting something is that I previously gave no thought to; it forced me to be more in touch with nature.

Blog post 4 - Nature Interpretation Through Art

Incorporating art and the creation thereof into nature interpretation can open your audience to a new way of seeing and interacting with the world. Creating art forces you to step out of your everyday experience and enter a different state (Csikszentmihalyi, 2004). Art can have a powerful effect on the mind, so it's no wonder that art changes the way people interact with nature. It can be a useful tool for sparking fascination & curiosity in your audience, and thus increasing their awareness of their interactions with the natural world (Boeckel, 2015).

This, to me, is the gift of beauty: it can be a highly effective vehicle for directing attention to different themes. Art allows people to communicate how they see the world, or how they want you to see the world. What people decide to include or omit from a painting determines what kind of story it tells. Through this storytelling, art can influence the way people think about things. For example, the landscape art of the group of seven has shaped one way of thinking about Canada's national identity. The absence of people in their paintings divorces humans from the Canadian ‘wilderness’. In this way, the artists communicate white settler ideas of how humans interact with nature; as external observers rather than participants in natural processes. As nature interpreters, we can use art to communicate different ideas about our place in nature. If you’re facilitating a creative activity, art can be a way for your audience to communicate to you what holds significance for them, and that information can be used to determine the themes that you choose to focus on.

As such, It's important to keep in mind that not everyone creates art in the same way. As an amateur tattoo artist, art is a way for me to explore the natural features that bring me joy and create a permanent record of them. Looking for inspiration forces me to be more in touch with my senses, and to take notice of what I find beautiful about the natural environment around me. What’s perceived as beautiful will differ for each individual. Personally, I was drawn to the aesthetic appeal of the heart shaped flowers of the bleeding heart plant, so I chose to immortalize them on my forearm. The strength of the giant stag beetle’s impressive curved horns was so beautiful to me that I decided to tattoo one on my thigh. Drawing small details like these forces you to deepen your understanding of your subject. How do the leaves of a bleeding heart plant connect to the stem? What angle do a giant stag beetle's legs need to sit at to support its weight? And most importantly, how do all these small details come together to create a full picture? Once I’ve finished a design, I can then begin the process of transferring it onto my skin.Tattooing myself is a way for me to create a record on my body of the things in nature that I find significant. Once a tattoo is done I am gifted with a constant reminder of the beauty that I have seen in the world; something to reaffirm my place in nature and my connection to it.

[shenvs3000f23]

Thank you for sharing!

I really enjoyed your post. I relate to the point you made about having the privilege to grow up around nature through camping and travelling. I was very fortunate to have parents who could afford time off work to take us to different camp grounds. In this time, I furthered my love and appreciation for nature. It opened me to new habitats, experiences and education. I had opportunities to hike, canoe, and explore. I was able to read and speak to many people about topics I was interested in.

I found your mention of the privilege of competing in aquatics interesting. I took swimming lessons when I was young, but never went very far with them. I did, however, play high level soccer and can relate to the privilege of being able to do a sport, competitively. It is a great opportunity to learn and grow as a person and develop team skills. The costs of this is substantial however, and it is important to remember the privilege it is to be able to take part in these activities.

I really enjoyed how you related your experiences of competitive swimming and privilege of growing up around nature to your ability to be a nature interpreter. It is important to remember not everyone engages in the world the same ways. That as an interpreter you have to remember your certain privileges and act in a way that is aware of them.

Risk Versus Reward in Interpretation

Blog 3: What role does “privilege” play in nature interpretation? Please include your working definition of privilege.

Privilege plays a large role in nature interpretation because it influences how we view the world and connect with people. Recognizing and acknowledging personal privilege is a step that is necessary in providing an enjoyable educational experience for people from all walks of life. It is equally as important to realize that every person carries their own bias based upon their lived experiences. Thus, I believe that it is crucial to take a step back and recognize who you are as a person and how that can translate to who you are as an interpreter.

            My working definition of privilege is: “Privilege is an exposure to opportunities that are only available to a certain group of people and results in an unearned advantage in life.” As an interpreter/ educator I must recognize that I am teaching from a place of privilege as I believe it a necessary step in combating stigma and creating a welcoming environment for everyone.

In terms of bringing people into the outdoors, I must recognize that my positive exposure to nature is a result of my privilege and has led to a high level of comfort in the outdoors. I grew up travelling and camping with my family which played a large role in who I am today. I acknowledge that not everyone had the opportunities I did growing up and that it is a part of my privilege.

I was also fortunate to have parents that recognized the fact that swimming is an important skill to have. From a young age I was placed in swim lessons and had water safety messages drilled into my brain. One of the most prominent deliveries of water safety took place at my summer cottage. I remember that until a certain age, there was always a rule that we were only allowed to enter the water at the beach with an adult. As we grew older and became better swimmers, we were allowed to enter up to our hips but only our knees when it was wavy. These boundaries were put in place to ensure safety, but my guardians had to know that it was important to set these rules. I was also fortunate that my parents had the means to register my sister and I in swim lessons (and eventually competitive swimming). I was lucky that my parent’s jobs allowed for them to be able to drive me to the pool in town at 4:30am for practices and have time to volunteer at my swim meets, not to mention they could afford all the necessary equipment for the sport.

After my time as a competitive swimmer, I became a lifeguard and swim instructor. It was a natural transition to teach others, but I really found myself enjoying the fact that I could help others have safe and pleasant experiences in the water. Even though lifeguarding is a pretty common job, it takes quite a bit of time and money to become fully certified. Let alone, the fact that you must be a competent swimmer to achieve the necessary certifications. Through my work as a lifeguard, I became more aware of the role privilege plays in aquatics. It became clear that inclusion is such an important topic to discuss in aquatics.

Not everyone engages in the world in the same ways and to assume as an interpreter that everyone will experience something the same way would be very ignorant. From this unit I have taken the time to reflect on the opportunities and experiences that I was privileged to have. It has allowed me to think about the influence these opportunities have on how I interact with the world around me as well as the importance of acknowledging privilege.

[shenvs3000f23]

Blog 3

Prompt: What role does “privilege” play in nature interpretation? Please include your working definition of privilege.

In my opinion, privilege is an advantage that a person has that they may, or may not be aware of. This privilege allows the person to have a better opportunity at gaining or reaching certain things in opportunities in life.

The role privilege plays in nature interpretation begins at a young age. In my case, if it were not for the privileges I grew up with, I would likely not be interested in nature to begin with. I grew up in a very rural farming town right on lake Erie. As a result, I was lucky enough to experience nature whenever I pleased. I would go into the woods that was a short walk from my house. I could go hiking, fishing, exploring, anything. I recognize this as a privilege as many people do not grow up being surrounded by nature and never get to fully immerse themselves in it. I always thought of nature as being something free and accessible to everyone. However, after leaving my town and seeing how many live in the city, I understand how lucky I am. I believe if it were not for how I was raised and where, I would not have pursued further education in nature.

Understanding privilege in terms of the role of interpreting nature to other people is crucial as well. As someone who will hopefully be in the position to speak to many people about nature, there are a multitude of things to remember. Things such as I grew up in and around nature, there are many pieces of knowledge I take for granted that others do not know. Terms that are common to me, but uncommon to someone who is not in nature all the time. These are consequences of a privilege that I, as an interpreter, need to be aware of.

In addition to this, another privilege I have taken is being able to take trips and go camping. These trips furthered my love for nature even more and gave me opportunities to learn from new people and places. However, I take it for granted that my parents were able to take me on these trips. That they were able to take time off of work and spend excess money on gas, food, and other fees. This is a commodity that many do not have. It would be an interesting idea to think about as a nature interpreter, how to come to people, rather than having people come to me. If this could be achieved, which it can be, many more people would be able to be reached. It would take away a barrier that likely holds back many from learning just how amazing the natural world is. I stated in other blogs my dream place to work as an interpreter would be a secluded park in Northern Canada. This is a barrier that would prevent me from speaking to as many people as possible. Some solutions may be to do visits to schools, community service work, or start programs for people interested in nature, that may have just not had the opportunity arise yet to learn.

[shenvs3000f23]

Blog post 2

Blog Prompt:

Describe your ideal role of environmental interpreter. What might it entail? Where might it be? What skills might you need? (Keep these all-in mind as you begin to work on your assignments – tailor these to that ideal job!)

My ideal role as an environmental interpreter would be one that aligns with my personality and life style. Due to this I believe I would be very happy with a park services role, particularly, a conservation officer. I have worked at a local conservation area before, and really enjoyed it. One of the aspects that made it great was many of the people visiting were from cities, often with younger children. It was amazing to see the wonder on their faces and how excited they were when they got to experience nature. I often received many questions from both parents and younger people about various topics. These including why is something the way it is, how does something do this, and my personal story, to name a few. Sharing with them my knowledge in an environment that they are already extremely intrigued about, made it that much more impactful. Sharing my story with nature, and recommending other areas to explore more, hopefully helped them to explore their curiosity even further . I believe as a conservation officer, I would be able to further my knowledge about the environment. Specifically, on conservation of animals, habitat, and animal behaviour, all of which I am very passionate about. In addition to this, as a conservation officer, you are in a position of seniority. This gives a unique opportunity to have the attention of park goers and have your opinions valued. As a result, a great responsibility is taken on, one that I would like to take on and do my best at utilizing to educate anyone I can.

My ideal location for this job would be a park anywhere farther north. Whether that be in Ontario or another province. The previous park I worked at, although enjoyable, was very close to town and was more of a trailer park, than a natural area. I would love to work in a park that is secluded and as natural as possible. This would provide a multitude of learning opportunities and make it much easier for anyone who has questions, to form those questions. Being immersed in an area is the best and fastest way to learn. I can equate this to some courses I have had. In certain courses, we are simply given data and told to analyze it. With this approach, it is often hard as we are separate from the process and not able to pose questions ourselves. Contrary to this, in courses where I get to go into the field and collect data in the forest myself, I learn much more. I was there to physically do it and was immersed. Questions came to mind and the data made much more sense.

I will need a multitude of skills for this role as an interpreter. Skills mentioned before such as knowledge on conservation of animals, habitat, and animal behaviour. I am constantly learning about these topics and will continue to. It will make it much easier as well when working everyday in this environment to learn quicker. However, the most important skill for this job is communication. I can have all the knowledge in the world, but it is useless unless I can effectively pass it on to people I am speaking with. I would look at my role as a mentor to people wanting to learn, not someone in power or a lecturer. Due to this, being able to convey my knowledge in an effective way is crucial.

[shenvs3000f23]

Thank you for sharing,

I really enjoyed all the points you made. Specifically, how personally you take the role of interpreter. Such as your ideal role being in a setting that resonates with you personally, or you not being a lecturer, but a mentor. This is a great approach, in my opinion. It shows others you are teaching that you are extremely passionate about these topics. It shows that they are not separate from you, but a part of your identity. This makes learning inevitably simpler for others you are teaching. You do not have to force yourself to be enthusiastic or engaging, it comes naturally. With your attitude and approach, I believe it will be easy for you to create an "immersive and interactive experience", as you said you strive to do.

I can personally vouch for how great this learning style is. I have had many teachers, but the ones that left an ever-lasting impression on me gave guidance more than lectures; as I am sure you have also experienced.

I also related to the statement about you needing to be a lifelong learner. I have always been fascinated with learning as much as I can, about as many topics as possible. There is so much knowledge out there, and it is ever evolving, like you stated. No one knows everything, and no one ever will, but there are a lot of people out there to learn from, who know much more about any given topic. This is an exciting thought that makes education a life-long journey.

The Ideal Environmental Interpreter: Bridging Nature and People

My ideal role as an environmental interpreter is a blend of passion, education, and connection. It's about bridging the gap between nature and people, sharing my enthusiasm for the environment, and inspiring others to care about it just as much as I do.

First and foremost, my ideal role would be situated in a place that resonates with me personally. Whether it's a national park, a nature reserve, a botanical garden, or even a community-based environmental center, the location would be chosen with great care. I believe that your surroundings greatly impact your ability to connect with and convey your passion for the environment. Being surrounded by the natural beauty and wonder of the outdoors would not only serve as a constant source of inspiration but also provide a tangible backdrop for my work.

In this role, I'd see myself as a guide and mentor, not just a lecturer. I'd strive to create immersive and interactive experiences for my audience, whether they're seasoned nature enthusiasts or newcomers to the outdoors. Instead of simply talking at people, I'd encourage them to participate actively in the learning process. This could involve nature hikes, hands-on activities like bird watching, plant identification, or even stargazing sessions.

My approach would be to make environmental education relatable and accessible to everyone. I'd tailor my programs to accommodate a wide range of interests and backgrounds. After all, not everyone is an avid birder or a tree hugger, but there are countless ways to connect with nature, and I'd want to help people discover what resonates with them personally.

To excel in this role, I'd need a diverse skill set. First and foremost, I'd need a deep knowledge of the local ecology, flora, and fauna. Understanding the intricacies of the environment I'm interpreting is essential to answering questions, fostering a sense of wonder, and debunking common misconceptions.

Communication skills would be paramount. Being able to convey complex scientific information in an engaging and relatable manner is an art. I'd want to employ storytelling techniques to captivate my audience, turning every nature walk into an adventure.

Adaptability is another crucial skill. The environment is ever-changing, and so are the needs and interests of visitors. Being flexible and able to adjust my programs on the fly would be essential to keeping things fresh and exciting.

I'd need to be a lifelong learner. The natural world is vast and constantly revealing new wonders. Staying up-to-date with the latest research and environmental issues would enable me to provide the most accurate and relevant information to my audience.

Above all, my ideal role as an environmental interpreter would be about fostering a sense of stewardship and instilling a love for the environment in others. I'd measure my success not just by the number of facts I convey but by the spark I ignite in people's hearts. If I can inspire even a handful of individuals to care deeply about the natural world, I'd consider my job well done. After all, the more people who care, the better equipped we are to protect and preserve our precious planet for future generations.

[shenvs3000f23]

Thank you for sharing! I can relate in early childhood adventures and trips in nature starting my love for the environment. I grew up in a rural part of southern Ontario and had lots of time to go out and explore. My love for this is what led me to pursue it further. I find it interesting the path you decided on taking in your education. I myself am still trying to figure out exactly which route to take. Plant anatomy and forest diseases do sound very interesting, I have taken a few courses related to these topics and really enjoyed them.

Your job at the butterfly conservatory sounds interesting too! I imagine it makes learning about these topics much easier when you are completely immersed in them. As well as when you get to have conversations with many different people. I recently began landscaping and my boss is very knowledgeable on native plant species. I have learned more this past summer than I have in the past few years about identification and plant characteristics. When you begin to learn these new topics, it is very accomplishing. Like you said, being able to provide knowledge to people on topics you are passionate about gives a sense of place. I have experienced this when explaining plant characteristics to customers.

I found it very interesting when you spoke about the similarities you found in tropical and native biota. Although they look very different, if you dig deep enough there are many underlying similarities. It really shows the complexity of nature and how the processes that lead to evolution are universal; producing similar products in different parts of the world.

Blog post #1

Blog post 1

               I have had an interest in nature from a young age. I spent my childhood on many outdoor adventures and camping trips that were the genesis of my love and respect for the environment. This interest in nature has evolved from influences in both personal and professional aspects of my life. Allowing me to develop my sense of place in nature and in the world.

To begin, my parents have long been invested in enjoying the outdoors, even spending their honeymoon in Jasper National Park. Subsequently, I spend much of my time growing up in the outdoors, taking hikes though local areas, backwoods camping in Algonquin, and even attending nature-themed summer camps. I developed an interest in what I saw around me and yearning to see what I had not yet discovered. My interest developed further through my schooling. First, with sparse and generalized teachings on the environment in high school. Such as, some precursory knowledge on evolution and a basic overview of photosynthesis. My interest continued to grow with the more detailed and in-depth information provided in post-secondary. I began to discover an interest in plants and soon I found myself enrolling in plant anatomy and forest disease courses. The culmination of this education is a deep respect for the environment and an enthusiasm for learning more. While I wanted to pursue higher education in biology and ecology, many have little to no knowledge on the natural world around them. As such, I found myself trying to share what I have learned with anyone who would listen. This eventually developed into an employment opportunity.

 I gained employment at a butterfly conservatory which included nature interpretation in some of the duties. Most of what I was interpreting on would be tropical species of plants or animals. This was intimidating as most of my education focused on North American flora and fauna. However, as I learned and became more familiar with my position, I found a sense of place in using overarching ecological concepts to connect our tropical exhibit to the native biota visitors would likely be more familiar with. For example, the butterfly life cycle is highly conserved among most butterfly species. As such, I could use the examples of tropical butterfly species I had available to go in depth on conservation strategies of native butterfly species. Attempting to provide this “big picture” understanding is not always easy and can be demotivating at times. However, there are many other cases where guests have gained a clear vested interest in nature and conservation after being interpreted to. It is in these moments where I feel a sense of place. Being able to provide even a percentage of the excitement I felt for nature growing up is a positive moment.

[shenvs3000f23]

Disclaimer

This blog was created for ENVS3000, University of Guelph. 

The opinions expressed here represent my own and not those of the University of Guelph. 

The University of Guelph is not responsible for the accuracy of any of the information supplied by this blog.