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Hi Jacob! Your dedication to pursuing a career in veterinary medicine and dream of working as a vet in a zoo is truly inspiring. It is clear that your passion and love for nature has shaped your career goals. I also believe that my time throughout university has given me invaluable experience and has shaped my ethics and beliefs heavily in terms of our natural world.  

I think your belief that all life is interconnected and holds value is very admirable and I couldn’t agree with you more. I believe that this belief will heavily guide your approach as a nature interpreter. Your commitment to both understanding and holding respect for the experiences of all living beings showcases your deep sense of empathy and appreciation for the natural world. It is important to incorporate this view into interpretation as it can enhance our understanding of the world around us and also create a deep connection to nature among your audience. 

I like your idea of giving interpretive talks. I think educating your audience is very commendable and is also very important. The skill of infusing joy, enthusiasm and confidence into your presentations will not only captivate your audience but also inspire them. Being able to change and tailor your talks to cater to differing interests and highlighting the unique differences that animals have, is both a thoughtful and inclusive approach to interpretation.

In the end, I thank you for sharing your journey with us. I strongly believe that the beliefs and values you hold will guide you to making a positive difference to the way people view nature, and foster strong connections with it as well.

My Journey Through Nature Interpretation

As I mentioned in my first blog post this semester, I am finishing up my fourth year of undergrad and will be graduating after this semester. I hope to continue my education and pursue veterinary medicine, which will allow me to attain my dream job of working at a zoo as a vet. Along this path, I have taken courses that I thought would further my education or was a subject I was interested in. This course was a mix of both. I have always been fascinated with nature, and learning how to communicate that interest to others would be an important skill for my future career. I also was interested in taking an environmentally-focused course that was not just about learning science but was more applicable to the real world and real interactions. In this way, the course has opened my eyes to a different aspect of science that is very important yet hardly explored, science communication. As I develop as a nature interpreter, it is my responsibility to communicate the knowledge I have gained through my education to others in a way that is accurate and informative but also enjoyable and easy to understand. Doing so will allow others to gain a better understanding and connect with nature, which is the goal of interpretation (Beck et al., 2018, Ch.1).

My personal beliefs will shape and determine the kind of person I will become and what I will bring with me to interpret nature, in whatever form that may take. These beliefs are grounded in respect for the natural world and encouraging responsible connections with the environment. I value all life and believe that there is an inherent significance that each life holds, which has been a driving factor in my pursuit of vet medicine. This is something that I have believed for a long time, but recently with my education, I have realized that all life is related. No matter how distant, all living things have been developing and changing for the same amount of time. This has led me to really appreciate the amount of diversity that can be seen today and has helped me recognize that all life is valuable. Each plant or animal is unique and has different past experiences that have shaped them and will have different future experiences that will have different outcomes. Recognizing the past of a place, object, or living thing is core to interpretation and obtaining a better understanding and appreciation (Beck et al., 2018, Ch. 1). By understanding the differences that a life has experienced you can better understand the state that it is in today, which in animals can explain its personality, behaviours, or relationships with others (McMillan, 2018). It is important to respect and try to understand the lives of others as there is just as much value in their experiences as there is in our own. It is often easy to sympathize with others when they have similar experiences, but difficult when they are different. By trying to understand each other we can better sympathize and can more easily acknowledge their motives and actions. This applies to interpretation as well, where understanding the audience demographically and culturally can improve communicating the significance of a message (Beck et al., 2018, Ch. 7).  

Working at a zoo, as a vet I would have responsibilities to prioritize the well-being of the animals but would also have opportunities to address the visitors. In this case, I would be giving interpretive talks, which is an approach that works well for me, as normally I can talk for hours about topics that I am interested in and know a lot about. To be successful in these talks I need to employ good public speaking skills and would need to communicate in a way that is joyful, enthusiastic, and confident (Beck et al., 2018, Ch. 9). My audience would also be dynamic and able to come and go as they please, so creating an effective talk would need me to grab the attention and encourage excitement from the audience (Beck et al., 2018, Ch. 9). My audience would also be very diverse, but since they are attending the zoo, would likely have some interest in animals to unite them. I would play off of this interest and would encourage further education and intrigue by introducing fun facts about the animals I was presenting (Beck et al., 2018, Ch. 11). Doing so, I can engage the crowd as individuals and help them find personal meaning in the interpretation I am providing (Beck et al., 2018, Ch. 7). This would also help the visitors to better appreciate the animals on display and I would try to incorporate my views of valuing all life by highlighting the unique differences between the different animals. 

I also believe in the importance of collaboration and partnership between different disciplines and fields that can be involved in interpretation. Often there are many different views on a subject, and just like the experiences of different individuals, diverse viewpoints have inherent value. Getting guest speakers from diverse backgrounds or collaborating with experts to form a talk can drastically improve the level of interpretation that is possible and can apply to a wider scope of audience. Many environmental challenges have interdisciplinary causes and effects and require multiple industries to collaborate to form solutions. Being able to interpret not only from a diverse viewpoint but also to a diverse audience is important in bringing awareness to these issues, which is crucial for environmental education and taking action (Wals et al., 2014). 

Developing as a natural interpreter will be crucial to my success in my future career. Overall, I am driven by the belief that all life has value and importance which is a message that I will attempt to convey no matter what form my interpretation takes. I have a responsibility to encourage appreciation and understanding of all life to my audiences and will be able to best do so through guided talks that are on subjects I am deeply interested in. It will be crucial for me to involve the opinions and views of diverse experts and to motivate others to consider the experiences of others. As I continue down my path of pursuing my goal, staying true to my beliefs will allow me to encourage positive change and inspire others to value the environment in the same way.

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

McMillan. (2018). Psychological Trauma in Animals. World Small Animal Veterinary Association Congress Proceedings, Retrieved from, https://www.vin.com/apputil/content/defaultadv1.aspx?pId=22915&catId=124664&id=8896731&ind

Wals, A.E.J., Brody, M., Dillon, J., & Stevenson, R.B. (2014). Convergence Between Science and Environmental Education. Science 344, 583-584. DOI:10.1126/science.1250515

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Hello! Even though I'm not graduating this year, the time is coming up a lot faster than you’d think. I can totally relate that it is exciting but also very nerve racking. I don't really know if I'm ready to graduate and I don’t think I ever will but I'm excited to enter into the animal field nonetheless. I can also agree that throughout my university journey my ethics and beliefs have definitely changed. 

I support your approach to nature interpretation through emphasising hands-on learning as well as interdisciplinary perspectives. The incorporation of indigenous knowledge as I believe we can learn a lot from it, and may help us treat our natural world with more care and improve our relationship and connection with nature. 

Your commitment to responsible wildlife viewing is commendable. Balancing our desire for close encounters with the need to respect and protect wild animals is crucial for both our safety and their well being. 

I also believe that nature interpreters have the responsibility to combat huge environmental issues like climate change. I believe that these are important issues that must be on our top priority list. Through using your platform as a nature interpreter you can easily spread awareness and inspire action. Telling stories allows people to form a personal connection with you as well as sparking connections with them and the environment, making them more inclined to take action themselves. 

Overall, I really enjoyed your final reflection, I can relate to a lot of the things you said. Your commitment to ethical stewardship and environmental advocacy is very inspiring and I believe you can make a significant impact in your field.

09: My final blog!

As I’m getting ready to graduate soon, ready to hopefully go into the world of science and nature interpretation, I can't help but feel both excitement and a bit of nervousness. Reflecting on my journey through university, I realize that my personal ethic has been quietly evolving, shaped by my deep love for nature and my desire to share its beauty with others!

Since I was a kid, I've been really drawn to the outdoors and nature, especially animals. Whether it was chasing butterflies through meadows, building forts in the woods, or simply lying in the grass and watching clouds drift by, nature has always been one of my happy places. As I grew older, my passion for nature grew more into a passion for conservation and environmental advocacy. I think I started to see nature not just as a playground, but as a precious and fragile ecosystem that needed protection. From the smallest hummingbird to the mightiest lion, every creature and every corner of the natural world has become special to me. 

As I prepare to step into the role of a nature interpreter in the future, I find myself thinking about a whole new set of questions and responsibilities. What beliefs do I bring to this work? What kind of interpreter do I want to be? At the heart of my personal ethic, I have a passion for the beauty and complexity of nature. I think that every leaf, every rock, every drop of rain is a masterpiece in its own right, deserving of awe and admiration. But my passion also goes beyond just appreciation, it extends to a determination to protect and preserve the natural world for future generations. In my eyes, being a nature interpreter isn't just about pointing out cool animals and pretty flowers (although those are definitely fun parts of the job). It's about creating a sense of wonder and curiosity, giving people a deep connection to the natural world and inspiring others to become passionate stewards of the earth as well (Beck et al., 2018, p. 42). 

To achieve these goals, I'm personally a firm believer in the power of hands-on learning. There's just something magical about getting your hands dirty and your feet wet, about feeling the sun on your face and the wind in your hair. Whether it's leading nature walks, conducting field research, or getting to hold and touch cool animals, I'm all about getting out there and getting involved. I think that hands-on experiences are great at creating a sense of connection (GGI Insights, n.d.). They engage multiple senses, promote direct interaction with the environment, and create memorable, immersive experiences that resonate deeply with people (Bloemendaal, 2023). But hands-on learning isn't just about having fun (although, again, it's definitely a perk). It's also about deepening our understanding of the natural world, bettering our observation skills, and creating a sense of empathy for the creatures we share this planet with (GGI Insights, n.d.). After all, it's hard to care about something you've never seen or experienced firsthand. 

In addition to hands-on learning, I'm a big fan of interdisciplinary approaches to nature interpretation. The natural world is truly a complicated place, so understanding it requires more than just a basic knowledge of biology or ecology. It requires us to consider the cultural, historical, and social factors that shape our relationship with nature, as well as the ethical implications of our actions (Spokes, 2020). That's why I think it would be important to always be on the lookout for new ways to weave together different disciplines and perspectives in nature interpretation work. Whether it's incorporating indigenous knowledge into nature walks, exploring the intersection of art and science in outreach programs, or delving into the psychology of conservation behaviour in research, it’s important that we build connections between disciplines (Spokes, 2020). Especially as someone who has a passion for science, discussing science in nature interpretation is crucial because it provides a foundation of understanding, creates informed appreciation, and empowers people to make informed decisions about conservation and environmental stewardship.

Of course, no discussion of nature interpretation would be finished without addressing the elephant in the room: ethical wildlife viewing. As someone who's spent more hours than I can count marvelling at the beauty of wild animals and trying to do wildlife photography, I know how tempting it can be to get up close and personal for that perfect shot. But I also know that our desire for a good photo shouldn't come at the expense of the animals we love. That's why I'm committed to practicing responsible wildlife viewing techniques, like keeping a safe distance, minimizing habitat disturbance, and never feeding or approaching wild animals (Burns, 2017). 

Finally, I believe that as a nature interpreter, I have a responsibility to address pressing environmental issues like climate change and habitat loss. These are not just abstract concepts or distant threats, but real problems that are already having a huge impact on the world around us. That's why I'm committed to using my platform as a nature interpreter to raise awareness about these issues, to share stories of resilience and adaptation in the face of environmental change, and to inspire other people to take action in their own lives and communities. Because at the end of the day, it's not enough to simply appreciate the beauty of nature, we have to fight for its protection. 

Overall, my personal ethic as a nature interpreter is grounded in a deep passion for the natural world, a commitment to hands-on learning and interdisciplinary approaches, a dedication to ethical wildlife viewing, and a passion for environmental advocacy. As I Start this journey, I know that the road ahead will be long and challenging, but I'm ready to face whatever comes my way with determination, curiosity, and a whole lot of love for nature!

Beck, L., Cable, T. T., & Knudson, D. M. (2018). Interpreting cultural and natural heritage: For A Better World (pp. 42). Sagamore Publishing. 

Bloemendaal, M. (2023, March 5). Unlocking the Power of Hands-On Learning: Benefits, Activities, and Examples. Studio Why. https://studiowhy.com/unlocking-the-power-of-hands-on-learning-benefits-activities-and-examples/

Burns, G. L. (2017). Ethics and Responsibility in Wildlife Tourism: Lessons from Compassionate Conservation in the Anthropocene. Wildlife Tourism, Environmental Learning and Ethical Encounters, 213-220. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-55574-4_13

Conservation Education: Young People for Environmental Stewardship. (2024, March 8). Gray Group International. Retrieved March 18, 2024, from https://www.graygroupintl.com/blog/conservation-education#:~:text=Hands%2Don%20learning%20and%20outdoor%20experiences%20provide%20learners%20with%20opportunities,sense%20of%20responsibility%20and%20stewardship

Spokes, M. (2020, October 23). The interdisciplinary path to a more diverse conservation movement. Conservation Optimism. https://conservationoptimism.org/the-interdisciplinary-path-to-a-more-diverse-conservation-movement/

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The Final Episode

Hey guys, it saddens me to say this is the last blog post for this semester. It has been an interesting ride in which I have had a lot of time to think and reflect on feelings I didn't know I had. I am glad that you guys have stayed with me for 10 weeks and watched me ramble on about different topics and read my poor attempts to articulate my feelings. With this last post I hope I have managed to invoke feelings in you guys and maybe connect you a little more with nature. For this last post I will be talking about my personal development as a nature interpreter. 

To start off within the realm of nature interpretation a person's ethics is a compass that guides them, it dictates the interactions within the natural world and shapes the message that they want to put out into the world. Nature interpretation is not just about sharing information but also creating a deep and meaningful connection between individuals and the environment that surrounds them and giving them the tools to do so . The course content this week states that we can provide the tools to the younger generations in order for them to make safe decisions when connecting with the nature around them, we can ignite the interest and passion (Hooykaas, 2024). I think this is one of the most important roles of a nature interpreter as the children are a crucial piece in preserving our natural world and all of its inhabitants. Every child should be given the opportunity to experience nature and form a connection with it as it can help them when they grow up. But unfortunately not all kids have the privilege to witness beautiful natural landscapes. Without guidance and the chance kids can grow up not really knowing how to feel about the environment around them, and they will grow further apart from it creating a disinterest and this might lead to the destruction of the natural world. 

Being a nature interpreter is a role that must connect others with the vast world in front of them, but it is a taxing and a hard role, as the textbook says “passion is the essential ingredient for powerful and effective interpretation- passion for the resource and for those who come to be inspired by it” (Beck et al, 2018). This is very important to think about, because I believe it is the job of the nature interpreters to be able to reach all types of audience. This can be someone who may not be able to walk or the most mobility compared to other, the interpreter needs to be able to adapt to this by providing a safe place to walk or showing places that are more accessible, or even through various art forms like music or art, all in order to get your feelings across and still give them the tools to form a connection. Another thing is being able to welcome and handle individuals who may not be so open to experience new ways of thinking or may not be so interested in the natural world. Nature interprets a lot of responsibility, they must be able to show people what they can’t see and they hold so much for the future. Especially in this age of technology, they have an important role in drawing the fleeting attention of the younger generations and pulling them towards the natural world through the use of exciting stories. Being able to educate their audience is another huge responsibility that interpreters shoulder. Through education we can empower individuals to truly become stewards of the Earth, and through this we can inspire curiosity. Through education we can teach people how to ethically interact with the environment and everything within it. 

To most it may seem like they could never interpret nature, but that's the beauty of it, there is no one set way to interpret. There are so many different approaches to expressing your feeling like the textbook says there are so many different venus that interpretation can occur in (Beck, et. al, 2018). For me, photography from the start has been my main approach, you can fully immerse the audience in the beauty of nature. It allows the interpreter to fully capture the essence of nature in all its glory. Through their lens they can connect and inspire people to really connect with nature and may inspire people. However, during week 7 we spoke about music, through this I fully realised how important music is for interpreting nature. I believe this approach is also important and probably the easiest way to introduce people into nature, and form a connection. I believe that it is crucial for a nature interpreter to continuously learn, and the best way to do that is think about many various different outlets, and partake in discussion with other interpreters. Experiencing many different cultures is also essential as you can learn so much from different beliefs and a myriad of historical backgrounds. It is my dream to be able to do this throughout my life 

In conclusion, this has been an interesting journey to say the least, before this I had no idea how important nature interpretation really was. I was interpreting nature in my own way all this time without fully understanding it. I am very thankful for the privilege to be able to experience the nature around me. I think everyone should try to engage in nature interpretation as it is an easy way to reconnect with nature and to make up for the lost years that technology has caused. I think nature interpretation is a deciding factor in reducing the damage we have caused to our natural world and the animals that inhabit it. In the end, I hope you guys have enjoyed this journey and reading my thoughts on various topics and I hope that I was able to inspire others to maybe go out and appreciate nature almost as much as I do!

References: 

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

Hooykaas, A. (2024). Unit 10: Nature Interpretation’s Role in Environmental Sustainability. University of Guelph. https://courselink.uoguelph.ca/d2l/le/content/858004/viewContent/3640024/View.

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Hello, your blog post was very interesting and it was an enjoyable read. I too agree that animal instincts are such a fascinating thing, it's so cool to think about how they have really evolved over millions of years. They have been polished to help animals to navigate their vast worlds in the hopes of survival. 

Last semester I took an animal behaviour class where we learned all about things like migration. I can confidently say it is one of my favourite courses offered at Guelph. Migration to me is such a crazy thing. It's so interesting that they can weigh the pros and cons of staying and migrating such as the energy cost as well as food availability to know when the best time for them to migrate is. It's even cooler that they are able to know where to fly to through direction cues like the sun and different environmental factors. 

Herding is also such an interesting phenomenon. It’s wild that these domesticated animals that have been bred to be “house pets” still have the instinct to hunt rather than it being a learned behaviour. 

In the end all aspects of animal behavior are so interesting, and are an extensive interest of mine. Thanks for expressing your interest and highlighting something that many people overlook.

Fascination of Species Natural Instincts

Have you ever wondered about the incredible natural instincts of animals that allow them to survive in the wild? These instincts are innate behaviors present in animals from birth that are essential to their survival. They have evolved over millions of years to help animals adapt to their environments, and are truly amazing in their complexity.

One of the most fascinating examples of an animal's natural instincts is migration. Every year, millions of birds undertake the incredible feat of flying thousands of miles from their breeding grounds to their wintering grounds. They do this without any guidance or instruction, relying solely on their instincts to guide them. Scientists believe that birds use a combination of magnetic fields, stars, and landmarks to navigate their way across the globe.

Another remarkable example of animal instincts is the herding behavior of dogs. Herding dogs have an innate ability to control the movement of livestock, using their natural instincts to anticipate the movements of the animals and keep them in line. This instinct is so strong that even puppies will begin to display herding behavior at a very young age.

Sea turtles also have incredible instincts that allow them to navigate the open ocean and return to the same beach where they were born to lay their eggs. Scientists believe that sea turtles use a combination of magnetic fields, ocean currents, and the position of the sun and moon to guide them on their long journey.

But natural instincts aren't just limited to migratory animals. Many animals have instincts that help them find food, protect themselves from predators, and even communicate with each other. For example, wolves have the instinct to hunt in packs, using coordinated attacks to take down larger prey. Bees have the instinct to pollinate flowers, which is essential to the survival of many plant species.

The natural instincts of animals are truly amazing in their complexity and diversity, and one of the most fascinating subjects within environmental research (in my opinion). They are an essential part of their survival and have evolved over millions of years to help them adapt to their environments. From migration to herding to hunting, these instincts are what make animals so fascinating and unique. So the next time you observe an animal in the wild, take a moment to appreciate the incredible instincts that allow them to thrive and survive in their natural habitat.

References:

Blumberg M. S. (2017). Development evolving: the origins and meanings of instinct. Wiley interdisciplinary reviews. Cognitive science, 8(1-2), 10.1002/wcs.1371. https://doi.org/10.1002/wcs.1371

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ELEPHANTS!

Hello everyone, we are back from our week hiatus but I hope everyone is still doing well. We are already in week 9 and we are so close to summer which is scary because the end of my time as a student is coming up. But nonetheless this week we will be talking about something that I absolutely love and that's Elephants. I hope through this I can make you fall in love just as much. 

Photo retrieved from: https://www.animalspot.net/elephant

The small African elephants have a very important role in climate change mitigation as they increase the carbon storage of their forest, removing heat-trapping CO2 from the atmosphere (Kent, 2024). They do this by altering the shape of the forest they inhabit by changing the diversity, density, as well as abundance of both plants and trees. 

As most know elephants are used for the ivory from their tusks. The main threat to the lives of African elephants is illegal poaching for the ivory trade and while for Asian elephants it's the loss of habitat (World Wildlife Fund). But thankfully there are organisations out there like WWF that work to help beautiful creatures just like the elephants. One main thing is that they not only equip government rangers as well as game guards but they help train them so they can lower the risk of poaching. They also support conservation areas like the Kavango Zambezi Transfrontier Conservation area and their partners (World Wildlife Fund).. 

It makes me happy to know that there are people who care for elephants as much as I do and are working towards keeping them safe. I have always been fascinated by elephants ever since I was a kid and watched nature documentaries with my mom. I hope that you guys could understand why I find elephants so cool, and maybe inspire you to help as well. 

Thank you for reading this week's blog post.  

References: 

Kent, W. (2024). Why are African forest elephants climate heroes?. World Wildlife Fund. https://www.worldwildlife.org/stories/why-are-african-forest-elephants-climate-heroesWorld 

Wildlife Fund. (n.d). Elephant | Species. World Wildlife Fund. https://www.worldwildlife.org/stories/why-are-african-forest-elephants-climate-heroes

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Hey, I thoroughly enjoyed reading your thoughts on how music and nature intertwine with one another. As Guelph students we honestly are very lucky to be surrounded by nature every day we go to class. We have access to things like the arboretum and the different woodlots. These places are huge inspirations for music and we are blessed with the music of nature as you said every day. Whether it be the frog calls or bird songs or even just the whistling of the air through the trees. I strongly agree with you when you say that well made music can enhance interpretation of nature. Personally, I am my happiest when I can just sit within nature with some nice calm music that helps me connect with nature. But the natural music is also beautiful to listen to. I appreciate you sharing your own music creations with us, but unfortunately I don’t make music myself but some major artists that help me connect with nature are Nujabes which I spoke a lot about in my blog post and an artist named Ichiko Aoba. Nujabes incorporates jazz and hip-hop with numerous samples of natural sounds like flowing water, bird songs, and crickets. As for Ichiko Aoba I'm not sure if she really samples natural sounds but her music definitely helps me envision beautiful natural landscapes. My favourite song from her is titled “Asleep among the endives”  Overall, music is such an important aspect of nature as a tool to aid in nature interpretation

Nature in Music/Music in Nature

I think that music is very common in nature, and the more you look for it the more examples you can find. The obvious example of this is in the various melodies found in bird calls. However, many other things can make equally beautiful sounds. Walking around in Guelph, the sounds of toads and frogs calling add a bass-like musical drone or rhythmic beats. The crickets and cicadas provide more of a treble-y synth-like sound that I have spent multiple hours trying to recreate for my own music. The groaning of swaying trees can provide even more interesting sounds. Even the rustling of grasses and leaves can have a really lush sound that fills out the musical landscape similar to how people tend to add or leave in white noise in musical recordings to make them sound less empty. Some of the abiotic elements of nature can also be musical. The wind can literally whistle or function like a rising or falling synth effect as it changes intensities. The sound of moving water can also provide interesting heterogeneity to the background sounds.

Nature is also an essential part of music. Every human culture has some form of music, which seems to indicate we are naturally inclined to make and appreciate music (Gray et al., 2001). Similarly, a very common feature of good music is that it has an “organic” type of sound. This can either come from the sounds used and the production style of the song, or from the song structure and melodies or rhythms used. I find that I tend to like music that sounds more organic and has many imperfections and variations in the sounds used which can give a very warm quality to the music. Generally, this warm organic sound comes from using more analog equipment and real instruments instead of working digitally and using synthesized instruments, but many people will actually edit their digitally recorded music to try and emulate that analog warmth. This organic sound can be heard very easily in the sound quality of some of my favorite albums such as Pure Guava by Ween or this unreleased demo by them:

The vocals in this song are extremely warm and buttery, while the acoustic guitar and analog synth sounds add to the warm natural sound - the song also uses lots of natural imagery in the lyrics to add to the warm sunny vibe

However, another way to incorporate that “organic” sound can be through the actual structure or melodies of the song. This is a frequent part of improvisational music such as Jazz, Psychedelic Rock, or Klezmer music. Here is one example of this that I really enjoy and has a mix of both the organic sound quality and the organic sounding melodies and rhythm:

This recording sounds very warm and organic which is supported by the organic melodies and rhythmic and melodic variation throughout the song

Music can also be a great way to interpret nature to others (Beck et al., 2018). Music can be used to translate the emotional aspects of nature to an audience or to provide information in a memorable way (Beck et al., 2018). Well-made music can make nature interpretation more immersive and enjoyable for people and is a great way to translate and spread desired messages (Beck et al., 2018). Overall, we seem to naturally enjoy natural sounding music about nature :)

A song that immediately reminds me of being in nature is a song I made this past summer titled Hippy Dippy.

I used some of the warm and natural techniques to give this song an upbeat and sunny feel

During the summer I went for a series of long walks by myself through a local trail and tried to be mindful of the warmth and vibrancy of nature in the late summer. I then tried to translate those feelings into a song that I made for my partner. Listening to it both reminds me of them and of the warmth of the sun in August, the lush greens and yellows of open fields, and the vibrant colours of wildflowers. I get a similar upbeat feeling to walking around in the sunlight in summer when I walk around and listen to this song in the winter even when it’s cold and grey.

Works Cited

Beck, L., Cable, T. T., & Knudson, D. M. (2018). Interpreting cultural and natural heritage: For A Better World. SAGAMORE Publishing, 226.

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

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The connections of Music and Nature

Hey guys welcome back to another weekly blog post, this week I am very excited and I have been waiting to talk about this and it's about music and nature. Two things that I have a strong passion and love for. 

Both music and nature are such strong forces that can evoke emotions, they stir the soul and translucent the boundaries of human perception. This blog post I want to delve into the connection that music has with nature and how that nature can resonate within the notes of music. 

Nature itself can be seen as music with its symphony of different sounds with different origins. From the rustling of leaves as the wind brushes through them, or the sound of raindrops that hit ground, and even the beautiful world of animal singing. With the sounds of the birds chirping and squirrels calling. All aspects of nature come together to produce sweet harmony and build the most tranquil orchestra. It's through these beautiful sounds that musicians often find inspiration, and seek to produce music that shares the same emotion. 

Looking at the definition of music and the question “Do other species show musical language and expression?” (Gray, P. Krause, B. Atema, J., Payne, R., Krumhansl, C. & Baptista, L. (2001). The Music of Nature and the Nature of Music. Science. 291. 52-54), it really makes you realise that music can be found anywhere you go. Other animals use music for various other things, like communication, which humans also do. This just shows that music can be used and interpreted in so many ways, and the beauty of it all is that you don’t have to be the one to compose in order to convey your feelings and share with others. 

One artist that has resonated with me and no matter the song it always takes me to a beautiful natural landscape, and feels calm and at peace, is the late Seba “Nujabes” Jun. Nujabes created a musical legacy for himself with his ability to incorporate numerous different genres of music into hip-hop, namely jazz, creating beautiful melodies accompanied by masterful beats, all in order to mirror the calm and immersive qualities found in nature. Nujabes was able to blur the boundaries between the urban life and serene outdoors, transporting the listeners into a different world. A prime example of his ability to do this is in the album “Modal Soul” namely the 10th song on the album titled “Modal Soul” with the mixture of funky drums, and the light piano in the back, it makes you feel like you’re in a forest surrounded by fireflies dancing at a festival. Not only does he sample actual sounds of nature like the sounds of the crickets in the background of the song titled “Light on the land”, in the songs he has vocals in, the artists use nature as a way to reference things such as death. For example in the song title “Luv(sic) Part 5) the artist Shing02 talks about how fast death can come stating “Till death do us apart, and it did. Come sudden like clouds, and it hid my sun”. Sadly this Nujabes passed away at the young age of 36, and the previous lyric is referring to his death. However, to this day his music lives on and will continue to touch the hearts of the listeners and help them connect with nature. 

Thank you for reading this week's blog post. I was very excited to talk about music and even more excited to talk about my favourite artist Nujabes. If you know Nujabes and listen to his music what's your favourite song for me its “Peaceland” which is linked at the bottom. But if you haven’t heard of Nujabes, give his music a listen and let me know if there is an artist you think is similar. 

Hooykaas, A. (2024). Unit 7: Nature interpretation through music. University of Guelph. https://courselink.uoguelph.ca/d2l/le/content/858004/viewContent/3640021/View 

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.subzero.lib.uoguelph.ca/apps/doc/A69270354/AONE?u=guel77241&sid=bookmark-AONE&xid=fb9366a8

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I thoroughly enjoyed your blog post, you made it very interesting to read. I thought your analogy of the quote being like a CLIF bar was very funny. You brought up a very important point in which I never really thought about until I read your post. It is very true that though we have always been taught to only take the cold hard facts and disregard our desire for storytelling. 

Your interpretation on the value of interpretation and integrity, it was quite different to how I took the quote but that's the beauty of interpretive writing. Your mention of interpretation giving merit to things that might be seen as worthless is a great reminder of the responsibility that comes with interpreting the natural world around us and how much power our words hold. Additionally, bringing the evolutionary process into the interpretation in the quote honestly made me understand the quote a little more. I think everything has beauty in it, and the history of how those things came to hold such an importance to that beauty and value. 

You mention that nature interpretation is not one-dimensional and it exists for different people in a myriad of ways, and as I was reading through other peers’ posts, I was really getting that sense. Everyone had their own little unique way of expressing what they thought the parts of the quote meant. I believe that is very important for interpretation because it can inspire you and get your ideas rolling. 

In conclusion, your post was definitely my favorite this week, Thanks!!

hopping back on the nature train🚂🌱

If the prompt for this week, a quotation by Edward Hyams, were a food, it would be.. like.. a CLIF bar or something. Small but mighty. So let’s dig in.

Natural history. It’s a legendary tale, a rival to the greatest myths written by the greatest minds. sometimes there’s a hero, a villain, a climax, a happy ending, and sometimes it’s a simpler, meandering story. When interpreting nature through the lens of history, I think it valuable to carve out a foundation, set the scene, tell a story.

This can be a daunting task, especially for science students. From our * formal education *, we’ve learned to separate the fanciful tales from the cold hard facts. We’ve been encouraged to rid our work of human bias. We’re in the training process, the “proving ourselves” process, where cold-hard science is the limiting nutrient. We’ve been instilled with the scientific integrity that forms the backbone of an honest, genuine interest in the natural world.

But that is not how this story should end.

We wouldn’t be doing nature justice to stop there.

Because we’ve also been given the basic tools necessary to start weaving the story back together, after having broken it down, boiled it to bits in beakers. Here, we’re going beyond that, back to real life where humans want to talk to other humans as if they’re humans. And that takes a different kind of integrity: interpretation.

The quotation begins, “There is no particular merit in ancient things”. Nature is an ancient thing, and no, nature is not good or bad — it’s amoral, neutral. Still, I think it’s fair to say that from our humble lil human perspective, nature does have value, and it has meaning.

Hyam continues “…but there is merit in integrity, and integrity entails the keeping together of the parts of any whole.”

I understood this, through the lens of this unit, to mean that integrity, or interpretation, can give “merit-less” nature value and meaning. Nature cradles seeds of meaning that are fertilized, that bloom, when we interpret, when we pull together the parts of the whole into a tale to be told. To have the scissors and glue in hand, poster board in front of you, to collage everything together, is a wonderful responsibility to have, and I think Hyam’s words capture the great power entangled with that responsibility.

image sourced from: https://www.artstation.com/artwork/9NR9ON (artist: Kirsten Harri)

A blade of grass on its own seems so slight, so meager, and honestly kinda boring. But a trained storyteller can weave together all the unseen aspects of that little green miracle. We can come to appreciate how long the evolutionary path has been to have landed at this blade of grass today. Its uses by a wide web of species, by human cultures through time, its love for sunlight and rich soil.

To me, the latter half of the quotation, where Hyam presents his metaphor of the train passing through the station, reflected the vastness and complexities of the timescale of nature’s story. Even more so, the point about the station not only existing for the moments “our train was in it” translates so well into the topic of nature interpretation as a whole. Nature interpretation is not one-dimensional. Nature exists everywhere on our planet (we’ll stick to those confines to simplify this conversation a tad), it exists for so many different people in so many different ways.

So, I agree with Hyam that it is borderline absurd to “think, feel or act as though the past is done with” — to not profoundly appreciate all the time and work that has gone into the world around us, here and now, to not acknowledge the different cultural dimensions of nature over that timescale. And culture is important here because, well, we interpret for other people in the end.  

Really looking forward to hearing everyone else’s thoughts for this one,

Thanks!!

[zhenvs3000w24]

The Importance of Integrity

Hi everyone welcome back to another weekly blog post

This week we are gonna delve into this quote: “ 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) 

We are gonna break it down and I'm gonna tell you my thoughts about it.

Firstly, the beginning of the quote suggests that the old things don't have any inherent value or are superior just because of the age of it. Rather it is the integrity that holds the value, it signifies both the consistency as well as harmony within the entity. The integrity is important as it takes many different components working with one another to hold together. Even if the parts are spread apart within different time periods, each part is important to hold together the integrity. I think this can be used to refer to historical events. Even if the events happen at different times each one is still very important for the whole story and the truth. But for this memory and knowledge are very important, which is stated in the 3rd line of the quote. The Second part of the quote is very very important as it criticises the idea of dismissing or forgetting the past thinking it has no relevance to the present or what is to come. This relates heavily to climate change and the environment, as we are feeling the full front of the mistakes that people made in history. We are using the past to learn and change so that we can reduce the effects that we have on the environment and the damage we do to the planet. If mistakes from the past are neglected or glossed over then we may revert back to the past and repeat the same mistakes or worse. 

The environment and the nature that surrounds us in itself is history and shows us how important integrity is. It is on us to protect the integrity of the natural world as it holds so many stories and important pieces of history that we must learn from. This quote embodies this and showcases how important writing is for interpretation.  

To end this week's blog off, I pose a question, How often do you use writing to interpret? I think a lot of us use it quite often but we don't realise it, but regardless I believe it is very important to do. 

Thank you for reading this blog's post, see you guys next week!

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Humans and Nature

Hello Everyone,

This week's blog is gonna be a little different, since it's unguided by a prompt, and because of this I want to talk about the relationship that humans have had with nature. Throughout history humans have always been deeply intertwined with nature. We have heavily depended on the resources that nature has provided from the beginning of time. As it provides us with food, shelter, as well as medicine. However, the importance of nature is often overlooked by most people. From the air we breathe to the food we eat, nature plays a huge role in sustaining our existence. 

 Despite this fact humans often neglect nature and the benefits we get from it. For example, spending time in nature has been seen to reduce stress while improving one's mood. Nature also serves as such a huge inspiration for creativity. As talked about in a previous blog. Nature has been a significant source of inspiration for artists, writers, and thinkers. Through the beautiful landscapes as well as diversity of flora and fauna as well as cycles that work together to keep every aspect of nature running. Nature forever will spark both curiosity as well as fuel for imagination. 

 Even though nature is so important to us, over the years have exponentially increased the use of the resources provided by nature effectively damaging the planet beyond repair. Some main examples of these are deforestation, this effectively has displaced thousands of animals as well as killing many, threatening species to the point of extinction all for monetary gain. An example that I have seen first hand is in my moms home country of St Lucia. Over the years many big hotels as well as tourist attractions like golf courses have been built and continue to grow as the years go by. This has destroyed many of the natural land as well as pushed a lot of local citizens out of their regularly visited beaches or trails. As the island becomes more well known more and more big companies will look to expand hotels and other activities altering natural beaches as well as driving wildlife away. Secondly, the biggest problem we face is overconsumption, this alone causes a myriad of other problems. The human population is insatiable and continues to want more, as this want grows, the resources we use also increases. Humans for a long time have been depleting the Earth’s natural resources at an alarming rate. 

As someone who is very close with nature, it saddens me to see how much destruction we have caused to this planet and how little people care. We have taken the giving nature that the Earth has for granted as we overuse resources and constantly destroy it. I hope that in the near future more people realise how important it is that we take care of the planet and we see a big change. 

Thank you for reading this weeks blog post, I hope it made you guys think about how important nature is to everyone around us and you care a little bit more for it.

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Your claim that anyone can interpret nature through art resonates deeply. The statement of not having to be an artist, musician, or actor to use art as a medium for interpretation is so welcoming and opens the possibility of connecting with nature to everyone. It's entirely up to the individual to interpret what they see and convey their feelings in any way they see fit. 

I strongly agree with your mention of photography as an art form, as it's my go to medium to convey the things that I see. With still images the viewers are able to really immerse themselves in nature, it might help them remember a time in their life they may have forgotten, it allows them to be transported in the photo and elicit sensory experiences. They are able to feel the cool mist, the crashing water, and the cold wind become palpable. 

I also strongly resonate with your statement of nature being art, I also mentioned this in my original post. It's art that is subjective and diverse, it caters to a wide range of preferences. There is beauty in everything in nature, even the small things. It is important to be able to recognize this, and find the beauty in things you see everyday. However, the beauty of nature is often overlooked and lost amidst the everyday struggles, but art allows us to stop and take in the beauty. For this reason art is such an important medium it welcomes and gives an outlet for all to convey their feelings and experiences.

Nature is art, how to use art to interpret its beauty.

Anyone can interpret nature through art. You do not need to be an artist, musician, or actor to interpret through art. It can be as simple as telling a story to set a scene and engross the audience, playing some music in the background to set the tone, or even dressing up into a costume that will demonstrate the message you want to get across (Beck et al., 2018). It is pretty simple. 

This photo of Niagra Falls, ON, is art itself. Even a photograph can evoke emotion or tell a story. Looking at this photo, you can feel the mist on your face from the falls, hear the crash of water, and feel the cold wind. Taking the picture and looking back at it brings even more sense of place through remembering where I was, who I was with and what I was doing. It makes the place unique. I also want to highlight the art of nature captured in this photo. The monochrome blues and grey, textures, and sound (if you were there) are all art. It evokes emotion, which is pretty powerful!

Nature is art. The colours, shapes, perfect harmony of sounds and visual displays are like a movie. There's a reason that nature is so beautiful and why people appreciate it differently, the same as with art. It is important to help people see the beauty in what surrounds them. Some fundamental principles of interpretation highlight this fact. The first principle is that nature should be more inspirational than informational (information is not interpretation) (Beck et al., 2018). Art helps convey messages and create rich experiences, thus helping to inspire a group (Beck et al., 2018). It is also important to ensure that whatever you interpret needs to relate to people (Beck et al., 2018). This may seem challenging; however, using art helps reach people. Using music, dance, poetry, theatre, or visual art all increases the chances someone can relate to the topic you are presenting. Everyone can connect to art, whether it's through music they may recognize from parts of their own life or an art form they participate in or enjoy. It can also work to draw more diverse crowds if you incorporate art forms meaningful to a specific group or include a diverse cast for a thematic demonstration (Beck et al., 2018). This also helps remove barriers to people's learning, another essential part of interpretation. Another principle of interpretation is presenting the entirety of a place, not just one part. This can easily be achieved through storytelling. Storytelling that uses the TORE framework focuses on the main message being conveyed, is organized to provide structure and meaning, is relevant to the audience and is enjoyable (Beck et al., 2018). Storytelling can use tangible elements, almost like a prop, to associate meanings with objects from the area you are interpreting. It can help to engage an audience, create imagery and create a sense of journey (Beck et al., 2018). Strauss discusses storytelling tips, which include starting simple, using legends, folks or myths from the area to build upon, using details to really engage the audience, use a flexible voice and gestures to bring the audience into your story (also adds some thematic interpretation), and most importantly practice a lot (Beck et al., 2018). 

Interpretation through music is also an extremely beneficial tool for interpreting as it helps listeners get words and facts stuck in their minds (Beck et al., 2018). It also aids in painting imagery in their heads and reaching an emotional reaction, which can help listeners feel attached to what they are interpreting and build a more profound sense of place (Beck et al., 2018). 

Many natural places have complex issues associated with them (Beck et al., 2018). This can be past, present, or future issues that cover a broad range of topics, such as cultural resources on local, regional or global scales like civil rights and racial tensions or discussing climate change (Beck et al., 2018). The theatre has been used increasingly to help translate complex topics (Beck et al., 2018). It can be used to engage the public with issues such as climate change (Beck et al., 2018). 

While nature in itself is beautiful and acts as its own form of art, many are quick to overlook it or may need help figuring out where to focus their attention. Using art such as music, storytelling or theatre to help interpret nature can help translate to a broader audience and ensure people take home the message you want to convey. It is an effective tool for covering complex topics and makes engaging the audience easier and more effective.

References:

Knudson, Larry Beck, Ted T. Cable, Douglas M. Interpreting Cultural and Natural Heritage: For a Better World. Available from: Sagamore Publishing LLC, Sagamore Publishing LLC, 2018.

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The art of Nature interpretation

Nature has been a muse for artists for centuries and cultures. It is easy to find inspiration in the vast landscapes, intricate ecosystems and the passing moments. Many artists seek to capture the beauty of nature and relay it to their audience. 

Artists seek to convey their feelings and interpretation of nature through their medium, whether that be photography, drawing, painting, or making music. Regardless, all of these play the role of interpreter, translating the beauty of nature into a tangible work that can be appreciated by all who see it, even if they aren’t a fan of art or nature. They play a crucial role in showing a broad audience the beauty of nature, and helping them develop their own feelings and relationship with it, and maybe inspiring them to convey their feelings through art. 

Personally, my favourite medium of nature interpretation is photography. I can't draw nor can I paint, so photography is a way to share my experiences with nature. Though I don’t do it often and it's rather a new hobby so I’m still getting used to it. My goal is to show people the beauty of nature in hopes that they can also understand how I feel about nature and develop their own love for the world around them. Although I can’t make music, I appreciate it and it is my second favourite medium . 

As for the statement of “The gift of Beauty”, I think this is very important to think about. The textbook says interpretation inspires people to see and feel the beauty that surrounds them everyday, through this they will create a spiritual relationship, in turn motivating them to persevere with the resources (Beck et. al., 2018). To me this statement is calling on people to start recognizing the beauty in their everyday life and the nature that surrounds them. To see the beauty in both the big things like the sunrise or a beautiful waterfall, but also the small things like a flower blooming or a butterfly flying by. Through this people will begin to develop a love and passion for nature, inspiring them to take care of their surroundings and treating it with more respect. It is definitely not easy to be able to see and appreciate beauty when everyone is used to seeing small bits of nature but I think it's a skill that will lead to living a more happy and fulfilling life. 

In the end, I think art is an important player in nature interpretation as there are so many ways to use it and so many different mediums. Nature in itself is art, but people just have to stop and take a second to really realise the beauty of it all. 

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

[zhenvs3000w24]

Hey,

Your post is very well done, and I strongly agree with all your points. I also wrote something similar in my post in terms of the personal upbringings. It is definitely a huge privilege to have been brought up in a household that likes the outdoors as well as animals. This has really shaped the way I grew up as well as my passion for animals which I am very thankful for. However, it definitely is not the same for everyone and they grow up not really having a connection with nature and in turn not really caring about it. I also believe that the level of education can have a heavy influence on how a person looks at nature. If a person doesn't have access to knowledge about nature they can feel intimidated and afraid of things unnecessarily, for example, a lot of people are afraid of snakes or spiders which causes people to kill or hurt them unwarrantedly.

You bring up a very interesting point that I didn't think about when writing my post and that is the privilege to not have any current disabilities. I think this is often overlooked by people but it is such an important thing to think about. People with disabilities are definitely held back a lot more due to the fact that not all trails or green spaces have accommodations. I strongly believe that this can be improved so that everyone has access to the same beautiful places.

Privilege in Nature Interpretation

Most aspects of life are affected by privilege to some extent, and nature interpretation is no exception. I view privilege as things that increases the chance of success for an individual that are outside of or not fully determined by personal influence. Examples of this include birthplace, socioeconomic status, physical traits, and upbringing.

Privilege can affect who is likely to attend nature interpretation programs. For example, where someone was born or currently lives can make it more difficult to attend certain interpretation programs. Someone who lives downtown in a major city may have to travel much further to get to a national park, or someone who lives in a very small town may not have access to public transportation to get them to a program they are interested in. Another factor that affects who can attend is disability. People with disabilities may be unable to access trails or attend long walks. Additionally, disabilities may discourage people from wanting to attend if they do not think information will be taught in an accessible way for them. For example, people with hearing impairments may be discouraged by a lack of text (Beck et al, 2018). One other factor that could influence who is likely to attend a nature interpretation session is personal upbringing. Different people will feel different connections to nature based on how they were raised, and some people may not think of nature interpretation as a fun activity if they were not exposed to it as a child. For example, my parents took me and my siblings hiking very frequently as a kid, and they used to rent out cottages occasionally for part of the summer. This gave me access to explore nature with my family and form very positive experiences in nature as a child, which has influenced my attitude towards nature as an adult. Because of this, I would feel very excited to find a cool nature interpretation opportunity to attend, however some people may not seek that out or may not be interested in it even if they are aware it is happening.

Me as a kid thoroughly enjoying some smores outside.

Privilege can also influence how nature interpretation is delivered. For example, some people may have an easier time getting a nature interpretation job based on a variety of privileges such as where they grew up and what level of education they or their family could afford. Another way nature interpretation could be influenced is from the diversity of sources for nature interpretation material. Certain people may be more likely to get positions as researchers or want to pursue certain subjects. Often, people who know English are more publicized than people doing research in other languages, which can translate to what information is used for interpretation (Hooykaas, 2024). Overall, privilege ha many ways that it influences nature interpretation, and being aware of this can lead to more accessible and effective interpretation.

Works Cited

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

Hooykaas, A. (2024) Unit 3: Risk versus Reward in Interpretation ENVS*3000. University of Guelph.

[zhenvs3000w24]

Hey, this post was amazing and I loved reading about your experience with finding crayfish with your dad. I can’t say I share the same love for fish as you do, they are cool but I’ve always been fascinated by big mammals. However, the way you talk about searching for the crayfish sounds like it would be a lot of fun and exciting. You also make Tobermory sound like such a beautiful place, and paired with the picture of inside the cave really makes me want to visit. I can totally relate to spending time in your favourite place and really growing closer to nature in a way that makes you look at things more deeply and growing an appreciation. For me that place was St. Lucia, the last time my family went was back in April, during this trip we went on a boat ride across the Island, visiting a bunch of different beaches. One beach we stopped at we hiked up to a waterfall, on the way there was a big cotton tree as well as a mill wheel. That hike was definitely the highlight of the trip and I will never forget it.

Blog 1: Evolution and Development of my Relationship with nature

Hey everyone! I attend the University of Guelph as a 4th year Marine and Freshwater student. I want to welcome everyone to my blog! This is my first blog post and I will be talking about the relationship I share with nature and how it continues to develop.

I have always felt I have had a strong connection with nature, especially with anything that relates to the water (mainly fish, but also many of the different animals). This largely stems from being at my cottage located in Tobermory, Ontario. My father would bring us down to the water and teach us where to look for crayfish and how to catch them. For many years we would beg to make the 3 hour journey just to spend the majority of the time lifting the rocks along the shoreline and capturing crayfish to see the different sizes we could find, and then safely release them after playing with them. This is what I believe what began an ever expanding interest in aquatic animals. 

This experience with my family at my cottage created an extremely special place for me. So much so that during the summer I live there full-time and work for Parks Canada, to help keep the area as perfect and as special for others as it has been and always will be for me. By being in one of my favorite places for approximately half the year I began to look more closely at everything around, which opened how I see not only the forests, marshes, and beaches in that area but of all places that I travel to. 

Over this last summer I began to dabble in a bit of mycology. I began to notice how important even the most insignificant looking plant, fungus, or animal truly is and what kind of role they may play. A friend of mine from Parks Canada who is a mycology masters student at the University of Guelph is helping me develop a deeper relationship with all the different fungi in the area and helping me with my identification skills of the  main mushrooms and fungi groups of not just the area but of a more broad and general identification. This past summer my relationship with nature has expanded and evolved/ developed in ways I never would have thought about. I began looking closer at the formation of rocks and how indigenous peoples may have used the different caves around the islands or the ones on the mainland. For example, there is one cave on an island in the Fathom Five National Marine Park called Butter cave that before fridges were invented the lighthouse keepers on the island and indigenous peoples used to keep their food cold. There is a different cave on the mainland that is named fern cave, and it intrigues me a lot because during only a certain time in the summer the cave is filled with beautiful ferns, but looking at the shape and formation of the cave it seems as if it would have been a perfect location to use for shelter. I always try to think of who might have used this and I will go into the cave to see if there’s any cave drawings or any evidence someone from the past lived there (it isn’t that big but still big enough you can’t touch the ceiling).

I could go on and on about tobermory and how much I love it and anytime I'm there it feels like I belong and it gives me a "sense of place". Please come back again for my next blog post and continue this journey through nature with me! Enjoy these pictures I have taken from various locations around tobermory and if you have any questions about them ask away!

[zhenvs3000w24]

03: Privilege in Nature Interpretation

Hello! Welcome back to my 3rd blog post, thank you for joining me today. I hope you enjoy reading my thoughts on privilege in Nature Interpretation. 

Let's first talk about what privilege is. Privilege is defined as a special right or advantage that an individual or a group possesses. I strongly believe that privilege can play a huge role in a person's connection as well as passion towards nature. Just being able to engage with nature in itself is a special privilege to have. 

Firstly, not everyone has the privilege to be able to access nature.For example someone who lives more in the city such as Toronto, doesn’t have the direct privilege to experience natural landscapes such as a person who lives in Guelph. But even the province that you live in can have a drastic effect. For example, someone who has the privilege to live in a place like Alberta has access to the beautiful mountains, compared to someone who lives in Ontario. The place a person lives can have a lot to do with the connection an individual has to nature. This is due to the fact that access to green spaces, or national parks are not equally distributed. The privilege to access such beautiful places, such as a forest that is unaffected or untouched by human activity can mean a huge difference in the impression a person gets from nature. These first impressions are crucial in building a long lasting close relationship with the nature around us. 

Moreover, the way that we see and interpret nature is heavily dependent on our experiences. It is a special privilege to have someone who is close to you be able to tell you stories and history about nature. It is also a special privilege to be able to share experiences with nature, as these will allow people to connect natural places with good and happy memories. Additionally, having the privilege to access nature at a very young age can also help connect an individual with nature and the world around them. However, due to the growing urbanisation that is happening less and less children are able to go and play in creeks or forest and are not able to build a connection to nature. Fortunately, I have been very lucky, and privileged to have a mother that was born on a very beautiful island and grew up there and passes down her stories to my brother and I. As well as have many friends who I am able to share my love for nature with. Lastly, I am also very privileged to be able to attend the university of Guelph in person and experience places such as the arboretum. 

In the end, I think it is definitely a special privilege to have access to natural landscapes and natural areas. I believe that this plays a huge role in the way people see nature and how they feel about it. 

Thank you once again for reading this blog. I hope I was able to articulate all my ideas in an understandable way. Hopefully, I'll see you next week for another post.

[zhenvs3000w24]

Hello, your post was very well written. I also think that my ideal role would also be in camps, national parks, or other tourism locations. I think that would be the most fun as well as the best experience for my audience as well. 

I completely relate to your preference for doing these in person rather than through an online platform. I agree that it would be more rewarding, I also believe that people would be able to connect a lot more with nature if they were able to experience it themselves. This would help them learn a lot more from the tours. You raise a very important point that I didn’t even think about for my original post, in terms of taking an effort to love all visitors, even the ones that don't respect the area they're in. It definitely takes a high level of patience and understanding to be able to tolerate these kinds of visitors and still teach them about the area. I think that would be the most important skill to have in terms of guiding tours and educating the audience. In the end, the role of nature interpreter is definitely not easy but I strongly believe that it is an important one as well as rewarding.

My Preferred Role in Environmental Interpretation 

Hey everyone! Recently I’ve been considering some future roles I could pursue in nature interpretation. I’m currently practicing nature interpretation by writing this blog post. However, not to disappoint you guys, but this is not necessarily my perfect dream role. 

Ideal Role

In terms of an ideal role for me as a potential environmental interpreter, I think I would enjoy an interpretive position talking and connecting to people in person at a camp, national park, or nature-tourism location. I know that with digital advances, interpretation is pretty common online with websites, blogs, and social media. However, I find connecting in-person to be the most rewarding and desirable role and would therefore prefer interpretation that engages with people in person. And, with my love for being outdoors, being an interpreter on a nature hike in a National Park could be an ideal role for me.

This is a picture I took while walking along a boardwalk in PEI National Park. A location such as this would be a lovely location for an interpretive nature hike

However, I am currently inexperienced in the role of public speaking, and lack sufficient practice in environmental interpretation. Therefore, a good practice role for now could be interpreting nature 1-on-1 or in a small group with friends at a location I’m familiar with. This would provide excellent hands-on experience, while still fulfilling my desire to personally connect with people in an outdoor nature setting. 

Where Might it Be?

I currently attend the University of Guelph, and there is a beautiful arboretum essentially on campus with many beautiful trails, and a wide diversity of trees, plants, and animals. This could make for an optimal location for practicing nature interpretation with some friends, and I think many people would easily enjoy it. There are also a lot of informational resources surrounding it, which I could incorporate to provide background information on the Arboretum to my audience. Another good practice location would be nature trails in parks in my hometown that I have a personal connection to. This could help me create a personal connection to my audience when interpreting the location. 

Skills to Develop

There are definitely some more specific skills I need to develop in order to be an effective interpreter. For example, the overarching principle of nature interpretation according to Tilden (a famous founder of nature interpretation) is embracing a love for the place and for the visitors (Beck et al., 2018; p. 83). It is generally easy for me to love the natural place that I’m in because of my passion for nature and the outdoors. But. sometimes it can take conscious effort to love all your visitors, especially if you have some especially rowdy ones. 

According to the book Interpreting Cultural and Natural Heritage: For a Better World, a nature hike should progress in some orderly, story-like fashion so as to reach audiences of all ages (Grinder & McCoy, 1985). So, I definitely need to figure out how to craft an effective story while leading a hike on a nature trail.

Anyways, to summarize this post, I think an ideal future nature interpretation role for me would be to lead a nature hike at a national park or similar location. Leading an interpretive hike professionally would require the development of many skills, including public speaking, learning to craft a story, and learning to connect with people effectively. 

References

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

McCoy, S., Alison, L., & Grinder, E. (1985) THE GOOD GUIDE: A SOURCEBOOK FOR INTERPRETERS, DOCENTS, AND TOUR GUIDES. Ironwood Publishing. 

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02 Nature Interpreter

Welcome back to another weekly blog! 

This week we will be talking about what my ideal role of an environmental interpreter would be. To me an environmental interpreter is very dynamic and has to change a lot and adapt to changing times. They have to have an ever changing blend of education, communication, as well as advocacy. They have to be able to educate others about the nature around us in a way that is engaging, fun, and will always stick with the audience. 

I know there are definitely a lot of different types of environmental interpreters jobs out there, but the first one that came to mind when I thought of environmental interpreters was trail guide. In terms of where I think I might be while doing this job is a little hard for me to say because I really like to travel so ideally I would be able to do this all over the world. However, to narrow it down a little I love mountains so it would have to be a place with a lot of mountain trails or big canons. The first few places that come to mind are places like the Rocky Mountains, or different state parks or national parks across America, places like Utah seem like they have beautiful mountainous trails that would be amazing to teach people about. I think the job would be a lot easier and your audience would be more captivated in the trails that are more grandiose or look like they are straight out of a movie. Moreover, I do love animals and ideally I would be able to incorporate this into this job. To do this I would focus more on different animal tracks or other indications of animals, as well as general information about the populations in the area. 

I believe this would be a very hard job to do but it would be fun. However, as I said before I believe that to be a good environmental interpreter/ educator, you would have to be very flexible and possess a number of different skills. More specifically, I think for a trail guide skills such as effective communication skills are very very important. This would allow them to change their teaching style to attend to numerous people and different audiences, for example in this week's reading we learned about three different learning styles, that being auditory, visual, or kinesthetic-tactile learners. To be a trail guide you would have to be able to change and account for all types of different learners. Secondly, I think both a passion and an educational background in environmental sciences is also required to be able to effectively reach the audience and help them develop a connection with nature. Lastly, since social media is a very big part of everyone's life, being able to use it effectively will also be able to convey your passion to people all across the world. With this I think being good at photography would also come in handy, this way you can show the beauty of nature without being directly in it. I think a good example of this is “therealtarzan” on instagram, as most of his content is centred around showing and teaching people about various animals. In conclusion, there may be a lot of different ways people can be environmental interpreters but the one that I think would be the most fun is to be a trail guide.  

Well that's it for my post, thank you for reading this week's post.