Final Post - Unit 10
This course has taught me a lot about the wonderful things to unwrap while interpreting nature. While I’d always had an appreciation for the natural world, this course has allowed me to step back and see things that I hadn’t before. Specifically, my relationship to nature, and how I can strengthen that relationship in order to give our environment the respect it deserves. From this course, I plan to continue to work on this connection and utilize the tools that I have gained in doing so. Taking in to account all that I have learned it has truly opened up my mind on what type of interpreter I intend on being. I was interested to embark on Unit 4: Nature Interpretation through Art and Planning for “All” Scenarios, particularly for my interest in art and specifically my own mode of art through sewing and fashion design. I think it could be really rewarding to combine my interest in nature interpretation and love for fashion that could positively benefit the environment.
The morals and ethics that I have inherited throughout my life consist of passion, creativity, honesty, courage, being dependable and most importantly treating others how I would want to be treated. I’ve developed these behaviors from the consistency of expectations brought on my parents throughout my childhood. To be thoughtful, responsible and honest was always instilled in my home and will stick with me forever. Not only my parents, but other family members, friends and employers have all introduced rules of living that I have whole-heartedly adopted. I think the morals and ethics that we have are often not, and should be, applied to nature. It’s important in respecting the planet, to treat the environment like the living being it is. Through reflecting on this I have thought a lot about what I can do as an interpreter to achieve this sort of approach.
The approach I am drawn to in terms of interpreting nature would be that of interpreting nature though art. As previously stated, I enjoy creating fashion through sewing, in which I am constantly exploring environmentally-friendly approaches. This weekend I invested in the needed materials in order to naturally dye my pieces. The process can be done with dried up flowers, fallen bark or leaves, and even different spices. My plan was to use a natural linen I purchased and dye it using a variety of dried flowers that would otherwise go to waste from a bouquet my mother received for her birthday. This idea got me thinking about the interpretation aspect of this project. I’ve always loved the idea of giving something a new life, such as upcycling old clothing or in this case, giving dead flowers a second go. It wouldn’t be intended to interpret nature in this case as something to be utilized, more so something to inspire fashion and creativity, to display the true colors of nature. This idea has me really inspired and excited to work on, which I plan to treat as a sort of summer project. I think this would be a truly desired career for me, making a sustainable fashion brand, given the amount of devastation that is continuously cause by the fashion industry and particularly ‘fast fashion’. As mentioned in a passage of At the heart of art and earth: an exploration of practices in arts-based environmental education by Jan van Boeckel, “Arts-based environmental education can engage us with natural phenomena in unfamiliar ways and makes space for the unforeseen”. I think the replacement of toxic dyes in the fashion industry with natural products will open doors of nature interpretation and sustainability in fashion that as it stands haven’t been fully opened.
Photo of different swatches of fabric dyed with various natural ingredients, found on https://mygreencloset.com/magic-of-natural-dyes/
Photo of different shades achieved by natural dyeing, found on https://www.seasaltcornwall.co.uk/blog/09/2018/how-to-make-natural-dyes/
Another approach that would correspond with my interest in building a sustainable fashion brand would be conversation and advocating for the environment. Through social skills I can implement a relationship with other interpreters who have a similar cause in order to truly bring knowledge to the public. It is important as an interpreter to connect and engage participants, which I feel equipped to do so. Finding the right approach to appeal to an audience of different learning styles while still keeping interest is something I will hopefully succeed at as an interpreter.
I am very grateful for the knowledge I have gained from this course and the lessons I intend on taking with me in my future career. This course has truly strengthened my relationship with nature and I hope to continue on this path.
Thank you all for a good semester! Abby
References
Beck, L., Cable, T. T., & Knudson, D. M. (2018). Arts in Interpretation. In Interpreting cultural and natural heritage: For a Better World (pp. 215–232). Sagamore Publishing.
Van Boeckel, J. (2014). At the heart of art and earth: An exploration of practices in arts-based environmental education. Environmental Education Research, 21(5), 801-802.
Hi Abby!
I found your final blog post very interesting to read. I am similar to you as I found that this course taught me a lot about nature and how to showcase what we have learned about our natural world. My knowledge and understanding of what nature interpretation is and how to utilize it has improved significantly. One of the things I found very important about nature interpretation is to always try and develop a connection to what you are interpreting. This is mainly for your audience to be interested and attention, as they most likely will find it relatable. I love how you mention your passion for fashion and trying to utilize it in nature interpretation. This is a perfect example of how to get your audience interested and develop a connection.
My personal ethics are very similar to yours. Some of the personal ethics that we share are; passion, honesty, and treating others how you would want to be treated. A lot of my personal ethics comes from my parents teaching and guiding me on how to be a good person. It is great how you mentioned that it is important to use these personal ethics in nature interpretation. I believe showcasing who you truly are is the best way for people to feel connected and interested in what you are interpreting.
Your approach to using art to interpret nature sounds amazing, and can’t wait to see what you may do in the future. I also believe the topic of conservation and protecting our environment is so large and very important to us. This is an amazing approach to use in interpretation.
Great Job!
- Angelina
















