Nature Interpretation

“Being an environmental educator in today’s world feels like you are asked to stop a rushing river armed only with a teaspoon.” (Rodenburg, 2019)

So why do people do it?

For me, it’s making a difference. As a kid I was so impacted by the environmental crises I learned about, that it made me determined to do something to help.

I originally thought nature interpretation wasn’t that important. If anything, it was an old parks tradition, in an interesting but dying industry. It didn’t take long for me to realize how wrong I was.

As an interpreter your goal is not just to explain what people are seeing, but give it relevance, and use it to inspire and educate. You aim to spark interest, revealing deeper meanings of what your interpreting, all while putting it in an education and entertaining format, as shown in The Gifts of Interpretation (Beck et al., 2018). While it may seem like a large responsibility nature interpretation, for me at least, is an opportunity to create the same motivation for change in others, that I had received by learning about the world’s environmental issues.

Blue Gold : World Water Wars (Trailer) (Sam Bozzo, 2008). The documentary I watched in grade 7 that taught me about the world water crisis and motivated me to help the environment.

It’s importance is critical as there are so many people that are unaware of the problems our environment is facing, or even the importance of the environment itself. Barriers such as communication, culture, and economic status prevent many people from learning about and connecting with nature and thus preventing them from protecting it (Beck et al. 2018).

That’s why I believe there is more to nature interpretation than people think. It’s a job that is so much more rewarding and complex than providing explanations. As a budding interpreter my responsibilities reflect those listed in the Gifts of Interpretation. I want to bring my belief that we are all capable of change, no matter your age, sex, culture, language, or financial situation and share it with others. I want to show people the beauty of nature and teach them its value with the hopes that like me, will use it to make a difference.

That’s one of the powers of interpretation, inspiration.

My approach to interpretation is similar to Beck et al. (2018), in that adjusts for the audience. As mentioned by Rodenburg (2019), using stories and faces are a great way to help teach and connect to younger audiences while older age groups learn better through reading or other methods. I did disagree with the article’s statement that children are not ready to hear about the issues like climate change and pollution, however. I believe its the approach and presentation that needs to differ when it comes to topics such as species endangerment instead and global warming, as these are topics, I believe are important for kids to learn, in recognize the importance of helping the environment.

Severn Cullis-Suzuki at Rio Summit 1992. At age 12 spoke to United Nations urging them to help the environment that lead to an awakening about the world amongst people across the globe (We Canada, 2013).

Besides if we fail to share with people our knowledge in a safe way, are we fulfilling our jobs as nature interpreters? What do you think? Are kids not ready to learn about environmental issues?

While there are several jobs out there for a tree hugger, make sure you don’t overlook nature interpretation, especially if you want to help make a difference.

As Mother Teresa once said, “I alone cannot change the world, but I can cast a stone across the waters to create many ripples.”

References:

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

Rodenburg, J. (2019, June 17). Why environmental educators shouldn't give up hope. https://clearingmagazine.org/archives/14300

Bozzo, S. (2008). Blue Gold : World Water Wars (Trailer). [Video]. Youtube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ikb4WG8UJRw

It was quite interesting to learn about how you found your voice as a nature interpreter.

To answer your first question, I definitely agree with you that if we fail to share our knowledge with people in safe ways, we are not fulfilling our jobs as nature interpreters. Many times, for the sack of being an effective interpreter, people forget that safety plays a big role in the experience of interpreting nature. To answer your second question, similar to you, I also disagree with Rodenburg (2019) that children are not ready to hear about issues such as climate change and pollution. The children of today are the future of tomorrow; as such, educating them about the severity of the issues we face today (i.e., climate change, habitat destruction, endangered species, etc.) (Hooykaas, 2021c) is essential.

To add on, I believe that my future experiences as a nature interpreter will be rooted in nature interpretation through science and nature interpretation through music. Nature interpretation through science focuses on taking a scientific approach to interpreting nature (Hooykaas, 2021a). On the contrary, nature interpretation through music focuses on the importance of music in nature, and nature in music (Hooykaas, 2021b).

It’s great to see that you value education as a means to remain inclusive as a nature interpreter. Therefore, I have linked a great video below in which Matthew White gives a TEDx Talk about the lessons we can learn from nature (TEDx Talks, 2018). Have a watch and share your thoughts!

I look forward to your response.

Regards,

Agam.

References

Hooykaas, A. (2021a). Unit 05: Nature interpretation through science [Course website]. University of Guelph CourseLink. https://courselink.uoguelph.ca

Hooykaas, A. (2021b). Unit 07: Nature interpretation through music [Course website]. University of Guelph CourseLink. https://courselink.uoguelph.ca

Hooykaas, A. (2021c). Unit 10: Nature interpretation’s role in environmental sustainability [Course website]. University of Guelph CourseLink. https://courselink.uoguelph.ca

Rodenburg, J. (2019, June 17). Why environmental educators shouldn’t give up hope. ClearingMagazine.Org. https://clearingmagazine.org/archives/14300

A sad ending to a great semester! I want to just thank everyone for such an amazing semester, and I had a lot of fun blogging and sharing my ideas with you all! Ethics are very important because it helps with our day to day decision making and the actions we make. 

When it comes to ethics, certain ethics that I already had before doing this course were honesty, responsibility, respect and loyalty. Honestly has always been valued to me because growing up with my parents and siblings, I also learned to be honest through out experiences of my life, I noticed when being more honesty, it is a lot less stressful. As for loyalty, it is very important for me to have loyal loved ones around, I says say ‘quality over quantity’ I have had the same 3 best friends in my life for 10 years and I could not be more happier with the support system that I have. Respect is something you need to have when having a conservation, in order to get your ideas and opinions across speaking them in a respectful manner. This will allow the other person to understand you better and be opened to agree or see your point of view. Lastly, responsible is the one ethic I had the most difficulty learning because you are never fully ready to be responsible. I only ever learned responsibly when I moved to Canada by myself and lived alone! Looking back yes it was very hard but now I have grown so much that I am able to live alone and I have two cats that depend on me!

Photo taken by me. 2020. Cocoa (black and grey cat) and Nemo (Orange cat). 

Now after finishing this course and learning the different concepts of nature interpretation. I now know how personal ethics can develop and grow in nature interpretation. Since developing to become a nature interpreter, I find some of my personal ethics to play a major role in interpretation. Interpreters help people develop an ethical sense of their place and the role in the world and a respect for plants and animals that share our planet (Beck 2018). We give people facts and experiences so that they care enough about nature (Beck 2018). Ethics reflect on how we interpretative things including nature because ethics reflect on ourselves. Certain beliefs that I have when interpreting is I believe that nature is needed for my mental health and others, and that nature interpretation has more positive aspects in life than negative. I found my beliefs somewhat changed during this course because of the new knowledge and education that I learned. By changing the beliefs that influence norms, attitudes and abilities, interpreters can affect the behaviour of those in their audience (Beck 2018).  One main belief I have (and you may agree or not) is the earth needs us to take care of it and that it is our job to help the earth stay clean.  I also believed that us humans will either be able to enhance natural resources or completely destroy it, the decision is ours.

We have certain responsibilities as nature interpreters, for example providing others with information about nature concepts, resources and facts. Making the effort to gain and learn specialized education and training, and to accept and practice the discipline of an established code of ethics within the workplace (Beck 2018). Certain approaches that are most suitable for me is the calm approach that is not overwhelming, I find that some people like me liked to be approached or communicated in a way that isn’t pushy or aggressive. Not to mention make the content relevant to my interests and explain the deeper meaning of it, I might look at a certain rock and not really care but if there is a deeper meaning behind it, I might find that interesting. Knowing your audience’s interests and what they find interesting is the best way to get an idea or concept across. 

Now adding my personal ethics, I previously had to nature interpretation:

1- Honesty: By means of being honest, open, and clear when trying to explain both negative and positive aspects of nature concepts.

2- Responsibility: I can incorporate responsibility in nature interpretation by taking the responsible to educate myself and inform myself before communicating to someone else. Not to mention preparing myself to answer any questions someone might have for me.

3- Loyalty: Becoming more loyal and trustworthy. Be more caring to people who want to learn more and other interpreters

4- Respect: Respecting your audience is key, agreements and disagreements can happen all the time. Increased levels of respect can show more corporation from others thus increasing teamwork efficiency (Beck 2018).

Thus, using our ethics, beliefs and approaches and contributing them in nature interpretation helps us to become better and effective interpreters because we grow as individuals and learn better ways to target our audience. What are some ethics do you think are important for nature interpretation? Did you learn anything that was beyond just for the sake of this course?  I am so grateful for taking this course and learned so much from it. I will be using the lessons I learned not just for nature interpretation but also other interpretation in general. 

Good luck everyone!

References: 

Beck, L., Cable, T. T., & Knudson, D. M. (2019). Interpreting cultural and natural heritage: For a better world. Urbana: Sagamore Publishing.

I have to say, I genuinely appreciated the concise yet informative approach you took in formulating your post.

To answer your first question, some ethics-based traits that I believe are important for nature interpretation are humanity and leadership. This is because, humanity and leadership allow one to truly value nature and work towards making a positive change as an interpreter. As a matter of fact, both humanity and leadership have taught me how to be hopeful and empowered as a nature interpreter (Rodenburg, 2019). To answer your second question, for me the most valuable lesson I learned from ENVS*3000 is the importance of recognizing privilege. While we focused on privilege in nature interpretation, I will take what I learned and apply it to my day-to-day life outside of this course.

To further elaborate, as a nature interpreter I believe it is our responsibility to share our beliefs. For me, this requires being an advocate for nature while trying to foster a connection with my audience. Furthermore, I also believe that it is our responsibility to be respectful of nature while continuing to develop our experiences as nature interpreters. By doing so will we be able to work towards uncovering solutions for many of the issues we face today (i.e., climate change, habitat destruction, endangered species, etc.) (Hooykaas, 2021).

It’s great to see that you are working towards becoming a more ethical nature interpreter. Thus, I have linked a great blog post below which delves into the importance of environmental ethics (Kukreja, 2021). Have a read and share your thoughts!

https://www.conserve-energy-future.com/environmental-ethics.php

I look forward to your response.

Regards,

Agam.

References

Hooykaas, A. (2021). Unit 10: Nature interpretation’s role in environmental sustainability [Course website]. University of Guelph CourseLink. https://courselink.uoguelph.ca

Kukreja, R. (2021, July). What are environmental ethics? Types and principles. Conserve Energy Future. https://www.conserve-energy-future.com/environmental-ethics.php

Hey guys! 

     I can’t believe our semester is already coming to an end. It has been such a pleasure chatting and sharing personal experiences with you guys within this course! I cannot wait to read your posts and see how this course has shaped each of you as nature interpreters. 

     I feel as if I have developed a more profound understanding of nature interpretation, especially within the luminosity it brings to life. I also feel as though many of us need to be held accountable for our privilege and the beauty we have surrounding us that goes unrecognized and gets mistreated. Privilege represents itself in many forms, but most cannot recognize it when they have it; most carry it in an ‘invisible backpack’  (Hookyaas, Unit 3).  I believe that recognizing that privilege within yourself and representing it through a positive light is very important. From personal experience, when I catch myself acting privileged, I usually have a moment of reflection or “awe.” Awe defines being “elicited especially by nature, art, and impressive individuals or feats” (Beck et al. 2018). In other words, I usually take a moment to reflect on how poorly I acted in a situation and how I can be kinder towards myself, others and nature in the future. In regards to respect for the future of nature, reducing one’s ecological footprint is vital (i.e. not littering, not leaving the water running, not leaving the car running when not in use, etc.). All of these situations are acts of privilege, and if I have learned anything from this course, it is to recognize privilege so nature can benefit. If I want to continue enjoying beautiful sunsets by the beach with my family and adventurous hikes with my friends, I need to be a part of the world’s change as a nature interpreter. 

(GIF OF SUNSET/ COPYRIGHT OF TUMBLR)

     From a general aspect, many of us have access to tools via nature interpretation, whether that be through music, history, science, scenario-planning, and the list goes on. However, in my opinion, before taking this course, I do not believe that I was able to grasp the efficiency when using these tools to help interpret nature in independent aspects. Anyone else feel a similar way?

     As a nature interpreter, my beliefs involve continuing to be kind to nature, the same way it is to us. I want to emphasize how important it is to be a part of the movements towards creating systems for a sustainable earth.  A few examples (as I have previously mentioned some already) include minor things like recycling, saving electricity and/or water.  However, some movements are slightly more prominent. Such as educating yourself on the earth’s global climate change and how things such as the physics of greenhouse gases affect our climate. I believe that consistent upkeep with worldwide trends is essential for practical help. Therefore I have posted a link below to a fantastic book I came across - the material covers many philosophical ideas regarding the fields of the Earth’s system and action towards global sustainability (Turner, 2018). 

LINK → http://web.a.ebscohost.com.subzero.lib.uoguelph.ca/ehost/detail/detail?vid=0&sid=cddcafe2-79ed-4e1f-b11d-0e3687bde43d%40sessionmgr4008&bdata=JnNpdGU9ZWhvc3QtbGl2ZSZzY29wZT1zaXRl#AN=1801551&db=e000xna (Turner, 2018) 

(GIF OF ANIMATED EARTH/ COPYRIGHT OF TUMBLR)

     My responsibility as a nature interpreter is to respect nature’s boundaries while growing my enthusiasm and admiration. According to Beck et al. (2018), one must strive to embrace the wonder and beauty of life and then share that with others. Whether the experiences be your own or others, sharing nature experiences is an essential part of nature interpretation. The beauty that comes from sharing experiences is two things. The first is to share your experiences with others, meaning you embarked upon an exciting moment in which you felt amused. The second is to listen to others’ experiences and learn from their moments and the beauty behind them. Interpretation is all about the involvement of people and their experiences (Beck et al. 2018). 

     I believe my most assertive approaches as a nature interpreter are nature within music and scenario-planning. To me, music is nature, and nature is music - there is no more straightforward way for me to word that (Hookyaas, Unit 7). When I am listening to music, and when I am nature, I figure out who I am. Therefore placing those both together feels as though I am in complete serenity. Whether I am in the company of myself or others, the vibes I feel in nature are immaculate, and the energy is unmatched to anything else I have felt in my life. Now, as for scenario-planning, that is the approach of recognizing nature as art. It’s about the appreciation for the gift of beauty and everyone’s life as a form of art - mine, yours, the trees, the bugs, everything (Hookyaas, Unit 4). I relate to scenario-planning because I believe that life is a form of art and that nature can paint beautiful paintings within it. 

     After taking this course, as an individual, I want to live life as an environmental activist. The main goal of eco-activists is to raise public awareness of demanding and critical governmental and corporate responses to ongoing environmental damage (Heyes & King, 2018). This course has helped me educate myself within nature and has hit me with the brutal reality check of many ways to improve my own routine to support the planet actively. I am sure I cannot be the only one looking to educate themselves regarding nature activism further. Therefore, I have also posted a second link below to a news website called “The Conversation.” This link leads to several news articles related to environmental activism - if anyone wanted to read a bit about the world’s needs (The Conversation, 2021)! :) 

LINK → https://theconversation.com/ca/topics/environmental-activism-3496  (The Conversation, 2021) 

QUESTION:

My question for you guys → Have any of you ever felt utterly inspired by a moment in nature that has ever had you in a moment of “awe?” I would love to hear from you guys one last time! Thanks in advance :) 

(GIF OF THE MOUNTAINS// COPYRIGHT OF TUMBLR)

     Overall, I feel I have gained some inspiration from this course, as I am sure many others have. Our reflections regarding nature interpreters are all going to be different. However, it excites me to know how many different young minds and perspectives are out there looking at nature in a new way, with a new light. I want to say thank you to all of you once again for interacting and sharing your thoughts and experiences with me over the semester. You guys have really helped make this one great course and fun in terms of blogging!

I wish you all the best in your futures!

- Sanchi 

Reference(s):

Beck, L., Cable, T.T., & Knudson, D.M. (2018). Interpreting Cultural and Natural Heritage (First Edition). Sagamore-Venture Publishing LLC. 

The Conversation. (2021). Articles on Environmental activism. URL: https://theconversation.com/ca/topics/environmental-activism-3496 

Heyes, A., & King, B. (2018). Understanding the Organization of Green Activism: Sociological and Economic Perspectives. Sage Journals, 33(1), https://doi.org/10.1177/1086026618788859 

Hooykaas, A. (2020). ENVS* 3000 Nature Interpretation Unit 4: Nature Interpretation through Art and Planning for “All” Scenarios. University of Guelph. URL: https://courselink.uoguelph.ca/d2l/le/content/666945/viewContent/2591221/View 

Hooykaas, A. (2020). ENVS* 3000 Nature Interpretation Unit 3: Risk versus Reward in Nature Interpretation. University of Guelph. URL: https://courselink.uoguelph.ca/d2l/le/content/666945/viewContent/2590559/View 

Hooykaas, A. (2020). ENVS* 3000 Nature Interpretation Unit 7: Nature Interpretation through Music. University of Guelph. URL: https://courselink.uoguelph.ca/d2l/le/content/666945/viewContent/2593375/View 

I have to say, it was quite interesting to read your take on your personal ethic as you develop as a nature interpreter.

To answer your first question, I definitely agree with you that prior to taking ENVS*3000, it was difficult to grasp the efficiency of interpreting nature through a variety of “lenses”. However, these unique “lenses” have taught me how to be hopeful and empowered as a nature interpreter (Rodenburg, 2019). To answer your second question, the moment that comes to mind when I think of a time that nature had me in “awe” was flying over Niagara Falls a couple years ago. I remember feeling so at peace that I didn’t even take out my phone to record (which I now regret)!

To further elaborate, the beliefs that I have as a nature interpreter stem from the knowledge I have acquired through my university education, particularly through coursework in ENVS*3000 and ENVS*3010. Having taken these courses allowed me to educate myself and realize the importance of environmental stewardship (i.e., the responsible use and protection of the environment) (Pawlowska-Mainville, 2020). Moreover, I have been able to learn more about how to uncover solutions for many of the issues we face today (i.e., climate change, habitat destruction, endangered species, etc.) (Hooykaas, 2021).

It’s great to see that you aim to incorporate environmental activism in your life. Therefore, I have linked a great article below which delves into how to become a more engaged environmental activist (Barrett, 2020). Have a read and share your thoughts!

https://www.zerowastewisdom.com/post/how-to-become-a-more-engaged-environmental-activist

I look forward to your response.

Regards,

Agam.

References

Barrett, J. (2020, April 18). How to become a more engaged environmental activist. Zero Waste Wisdom. https://www.zerowastewisdom.com/post/how-to-become-a-more-engaged-environmental-activist

Hooykaas, A. (2021). Unit 10: Nature interpretation’s role in environmental sustainability [Course website]. University of Guelph CourseLink. https://courselink.uoguelph.ca

Pawlowska-Mainville, A. (2020, October 22). Environmental stewardship in Canada. The Canadian Encyclopedia. https://www.thecanadianencyclopedia.ca/en/article/environmental-stewardship-in-canada

To be quite honest, I was very hesitant about taking this course because of my lack of nature experience and non-existent relationship with nature while growing up. However, I am so grateful that I did because this course changed the way I look at nature in many ways by introducing me to new things that I never would have discovered I had a passion for. Although the majority of the people enrolled in this course probably had a relationship with nature previously, this was never the case for me because of my upbringing in the city of Toronto with an indoor-loving family. For this reason, the greatest gift this course gave me is the encouragement to discover my love for nature and realize the positive impact it has played in my life. I always enjoyed nature and my limited time outdoors while growing up; however, I never truly found my “sense of place” in nature or developed a relationship with nature before this course (Beck et al. 2018, p. 10). 

A picture of my father during our trip to Kelowna, British Columbia. This was one of the first trips that we spent the majority of the time outdoors by going hiking, swimming and canoeing. Photo credits: Myself :)

Through writing these weekly blog posts, I was able to sit down and take the time to really think about all of the good thing’s nature has to offer and I was able to find my “sense of place” in nature. Nature has become my escape and is one of the main parts of my life that makes me excited because it always has something new to offer, which is especially important during the times that we are currently living in. Throughout this pandemic, nature truly helped me maintain my emotional and physical health as it was the only driving factor that would get me out of the house on most days. After taking the time to truly reflect on the role nature has played in my life (especially within the past year), I learned that nature isn’t important for humans, it is essential. It’s essential to sustain the species of this Earth including ourselves, it’s essential for our physical well-being, it’s essential for our mental well-being and it essential for our overall quality of life because nature is everywhere, and it is a part of everything. 

This is a picture of my two roommates and I on our first spring hike the other day in The Elora Gorge. This trip was very necessary for our mental and physical well-beings, as we used it to de-stress from a hectic midterm season. Photo credits: Us :)

As we have learned in this course, nature interpretation plays a role in many aspects of life including music, art, history, science, technology, environmental sustainability, etc. As mentioned in our course notes, although it can be discouraging to teach and learn about the environment due to the abundance of issues occurring in this world such as climate change, food scarcity, malnutrition, biodiversity loss, etc., the meaningful experiences and impact that nature can have on people makes it all worth it (Wals, Brody, Dillon, & Stevenson, 2014) (Hooykaas, 2021). 

Before this course, becoming a nature interpreter was never a career path I ever considered because I wasn’t knowledgeable enough about the topic and I never took the time to learn about it. I suppose this was the case because I never truly discovered my relationship with nature until enrolling in this course; however, I am so glad that I did because I found a new passion that I never would have discovered without the guidance and encouragement from this course. 

As a nature interpreter, I believe my responsibilities include being an advocate for nature, building a trusting connection with my audience through authenticity and doing my best to ensure I have the correct knowledge that I will eventually be sharing with others. Whether I am interpreting the role nature plays in music, science or other important aspects of my life, it is my duty to deliver and translate this knowledge in a way that is effective for my audience and demonstrates my true passion for these topics. I know it is my responsibility to be authentic and enthusiastic with my audience, no matter who it is, to ensure that I leave them with a fond, meaningful and long-lasting memory. It is my responsibility to give my audience the information and support they need to make their own personal interpretations that will help them make positive connections within their own lives. 

This is a picture of my brother, my 2 cousins and myself during one of our first interpretive adventures at The Ontario Science Centre that i still remember to this day. Photo credits: My dad :)

I believe that, as an interpreter, it’s extremely important to consider the different cultural backgrounds/ethnicities, socioeconomic status, education levels, age groups, sexual orientations genders, people with physical disabilities, people with learning disabilities and religious beliefs of our audiences. As a mixed woman of colour, it is extremely important to me that everyone is mindful and respectful of the diverse social identity groups that exist in our world. Being aware of the diversity that is present in the audience will allow everyone to feel included and have an enjoyable experience. As mentioned in our textbook, one of the recommendations for inclusive interpretation is to hire more minority and bilingual interpreters (Beck et al. 2018, p. 135). It is important to have staff with diverse backgrounds and bilingual staff because it will allow visitors of all backgrounds to feel more wanted, included, welcomed and encouraged to partake in interpretative activities (Beck et al. 2018, p. 135). 

An approach that is important to me as an interpreter is to present my knowledge in a way that accommodates for all learning styles and types of intelligences. Personally, I am a visual learner who has strong intrapersonal, musical and spatial intelligences (Beck et al. 2018, p. 110, 111). After attending university, I realized that everyone learns in different ways because no two brains are alike. I’m a science student that doesn’t learn just by being told information or physically touching/doing; however, there are many people that can learn through these methods and that’s perfectly fine. There is no “right” way to learn because everyone is different, which is why it is the role of the interpreter to ensure that their audience feels included and accommodated for to the best of their abilities. 

I’ve learned so much about myself and my abilities throughout the duration of this course. I’m grateful for all of the lessons I’ve learned, and I will continue to use them throughout my journey in nature! 

What’s the greatest lesson that this course has taught you? 

Thank you, for the last time, 

Victoria :) 

References: 

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

- Hooykaas, A. (2021). Unit 10: Nature Interpretation’s Role in Environmental Sustainability [Course website]. University of Guelph CourseLink. https://courselink.uoguelph.ca 

I was actually quite surprised to learn that both of us were hesitant about taking ENVS*3000. However, similar to you, I have come out feeling more hopeful and empowered as a nature interpreter (Rodenburg, 2019).

To answer your question, the greatest lesson that I learned from this course was the importance of recognizing privilege. When thinking about nature interpretation, you would never think to consider the role of privilege. Reflecting on my own life “unpacking my invisible backpack” allowed me to recognize my privilege (Gallavan, 2005). Furthermore, reflecting on my personal ethic as a nature interpreter allowed me to understand the luminosity that nature can bring to the lives of those who explore it; thereby revealing the importance of recognizing privilege in nature interpretation.

In contrast to you, the beliefs that I have as a nature interpreter stem from the knowledge I acquired through my university education, particularly through coursework in both ENVS*3000 and ENVS*3010. Having taken these courses allowed me to educate myself and realize the importance of environmental stewardship. Moreover, I was able to learn about how I can work towards uncovering solutions for many issues we face today (i.e., climate change, habitat destruction, endangered species, etc.) (Hooykaas, 2021).

It’s great to see that you were so appreciative of your ability to shape your audience as nature interpreters. Thus, I have linked a great video below which talks about how you can tell great stories as a nature interpreter (Be a Better Guide - Free Tour Guide Training, 2015, 0:00-5:38). Have a watch and share your thoughts!

I look forward to your response.

Regards,

Agam.

References

Be a Better Guide - Free Tour Guide Training. (2015, July 8). How to tell great stories on tour? Story telling advice for guides! [Video]. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9jaJjcOesU0

Gallavan, N. P. (2005). Helping teachers unpack their "invisible knapsacks". Multicultural Education, 13(1), 36. https://link.gale.com/apps/doc/A137921591/AONE?u=guel77241&sid=AONE&xid=9fe2f151

Hooykaas, A. (2021). Unit 10: Nature interpretation’s role in environmental sustainability [Course website]. University of Guelph CourseLink. https://courselink.uoguelph.ca

Bats. More often than not these amazing creatures are depicted as terrifying flying balls of ick that swarm unsuspecting people and get caught in their hair. They are also the form that Dracula appears as. But bats are not those urban myths and legends; they do not transform into Dracula. They do have amazing echolocation, can see in almost total darkness, and can eat their body weight in mosquitoes every night (The Nature Conservancy, 2019). Bats are found on almost every continent across the planet with the largest and the smallest ones both found in South East Asia.

The smallest is the Bumblebee Bat (Craseonycteris thonglongyai). “The head to body length of these bats is only 1.14 to 1.3 inches long (29 to 33 millimeters), making them the tiniest known mammals in the world” (sciencing.org, 2021). To put this in perspective, the diameter of a Canadian Toonie is 28 millimeters, making the Bumblebee bat about the size of a toonie with wings.

Bumblebee Bat (Sciencing.org, 2021).                                

Canadian Toonie (CTV News Ottawa, 2016)

The largest bat, however, is the Giant Golden-Crowned Flying Fox Bat (Acerodon jubatus) and they are some of the stuff nightmares are made from. Just kidding, but they are HUGE! The can weigh up to 1.36 kilograms (roughly one pineapple), have a head and body length of 17 to 30 centimeters (or the size of a standard roll of paper towel), and a wing span of 1.7 meters (the height of an average human) (Bat Conservation International, 2021). These bats are fruit bats, primarily eating figs, and they aid in the distribution of fig seeds throughout their area by dropping seed laden guano. Unfortunately, these bats are now on the endangered species list due to habitat destruction.

Giant Golden-Crowned Flying Fox (Margaritoff, M., 2020).

Man beside Giant Golden Crowned Flying Fox (Margaritoff, M, 2020)

Here in Canada bats are a lot less frightening. Out of the 19 known species of bats across the country, the average size is only about 8 grams with a wingspan of 22 centimeters and they are mostly the Little Brown Bat (Myotis lucifugus). Our bats are carnivores and they eat all the nasty little bugs around us like mosquitoes and moths. They “typically consume 50 to over 100 percent of their body weight in insects each night in the summer” (Hinterland Who’s Who, 1987-2005).

Little Brown Bat – photographs by K. Vanderwolf (Hinterland Who’s Who, 1987-2005)

Hoary Bat – Photo by EC Government of Canada

Hoary Bat – Photo by B. Fenton (Hinterland Who’s Who, 1987-2005)

Bats can live up to 30 years given the right conditions. Over the past few years, our bat populations have dwindled during hibernation due to the spread of a fungus which causes White-Nose Syndrome, or due to improper eviction of a colony from an area frequented by humans (such as the attic of a house). For White-Nose Syndrome, we need to ensure we are not entering the caves where the bats are overwintering as the fungus can be transported on shoes and gear. As far as evicting a bat or a colony of bats, most of our provinces and territories have wildlife rehabilitation centres where you can take your trapped bat or companies which can assist you in removing the colony if needed.  Batwatch.ca can give you some useful information on bats, how to help them, how to evict them properly, and even how to set up a bat house (Bat Watch, Undated).

I once found a bat during a camping trip in 2019 to Saskatchewan Landing Provincial Park. We had a tremendous thunderstorm one evening, complete with high winds and rain. The next morning, the storm had dissipated and we were able to light our campfire. I went to the wood pile to take out the logs, and found a tiny bat in the middle. I left it there to sleep off the day, however, we were checking out that day and I didn’t want someone else to disturb the bat’s slumber. I wrote a note for the next camper asking them to not disturb the bat and stuck it on the woodpile. I hope it worked!

Silver-haired bat in woodpile (Delta Optimist, 2019)

A couple of questions for you:

What are your thoughts of bats? Wonderful creature or Icky ball of ick?

Do you have a bat house near your home?

Have you found a bat somewhere you didn’t expect to?

Thanks for reading!

Amanda

Sources Used:

Bat Conservation International (2021). Goldencrowned Flying Fox. Retrieved from https://www.batcon.org/article/goldencrowned-flying-fox/

Bat Watch. (Undated). Neighbourhood Bat Watch. Retrieved from https://batwatch.ca/

CTV News Ottawa. (February 19, 2016). Happy birthday, dear toonie. CTVNews.ca. Retrieved from https://ottawa.ctvnews.ca/happy-birthday-dear-toonie-1.2785371

Delta Optimist. (May 27, 2019). April showers bring… bats! Retrieved from https://www.delta-optimist.com/local-news/april-showers-bring-bats-3096429

Hinterland Who’s Who. (1987 – 2005). Bats. Canadian Wildlife Federation. Retrieved from https://www.hww.ca/en/wildlife/mammals/bats.html ‘

Margaritoff, M. (July 20, 2020). Meet the Giant Golden-Crowned Flying Fox – The Largest Bat in the World. ATI. Retrieved from https://allthatsinteresting.com/giant-golden-crowned-flying-fox

Sciencing.org. (2021). Bumblebee Bat Facts. Retrieved from https://sciencing.com/bumblebee-bat-6005965.html

Great post!

I have to say, I learned a lot more about bats from your post than I have in my 16+ years of school thus far.

To answer your questions, unfortunately my thoughts about bats have not changed much after reading your post. Although I have come to appreciate bats more, I would still consider them to be an icky creature. Fortunately, I do not have a bat house near my home, I think if I did, we’d have to move as my mom is quite afraid of bats! However, I have come in my contact with a bat before at work. Of course, I didn’t expect this as I used to work at The Home Depot, and how would a bat even get inside a Home Depot, but it was quite the experience.

To further elaborate, it is important to note that the interpretation of bats, and by extension nature as a whole, is contingent on the expertise of a number of disciplines (Hooykaas, 2021). As you mentioned, habitat destruction has endangered a number of bat species. I believe the best solution to this problem is rooted in interpretation, as interpretation’s future role will bring greater vitality to society (Beck et al., 2018, p. 475).

I encourage you to watch the below video which outlines the impact of climate change on bats. Perhaps this will extend some of what you discussed about the impact of habitat destruction on bats (Ashley McLeod, 2018, 0:00-2:45). Have a watch and share your thoughts!

I look forward to your response.

Regards,

Agam.

References

Ashley McLeod. (2018, April 5). The impacts of climate change on bats with subtitles [Video]. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZaKMsaKZqAQ

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

I have been passionate about nature for as long as I can remember and have always loved learning anything that anyone can tell me. Although a lot of these facts and lessons have stuck with me, one species that I have always thought was so cool was black bears and specifically their hibernation and eating process. 

** Picture by Maureen Hale of the Severn River **

I think it is pretty well known that bears “hibernate” in the winter. But what is so cool to me is what they have to do to prepare for that and what happens to them after hibernation. 

Bears hibernate in the winter because the elements are harder to survive. It’s cold and there’s not a lot of food available so they go to sleep to avoid those hard conditions. But they have to do some preparation so that they don’t starve through the winter. 

In the fall, right before hibernation, bears will spend up to 20 hours a day eating and will consume up to 20, 000 calories in a single day. This is called hyperphagia. They rarely sleep more than 3 or 4 hours a day during this time period so the bears are almost constantly in a state of food-searching-sleep-deprivation. 

They will then go into hibernation for the winter. Male bears will sleep through the winter but a pregnant female will actually give birth during the winter. She will then spend the rest of the “hibernation” period awake, feeding her young. As they are living off of their fat reserves, all bears will loose a huge amount of weight during this period, but this is especially true for the new mothers. 

Bears will emerge from their den in April in May. For the new babies, they are likely around 13 weeks old when they see the world for the first time. Once they emerge, the mother bear will find a tree that her babies will climb up. The babies will stay in the tree while the adult bears are out looking for food. Over the summer the mother will begin teaching her babies how to forage and look for food. 

What is extremely interesting about bears is that they spend roughly 8 months of the year in a calorie deficient. This means that for only 4 months are the bears eating enough calories to make up for what they are losing - most of the year they are burning more than they are eating. Bears only become calorie positive in the late summer when berries ripen. The cycle then begins again where bears enter hyperphagia to prepare for the winter. The new babies (less than a year old) will hibernate with their mother for their first winter. The following summer they will go off on their own before mating season and the mother will mate to have her next babies that winter (a female bear gives birth every other winter). 

Can you think of any other species that have a very specific annual cycle like the black bear?

Bears don’t always follow this cycle - it depends on the climate. Why do you think this is?

Julia

References

Great post!

I was actually quite surprised that both of us chose to interpret bears. I guess it goes to show you how fascinating bears truly are. If you get the chance, I encourage you to read my post and leave a response!

To answer your first question, the only species I can think of that has a specific annual cycle like the black bear would be the groundhog. Believe it or not, but similar to black bears groundhogs will only hibernate from October to March or April, and in more temperate areas they will hibernate as little as three months (Sirucek, 2020). This leads into your next question; I believe the cycle which you mentioned is contingent to temperate environments. As we know, climate change has negatively impacted this process – either delaying or expediting this cycle.

To further elaborate, it is important to note that the interpretation of bears, and by extension nature as a whole, is contingent on the expertise of a number of disciplines (Hooykaas, 2021). Currently, the concept most applicable to the interpretation of bears would be climate change. Climate change looms as a threat to communities and safety on many fronts (Beck et al., 2018, p. 459). Within the context of bears, it is quite evident that climate change has endangered a number of bear species.

I encourage you to watch the below video which talks a bit more about how climate change is affecting polar bears (Polar Bears International, 2009, 0:00-2:25). Have a watch and share your thoughts!

I look forward to your response.

Regards,

Agam.

References

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

Hooykaas, A. (2021). Unit 09: Sense-making of nature interpretation [Course website]. University of Guelph CourseLink. https://courselink.uoguelph.ca

Polar Bears International. (2009, November 20). How is climate change affecting polar bears? [Video]. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ek_8vW2nE4E

For me, music is an integral part of my everyday life, and it is a part of almost everything I do. Music, technically, is defined as “the art of arranging sounds in time to produce a composition through the elements of melody, harmony, rhythm, and timbre” (Wikipedia, 2021). While it is a universal part of human society, it is also steeped in nature.  If we are using that definition, there are several entities found in nature that produce melody, harmony, rhythm, and timbre. A simple example is a song-bird, they produce a range of different sounds that can be interpreted as music. Many of these organisms use their amazing voices to attract mates, like the Chorus Frog here. 

https://youtu.be/UmW_hSc4M18 

While we are in nature though, the possibilities are endless as to how we can use music to enhance our outdoor experiences.  Music can be used to effectively set a mood for meditative purposes in nature and illustrative talks (Beck et al, 2018). It can also be used to transport us to other time periods, which helps to set the mood as a component of the history of the place (Beck et al, 2018). Using music like this in nature interpretation settings can be hugely beneficial because personally, I always remember places and things when they are associated with a song or music. That’s why I usually listen to music when i am studying, because it helps me remember things better. Do you ever hear a camp song that brings you back to when you were younger, gathered around a fire with family and friends, immersed in the beauty of nature? That’s how powerful music is in nature interpretation. 

However, nature is also present in music directly because there are many beloved songs about nature itself, or that use it’s sounds to create music. Songs and music that are particularly important are ones that talk about the conservation of the environment. One of the first songs that comes to mind is “The Earth Song” by Michael Jackson. Even though it doesn’t really use songs directly from the environment, hearing it for the first time when I was little, I immediately got the message and it resonated with me. However, there are several songs that use birds chirping, or the sounds of wind and water in the background to enhance the music. 

The song that takes me back to a natural landscape is “Black Skinhead” by Kanye West. While it may not be a conventional song about nature, the experiences I have associated with it definitely bring me back. Back in the environmental leadership program days, my classmates and I used to adventure all over Ontario together and volunteer for different organizations. On one occasion, we went to Pelee Island for a week to practice bird banding of different migratory species. In order to get around the island though, all 17 of us would be packed into the back of a mercedes truck without any seatbelts, or seats really. We would sit on the floor and play music, and the first song we would play everyday to get hyped up was Black Skinhead. Then, we would arrive at the beautiful Pelee Island Bird Observatory, hike to the facility, and get to work. 

(PERSONAL PHOTO// My ELP group together at Pelee Island, May 13th, 2016)

If you haven’t heard of the song before, I definitely encourage you to give it a listen and let me know if it hypes you up like it did to us! Do you have any unconventional songs that bring you back to a natural landscape? Let me know! 

- Meghan ✿

References: 

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

Epic Nature Judy Lehmberg. (2016, June 25). Boreal chorus frogs calling their little hearts out. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UmW_hSc4M18

To answer your questions, I’d say that the “camp song” that brings me back to when I was younger (gathered around a fire with family and friends, immersed in the beauty of nature) is “Hold On, We’re Going Home” by Drake ft. Majid Jordan. As unconventional of a song as this is for camping, this song takes me back to roasting marshmallows around the campfire when I was younger. Moreover, I’ve actually heard “Black Skinhead” by Kanye West before and it’s usually on heavy rotation when I work out. However, an unconventional song that brings me back to a nature landscape would be “Save Your Tears” by The Weeknd.

To further elaborate, nature plays a big part in music. As a matter of fact, the discovery of prehistoric flutes made of animal bone in France and Slovenia demonstrates that ancient civilizations devoted considerable time in order to bridge nature and music (Gray et al., 2001, p. 53). On the contrary, music and nature go hand in hand in order to unify our connection to the natural world (Hooykaas, 2021). Therefore, music in nature often inspires the development of our thoughts, feelings and emotions pertaining to the natural world.

Music has the unique ability that allows us to forge a strong connection between a song and a memory. Thus, nature interpretation through music not only aids in providing another tool for interpretive presenting; but also allows for more seamless integration of indigenous knowledge (Hooykaas, 2021). Tools other than music that aid in this process are – print media, radio, etc. (Beck et al., 2018, p. 182).

I look forward to your response.

Regards,

Agam.

References

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

Gray, P., Krause, B., Atema, J., Payne, R., Krumhansl, C., & Baptista, L. (2001). The music of nature and the nature of music. Science, 291(5501), 52–54. https://science.sciencemag.org/content/291/5501/52.full

Why do we like certain songs?

Perhaps their tunes are pleasant.

Maybe their lyrics resonate with us in some way.

In some cases, certain songs may evoke a sense of nostalgia.

If I were to listen to Carly Rae Jepsen’s “Call Me Maybe”, I would be instantly reminded of my mom driving me to school in the morning. I’m not the biggest fan of this song, but since the only radio channel we could tolerate made us listen to it over and over again, I now associate “Call Me Maybe” with school mornings in early June. Our ability to feel nostalgic allows us to give new meanings or new emotions to certain songs.

This can also work with sounds we find in nature. Have you ever heard the coo of a mourning dove?

Here’s a link to one if you haven’t: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3Km-jtXueTw

A mourning dove.

When school ended and summer vacation arrived, I would often be greeted by the sound of these birds when I stepped onto my balcony in the morning. Now, whenever I hear these birds coo, I am instantly reminded of those times on that balcony. If you go through the video’s comment section, you’ll find that many people also associate mourning doves with summer mornings. Nostalgia has transformed some random bird noise into a sound with meaning, or a song, if you will.

We found music in nature, but how about nature in music?

There are many ways one can find nature in music, like by making mention of it through a song’s lyrics, or by incorporating bird songs into beat-boxing performances like what Ben Mirin did.

However, Gray et al. (2001) suggest that the very act of making music is nature.

“Humans. Human music-making may vary dramatically between cultures, but the fact that it is found in all cultures suggests that there is a deep human need to create, perform, and listen to music.” – Gray et al. (2001)

Neanderthals and Cro-Magnon were also found to be music fanatics like us, since it was discovered that they constructed flutes made of animal bones (Gray et al. 2001).

A Neanderthal flute.

Humans and other hominids are essentially hard-coded to create music.

It is our nature to create music.

That alone shows that there is plenty of nature in music.

Finally, here’s a song I wish to share with you that takes me back to nature.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Oextk-If8HQ

While Keane’s “Somewhere Only We Know” is likely supposed to be about breaking up with someone, the song’s lyrics describe a bare landscape with a river and a fallen tree.

I’ve never really been a big fan of song messages about love, so I often choose to interpret songs in a different way. For “Somewhere Only We Know”, my mind focuses more on picturing the layout of an area rather than thinking about a failed relationship.

My question to you: Going back to the mourning dove, does it also bring you a sense of nostalgia for summer mornings? Did your sense of nostalgia manage to transform any other seemingly unimportant noises into songs of nature?

Article Reference:

Gray, P. M., Krause, B., Atema, J., Payne, R., Krumhansl, C., & Baptista, L. (2001, January 5). The Music of Nature and the Nature of Music. Retrieved March 06, 2021, from https://go-gale-com.subzero.lib.uoguelph.ca/ps/i.do?p=AONE&u=guel77241&id=GALE%7CA69270354&v=2.1&it=r&sid=AONE&asid=fb9366a8

Image References:

Mourning Dove: Mourning dove. (2021, February 20). Retrieved March 08, 2021, from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mourning_dove

To answer your questions, I actually never heard the coo of a mourning dove until I watched the video you shared. However, I often associate summer mornings with the avian compositions produced by the Morningbird (Pachycephala tenebrosa). Moreover, I’d say that my sense of nostalgia is also quite heavily rooted in the croak of a frog; as I live near a pond, which is home to an abundance of frogs during the summer months.

To further elaborate, music and nature go hand in hand in order to unify our connection to the natural world (Hooykaas, 2021). Therefore, music in nature often inspires the development of our thoughts, feelings and emotions pertaining to the natural world.

On the contrary, nature also plays a big part in music. As you mentioned, the discovery of prehistoric flutes made of animal bone in France and Slovenia demonstrates that ancient civilizations devoted considerable time in order to bridge nature and music (Gray et al., 2001, p. 53).

Music has the unique ability that allows us to forge a strong connection between a song and a memory. Thus, nature interpretation through music not only aids in providing another tool for interpretive presenting; but also allows for more seamless integration of indigenous knowledge (Hooykaas, 2021). Tools other than music that aid in this process are – print media, radio, etc. (Beck et al., 2018, p. 182).

I encourage you to watch the below video in which Patricia Gray sheds light on the music of nature, and the nature of music (Tedx Talks, 2014, 0:00-16:15). Have a watch and share your thoughts!

I look forward to your response.

Regards,

Agam.

References

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

Gray, P., Krause, B., Atema, J., Payne, R., Krumhansl, C., & Baptista, L. (2001). The music of nature and the nature of music. Science, 291(5501), 52–54. https://science.sciencemag.org/content/291/5501/52.full

Hooykaas, A. (2021). Unit 07: Nature interpretation through music [Course website]. University of Guelph CourseLink. https://courselink.uoguelph.ca

“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 incredibly profound, and it’s extremely relevant to the times that we are living in today. Nowadays, it seems that people have an “out of sight, out of mind” mentality, which allows for the mistakes that have been made in the past to repeat themselves today. This quote forces us to think about the decisions made in the past and the way in which those results influenced the future. It is important for all parts of the past to be told in order for us to be able to learn, grow, adapt and overcome from that knowledge. Although it is difficult, the sad, gory & heartbreaking details need to be told and passed on through generations because it will motivate us to never make those mistakes again, with the fear of causing the same pain and suffering. It is important to see what the past was truly like, so we can admire how far we have come and how much progress we have made. 

As mentioned in our textbook, integrity is one of the many universals that play a major role in interpretation, which are concepts or ideas that have different significant meanings to every individual. To me, integrity is the ability of an individual to be true to themselves, especially when there is no one watching them or holding them accountable for their words/actions. I believe that integrity truly shows the respect one has for themselves, for others, for the past and for the truth. 

As noted by Beck and Cable (2011), the final gift/tool of the interpreter includes “the beauty of human integrity commemorated in events of the past and the beauty of the intricacies of nature give rise to hope”. 

This quote discussed in chapter 5 of our textbook truly explains how, through human integrity, the stories told from the past have given us hope for a better future. 

Without the integrity of the interpreter/storyteller, the truth behind the stories of the past would be lost. It’s the duty of the historical interpreter to educate themselves on ancient history and bring the “past alive to make the present more enjoyable and the future more meaningful” through the gift of personalizing the past (Beck et al., 2018, p. 84). It’s essential for events in the past to be told in great detail to allow us to have all the information necessary to make a better future for ourselves without repeating past mistakes. Once we truly put in the effort to learn from a mistake, it is no longer considered a mistake but rather a learning lesson. What are some lessons you have learned from past mistakes that have stuck with you until today?

References: 

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

Thanks for reading! 

To answer your question, the biggest lesson I learned from a past mistake that has stuck with me until today is the importance of integrity. Interestingly this ties well into much of what you discussed. The most applicable instance of this I can think of is from my time working at The Home Depot. When I decided to quit my job at The Home Depot, I chose not to disclose that I was doing so as I had found a “better” job. Unfortunately, on my first day at my other job, my manager from The Home Depot ended up being one of my supervisors. We ended up laughing about it, but it taught me the importance of integrity, which is a lesson that has stuck with me until today!

Furthermore, it was quite interesting to see how your interpretation of the quote by Edward Hyams differed from mine. In line with my interpretation, I found that the quote by Edward Hyams sheds light on the importance that history, storytelling, and interpretive writing play in nature interpretation (Hooykaas, 2021; Beck et al., 2018, p. 322).

This uncovers the fact interpretation breathes life and meaning into past events, architecture and artifacts (Hooykaas, 2021). Therefore, without the ability to interpret, artifacts are merely old things, historic buildings are just old buildings, and ceremonies are merely entertainment (Beck et al., 2018, p. 326).

I have linked a great video below which delves the into the importance of nature interpretation through history (NAIinterpret, 2014, 0:00-3:00). Have a watch and share your thoughts!

I look forward to your response.

Regards,

Agam.

References

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

Hooykaas, A. (2021). Unit 06: Nature interpretation through history [Course website]. University of Guelph CourseLink. https://courselink.uoguelph.ca

There are two main definitions of integrity, one that denotes honorableness, and one that denotes undividedness. I think this week’s blog prompt is referring to the latter definition of integrity, but that doesn’t mean we ought to rule out the former.

The quote by Edward Hyams compares story telling through history to the rails of a train track - even after a train has passed through a station, the tracks it rode on to get there remain in place. The tracks echo the path the train took through time, and those tracks are undivided. They hold integrity, undividedness.

A train without tracks is meritless. It is a vehicle without a means to travel, it is purposeless and useless and stationary. It holds no integrity on its own within this metaphor. However, when there are tracks on which the train can ride, then it becomes the vehicle that can tell a story. It traces an unbroken path through time, stopping at important destinations before continuing its journey. And the people within that train, they all follow the same path through time, the same railroad in the same train, but each one will have their own story to tell through the journey. One person may be waiting excitedly to meet their partner on the other end of the journey - another might be waiting to attend a funeral. Everyone’s story is different, and yet we all ride on the same tracks, to the same destination in time.

The history of our natural world is just as important as any other history, in my eyes, and our roles as interpreters ought to be to tell the people we teach about the railroad path that brought us to where we are now. If we want to be able to convey the necessity of the preservation of the scant few natural spaces we have left untouched by humans, we need to be able to tell their story. Nature has its own railway track, but it lacks the train to tell its story - so we need to step in and tell the story for it, as observers along the side. We need to interpret its story, uphold its integrity in its entirety. We ought to teach about its beauty and peace, as well as the injustices humans have wrought upon it. That first definition of integrity, upholding justice and morals - it’s just as important a definition as the undividedness. If the young environmental stewards of our world, the ones who will one day hold its fate in their hands, are to be ready for the agonizingly brilliant responsibility of that, they must be equipped with every bit of the story that lies along those rail ties. Beyond that, even - We should teach them how the rails were constructed in the first place. Teach them why the rails lead to the train stations they did. In other words, the youth of our world should know what steps our society and species as a whole took that lead us to where we stand today.

Great post! I especially appreciated your interpretation of the two main definitions of integrity. It was quite interesting that you chose to denote integrity via honorableness and undividedness. It led me to further examine the quote by Edward Hyams through both denotations. As you mentioned, the history of our natural world is just as important as any other history. Therefore, I completely agree that the youth of our world should know what steps our society and species as a whole took, that lead to where we stand today.

To further elaborate, interpretation breathes life and meaning into past events, architecture and artifacts (Hooykaas, 2021). Thus, without the ability to interpret, artifacts are merely old things, historic buildings are just old buildings, and ceremonies are merely entertainment (Beck et al., 2018, p. 326). Therefore, nature interpretation through history not only contributes to the unification of the past and present; but also allows an individual to consider themselves within the historical context of the past.

Delving deeper into nature interpretation through history, sheds light on the importance of the quote by Edward Hyams. In my opinion, further “unpacking” the quote by Edward Hyams provides a unique look into how we view our past and how the past informs our future. Thereby shedding light on the importance that history, storytelling, and interpretive writing play in nature interpretation (Hooykaas, 2021; Beck et al., 2018, p. 322).

I have linked a great video below which helps to further clarify the quote by Edward Hyams, through its focus on history (SNHU, 2017, 0:00-2:45). Have a watch and share your thoughts!

I look forward to your response.

Regards,

Agam.

References

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

Hooykaas, A. (2021). Unit 06: Nature interpretation through history [Course website]. University of Guelph CourseLink. https://courselink.uoguelph.ca

Since we were granted a free week to blog about any topic of our choice, I decided to use this opportunity to share how nature has been my escape, especially during a global pandemic. This time has definitely been strange and difficult but living with my two best friends and their puppies has made it easier. 

This is a picture of my two roommates and their two dogs during one September evening when we decided to go and sit outside on a blanket. Photo credits - My phone’s self timer camera.

I wanted to share some of the ways my roommates and I have been incorporating nature into our lives during this pandemic, while remaining safe and socially distanced. An activity we have recently taken up is painting. We wanted to find activities that do not require us to look at our screens during the evening, since this is what we do all day for school. These activities have been really great because it allows us to exercise our creative sides, but it also acts as a stress relieving activity. I have found myself mainly painting pictures that involve nature in them because nature brings me a feeling of peace and comfort, similar to painting. I often paint beautiful flowers I have seen on my daily walks or beautiful views I used to experience on vacations before the pandemic. Painting pictures of nature and things that I love helps me emotionally and physically during these times. 

This is a picture of my friends and I painting during quarantine in April, 2020. I painted a picture of my favourite flower called the “forget me not” flower. Photo credits - me.

Nature has played a major role during this pandemic because it feels like one of my only escapes and ways to find peace. I often go on walks around our neighbourhood, on scenic routes in downtown Guelph and in the forest behind my house. It is a good way for me to get out of the house, get some fresh air and experience a change of scenery. 

This picture was taken on one of our walks in Downtown Guelph. Photo credits - me

This picture was taken on our walk in the trail behind our Guelph home. Photo credits - me. 

Another interest we have taken up since the beginning of the pandemic in March of 2020 is plants. I have accumulated a total of 19 plants in my room and will most likely continue to grow this collection. It is nice to have plants in my room because it is something to care for and it really livens up my room. 

A picture of my roommate and I after we bough plants from a store in Downtown Guelph called “Plant”. Photo credits - My phone’s self timer camera  

Another activity we participate in is going on long drives in the countryside and singing to loud music or having long conversations. When we really need to get out of the house for stress relief purposes and the weather is too cold, this is the perfect activity. It’s a good way for us to release some stress from the hard school day and enjoy some music. Long car rides are one of my favourite activities because it forces me take a break and enjoy life without worry for a few hours. It is a good way to get outside during the stay-at-home order without having to interact with people; however, we try to limit the number of times we go on car rides because of its negative effect on the environment. Combining good friends, good music and a beautiful view of nature is the perfect way to de-stress during these times for me. 

A picture of my roommate, her dog and myself watching the sunset with McFlurries in September of 2020 on a country road. Photo credits - My phone’s self timer camera  

I hope to look back on this post one day when the pandemic is over and remember how life was during this time! 

My question to you is: 

1. How has nature’s impact on your life changed from before the pandemic to now?

Thank you for reading and I can’t wait to read all of your blogs this week!

Great post! I thoroughly enjoyed reading about how you have been coping with the COVID-19 pandemic.

To answer your question, I would say that the importance I place on nature has done a complete 180 from before the pandemic to now. I am now not only able to appreciate nature for its aesthetic value, but I find myself using nature as a tool to improve my psychological well-being.

Similar to you, I also thoroughly enjoy going on walks and painting! Personally, I have found walking in nature to be a “grounding” experience. I believe this is in part due to the ability that nature has to severely impact the homeostatic mechanisms that shape our actions and influence our psychological well-being (Wals et al., 2014; Seymour, 2016, p. 6).

To further elaborate, I strongly believe that the influence that nature has in regulating our moods and emotions allows us to better understand nature interpretation through psychology – similar to how nature interpretation through science allows us to look at nature through a scientific lens (Hooykaas, 2021). This helps to shed light on the influence that nature and psychology (i.e., environmental psychology) can have when developing “a sense of place” (Beck et al., 2018, p. 10).

Unfortunately, we can’t always “access” nature in the ways we hope. Thus, I have found myself gravitating toward nature-related guided mediation videos quite often. I have linked one of my favourite videos below in hopes that it will be a useful tool for you as well (City of Hope, 2014, 0:00-10:57)!

I look forward to your response.

Regards,

Agam.

References

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

City of Hope. (2014, December 17). 10 minute guided imagery meditation [Video]. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t1rRo6cgM_E

Hooykaas, A. (2021). Unit 05: Nature interpretation through science [Course website]. University of Guelph CourseLink. https://courselink.uoguelph.ca

Seymour, V. (2016). The Human–Nature relationship and its impact on health: A critical review. Frontiers in Public Health, 4, 1–12. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpubh.2016.00260

Photo courtesy of: Kenoyer, M. naturewalkweekly.com

During the course of the COVID-19 pandemic, the amount of chaos and stress that has ensued has been immeasurable; not to mention, the act of quarantining away from friends and family has taken a toll on the entire world’s mental health.

However, I came across an extremely useful solution in this time of global crisis: walking.

Walking is so simple, yet so understated. Specifically, the act of walking through nature. Throughout the entire pandemic, I made a decision to walk everyday. Not only did the physical activity help shape my physical health, but my mental health tremendously as well. 

However, it was not until recently that I decided to shift my walking location into a more nature related landscape. I was frequently walking on the track near my house or throughout various neighbourhoods before, but now try to incorporate a nature surrounding while walking. 

Photo taken of a storm drain during a walk I was on a couple weeks ago. Photo courtesy of me. 

I am fascinated by walking, especially in nature, because of the shear amount of benefits it has for mental health. 

For example, a studies have shown that just by surrounding yourself in nature for 20-30 minutes reduces cortisol levels, the stress hormone, by 10%! (Morris, 2019). Furthermore, immersing yourself in nature can also help deal with anxiety and depression, as well as season affective disorder (SAD) (How nature benefits mental health, n.d.) 

Another photo taken on a walk in a trail near my house. Photo courtesy of me. 

To compound on that fact, walking for an hour itself can reduce major depression by 26% (Robinson, n.d.). 

Therefore, combining the two: walking and nature, only makes sense to combat the COVID-19 lockdown situation. 

Although the photos I provided may appear doom and gloom, much like our current global status, I felt stress free and happy. I was out walking, getting my blood flowing, and immersing myself in nature. 

As soon as I transitioned into walking throughout various trails and forests, I could tell a difference in my daily routine. I was much less anxious, had more energy in my daily routine, and was not so pessimistic about our current situation as a planet. 

I find the concept of walking so intriguing because everyone does it; humans have done it for centuries. Yet, something so simple, can yield such massive health benefits. 

Gif courtesy of rosesofthetwilight

I have encouraged my family members to do the same, and they too have felt the benefits of the simplistic task. 

I decided to share the following studies and personal experiences on my blog this week to exemplify a change that you too may partake in to relieve some emotions during this time. It has greatly helped me reflect on my life and manage some of my own feelings as well. 

To conclude this blog, I hope that everyone else is in good health during this precedented time, emotionally and physically. 

Some questions to ask…

1) Has anyone taken up any hobbies during the lockdown? Mine specifically would be walking in nature!

2) Have you felt any rewards/benefits of walking in nature? I would love to hear your findings as well. 

Thanks for reading! 

-Sean

References

How nature benefits mental health. (n.d.). Retrieved February 10, 2021, from https://www.mind.org.uk/information-support/tips-for-everyday-living/nature-and-mental-health/how-nature-benefits-mental-health/#:~:text=Nature%20and%20mental%20health%20problems,with%20mild%20to%20moderate%20depression.

Kenoyer, M. (2017, October 17). Nature walk weekly. Retrieved February 10, 2021, from http://naturewalkweekly.com/index.php/2017/10/17/9-reasons-to-take-a-walk-every-day/

Morris, N. (2019, April 04). Walking in nature for 20 minutes every day can reduce stress. Retrieved February 10, 2021, from https://metro.co.uk/2019/04/04/walking-nature-20-minutes-every-day-can-reduce-stress-9109861/

Great post!

To further elaborate, I believe in order to better understand the influence of nature on mental health, it is important to relay environmental psychology into nature interpretation. Environmental psychology is all about the interplay between an individual and that individual’s environment. Thus, it has been observed that that the concepts and theories of environmental psychology often directly influence nature interpretation. Thereby allowing an individual to develop “a sense of place” (Beck et al., 2018, p. 10).

Moreover, similar to how nature interpretation through science allows us to look at nature through a scientific lens (Hooykaas, 2021); nature interpretation through psychology allows us to look at nature through a psychological lens. I encourage you to check out my blog post as I delve deeper into my take on nature interpretation through psychology!

To answer your questions, a couple hobbies I’ve taken up during lockdown are cooking and painting. Moreover, I too have found walking in nature to be a “grounding” experience. As a matter of fact, according to Seymour (2016, p. 6), the ability or inability to “access” nature severely impacts the homeostatic mechanisms that contribute to an individual’s psychological well-being. Thereby revealing that nature is a major contributing factor in shaping an individual’s actions (Wals et al., 2014).

I’d like to end off by asking you:

Why do you think that nature has had such a profound impact on your mental health?

For me personally, I believe that being able to interpret nature allows me to feel a sense of freedom; thereby regulating my mental health.

I look forward to your response.

Regards,

Agam.

References

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

Hooykaas, A. (2021). Unit 05: Nature interpretation through science [Course website]. University of Guelph CourseLink. https://courselink.uoguelph.ca

Seymour, V. (2016). The Human–Nature relationship and its impact on health: A critical review. Frontiers in Public Health, 4, 1–12. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpubh.2016.00260