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This blog post was one of the most difficult blogs for me to write, not because I didn’t have any ideas, but because it was difficult to narrow down. In this blog, I will review the importance of interpretation for various age groups along with my personal ethic as a nature interpreter. I will go over what beliefs I bring, what responsibilities I have, and what approaches are most suitable for me as an individual. Additionally, I will bring in ideas from the textbook and readings throughout the course to shed light on why I have certain beliefs.

In the very first chapter of our textbook, we learned that interpretation translates or brings meaning to people about cultural and natural heritage (Beck et al., 2018). Additionally, interpretation translates or brings meaning to people about cultural and natural heritage (Beck et al., 2018). This chapter was significant to me because before this course, I knew very little about nature interpretation. The above evidence demonstrated to me what nature interpretation was, and even more so why it was so important. Interpretation doesn’t just tell people about nature; it connects them to it. This connection can benefit both people and nature. It aids nature in the sense that people care about it and want to protect it. It helps people in a variety of ways, bringing them joy and allowing them to develop a “sense of place” (Beck et al., 2018). A sense of place helps individuals recognize a location as more than a mountain, river, arboretum, or pioneer settlement. It identifies the special characteristics and the big story the place represents (Beck et al., 2018).

My best friend and I’s trip to Banff in 2022.

Chapter 5 in our textbook evaluated the concept of “thematic interpretation.” An approach that I thought was particularly interesting was the cornerstones of the interpretive approach to communication. It describes TORE: Thematic with a focus on the main message conveyed, Organized to provide structure and meaning, Relavent to the audience, and Enjoyable to the audience (Beck et al., 2018). I am the type of person who loves systems and organizing, so I would definitely use this as a framework within my interpretation. I think that this framework could be applied to anything but would be exceedingly beneficial to keep in mind during nature tours and podcasts.

I think for me, podcasts and nature tours would be my main approaches in regard to nature interpretation. I think this would help me reach a variety of people and deeply connect with them but also provide accurate information. I think that these approaches would also work well with my lifestyle. I really enjoy podcasts and think they are a great way to get information, because you can listen to them almost anywhere (i.e., in the car), and they do not have to be excessively long. Nature tours would also fit into my lifestyle nicely, especially since I love activities like hiking, walking and exploring nature.

Another Banff post, because it was too gorgeous not to share twice.

I think an important point I would want to review before taking on the role of an interpreter is learning styles. The textbook outlines that the more we can employ the use of all senses, the more likely we will enhance learning (Beck et al., 2018). Different people have different learning styles. Some people learn better by listening, some learn better by watching, and some by using hands on learning. In my interpretation, it would be important to me to apply these various samples. For example, on nature walks, I could allow people to experience the nature for themselves. I could especially do this by adding the element of discovery into my nature tours. I could also make some of my podcasts into vlogs, so people could be visually stimulated while listening as well.

A pretty picture I took while sitting in the passenger seat in my hometown.

Another important idea of interpretation is knowing your audience. The textbook explains that interpretation and presentation programs should identify and assess their audiences demographically and culturally. Every effort should be made to communicate the site’s values and significance to its varied audiences (Beck et al., 2018). It also outlines that to know your audience you must know if they are local, young, or old, their demographics, their motives for attending, their attitudes and values (Beck et al., 2018). This is very important because not only does your presentation shift due to who you are presenting to, but it is also important to know demographics to understand economic, cultural, communication barriers and more. For instance, it might be difficult for elderly populations to do nature hikes. Flatter ground and shorter walks may be more beneficial for this age group.

Music is something that really touches my heart and I think it is beneficial to bring into interpretation. If my format of desire is a podcast, I could include music. The textbook states that music touches the emotions (Beck et al., 2018). When you touch people’s emotions, they develop a deeper sense of care for a place. Not only that, but people can also communicate important messages about nature through song. Music can spark emotion that results in people wanting change for issues such as global warming in nature. A belief I would bring into my interpretation would be the importance of music.  

Skiing over winter break!

I found it so interesting to read your reply! This is my second blog reply for this blog prompt, and funnily enough, my first response was to someone else who, prior to this course, also had very little prior knowledge on nature interpretation! As I said to her, it is truly touching to be able to witness firsthand, just how much environmental based learning can do for you. A common theme between all three of us, is the belief that the connection can benefit both people and nature and that the connect enables people to care about nature in a deeper sense , in your words “ a sense of place” and in her words “ magic place”. I think that our beliefs aligning so similarly is representative of how much our education strengthened our connections to nature, and it just goes to show how important it is to be to educated on the matter. It is also why it is so important to be a nature interpreter or a story teller, as we can now have both the opportunity and responsibility to help spread this connection to those around us and whomever we can. Anyways, I also really enjoyed reading your blog, and I was thoroughly intrigued by the fact that all three of us had such similar beliefs and ethics in terms of nature interpretation. I also hope that you continue to strengthen your relationship with nature, even after this course has ended.

I've never been someone who felt super connected to nature. As I’ve shared in so many of my posts, I didn’t grow up with much exposure to it, and it wasn’t a major part of my life. All I knew about it was that once a year my family and I would leave our city life behind to spend time at the cottage. Those trips sparked my curiosity, but I didn’t get the chance to really explore it until now, through this course.

Honestly, I didn’t expect to enjoy this class as much as I have. Doing the work felt less like an assignment and more like something I looked forward to each week. I couldn’t wait to see what blog prompt we’d get next! I loved having the chance to talk about my experiences and connect them with the readings and course material. This course has taught me a lot about myself, in ways I didn’t see coming. There were parts of my life I didn’t think had anything to do with nature that, surprisingly, connected deeply.

For instance, I never would have thought the color pink, a color I associate with my sister’s late friend, Jordy, could have anything to do with nature. But through Blog 4, I learned that nature can serve as a kind of memory keeper. Those pink sunsets have become a comforting reminder of her. I also learned about the privilege of experiencing nature (Knudson et al., 2018). While I hadn’t thought about it much before, being able to go to the cottage each year is a privilege, one that’s given me opportunities to connect with nature that not everyone has. Blog Post 3 really opened my eyes to this, deepening my appreciation for those moments.

I didn’t realize that nature could be a part of my favorite songs either. In Blog 7, I explored how music connects me to the natural world through different sounds and patterns (Knudson et al., 2018). But one of the biggest things I’ve learned, and something that came up in nearly every blog post, is that a connection to nature isn’t based on location; it’s built through experiences. I live in Niagara Falls, with one of the world’s natural wonders right in my backyard, yet that doesn’t feel like “nature” to me. Nature for me is the experience of being at the cottage with my family.

Reflecting on all these moments with the help of course readings has helped me realize that nature isn’t just part of my annual trips up north, it is actually one of the most prevalent aspects in my life and prevalent throughout so many of my experiences.

As I spent the first half of the blog mainly talking about what I learned from this assignment, I now would like to answer the assigned blog prompt.

From taking this class, and as I start to develop my own style as a nature interpreter, I’m realizing it’s not just about listing facts about nature, or just lecturing to people the scientific explanation behind it. In my eyes, it's more about helping people feel a connection. My personal experiences showed me that nature can actually bring comfort and hold meaning. This personal side of nature is what I want to bring into my approach to interpreting it for others.

One of my primary responsibilities is to make nature accessible and inclusive for people from diverse backgrounds and experiences. This involves recognizing my privilege. I now know I've been lucky to have access to nature since I was young, and I want to help make these kinds of experiences meaningful for everyone. I want people, especially those like me, who may not feel a strong connection to nature, to see that it’s something they can discover at any point in their lives, and is actually more relevant than they may realize.

In the article “Why Environmental Educators Shouldn’t Give Up Hope,” Jacob Rodenburg highlights how important it is to teach in a way that brings joy and wonder to kids, without jumping straight into big issues like climate change. Instead, he suggests helping kids fall in love with nature first, something I only got to experience once a year as a kid (Rodenburg, 2019). I see my role the same way; building connections first and saving the technical stuff for later. I really like Rodenburg’s idea of bringing people back to “magic” places so they can create their own stories and feel a sense of belonging in nature. For me, that’s the cottage, it’s my own “magic place.” This approach makes learning personal and memorable.

In my approach, I want to be a storyteller. I think bringing curiosity and excitement into learning about nature would greatly impact the connections made with the people learning about it. Working on the children’s podcast showed me how important this is. My job as the narrator was to take the science facts and tell them in a way that kept kids interested, making sure they could actually enjoy and follow along with what we were saying. I really like how Rodenburg talks about the students’ connection to the killdeer bird; by telling its story, he helped them feel invested in it, like they had a role in its life. That’s exactly what I’d love to do, help people feel connected to the nature around them.

Ultimately, my goal as an interpreter is to help make nature feel meaningful and accessible to everyone. Through simple, shared experiences, I want to show that nature isn’t just a place to visit; it’s something that can become part of who you are. I hope to help people find their own “magic places” and show that even small things, a sunset, a song, or a quiet walk, can bring them closer to nature. For me, it’s about encouraging these moments of connection, and helping people see that nature, even in little ways, is something they can take with them wherever they go. By bringing together what I’ve learned in this course with my own experiences, I want to make nature feel just as relevant to others as it’s starting to feel for me.

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.

It was wonderful to hear how much this course has done for you. It is inspiring to see how learning through an environmental based lens can really change someone’s life. It was touching to see you be able to have memories of your sister’s late friend, and now have something to remember her by. Furthermore, I also discovered that nature could be a part of my favourite songs, and I think it’s quite an opportunity to be able to apply that to my everyday life now. Your approach to nature interpretation, specifically the connections part, was something I could relate too. Like you, I carry the belief that people’s relationships with nature should start with a “magic places” and a true care and wonder for nature. I have a few questions for you! I was wondering what it was like growing up in Niagara Falls, more specifically, you said that you felt that it didn’t feel like “nature” to you, do you think that could be because it is for a economical financial gain? Or simply because you don’t have any memories to associate with nature there? Anyways, I thoroughly enjoyed reading your blog, and It is amazing to hear how this course has changed your life! You have inspired me to think about my own personal magic place. I hope that you continue to expand your environmental learning and nature interpretation even after this course ends!

Take care,

Picture entering a forest—not just any forest, but one where each branch and leaf appears to be alive and whispering secrets that only the most perceptive can decipher. Every sound seems to be a part of a vast, unseen symphony, and the air is thick and moist with the smell of the land. Nature is more than just a setting here, under the canopy; it is a cosmos with countless tales to be told.

Nature's subtle communication between its organisms, known as its secret language, is one of its most amazing features. Imagine trees, silent and towering. Although they may appear to be lone giants to you, they are anything but. Trees connect to one another via a network called the "Wood Wide Web." Their roots entwine with fungi underground, establishing symbiotic relationships that enable them to exchange water, nutrients, and even insect alerts. Through these fungal linkages, when one tree is attacked, it notifies other trees in the area to increase their defences. The forest floor is equipped with a system of resistance, support, and survival.

The wonders of the forest, however, extend beyond its foundation. Above earth, the trees reach the sky, sheltering a variety of organisms that contribute to the forest's harmonious ecosystem. Birds bring liveliness to the atmosphere with their colourful feathers and melodic sounds. Their songs are intricate messages that identify territory, call for mates, or alert others to danger. They are more than just lovely sounds. Every trill and chirp is a note in the survival orchestra. The discourse between the trees and the organisms they harbour is practically audible if you close your eyes and listen.

Even the light has a role to play here. Beams of sunshine shine through the canopy as morning emerges, creating patterns on the forest floor and shedding light on lichen and moss patches. It serves as a gentle reminder of how nature keeps everything in balance, with each component supporting the others to create a peaceful ecosystem that has flourished for thousands of years.

Every time I go to Toronto's High Park, I get a little bit of this magic. It's incredible how entering this area of nature, even in the middle of the city, can make you feel as though you're a part of something living and ancient. I long for the sensation of calm and connectedness, which is brought by the cherry blossoms in the spring, the birdsong in the morning, and the soft rustle of leaves. I feel as though I'm connecting with the same web of life and the same ageless rhythm that throbs through untamed forests as I go along the paths or sit peacefully in the shade.

Your blog post was so beautiful! The picture is such a cool graphic! Did you make that yourself or did you find it somewhere online? The imagery in your opening statement is so powerful and vivid, it really allows the reader to feel the strength of the beauty you are talking about. I also loved hearing about your personal experience at Toronto’s High Park! I love that you also love the cherry blossoms when they are in seasons! I used to frequently go there and the feeling you described so perfectly and eloquently is something I have experienced myself. I think that it is so cool to be able to share that feeling and experience with someone  I’ve never met, with all the people that walk in the park too! I also thought the “wood wide web” was pretty cool and kind of funny. I did not know that tree and other parts of nature have a "secret language” as you put, and I think that is really cool!  I am curious to know where you first learned about this? That’s such a cool piece of trivia that I can’t wait to share with my roommate, who is a huge nature lover! She’ll think its so cool they can “talk” to each other and will probably wonder if they’re “friends”. Anyways! I really enjoyed you post and learning something new! I look forward to reading more from you soon!

Thanks,

I learned recently about the case of Humphrey the humpback whale. In 1985, during his migration from Mexico up to the North Pacific, a male humpback whale mistakenly passed under the Golden Gate Bridge and into San Francisco Bay. As the river became narrower and shallower Humphrey was disoriented and unable to find his way back out, his evolutionary instincts telling him that he had to keep heading north. Over the course of several weeks he became the subject of major media attention. Every scientist and naturalist, amateur environmentalist, activist, lawyer, and even the military - had some method to try to coax Humphrey out of the bay and back to the ocean. None of them worked, and the whale was growing sickly and discoloured from the reduced salinity of the river.

Until a researcher had the idea to use acoustic whale social sounds played on underwater speakers from a boat in the channel to lure Humphrey out of the bay. It was an operation that required various researchers and recordings, and the use of a navy ship. By all accounts the whale reacted immediately, turning on a dime and following the musical lure out of the bay and back to the safety of the ocean. The predisposition to musical communication found in humans is clearly not unique amongst the animal kingdom, music can be found in nature itself. And the existence of similar musical structures in whale songs shows that this is truly music, not simply a conversation in a language we don’t understand. There is structure and pitch involved.

Inversely, nature interpretation has existed in music as long as music itself. Different human cultures have expressed it in different ways, but music as a form of nature appreciation has existed at least for 50,000+ years (Gray, P.M., 2001). If our goal as nature interpretation in the 21st century is to reach and engage our visitors/listeners, then music is an invaluable tool. In the age of social media, harnessing attention is no easy feat. Music in a video can capture the imagination quickly. A certain song can have the power to evoke powerful emotions and connections.

One such song for me has always been Saltwater Joys. It’s my Grandmother’s favourite, and one she invariably asks myself and my siblings to play at every family gathering much to our dismay. And although we all hate having to perform, we can’t deny we all love the song itself. Her reaction to it is clear: it brings her back, her eyes instantly well up. It’s a beautiful song about where she grew up: Newfoundland, and the way it describes the natural setting has an emotional effect. It’s a song I’ve grown to love over the years and always makes me think of Newfoundland and my Grandmother.

References

I loved reading your post this week! I am such a big animal nerd and I loved learning about Humphrey the humpback whale! I think that this is certainly a very unique way to see music in nature! I never would have thought about a practical use for music in nature in that kind of capacity. I have a few questions I am curious about though! I wonder why this is the only instance in which that happened? I was also wondering where you found that out? It is such a cool piece of trivia, and I would definitely love to read more about it!

Furthermore, I think its so wonderful and wholesome that you and your siblings play Saltwater Joys for your grandmother. It is so touching that you guys are able to give her the such a gift and remind her of her childhood. I listened to the song and it is a very cute and heartwarming. I think the video montage adds such a personal touch to the song as well.

Anyways, to sum up, I really enjoyed your post! I thought it was so cool to learn about Humphrey the humpback whale , and was really touched by your personal connection to the song “Saltwater Joys”. I look forward to reading more posts from you in the future!

Have a great day,

In unpacking this quote I want to first note that I had some difficulty understanding exactly what it meant and had to read it several times to grasp the concepts fully. For this reason, I believe this quote does not do the best job of delivering information in a simple and accessible way, as discussed in the textbook readings for this unit. Although there is a time and place for eloquence and complexity, this quote—to me—feels unnecessarily complicated to deliver its intended message and may cause readers to skip over it without trying to understand. This type of complexity is a perceived barrier to a lot of interpretation and is thus important to note in unpacking this quote, especially in the context of an interpretation course.

To best unpack the content of this quote, I want to first reword it in my own words to form an understanding of its meaning for further discussion. I believe this quote is saying that even if historical artifacts and stories do not have their own inherent value, their context as part of the broader story of history is crucial to present an honest and complete narrative. This is also much of what this unit has been about, ensuring that interpretation is prioritizing truth and accuracy over entertainment, often with specific reference to being honest about uncomfortable histories that nevertheless need to be discussed. Understanding history is important for any kind of interpretation, for example in discussion of species (in which case the evolutionary history is vital to a complete understanding), regions (in which individuals and groups who have been on the land have shaped it in various ways), or the importance of conservation (in which the processes that led to this point are valuable for knowing what may have gone wrong and what needs to be corrected moving forward). History is a valuable teacher in all areas, and I believe this is the essence of what the author wanted to express when writing this quote.

Upon reading your blog, I can relate to quite a few statements that you wrote. You are not alone in struggling to understand just what the quote meant and to fully understand the concepts also took me quite awhile, and I’m still not confident that what I interpreted the quote as was right, but I think part of the prompt is to make it and interpret the quote as your own. I also really enjoyed your thought process on the word choice aspect. Word choice wasn’t something that had occurred to me when reading the quote. I just thought that the wording and complexity came from a not being used to reading excerpts from that time, but in a weird way ( or should I say peculiar way) I think it kind of sums up the whole quote perfectly, being the discussion of knowledge and time and all. In addition, I also thought that the author was trying to get his point of history being a valuable teacher in many aspects of life was the main message of the quote.

All in all, I related to your blog in many more ways than one, and it helped me to know I wasn’t the only one who struggled with it, so I hope that having the knowledge that I also struggled with the complexity of the quote also brings you some peace.

I look forward to reading more from you!

Thanks,

This weekend I went salmon fishing at the Credit River in Mississauga! I went on Friday and Saturday. The Friday I went with my old friend from high school and on Saturday with my brother. Both of them have fished before but have never gone salmon fishing. To prepare for this trip, we all had to buy new salmon rods as they didn't have any, and mine from last year broke. I went to Kingsway Tackle in Guelph to try and find an affordable rod for all of us, and I completely lucked out. I found each of us a custom-made Fenwick rod from the 1960s in mint condition for only 30$! I was at first unsure if an antique rod from the 1960s would hold up to a large 25+ pound salmon, and reading online I heard the general consensus that it kinda depends if you get lucky or not. Luckily, I was proven wrong as they performed amazingly and saved us all a lot of money. I went after to look at the prices online that they were going for and found out they go for over 100$, they are also considered quite rare as many are no longer in mint condition and are quite sought after as they are custom. 

Me and my buddy woke up around 10 am to drive the hour up to Mississauga from Guelph. I bought Subway the night before and ate it on the car ride up to save us some time. When we got there I prepared all my tackle, my day bag, and my waders for the trek down to the fishing areas, as did my buddy. We got down there and were surprised to see so many fishers, as in previous years I have gone, there was only a handful. We started the day testing what lures were working and if we needed to use floats, spinners, crankbaits, or spoons. I ended up getting the first bite on a spoon. 

Usually, once an adult salmon returns to freshwater, they do not eat. This means that adults can go six months without food while transferring body fats into their gametes for reproduction. At the same time, spawning salmon can be very aggressive and territorial and will defend their spawning area from spawning salmon or other fish species attempting to feed on protein-rich salmon eggs, so most of the time salmon egg floats are more effective but that day it seemed as if they were out for blood, so the spoons ended up being more effective as they were mistaking them for other salmon. The spoon both of us were using was a pink, silver, and chartreuse 3/4 Little Cleo. By the end of the Friday, I ended up catching 3 Chinook salmons and my buddy caught 1, on the second day with my brother, I caught 2 Chinook salmon that day and my brother caught 2 as well. In the credit river, you can expect to see Chinook, Coho, Chum, Pink, and Sockeye salmon, with Chinook and Coho salmons being the most prominent species. 

I had a great weekend of fishing with my friend and my brother. I really enjoy fishing the salmon spawn as it is a great time to reflect on life itself. The salmon cycle is a very interesting cycle that is filled with lots of life and death. Adult salmon often travel hundreds of miles to return to the same waters where they were born and where their parents spawned.

Interpreting nature through art is something that everyone with a phone has done with or without realizing it. Every photo of the sunset, every drawing of trees, every moment of appreciating other peoples art are all variations of interpreting nature through art as mentioned in this weeks lesson. To interpret art means to feel something it is expressing. To interpret art is to express connections with nature that you portray on your canvas. I am to interpret nature through art in many dynamics and perspectives. My interpretation of nature through art has changed over the years. What used to be pictures of pretty sunsets has turned into looking within the colours to find hints of my loved ones who have passed away. Interpretation of nature through art makes me feel emotions and connections. Something I enjoy when I can find free time is painting. My family and I always do paint nights together and more often than not we paint scenes from nature. I had never absorbed the fact that even doing things like this is considered interpreting nature through art. This type of interpretation makes me feel the welcoming presence of my family, and it reminds me of the laughter and love that I feel when I am home and bonding with my family. Even throughout this course I have been in the role of sharing my interpretations through art. All the photos I have shared in my blogs and sharing my memories and experiences of nature is also interpreting nature through art. 

            Here is a photo I took of a sunset on a night when I was struggling with the loss of a close friend. She had beautiful bright red hair like the sky portrayed that day. I can now look back and understand that the way I was interpreting the art of this photo with emotion is completely normal and part of the experience of interpretation. 

            My translation of “the gift of beauty” from the textbook states that as an interpreter you should be able to observe the beauty around you (Knudson et al. 2017). You should be motivated to find the beauty around you and apply it to different parts of your life (Knudson et al. 2017). To me this implies that interpreters must be very observant and very connected people. Ever since the loss of my friend I search for signs of her everywhere. I feel the gift of beauty when the song Home by Edith Whiskers plays. There was a time right before my friends unexpected passing when my friend group experienced one of the most connecting moments I have ever felt within the lyrics of this song. We took the moment to interpret and connect with this beautiful piece of music. We reflect on this moment often, we are so thankful that we got to experience it as a whole friend group before we were separated by the passing of our friend. I create interpretations of my friend through the beauty of nature and art everywhere in this life. 

Knudson, L.B.T.T.C.D. M. (2018). Interpreting Cultural and Natural Heritage: For a Better World. Sagamore Publishing LLC. https://sagamore.vitalsource.com/books/9781571678669

I also am comforted by the concept of seeing loved ones in the sunset. It has always brought me such a sense of peace that when I’m struggling with a particular loss, makes me feel a little better. I’m sorry to hear about the loss of your close friend, but I hope that the beautiful sunset brought you some peace, as it does for me.

I also enjoyed reading your take on art in nature with music. It hadn’t crossed my mind that music was another form of art that we could experience alongside nature. I think it is so beautiful that you have something to remember your friend by and that you get to share that with your whole friend group.

I also found it very touching that you spend the time with your family to paint nature. A huge part of my love for nature comes from my family, and I love spending time with them , so I can appreciate how nature can remind you of that feeling of home.

All in all, I was really moved by your blog post. You wrote with such sincerity and I felt like you truly meant every word that you wrote down. Your words came from the heart and it shows. I look forward to reading more from you in the future!

Thanks,

Privilege is something that impacts everyone in different ways every single day. I would define privilege as undeserved advantages that some people or groups have based on their background, like their socioeconomic status, race, gender, or other social identities. Having open discussions about privilege is a vital step toward creating an environment where everyone feels comfortable expressing themselves. I’ve noticed others addressing this, and I want to do the same. As a straight, white, middle-class woman, I recognize that I’ve had various privileges throughout my life. While this acknowledgement can sometimes feel uncomfortable, it is a necessary part of the conversation. This week’s chapter allowed me to learn more about my privilege, and prompted me to think about ways we can make nature interpretation more accessible to diverse audiences.

In nature interpretation, we can see privilege in ways that impact who feels welcome and included in these spaces. These advantages may not be obvious, but they are present. Firstly, access to these natural interpretive areas can be a privilege. Some may take the ability to get to these sites for granted, but those that come from low income backgrounds may lack the resources to participate in the outdoor activities, or even travel to these places to begin with. Additionally, economic status can also influence the educational opportunities some may have compared to others. Those from higher socioeconomic standings typically have better access to environmental education and outdoor experiences, making them feel more comfortable and connected to nature. From the chapter, I love the idea of providing transportation for lower-income communities, or bringing interpretation directly to them to try and reduce economic barriers. Implementing these ideas would take some planning, but it could significantly enhance the inclusivity in interpretation.

Next, representation is a crucial aspect of privilege found in nature interpretation. If the media (ie. photos, promotional videos, etc.), literature, and interpretive programs mainly show individuals from specific backgrounds, it can alienate those from minority backgrounds, making them feel as though they don’t “fit the mould.” This lack of representation may also discourage them from engaging with nature and participating in outdoor activities. By having a variety of voices, experiences, and backgrounds, we can create a more relatable and welcoming environment that encourages everyone to connect with nature.

A final example of how privilege plays a role in nature interpretation is related to individuals with disabilities. For those without disabilities, accessing nature can be pretty easy and straightforward, but for people of all ages with sensory, mobility, or cognitive challenges, it may be difficult, and could lead them to feel excluded from the environment. For instance, many nature parks and trails lack accommodations such as wheelchair-friendly pathways, audio guides or printed text and closed captioning. Implementing these types of accessibility features can help them feel included and integrated into the community, boost their self- esteem, encourage independence, and feel respected throughout their interpretive journey.

I really love your take on this. It honestly showed me a side of my own privilege that I hadn’t even realized played a role in nature interpretation. I thought I has considered most avenues regarding privilege when it comes to nature interpretation , but I completely missed that my being able-bodied gave me a privilege. I had never considered how someone with a motility issue or other disabilities would have difficulty enjoying nature in the same sense that I would. I just think that goes to further that privilege is not something we always realize or consider, and that I still have a lot of growing and educating to do, and I always will. I think keeping an open mind and advocating for non-traditional spaces in nature will help me to support those that don’t have the same privileges as I do. I strive to be able to share my love of nature with as many people as possible, and help them have a space where they feel welcome and can enjoy nature as I can.

All in all, I really enjoyed reading about your perspective and insight on privilege in nature interpretation, and it helped me learn more about privilege in ways I hadn’t even considered. I look forward to reading more from you and looking at things from your point of view in the future.

Thanks!

I have always been captivated by the night sky. Craning my neck upwards to witness their beauty is something I have been doing for as long as I can remember. As a visual learner, my ideal role as an environmental interpreter would be in a visually captivating environment; a national park where the aurora borealis lights up the night sky. The perfect setting to showcase to visitors the mysteries and wonders of the natural world.

(Creative Commons CC0, Image From: https://pixabay.com/photos/aurora-borealis-nothern-lights-1156479/)

My role as an environmental interpreter would not just entail relaying facts -it would be about creating connections between the environment and visitors' personal experiences. According to Freeman Tilden, “one of the key principles of interpretation is that it must relate to something within the visitor's personality or experience; otherwise, the message will feel sterile.” Whether it’s a visitor’s first encounter or their hundredth, my job would be to help them see these experiences in a new light. As Tilden noted, “Interpretation is an art form that combines many disciplines.” Whether I’m explaining the science behind a natural phenomenon, or the cultural stories associated with the aurora borealis. My goal would be to make elements of nature evoke strong personal emotions in the visitors.

 One of the most fascinating aspects of being a nature interpreter is its blend of art and science. My job as a nature interpreter would allow me to bridge the gap between my scientific knowledge and presenting it to the public. I am deeply artistic, and I study science. I would design educational programs - nature walks, workshops, and live demonstrations. I also aim to appeal to different learning styles. What works for me, may not work for others, and I want that experience to be inclusive to everyone. Whether designing stations with video and audio, information booths with tactile displays, or paths dedicated to self-exploration; my role as a nature interpreter would allow me to turn curiosity into a lifelong love for nature, making a meaningful impact on how others experience and understand the world around them.

My ideal skill set would require strong communication skills. Conveying complex scientific ideas engagingly and understandably would be fundamental. Additionally, a good grasp of the local ecology is also fundamental. Understanding ecosystems and the northern lights would enable me to provide accurate and relevant information and answer questions effectively. Finally, adaptability is something I strive for. Each day, an audience may present unique challenges, so being flexible in my approach would allow me to engage diverse groups effectively and respond to different learning needs. It allows me to reflect on my role and become an improved nature interpreter.

The role of an environmental interpreter is one role where I see the possibility of being in one day. When I picture myself in a career that drives a passion inside me, this one comes to mind. I have so much love and passion for nature and the environment around me, and I constantly want to share my knowledge about life with those around me. I am still confused about my future career, but nature interpretation may be a new pathway.

I thoroughly enjoyed reading your blog post! I too have always been fascinated by the night sky. One of my biggest goals is to see the aurora borealis and their true beauty at least once in my life, so I sincerely hope that you are able to achieve your dream job and are able to show people the wonders of the natural world. I think having a career in which you are able to showcase the blend of art and science whilst further educating people would be such a cool job.

I can relate to wanting to create connections and relationships and not just wanting to share facts, and would rather create an experience that they will remember. I personally think that a having a job where I can explore and learn more about these connections and relationships myself would be very fulfilling.

I also saw that you are interested in creating educational programs and workshops, and I was wondering if you have any experience in creating programs or program design? Did you take any courses at your time at the University of Guelph that will help you in that aspect? And are there any courses that you would take to help you that you haven’t taken yet?

Anyways, I hope that whatever job or career you end up in you are able to experience a combination of both science and art!

Best of luck!