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Your blog post was really interesting to read and the video you included is just mesmerizing and terrifying at the same time. Water has always scared me. Don’t get me wrong it is beautiful, like breathtakingly beautiful but I don’t know how to swim. I am 20 and it is kind of embarrassing to admit this, but I never learned to swim so I have always had this fear of water. Of course, with waves that big I don’t think anyone would be able to swim which makes it even scarier. I commend and really admire the people brave enough to surf in these waters. Nature is really beautiful but at the same time it can be terrifying. It would still be an amazing opportunity to be able to witness these waves in person. It definitely would be an awe-inspiring experience for anyone who has witnessed it and those kinds of experiences stick with you forever. It is important to remain curious about the world around you even as you grow up. A lot of us lose our wanderlust as we age but I think in order to appreciate nature in its entirety it is important to always be curious and to explore nature. I hope to be able to visit Nazaré, Portugal someday!!

Nazaré: A surfers paradise...

My father was born and raised in the town of Nazaré, which is located in the heart of Portugal. Many others refer to it as “sufferers paradise,” which is a more accurate description. I’ve been going to Nazaré, Portugal, for as long as I can remember. The area is well-known for its massive waves, which are both distinctive and unpredictable. As a matter of fact, it has been the site of multiple Guinness World Records, including the greatest wave ever surfed and the largest wave ever surfed by a woman. The summer is normally the best time to visit, however the biggest waves have been observed during the winter season, between October and March.

Surfers from all over the globe are always present, and the number of tourists is increasing. Thousands of people have already spent the season of enormous waves at Nazaré, and if there are waves, they will surf, which is also beneficial for visitors since it gives them a better sense about how big the waves are. In addition, there are several Surging Challenges that take place in Nazaré. One of these competitions is the World Surf League Nazaré Tow Surfing Challenge.

You may be wondering if my dad surfs, and the short answer is no. He claims to have attempted it as a child, but that the danger was just too great, particularly on the enormous waves of Praia do Norte, often known as North Beach. Regardless, he and his friends would always gather by the Nazaré lighthouse to watch the waves. Even though he wasn’t surfing himself, he explains that, as a lover of the water, he was awestruck by the sea’s immense power. “I was amazed every single time I watched,” he says. It is, without a doubt, the place where the Atlantic Ocean demonstrates its full might! Nature is a beautiful thing.

I’ve also never tried surfing, but if I did, I don’t believe I’d do it on North Beach since it’s too dangerous. To be quite honest, it can even get a little frightening to watch the surfers. Even though they are professional and skilled, the waves may be quite hazardous. Maya Gabeira drowned in Nazaré in 2013 and was resuscitated on the beach (Lock, 2021). Following this, the Nazaré Surf Rescue Organization was formed in order to avoid worst-case situations from occurring (Lock, 2021). Since the accident in 2013, Maya has returned to Nazaré and, in 2020, she set a new female world record for the largest wave ridden in  Portugal. 

Nazaré is definitely an experience of awe. Awe-inspiring experiences, according to the textbook, generate wonder, curiosity, perspective, purpose, and creativity (Beck et al., 2018).  The textbook suggests that Keltner describes awe as, “elicited especially by nature, art, and impressive individuals or feats,” (Beck et al., 2018). At times, just being at a park or museum and absorbing the experience is sufficient, with no need for interpretation (Beck et al., 2018). The same may be true of Nazaré; even without explanation, the waves evoke a reaction. I hope that one of you reading this, have the opportunity to visit Nazaré, Portugal. If you’ve gone, I’d love to hear about your experience!

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Unit 09: Blog 8: The Sea of Stars

As a kid, I read a lot of books and watched a lot of movies. I was invested in Harry Potter, Narnia, Peterpan and many other stories about magic and wondrous lands that I thought only existed in storybooks. For the longest time, I believed magic to be real, dreamt of getting my Hogwarts letter and staying up way past my bedtime to spot the tooth fairy. Leaving my window open in case peter pan flew in or opened my closet hoping to go on my own adventure. As I grew up I started to grow out of believing in magic and lost my imagination.

I remember seeing the sea of stars in a post on social media and I thought to myself how could this even be real. I mean it seemed like it was magic, something right out of a fairytale. I looked it up and it was in fact very real. As we grow up we lose our imagination but as I grew closer to nature I realized that nature in itself is magical. The wonders this world has to offer aren't anything less than magic and we are just oblivious to so many natural phenomena.

So now I want to describe to you what the sea of stars is and how this phenomenon works. As mentioned in our textbook interpretation should instill in people the ability to desire, to sense the beauty of their surroundings and to provide a spiritual uplift and encourage resource preservation (Beck et al., 2018). This is exactly how I felt when first learning about the sea of stars and I hope for anyone reading this to share my sentiment.

So how does the sea of stars look like a sea of stars? Phytoplankton, a type of sea microbe, is responsible for this lovely and amazing phenomenon. Dinoflagellates, a type of phytoplankton, are the ones responsible for the glow. After oxygen is supplied to the water, the dinoflagellates light a dazzling blue, and these microorganisms float in the water all day, charging up with electrical impulses. This glow, however, is utilized as a defence mechanism against predators, but it does produce a beautiful sea of glowing blue stars. Vaadhoo Island is the most popular destination, although other locations throughout the Maldives have also captured the sights of this occasion. According to locals, the greatest and most likely time to witness this occurrence is in the months of July and August.

And you will be pleased to know that the Maldives is not the only place where we can see the sea of stars. Although the "Sea Of Stars" phenomenon is more common in the Maldives, it has also been reported at Leucadia, California, Mosquito Bay, Puerto Rico, and the Lakshadweep Islands in India.

It seems surreal to me that such beautiful and magical sights exist in our world. This is why I have always dreamed of travelling so that I can also experience these magical sights for myself. I believe it is extremely important to use interpretation as a tool to educate yourself and others about the historical and natural significance of a location (Beck et al., 2018). This helps us appreciate our natural surroundings more (Beck et al., 2018). This is why I am always trying to educate myself more about any places that I want to visit in the future so that I can fully appreciate the beauty and significance of that location. The sea of stars is just one natural phenomenon, some others that truly amaze me are the northern lights and the waves in Arizona. There are so many more that I could talk about but for now, I will leave you dreaming about the twinkling blue ocean stars.

References:

https://justhooit.com/blog/sea-of-stars-maldives

Beck, L., Cable, T.T. and Knudson, D.M. Interpreting Cultural and Natural Heritage For a Better World. Sagamore Venture Publishing. 2018.

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I really enjoyed reading your blog. I especially like the opening quote “the Earth has music for those who listen”. So many people are so immersed in their lives that they don’t pause to appreciate nature and form any real connections with it. Those who do know that music is a part of nature. I really enjoyed reading about the way whales and birds communicate and the unique rhythms animals make, sound like music. A song doesn’t have to be lyrical or involve instruments any rhythmic sound in nature can be defined as music. I am one of those people who enjoy listening to nature sounds while trying to fall asleep. I often find it calming to listen to the sound of rain or a waterfall while studying or reading. It’s amazing how nature has the ability to aid our mental health and help us destress and relax. I remember hearing Big yellow taxi as a kid at school on earth day. I listened to it after so many years today and the message the song is trying to convey resonates with me so much more as an adult now that I am educated about the state of our planet. I really do hope that we never have to witness the day when nature is in museums and it really is a terrifying thought. Music and songs have the ability to educate us, motivate us and inspire us. Overall, very well done I can’t wait to read more of your posts!!

Music in Nature

Music is everywhere in nature. George Santayana, a poet philosopher, and naturalist, stated “the Earth has music for those who listen.” Birds and whales have very similar music in respect to human songs. A song is defined as, “any rhythmic repeated utterance, whether by a bird, a frog, an insect, a whale or a human being (Gray et al. 2001). For instance, whale’s “songs fall between the length of a modern ballad and that of a movement of a symphony” (Gray et al. 2001). Due to the fact that whale’s songs are close to humans, it is believed that that they have close attention spans to humans (Gray et al. 2001). This is a result of whale’s large cerebral cortex’s (Gray et al. 2001). Additionally, whales are able to sing over a range of seven octaves. However, whales typically utilize “musical intervals between their notes that are similar to or the same as the intervals in our scales” (Gray et al. 2001). Next, birds will often chirp songs that “use the same rhythmic variations, pitch relationships, permutations, and combinations of notes as human composers” (Gray et al.2001).

Nature is also everywhere in music. Many of the sounds that are utilized in modern music are from nature. I personally know many people that can’t fall asleep without listening to ‘nature’s music.’ For example, hearing running water from a waterfall, owls hooting, or ocean waves crashing on the beach. Even in the famous nursery rhyme, “Old Macdonald Had a Farm,” nature is utilized in music through the use of the different farm animals.

The song that immediately takes me back to nature is “Big Yellow Taxi,” by Joni Mitchell. The message in this song is very clear message regarding society’s poor use and concern for our use of the lands around us (Mitchell, 1970). This is shown in the main chorus “we pave paradise and put up a parking lot,” as well as “we cut down all the trees and put into a tree museum and charge the people a dollar and a half to see them” (Mitchell, 1970). Whenever I hear this song, I think about how beautify nature is and how it is being taken away. This is even stated in the song when Joni Mitchell says, “you don’t know what you got till it’s gone” (Mitchell, 1970). I believe that this statement sums up nature as society has become so driven that nobody takes the time to enjoy what Earth has to offer. I loath the day we need to pay “a dollar and a half” to see nature in a museum.

References

Gray, P. M., Krause, B., Atema, J., Payne, R., Krumhansl, C., & Baptista, L. (2001). The Music of Nature and the Nature of Music. Science, 291(5501), 52. https://link.gale.com/apps/doc/A69270354/AONE?u=anon~bddb6115&sid=googleScholar&xid=8b0b8c09

Mitchell J. (1970). Big Yellow Taxi [Recorded by Canadian singer-songwriter Joni Mitchell]. On Ladies of the Canyon. United States: Reprise Records.

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

I have been awoken many times by the sound of chirping birds or gone on a trail and enjoyed the sounds of crickets and the sound of cardinals and sparrows singing. In these instances, I frequently reflect on how all of the sounds I'm hearing sound just like music. I have always believed that nature has inspired music and music is infact a part of nature. We can associate sounds in nature with some great memories we had as kids of walking to school early in the morning and just hearing these beautiful songbirds. Sometimes I just like listening to some “relaxing nature sound” videos on youtube while studying or even when trying to fall asleep. The sound of rain falling on our window pane, the sound of tree leaves rustling in the wind, and the sound of a waterfall are all examples of music that may be found in nature. Nature's melodic sounds can be soothing and lovely, and they can help us relax and strengthen our bond with nature.

In this week’s topic we discussed music in nature and specifically how we define music. Does music have to have lyrics? Do musical sounds in nature reveal a profound bond between living things? These are just some thought invoking questions for this week’s topic (Gray et al. 2001). I have always felt an emotional connection to music whether it be when I'm happy, sad or anxious. Music has always helped me deal with my emotions. I believe that music not only is a great way for us to connect with nature but also with other individuals which can be an asset when you are a nature interpreter (Beck et al. 2018). Music can help us form bonds with other people and can serve as an icebreaker as well as bring everyone together.

Music can also be a way of bringing awareness to environmental issues surrounding our planet. A song that comes to my mind is “Truth to Power” by OneRepublic. I have always loved OneRepublic and hearing them or any other artist sing about very real problems in the world helps bring awareness as they also have a huge fan base. Music is a great way to educate people and it can help evoke emotion and inspire people to take action against environmental issues.

Gray et al. talks about how sounds we hear in music are similar to the sounds we hear in nature. I definitely agree and sometimes artists will even use sounds in nature in their songs. Nature inspires many forms of art and music is definitely one of them. The majority of us will not get to see and hear certain animals with our own ears but if a song incorporates animal sounds into a song it can help us recapture our relationship with animals (Beck et al. 2018). A song that comes to mind is “Good Morning” by the Beatles in which you can hear a rooster, chickens and some other farm animals in the opening of the song.

Finally, a song that immediately takes me back to a natural landscape is “The Wardrobe” composed by Harry Gregson-Williams. This is a piece from the Narnia soundtrack, one of my favorite movies as a kid. This sound takes me back to when I was sitting in my great Uncle’s backyard and he lives near a forest and has a lot of nature surrounding the house and they have a huge backyard. I loved sitting on this tire swing attached to a tree in his backyard. I had this sound playing in my ear buds while swinging and suddenly a baby deer and its mom came into view from the far end of the backyard and it was a magical and exciting moment to be so close to them. For a second I even imagined myself in Narnia. Music has that amazing ability to make you forget where you are and can even make simple beautiful instances in your life seem magical. Ultimately, simply by having a pleasant memory associated with it, nature connection through music can drive us to study more about certain parts of nature (Beck et al. 2018).

WORK CITED:

Reference: Beck, L., Cable, T.T. and Knudson, D.M. Interpreting Cultural and Natural Heritage For a Better World. Sagamore Venture Publishing. 2018.

Gray, P. M., Krause, B., Atema, J., Payne, R., Krumhansl, C., & Baptista, L. (2001). The Music of Nature and the Nature of Music. Science (American Association for the Advancement of Science), 291(5501), 52–54.

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I really enjoyed reading your blog. It really stuck out to me as you disagreed with quote instead of agreeing with it like me and many others. I loved reading a different point of view and reading your blog helped me gain a different perspective. I do agree with you that all art has a certain value but what I interpreted the quote to be is, explaining how without having background knowledge about art it is hard for people to add value to it. A lot of people only think logically and find it hard to think outside of the box. For these people it is especially important to have an interpreter who can help you understand the value and meaning behind certain pieces of art. We all have the ability to enjoy the beauty of art and so all art has a certain merit but the level of value we each assign to art is subjective. I love how you mentioned that even if the art has reached even one person then it is important. I agree with you on that art is important even if it has only impacted a single person. Because that person now has the ability to spread this art to more people. Finding value in art and history can be difficult for many but I can tell that you are someone who greatly values these things and that is really inspiring.

Ancient things and the importance of 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.

(Edward Hyams, Chapter 7, The Gifts of Interpretation)

       This quote is something I do not agree with but understand where the author is coming from.  This quote explains Hyams’s opinion that ancient things are not as important as the effort that has gone into conserving and interpreting them. Hyam also explains that although that past has already occurred there is no reason to believe that we are done with the past. The first part of the quote is what I don’t agree with. I believe that there is merit in ancient things. Ancient architecture, art and knowledge are not only extremely important now but also very important in the time they were first created. The way ancient people behaved and the knowledge they amassed is really important for the basis of a lot of our knowledge and behaviour. For example, we still use some of the mathematical equations from ancient Greece, the building techniques of the ancient world are not only still used but also the basis of architectural advancement, our number system comes from ancient India and art techniques based in ancient times are still used and built upon today. Even though I am not an artist I believe that all art has merit and although preserving it makes it visible to more people, it doesn’t need that to hold merit, if the art reached even just one person then it is important. Ancient things also held merit to the people who used or admired them and should therefore hold merit in modern time. I do see the authors side of this part of the quote though because so much work has been put into conserving and preserving these ancient things. The merit of ancient things also includes the preservation of it, conserving and preserving these ancient things gives them merit to people now, because they are able to see ancient things. 

       I agree with the part that that past is not done with yet. We are still using knowledge and techniques from ancient times and all of our knowledge is based on the knowledge acquired in the past. This part of the quote also reminds me of the popular quote by Winston Churchill: “Those that fail to learn from history are doomed to repeat it”. These quotes are similar because they talk about how the past is not done and how we are constantly thinking about and using things from the past. The Winston Churchill quote is very poignant when it comes to war and other dark parts of history. If we do not think about the causes and learn from the consequences from the past then we are likely to not understand the problem of doing it again.  

      In terms of nature and interpretation, it is important that we remember history and conserve ancient things. In my opinion, remembering our history is important for conserving our planet because we know what Earth was like in the past and how we have changed it. Interpretation of history is also incredibly important because it provides the public with more knowledge and many people find history really interesting (like me). 

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While reading your post I found a lot of our ideas and thoughts aligned. I really like how you mentioned that without history one has no integrity and you not only connected his quite wit ancient artifacts and historical landmarks but the human race in general. I also agree with your point that without interpreters we can add value to certain artifacts and historical places. Because we won’t be able to fully understand the value of these things. This is why having a good interpreter is so important and having someone who can guide you is crucial. I love how you included the quote from our textbook “History is interpreted to remember”. Its such a basic concept but also something not everyone understands. Remembering our past is important it allows us to grow and appreciate the life we are given and the world around us. It helps us understand how much society has evolved. It also helps us see the beauty and ugliness of our past. I agree with how you said that understanding our past can help us build a better world. I really enjoyed reading your blog and resonated with a lot of your points. I can’t wait to read more!!

06: History and Integrity

"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)

Without history, one has no integrity. Our entire lives, the present and future have much to do with our history. Thus, to consider our world without history, is to not consider the world at all. Edward Hyams quote is a beautiful and important one, let’s just hope I am able to do it justice…

This week we discussed interpreting nature through history. As we know, it is near impossible to interpret nature without taking into consideration scale or time; history in general (Hooykaas, 2022). In fact, interpretation itself is responsible for providing artifacts, buildings, ceremonies and festivals with the vitality that allows them to thrive. Without interpreters to provide their context and value, these things are deemed worthless. Interpretation through a historic lens allows a further unified and educated audience. Furthering the exposure of memories, stories and traditions not only contributes to economic development but increases quality of life through meaning (Beck, Cable, & Knudson, 2017).

Now, we understand the importance of history, but what about Hyams quote? There is merit in integrity, being the quality of moral uprightness. And though there may be no “value” in ancient things, you cannot have integrity without taking into account every aspect of a whole; its present, future and past. To maintain integrity means to dive into its memory, no matter how difficult to discuss. History is interpreted to remember (Beck, Cable, & Knudson, 2017). We remember not only joyous tales, but the tragic ones that follow. Keeping memory alive is a crucial role of an interpreter. Those who believe the past is meant to be left in the past are clearly not suited for this role, as the railway station did not simply exist for your train and your train only; but for millions of others. These people differ in religion, race, sex, privilege and experiences. If our world was the railway station, every passenger from the first train to the very last has a different role in history, and we as individuals striving to make change must acknowledge as much history as possible to better our world. We learn from mistakes and previous actions. But how will we learn from them if we never knew what went wrong?

Above is a piece of history difficult to discuss, but necessary. July 11th marks the anniversary of the Srebrenica Genocide. Over 8372 Muslims were executed by Serbian forces for their religion. 26 years later, bodies are still being discovered. This gut-wrenching example of anti-Bosniak sentiment, ethnic cleansing and Islamophobia in history shows us what went wrong and what we are able to change for a better future (thus unpacking our invisible backpacks (Hooykaas, 2022)). I suggest reading this article if you have the time; it greatly furthers my point.

Interpreters have the role to perform their job with integrity and share truth with accuracy and authenticity (Beck, Cable, & Knudson, 2017), no matter how difficult. Whether that be through working at a “place of memory”, working with living history, or simply furthering stories and tales of those unable to share them, interpreters help us understand ourselves, one another, our actions, and how to build a better world.

References

Beck, L. Cable, T. Knudson, D. (2018). Interpreting Cultural and Natural Heritage for a Better World. Sagamore- Venture Publishing LLC. ISBN 978-1-57167-865-2.

Hooykaas, A. (2022). Nature Interpretation through History. [Unit 6 course reading]. Nature Interpretation Course University of Guelph.

Walker, S. (2020). Genocide denial gains ground 25 years after Srebrenica massacre. The Guardian.

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Blog 6:

Edward Hymes is trying to explain to us that ancient things are not special and don't have meaning behind them until we give them meaning and value. The merit of ancient things is integrity. Which can only be awarded when humans and interpreters give them value and meaning by talking about these places and ancient artifacts. Without knowledge of history and without spreading our knowledge through generations no significant value can be given to ancient things. This hints towards the importance of an interpreter as we would be lost without people interpreting and spreading their knowledge. When it comes to interpreting history, accuracy and authenticity are two of the most significant and sought after attributes (Beck et al. 2018). Having someone knowledgeable to guide you and educate you about historical sites adds integrity and applies a deeper meaning to “ancient things”. An authentic representation of ancient things also adds integrity to them. Authenticity is preferred over falsification and fabrication (Beck et al., 2018). Aside from personal authenticity, there is objective and constructive authenticity that may be felt, touched, and seen (Beck et al., 2018).

Back in school we often thought about why we were even learning about our past, why is it important to understand history and as we grew older we understood why history is so important. Learning about our past helps us realize the things we did right and more importantly allows us to refrain from repeating our mistakes. Not only does history provide us with important life lessons, it allows us to appreciate how much the world has developed and also cherish the relics of the past so that we can remind ourselves of where we came from.

In the video “National park service” Robert Sutton, a chief historian, discussed national parks. He is someone who is a nature interpreter that has a lot of knowledge and understanding of multiple national parks and the historical sites. By spreading information and talking about these national parks Robert Sutton is able to add integrity to these important natural sites. We are able to learn more about the history of these places which allows us to have a deeper connection with these historical sites. An accurate interpretation is crucial as these patterns of truth allows us to forecast what will happen in the future (Beck et al., 2018).

The second half of this quote presents us with an analogy. This ultimately is telling us that if we believe that the past is insignificant then that is equivalent to us believing that a train track is only of value as long as a train is on it. We need to understand that the lessons we learned from the past and the things we discovered are still relevant and important today. It may be over just like the train has already passed on the train track but the value still remains. A train in the future will need to use the train track just like we will have to revisit our past to learn and grow as not just individuals but as a society.

Work Cited:

Reference: Beck, L., Cable, T.T. and Knudson, D.M. Interpreting Cultural and Natural Heritage For a Better World. Sagamore Venture Publishing. 2018.

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Hi Maddie, I really enjoyed reading your blog. Last semester I did a project on the occurrence of trichomoniasis in purple finches in the Maritimes for one of my classes. Trichomoniasis is a deadly disease that can easily be spread from one bird to another and dirty feeders become a major hotspot for this disease. Unfortunately, not a lot of people are aware about this so it was really nice to hear you talk about it as this can spread awareness about this disease and how it is spread. You seem to be a doing a great job in keeping a bird feeder in good working order! Having a bird feeder can be a great learning opportunity too as you mentioned. It can help you learn about a variety of different species and how they feed. Some birds are better equipped for tube feeders and some prefer tray feeders. It can also help you learn about invasive species of birds and how to stop them from raiding your feeders.

Also, I love how you mentioned that becoming a well-formed nature interpreter can start by us just talking to random strangers and passing on our knowledge to anyone we meet. You don’t need to be a part of a specific nature program or course to be an interpreter it can happen anywhere as long as we are enthusiastic about what we know and eager to pass our knowledge on to other people.

Connecting to Nature From the Comfort of My Own Home

Bird feeders are a terrific way to bring wildlife into our gardens, whether you live in the city, suburbs, or the country. It is, at the very least, one way of interacting with nature and, in a sense, interpreting nature from the comfort of our own homes (Beck et al. 2018).

For the past three or four years, I've been feeding birds. Every year, it's a chance for me to think about what sort of feeder and/or feed to use and what kind of birds I want to attract, among other things. However, the primary goal of feeding birds is to be able to observe and enjoy them, especially since looking out my living room window is much more accessible than driving for a hike.

Along the way, I encountered various issues that I had not foreseen. There were squirrel, mouse, and European Starling invasions, as well as numerous questions when it came to bird feeding and birds in general. A year into my bird feeding hobby, I learnt that feeders should be cleaned on a regular basis, but at that point, I almost never did. Dirty bird feeders were a source of disease for birds, especially trichomoniasis, a disease that killed many birds last summer. I was immediately hit with a pang of guilt about how my lack of experience and knowledge may have been harming the birds I cared so much about. So, after I learnt this, I went to great lengths to clean them regularly and thoroughly. It was time-consuming, a little gross, and laborious, but it was a way of keeping nature safe. When it comes to feeding birds, I've discovered that there's always something new to learn. If we are open to it, we learn to do better over time, and for me, I was able to learn how to safely feed birds in a way that brought in the most diversity and discouraged pests.

Introducing bird feeders to my garden has made me more knowledgeable of the variety of birds that exist in Canada and more conscious of their beauty. Every time a new species of bird comes to my feeder, it feels like winning a mini lottery. In addition, as time went, it became easier for me to observe and draw conclusions about what I could do to provide better food and shelter for the birds who frequent my garden. As a result, I progressed from being an amateur bird feeder to a full-fledged bird nerd; one who was eager to learn more about bird identification, bird behaviour, and other connections to the natural world and share my knowledge as I could. Today, just before I wrote this blog, I had the opportunity to become a spontaneous nature interpreter while on a trail run. I had noticed a group of Cedar Waxwings and stopped in my tracks to observe them, I had never seen them before, but I recognized them from my learning. A couple noticed me looking up and asked what the birds were, and suddenly through the conversation, I was able to share my knowledge and passion with them. This experience today reminds me of when I was on a hike when I was still a bird “amateur” and I noticed a woman observing birds while at a look-out point, she told me that they were Turkey Vultures and this piece of knowledge, as well as the memory, has stuck with me ever since. In a way, this random stranger was a spontaneous nature interpreter a a key piece of nature interpretation is that the information “resonates” with the learner, which it certainly did (Beck et al. 2018). Perhaps this is how many of us become nature interpreters, evolving from casual enthusiasts to more formal well-rounded nature "experts".

Connecting to and interpreting nature, even from the indoors, is filled with opportunities and rewards, if we are willing to take the time.

References:

Beck, L., Cable, T. T., & Knudson, D. M. (2019). Interpreting cultural and natural heritage: For A Better World. Redshelf eBook. Sagamore Publishing. Retrieved January 29, 2022, from https://platform.virdocs.com/r/s/0/doc/1948104/sp/245407251/mi/718086528?cfi=%2F4%2F4&menu=index.

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Blog #5: Oh, the places you will go

Over the past 2 years, many of us haven’t been able to travel anywhere to see family or even just for the sake of travelling. Travelling is something that has always been on my bucket list. Travelling and seeing the world also helps us broaden our understanding of nature. Although a relationship with nature can be formed anywhere in the world, even in your own backyard, travelling allows us to experience different parts of the world and allows us to observe various species of plants, animals and other natural wonders. Obviously, travelling requires money and time which is not something I have right now. Once the Covid restrictions end and I have enough money saved up, after graduating here are some of the places that I would like to visit.

There are so many beautiful places in our very own Canada that I have yet to explore:

Aurora borealis, Canada:

The Aurora borealis is one of the seven wonders of the world. When electrically charged particles from the sun collide with gasses as they enter our atmosphere, the aurora borealis AKA the northern lights are produced. This phenomenon occurs all year round, but they can only be seen in the winter as it is too bright at other times of the year for them to be visible. The sky's the darkest from November to March so that would be the most ideal time to visit. From my research Whitehorse, Yukon is the best place to view the northern lights in Canada. There are so many fun activities that I would want to do here some of which are dogsledding, snowmobiling and visiting the Yukon Wildlife preserve.

Yukon Wildlife preserve

Banff, Alberta:

Banff and Lake Louise is a major tourist hotspot in Alberta and is known for some of the most breathtaking mountain locations on the planet. Banff and Lake Louise offer countless activities and have easy access to pristine nature, numerous outdoor excursions, jaw-dropping landscapes, and a rich history and culture. I love to hike and it has always been a dream of mine to hike in such a beautiful place. When I go to Banff, the hike that I would go on would be one that leads to a lake or waterfall, for example the Rockbound lake hike which leads to the high alpine lake surrounded by a cliff and a breathtaking view. After doing some research I found that this hike is 16.8 km long. While it is on the longer side undertaking this hike would be a challenging and memorable experience for me.

Some places outside of Canada that I have been dreaming to visit are:

Gilgit-Baltistan, Pakistan:

Hunza Valley

Five of the "eight-thousanders" (mountains higher than 8000 meters above sea level) and more than fifty peaks higher than 7,000 meters can be found in Gilgit-Baltistan. The three primary centers for expeditions to the mountains are Gilgit, Astore, and Skardu. Some of the world's highest mountain ranges can be found in this region. Hunza Valley is one of the most beautiful valleys in Gilgit-Baltistan and has many tourist hotspots and this is where I would want to spend most of my time. My mom told me about how she visited this place with my Grandfather when she was my age and I hope to be able to go there one day too as she describes it as being the most breathtaking sight she has ever seen.

Grand Canyon, Arizona:

Like the Northern Lights the Grand Canyon is also one of the seven wonders of the world and is one of the most visited natural attractions and for good reasons too. This natural wonder is 277 miles long and 18 miles wide. The entry points are the North, South and West rims of the canyon. The South and West rim are the most popular spots for exploring this natural wonder. Both of these rims have hiking trails leading to the grandeur of the canyon. I would like to hike at the West rim because it also features a river and is suitable for people of all skill levels unlike the South rim. Although I love hiking I would not say that I am someone who is highly skilled and I am somewhat out of practice.

These are just some of the places that I would like to visit in my lifetime. I could write about so many more, but for now I will leave you guys with this. Thank you so much for reading my blog, I hope you enjoyed it. I would love to hear about some of the places you want to visit or have already visited. I hope we all get a chance to experience memorable adventures and fuel our wanderlust

Links for more information:

https://grandcanyonwest.com/story/how-do-you-choose-grand-canyon-west-rim-vs-south-rim/?gclid=Cj0KCQiAr5iQBhCsARIsAPcwROPaspjiEtdO_t1r3ZOqOJ_Tmkoc0fTak6rsLyRtSlLSoX32UE8q1AEaAj2iEALw_wcB

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tourism_in_Gilgit-Baltistan

https://www.banfflakelouise.com/hiking?https://www.banfflakelouise.com/hiking?utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=TA_DMO_search_program&utm_term=Hiking&utm_content=owned&gclid=Cj0KCQiAr5iQBhCsARIsAPcwROOSZkSxr-W5JrxLLJ9Vx0_BoJ9tmVqXgfwGKJpSDqDBnB-Y6ZVEV_oaAgYdEALw_wcB

https://www.canadianaffair.com/blog/northern-lights-in-canada/

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Hi Clara,

I really enjoyed reading your blog. The pictures that you shared are beautiful!! I love the way you described “the gift of beauty”. Each moment in time in nature is unique and beautiful and being able to capture that in a picture is truly amazing. The picture that you shared of natural patterns is truly mesmerizing and kind of hypnotic in a way. So many things in our lives are inspired by nature. For an example the patterns on our clothes are often times inspired by patterns seen in nature. We get to fall in love with all the different colours we see in nature as well. I definitely agree with you on that nature and art go hand in hand because they both provide peace for many people. It allows us to relax and to forget about what is troubling us and all the stresses in our lives. Being able to just enjoy nature, to listen to music to paint all allow us to put our lives on hold and just enjoy being alive. Life is a race for many people and we are constantly working and trying to move forward we rarely allow ourselves to just enjoy the fact that we are here in this moment. Nature and art, however, allow us to pause and to relax.

I also really loved seeing you picture of the landscape and why that is something you are pursuing. It is so amazing that you will be able to bring some of the beauty in nature to people’s homes. Every time I walk by a house with a pretty garden it brightens my mood.

Blog #4: Nature Through ART

For this weeks blog post I will be discussing the relationship between nature interpretation and art in my life. First, I would like to share that my two main passions in life are nature and art. In high school I would describe myself as creative and artistic, I took classes like media arts, visual arts and photography. I was in love with nature as well, I would always use nature as my muse for most of my projects for photography, painting, collaging and more. Nature truly inspires me, and my creativity. With knowing my passions I was able to chose what route I would like to take educationally- landscape architecture- This field allows me to work with both my artistic side and my love of nature. I use my skills to create art through nature. 

When I look at the natural world around me all I see is art, I cant help but take photos whenever I can, to keep that peaceful moment with me forever. To me “the gift of beauty” is the beauty that nature organically creates. It is not painted or made….nature grows. The true beauty lies in the unique art that nature holds. For instance, an obsession of mine is to capture the natural patterns that nature produces. See here, an example of a photograph I have taken that showcases natural patterns in nature

Turkey Tail Mushroom 

Why is nature art to me?

Nature is art to me not only due to the natural patterns, colours, textures and sculptures that exist within it, but also because of the emotions that are evoked by it. Nature is always strongly related to wellness and metal health, experiencing nature in any way to me is extremely therapeutic. Many people also strongly relate art to wellness, making art often has a therapeutic effect much like experiencing nature. My ideal mental rest day, when I am not feeling the best involves music, my phone to take pictures, art and taking a long hike through nature. I love to let the visual art of nature cure me in a way, the fresh smell of dirt and trees, the sound of birds singing in the distance, the feeling of the bark of a tree or the water that runs though the forest on my fingertips. This ideal day is like one great work of art, one amazing composition of sound, colour, shape, texture and more. 

I also feel like nature is almost spiritual to me, I feel so connected with the earth on my ventures into nature. I feel so at peace in my mind and find a space in my thoughts for personal refection as-well as gratitude. The art in nature, the gift of beauty it gives makes me reflect on all of the other things in life that I am grateful for. 

That is why I chose Landscape Architecture, so I can create spaces that evoke these feelings for others. I want to create spaces, utilizing nature because it is art. For example, I went to Niagara falls during the summer. See here, 

Niagara On The Lake

As you can see, there is so much art through nature lining this strip. This use of nature as a visual art form is amazing because it makes this side walk experience more alluring in comparison to a regular sidewalk with grass. The walk on this path can be related to a walk through an art gallery, each garden, each tree, each flower is a work of art in itself. 

Thank you for reading! I hope you enjoyed and learned a little bit more about me, hope you have a great day :)

[swenvs30002022]

Hi Davana,

Thank you so much for reading my blog!! I definitely agree with you on that while art may inspire people or may help them appreciate nature it definitely is not enough for them to protect nature, but I would hope that it does encourage them into being more inclined towards nature. When I think about conservation, I think about it as protecting nature and also restoring nature. But instead, I agree that it has just become a way of restricting animals even more. Conservatoires may be established with good intentions, but they do not allow animals the freedom that they deserve. I think that our main goal should be restoring habitats so that animals don’t have to be moved to conservatories, parks and zoos. Instead of restricting animals we should be restricting humans and passing laws that prevent them from destroying habitats and killing animals. It definitely is not fair to animals to be caged up and tested on and then we claim we are doing this all to protect them. It seems quite selfish and I definitely agree that this system is very flawed. I love how you said wildlife should be allowed to be wild. And that is something not many of us recognize. We don’t tolerate our own freedoms being taken away, but we take away freedom from wildlife every day.

Blog 4: Interpreting Nature Through Art:

When I thought about the question “who are you to interpret nature through art?” It took me a while to answer. I am not artistically gifted and so I have never been able to capture the beauty of art through drawing, painting or sculpting. For many people it is difficult to truly gravitate towards art and to be able to express themselves through art, me being one of them. I struggle to find a deeper meaning to art pieces when visiting art galleries and museums. However, I believe that we all just need to find a connection to art in our own ways and that can help us strengthen our connection to nature because nature is art. Interpreting nature through art does not necessarily mean being able to find the deeper meaning or micro-analyzing a piece of art; it could simply be appreciating how that piece of art was able to capture the beauty of nature.

When considering how I interpret the "gift of beauty," I had to acknowledge that beauty is subjective. If I find something beautiful it does not necessarily mean that other people will share my sentiment. “The gift of beauty” is when your art, whether that be a photograph, painting or piece of music, touches the heart of your audience. Your art becomes their safe space and it is something memorable for them. Sometimes the viewer needs more encouragement or knowledge to properly appreciate the beauty and depth of your art, and other times it is "love at first sight". Our responsibility as nature interpreters is to make our audience “feel” something.

How I interpret the “gift of beauty” is through photography. I love taking photos which is why when reading the textbook the line “taking a picture is capturing a snapshot in time” really resonated with me (Beck et al. 2018). Some claim that photography isn't actually art, but I disagree because the pictures photographers take are able to capture nature in a unique state that it will never be in again. Every sunset is different and every tree tells a different story. Being able to capture all of this is a skill and is also a form of art. Interpreting nature through art goes beyond words and employs a variety of mediums, including paintings, pictures, and music, to express information that words by themselves can't convey (Beck et a;. 2018).

Here are some of my favourite photographs that I have taken over the years on my adventures.

I find it amazing that I can capture the beauty of a sunset, the tranquillity of a lake, and the magnificence of a tree just by a click of my finger. By simply glancing at that photograph again at a later time, I am able to relive the same feelings I had while taking the picture. I can share these beautiful moments with other people and encourage them to also appreciate the beauty of nature through photographs. Being able to share these photos on social media for my friends and followers to see and enjoy makes this a form of interpreting nature. Whether we are sharing our photographs/ paintings or our knowledge about nature, the ultimate goal for us is to help individuals in appreciating the beauty of their environment, regardless of where they are, and instilling in them the importance of conservation (Beck et al. 2018). If people are able to recognize the beauty of the world around us it will encourage them to do everything they can to protect the world from harm.

Work Cited:

Reference: Beck, L., Cable, T.T. and Knudson, D.M. Interpreting Cultural and Natural Heritage For a Better World. Sagamore Venture Publishing. 2018.

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Blog 4: Interpreting Nature Through Art:

When I thought about the question “who are you to interpret nature through art?” It took me a while to answer. I am not artistically gifted and so I have never been able to capture the beauty of art through drawing, painting or sculpting. For many people it is difficult to truly gravitate towards art and to be able to express themselves through art, me being one of them. I struggle to find a deeper meaning to art pieces when visiting art galleries and museums. However, I believe that we all just need to find a connection to art in our own ways and that can help us strengthen our connection to nature because nature is art. Interpreting nature through art does not necessarily mean being able to find the deeper meaning or micro-analyzing a piece of art; it could simply be appreciating how that piece of art was able to capture the beauty of nature.

When considering how I interpret the "gift of beauty," I had to acknowledge that beauty is subjective. If I find something beautiful it does not necessarily mean that other people will share my sentiment. “The gift of beauty” is when your art, whether that be a photograph, painting or piece of music, touches the heart of your audience. Your art becomes their safe space and it is something memorable for them. Sometimes the viewer needs more encouragement or knowledge to properly appreciate the beauty and depth of your art, and other times it is "love at first sight". Our responsibility as nature interpreters is to make our audience “feel” something.

How I interpret the “gift of beauty” is through photography. I love taking photos which is why when reading the textbook the line “taking a picture is capturing a snapshot in time” really resonated with me (Beck et al. 2018). Some claim that photography isn't actually art, but I disagree because the pictures photographers take are able to capture nature in a unique state that it will never be in again. Every sunset is different and every tree tells a different story. Being able to capture all of this is a skill and is also a form of art. Interpreting nature through art goes beyond words and employs a variety of mediums, including paintings, pictures, and music, to express information that words by themselves can't convey (Beck et a;. 2018).

Here are some of my favourite photographs that I have taken over the years on my adventures.

I find it amazing that I can capture the beauty of a sunset, the tranquillity of a lake, and the magnificence of a tree just by a click of my finger. By simply glancing at that photograph again at a later time, I am able to relive the same feelings I had while taking the picture. I can share these beautiful moments with other people and encourage them to also appreciate the beauty of nature through photographs. Being able to share these photos on social media for my friends and followers to see and enjoy makes this a form of interpreting nature. Whether we are sharing our photographs/ paintings or our knowledge about nature, the ultimate goal for us is to help individuals in appreciating the beauty of their environment, regardless of where they are, and instilling in them the importance of conservation (Beck et al. 2018). If people are able to recognize the beauty of the world around us it will encourage them to do everything they can to protect the world from harm.

Work Cited:

Reference: Beck, L., Cable, T.T. and Knudson, D.M. Interpreting Cultural and Natural Heritage For a Better World. Sagamore Venture Publishing. 2018.

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Hi Lauren, I really enjoyed reading your post. I definitely agree with you, privilege plays a bigger role in nature interpretation than we think. Being able to enjoy nature requires money and time that not everyone has. Having access to transportation and being able to afford it is not a luxury everyone has and so they can’t fully experience nature and explore the world. The people who do have the money and time don’t realize their privilege. While we would hope that exploring nature is something everyone can do anytime they want that usually isn’t the case. Also, I like how you mentioned that not everyone has the knowledge to be safe in nature when exploring. Some people venture into cold weather without dressing warm or being prepared for their car breaking down because they never had the luxury of being taught these tips. Often times we fail to realize that even knowledge is privilege. Without knowledge we can put ourselves in dangerous situations. Like you mentioned, something I want to implement into my daily life is acknowledging my invisible backpack and everything I carry in it. Recognizing your own privilege can be tough but is crucial for individuals who want to be inclusive nature interpreters.

Blog post 3

My working definition of privilege includes advantages that have been given to individuals based on their membership and belonging within a group. It is a special right or immunity, usually unearned. Peggy McIntosh introduced a concept explained on courselink to help understand privilege more easily. This concept is displayed as thinking of privilege as an “invisible backpack”. What your backpack holds depends on circumstances within your life. It is often not acknowledged that the contents in those with a lot in their backpack was not entirely earned. This is a great way to show and help understand how privilege works.

Race, gender, sexual orientation, ability, religion, wealth, and class are all examples of privileges. Being born into a middle class family as a cis female, with an abled body i carry many privileges myself. I have a family I am very close with who financially supports me. These privileges encouraged me to have my own experiences which I have not necessarily earned. This took a while for me to understand because I have never experienced a world without having these privileges. It makes me feel guilty as I did not earn these privileges but I know I can acknowledge it and appreciate what I have without being completely ignorant (as many are). Being ignorant about your privileges is a luxury and needs to be noticed.

Privilege certainly plays a role in nature interpretation. There are many factors that contribute to the ability to have access to natural areas. In order to travel to, afford, and take work off for these locations, you must have many privileges which are usually not even recognized by the individual as a privilege.

To me, exploring nature is a common activity that I get to experience whenever I want. For most people, nature is costly and difficult to approach. I have access to primary literature which encourages me to be informed on new discoveries. Because I am a university student, I have the privilege to speak with professors and field experts about what I am interested in. I am able to interpret and appreciate nature more than the average person.

The knowledge I have alone is such a privilege that I didn’t even realize until writing this post. Being aware of the risks and tips of going outside. Knowing how to be prepared for camping trips allows for safe adventures which not all people have knowledge in.

I hope everyone is aware and acknowledges how lucky they are to have privileges. Peggy McIntosh's invisible backpack concept should be constantly recognized and encourage everyone to put themselves in other people's shoes.

Thank you for reading my post! I look forward to reading yours!

Lauren

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Hi Aurora, I really enjoyed reading your blog. The definition you gave of privilege perfectly described what it is. The first step to realizing our own privilege is to unpack our “invisible backpacks”. I definitely agree that learning about privilege is harder for people who are privileged because in my opinion it can also come with feeling guilty. I am from Pakistan, but I grew up in Canada. My parents have always supported me and have made many sacrifices for me in order for me to get where I am today. It makes me think about how difficult their own lives were and how hard they worked to build this life for us in a foreign land. I am so grateful for them. I really like how you said that being unaware of privilege is a luxury because it really is. We don’t notice our own privilege and don’t count our own blessings cause it’s easier to think about what we don’t have. When my grandparents would visit us here, they did not know English and so it was hard for them to communicate here. One time that I remember is taking my grandmother to the African lion safari and we went on the tour bus. My grandmother wasn’t able to understand what the tour guide was saying because she didn’t speak english well resulting in her not getting the full experience and not being able to gain the knowledge that everyone else did.  So, I definitely agree with you in that in the future we should aim to design programs that are more sensitive to privilege and inclusive to people from different cultural backgrounds.

Blog Post 3: Privilege

The subject of this weeks blog post is one that is very personal and somewhat sensitive. Privilege, to me, is the unearned advantages that are automatically given to members of certain groups based solely on their membership within the group, which is not optional. As explained in the Courselink text, understanding privilege can be made easier by thinking of it as an “invisible backpack”, a concept introduced by Peggy McIntosh. The contents of your backpack vary depending on your life circumstances, but those with more within their backpack do not often acknowledge that the contents were given without being earned and that the backpacks of the people around them might have less content. 

Now to unpack my own privilege, I am a white, cis, able-bodied woman who was raised in an English-speaking, middle class home by two parents who are still willing to support me financially and emotionally. Because of these privileges I have been able to have many experiences which I am truly grateful for, but these experiences are not those which I have earned. Learning about privilege can be difficult for those who have a large amount of it because it can make them feel guilty that they did not earn what they have or, sometimes, angry that other people believe that they did not “work hard” for it. However, being unaware of privilege is a luxury that only those with privilege have, because those without privilege notice how unfair the world is towards them.

Privilege plays a large role within nature interpretation. To be able to access and enjoy natural areas you need to be able to take time off work, travel to the location, pay for entrance/parking/food, and physically maneuver within the natural area. These aspects and many others are barriers. Some way to increase inclusivity are mentioned within the textbook, including 1) reducing economic barriers by providing transportation or bringing the park to the people through outreach, 2) reducing cultural barriers by personally inviting groups of people to the park, 3) reducing communication barriers by providing multilingual interpretation and varied media forms, 4) provide clear information on where to go, what to do, and how to prepare for visits, and 5) creating a diverse interpretation team trained in cultural sensitivity so that visitors feel represented and safe when interacting with staff (Beck et al. 2018). It is so crucial that this new generation of nature interpreters is sensitive to privilege and culture in order to provide a meaningful nature experience to anyone interested. 

It is also important to acknowledge that in Canada I am interpreting the nature of stolen land. I believe it is essential to listen to Indigenous knowledge holders and make ample space for them within the colonized world. I hope to use my privilege to amplify the thoughts of those who are not being listened to, although I wish we lived in a world where they were heard without someone of privilege repeating it.

Thanks for reading.

Reference: Beck, L., Cable, T.T. and Knudson, D.M. Interpreting Cultural and Natural Heritage For a Better World. Sagamore Venture Publishing. 2018.

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Blog 3: Privilege

Privilege, in my opinion, entails having a higher chance of enjoying certain freedoms. For example, my parents immigrated here from Pakistan and I am given opportunities that they never had and the rest of my relatives back home don’t have. Privilege is something you can be born into and may depend on where you live. When I visit my family in Pakistan I notice all the pollution and how people litter as well as the lack of awareness people have for the environment. While it is easy for me to judge people who litter, I also have to keep in mind that they were brought up this way and they were never really made aware of the detrimental impact our actions have on the environment. A lot of people over there are not aware of what climate change and global warming are. Being educated is a privilege that many people can’t afford.

Additionally, people who live in rural areas are surrounded by nature and have access to various natural habitats. Whereas people who live in cities don't have the same facilities and so their outlook on nature and relationship with nature differs. Up until I was 7 years old I lived in Toronto which did not have many green spaces, however, my parents would take us to the park almost every day in the summer and made sure that we spent time outside. When we moved to Cambridge I noticed a significant difference from the big city. We were now living in a home with a backyard rather than a balcony. A trail was about 2 minutes away from our home. It was very different from the life I lived in Toronto where it was always noisy and crowded but when I moved to a rural area it was quiet, the air was cleaner and there was so much green space for me to enjoy. There are many benefits to living in a city, but I'm pleased we moved to a more rural city because I was able to connect with nature in a way that I don’t think I could have if I lived in Toronto.

Mill Run trail, Cambridge Ontario

Privilege definitely plays a role in nature interpretation because there are many people who were not surrounded by nature depending on where they lived and how they were brought up. Having access to nature may also be impacted by your financial situation. For example, in order to travel, you need money for transportation and you also need to have time and that really depends on the type of job you have.

Finally, some nature interpretation programs may be better designed for certain learners which would give them an advantage over others. The textbook also states that each visitor to a nature interpretation program carries with them a unique set of capabilities and learning styles. Another thing to consider is language barriers, in Canada, nature interpretation programs would be in English so people who do not speak English or understand it well will not be able to benefit from it as much as people who can. In North America, people enjoy casual conversations rather than lectures (Beck et al. 2018). But it may be difficult for people whose first language is not English to participate in these conversations. We can avoid such situations if we reduce communication barriers and provide multilingual interpretation as well as various media forms (Beck et al. 2018). We must consider all these factors when designing and running a nature interpretation program.

Work Cited:

Beck, L., Cable, T., & Knudson, D. (2018). Interpreting cultural and natural heritage. Sagamore-Venture Publishing LLC.

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Hi Andrew, I really enjoyed reading your blog!! My first thoughts when asked for my ideal role as an interpreter was about my favourite shows that made me fall in love with nature as a kid. I wanted to implement their skills into whatever role I pursue so that I too can inspire the people I am educating. I definitely agree that protecting local trails and preserving them is extremely important. We often fail to realize how we have so many hidden gems in our very own communities that we fail to take care of and cherish. I really like how you explained the various teaching methods you would use for the various types of learners. Guided tours are really important as they educate people and also encourage them to take better care of the environment. They are also a good way to teach people how to walk on trails so that you don’t cause any damage to the wildlife around you. It teaches you safety measures and precautions that should be implemented when hiking and just overall how to respect the environment. I definitely think that educating people is the best way to preserve our wildlife. The more we know about the environment the more we will want to protect it and take care of it. Most of the time people are just not aware of the detrimental effects some human activity is having on wildlife and so they never really think about it in their day to day lives. I also loved the pictures you included of the preservation park they are beautiful.

My Environmental Interpreting Dream...

Funnily enough, I had a lot of trouble choosing my ideal role as an environmental interpreter. My first answer would be to travel to remote locations to film a docuseries like Planet Earth and be the next David Attenborough. Although this would mean my interpreting could reach global proportions, I decided it would feel more impactful to be present with my audience. After taking a few days to ponder, I went on my usual walk through preservation park. Although I felt like I was about to get a full-body case of frostbite, it finally clicked! Interpreting for a local forest is an ideal role for environmental interpreting. If done right, sharing the significances and beauties of a local trail can really open up the eyes of the community to see how special forests can be. This can motivate them to explore more and join as a community to not only preserve local ecosystems, but forests like these all over the world.

Leading a tour through preservation park would likely be the best approach to interpret, and the theme of the tour would be the connections and relationships that are needed for the entire forest to function harmoniously. To satisfy the auditory learners I would explain how these relationships work. For example, I would explain how beneath the forest floor trees trade nutrients with fungi, in which the fungi act as messengers, sending signals and nutrients to neighbouring trees, essentially making the forest a community of trees helping each other thrive! For our visual learners, I would point out any displays of natural relationships, like watching a squirrel bury a nut, and explaining that many trees depend on squirrels to disperse their seeds which likely make up many of the trees already in the forest. Lastly for our tactile learners, I would encourage them to flip over decaying logs and rocks. Getting their hands dirty won’t only allow them to “get in touch” with nature but will also expose all the little decomposers that act as the clean-up crew for the forest, recycling anything dead into nutrient-rich soil for the plants.

These are just a few of many ideas that came to mind about how I would interpret a natural site for an audience, but I could spend hours finding relationships in a forest. Hopefully, learning more about how organisms work together to form a complex community in a neighbourhood forest would help people appreciate the balance and importance of every interaction that allow an ecosystem to survive. Additionally, I would certainly need to brush up on my presentation skills and work on not over-complicating the content I teach. This way the audience can have their attention grabbed and prevent them from being intimidated by complex topics. Lastly, I would also work on story-telling skills to paint a more relatable picture of how a forest works. This would enhance the audience’s experience and hopefully make more of an impact!

Overall, it was a tough choice deciding where and how I would like to be an environmental interpreter. Preservation park, or another neighbourhood forest, would be a great place to begin integrating nature into the lives of the community. I have no doubt that the more people that have the opportunity to learn about nature, the more of a difference we can have on preserving it. Being an environmental interpreter means you’re making a difference in peoples’ life and the world.

Here are some pictures taken at Preservation Park from Fall 2021, taken with my poor-quality phone camera, haha!

Thanks for reading my post, and can't wait to discuss more later this week!

[swenvs30002022]

I really enjoyed reading your post and learning about your past experiences working with wildlife :))!! Working with animals is definitely always exciting because each animal behaves differently. My great uncle is a vet and I volunteered with him in his clinic one summer. I was mostly in charge of preparing food and clinic cages, but my favourite part was being able to interact with the animals and educating the owners on what care methods they should use post-surgery. It was an educational experience and I got to learn a lot. The courses you took on wildlife rehabilitation seem really interesting and I will definitely look into them. I agree with you that jobs in wildlife rehabilitation require individuals who are extremely dedicated and who are really passionate about what they are doing. I also don’t enjoy public speaking and get really nervous infront of large crowds of people. There are a lot of jobs for people who want to work in nature interpretation that are more behind the scenes. I think that when we think about nature interpretation, we usually think about tour guides and roles where you have to be good at public speaking but that is not always the case. Like you mentioned there needs to be people who plan and organize events and activities. I also would prefer working a job where I am educating children and I am also trying to improve my public speaking skills and work on my confidence. I also agree that you constantly have to be willing to learn to keep your knowledge updated. In order to make it a welcoming environment your colleagues must also be passionate about the field so that also plays a big factor.

Blog 2- My ideal role of an environmental interpretor

My ideal nature interpreter role would involve animals of some sort. Possibly in the world of wildlife rehabilitation, wildlife veterinarian, or an advocate for wildlife conservation. I have a background working with all sorts of animals including cats, dogs, exotic animals, farm animals, and wildlife. What I enjoy about working with animals is that every experience is different and that I learn something new all the time - no matter how familiar I think I am with a certain animal! One of the roles I have had in the past was helping during the diagnostic and treatment process of wildlife animals. The place I was working at would work directly with the local humane society, meaning the humane society would bring any injured or sick wildlife animals to us for care. I often found myself explaining to newer staff the process of handling wildlife and proper care methods. I enjoyed being able to provide education to my peers to allow them to better understand the process of treatment. I would also share stories with my friends and family, providing them with insight on wildlife rehabilitation. My interest in this made me look further into the field and I realized that opportunities to work in wildlife rehabilitation interpretation were limited so I sought out courses to teach myself more on the topic.

I took two courses on wildlife rehabilitation which taught me from beginning to end what the process of rescuing a wild animal is like. I learned about what these animals need in terms of enrichment and housing as well as common parasites or diseases that they are affected by. I also learned of the importance of facilities that are dedicated to rehabilitation and who offer proper living conditions for animals that cannot be re-released to the wild after treatment. One of the assignments in this course was to create a plan of action for an abandoned baby bird. This taught me just how many aspects there are to rehabilitation and how long of a process it is. Wildlife rehabilitators are dedicated to their jobs and truly care about the work they are doing, becoming part of this group would allow me to share my knowledge.

Being someone who doesn’t particularly enjoy individual public speaking, I would like to work on the ‘behind the scenes’ aspects, or in group presentations with fellow rehabilitation interpreters. Public speaking is a skill I would need to work on and improve as an interpreter. I think planning events, seminars, or activities to educate others would be fun. These events would come with their challenges as each place, audience, and animal has different needs. Being adaptable to these needs is a skill that I think I possess from my previous work and education. For example, sometimes animals I work with are too small to fit our provided cones so we have to find ways to prevent them from licking or biting at their wounds/surgical incisions. We adapted and cut up some old x-ray film to make a cone for a small ferret. Being a wildlife interpreter is a job that comes with a lot of responsibility as I will need to have updated knowledge on each animal I work with and knowledge on proper care for them. I have found that everyone who works with wildlife is passionate and I think that is something that makes working in this field so great. I would love to be surrounded by people who are excited to make a change and to educate fellow curious individuals.

- Vylan