Jackson's ENVS 3000 Blog!!

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

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

Me as a kid thoroughly enjoying some smores outside.

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

Works Cited

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

thank you for sharing your thoughts and insights. I think it’s important for us to step back and acknowledge some of the barriers restricting people from the world of nature interpretation. As you mentioned, individuals who live downtown might struggle to have access to those natural areas, or those with any physical impairments may be able to access certain trails or parks the way able-bodied people can. I failed to consider how audible impairments would significantly impact one’s experience on a guided walk. I was brainstorming ways to combat this, and one thing that I came to find was an audio transcript that translates the interpreter’s speech into text.

Growing up, I loved opportunities to go on camping trips to various provincial parks in Ontario. I remember visiting Balsam Lake, Sibbald Point, Six Mile Lake, Killbear and Wasaga Beach Provincial Park. I loved exploring these natural areas and discovering new landscapes and environments within Ontario. 

A picture I took at Cape Breton Highlands National Park in Nova Scotia. 

 My ideal role as an environmental interpreter would be as a park interpreter at a provincial or national park within Canada. My role as park interpreter would involve assisting visitors to explore park trails and swimming areas while providing informational programs safely and respectfully. I would love to run programs such as nature journaling, biodiversity hikes or games such as Wolf Prowl which allows kids to take on roles as animals in an ecosystem. I would also like to help run evening programs that permit visitors to safely explore the trails in the dark which they might not do on their own. As a park interpreter, I would like to focus some programs on establishing people's relationships with nature and sustainability.  

The job of an environmental interpreter would require a variety of skills to deliver effective and meaningful interpretation. The skills I first thought of included plant and animal identification and knowledge of ecology, geology, and environmental stewardship. Additional skills in mapping, GPS, and first aid would also be crucial in a role as a park interpreter. Skills in these areas will allow me to be a reliable source of information that visitors can trust with their questions regarding the natural heritage of conservation areas. These areas of knowledge and skills I have listed are essential for environmental interpretation, however, I do not think they are the most important.   

A picture I took of a Japanese beetle (Popillia japonica) on a hike on the Brook Trail in Uxbridge.  

Before having the opportunity to work in outdoor education and to read the textbook, Interpreting Cultural and Natural Heritage: For A Better World, I thought knowledge of the environment would be the most important skill to have as an interpreter. However, you could have all the knowledge of nature possible but if you cannot communicate with individuals then you will not be able to effectively share the beauty of nature with others. As described by Beck et al. (2019), communication is the core of cultural and natural interpretation.  

In an environmental interpreter role, I would need to be skilled in applying different learning theories and styles to communicate natural surroundings to a diverse group of people. Having the ability to use the Cognitive Development Theory through numerous interpretation forums will allow me to interact with different age groups (Beck et al., 2019). Also, having skills working with multiple intelligences will allow me to connect with a variety of people who learn in different ways (Beck et al., 2019).   

A photograph I took in British Columbia at a Natural heritage site. 

As an outdoor education intern, I saw many kids with different interests and ways of learning. Some kids connected better to lessons involving games such as Predator-Prey where they got to run around but still learnt about ecosystem functions. Other kids preferred to explore ecosystems through nature journaling or nature photography programs. All kids were able to leave the outdoor education center with new knowledge and new feelings toward the environment through different pathways. 

By utilizing my knowledge of the environment with communication and teaching skills I could succeed as an interpreter at a natural heritage site such as provincial or national parks. Communicating my understanding of different environments and sharing my passion for nature would allow me to guide people to form their own connections and ideas of nature. 

References  

As you said, being an effective nature interpreter requires clear and effective communication. I never considered how GPS and mapping could elevate my skills as an interpreter. Understanding multiple stems of knowledge can allow you to communicate to various audiences. When I was working at the Toronto Zoo, the number one thing their Learning and Engagement department taught me was the importance of making connections while delivering your material.

Hey Everyone! My name is Evan, in my last semester here at Guelph. Welcome to my blog:)

My current relationship with nature seems to be transitioning from a purely physical perspective to one that strives to learn more about the ins and outs of what makes things possible, and the purpose behind it. Why do certain trees grow in certain environments? Why are certain plants and mushrooms edible and others poisonous? Did we really go through thousands of generations with people eating a certain plant, dying as a result, and now being taught not to eat that certain plant through word of mouth? These are some of the types of questions I ponder as my current relationship with nature grows.

Besides this, my physical relationship with nature now consists of going on hikes with friends, foraging or just finding different shrubs, trees, or fungi, and since the completion of my program, viewing the natural landscape as a medium for sustainable designs. I just finished my program in Landscape Architecture and now finishing up electives. My hope is that I can take what I have gained and apply that knowledge to interpreting nature for others.  At this point in my life I feel so educated about nature and at the same time feel like I have barely scratched the surface.

I discovered these little guys on a walk when I was living in my student house in Guelph. Based on the fact that it was during winter months and growing on a dead piece of hardwood, I'm fairly certain these are Flammulina velutipes, commonly known as velvet shank or enoki mushrooms (they are edible and choice but I'm only a beginner so I just got this cool picture instead)

The wonderful thing about my current relationship with nature is that I never used to think this way. As a kid, I never thought about the purpose behind things in nature, I just assumed a thing is a thing because it grows and that’s it. I believe my perspective towards nature has evolved through experience. Experiencing climbing trees, falling off trees, trying to catch frogs in a local pond, or using a torch to burn a leach off my leg because I was trying to catch frogs in a local pond. I was fortunate enough to grow up in a middle-class household, and so my old home used to back onto a small ravine and mixed deciduous forest.

Every day after school, my brother and I would put on our waterproof boots, maybe pack a granola bar in the pocket for a snack later, and we would just walk. Walk into the forest, straying away from any desired lines, making your own path, jumping in puddles, listening to birds chirping, or getting hit in the face with a buckthorn branch because your brother didn’t wait for you. We would just walk and talk until there was no more forest to be found or until we stumbled upon the next subdivision of neighborhoods. I truly believe this is where my appreciation and curiosity for nature was born. 

A little blurry but I think it still gets the point across lol. My brother on the right and myself on the left after one of the many afterschool hikes.

When thinking about how one develops a sense of place, it typically can happen in more than one setting, and even under different contexts. For me, my sense of place stems from two major experiences in my life so far. The first, already mentioned above, but I really found such bliss going on hikes and walking in the forest behind my childhood home. It’s hard to describe the feeling, but it feels like you are transported into an entirely new world, where you experience taking your first steps past the forest edge, the wind no longer hitting your face and this calm silence grows until it becomes a peaceful white noise. I really felt like this forest was part of my home; I used to call it my backyard when I was younger because it really allowed me to find comfort in nature.

The second experience is going to my cottage every year. For context, my cottage sits on the shores of Georgian Bay, in Lion’s Head, Ontario. My grandad’s father bought the property in 1939, where they moved their little old trailer onto, and built the most vintage-looking bungalow which I now call my cottage. Georgian Bay is an incredible location, I may be biased but if you haven’t been there I highly suggest it. Connected to the Bruce trails and a part of the Niagara Escarpment, this environment offered a radically different landscape than where I grew up, even though it’s only about four hours northwest. The rocky limestones coupled with blue shale make this environment unforgettable and have allowed me to experience having a sense of place in a completely different environment than what I’m used to. Thanks for reading and see you on the next blog:)

I just wanted to say that these are some of the questions that I’ve since grappled with since starting university and really diving deeper into the world of environmental science. Some of the questions I’ve come to ask myself also stem from the fact that the more I begin to understand the intricacies of the environment the more I realize I don’t know. Like you I was lucky enough to grow up in a house that backed up on a ravine and small forest. I think having this quick, easy, and unlimited access to a world that was always so new and exciting really allowed me to form a strong understanding and love for the outdoors at such a young age.

Your description of finding your sense of place really resonated with me. I can relate to how you feel that you’ve found your sense of place whenever you take that first step into a forest, for me all my worries go away and this sense of calm flows over me. I struggled to pick just one place too as so many people and places have helped shape me into who I am today and have built my love for the environment.

Also! My cottage is on Georgian Bay as well, a little more east in Honey Harbour but still in the same general area. I think that having access to this novel environment at such a young age propelled my passion and interest in natural sciences. It’s awesome to see that it did the same for you.