Nature Interpretation with Kristy

As described in my first blog post, camp gave me the opportunity to connect with nature as well as facilitate that connection for others. Spending my summers with people who truly cared about the environment and had a profound respect for the natural world allowed me to not only strengthen my relationship with nature, but also begin my journey as an environmental interpreter.

Camp Hurontario 

This journey continued as I learned new skills and embarked on new adventures. For example, in my second blog post, I discussed my passion for creating educational resources. This passion emerged after my participation in the development of an online open access physiology textbook for the University of Guelph. During this project, I learned about accessibility, science communication, and effective teamwork; all of which have strengthened my abilities as an interpreter.

This is an interactive drag & drop activity I created for the physiology eBook. I got tripped up doing my own question in the video :)

Most recently, and most importantly, this course has opened my eyes to different forms of interpretation (art, science, history, music, technology, etc.) and has given me the opportunity to reflect on my abilities and vision as an environmental interpreter. As I continue to develop as a nature interpreter, my personal ethic is to utilize the tools available at my disposal to the best of my ability in order to strengthen people’s relationships with nature, and ultimately, allow them to question their biases and change their actions if necessary.

The beliefs and values I hold as an interpreter stem from the knowledge I have gained in my childhood, my university education, and this course in particular. My many years at camp taught me about environmental stewardship (i.e., responsible use and protection of the natural environment through conservation and sustainable practices). Through my university education I learned about climate change, scientific communication, and the importance of building awareness. Thus, these beliefs are something I will inevitably integrate into my interpretive programs, resources, etc…

ENVS*3000 gave me the opportunity to reflect on my relationship with nature, explore my ideal role as an environmental interpreter, and learn about the different mediums used to interpret the natural world. Before this semester, I wouldn’t have thought of art or music as interpretive tools, however, I now realize their massive potential when it comes to interpreting nature, or anything really for that matter. For example, interpreting nature through art can not only bring people closer to the natural world, but can also alter their opinions and be a driver for effecting positive change (Beck et al., 2018, pp. 215–232). I think art can be very powerful because it is open to interpretation. This allows people to create meaning with what they are visualizing by connecting their current emotions with feelings and thoughts of the past.

Just like how nature interpretation through art can elicit emotions and allow audiences to notice something they may have never expected to see, nature interpretation through music can spark a very similar reaction. Ultimately, nature and music are intimately connected. Music is found in the natural world and the natural world is found in music (Gray et al., 2001). As William Shakespeare once said, “The earth has music for those who listen”. Thus, these learning experiences have opened my eyes to the wide range of tools that can be used to interpret nature. In accordance with this realization, I will continue to be open minded as an interpreter and utilize these mediums to enhance the overall experience for my audience.

As a creative, tech-savvy, and social individual, I feel as though many different approaches are suitable for me as an interpreter. Creativity becomes important when interpreters are tasked with incorporating art, music, and history into their programs. Additionally, creativity is extremely beneficial in terms of scientific communication. For instance, it is through storytelling about science, experts argue, that science communication both shapes culture and formulates meanings that determine our identities (Joubert et al., 2019).

Being tech-savvy has its advantages when it comes to nature interpretation. Technology can compete with nature; however, nature and technology can also have a symbiotic relationship (Hookyaas, 2021, Unit 8). For example, studies have found that watching Planet Earth brings viewers joy and markedly lowers anxiety (Simpson, 2017). Furthermore, creating effective online learning resources that cater to a multitude of different learning styles, abilities, and people is very difficult without some sort of background in technology. Thus, even though nature and technology are sometimes viewed as enemies, taking advantage of technology in the right way, by striving for a perfect balance, can enhance our relationship with nature.  

Lastly, being social and talkative is important when leading an interpretive program. However, this also includes being flexible, adaptable, and having strong interpersonal skills. Flexibility and adaptability are crucial as an environmental interpreter. As mentioned by Beck et al. (2018) in chapter seven, “it is important to be flexible as no two groups are alike”. For instance, if an interpreter sees something of interest that is not in the plan, they should adapt so that visitors have the opportunity to witness the event of the moment (Beck et al., 2018, pp. 127–161). Furthermore, participants might steer the conversation in a different direction, however, I now feel better prepared for that possibility. Moreover, interpersonal skills are sometimes called social intelligence and refer to the capacity to interact effectively with others. Potential uses in interpretation may include brainstorming, sharing, discussing, cooperative learning through groupwork, and social awareness (Beck et al., 2018, pp. 105–126).

Being adaptable (like this chameleon) is an important skill as well as an effective approach when it comes to interpreting the natural world 

I am grateful for this course as it has steered me towards an area of interpretation that I am passionate about: designing and developing learning resources for students and people of all ages. Such a role might entail creating physical textbooks, eBooks, online activities, program plans, environmental curriculum, etc…

As an environmental interpreter specializing in curriculum design and knowledge translation, accessibility is imperative. Consequently, inclusivity is a responsibility I must take very seriously in future interpretive positions. Privilege is unearned and unasked for. It provides invisible advantages that are readily available to dominant identity groups (Gallavan, 2005). In terms of nature interpretation, privilege (or lack-thereof) can be a huge barrier. Many people may want to participate in nature interpretation programs but are unable due to real or perceived barriers (Beck et al., 2018, pp. 127–161). Addressing and overcoming these barriers creates an environment where inclusive interpretation is possible, and thus, interpreters should strive to make nature interpretation accessible for everyone.

Accessibility is a dynamic concept; it takes many forms and means different things to different people. When designing and developing resources, I will follow accessible practices in order to create inclusive learning experiences. For instance, incorporating podcasts into text-based resources allow people who are visually impaired to listen to the content. Additionally, editing fonts, colours and learning object descriptions can transform a learning experience from exclusive and inaccessible to inclusive and accessible. Learning about privilege and accessibility this semester was a really rewarding experience for me because I knew that I could make a difference and create a more level playing field in the future.

Everybody has a preferred learning style. Whether it be visual, textual, auditory, hands-on, or a combination of multiple (Hookyaas, 2021, Unit 2). As an environmental interpreter looking to specialize in curriculum design and knowledge translation, catering to different styles of learning is imperative. To effectively uphold this responsibility, I will utilize and incorporate the different tools available to me in order to produce the best experience possible for all learners. For example, multimedia such as images, videos and interactive content can augment the experience for different types of learners.

Most importantly, a responsibility I have as a nature interpreter is to never give up. As poetically stated by Jacob Rodenburg, “Being an environmental educator in today’s world feels like you are asked to stop a rushing river armed only with a teaspoon” (Rodenburg, 2019). With the immense array of global issues on our minds, such as climate change and habitat destruction, environmental interpreters must not give up, no matter how discouraging or difficult it may get. “The aim of interpretation is not agreement but understanding” – Donald Davidson.

Thank you all for a great semester! Jacob

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References

Rodenburg, J. (2019, June 17). Why Environmental Educators Shouldn’t Give Up Hope. CLEARING. https://clearingmagazine.org/archives/14300. 

Beck, L., Cable, T. T., & Knudson, D. M. (2018). Arts in Interpretation. In Interpreting cultural and natural heritage: For a Better World (pp. 215–232). essay, SAGAMORE Publishing. 

Beck, L., Cable, T. T., & Knudson, D. M. (2018). How People Learn. In Interpreting cultural and natural heritage: For a Better World (pp. 105–126). essay, SAGAMORE Publishing. 

Beck, L., Cable, T. T., & Knudson, D. M. (2018). Serving Diverse Audiences. In Interpreting cultural and natural heritage: For a Better World (pp. 127–161). essay, SAGAMORE Publishing. 

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

Gray, P. M., Krause, B., Atema, J., Payne, R., Krumhansl, C., & Baptista, L. (2001, January 5). The music of nature and the nature of music. https://science.sciencemag.org/content/291/5501/52.full. 

Hookyaas, A. (2021). Unit 08: The Role of Technology in Nature Interpretation. CourseLink. https://courselink.uoguelph.ca/d2l/le/content/666945/viewContent/2594169/View. 

Hooykaas, A. (2021). Unit 02: Teaching Learners. CourseLink. https://courselink.uoguelph.ca/d2l/le/content/666945/viewContent/2583079/View. 

Joubert, M., Davis, L., & Metcalfe, J. (2019). Storytelling: the soul of science communication. Journal of Science Communication, 18(05). https://doi.org/10.22323/2.18050501 

Simpson, F. (2017, March 9). Nature programmes reduce stress and increase happiness. London Evening Standard | Evening Standard. https://www.standard.co.uk/news/uk/nature-programmes-like-planet-earth-ii-reduce-stress-and-increase-happiness-research-shows-a3485136.html.

Media Credits 

Media #1: Tumblr GIF

Media #2: https://camphurontario.com

Media #3: Video created by me 

Media #4: https://www.gageproducts.com/environmental-stewardship

Media #5: https://www.adam-eason.com/how-to-be-more-open-minded

Media #6: https://www.reddit.com/r/Chameleons

When it comes to childhood experiences shaping our current relationship with nature, you and I are in the same boat.  While I never had the experience of going to camp, I was still very lucky that much of my childhood was spent outside, in some capacity or another.  

A photo from one of many lovely summers spent on the lake, featuring a particularly lovely hat. Photo by L. Vree, c. 2008.

I think your post touches on a very important concept: accessibility in academia.  It is no secret that academia is incredibly elitist, and that unfortunately causes a significant disconnect between academics and everyone else.  This disconnect takes many forms: many research articles come at a hefty price unless you have access through an educational institution (which often comes at a much heftier price!), and the scientific jargon that is used in these articles is near-impossible for me to understand, let alone someone who is not in the sciences.  In fact, this over-complicated ‘pseudo-intellectualism’ is exemplified by the Sokal affair, where Alan Sokal submitted a hoax article to a journal that readily accepted it because, even though it was a sham, ‘a) it sounded good, and b) it flattered the editors’ ideological preconceptions’ (Weinberg, 1996).  The Sokal affair signified the elitism in this community: the editors of the journal would rather accept something that had no actual substance, was over-complicated, and flattered academics, than an easy-to-understand, accessible, substantial article.

A pretty iconic photo representing the Sokal affair, if you ask me! Photo via Wilson, 2018.

Your work creating an open access textbook is something that I think is incredibly admirable, as it goes directly against this notion.  Realistically, up-and-coming research and information should be accessible to everyone, not just those with a ton of money to spend (on post-secondary education or the articles directly).  Especially with issues like climate change, science communication is so important – it is all too common that people who do not understand the jargon or the nuances of a study take the results out of context (not always on purpose, often because of the over-complicated language used) and use their understanding to spread false information.  Being able to bridge the gap between the scientific community and those outside of it is so important, and I think that providing educational materials freely on the internet is a great way to start!

I’ve really enjoyed all of your posts this semester and I wish you all the best in the future!  From the sounds of it, you will be a great environmental interpreter, if that is the path that you continue on.

Cheers,

Annika

References:

Weinberg, S. (1996). Sokal’s Hoax. The New York Review of Books, 43:11-15.

Thank you so much for your reply!

The Sokal affair is really interesting. Thank you for sharing that with me. I think it highlights how academia is incredibly elitist, which unfortunately causes a significant disconnect between academics and the general public.

People without science and/or academic backgrounds should be able to access and comprehend accurate evidence-based research/information in order to make informed decisions. For this to occur, researchers, scientists, and science communicators must make a greater effort in knowledge translation and transfer. For example, researchers should add context instead of simply reporting data, science communicators should focus on bigger trends and larger understandings rather than individual reports, and the visualization of words and numbers should be utilized more often in the scientific community (Ehler, 2020).

Science communication is most definitely imperative in today’s world, especially with climate change and the on-going pandemic. I think effective communication is at the core of scientific interpretation. Ironically, perhaps the greatest challenge facing the field of science communication is a lack of effective communication (Illingworth, 2017). Science communication is more complex than simply translating the jargon of science into language the public understands (Illingworth, 2017). It’s about engaging your audience – it’s about the ‘So what?’ and ‘Why does it matter?’ of your message (Illingworth, 2017; Pellegrini, 2021). What are your thoughts on this? How else do you think the scientific community can strengthen the science-society relationship?

Thanks again for your reply. I’ve really enjoyed reading all of your posts this semester as well! Looking forward to hearing your thoughts. 

All the best, 

Jacob

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References:

Ehler, A. (2020, September 16). 3 ways to make research more accessible to the public. Retrieved March 28, 2021, from https://www.wiley.com/network/societyleaders/research-impact/3-ways-to-make-research-more-accessible-to-the-public

Illingworth, S. (2017). Delivering effective science communication: Advice from a professional science communicator. Seminars in Cell & Developmental Biology, 70, 10-16. doi:10.1016/j.semcdb.2017.04.002

I really enjoyed reading your final blog post!

I like how you connected your past experiences to your journey as an environmental interpreter. The interactive drag and drop activity you created for the eBook seems very educational and looks like it could augment the learning experience for kinesthetic or hands-on learners.

 I like how you talk about accessibility in your post, and I agree that accessibility is a dynamic concept. I never thought about how incorporating podcasts into text-based resources could allow people who are visually impaired to listen to the content. How do you think the accessibility of information could be improved? Also, how do you think scientists can improve their science communication skills to make information more accessible?

 I really liked how you touched on so many aspects of the course in your post, it really felt like a well-integrated summary of your learning experiences. Furthermore, I love the quote you included: “Being an environmental educator in today’s world feels like you are asked to stop a rushing river armed only with a teaspoon”. I also think that is so important for nature interpreters to never give up and I think it was really great to include that in your list of responsibilities.

 Thank you so much for your posts this semester, I have really enjoyed reading them. Plus, I always like the pictures, videos, and other content that is included. It makes the posts more interactive and helps bring them to life.

 Looking forward to hearing from you,

           Writing this final post has actually made me quite sad. I enjoyed drafting these posts as they provided me with an opportunity to express my views and share my thoughts and opinions with my classmates. The response process with everyone also provided a much-needed social interaction that was lost due to the pandemic. Yet I will not dwell upon what is coming to an end. Instead, I will reflect upon what I have learned about my development as a nature interpreter. In particular, how is my personal ethic evolving, what beliefs are influencing me, what do I view as my responsibilities, and what approaches are most suitable for me as a nature interpreter? The highly divergent views expressed by my classmates in their blogs has illustrated how important individual life experiences and circumstances are in forming their opinions, thoughts and views. Sharing our individual experiences has helped us collectively expand our horizons. So how has this influenced me?

          Everyone has an ethic that influences the way in which they approach a task or respond to an issue. Ethics are referred to by the Government of Canada (2015) as “a way of living” that people use to justify their actions based upon what they deem right and wrong and just and unjust. The moral judgments that individuals make are not something that can be taught but is something that they need to cultivate. An individual’s ethics can continue to develop and change as people grow and learn valuable lessons over their lives. The beliefs that I have, the responsibilities that I feel, and how I go about addressing situations are all rooted back to my individual moral ethics.

My parents are two of the most important people in my life. A lot of the moral ethics that I have now are because of them. They have instilled values in me that shape every action I do. Photo taken by Brooke Murphy (my sister)       

       I believe that humans tend to take things for granted and we tend to not understand how truly valuable people, moments or objects are. I think that nature is one of those things humans undervalue. 

Quickly take a second and reflect on how vital nature is for your survival.

 Humans require nature for food, places to exercise, to find inspiration, and improve their mental health. That is why I believe nature interpretation is so vital. It helps enhance one’s appreciation for the natural world. Personally, the pandemic took a toll upon my mental health. One of the ways that I have been able to recover is through interpreting nature. Nature brings me this sense of calm, making all the anxieties, which tend to overtake my life some days, disappear. The significance nature plays in my mental health recovery is why I believe that nature is so vital as the benefits it has tend to go unnoticed by most.

I started really understanding how important walking through nature was for my mental health in 2017 when I started to develop severe anxiety. This photo is around the time my anxiety was becoming extremely bad and I was going on frequent walks just to try to feel calm and I found nature was able to help me find this calm.

         Given how positively impactful nature has been on my life, I feel responsible to serve as an interpreter for nature. I do not necessarily want to be a formal nature interpreter, but I would still like to be a nature interpreter through my day-to-day actions. The natural world has helped me immeasurably and improved my mental health. That is why I feel responsible for helping to improve nature’s physical health by discussing endangered species, climate change, and other pressing environmental issues. When I graduate, I plan to pursue a career in teaching and use the concepts that I learned in this course in my career. I learned that effective communication is essential! To educate an audience about nature, I need to be able to effectively communicate to an audience in both an engaging and inclusive manner in order to appeal to their moral ethic to act as stewards of the earth! 

Freeman Tilden says…..

 “we must not tell one what they can do, but what they should do and not what they must be, but what they can be”. 

I believe that in order to do this I will need to tailor to my audience how I present a topic. In the course and textbook, the notion is discussed that how people interpret and connect with a presentation will be influenced by presentation style. Understanding and customizing each presentation to address each audience’s different learning styles is critical and my responsibility.

           I feel responsible for being an effective nature interpreter, not just for nature, but also for the individuals that I am presenting to. I believe and feel everyone has a right to be included and that no one should be made to feel as if they are not welcome - speaking from experience. As a nature interpreter, it is my responsibility to ensure that everyone can engage comfortably with an issue or concept that I am discussing. As a person who suffers from social anxiety, I can relate to the difficulty of group engagement. I know that as soon as my anxiety begins, I start to zone out and cannot remember anything. To ensure that this does not happen to others, I would give consideration to making people feel physically, mentally and socially safe. Doing this will help to ensure that everyone is given the same opportunity despite what they have and lack in their “invisible knapsack”.

I remember I was super anxious this day and was very quite during this tour/experience. The tour guide picked up on it and in front of the whole group made me come and kiss a stingray for 7 years of good luck. This gesture made me feel so included and special that I stopped feeling as anxious and began engaging more. Highlighting how important it is to make sure everyone feels included and has the same opportunity to learn. 

          I find that humour is one of the best ways to present a concept as it makes people more engaged and relaxed. Adding humour to my presentation, while effectively articulating my point, makes an experience more engaging and memorable while creating a sense of joy and calm. I use humour often in my everyday life. Humour helps to lighten the mood and make experiences more enjoyable, I also find it helps reduce my anxiety, which is an added bonus.

          This course taught me that there are many ways to be a nature interpreter, present a topic or write a blog. The diverse means of completing different tasks allows us to add our own values and beliefs to everything. Therefore, when someone wants to use different approaches, teaching styles, and so on, that is 100% okay! The ways that individuals choose to work in the future will be effective regardless of the style, as long as they stay true to their morals, beliefs and values.

As long as you stay true to you the impacts you can have and the lessons you can teach will be unmeasurable! 

References 

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

I understand what you mean when you mentioned how sad it is to be writing your last blog. I am also feeling a bittersweet moment, happy to be ending the semester but also sad not going to be communicating with all my classmates anymore. I liked your use of saying that moral judgements are not taught but cultivated. You mentioned using humour for an approach for your audience and I definitely agree in that sense, I think as an audience hearing a joke or a funny fact will allow me to better remember it and understand it. Ideally, interpreters reflect enthusiasm, humility, a gentle sense of humour, a pleasant demeanour and adaptability (Beck 2018). I find this approach works best for everyone, not to mention children as well!     

Humans do require nature for many aspects such as food, medicine, gateway to relax and exercise. But it is also so important for animal species because it provides them a habitat and food, to be able to live with their species. For example, honey bees need natural resources such as flowers to gather pollen and make honey. Us as humans we consume that honey and other products that honey bees make such as beeswax. In the end nature indirectly helps us by helping the animals that live in that ecosystem. Do you think there are even more benefits that nature provides? Benefits accrue on an individual level but also lend toward a healthier society and eventually healthier ecosystem to include all species (Beck 2018). 

Great post overall!

Dana            

References:

You asked a really good question and my answer is yes. As you and I both said nature provides us with food, medicine, a place to relax and even exercise. However, I am in another course right now called Conversation Biology (BIOL*3130) and I have learned that our planet provides us with so many other services I was failing to recognize. I have learned that nature does so much more than what I listed above. For example, we tend to not think of nature as a place that can store carbon and help reduce the amount of atmospheric CO2, however, did you know actually there is more carbon in the soil than the atmosphere (A. MacDougall notes, BIOL*3130 Conservation Biology, March 28, 2021)! In order though to have all these ecosystem services and functions we need to help restore a lot of the biodiversity that has been lost by the result of NUMEROUS human impacts. If we do not help restore the plant a lot of the benefits that nature supplies us with will be lost. I strongly believe that if our plant isn’t healthy we can’t be truly healthy either. That is why I am so happy I enrolled in ENVS*3000 as it provided me with the information I need on how I can supply individuals from all age groups with the information necessary to help save the planet! All it takes is one person to generate a chain reaction!

All the best, 

Abigail!

One of my favourite ways to exercise outdoors is hiking!

References

One part of the plant world that has always amazed me is carnivorous plants. Their very existence seems to me to be such a violation of nature’s laws! They are PLANTS that consume INSECTS, something which differentiates them from the other 99.9% of the plants on earth (which undergo the typical photosynthesis energy acquisition pathway). In this blog post, I’ve decided to go over a few common carnivorous plant species and share some knowledge about what they do and why!

The “flagship” carnivorous plant is, of course, the wonderful Venus flytrap (Dionaea muscipula). The venus flytrap is different from other carnivorous plants because it is the only one that physically moves to properly capture its prey! Interestingly, it is not known exactly how this happens - but it may be that electrical currents flowing through the plant’s cellular structure are activated after an insect comes into contact with the plant’s “trigger hairs”, which allows it to close up (Eden Project, n.d.).

(A venus flytrap. Thank goodness there aren’t human-sized ones like there are in Mario! Image from: Tom’s Carnivores)

Another well-known carnivorous plant is the tropical pitcher plant (Nepenthes). This plant is essentially our equivalent to a bottomless pit with litres upon litres of chocolate milkshake at the bottom. It contains a sweet liquid that attracts the insects, who then fall into the pit of doom and drown after being unable to escape. The prey is then digested, and the plant consumes the nutrients that come from it (The Eden Project, n.d.). Freaky!

(A tropical pitcher plant. As you can see, they hang suspended from vines - so groundborne insects are far less at risk for falling into this tasty trap. Image from: The Eden Project)

Finally, the “living flypaper” of the natural world, Sundew (Drosera). This plant has tentacle-like leaves that are covered in sticky spines. These spines give off a sweet scent that attracts insects, which are then slowly broken down and digested by the plant after they become stuck. (Palomar, n.d.)

(The Sundew plant, and its tentacle-like leaves. They look almost like tiny hairbrushes! Image from: W.P. Armstrong)

There are so many weird and wacky carnivorous plants out there, each with a different method of attracting and consuming insects, that I could spend multiple days going over every one (and honestly I wouldn’t mind doing so - they’re so interesting!). However, to wrap up today’s post, I think it would be interesting to look at the evolutionary basis of carnivorous plants. Why are they the way that they are?

Well, plants like this often evolved in nutrient-poor environments, so they evolved this method of capturing enough nutrients to sustain their biological processes (Smithsonian Insider, 2015). In these areas, there was very little competition because of the poor growing conditions - so it was an optimal scenario for adaptation to occur and for these very unique plant species to evolve!

This is just one example of the unbelievable diversity of different plant and animal species within our environments. One might not think much about the “why” behind why different species are the way that they are in nature - but I think it’s important to do so, so that we can develop a better appreciation for what we are observing and more fully understand the mechanisms by which they survive. As George Harzog put it: “Interpreters seek to add the essential elements of heightened appreciation, deeper understanding, and new ways of seeing the world” (Beck et al., 2018). Hopefully, I was able to do that for you today with regards to carnivorous plants!

All the best,

Ty

References:

Barrat, J. (2018, January 18). How Carnivorous Plants avoid eating their pollinating insect friends. Smithsonian Insider. https://insider.si.edu/2015/06/how-carnivorous-plants-avoid-eating-their-pollinating-insect-friends/

Bennet, T. (2017, April 26). FAQ: What should I feed my Venus flytrap? Tom’s Carnivores. https://www.carnivorousplants.co.uk/blog/what-should-i-feed-my-venus-flytrap/

Carnivorous Plants. (n.d.). Palomar. https://www2.palomar.edu/users/warmstrong/carnivor.htm#sundew

Carnivorous plants facts. (2020, April 3). Eden Project. https://www.edenproject.com/learn/for-everyone/carnivorous-plants-facts

I really enjoyed reading your post this week!

Plants that consume insects are such an interesting topic and I learned a lot about the different carnivorous plants from reading your post. The different ways that plants go about consuming insects is so interesting to me.

I looked into some of the other carnivorous plants myself and found a couple cool ones. For instance, the Australian Sundew: thirsty bugs are drawn to what look like raindrops on the leaves. But the “water” is actually a glue-like substance to trap insects. Talk about a sticky situation! Another fascinating plant I found is the Cobra Lily: bugs get confused by the translucent windows in the plant’s leaves. They think they’re escaping, but they’re really flying deeper inside.

Evolutionarily speaking, it is really interesting that carnivorous plants like this often evolved in nutrient-poor environments. It makes sense that they evolved this method of capturing enough nutrients to sustain their biological processes. To elaborate on your point, about 70 million years ago, when dinosaurs roamed the Earth, a genetic anomaly allowed some plants to turn into meat eaters. This was done in part, with a stealthy trick: repurposing genes meant for their roots and leaves and using them instead to catch prey!

I agree that it is important to think about the “why” behind why different species are the way that they are in nature. When I come across a carnivorous plant in the future, I will definitely have a greater appreciation for it and be able to more fully understand the mechanisms by which it survives.

Thanks again for the great post this week!

          Often when we think of nature we think more of the visual aspects of it. We think of the green foliage from trees and bushes and how in the fall they turn magnificent shades of red, orange, brown and yellow. We also think of the animals such as birds or tigers whose colours and patterns are quite unique to anything else in the world. We think of the visual appeals of flowing water in a stream or a waterfall or even the peaceful stillness of the lakes. With all the visual beauties of nature that are so easy to get swept away in, we forget about the other ways we can interpret nature: Through the sound of music.

Music embedded in nature. Credits to Adewale Ogunleye (https://www.musicestate.com/music-nature/).

           Nature is full of bustling wildlife and ecosystems that can often be easy to miss in our fast-paced lives. It’s only when we take the time to stop, and listen can we hear the whispers of nature. Sometimes these whispers are heard through the sounds of the wind bristling the leaves of trees or distant songbirds in the early morning of spring. There are also sounds in the night such as the crickets or owls even the gulls near the sea and waves crashing up on beaches. When the time is taken to observe nature around us we can see that music in nature is everywhere.

           This concept was amazingly shown by musician Ben Mirin who prides himself on manipulating recordings of nature to transform them into music through his beat-boxing talent. He is known as a “wildlife DJ” under the stage name of DJ Ecotone. In our course content this week his talents were mentioned and upon further investigating I ended up watching him perform live on the news from the link provided in our course content. All I can say with that this is an extremely creative way of interpreting nature. In his short video (Which I recommend you all to take a look at via this link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kzH3fbsJwE0&t=16s), he took various recordings of Madagascar sounds such as the trees located on the small island off the coast of Africa, as well as different lemur species like the black-and-white ruffed lemur (Varecia variegate), the bamboo lemur (Hapalemur aureus), the ring-tailed lemur (Lemur catta) and the indri lemur (Indri indri).

Pictured here is the black-and-white ruffed lemur (top-left), bamboo lemur (top-right), ring-tailed lemur (bottom-left) and the indri lemur (bottom-right)

           In my own opinion, I think the most important part about this expression of nature is that it allows others to make new connections with animals they have potentially never heard of. Even more incredible is that some of these lemur species are considered critically endangered and this is an excellent way to get them noticed and broadcast these animals and their issues to the world. For instance, the ring-tailed lemur is considered an endangered species and the indri lemur a critically endangered species. Since these species are not recognized globally like other more popular animals such as the elephants, lions or rhinos, they need all the help they can get to be recognized by the world as a species under threat and transforming their cries into music is an excellent way to get them noticed. This is also an excellent way to get more visually unappealing animals’ attention. Rather than show pictures of these animals that are under threat, we can easily use their sounds as music to get them noticed.

What are some other ways we can get endangered animals notice from the general public other than broadcasting their visual appearance?  (Not all threatened and endangered animals are cute and furry like our lemurs here)

I enjoyed reading your thoughtful post! First of all, the picture you posted of the lemurs is adorable. I completely agree with you that we have to stop and listen to the nature around us to hear the music in nature that we are all surrounded by. I noticed that when you surround yourself with the natural environment, whether it’s a walk in trail, reading a book in the middle of the woods, or paddleboarding on a lake, your ears focus on the sounds around you and relax your minds and feel the music in the air. From our course notes, we understand that music has the power to influence how people see, think, communicate, and feel (Hooykaas, 2021). I often study with the sounds of a rainforest play in the background. It helps me stay focused and get more work done. Do you ever use music from nature as a resource to calm your minds and relax? 

I checked out the link that you provided for the live performance of DJ Ecotones. I think it is a brilliant idea to combine natural sounds with beatboxing. If you’re interested in more impressive works done by artists inspired to make music with the sound of birds and animals. Check out the David Rothenberg- ‘Bird, Whale, Bug’ concert. 

From further research, I learned that DJ ecotones also wrote a song using vulture vocalizations and one that represented the fire-adapted ecosystem that is home to the Texas Horned Lizard. I think it is an excellent way of getting animals and nature noticed by the public. This could inspire people to explore the natural world and conserve wildlife. One other similar way to get endangered animals noticed by the general public other than broadcasting their visual appearance is to use their sound and song patterns and incorporate them into songs made by famous musicians and artists. This would allow more people to listen to it and be aware of beautiful music in nature and protect it. Also, encourage more artists to make music related to social issues such as endangered species, climate change, and pollution. Overall, a great post!

“There is no peculiar merit in ancient things, but there is merit in integrity, and integrity entails the keeping together of the parts of any whole, and if these parts are scattered throughout time, then the maintenance of integrity entails a knowledge, a memory, of ancient things. …. To think, feel or act as though the past is done with, is equivalent to believing that a railway station through which our train has just passed, only existed for as long as our train was in it.” (Edward Hyams, Chapter 7, The Gifts of Interpretation) 

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

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

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

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

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

References: 

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

Thanks for reading! 

I really enjoyed reading your post. I think it was very thought-provoking. The one point that really stood out for me from your post is that we remember history so that we can learn from mistakes made in the past. I think it is very important to learn from our mistakes and avoid history from repeating itself. Thus, I believe it is important to talk about the history and the past even if it is events that are bad or upsetting.

A photo from the holocaust memorial museum. Originally posted by Washington.Org

For example, the textbook talks about the historical landmark that makes an impact on people each day. The Holocaust Memorial Museum in Washington, DC can provide hope and uplifting spirits despite it being such a tragic historic event. When people visit this landmark, it provides them the opportunity to contemplate morals and how choices in life have responsibilities and outcomes. After showing people the emotionally moving exhibits apart of this museum, they have speakers who are survivors or rescuers that share their stories. People can interpret these evil acts in history and can learn and grow from them.

Looking at the past, we can make changes to maintain our legacies and pass them on to the next generations. History can allow us to celebrate the good achievements and remember the bad and avoid these offensive and shameful acts. Keeping memories alive in our minds can allow us to address issues in present-day society. We can’t ignore our past; we must learn from it. Can you think of a time when you learned from your past or learned from your mistakes? Overall, an amazing post. Looking forward to hearing your thoughts.

-Kristy!

References:

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

Thinking back to last week’s blog prompt about interpreting nature through art, I thought about the kinds of images I like to surround myself with and came across a theme: trains. I love trains, from restored heritage steam locomotives to model railway layouts to GO trains, they are awesome! In most images of trains, the train is traversing some wild and dramatic landscape, which I think appeals to the innate sense of adventure that all humans have.

A photo of my HO gauge model train with one of it’s carriages running around the Christmas tree - photo taken by me. 

To me, nature, adventure, and trains are all connected. The railways through Canada connected the East and West, and to this day bring people to landscapes they would never otherwise see. Scenic rail tours like the Rocky Mountaineer provide nature interpretation to guests on their journeys through the Rockies, and have been continuing to provide nature interpretation in their blog posts. Their post “10 Interesting Facts about Western Canada’s Wildlife” is an example of the traditional type of nature interpretation we are used to. An example of historic/cultural interpretation is their blog video “Engineering Marvels of Canada’s Railroad”:

My love of trains emerged before my love of nature. As a little kid, I loved watching “Thomas the Tank Engine” and playing with my wooden train set, and as I got older I began to enjoy reading books like “The Railway Children” and watching documentaries about trains. Every year, my grandpa and I both get calendars with train images. My calendar last year featured paintings of trains, which reminded me of last week’s topic and got me thinking about the connection between trains and nature.

These two photos are images from my current train calendar. The top photo was taken by Chris Harris, and the bottom photo was taken by Ron Niebrugge. 

I have noticed that a lot of the narrative around trains and railways is about how humans “conquered nature” or “overcame the elements” to build the railways. The video from the Rocky Mountaineer’s blog alluded to the steep passes and gradients that gave way to feats of engineering like the spiral tunnels, and documentary series like “Impossible Railways” describe similar tough landscapes and how people built railways through seemingly unforgiving terrain. 

However, I believe that railways and nature can work together. Rail travel emits less green house gas than truck travel, and engineers are working on making trains even more ecofriendly. The image below from Canadian Pacific Railway shows how trains are more environmentally friendly than trucks: 

This link (https://www.bbc.com/news/av/business-48698044) to a BBC News article describes how hydrogen-powered trains may be the future of rail travel. These hydrogen-powered trains use hydrogen to create electricity and emit water, making them much more environmentally friendly than the diesel locomotives they would be replacing. The video in the link describes the science behind these trains really well!

Trains also evoke warm memories of “the good old days”. In many people’s versions of “the good old days”, life was more laid-back, children played outside and more people lived in smaller, more rural communities.  A lot of train buffs I know, such as my grandpa and most of his friends, have done and continue to do lots of conservation work or donate money to preserve heritage railways and keep the love of trains alive. So, by connecting nature conservation and biodiversity to trains, the number of people with “proenvironmental attitudes” and “proenvironmental behaviour” will likely increase (Merenlender et al, 2016). 

References: 

Rocky Mountaineer Blog. (2020, September 24). 10 Interesting Facts about Western Canada’s Wildlife. Retrieved February 12, 2021, from https://www.rockymountaineer.com/blog/10-interesting-facts-about-western-canadas-wildlife.

Rocky Mountaineer Blog. (2020, July 23). Engineering Marvels of Canada’s Railroad. Retrieved February 12, 2021, from https://www.rockymountaineer.com/blog/engineering-marvels-canadas-railroad.

CP. (n.d.). Rail environmental facts. Retrieved February 12, 2021, from https://www.cpr.ca/en/community/rail-environmental-facts.

BBC News Business. (2019, June 19). Hydrogen trains: Are these the eco-friendly trains of the future? Retrieved February 12, 2021, from https://www.bbc.com/news/av/business-48698044.

I really enjoyed reading about your love for trains. It’s amazing how you were able to connect your interest in trains with a sense of adventure and nature. The video that you provided of the scenic rail tours with the Rocky Mountaineer is so beautiful. It’s one of my goals to take the train all the way to Vancouver from Toronto in the future. 

As you mentioned, railways and trains evoke really good memories for me also. I’m from Sarnia, Ontario which is a small border city in the south of Ontario. Other than driving, via rail is the only way to travel from Guelph to Sarnia. Before the pandemic happened, I used to take the train home for Christmas and thanksgiving. It’s almost a 4 and half hour ride on a train. Even though the trip is only a few hours long, it gives me the opportunity to sit back, relax and experience the scenic view of nature. 

I also had the opportunity to meet some amazing people during the trip. It always starts as small talk and ends up having the best conversation with random strangers.  I checked out your link about the hydrogen trains. I think it is super impressive that it only gives off zero emissions and their only by-product is water. I hope they expand these eco-friendly trains by test running them at various places. 

Originally Posted by Sai Kiran Anagani in Unsplash

The philosopher Aristotle once wrote that “Art not only imitates nature, but it also completes its deficiencies.”(Aristotle Quotes About Art, n.d.) This can be interpreted as art not only recreating the natural world but also creating new ways in which to see it in another light. When interpreting nature through art, there is endless forms and purposes of nature provided to us. Nature is both around us and deep within us. Art can mimic nature by visually replicating objects as they appear in real life. This depiction can sometimes be literal or abstract. 

Just like nature can be recreated through art, it can also be used as a stand-in for greater thought. For example, the famous painting called The Creation of Adam by Michelangelo in Sistine Chapel. It is well-known that Michelangelo was an exceptional artist. However, not many people know that he was also an expert anatomist who used to dissect corpses to produce anatomical sketches.

“The Creation of Adam” painting by Michelangelo. 

Now, take a look at this photo!

Photo posted by Zeina Mehal in Art Wise. 

Many people believe that the artist was trying to secretly attack the church’s disagreements towards science. Have a look at these two paintings and let me know your thoughts on this! The second painting depicting the representation of the human brain hidden with the faces of the figure of God.  

When it comes to art, people see what they want to see. It’s all about how people perceive and interpret it. When, I asked myself Who am I to Interpret Nature Through Art? I went blank. I’m definitely not an artist or somebody who sees the hidden meaning of art right away. 

I usually go crazy when my friends drag me to art galleries. But I do admire anyone who got the talents and skills to create a work of art and convey a sense of depth or a perspective. I enjoy going on photoshoots with my friends. I admire people’s abilities to capture that perfect moment with the element of beauty contained in it.  When you share what you perceive with others, you convey the message of appreciation of that moment with one another.  For me, I feel like I’m somebody who uses imagery or photos of my own when sharing an experience with others. I believe it would help my audience understand what I’m experiencing more accurately as a photo or video would be able to speak louder than words.

A photo took by me at Canatara beach, Sarnia.

As you can tell by the photo, the sunset is so beautiful with the orange-gold sky stretches so far and wide. I feel like the beauty of the scenery is fully shared with another person with the help of art.

How do you interpret the gift of beauty? My understanding of the gift of beauty is that it is our ability to find beauty in our surroundings to provide spiritual uplifting and resource prevention. When you create the practice of seeing beauty everywhere, it empowers you and makes you more grateful throughout the day. This could be the sun shining through your windows when you wake up, the strong tree on your walk, the rustle of leaves, or even the plants in a neighbor’s garden. When you start to appreciate nature and your surroundings, you will create a more grateful way of living. Can you guys think of something small in your surrounding that we take for granted and don’t appreciate as much as we should?

Thanks for reading! Let me know your thoughts and comments!

References:

Aristotle Quotes About Art. (n.d.). A-Z Quotes. Retrieved February 3, 2021, from https://www.azquotes.com/author/524-Aristotle/tag/art

I feel like were very similar in our views on art! I too struggle with interpreting meaning behind art especially when its abstract. I’ve only ever been to one art exhibit/show as I tend to lean towards art such as photographs as well. I find their meaning is more clear, and like you said they depict the perspective of beauty that others see in the world. I also loved your picture of the sunset on the beach, it really shows the beauty of something most of us don’t tend to notice. Was there something special about that beach? Or was it just something you saw and found beauty in?

On the odd occasion I do enjoy trying to figure out a piece’s meaning even if its more abstract or complex than a photo. For example, the picture of the brain on Michelangelo’s piece you shared really intrigued me. Especially when you mentioned that Michelangelo was an experienced anatomist. Do you think its a reference or joke to his work on human corpses? Or is it saying something deeper like god is not human or maybe not even real. That instead its just an idea our minds came up with? 

I’m not sure if you know the answer but I’d love to hear it or even just your own ideas of what it might be!

If your interested in famous pieces with hidden meanings but don’t like having to find the meaning yourself check out this link! It shows hidden artwork from underneath famous art pieces, while explaining their possible meaning. While most of them are theories of the hidden art, I found it quite interesting! Let me know what you think!

Thanks for taking the time to reply to my post. There is nothing special about the beach but, a lot of memories are behind that beach with my friends and family. It's one of the places that I always found serenity and beauty. As you mentioned, I was very intrigued by Michaelangelo's piece. I'm not sure what the answer is. I think it varies with people's perspective. If I had to take a guess, I would say the artwork is holding a deeper meaning conveying that God is compatible with the brain. Michelangelo portrays that what God is giving to Adam is the intellect, and thus man can plan the best and try all things received. I did some research and found it pretty interesting. Check this out if you're interested, http://www.microneurosurgery-roma.com/explaining-the-hidden-meaning-of-michelangelos-creation-of-adam/. I was curious and checked out the link that you mentioned. I think it's impressive how artists are so creative to hide a whole story or meaning behind their artworks. Anyways, thanks for sharing!

Who are you to interpret nature through art? How do you interpret “the gift of beauty”? (Your readings – specifically Chapter 5 of the textbook – will be helpful for this!)

In order to discuss the role art plays in nature interpretation, Id like to state my working definition of art. I would define art as an expression made through the application of creative and technical skills as well as imagination, to create an object with the purpose of inspiring creativity or holding symbolic power. A quote Ive heard before came to mind when writing this blog post, which is that life imitates art. I would define the meaning of that quote to be that art has the power to inspire creativity in those who perceive it, and can lead others to new ideas and perspectives that can create real world events that otherwise may have not happened. Because art can create inspiration and creativity, it seems like a powerful tool for a nature interpreter to use, as the goal of a nature interpreter is also to inspire. Art can also provide another method of communicating ideas to people, which can allow a nature interpreters experiences and knowledge to be communicated more effectively.

A photo I took of a beach I was walking on in Florida

Who am I to interpret through art? I would say that although I’ve never been a talented artist, art has always inspired me. Artwork such as paintings can present information in way that words can’t, such as displaying emotion and thought provoking concepts. Everyone interprets art differently, and there is no right or wrong way to perceive it. Art such as photographs has inspired me many times to want to enjoy the experience in the photographs. Im sure you’ve heard the quote “a picture is worth a thousand words” before, and I agree. For example, after seeing photos my friend showed me of his experience skydiving, I was inspired to go a week later because of how thought provoking the picture was. Compared to reading about skydiving, seeing a photo helped me imagine what the experience would be like and what I would see and feel. Photographs of experiences are a valuable tool in communicating experiences and inspiring others.

Another photo of a walk I took in Florida

Art can tell a story and contain history, which can be very powerful. The inukshuk is a structure that can be found all around Canada made out of stones to resemble a human. They represent friendship, safety and hope. With no understanding of what an inukshuk is, someone could mistake it for a pile of stones, but they are art, and have a long history of use going as far back as over 2000 BCE!

A photo I took of a volcano in Costa Rica

I really enjoyed reading your post. I thought it is very thoughtful how you explained art and nature interpreter as a tool used to inspire people. I completely agree with your thought that art allows a nature interpreter's experiences and knowledge to be communicated more effectively. I believe this is true because the involvement of art just automatically enhances the learning of complex materials and help me hold that information within myself. It won’t be as effective with just a block of text.  

Art has the ability to interact with and educate the viewer about these issues, spreading awareness about such important topics. Just like nature can be recreated through art, it can also be used as a stand-in for greater thought. That photo of the volcano in Costa Rica is very beautiful by the way! I’m so glad that a work of art inspired you to have one of the best experiences of your life skydiving. I almost went for it but it didn’t happen because of Covid. How was the whole experience? Were you Nervous?

*advisory, this post may contain some information that could be upsetting to some. It contains topics on privilege and health (physical and mental).*

Privilege can be a touchy subject. I won’t lie, this topic makes me uncomfortable because everyone’s idea of privilege can be different. Some see things as a given right and others have had to live without. This also implies that others are in oppression, which we know exists. I’ve seen myself as privileged, as I had what I needed to thrive growing up. I was lucky to be born in Canada, white, educated, mobile, and generally accepted by society. I’m really glad that I was taught about what privilege was when I was young because identifying your own privilege can make you aware and appreciate what you have.

In terms of how this can relate to nature, we are really lucky. Many of us attending university have been able to experience nature in a way that had a meaningful impact on our lives. Many of us can “escape” to nature when things get rough. But consider those who can’t. Those who don’t have the same access to the environment that we may have; those who’s guardian never took them for walks and taught them food webs, those who are stuck in hospital beds or immobilized, those on the front lines that are quarantining for us.

We are so lucky to experience all the wonders of the world, even from our backyards. I’ve always seen nature as a giver, a protector, almost like a second mother. I’ve always found healing in the forest, which is why I solo camp (something that I’m lucky to be able to do). Being able to traverse the forest floor with all the bumps and ruts is something I used to t. At one point in my life I was paralyzed, so I don’t say that lightly. I came from a life of privilege and learned a lot about disability and taking things for granted. The only thing I wanted was to heal and get back up. A stroke took away my freedom and my ability to take a walk in the park. I think that point in my life was really eye opening. It made me realize I was not appreciating how much I had. My visits outside of the hospital were limited which was so frustrating. I found some piece being able to take a short trip to a coffee shop that had huge windows. I could watch the world and sip my coffee. I wanted to be alone, outside, and free. Its actually a major factor why I switched majors in school to wildlife biology and conservation. I wanted to give back to what had healed me most when I needed it post-stroke.

A photo of myself with a crooked smile, taken by my sister in Dec. 2016.

This experience is something I carry with me and intend to use in interpretation. Using it to make nature interpretation accessible to all. I want to erase any barriers that are placed between people and their ability to enjoy nature.

A photo from one of my solo hikes post stroke. Photo taken by myself Sept. 2019.

I think we should always be aware that we are merely fortunate enough to grab the opportunities that come our way. For example, I grew up in India for the first half of my life and experienced and seen how some girls are just denied education just because of the fact that they are girls and marry them off at a younger age. This reminds me of the privileges that I enjoy living in Canada, which a lot of people may have been denied of. 

It’s so good to hear that you were able to connect with nature post-stroke and enjoy solo hikes. Do you explore different hiking areas? If you do, what is your favorite place that you hiked so far?  I’m so glad you recovered and wants to give back to nature who healed in those difficult times. It is so passionate. Your post made me think of ways that nature healed me before. Especially during this pandemic, when school and work get overwhelming, I would take a walk around the arboretum or go on a walk by the water. It plays a key role in improving my mood and making me feel calm. 

What are some of the other ways you utilize nature in your everyday life?

“It is beyond a doubt that all our knowledge begins with experience” - Immanuel Kant

As a nature enthusiast with a passion for curriculum design and knowledge translation and transfer, my ideal role as an environmental interpreter would be to design and develop learning resources for students and people of all ages. Such a role might entail; creating physical textbooks, eBooks, online activities, program plans, environmental curriculum, etc…

Photo by Perfecto Capucine on Unsplash

Environmental interpretation is a complicated task that requires a certain skillset. Generally, people learn best when they care about the subject matter. In terms of knowledge transfer, sometimes the worst place you can be is in your own head. As knowledge brokers, our jobs are to relay information in an understandable and engaging fashion. Audiences highly benefit from a personal connection to the material, whether that’s through engaging them emotionally or connecting the new information with previously acquired knowledge. Thus, as an environmental interpreter specializing in curriculum design and knowledge translation, it is crucial to utilize relevancy and relatability to produce more comprehensible and engaging content.

“Knowledge that is not put into practice is like food that is not digested” - Sathya Sai Baba

Communication is the essence of interpretation. Interpreters should strive to accommodate different learning styles and abilities in order to create an accessible learning environment. When information is only presented in one way it lacks diversity. Furthermore, everybody has a preferred learning style. Whether it be visual, textual, auditory, hands-on, or a combination of multiple. As a content developer and program planner, it is extremely important to keep this in mind. Curriculum and content should cater to all styles of learning in order to provide an equal opportunity for all participants.

Photo by Austin Distel on Unsplash

“Everybody is a genius. But if you judge a fish by its ability to climb a tree, it will live its whole life believing it is stupid” – Albert Einstein

As can be seen, many skills are needed to be an effective environmental interpreter. A few other important skills include storytelling, picking a central theme, and adjusting to different audiences. Firstly, good stories do more than create a sense of connection. They build familiarity and trust and allow the listener to enter the story where they are, making them more open to learning. Additionally, stories are more engaging than a dry recitation of data points. Secondly, a central theme must be relevant not just to the interpreter but also to the audience; this provokes thought and elicits enjoyment. Lastly, it is important to know your audience and adjust accordingly. Creating content/programs for a group of adults would look much different than for a group of children.  

Photo from a guided tour of the Guelph Arboretum. Storytelling was used as a knowledge transfer tool to convey information in an engaging fashion. Photo taken by me. 

The overriding principal of interpretation, according to “Interpreting Cultural and Natural Heritage for a Better World” is to love the place and to love the visitors. In terms of delivering programs and following through on environmental curriculum, it is important to recognize that some scenes need no words as reporting the beauty of a scene might reduce the opportunity for inspiration. Moreover, it is crucial to utilize a multi-sensory learning approach, total programming (to extend major messages to all citizens), and strategic framing (to address controversial issues).

Banff, Alberta. Scene needed no words. Photo taken by me.

Nature interpretation should be more inspirational than informational. The information is important, but without inspiration, it is meaningless. As an environmental interpreter specializing in curriculum design and knowledge translation, I would have the opportunity to bring information to life in an accessible and relatable way. The beauty of life is that everything is an interpretation. Your thoughts. Your perception. Your reality.

Some questions for you:

How do you take your “Vitamin N”?

Have you ever been in a class where the teaching style did not fit your learning style? How did you cope with this?

What is your preferred learning style? How can relatability and relevancy in knowledge transfer augment your learning experience through your preferred style of learning?

References:

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

Liyanage, C., Elhag, T., Ballal, T., & Li, Q. (2009). Knowledge communication and translation – a knowledge transfer model. Journal of Knowledge Management, 13(3), 118-131. doi:10.1108/13673270910962914

Thank you for taking the time to read my post! I’m looking forward to reading yours. All comments welcome!