Nature's Teachings

To me, this course and it’s timing has been pretty significant. It has been a sort of coming home to me to get back into the outdoor world and teaching after being on the backburner while I have thought of pursuing different careers. The two main moments in this course that struck a chord are the differentiation between a job and work, and what climate activism can look like.

image: a photo of a quote written inside the canoe hut at Camp Edgewood. “Look for the little miracles”. Photo taken by me.

I’m not sure that everyone has experienced what “work” feels like compared to a “job”, but I was lucky enough that one of my first jobs was working as a camp counsellor, among other things, at Camp Edgewood in Eden Mills. I worked there for two summers before, devastatingly, the camp had to shut down because of a lack of funding to replace our sewage system. Can you believe it? Working there meant giving up you whole summer, besides Saturdays to work 24 hours around the clock, anyone who works at camp knows this, but to me it never felt like a job and I remember saying this at the time. This place was so special, no matter someone’s background, it gave them a chance to connect with others and the nature around them. When you’re disconnected from the rest of the world, the news, and social media, social norms kind of go out the wind and you’re allowed to be as goofy and weird as you want because people are accepting. I remember a camper saying to me that the one week a year that they got to spend at camp weas the only time that they felt like they belonged and that they weren’t the outsider or the “weird one”. This setting and this community’s commitment to fostering these relationships is something that I seek for my work in the future. Lately, I’ve kind of thrown away the idea of “career” and I am committed to focusing on “work”. So, what makes it work for me? Making a difference.    

image: graphics of a melting earth with blue rings around it. Image taken from https://www2.deloitte.com/us/en/insights/topics/strategy/impact-and-opportunities-of-climate-change-on-business.html. 

This year I have really struggled with learning about climate change. It is so essential, yet draining, and leaves me without hope. In chapter 5 of Interpreting Cultural and Natural Heritage, a huge wave of relief washed over me when they explain how fostering relationships with nature is a way to help with climate change. This idea made me realize what my approach to solving climate change must be, to educate and excite people about the world that we live in. I know that as someone who knows about climate change, I need to lead a life that makes a difference, but the idea of having to think about and face this complex challenge every day in a job has been weighing on me and I hadn’t even started this mystery job! During this semester I have decided to apply to the Queen’s Outdoor and Experiential Education Teaching Program after I graduate from my Undergrad. This is the outlet that I can use to encourage stewardship for other people and do my part to help tackle the climate change challenge. Here is a link to an interview with one of my high school teachers talking about the OEE program: Queen’s University Outdoor & Experiential Education Program.

Throughout my BA in Geography I have been learning about the complex relationships between people and places and the details about those people and those places. What I have learned in taking this course is that part of my work needs to be on the frontlines of those relationships between people and spaces, particularly in the outdoors. I would like to teach in some sort of an outdoor setting. I hope that in doing this I can include different aspects of interpretation from science, art, history, education, and sustainability. Personally, I have always been a generalist, meaning that there are a lot of things that I am okay at, but there’s no one thing that I am an expert at. In this field, I can use this to my advantage because it required a lot of skills to interpret/teach.  

image: a photo of me at my cottage in Temagami, crouching under the old growth forest, picking blueberries. Photo taken by my sister

A direct application to what I have learned in this course will be the job that I landed this summer. I put myself out there and sent an email to the rental cottages around the area of my cottage asking if I could teach swimming lessons at their sites. I was answered right away and will be teaching swimming lessons, fishing skills, canoeing skills, and leading hikes just a short canoe ride from my cottage. I am so excited to learn more about the area so that I can teach it. Mostly, I am excited that I can be outside all day and help other people enjoy the outdoors. This type of job is something that I have been dreaming of since working at camp, but had deemed it as not a “career” job and had assumed that I would not make enough money at a job like this. I was wrong, no both fronts. Like I said before, I’m not worried about a job that looks good on a resume because it matches my degree, a so called “adult job”. I sought out the job that I know will make me happy and that at the end of the day I will be able to say that I did a good day’s “work”.  

If you’ve made it this far, thanks for reading along with my realizations, hopes, and dreams. What do you want to be when you grow up (not your adult job, your real job)?  

Goodbye for now.

Jasmine

I believe that nature is an integral part of our lives, and that day by day it is being taken away from us. I wonder if the generations to come will see and experience the same things in nature that we have had the chance to.

Looking back to my very first blog in this course, I really had no clue where we were going with it, but I loved writing it. It was much different from anything I’ve had to write for any other class I’ve been in! I was able to freely think about what I wanted to write about, and what made me really happy as a kid. It was creative and imaginative writing. I had to let my thoughts sit and marinate to really put myself back in my shoes as a child. It is definitely interesting trying to remember how I used to think and feel when I was first beginning to immerse myself in and understand nature, especially forests. For me, there has always been something that has drawn me to forests. I find them to be magical.

This is a Ted Talk on the importance of nature, and why children need it when they are growing up.

After digesting the information from this course, I have come to the conclusion that my childhood experiences in nature greatly impacted the person I have become today. Even though I do not wish to pursue a career in the environmental field (I wish to pursue the medical field instead), I deeply care about nature. In my spare time the only documentaries I watch are about nature. I love watching Planet Earth because it puts me in different animals’ shoes and helps me to see life how they see it. We see their fear, their emotions, and how they survive. We also get to feel like we are in the middle of the rainforest, or floating over coral reefs, all while sitting on our living room couch. My favourite nature films of all time are all about human-nature interactions, where humans spend enough time outside that they actually develop loving relationships with wild animals. It is an eye opener that we are not all that different. Animals are very intelligent and they feel emotions just as we do. They evoke feelings of empathy and compassion, and remind us that it is our responsibility to protect these animals and their habitats.

here is a small clip about Jane Goodall. An inspiring story of a woman integrating herself into the families of chimpanzees.

Throughout this course I've learned about what makes a nature interpreter a good one, and I mean, it is a lot of things. But one thing that really stood out to me when reading about how to make a difference in the environment now, is the importance of actually telling people how they can actively make a difference (Wals, 2014). I have a personal and very recent experience that validates this idea!

I learned some information in another class about Gypsy Moths. It was great to learn about them because they are invasive all around Ontario. I learned that they lay egg masses on trees over the winter and they hatch when the trees begin to bloom, but if you scrape the egg masses off of the trees and soak them in a bucket of water and soap for a few days, you can prevent the eggs from ever hatching and thus prevent the severe damage to the trees which may have eventually killed them. I learned this a few weeks ago and ever since, every time I take my dog for a walk in my yard or forest, I am constantly looking for egg masses and scraping them off the trees. I love doing it because I know that I am actively making a difference. Every single egg mass that I scrape off, counts, and may contribute to saving a tree!

This is a photo of a few Gypsy Moth egg masses. Photo taken by me.

“Now, my tree-climbing days long behind me, I often think about the lasting value of those early, deliciously idle days. I have come to appreciate the long view afforded by those treetops. The woods were my Ritalin. Nature calmed me, focused me, and yet excited my senses.” (Last Child in the Woods). I think that this quote is very important because it highlights how much people inherently cherish nature. It brings us back to think of a magical place we once were. I remember going back into the forest, and truly thinking of it like it was how the kids in “a bridge to terabithia” imagined their forest. Now, my imagination does not run so wild this day in age, but it once did. My memories of my imagination contribute to my desire to want to preserve nature.

here is the bridge to Terabithia trailer.

I have lived in my house for many years now. We have a luscious forest in the back, and along the side leading up to the forest there are many trees which have branches that are vine-like. I remember playing back there and making forts. I was truly so happy and amazed by the natural beauty of the forest. In the next 5 years or so, that will all be gone. Sadly the field next to my house will be completely urbanized, and many trees will be chopped down I am sure. It breaks my heart, it feels as though a person in my life is going to be taken away from me. My feelings on this are so strong, that I believe if other people had these same magical experiences as kids, they too would not dare to cut down a perfectly healthy tree or urbanize beautiful land. So that is why we need to continue to immerse kids in nature. Nature interpretation is so important!

Here is a photo of what is left of one of my childhood forts. Photo taken by me.

Many studies have been done that show how important nature is for our mental health. According to our assigned video, 30% of boys in the US rely on stimulants to focus. Nature is greatly important for our attention, academic performance, and relaxation. Biodiversity has even been shown to positively influence our immune systems. Healthy ecosystems means healthy people.

Here is a video on how to save our planet.

In the future, we can create communities that are rich in nature which can provide kids with a deep love for the systems we are immersed in and eventually these children can go on to sustain and regenerate things (A. Hooykaas, lecture notes, ENVS3000 Nature Interpretation, March 26, 2021). According to our assigned video, we can introduce kids to a place where they feel in touch with nature and let them find that connection with nature themselves. We really just need to focus on helping kids find their magic places (Rodenburg, 2019). One great idea that was mentioned in our assigned video, was that a great way to make kids feel like they’re helping to make a positive change in nature is by getting a community to plant a diversity of native plants. This could help feed a lot of different organisms and increase the presence of biodiversity in the community. This is a great way to show kids that they indeed can make a positive impact on the environment and ecosystems around them, and hopefully that idea is one that they can actively apply throughout the rest of their lives.

Questions:

What is one way you think we can each help improve the environment?

What is one way to help kids feel connected to nature?

What do you think is the most important thing about nature and its preservation?

Are there any natural places that remind you of your childhood?

References

Hooykaas, A. (2021). ENVS*3000 Nature Interpretation Course notes. Retrieved March 26, 2021, from https://courselink.uoguelph.ca/d2l/le/content/666945/viewContent/2593375/View

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

Nature is full of incredible, sometimes unbelievably exciting things.  

American crows (Corvus brachyrhynchos) are amongst some of the most intelligent animals in the world (Baraniuk, 2019).

Crows are very social, living in groups called “murders”. Sometimes these groups can be in the thousands, which must be quite something to experience. Crows are adaptable, playful and often very curious. Crows are also known to be trouble-makers, but I think it makes them resourceful and excellent problem solvers! These beautiful birds knock over garbage bins and scavenge snacks wherever they can, which can make them messy in urban areas, but also allows for their survival in their urban niche (Cornell Lab of Ornithology, n.d). 

Humans have known that crows are incredibly sly for a long time, but in recent years research has shown that perhaps they are even smarter than we initially thought (Baraniuk, 2019)!

New Caledonian crows use branches and sticks to dig out insects and grubs from trees. (Credit: Alamy, BBC Earth 2014)

New Caledonian crows have evolved such that creating and using tools is part of their typical foraging behaviour. This was first seen by researchers at the University of Oxford in 2002 when Betty, a New Caledonian crow, bent a piece of wire to create a hooked tool in order to scoop up some tasty pig heart. At the time, Betty was thought of as an incredibly intelligent crow, but now research has shown that this clever ability is widespread throughout the corvids (Baraniuk, 2019). Though, this is not to negate Betty’s clever abilities! 

Since this incredible feat of Betty’s was witnessed by researchers, the nature of these birds’ cognitive abilities has been studied closely. 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cbSu2PXOTOc - A crow completing an intricate puzzle in order to get a food reward. 

The video linked above demonstrates a crow nicknamed “007” solving a puzzle with eight distinct steps in order to get a reward of a snack. Though puzzled at first, the smart creature quickly sorts out the steps he needs to take in order to accomplish his task and acquire his treat (BBC Earth, 2014). Watching videos like these, or even watching crows out in nature in urban areas and green spaces, makes me feel a personal connection to them. For me, it leaves me in a state of awe watching birds use their memories, problem solving skills and pure cleverness, to solve a relatively challenging task. I think for me, it makes me feel as though we are so much closer to nature than we feel we are. Crows are brilliant animals, and their playful and mischievous ways make me feel like we have a connection to them that some many not acknowledge. Crows can remember human faces- they remember those that have wronged them and will never forget. Crows are known to swoop down on people that have caused them harm before, along with other members of their murders! They also trust humans that feed them, and will come back to those they trust. 

Is there any animal, or any element of nature, that makes you feel more connected to nature? Crows continue to amaze me more each day. What aspects of nature stir up these feelings in you? 

A quote from the book, “Gifts of the Crow- How Perception, Emotion, and Thought Allow Smart Birds to Behave Like Humans” by John Marzluff and Tony Angell, that struck a chord in me, when referring to infrared camera imaging of crows to determine what part of their bodies were working the hardest.

“And the crows’ heads were lit up like holiday lights. The energy of thought and coordination illuminated a darkening sky like strings of flying light bulbs.” (Marzluff, Angell, 2013).

References:

American Crow IDENTIFICATION, all about Birds, Cornell lab of ornithology. (n.d.). Retrieved March 19, 2021, from https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/American_Crow/id

Baraniuk, C. (2019, December 11). Crows could be the Smartest animal other than primates. Retrieved March 19, 2021, from https://www.bbc.com/future/article/20191211-crows-could-be-the-smartest-animal-other-than-primates

BBCEarth. (2014, September 10). Are crows the ultimate problem solvers? | inside the animal mind | bbc earth. Retrieved March 19, 2021, from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cbSu2PXOTOc

Crows are absolutely brilliant. This morning I went for a little nature walk and in the trees above me were a bunch of crows working together, cawing at and dive-bombing a nearby hawk. When I got home, I read your post and figured I have to respond; it’s just meant to be! I found the part of your post where you discussed how crows recognize human faces to be particularly intriguing. My grandma actually formed a relationship with a neighbourhood crow. She would leave food for the crow near her windowsill and the crow would come by and say hello about once every week, staying for a while as my grandma talked to it (like you would a dog) then it would fly away, only to return the following week. When my grandma had to move to a new house she was deeply saddened because she had come to like the crow. While crows are very intelligent and do make me feel connected to the natural world, the animal that makes me feel most connected to nature are elephants. While I have never met an elephant or seen one in the wild, I have done a research project on their social structures and felt a connection to them in that way. Elephants are not only majestic, but extremely intelligent and social creatures, with strong herd connections. In my research I came across a video of two elephants, Shirley and Jenny, being reunited with one another after over 20 years, which was beautiful to watch; just like crows, ‘elephants never forget’. So many species show incredible intellectual capacity: crows, elephants, cetaceans, monkeys, dogs, cats, octopuses, parrots, etc. I feel like as humans come to recognize and appreciate the emotional and intellectual complexity of animals through nature interpretation, they will be more intrigued to protect animals and the environment.

This is the full video of the two elephants being reunited, including Shirley’s back story. I think it is worthwhile watching the whole video; however, you can fast forward to 8:52 if you would only like to watch them being reunited! (Agrofilms, 2011).

References

Imagine you are driving down a barren highway, windows down and your hair whipping around in the sunlight. Maybe to one side you have colourful trees for as far as you can see, and on the other the ocean with the sun dancing on the surface. Moments like these have a way of working into your heart, giving you that wanderlust feeling, but something is missing from this image. In the backround of it all you hear music. Maybe it’s the song of the birds that are swooping down into the water, or the roar of the wind on your ears, or maybe its simply a song playing on the car radio. But now, when you think of the chorus of that moment, you will be able to remember the feeling you had, and the love for the world it made you feel.

             For me, I am constantly flipping between listening to the music on my phone and enjoying the music that nature offers. Like a song, there are elements in nature that follow a rhythm, maybe it’s the pounding of a flowing river, or the hollow knocks of a woodpecker. There is beauty in having the world sing to you, but there is also beauty in allowing a song to inspire you as you look out at the world. It is the mix of two beautiful things. Art in nature surpasses just looks, as animals communicate they are expressing themselves through different tones and octaves, giving us the pleasure to interpret what they are saying. Can you hear the distress with which a red squirrel belts to its mate? Or the longing in the song of a bird that tries so hard to be the one that’s heard. Humans are capable of hearing the music of so many species, it is up to us to listen.

Often listening to the sounds of nature has a calming effect on me and allows me to tune out all distractions. Some sounds from nature that I adore are:

·       Crickets chirping

·       Water running

·       Wind howling

·       Storms raging

·       Birds singing

·       Squirrels being crackheads

It is not entirely up to nature to sing about its wonders, people need to sing their experiences and spread the feeling nature can give. While some songs are specifically dedicated to learning about nature, for example “Canada’s Really Big” by the Arrogant Worms, a comical song about the Canadian landscapes and wildlife. While other songs are about the emotions that nature can provide and the longing people may feel. An example of a song that always makes me think of the freedom that nature makes me feel is the song “Don’t Fence Me In” by Roy Rogers. The lyrics of “Don’t Fence Me in” accurately explains my fear of ever being too far from nature.

“Don’t Fence Me In” has never brought me back to a specific memory, it merely makes me feel free. I picture myself in a sunny field smiling (because I am always smiling when I’m in a sunny field). To me it is a song that I do not need others to like, because to me it is a promise that I will be in nature again, maybe not immediately, but I can hold onto that image until I get to the wide open country that I love.

Lyrics to Don’t Fence me In by Roy Rogers (Retrieved from GENIUS)

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

This took me so long to fully understand what Edward had meant and from what I understood  was historical events that have happened in the past should not be forgotten. As long as there were people to experience such events then we should never forget them. But because some ancient things are passed down through time we can loss some detailed information but as long as we have a hold on to the important information.   

Edward Hyams had mentioned “ 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” 

The way I interpreted this was Hyams was emphasizing the importance of maintaining history throughout the years. Simply just having an artifact isn’t enough but we need to understand it to know its value. The past can not detach itself from the present. Ancient objects can not be given any meaning unless a person gives it integrity. 

Photo of statues at the Museum of Cairo in Egypt, Cairo, 2013. Photo taken by my dad. 

Nature interpretation and history are related in many ways. Interpretation is what allows us to pass down information from the past to the future. Modern day’s technology is what allows us to discover the Earth’s past, for example  findings buried, extinct species and events that occurred. Learning nature’s past and truly understanding it like Hyams implied allows us to learn and prepare for the future. For example, knowing the past climates, we are able to indicate if climate change is happening or if there are any usual changes. 

I believe that Hyams used the train as a metaphor, explaining that certain events should still be remembered even once they have passed or in his words left the “railway station”.  History does not only exist in the moment or when the train is only on the railway but persists in a memory or a physical form even if there are not any people around to remember the event. 

Overview of the Egyptian Museum in Cairo, 2013. Photo taken by my dad.

It took my family and I about 4 hours to go through all the art and facts in this Museum and we still didn’t learn everything! It is our job as interpreters to pass on historical knowledge and continue to tell stories of the people who lived before us so that the future knows of it too. In our textbook, it mentions that integrity is a major role in nature interpretation because certain concepts and meanings can differ between different people and their personal opinions. 

Quoted by Beck and Cable (2011)  “the beauty of human integrity commemorated in events of the past and the beauty of the intricacies of nature give rise to hope”.  

I found this quote explaining that past events need to be told to hope for a better future. Learning from the past allows us to prevent any repetitive mistakes that were done and improve the future.  

How did you interpret Hyams’ quote? How important is it to know historical events in your opinion? I hope my post inspire some of you to know more about historical events! 

Dana 

Reference:

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

(via ddenvs3000)

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The photo was taken by me of an elephant, an endangered species in South Africa 

Many species are on the brink of extinction, and we are losing the world’s biodiversity at an unprecedented rate, do any of these statements sound familiar? The global biodiversity crisis is not a new topic, and it is one many of you are most likely aware of. For those who may not know much about this topic, it is helpful to understand what is causing it. There is no single action causing the rapid loss of species worldwide; instead, it’s a combination of anthropogenic activities inflicting the damage. The main drivers of biodiversity loss are climate change, habitat loss, and invasive species.

Illustration by danilotsouzart taken from https://www.momes.net/actualites/actualites-culturelles/les-emouvantes-illustrations-en-hommage-a-laustralie-ravagee-par-les-incendies-846577

While climate change in and of itself is a global crisis, it is also one of the main drivers contributing to the decline. Climate largely controls the types of ecosystems present and, in turn, the distribution of species. However, climate change places extreme pressures upon a landscape, and as a result, forces species to respond to these pressures. Species unable to cope, adapt or migrate from climatic stressors are at risk. Habitat loss directly stemming from deforestation is disintegrating millions of species’ homes, reducing the range in which they can survive. The introduction of non-natives species into an environment threatens endemic species by adding an element of competition into an environment. Endemic species are now reliant upon the same resources as the non-native species, and often non-native species can outcompete for resources.

Illustration by Matthew Flinders taken from https://conservationbytes.com/2016/10/20/cartoon-guide-to-biodiversity-loss-xxxix/

How a country can mitigate the loss of biodiversity is through the creation and implementation of effective policies. There are overarching national commitments that guide a countries policy regarding biodiversity. The primary commitment is with the Convention of Biological Diversity, a summit that sets international targets for protecting terrestrial and marine landscapes. The international policy sets the mandate, and countries can figure out how to meet global domestic policy targets. A combination of protected areas and government policy can be an effective method in reducing the acceleration of biodiversity loss. However, on countless occasions, we have seen countries fail to implement effective policies to deal with species decline. A primary example would be the lack of stand-alone species at risk legislation in British Columbia. While British Columbia has met the requirement of total protected areas, biodiversity is still threatened without a species at risk act.

Illustration by the UNEP taken from https://www.cbd.int/ibd/2008/youth/cbd/As an interpreter, it is your role to express the beauty of nature to others around you. A large part of what makes the natural world remarkable to interpret is its diversity amongst various landscapes. While interpreting the environment, it is essential to touch on difficult topics. A critical skill from my perspective to have as a nature interpreter is to remain optimistic, well addressing issues that others may perceive in a pessimistic way. While there is a crisis on biodiversity, an interpreter should emphasize a sense of reality that illustrates the situation’s truth while remaining hopeful for the future.

I think one way that nature interpreters could approach this issue of biodiversity loss is to briefly explain short-comings that exist in environmental policy. While politics is a topic that interpreters should generally stay away from, giving people a non-partisan explanation of some of the barriers to the protection of biodiversity may ignite some passion in participants. Many do not know that British Columbia does not have a stand-alone species at risk act and just assume that because we are in Canada, we must be doing something to protect threatened and endangered species. When I first found out British Columbia has no stand-alone species at risk policy, it surely made me feel like I was burning up inside!  

References

Ballingall, A. (2020, November 16). Canada hasn't hit a climate-change target since 1992. Can Justin Trudeau break the streak? Retrieved February 14, 2021, from https://www.thestar.com/politics/federal/2020/11/16/canada-hasnt-hit-a-climate-change-target-since-1992-can-justin-trudeau-break-the-streak.html

Art is great way to bridge a connection between life’s intricacies and human emotion. I grew up fairly immersed in the artistic community, although not by choice, per se. My dad is an abstract landscape artist, so I have been exposed to his artwork at home every day, have attended his art shows, have visited art festivals and art galleries as a family, and have spent time in his art studio since I was a young child. My dad uses nature as his inspiration and his paintings as a means to share his appreciation of nature with others. While he is not a nature interpreter by profession, those that see my dad’s artwork are encouraged to envision themselves in the natural world and the joy that it brings. Unfortunately, I did not inherit my dad’s artistic abilities or passion; however, I see the value in art as being a phenomenal medium to engage with others.

Photo of my dad’s artwork, taken by himself (Aaron Robbins). Find some of his artwork on: https://www.saatchiart.com/aaronrobbins

When I ask myself “who am I to interpret nature through art?” the answer I arrive at is that I am a human being. Art is a natural inclination, whether it’s theater, storytelling, poetry, visual art, music, dance, or some other medium of expression. Art is a part of what connects us together, since our distinct and sometimes seemingly disparate cultural backgrounds are told through similar artistic means (Beck, et al., 2018, p. 227). Likewise, art can be a useful tool in present day to guide us through complex ideas in nature interpretation and connect us to the earth. As a nature interpreter your key responsibility is to help people perceive the world around them differently, but, “beauty is the hard-to-perceive order of the universe,” because the structure of earth’s processes is often hidden (Beck, et al., 2018, p. 90). To be an effective nature interpreter that shares the underappreciated beauty of nature, ‘Mill’s Formula’ is a tool that focuses on appealing to human emotion. Mill’s formula includes, “giv[ing] flesh and bone to cold facts,” and “mak[ing] stories to breathe life into inanimate objects,” which denotes a need for abstract conception and imaginative thinking (Beck, et al., 2018, p. 83). Tangible elements like trees, rocks, and wildlife become connected to intangible meanings through artistic interpretive techniques, which stress universal truths (Beck, et al., 2018, p. 88).  

I think the artistic mediums I would apply most often in nature interpretation are storytelling and visual art. Storytelling is something that strays from typical ‘lecture-style’ presentation, meaning it has greater potential to inspire curiosity in visitors. Inspiring curiosity is key because the bulk of learning occurs on an individual basis after the interpretive experience has ended (Beck, et al., 2018, p. 92). If someone walks away motivated to learn more, they are likely to engage with nature in the future. Visual arts are also an inspiring activity that can be accomplished as a group and it is often within the comfort zone of visitors. While activities such as dance and theater are great for certain groups of people, visual art is something more universal. It is important to understand your demographic and recognize the subtle reactions of the group you are with to make them feel comfortable (Beck, et al., 2018, p. 129).

Photo of my dad’s artwork, taken by himself (Aaron Robbins).  Find some of his artwork on: https://www.saatchiart.com/aaronrobbins

If you find yourself asking “who am I to appreciate nature through art?” the answer is you are a person fully capable and qualified to enjoy nature through the world of art, even though it can be intimidating. Society has constructed the idea of art as being on a pedestal, to be appreciated by the elites, but in no way does that accurately represent art as being innately human (Beck, et al., 2018, p. 228). Art does not need to mean gallery openings and staring into a painting like an abyss, instead it can be very informal and fun. My childhood may have exposed me to the ‘art world’, but I believe anyone can be a part of it, regardless of their experiences.

Have you ever been intimidated by art? If so, why do you think you felt this way? Does rethinking the meaning of art as a way to interpret nature change your perspective?

Works Cited

Thank you so much for sharing your Dad’s art with us and your personal views on how art can be a great tool for nature interpretation. I’m quite similiar to you as I really do value art as a tool for engagement with others, whatever the art form it is. I love the fact that anyone, regarding your artistic abilities and talent, has the ability to create. It’s a way of expression, and essentially telling a story. It’s so cool when a piece also has multiple meanings and different people interpret different things based on what speaks to them. I’ve never heart of Mills Formula before until this course, but it is so true. You have the ability to take something that may not have that much life to it, and really bring it to life. When I read this, I thought of a a play. Beforehand, a play is just a bunch of text on a paper but when you have people acting it out in full costume, backdrops, emotion and colour in the voices, it brings those words on the paper life.

I agree with your words how art sometimes is put on a high pedestal and it is very intimidating. I think it not only intimidates other artists (worrying that they can never create something as extravagant) but also for the viewers, almost thinking they are not worthy in a sense to be viewing such pieces. I think social media has a huge part in this because it is endless the amount of things that are out there, including amazing pieces of art, which is very intimidating. However, it can also act as a huge inspiration for those who are not easily intimidated or have gotten over that fact. To answer your question, in the past I have felt intimidated by art, I think because I do enjoy drawing sketches (as a hobby) and will compare myself to others who are professionals at it. I have learned though that this is not something healthy to do and have a changed mindset that the things I create are for myself and not something I need to compare with others.

From your Dad’s art, which types of paintings or scenes do you enjoy the most? What types of art do you connect with the most?

To respond to your questions, I feel like I connect most with artwork that is inspired by nature and the scenes that I enjoy most of my dad’s artwork are definitely forested landscapes. I have always felt most at home in a forest. Here’s one of my dad’s older pieces from when he used to paint more forested landscapes:

Photo of my dad’s artwork, taken by himself (Aaron Robbins). Find some of his artwork on: https://www.saatchiart.com/aaronrobbins

Who am I to interpret _____? This is often a question asked in the art world, “who are you to judge what is good or bad art?” and the answer is infuriatingly simple. I am someone with an opinion. Art and nature are subjective, what is beautiful to one person may seem utterly worthless to another. But some opinions do matter more than other. If an art student walked through an exhibit and were to look at a piece, with all the education and understanding about the historical and cultural context, the intentions behind the piece, well their opinion matters more than the passive viewer who knows nothing and thinks it’s something a child could do. Both may pass judgement on the piece, both may like it or hate it but knowledge and understanding about it will change the way you see it.

Photo by Ibrahim Rifath on Unsplash

As a nature interpreter, we want to change the way people look at nature. For good or bad, we want to engage people, help them  form meaningful opinions, and recognize things they may not have seen or understood on their own. The modern trend of society seems to pull us farther away from nature. This is dangerous in a world that is deteriorating due to climate change, when the people in charge of policies, companies, and corporations have no opinion or connection to the environment they are effecting. If we as nature interpreters can bring a sense of understanding, connection, and knowledge, we can help people make more meaningful and better choices. this doesn’t always mean they will make good choices for the environment, merely that they truly understand the weight of their action. 

Photo by Sutirta Budiman on Unsplash

In the same way we cannot get everyone to love the same hobbies and things we love, we will not be able to convince everyone to love nature as we do. But through engaging people on a personal level, we can try to evoke emotional, spiritual, physical responses to the thing we love and at least leave people understanding why we feel the way we do even if they do not.  

Nature is beautiful. It is chaotic. Raw. Intense. Painful. It is also gentle. Empathetic. Nurturing. Orderly. By showing people all aspects, the good and the bad, we generate respect and awe for the wonderful world we live in. 

In this unit, we defined “risk” in several different ways. The first and probably most commonly used definition of the word is as follows: “the possibility that something unpleasant or unwelcome will happen”. I think most people would agree with this definition and it is understood that people take risks of their own free will. But we never defined the word “privilege”. To me the word privilege means to be able to do or say something without being concerned with the potential outcome. In other words, being able to take risks without fear while knowing that there is a possibility of something unpleasant or unwelcome happening as a result. We, as people living in a first world western country, take risks every single day without thinking about them. We can walk around and explore our surroundings freely without the fear of being kidnapped or killed. We have the ability to freely practice whatever religion we agree with without the fear of being persecuted by society for our beliefs. We have the ability to say whatever we want (within reason) without the fear of being murdered by the people that disagree with us. But we call these things “rights”, not privilege.

Two men arguing about their beliefs at the United States Capitol in Washington D.C.. Photo by @mariagrklens on Unsplash.

Being able to live this way without realizing that it is a privilege, is a privilege. People say stupid things on social media all the time and they get lost in the stream of information that comes with being able to use those services on a daily basis. In other countries, people are not so lucky. Censorship is rampant. Journalists get murdered for speaking out against corruption in other parts of the world all the time. Just last year, people in Hong Kong were arrested for peacefully protesting the tyranny of the Chinese government. They were forcefully silenced by the very people they were trying to expose for forcefully silencing people.

People in Tsim Sha Tsui, Hong Kong protesting against the Communist Party of China. Photo by @arturkornakov on Unsplash. 

Here in North America, we were able to elect a president that openly supported white supremacists along with his vice president that openly hated gay people. Even with all these privileges, people in our own society live in fear of taking risks. Women (and men to a lesser degree) have to stay vigilant whenever they go outside by themselves for fear of being attacked. Minorities have to stay vigilant whenever they go outside for fear of being profiled or targeted because of their race, gender, or religion. Both groups have to stay vigilant because they may not be treated equally within their own society. Poor people can’t afford to take risks like buying the latest phone because they’re probably more concerned with paying off debts or where their next meal is coming from. Humans within our own privileged society have been robbed of their basic privileges.

People protesting systemic racism in the United States during the Black Lives Matter Protests last year. Photo by @eadesstudio on Unsplash.

Describe your ideal role of environmental interpreter. What might it entail? Where might it be? What skills might you need? (Keep these all-in mind as you begin to work on your assignments – tailor these to that ideal job!

When I think about the ideal role of an environmental interpreter, I think about certain qualities that are essential. To be an interpreter, you have to be able to transform your interest and understanding of nature into an experience that can capture the interest of people and educate them on the topic you’re passionate about. It would require wisdom, intelligence, and skills such as perception and curiosity. An interpreter needs to be able to effectively communicate information to various learning styles such as auditory, visual and hands on learners, and teach in a way that is understandable and engaging for any audience.

A photo I took in Kenya of a hyrax, the closest living relative to the elephant!

Reflecting on personal experiences, I’ve met people throughout my life that have been able to turn experiences in nature into something educative and wonderful, leaving me with a new understanding of the place I’m visiting, and provide new insight into the ecology and biodiversity of the area. When I was younger my family and I went on a safari in Kenya where we spent a couple weeks in tents on a park reserve. We had guides who were able to take us to various landmarks and show us how animals and the environment interact. Overall it was a great experience that was turned into something special with the help of the guides. Their ability to communicate their understanding and experiences changed my perspective of Kenya and provided me of a rich understanding of the geography and culture.

A photo I took of a rock in hells gate national park in Kenya! The directors for the lion king visited the park before beginning production of the movie.

Years later, reflecting on what the role of a nature interpreter is, I’m glad I had those experiences and was able to see strong examples of what makes a good nature interpreter. For my personal ideal role, it would be as a nature interpreter for the Dundas escarpment and Bruce trail. Moving from America I grew up in the small town of Dundas in Ontario. As a kid my friends and I really enjoyed what the nature of the town had to offer. There’s the Dundas peak, which you can walk to by taking a path from the Bruce trail that provides a view of the entire town. This view is very sentimental to me because I always reflect and try to see what has changed, and can also see various landmarks such as the elementary and high schools I attended, my house and many others.

A photo I took at the Dundas peak, what a view!