Nature Interpretation with Julia

Wow….this crazy year of school has finally ended. We have all learned valuable lessons that we will be able to carry with us for the rest of our lives - from the knowledge we have obtained through the course material and the many experiences we have had. How one interprets this school year will definitely vary from person to person, some of us may have had a positive experience and some…. well, some may have not had the best time. But hey at least we can all probably say we became much better at using technology, which is great to put on a resume!

Accurate representation of me this semester! 

This course provided all of us with the opportunity to get to know one another through our weekly blog post which allowed us to learn about each other’s morals, values, beliefs, hopes, fears and so many other things we wouldn’t have been able to learn while sitting in a classroom. By getting to know all of you through these weekly blogs I feel very confident in saying that you will have what Larry Smith describes as a great. As you all seem to be very passionate about certain issues and fields of study, which gives me the strong sense that all of you are willing to work for what you want and love. Please do not lose that passion and drive and settle for something “good” because you are scared of what others may think, tired of possibly facing rejection, or whatever else may come your way. The greats never gave up and neither should you! Now trust me when I say I know thinking about our futures can be scary, especially now when we need to start thinking about grad school, possibly getting a second degree, jobs to apply to, and so on. However, do not fear life always has a way of working itself out, plus think of all the great skills we have learned in this course alone that can help us plan our future! I am sure we will all be able to find something we love with the lessons we have learned. Also, Professor Hookyaas has supplied some excellent information in the week 11 content I recommend you all take a look at it if you haven’t already to help you when trying to organize and plan your future! 

I wish all of you the best of luck in your future endeavours and encourage you to laugh a little more, stress a little less, and take a stroll through nature when the opportunity presents itself ;). On that note, I end my blog series!

Abigail!

References 

Thanks for your positivity about this semester, it definitely gave me a smile! I loved reading your post this week. I absolutely agree with you that reading each others’ posts has been a huge benefit to our learning. I have loved hearing everyone else’s perspectives to each topic we have covered and I believe it has taught me so much more to be able to learn from my classmates.

Thank you for your positivity in this past week and I wish you luck with your future as well!

(Photo taken from https://www.greenbiz.com/article/economic-inclusion-becomes-sustainability-imperative)

To further the discussion about being inclusive with anyone we may encounter, I believe that the role of an interpreter is to focus more on the conservation and education of nature rather than the details of the audience (race, religion, income, etc.) while still being inclusive. The purpose of being a nature interpreter is to share what you know and the enthusiasm you have for nature with others. We must try to show the audience just how important the earth, nature and its conservation are through our excitement. One way of sharing our excitement is by sharing stories of the earth’s history and how different groups around the globe were so in touch with their environment through their culture (Hooykaas, 2021). This may spark an interest in someone who will want to further their knowledge on the subject related to nature which is the best feeling ever. This means you started to get the audience thinking about the various aspects that are interrelated with nature, which at the end of the day is the overall goal of being a nature interpreter.

(photo taken from https://e360.yale.edu/features/native-knowledge-what-ecologists-are-learning-from-indigenous-people)

I think that the beliefs that the interpreter holds dear to their heart can be shown to the audience making this a very important aspect to consider. What beliefs will I bring as a nature interpreter? Although I have expressed some of my ethics which may be considered as my beliefs, they are the strongest morals I hold when I think about myself as a nature interpreter. One belief that I have always hold on to is that I must show respect to everyone around me, no matter the age, sex, race, etc. and this is something I would implicate into my nature interpretation. Everyone around you is wanting to learn more about nature and the environment around you, therefore we must respect any questions and comments that arise as they are all valid.

I also want to bring the belief of leading by example. It is great to say all of these incredible things about how we want to act in this world towards others but I think it is also important to put those words into action. It is great to be explaining the various ways that one may be able to help protect this earth but it is another to put those ideas into action within your own life. I try very hard to help conserve the earth by doing lots of reduction, reuse and recycle as much as possible by limiting the amount of single-use plastic and increase the use of reusable bags and containers. I think we as interpreters must demonstrate by example and not simply by words, because who are we to be telling others how to help this earth if we aren’t even trying to do the same. This can kind of tie in with the responsibilities that we have as interpreters of nature, as it is kind of our job to educate the world and lead by example.

(Photo taken from https://www.naturalhomebrands.com/blogs/news/the-importance-of-the-three-r-s)

As this world is showing many signs of climate change and overall anthropogenic changes for the worst, we must try to stay optimistic for a better world to come. There are many technological tools out in the world now that are readily available at our fingertips (through our phones and tablets) (Hooykaas, 2021). These tools may provide information for example on the native plants that one may put in their gardens to help the honeybee crisis. One website such as Pollinator Victory Garden describes the various types of plants that are native to the honeybees for the different seasons which is something anyone can access and use (Eierman, 2021). Providing these tools to your audience shows that you are optimistic that there can be change even at an individual level, and if you can have done these yourself the personal experiences may entice your audience to try it for themselves.

As a nature interpreter, I believe that the main responsibility that we have is to educate everyone on the natural world around us with the information and knowledge that we have. It is important in my eyes for the entire population to get an understanding of what is happening in the world around. To link this with the most suitable approach for myself is through social media at the moment. Being a student makes it difficult to gain lots of resources to be in the field and gaining data, but nothing is stopping me from sharing the fact through the various media platforms. Anything to remind the population of the various natural events that are of concern can help spark an interest within them and want to help. Help can be as small or large as the individual is willing to do and I think it is important to support whatever we can do, no one knows their story.

(Photo taken from https://www.commbox.io/the-role-of-social-media-in-customer-service-a-social-media-guide/)

I understand that this is a more intense topic this week but what is one media platform that you believe is best to share your knowledge and information about the natural world with the general population?

Emily

References

Eierman, K. (2021, March 10). Reliable lists of native plants for bees. Retrieved March 24, 2021, from https://www.ecobeneficial.com/great_resources/reliable-lists-native-plants-bees/

Hooykaas, A. (2021). Unit 3: Risk Versus Reward in Interpretation [Course Website]. University of Guelph Courselink. https://courselink.uoguelph.ca/d2l/le/content/666945/viewContent/2590559/View

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

I really enjoyed reading your post this week! I really loved your point about being inclusive. I think there were many of us that learned a lot about our “invisible backpacks” through this course. I love how you made sure to include that information in your post this week. It’s so important that we all keep those lessons in mind and incorporate diversity into our interpretation in the future. I also completely agree with your ideas of the purpose of interpretation. 

You stated that the important part is that interpreters inspire their audience to love conservation just as we do. That love will help to encourage the public to become involved in conservation efforts as well, which was a key point of my blog post as well. I also really respect your philosophy of leading my example. I think your audience will be able to tell you are genuine in what you are sharing with them. 

Overall I definitely share a lot of your views and I love how you have taken information and lessons from this course and applying it to how you intend to function as an interpreter. 

Representation of human evolution. Photo courtesy of: yourgenome.org

“I don’t know if we fully appreciate the fact that we got out of the food chain. That is a massive upgrade!” -Louis CK (2013). 

The most amazing thing about nature in my perspective is it’s ability to adapt. 

Specifically, I want to discuss the topic of evolution, an ever present concept throughout nature. Merriam Webster defines evolution as “the process by which new species or populations of living things develop from preexisting forms through successive generations.”

Evolution and our ability to adapt as humans in nature is present everywhere, and the concept fascinates me. 

Like Louis CK put, we as humans got out of the food chain! Or as Eddie Vedder of Pearl Jam sang, “I’m ahead, I’m a man, I’m the first mammal to wear pants”. 

An example of our massive technological advances: skyscrapers.

I love the Pearl Jam lyric and Louis CK quote because it instills a sense of hope for our future. No longer are we cavemen being preyed on by predators, nor  hunter-gatherers scrounging for our next meal; we are human beings that wear the Levi-Strauss jeans and operate in an entirely separate food web. 

Instead, in the 21st century, we have made technological advances throughout the current anthropocene that allow our once gathered food to be readily available to us at the nearest Walmart and our once predators far on the outskirts of daily civilization. 

Image depicting modern medicine. Photo courtesy of: geneticliteracyproject.org

In particular, my sense of hope is derived from our ability to adapt as humans in any circumstance. Take the COVID-19 pandemic for example. One hundred years ago, this very same virus may have wiped out a vast majority of the population like the Spanish Flu. Instead, we have adapted to modern medicine, advanced healthcare, and have become much healthier individuals as an overall population that allows our immune systems to thrive and be better adapted to novel viruses. 

Not only is this phenomenon present in humans, but in the physical natural world as well. 

Image of a tree in in Hong Kong adapting to the urban concrete environment. Photo courtesy of: crazyfacts.com

Physical nature environments can adapt readily to different circumstances, like the tree pictured above (the example is a bit overgeneralized, but I think you get the point!)

For example, take the nature landscape that is now developing after the notorious Chernobyl that can be read about here: https://www.nytimes.com/2014/05/06/science/nature-adapts-to-chernobyl.html

Therefore, my hope extends into the unknown future dealing with climate change and the potential fate of another mass extinction. I believe nature will continuously be able to adapt to the rapidly changing world and humans will be able to still thrive as we find ways to cope with the unknown. 

To leave you with one last quote that sums up my blog well!

Some questions…

Anyone else have any thoughts on the matter?

Is it naive to think that “life…uh…finds a way”, and nature will continue to? 

References

CK, L. (Director). (n.d.). Oh My God [Video file]. Retrieved March 15, 2021, from https://www.dailymotion.com/video/x2uahay

Evolution. (n.d.). Retrieved March 15, 2021, from https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/evolution

Evolution of modern humans. (2016, June 13). Retrieved March 15, 2021, from https://www.yourgenome.org/stories/evolution-of-modern-humans

Fountain, H. (2014, May 05). At Chernobyl, hints of NATURE’S ADAPTATION. Retrieved March 15, 2021, from https://www.nytimes.com/2014/05/06/science/nature-adapts-to-chernobyl.html

Transforming modern medicine doesn’t have to be high tech or expensive. (2019, January 09). Retrieved March 15, 2021, from https://geneticliteracyproject.org/2018/03/05/transforming-modern-medicine-doesnt-high-tech-expensive/

I really enjoyed reading your post this week. I think you made a lot of interesting points - specifically about humans no longer being a part of the food chain and how that gives you hope about adaptation. 

Although I liked a lot of your points, I actually have a different perspective about it. I agree that humans have made so many advancements that we are no longer a part of the food chain. We’re barely still a part of nature. Although we came from common ancestors, we have made so many technological advancements that we no longer have to adapt to our environment - we make it adapt to us. This makes me nervous in the sense that so many of our advancements have come at the cost of the natural ecosystem. 

In your discussion questions you asked if it was naive to think that nature will continue to find a way. I have 2 answers. On the one hand I think no, nature as we know it, will not continue to find a way. We have modified the whole planet to such a degree that it can’t just fix itself and return to how it was. But I think nature will adapt and a different version of nature will continue to exist - even after humans cease to. 

If you are interested in how the planet has changed, how humans have shaped it, and how it is likely to change in the future, I highly recommend David Attenborough’s newest documentary. I think you would really enjoy it!

Hello fellow ENVS*3000 peers!

I have a question for you! When you think of music what is the first thought that comes to your head? Mine is birds chirping. This is due to my grandpa always telling me when I was younger the chirping of birds was music to his ears. Through his interpretation of music, he made me see the various sounds of nature as music instead of more of the human forms of music, like guitars. I have found that when I am stressed I won’t turn to smooth jazz or rap music to calm down but instead, I will go and google rain falling or forest sounds to help me relax! As I interpret these sounds as the most calming type of music ever formed!

I highly recommend during this stressful midterm time to take 5 minutes and just close your eyes and listen to the birds chirping, rain falling, or whatever sound from nature you prefer to help you de-stress! 

Have you found listening to the music produced within our environment an effective way to help you calm down? Think why do we go on walks when stressed? Personally, I go on a walk, not for the physical activity part but just to feel closer to nature through hearing the birds chirping or squirrels rustling the leaves laying on the ground!

Can’t wait to hear back from you guys!

I loved reading your post this week. I think it's so cool how, not only do you have a connection to the sounds of nature, but it's also that it's an important connection you have with your grandfather. Music is, in my opinion, a really great way to connect with people, nature and our emotions. I also have a couple of songs I turn to when I need to feel a certain way. I have songs to calm me down and songs to increase my energy. I think it's so interesting how important these songs can be in our lives. It's also important to acknowledge that the sounds of nature can be very effective forging those connections as well. I also agree that going for a walk is often a great way to reset our emotions!

This is how I order these by importance. If we are too occupied by the past or future, we ignore what is happening now and miss the opportunity to interact and enjoy the things happening now. Setting goals, being mindful of the outcome you want, planning; all of these acts as guides to helps us in the present and are only worthwhile as such, as focusing too much on the future can create anxiety. Using history, our mistakes, our regrets, our “what-if” to change and inform our decisions about our present and future are of course important but if we become to focused on these we become stuck and/or hopeless. That being said, none of these exist or should exist without the others because each have value to helping us grow and live meaningful self-aware lives. Does you order of importance differ?

Stick, rock, leaf: An exercise for reflecting on time

Taken by Jacob Kannel from Unsplash. 

When you want to help your audience reflect on their experience (especially a younger audience) this was a helpful tool I discovered. Ask them to collect a stick, a rock, and a leaf and have them say one thing that will “stick” with them (future), something that “rock-ed” (present), and what they want to “leaf” behind (past). This helps them to engage with their experience in the context of time.

Engaging with the Past

“There is no peculiar merit in ancient things, but there is merit in integrity, and integrity entails the keeping together of the parts of any whole, and if these parts are scattered throughout time, then the maintenance of integrity entails a knowledge, a memory, of ancient things. …. To think, feel or act as though the past is done with, is equivalent to believing that a railway station through which our train has just passed, only existed for as long as our train was in it.”

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

In this quote, Hyams is stating that while old things aren’t inherently more valuable, there is value in what they tell us.

“Those who fail to learn their history are doomed to repeat it.”

(Winston Churchill)

I am reminded of the over-quoted warning of not learning from history and as someone who is really interested in conservation, this is something I often think about when it comes to analysing conservation and management strategies. While our history is often sad, we have lost so many species due to humans impacts (overharvest, climate change, pollution, etc.), it is important to explain this to your audience with a message of hope. As I said earlier, past without present and future leaves us stuck, making it crucial to share our history to show our progress and encourage further growth.

“Yes our coral reefs are in danger but we are doing amazing things to combat this like using 3D printers to make artificial substrates to regrow coral!”(1,2). 

1.Perry, C. T., Alvarez-Filip, L., Graham, N. A., Mumby, P. J., Wilson, S. K., Kench, P. S., … & Macdonald, C. (2018). Loss of coral reef growth capacity to track future increases in sea level. Nature, 558(7710), 396-400.

I really loved reading your post this week. I completely agree with your points about how the past, present and future are all important in their own ways and how it's important to focus on all of them when we can. I also related to another quote in my own post. I mentioned that I think mistakes are only mistakes if we fail to learn from them, which you noted as well.

I really loved how you related these ideas to conservation in specific. I agree that specifically in this context, it is so important to look back on history in order to appreciate where we have come from, to learn from our actions in the past and make decisions about what we should do now. It can also serve as a great tool in order to provide hope for the future. I think a fantastic example of this is David Attenborough's documentary "A Life on Our Planet." He shares his experiences from the past and then uses that to describe what he has learned from those experiences and where we can go from here.

I never really thought that I was a nature interpreter before I started this course.  Well, that is probably because I didn’t know the full extent of it.  I’ve realized that nature interpretation not only started when I was younger, but actually followed me to my current job.  As I mentioned in my first blog post I’ve been working for the Grand River Conservation Authority (GRCA) for the past four years.  If you are ever looking for a summer student job I highly recommend!  Working at Pinehurst Lake, I never realized how often I would explain nature through “a scientific lens” to the public (Hooykaas, 2020).  For example, many visitors would ask where the lake flows in and out of, with many guessing that it was spring fed.  I would then explain to them that this lake is actually a kettle lake meaning it was created by retreating glaciers.  The only way for it to gain water is through precipitation unlike other lakes that predominantly have a natural outflow such as a river or stream.  

One of the boating docs at Pinehurst overlooking the kettle lake. - Taken by me

Another question where I was able to use my nature interpretation skills was when it came to fishers.  I would be asked what types of fish are found in the lake and what are the “best spots” to catch them.  I could explain to them that yes, there are pan fry species such as Sunfish or Pumpkinseed but as you reach the deepest parts of the lake there are Smallmouth Bass.  Then, as you reach the area of the lake with stumps and rocks you’ll be able to find Largemouth Bass especially if you stick close to the weeds. 

This is the spot in the lake for bigger fish! - Taken by me

I was even able to interpret nature just by waiting outside with my coworkers to clean the bathrooms.  Many kids always thought we were Park Rangers, even with our bright orange construction shirts and would ask us what type of insect was on the wall or what type of animal tracks were on the trail close to us.  You start becoming very intuned with your surroundings and by this past summer, I could definitely say I was able to answer each question confidently.

Maintenance Team to the rescue to get this Snapper covered in duckweeds out of the road! -Taken by me

It’s amazing to think about how many visitors and campers I’ve had the chance to interpret nature to.  Whether that was a senior wanting to know everything I could tell them about the kettle lake or a kid being confused between a frog and a toad.  It feels good knowing that within their day I could teach them a small amount of nature and they can pass it onto the next person who might ask them.

There’s not only fishing at Pinehurst Lake but canoes and kayaks can be rented as well to use! - Taken by me

I’m hoping after this course I will return to my job and use these skills I’ve been gaining throughout the course.

A question I have for you guys is has there been a time when you have been a nature interpreter and not realized it?  What was it?  How can you take what we have learned so far in the course and apply it to your next encounter?

Cait

If you want to learn more about GRCA and Pinehurst Lake visit: 

https://www.grandriver.ca/en/index.aspx

I had to put one more photo of Jack, Bryce, me and Cass.  They’ve become some of my best friends over the years working there! -Taken by our boss on our last shift this summer

References:

I loved reading your post this week. I think it is so interesting how you’ve been a nature interpreter over time and didn’t even realize it! It seems like you’ve learned a lot through your summer job and it’s exciting that you’ll be able to take what you’ve learned through this course and apply it to your real life. 

You asked if we have had any experiences in our life where we acted as interpreters without realizing it. I don’t know that I have ever had the opportunity to be in this position, but my father absolutely has. His father taught him a lot about the environment and he has had the opportunity to have some amazing experiences in his life. He also really loves being a Dad and a big part of that is passing on his knowledge. He has taught me so much by pointing things out in nature in every opportunity it has. Now that I have taken this course, I will definitely try to apply it in order to share the knowledge that I have gained over my life. 

I was going to start this week’s post by saying how I never considered privilege and nature to be connected - and then I realized that perfectly exhibits my privilege. 

To be clear, I consider privilege to mean that certain people possess traits that give them the tools and the position to make life easier for themselves. It is the idea that in a race, those with privilege are starting further ahead and that, unfortunately, the game of life isn’t fair. 

I would considered myself to be fairly privileged. I am white, I grew up in Canada, I speak English (but I also speak French) and I have no disabilities that make anything in my life more difficult. My family is upper-middle class, which has afforded me a lot of opportunities in life. Both of my parents (and later my sister and I) grew up in Aldershot, a “nicer” area of a “nicer” city. My grandparents owned our family cottage and my parents were able to buy their own next door. Between contributions from my grandparents and my parents, I have spent very little on my university degree. There has not been many (if any) instances in my life where my background has prevented me from doing something or made an accomplishment more difficult to achieve. I have a lot of tools in my invisible backpack. 

** A picture of my sister and I with my grandfather, at our family cottage**

Unfortunately, it took longer than I would like to admit to understand just how much easier my life is because of my privilege. Growing up, all of my friends lived a very similar life to me and my life was pretty average compared to my peers. It wasn’t at all uncommon for friends to be going on multiple vacations a year or spending time at their cottages, and I knew very very few people with divorced parents. It’s very hard to change your mindset to see things that were always normal to recognize it as privilege. I started to understand this as I got older and I actually vividly remember the first time I saw the video of the $100 race that we watched in class this week. My mom became more and more involved as a teacher working to promote equity in the school board and she would share many lessons like that video with us and I began to understand how privileged I was. 

However, understanding and experiencing first hand is a completely different level of comprehension. When I came to university, it was the first time I met anyone that had grown up in a very different way than I had. I was faced, first-hand with how different life was and is for so many different people.

** Picture taken by me of the Severn River from my cottage **

Combining that idea of privilege to nature is something I think is so important. I fell in love with the outdoors from a young age, but I had a unique opportunity to do so, having a cottage to visit and a house with a large property featuring woods to hike through. Had I not had the financial privilege of growing up where I did, would that love have been fostered? It most certainly would have been more difficult. I went to school for biology, where my learning has further increased that love - without the financial support would that have been possible?

** Image by Ponomariova_Maria **

To me, the most important thing about privilege is recognizing that you have it. Nature is something that no one person deserves to experience more than someone else. Those of us who have had certain opportunities because of our “invisible backpacks” have a responsibility to offer any assistance that we can. Nature interpreters are in a beautiful and unique position to guide individuals towards the beauty and healing that the environment can provide - especially those who aren’t in a position to do so as easily without their guidance. It is important to considered privilege in every aspect of life but nature is an important one. I truly believe that every single individual who wants to should not have barriers preventing them from experiencing the natural world. 

I am well aware that I have much to learn. I can never fully understand what it is like to not have privilege because that simply isn’t my reality. But I can (and I do) commit to always being open to learning, to try my best to see the world from another person’s perspective and to use my privilege to try to help someone who wasn’t handed the same tools in their backpack as I was.

I really enjoyed reading your post!

I thought your first sentence was really smart because it paints a perfect picture of privilege without even defining the term. I too have many tools in my invisible backpack, and because of this, I try and redistribute those tools to the best of my ability (i.e., level the playing field). I like how you describe privilege as a race: those with more privilege starting further ahead and those with less starting further behind. As we all know, life isn’t always fair, and people’s opportunities can be restricted based on a number of different factors. In another one of your posts, you mentioned that your ideal role as an environmental interpreter would be to work in Muskoka. To connect the content from this week’s and last’s, how could you make environmental interpretation more accessible to minority populations, people with disabilities, etc… in Muskoka?  

Photo by Evi T. on Unsplash

I agree that the most important thing about privilege is recognizing that you have it and that those of us who have had certain opportunities because of our “invisible backpacks” have a responsibility to create a more inclusive environment for everybody. Privilege can be a difficult topic, but I believe the first step in effecting positive change is recognizing that privilege. Additionally, privilege can sometimes be difficult to identify. Can you think of something you take for granted that you may not realize?

Photo by Mark Pettler. on Unsplash

Learning about the different barriers that prevent people from experiencing the natural world was really eye-opening for me. I never thought about cultural or fear-based barriers before engaging with this week’s content. Did you have any eye-opening moments while interacting with the course content this week?  

Thanks again for such a thought-provoking post.

Thank you so much for your reply, and for connecting it to my previous posts. Your first question was about making Muskoka more accessible. I think it would be really interesting to try to have an interactive website in multiple languages in order for those who can’t physically travel to the area to experience it. But more than anything I don’t think I am the best person to answer this question. I think the best course of action would be to ask people what would make the region more accessible to them. Next, you asked if there was something I took for granted without realizing. Honestly the first thing that comes to mind is that my parents are together. I always realized I had the privilege of being Canadian and white and financially secure but I didn’t realize what a difference it makes to have your entire immediate family living under one roof. All of my friends had a very similar home life to me but as I have met more people through my life, I realized how important this has been. Lastly, you asked what thoughts I had with the course content. For me, it was super interesting to read everyone elses’ posts. Everyone has a different perspective and life experiences so it was really eye-opening to read my classmates thoughts. 

Thanks again for your reply!

When you think of risk, art and nature definitely don’t seem to be the first thing that comes to mind, well at least for myself. However, whenever an artist is creating artwork, they face the risk of whether or not their audience is going to truly understand the importance or the significance behind it.

Image retrieved from mx.hola.com

There is so much more to the piece than what you see at first glance. The colours that the artist used can mean one thing, the movement of the brush strokes could mean another thing, perhaps the type of paint they used was intentional etc. We can interpret Starry Night by Vincent van Gogh as an example. The colours he chose (blues, greens and white) created a sense of calm and relaxation while the addition of the bright yellow and orange round the sun and stars creates excitement similar to a firework. The wave-like motion of the sky adds another element of calmness to the piece by recreating features of the ocean. This is known as a post-impressionist painting (Lee, n.d.).

Image retrieved from vangoghgallery.com

But prior to researching the artistic interpretation behind this painting I had just assumed it was a night sky over a village. Unfortunately, we will never be able to truly understand why van Gogh painted this piece this way or why he used those specific colours, further solidifying that risk is present through art. Although artists face this risk when their work is presented, the ability for everyone to have their own opinion of the piece show the variety that interpretations hold within a society.

Nature and art have always had a type of mutualistic relationship, when there is one there is the other. We are surrounded by art in our lives however being able to acknowledge it has been something that is fairly new to me. With that I ask myself who am I to interpret nature through art? I am definitely someone who has struggled with the whole interpretation aspect of art and just liked to look at a piece and move on, not really thinking about the meaning behind it. But as the older I have become, I’d like to think that I have become more appreciative of art and try to incorporate it more into my life. Whether it is through capturing the little things that make me happy by taking a picture or expressing myself through paint nights with my friends. Humans, if they are able, are very visual learners and especially in the fast pace society that we live in, the message that the artist is trying to convey has to be clear and evident or I fear that the significance will be lost.

Image retrieved from creapills.com

To me the ‘gift of beauty’ is someone’s ability to see the beauty in their life. No matter where or what we are doing, there is a sense of appreciation and gratification of your surroundings. People come from so many different backgrounds, cultures, and experience their environments differently, and where one thing may be considered beautiful in one culture may not fit within the societal beauty standards of another culture. Valuing individuality and being able to view the diversity amongst the planet provides, in my perspective, people with passion and a source of inspiration for conserving the uniqueness within ourselves and the earth.

Photo taken by me of Sleeping Giant Island at sunrise in Thunderbay, ON

-Alyssa

reference

Thank you so much for this post! It was absolutely my favourite I have read so far in this course. I loved your example about Starry Night and I think it perfectly explained what I believe the importance of art to be as well. The beauty of art is that it can mean so many different things to so many different people and the environment is the same. When we feel an emotional connection to something, that is when we want to preserve it. You explained that beautifully. 

Art can be a wonderful tool for interpreters because of its ability to make people feel things. Words aren’t always as effective at creating those feelings as works of art can be. It is so important to be able to interpret something in your own way, because that is what makes it special to each person. Everyone has a unique life, has had unique experiences and felt unique emotions, so the way that they connect with something with invariably be their own. I think you really captured that with your post. 

The first thoughts that come to mind when hearing the word “privilege” are special advantages or rights that are granted to individuals depending on their race, gender, ethnicity, education, gender identity, religion, sexuality, ability (mental and physical), socio-economic status and many more (Media Smarts, 2014). As mentioned in our textbook, these groups of people that are separated by “some demographic characteristic” are labeled as “underserved populations or audiences”. Privilege allows certain individuals to believe they are more entitled to specific opportunities and experiences due to special pre-existing conditions that have been determined by society. 

The term “privilege” holds a different meaning for each person because everyone has experienced or witnessed different kinds of privilege throughout their lives. I am a half Trinidadian and half Chinese woman who grew up in Canada. I was raised in a home with two, full-time, successful working parents that love and support myself and my older brother. They have always provided us with everything we have ever needed, including clean water, clothes, food, a well-rounded education, a roof over our head and other luxuries including electronics, vacations, etc. All of the things that have been provided to me by my family have always seemed to be a basic right because it is all I have ever known and been exposed to; however, this is not the case for many people. I recognize the privilege that I do have because of the family I was born into and the status they hold in society. However, I am also able to recognize the opportunities and experiences I have lost or were not considered for because of the privilege I do not have due to the fact that I am a mixed woman of colour. 

This is a picture of my two parents, my brother and I in Mexico in 2008. This picture was taken by my grandma.

To be completely honest, I never considered the term privilege in the sense of nature or nature interpretation before reading the prompt for this blog post. However, I came to realize that privilege plays a major role in one’s interpretation of nature because the opportunities we were fortunate enough to experience in our life influences the way we think and interpret the world around us. The places I was able to visit and the beauty of nature that I was able to experience in those places were made available to me because of the privilege provided to me by my family. Although one does not need to partake in extravagant trips in order to experience the beauty that nature has to offer, I think that these experiences do influence the way in which we interpret nature. I believe that every experience or opportunity we have encountered in our lives will change the way we interpret interactions, objects, challenges, opportunities and more. I think that without the privilege I do have, my interpretation of nature would be extremely different. 

My questions to you are: 

- How old were you when you realized how privileged you were? Was there a specific moment, interaction or experience that opened your eyes? 

- How have you changed the way you lived your life or the way you look at your life once you realized your privilege? 

Thanks for reading and I am looking forward to any comments! 

- Victoria 

I loved reading your post this week. You seem very insightful and I love to hear about other people’s experiences so that I can better understand the world. It was interesting to hear you talk about how your “invisible backpack” includes both privilege and some privilege you don’t have. 

I remember two different parts to me realizing my privilege. The first was thanks to my Mom. She is a teacher and she is heavily involved in our school board promoting equity. She often attends conferences to learn more and loves to come home and share her new lessons with us. She absolutely was the one who first taught me about equity and how privilege can make the world unjust. She showed me that video we watched in class this week which makes the idea very clear. After that, I definitely became aware that a lot of the things I took for granted in my life was due to my privilege. The second was when I first went to university. It was the first time in my life that I was away from friends that had grown up the same as me and I was introduced to people from all walks of life. They had experienced a very different childhood than I had and it was the first time that I really heard about their experiences, in depth. 

Since I became aware of my privilege I have tried to be acutely aware of it. In all areas of life one of my driving forces is that I truly believe each of us is placed on this earth with a responsibility to leave it a better place than we found in. Whether that be in devoting ourselves to raising children who will become wonderful members of society, making the people around us smile, lending a hand to a neighbour or protecting the environment. A component of that is using our privilege to help those who don’t have it. All we can do is try our best to help everyone around us to have a better chance at success -whatever that may mean for them - especially when we have been given unearned advantages in life. I try to always be consciously aware of that. 

Photo courtesy of: artnet.com. Artwork by Frederick Sproston Challener 

Overall, I believe that an environmental interpreter can effectively relate and convey nature related lessons to audiences, students, children, etc. 

As described in Beck et al. (2018),

“Environmental educators generally have a captive audience with learning responsibilities and preparation plus follow-up time with teachers. Many field interpreters have a volunteer audience for only a few minutes to a few hours. Thus the techniques used with children in structured situations permit different methodologies than with drop-in visitors. Yet often the interpreter hosts school and camp classes and becomes by necessity and environmental educator.”

Thus, I believe the ideal role of an environmental interpreter is an individual that can combine both the methodologies outlined above: (1) They are efficient at captivating their audience with follow-up responsibilities and (2) they are able to act as an interpreter to an audience in a brief period of time. 

By combining both, the interpreter can have an individual learn and succeed in either “structured situations” and as “drop-in visitors”. 

I believe both can be accomplished by being a teacher.

Photo courtesy of: David DeMatthews & Joshua Childs, UT News. 

For as long as I can remember, I have wanted to be a teacher; specifically in a high school setting. Teachers have the ability to shape the minds of hundred of students over the course of their career. I can’t think of a more rewarding career, and hope to one day become a high school environmental science, biology, or chemistry teacher. 

Teachers are the ultimate interpreters. As stated in Beck et al. (2018), “Interpreters seek to add the essential elements of heightened appreciation, deeper understanding, and new ways of seeing the world.” Teachers are able to fulfill all these characteristics: they can passionately deliver lessons that can engage students in new, interesting concepts, implore students to learn beyond their current capabilities, and have them perceive the natural world through a science based lens. 

I believe that a true environmental interpreter is an environmental science teacher. 

Image of Nonquon Wildlife Area in Ontario, Canada, where my environmental science teacher would frequently take my class on field trips. Photo courtesy of: toronto.com 

At my high school, my environmental science teacher would take our class on many field trips, one of which included Nonquon Wildlife Area. Not only were we able to learn concepts about the natural world in a “structured setting” from my teacher in a class room, we were able to apply the knowledge in the real world as “drop-in visitors” at the field trips with his guidance. Thus, an environmental science teacher can more than successfully accomplish both methodologies that were previously mentioned, posing as the ideal role of an environmental interpreter. 

Personally, I would love the opportunity to take classes on field trips and have them apply the lessons to real world examples. To quote Jeffrey Pfeffer, I believe that “knowledge is only useful if you do something with it.” 

Photo courtesy of learningliftoff.com. 

However, to act as a successful environmental interpreter in the form of a teacher, I believe that a certain set of skills is required. Student have different ways of learning and perceiving knowledge. For example, as discussed in the course content, many individuals can either be auditory, visual, or tactile/kinesthetic learners. By taking the survey offered in class, I myself am mostly an auditory learner.

Teachers must approach their lessons in a manner that suits everyone’s needs; what may work for some students may not help the rest of the class. 

However, by applying real world examples, such as taking classes on field trips to actually experience the natural world that is taught in class, the teacher can broaden their abilities and incorporate all three learning styles!  

Therefore by incorporating a wide variety of methodologies and learning styles, I believe that a teacher is the most ideal environmental interpreter and can possess the skills to be a successful one.

Did anyone else immediately think of teachers when they started this week’s prompt? I’m curious to hear everyone else’s experiences of field trips and the role of their teacher as their environmental interpreter.

Lastly…does anyone else in the class have any plans on pursuing teaching? I would love to discuss the future career with people. 

References

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

Challener, F. (n.d.). Teaching in the forest by Frederick SprostonChallener. Retrieved January 20, 2021, from http://www.artnet.com/artists/frederick-sproston-challener/teaching-in-the-forest-YEgZ12pXbeJ07kHCX4flSQ2

David DeMatthews & Joshua Childs. (2019, October 17). What The Next Department of Education Secretary Must Do. Retrieved January 20, 2021, from https://news.utexas.edu/2019/10/17/what-the-next-department-of-education-secretary-must-do/

Learning-Liftoff-Staff. (2018, May 30). Top 3 Causes of Teacher Stress and How It Affects Students. Retrieved January 20, 2021, from https://www.learningliftoff.com/how-teacher-stress-affects-students/

I really loved reading your post this week. It sounds like you’re very passionate about becoming a teacher and I love that! You will definitely have the opportunity to influence a lot of young people in that role. My mom is an elementary school teacher so she is now teaching virtually from home. It has been really interesting to watch the behind the scenes. I've even had the chance to help her with some science lessons. It was really interesting to see the process of creating a lesson and then I was always excited to hear what the students thought and how they learned from it. 

I’ve also experienced this a little bit first hand. I am the environmental coordinator for my local cottager’s association and within that role I am responsible for many activities, including writing articles for the members about the environment and planning activities to teach the children about nature. It has shown me a whole new perspective, being able to share what I have learned with others and hopefully change the way that they look at nature. I can completely understand why teaching is such a rewarding profession. 

I’m assuming that since you are in this class you have a passion for the environment. How do you think that would influence your teaching if at all? I loved the picture you shared of your field trips with your environmental science teacher - do you think you would try to do the same thing as a teacher?