Nature Interpretation

REFLECTION TIME! Who were you before this course? If you’re anything like me you had a interest in nature (its why you took this course), but before taking this course I never understood the multifaceted nature of interpretation. As a science student, I’ve always thought the goal of interpretation was simple- get information out there. But this course has allowed me to realize the efficiency of information delivery and uptake is dependent on so many factors:

the audience

the topic of interpretation

the method of communication

available resources

associated risks of participation

the interpreter’s personal insight and beliefs.

My beliefs as an interpreter have been shaped by my childhood exposure to nature, recent backcountry camping experiences, and undergraduate courses in environmental science. One principle has remained relevant to me throughout this course: coexistence. As mentioned in my first blog post, I don’t believe in conquering nature (whether that means camping or development), I believe in a human-nature coexistence. Nature is a strong constant that doesn’t rely on humans to exist, in fact it would prosper without us. So this coexistence is not possible unless we learn about the delicate interactions that make up nature.  

Unite all species through coexistence! Source: Change.org

Now that I have a better understanding of my personal beliefs and priorities that make up who I am as an interpreter, I want to address other themes we discussed in this course: understanding my audience and creating a meaningful experience.

Understanding my audience

Luckily this course has allowed me to add many other principles to my tool belt in order to make interpretation a meaningful experience. Before, the scientists in me would have talked at people about climate change or habitat fragmentation. I’ve realized the importance of knowing your audience. I’m a tactile learner, so an approach I would really appreciate on a nature walk would be using a dichotomous key to identify species. Interactive learning is important to me, but I recognize that there are many different learning styles that may benefit from different types of teaching such as reading labels about species information or listening to an auditory explanation about a species. Its my responsibility as an interpreter to ensure that all different types of learners have access to information. Further, its ethical to ensure that people from all different walks of life have access to information, including those who speak another language or have a visual or auditory disability.

Interactive signs with pictures and words are effective! Source: Pinterest

I also ask myself what an audience needs to hear to be inspired. Through creating a podcast I have learned the importance of tailoring a message to different age groups. Children may need a more hopeful message, whereas adults may need to hear about the urgency of a situation (Beck et al, 2018). On that note, an important consideration is generational differences. Let’s consider technology. Something I’ve noticed at restaurants during the pandemic is you often have to use your data on your smartphone to scan a QR code in order to check-in or view a menu. My grandparents don’t know what half of those words mean, and so if this restaurant was some sort of educational experience they would be completely lost. I can understand the value of technology in interpretation, but I think its more accessible to give the audience an ability to choose between it or more traditional methods for learning.

Technology is not for everyone! Different options should be available to avoid classic technical mistakes like using the calculator instead of the camera! Source: Tumblr

As an interpreter it is also my responsibility to acknowledge that privilege exists in society which influences people’s personal relationship with nature. We cannot speak to people as if they all are starting at the same place and have the same experiences. Additionally, there are risks in nature. Though risk can be objectively defined, the valuation of risk is subjective to each person. We must graciously consider this as a guiding leader in nature. An important ethical principle to me is that my audience does not feel excluded or in danger.

Inclusivity and safety in nature. Source: Reach or Miss

how can i make this experience meaningful?

I believe an interpretation experience can be meaningful when it is exciting, when it makes an audience question something they believed beforehand, or when there is an educational component that the audience carries with them in the future. A meaningful experience should promote an individual’s desire for human-nature coexistence. I’ve realized that scientific facts do not provide a meaningful experience for everyone. The addition of sociocultural factors can provide an important educational takeaway for our diverse audience. For example, visual arts can be a gateway into an undiscovered appreciation for the natural world. I realize the importance of this for visual learners or those who may better receive information through paintings instead of scientific literature. We may turn to arts in times like these, when parks may be closed or the natural world feels less accessible. Another way to make a meaningful experience is through the incorporation of music. As I learned through recording a podcast, music conveys tone and can spark feelings in listeners. I like to call this the “era of headphones”, we carry millions of songs in our pockets. Songs can create a memorable experience for people and may especially speak to auditory learners. Finally, providing historical context can make an experience with the natural world more meaningful for all generations. Learning the backstory behind an old tree, for example, can lead to the audience feeling a greater connection with it; hearing its backstory and everything that has changed in the world since it was planted can really get the audience appreciating its presence. Learning about natural history can also encourage the audience to think about the environmental problems we face in the future.  

Children at a climate change rally. Source: TIME

Final thoughts

Tourism, which encompasses interpretation, has been shown to shape the world view of individuals (Mowforth and Munt, 2016). I’ve learned that I can use interpretation to promote the human-nature coexistence through a diverse array of teaching components and styles. Sustainability and conservation are contingent on people caring about nature. Interpretation is the vehicle which can promote individuals to feel inspired (Beck et al, 2018). Effective interpretation can inspire technological advances, policy changes, connections with Indigenous tribes, and future protectors of endangered species. We take so much from nature, through interpretation we learn how to give back, how to appreciate it.

Through reflecting and participating in this course, I have been provided with tools that I will gratefully add to my invisible backpack. These tools will help me with interpretation in whatever path I take in the future, even if its only talking to my family about nature in the little lake from my first blog.

Deer beside my house: I’m forever grateful for my proximity and access to wildlife that has shaped my view on nature and allowed me to become the interpreter I am today! (taken by me). 

Prompt: Using the tools you’ve gained in this course, how would you interpret the idea of “climate change” to a young generation that is the future of sustainability and conservation? I will respond to your post with my thoughts.

References:

Beck, L., Cable, T.T., & Knudson, D.M. (2018). Interpreting Cultural and Natural Heritage (First Edition). Sagamore-Venture Publishing LLC.

Wonderful blog post. It is bittersweet wrapping up this course.

Your discussion regarding your beliefs was very thought-provoking, and I found it quite interesting when you mentioned coexisting. Personally, my belief system is based upon the idea that everything in nature is essential. However, I truly resonate with the idea of coexisting to a greater degree. I have recently watched the documentary seaspiracy, and it truly made me realize that we have conquered and degraded a planet that was not ours to dominate. In today’s society, people will often forget the implications of their actions and fail to understand the reliance we have upon nature.

Regarding your question, being an interpreter in today’s day and age comes with the responsibility of educating others about climate change. While it is an urgent matter, it is often not one that many people would like to listen about. Rather often, people will turn a blind eye than face reality. While it is the interpreter’s goal to help individuals a sense of place, it is equally as important to leave them with the desire to preserve our planet. Like you, I would strongly prefer interactive learning as it instills a sense of reality in the audience. Therefore, I would most likely approach climate change in a very optimistic manner while giving examples along a walk of what would become impacted if conditions were to worsen. It can be something as simple as showing them a tree at risk due to temperature shifts. While climate change is often difficult to visualize, focusing on something in their surroundings can help link their understanding.

Have you watched the documentary seaspiracy yet?

I appreciate you sharing your opinion of coexistence, and I understand your perspective there. I have heard A LOT about Seaspiracy from my friends both in and not in environmental science. Unfortunately I have yet to watch it but its definitely on my list once exams are done! Based on the trailer, there does seem to be a lot of dramatization, and so I think when I watch it I will try not to get caught up in that. 

I see your point about approaching climate change from an optimistic point of view. I remember after Greta Thunberg’s talk about climate change hearing that many kids were experiencing “eco-anxiety” which is essentially anxiety/depression related to the stress of impending climate change and related disasters. I came across a Washington Post article about it that you can check out below: 

Kids in Crisis! Source: Washington Post 

At the same time, I think that its important to not to dilute or nullify the truth. I think climate change can be demonstrated while showing kids something relatable or easily digestible, like maybe an animal on a migration route, something that they learned about in school. The impacts may be seen in showing kids the challenges this animal faces as a result of climate change. However, its extremely important to also focus on the things they can do to make a difference and protect that charismatic animal. 

There are many different approaches to teaching children. Can you think of more interactive approaches that may be effective in teaching about climate change?

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

here is the bridge to Terabithia trailer.

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

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

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

Here is a video on how to save our planet.

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

Questions:

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

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

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

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

References

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

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

I loved the mention of the Bridge to Terrebithia, it’s a great movie that, if I’m honest, made me cry a bit the first time I saw it lol. Are there any movies you watched as a kid that inspired you to care about nature? I think that, just likeis shown in the Bridge to Terrebithia, one way to help kids connect with nature is to encourage them to play in natural environments!  I personally grew up surrounded by nature, and I attribute a lot of my love for nature as an adult to this. As much as nature education is a wonderful and important resource, I don’t think there’s any real substitute for the feeling of being outdoors, and discovering the parts of nature that you find most interesting.

Finding interesting critters and new environments to explore I think would do a lot to inspire a sense of curiosity about nature in kids. And through this, we may also be able to settle some of the instinctual fears that children pick up when they don’t get the opportunity to gain knowledge and experience with lovely creatures like frogs and snakes. I find that being in rocky streams always reminds me of my childhood. I loved to go looking for salamanders, and I could spend hours turning over rocks to see what was hiding underneath. By playing and creating positive experiences in a natural environment, I think that would help kids to feel a greater sense of connection to nature.

You addressed so many interesting topics in your post so I’m going to try to touch on as many points as I can here.

I also wonder if future generations will have the same opportunities to appreciate nature that we have- not only because of direct human consequences like industrial development and changes to land use, but also because of indirect consequences like climate change. My brother is 7 years younger than me and reflects upon his past Christmases as being green, while I remember having experienced many white Christmases at his age.

To answer your first question, I am a firm believer in the most effective changes being through policy implementation, however, as individuals we can each help improve the environment by reducing transportation, which in the U.S. is the greatest contributor by sector of greenhouse gas emissions (EPA, 2018). By taking public transportation, or opting for biking or walking, you can reduce the air pollution that is rapidly contributing to climate change.

Oops, didn’t mean to get political! Greenhouse gas emissions in North America are main contributor to climate change (EPA, 2018). Graphic created by me. 

In response to your second question, there are many great ways to connect kids with nature. I used to work at the Grand River Conservation Authority which offered day camps for kids that taught them about forests, wildlife, fishing, and enjoying nature in an eco-friendly way. If that isn’t financially viable (or available due to COVID) other free options that connect kids with wildlife are a good idea. For example, there is a swan conservatory in my hometown that allows people to watch the swans swimming in the river and allows them to help feed the swans in their pens.

Kids learning at GRCA camp. Source: Grand River Conservation Authority. Learn more about the day camp here: https://www.grandriver.ca/en/learn-get-involved/Day-Camps.aspx?_mid_=621

Photo of a swan from the swan program by my house. Source: Elora Swan Program. Learn more about the program here: http://www.findglocal.com/CA/Elora/575878532530471/The-Elora-Swan-Program

To address your third question, I think many people would argue the most important thing about nature is the services and resources it provides us that allow us humans to exist. I personally think the most important thing about nature is the habitat it creates for an abundance of species in different types of environments around the world. To extend on this, the most important thing about it’s preservation is supporting the biodiversity that is naturally conserved in the complicated, diverse habitats in nature.

Finally, in response to your last question, every year my family goes camping at Pinery Provincial Park for a week. We walk from our campsite to the beach and this is the view that we see every time. We’ve been going here since I was a child so this is one of my favourite views in the world. It’s filled with excitement for the day ahead, and memories from years past.

I thought the TED talk you posted was interesting, especially the story about the toddler trying to put the petal back on the flower. I think interacting with nature at a young age teaches kids about the beauty and fragility of nature, and how we can impact it.

Prompt: The forest beside my childhood home is also being cut down unfortunately. You yourself have not chosen a career in the environmental field, however, do you think that increasing environmental education and awareness in the future may inspire younger generations to pursue environmental jobs in the future? How do you think the environmental job field will change with more education to younger children about climate change through influencers like Greta Thunberg?

Thanks for your post, Megan

To be quite honest, I was very hesitant about taking this course because of my lack of nature experience and non-existent relationship with nature while growing up. However, I am so grateful that I did because this course changed the way I look at nature in many ways by introducing me to new things that I never would have discovered I had a passion for. Although the majority of the people enrolled in this course probably had a relationship with nature previously, this was never the case for me because of my upbringing in the city of Toronto with an indoor-loving family. For this reason, the greatest gift this course gave me is the encouragement to discover my love for nature and realize the positive impact it has played in my life. I always enjoyed nature and my limited time outdoors while growing up; however, I never truly found my “sense of place” in nature or developed a relationship with nature before this course (Beck et al. 2018, p. 10). 

A picture of my father during our trip to Kelowna, British Columbia. This was one of the first trips that we spent the majority of the time outdoors by going hiking, swimming and canoeing. Photo credits: Myself :)

Through writing these weekly blog posts, I was able to sit down and take the time to really think about all of the good thing’s nature has to offer and I was able to find my “sense of place” in nature. Nature has become my escape and is one of the main parts of my life that makes me excited because it always has something new to offer, which is especially important during the times that we are currently living in. Throughout this pandemic, nature truly helped me maintain my emotional and physical health as it was the only driving factor that would get me out of the house on most days. After taking the time to truly reflect on the role nature has played in my life (especially within the past year), I learned that nature isn’t important for humans, it is essential. It’s essential to sustain the species of this Earth including ourselves, it’s essential for our physical well-being, it’s essential for our mental well-being and it essential for our overall quality of life because nature is everywhere, and it is a part of everything. 

This is a picture of my two roommates and I on our first spring hike the other day in The Elora Gorge. This trip was very necessary for our mental and physical well-beings, as we used it to de-stress from a hectic midterm season. Photo credits: Us :)

As we have learned in this course, nature interpretation plays a role in many aspects of life including music, art, history, science, technology, environmental sustainability, etc. As mentioned in our course notes, although it can be discouraging to teach and learn about the environment due to the abundance of issues occurring in this world such as climate change, food scarcity, malnutrition, biodiversity loss, etc., the meaningful experiences and impact that nature can have on people makes it all worth it (Wals, Brody, Dillon, & Stevenson, 2014) (Hooykaas, 2021). 

Before this course, becoming a nature interpreter was never a career path I ever considered because I wasn’t knowledgeable enough about the topic and I never took the time to learn about it. I suppose this was the case because I never truly discovered my relationship with nature until enrolling in this course; however, I am so glad that I did because I found a new passion that I never would have discovered without the guidance and encouragement from this course. 

As a nature interpreter, I believe my responsibilities include being an advocate for nature, building a trusting connection with my audience through authenticity and doing my best to ensure I have the correct knowledge that I will eventually be sharing with others. Whether I am interpreting the role nature plays in music, science or other important aspects of my life, it is my duty to deliver and translate this knowledge in a way that is effective for my audience and demonstrates my true passion for these topics. I know it is my responsibility to be authentic and enthusiastic with my audience, no matter who it is, to ensure that I leave them with a fond, meaningful and long-lasting memory. It is my responsibility to give my audience the information and support they need to make their own personal interpretations that will help them make positive connections within their own lives. 

This is a picture of my brother, my 2 cousins and myself during one of our first interpretive adventures at The Ontario Science Centre that i still remember to this day. Photo credits: My dad :)

I believe that, as an interpreter, it’s extremely important to consider the different cultural backgrounds/ethnicities, socioeconomic status, education levels, age groups, sexual orientations genders, people with physical disabilities, people with learning disabilities and religious beliefs of our audiences. As a mixed woman of colour, it is extremely important to me that everyone is mindful and respectful of the diverse social identity groups that exist in our world. Being aware of the diversity that is present in the audience will allow everyone to feel included and have an enjoyable experience. As mentioned in our textbook, one of the recommendations for inclusive interpretation is to hire more minority and bilingual interpreters (Beck et al. 2018, p. 135). It is important to have staff with diverse backgrounds and bilingual staff because it will allow visitors of all backgrounds to feel more wanted, included, welcomed and encouraged to partake in interpretative activities (Beck et al. 2018, p. 135). 

An approach that is important to me as an interpreter is to present my knowledge in a way that accommodates for all learning styles and types of intelligences. Personally, I am a visual learner who has strong intrapersonal, musical and spatial intelligences (Beck et al. 2018, p. 110, 111). After attending university, I realized that everyone learns in different ways because no two brains are alike. I’m a science student that doesn’t learn just by being told information or physically touching/doing; however, there are many people that can learn through these methods and that’s perfectly fine. There is no “right” way to learn because everyone is different, which is why it is the role of the interpreter to ensure that their audience feels included and accommodated for to the best of their abilities. 

I’ve learned so much about myself and my abilities throughout the duration of this course. I’m grateful for all of the lessons I’ve learned, and I will continue to use them throughout my journey in nature! 

What’s the greatest lesson that this course has taught you? 

Thank you, for the last time, 

Victoria :) 

References: 

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

- Hooykaas, A. (2021). Unit 10: Nature Interpretation’s Role in Environmental Sustainability [Course website]. University of Guelph CourseLink. https://courselink.uoguelph.ca 

I was actually quite surprised to learn that both of us were hesitant about taking ENVS*3000. However, similar to you, I have come out feeling more hopeful and empowered as a nature interpreter (Rodenburg, 2019).

To answer your question, the greatest lesson that I learned from this course was the importance of recognizing privilege. When thinking about nature interpretation, you would never think to consider the role of privilege. Reflecting on my own life “unpacking my invisible backpack” allowed me to recognize my privilege (Gallavan, 2005). Furthermore, reflecting on my personal ethic as a nature interpreter allowed me to understand the luminosity that nature can bring to the lives of those who explore it; thereby revealing the importance of recognizing privilege in nature interpretation.

In contrast to you, the beliefs that I have as a nature interpreter stem from the knowledge I acquired through my university education, particularly through coursework in both ENVS*3000 and ENVS*3010. Having taken these courses allowed me to educate myself and realize the importance of environmental stewardship. Moreover, I was able to learn about how I can work towards uncovering solutions for many issues we face today (i.e., climate change, habitat destruction, endangered species, etc.) (Hooykaas, 2021).

It’s great to see that you were so appreciative of your ability to shape your audience as nature interpreters. Thus, I have linked a great video below which talks about how you can tell great stories as a nature interpreter (Be a Better Guide - Free Tour Guide Training, 2015, 0:00-5:38). Have a watch and share your thoughts!

I look forward to your response.

Regards,

Agam.

References

Be a Better Guide - Free Tour Guide Training. (2015, July 8). How to tell great stories on tour? Story telling advice for guides! [Video]. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9jaJjcOesU0

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

Hooykaas, A. (2021). Unit 10: Nature interpretation’s role in environmental sustainability [Course website]. University of Guelph CourseLink. https://courselink.uoguelph.ca

Thanks for your comment! I completely agree that, before this course, I never considered the existence of privilege in nature interpretation since these are two topics that you wouldn’t generally think about together. However, I am so glad that this course opened my eyes to the existence of privilege in nature interpretation, but also many other areas of life that I never would have considered. 

Thank you for linking the story telling tips video! I really enjoyed the point about showing your audience (through descriptive words) rather than just telling. I think this is a really great tip, especially for someone like me, who is a visual learner. It is very helpful for my learning style to be able to close my eyes and envision the setting of the story to make the experience even better!

Awesome post, I love to see people visiting the Elora Gorge because it’s really close to my house in my hometown of Elora! I appreciate the lessons you’ve learned in this course, and definitely agree that nature is essential for humans.

The biggest lesson I learned may sound strange…its that “its okay if your ethics change and evolve as you gain more knowledge and experience over time”. This course has allowed me to reflect on my experience as an environmental science student. The lessons I’ve learned over time have sculpted my ethics into what I would consider a more evolved view of nature, which alter who I am as an interpreter. The first class I took in my first year of university I remember learning about the wolf problem at Yellowstone National Park. We were asked if it seemed fair to cull wolves in order to protect caribou populations. I quickly shot my hand up in favour of that, because I sympathized for the charismatic megafauna that is a hallmark Canadian creature- or perhaps it would be more realistic to say I was extremely uneducated on the topic and didn’t know or care much about wolves.

A lone wolf in Yellowstone National Park. Source: National Geographic 

In class we further discussed the topic and I learned how the wolves played a vital role in maintaining the integrity of the ecosystem in the park. Removing them as a predator caused a devastating trophic cascade that negatively affected the biological and physical components of the park (Fortin et al, 2005). Upon reintroducing wolves to Yellowstone, many changes were noted such as increased tree growth (height and density), increased abundance of shrubs, beavers, fish, and a more stabilized river bank (Fortin et al, 2005). I’m sure many people have heard of this story, but the video below is a really powerful representation that talks more in-depth about the positive impacts of the wolf reintroduction. My opinion on the matter has drastically changed over my four years of learning at Guelph and I can’t believe I used to call myself an environmentalist before.

The impact of wolves at Yellowstone National Park. Source: Sustainable Human 

If I had been an interpreter at Yellowstone national park at the time, I would have been sharing extremely biased information based on my personal opinions. I believe as interpreters we have a responsibility to present the least biased information in a way that we see as the most entertaining and interesting. It’s only possible to do this by staying educated on the topics we are interested in as information changes over time. Staying concrete in the same ideas is ignorant, and will impede your ability to be an unbiased, knowledgable interpreter.

Prompt: Do you have any particular environmental cases that shaped how you view nature? Do you have any opinions on human management of wildlife populations?

Thanks, Megan

References:

Nature is full of incredible, sometimes unbelievably exciting things.  

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

References:

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

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

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

I like how you bring up the point about how we think that we’re so different than nature. Humans are a part of nature and it’s so weird how so many of us live our lives trying to block the outdoors out. It’s so weird. What makes me feel connected to nature is putting in the work. By this I mean after a long portage, or sitting to rest on a rock after setting up camp, in these moments is when I feel most connected to nature. The challenges of being on a camping trip make me feel more human, more a real part of nature. We are so busy, even with the pandemic and there are so many people facing such hardships, but basic survival and caring for yourself and those around you is so rewarding. With the pandemic, more people are getting outdoors who haven’t done so before and I am so excited for the people that will be witnessing this for the first time and I hope that this trends lasts beyond the pandemic. So few people are privileged enough to get to experience what I described above and the way things are today I am hopeful that more people are getting to experience the outdoors.

Thanks for teaching me about crows.

Before reading your post I never knew this about crows. I actually quite disliked them. I think because of the scavenging tendencies that you mentioned, there is a stigma around them as being pests.

To answer your question, an animal that has always made me feel more connected to nature is an elephant. Under ideal conditions, they have a long life span, approximately 65 years (Landen, 2014). Like humans, elephants protect their young and are actually very compassionate towards each other. They are one of the only animals that are able to recognize themselves in a mirror (Landen, 2014). This is actually because their brains are very similar to that of humans, such that they can achieve a life-time of learning (Landen, 2014). They have the biggest brain of any land animal (Choi, 2009). You mentioned crows using tools to better exploit resources. Elephants have been documented clogging up water holes using chewed up bark to prevent drainage (Choi, 2009). Elephants even grieve the loss of one of their herd members and are intellectually advanced enough to suffer post traumatic stress disorder (Landen, 2014).

Elephants love each other! An adorable video of a mother and baby reuniting after separating. Source: b/60

I remember crying during one nature documentary where a mother and baby elephant get separated. They are searching desperately to find each other but unlike the above video, as the camera panned out you could see they were walking in opposite directions. I don't think we necessarily relate best to species that are evolutionarily close to us like monkeys, I think that we can sympathize with any type of animal, especially those that reflect the human condition.

Do certain activities (watching a documentary, bird watching, hiking) make you connect to nature or animals more?

References:

Landen, K.  (2014). The common grounds of elephants and humans. Zambezi Traveller, 41. https://elephantswithoutborders.org/downloadspapers/Common_grounds_elephants_humans.pdf

Music as is referred to as “patterns of sound varying in pitch and time produced for emotional, social, cultural, and cognitive purposes” are not only created in a studio they are also created in nature (Beck et al., 2018). Music can be found almost everywhere in nature you just have to listen carefully (Gray et al., 2001). I hear music in nature all the time and I’m sure you do as well, some of the ways I hear natures music include birds chirping in the morning, the wind howling, rain beating on my bedroom window and lastly waves crashing against the shore. What’s actually quite interesting is that advances in technology has revealed that the music composed by nature actually resembles some of the music we as humans create. For instance when birds compose songs they tend to us the same rhythmic variations, pitch relationships as many human composers (Gray et al., 2001). In addition to this music composed by humans and nature can serve a similar purpose which is to communicate a message (Mallarach et al. 2011). We as humans often use music as a form of communication and fellowship with other, to share idea, thoughts, feelings and inspirations similarly to how animals communicate (Mallarach et al. 2011). Take ducks for instance they will often produce sounds varying in pitch and time to communicate a message such as in the form of a mating call.

Similar to how music can be found in nature, nature can also be found in music. For instance many of the instruments we as humans use to compose music are products of nature such as the guitar. The guitar is made of wood and metal strings which originate from nature so it can be said that nature allows us to make music. Nature can also be featured in music through the use of sounds originating from nature in types of music such as electric dance music. Additionally nature may be in music by being the underlining message of a song such as in folk music where it has shaped human cultures (Mallarach et al. 2011).

Songs like other interpretive media can not only communicate a message but can also bring someone back in time to a found memory, for me the song White Rabbit by Jefferson Airplane does this. This song takes me back to this prior summer where me and my friends where listening to music and looking at the stars on a crown land camping trip. The reason this specific song brings me back to this place and time is because this is one of the odder songs we listened to on that trip so it stands out and now whenever I listen to it I am brought back to this camping trip.

 Retrieved from: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pnJM_jC7j_4

Some question for my readers:

Can you tell me of any other way nature influences or is a part of music that I didn’t speak about?

What other animals use music as a way to communicate a message besides ducks?

-Filip

References:

Beck, L., Cable, T.T., & Knudson, D.M. (2018). Interpreting Cultural and Natural Heritage (First Edition). Sagamore-Venture Publishing LLC.

Gray, P. M., Krause, B., Atema, J., Payne, R., Krumhansl, C., & Baptista, L. (2001). The music of nature and the nature of music. Science, 291(5501), 52-54.

I think most of us thought of nature being a part of music in a symbolic way, so I appreciate your take on the actual physical entities of nature being a part of music. 

Every culture has some form of music (Beck et al, 2018). It is likely that music has co-evolved with existence of humans in nature. Its human nature to try to understand things, to control things. As our species has evolved in nature, a variety of tactics of living in nature have formed: some live harmoniously with it, some try to conquer it, some fear it. Regardless, we use music as a way to express ourselves (Beck et al, 2018). For this reason, nature has a major influence on the songs we write. For example, Smokey the Bear, is a symbol for prevention of forest fires. Forest fires are something I feel are very important to talk about. Historically, forest managers believed that it was their responsibilities to suppress fires in order to protect humans and our surrounding nature from being destroyed (Hanson, 2010). Unfortunately, these unnatural management practices led to an increased frequency and intensity of fires (Hanson, 2010). A song was even created about Smokey the Bear- which is very cheesy now- but likely was used to spread fear about forest fires to people in the 1950s. Though this is sort of a negative example about how nature influences music, it is interesting to note that this is a rare example of entertainment and education meeting one another. Nature also influences music in positive ways. Following the 2010 Haiti Earthquake, many Canadian artists got together to sing “Wavin’ Flag” originally by K’NAAN. The proceeds from the song helped with earthquake relief in Haiti. I remember at the time hearing the song and getting chills when thinking about the disaster.

Smokey the Bear song. Source: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Myz93sXW66Y 

Natural disasters like forest fires, or earthquakes are a reminder that we are all humans living on the same earth, and to not get so caught up in our day to day lives. Music has a way of educating us (though the Smokey the Bear example was not well informed it had good intentions), and it has a way of bringing us together. Can you think of any other songs that were made following a natural disaster?

To answer your second question, I recall learning in another class that male humpback whales perform songs in order to attract females to mate with! It’s funny how nature can reflect human actions sometimes.

References:

Beck, L., Cable, T.T., & Knudson, D.M. (2018). Interpreting Cultural and Natural Heritage (First Edition). Sagamore-Venture Publishing LLC.

“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

It took me a while to form my interpretation of this quote.  Hyams uses the word integrity quite a bit in it, which got me thinking about how he was using and why that word over any others.  In its modern connotation, ‘integrity’ typically refers to someone or somethings reliability or the quality of their morality and nature.  The word came into the English language via the Old French ‘integrité’ then meaning innocence, chastity, or purity.  ‘Integrité’ evolved out of the Latin ‘integritas’ whose root is ‘integer’ meaning soundness, wholeness, or completeness.  Reading the quote again but with the connotation of ‘a whole’ in mind, Hyam began to make a lot more sense to me.  “There is no peculiar merit in ancient things, but there is merit in [completeness], and [completion] entails the keeping together of the parts of any whole , and if these parts are scattered throughout time, then the maintenance of [a whole] entails a knowledge, a memory, of ancient things […]”. What I think Hyam is getting at is that history doesn’t make sense without context, understanding why certain actions were taken or why certain events occurred.  Its often easy to overlook historical context in favour of personal belief, but this often leads to dangerous rhetoric.  Countless times we have seen history distorted in order to target ethnic, religious, linguistic, and cultural minorities.  

Here’s an example of how languages evolve and change over time using the pronoun “I”. (Source: https://www.reddit.com/r/europe/comments/dj7rb1/evolution_of_the_pronoun_i_in_indoeuropean/)

What stood out to me in this week’s unit were the questions “Who/what benefits from this story and how might that impact them/others in the future?” and “how a community might be enhanced, it is often through the recognition of collective memories, stories” (Hooykaas 2021).  This week I want to talk about the history of biodiversity (my uni major).  

The concept of biodiversity has existed in some form for as long as the human conscious has. Aristotle made note of the differences between animals; and in its most basic sense, that is what biodiversity is, differences between organisms and their variety (Mayr, 1998). Biodiversity, the word itself, has a much shorter history, but why?  It was coined in 1985 by Walter G. Rosen for the creation of the National Forum on BioDiversity.  The forum was made to discuss the increasing demands of the human species on economic development and the potential ramifications it might have on the natural environment.  Edward Wilson, an American biologist, summarized the forum as “BioDiversity creates a systematic framework for analyzing the problem and searching for possible solutions” (Wilson, 1988).  This describes the political, economic, and scientific climate during the time of ‘biodiversity’s creation.  The public and scientific community were becoming increasingly aware of the negative impacts of human development, of air pollution, deforestation, habitat fragmentation, water pollution, etc… on the environment and the implied repercussions on the economy (Wilson, 1988).  

Image illustrates some of the main threats causing global biodiversity decline. (Source: https://www.visualcapitalist.com/biggest-threats-to-earths-biodiversity/)

Through out the century, scientists were noticing that when certain species were removed from their ecosystems trophic downgrading would occur, and, notably, the increasing the rate of extinction worldwide (Wilson, 1992; Myers, 1979).  In 1979, Norman Myers, an English ecologist, published The Sinking Ark: A New Look at the Problem of Disappearing Species.  In it, he discusses extinction but draws attention to the unexpectedly fast rate at which species were going extinct in the modern day; far greater than one would expect over the course of the process of evolution.  However, unlike the Cretaceous or any mass extinctions before, this one was not caused by natural disasters but by a single species; the cause was and is anthropogenic (Myers, 1979).  A warning call.  Wilson’s Biodiversity, a series of articles written by leading authorities  in biological and environmental disciplines, compiled from the BioDiversity Forum, further outlined the importance of diversity of species and the ecosystems that support them as well as the very species that threatens their stability (Wilson, 1986).

“The Sinking Ark” by Norma Myers (source: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/2381140.The_Sinking_Ark)

By the late 1980s, biodiversity, used interchangeably with biological diversity, had entered the mainstream of scientific literature and public culture.  Yet the understanding of what biodiversity is and what it means was vague at best and measuring biodiversity was controversial and can be a challenging task (Franco, 2013).  With its growing popularity and the urgency felt by the scientific community, in 1992, the United Nation’s Environment Program organized and launched the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) to clarify what was meant by ‘biodiversity’.  The broad definition of “Biological diversity means the variability among living organisms from all sources including, inter alia, terrestrial, marine and other aquatic ecosystems and the ecological complexes of which they are part; this includes diversity within species, between species and of ecosystems” was given (CBD, 1992).

So “Who/what benefits from this story and how might that impact them/others in the future?” and “how a community might be enhanced, it is often through the recognition of collective memories, stories” (Hooykaas 2021). Knowing this story, we understand that ‘biodiversity’ is a word made for a purpose, as a defence of conservation biology.  In this sense, the two are inexorably linked.  Biological diversity had no need for a name before the 20th century because it was a constant of life.  As a community we are enhanced in our collective appreciation of it and its causes. Human development caused, and is causing, a massive reduction in native species diversities, which in turn reduces genetic diversity, and on a global scale, human development has caused the largest and fastest mass extinction on record (Wilson, 1988).  

What do you think of the story of biodiversity?  Although not a physical artifact, certainly an important part of history.  Can you think of any other historically significant words?

References:

Convention on Biological Diversity Article 2. Use of Terms. (CBD). (2006, November 2). Retrieved April 10, 2020, from: https://www.cbd.int/convention/articles/?a=cbd-02

Hooykaas, A. (2021). Unit 6: Nature Interpretation Through History. Lecture Notes Retrieved, February 24, 2021 from https://courselink.uoguelph.ca/d2l/le/content/666945/viewContent/2592718/View

Mayr, E. W. (1998). The Development of Biological Thinking.

Myers, N. The Sinking Ark: A New Look at the Problem of Disappearing Species. Oxford, United  Kingdom: Pergamon Press, 1979.

I think it was efficient how you differentiated between the natural causes of mass extinction events, and the current anthropogenic cause of species extinction. Something I would like to add to this, is how political history has shaped legislation and policies that govern countries’ use of natural resources and thus, influence the integrity of nature conservation. For example, former American President Donald Trump pulled out of the Paris Climate Agreement in 2017, which is a treaty that aims to reduce greenhouse gas emissions in order to mitigate the effects of climate change on biodiversity (BBC News, 2020). His decision had a big influence on American natural capital, as it permitted the start and or continuation of industrial development projects that could not proceed under the agreement. These projects can cause habitat degradation, deforestation for example, which will diminish biodiversity.

The politics behind it all: Gif of Donald Trump rambling. Source: Esquire

The story of biodiversity, including how the term for it was not created until the 1980s, is representative of the ever-increasing human footprint on the environment. To answer your follow up question, another word I believe holds important historical significance is “sustainability”.

This is the first image that appears when you Google “sustainability”. This speaks to the interconnected dynamics that are implied when referring to this word. Source: Forbes

The concept of sustainability has existed as long as humans. Regardless of culture, language, religion, there has always been a need to help provide a living for future generations. In the past few centuries, there was very little recognition of the life cycle of natural resources. The impact of human’s exploitation of natural resources became very apparent in the 20th century (Kidd, 1992). The term  sustainability was was first coined to refer to human impact on the environment in 1972 (Kidd, 1992). It was primarily referred to in an economic sense (for example, overfishing will cause a market crash). I believe this is because the way our culture values nature is in terms of the economic profit it provides, rather than the beautiful, spiritual intrinsic value it holds. Words such as “carrying capacity” and “slow-growth” were used before the word sustainable (Kidd, 1992). This is likely how resources were categorized with respect to the ability to regenerate them. I believe, like biodiversity,  sustainability is an important word tied to conservation. The value given to the word sustainability is an important metric for determining our ability to succeed in conservation.

References:

BBC News. (2020). Retrieved from: https://www.bbc.com/news/science-environment-54797743

I have recently noticed posts circulating on social media about fast fashion and its consequences, so I wanted to explore this further. Years of research have made it evident that the chemical composition of the atmosphere is changing, global temperatures are rising, and precipitation patterns are being altered. These conditions define climate change. There has been a clear correlation between climate change and anthropogenic activities. This indicates that as industrialization progresses, the impact these actions have on the environment will escalate. 

Photo retrieved from https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/10-solutions-for-climate-change/

As a capitalist society, we are conditioned into living consumerist lifestyles. Majority of the models behind modern markets are based on maximizing profit. In order to maximize profit, many companies rely on cheap labour and the exploitation of resources (Wainwright, 2010). In recent years, consumerism has rapidly grown in the fashion industry, and fast fashion has become more popular (The price of fast fashion, 2018). Clothing is produced faster, the online shopping craze makes it extremely accessible, and new designs are popping up every day to satisfy the desire to be wearing the latest trends. Studies have estimated that we are buying 60% more than we did in 2000. Yet, each piece of clothing is worn less prior to being discarded. This shorter lifespan is associated with a higher level of manufacturing emissions (Drew & Yehounme, 2017). This high-consumption lifestyle is encouraged in many western countries by heavily advertising the low price of these cheap garments. What they do not advertise is the burden that the production and distribution of their products has on the environment.

Photo retrieved from https://www.euronews.com/living/2020/08/20/welcome-to-the-dark-side-shein-is-the-biggest-rip-off-since-fast-fashion-was-born

The industry of textile production is one of the most significant in pollution contribution. It generates 1.2 billion tonnes of CO2 per year (The price of fast fashion, 2018). To put this into perspective, this produces more emissions than international flights and maritime shipping. Furthermore, a substantial amount of clothing manufacturing occurs overseas in China and India. These countries depend on coal-fuelled power plants, which further increases the amount of pollution emitted to produce each garment (The price of fast fashion, 2018). There has also been a shift in the materials used to produce clothing, and emissions from manufacturing are based on the type of material. Polyester has become one of the most commonly used fabrics in clothing production. The production of polyester and other synthetic materials has a much larger footprint because they are produced from fossil fuels like crude oil (Kirchain et al., 2014). 

Photo retrieved from https://www.nytimes.com/2019/09/03/books/review/how-fast-fashion-is-destroying-the-planet.html

A study conducted by Bauck (2017) stated that approximately 5% of total global emissions arise from the fashion industry. This study was conducted in 2017, and since then the fast fashion industry has blown up. Think about companies like fashion nova, prettylittlething, zaful, romwe, and shein. It is almost hard to escape their advertising. Everywhere you look online there is a pop up ad, a try on haul or an influencer on social media promoting these companies. Studies have demonstrated a correlation between materialistic values and carelessness about climate change (Klein, 2014). Thus, we must become aware of the consequences that our actions have in order to prioritize the reduction of emissions and mitigate climate change. 

My question to you is: 

What are some ways to support sustainable fashion? I understand that sustainable fashion can be expensive but there are ways to avoid the high cost. Personally, I do this by thrift shopping, and using reseller apps like depop. 

Photo retrieved from https://medium.com/@morganacarleton/the-downfall-of-fast-fashion-be47272a3b3b References 

Bauck, W. (2017). The fashion industry emits as much greenhouse gas as all of Russia. Fashionista. 

Drew, D. & Yehounme, G. (2017). The apparel industry’s environmental impact in 6 graphics. World Resources Institute.

Kirchain, R., Olivetti, E., Reed Miller, T. & Greene, S. Sustainable Apparel Materials (Materials Systems Laboratory, 2015).

Klein, N. (2014). This changes everything: capitalism vs. the climate. Simon & Schister

The price of fast fashion. (2018). Nature Climate Change, 8(1), 1–1. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41558-017-0058-9

To answer your question, here are some of my ideas on how to support sustainable fashion:

Shopping from smaller and local businesses is more sustainable because it reduces the greenhouse gas emissions associated with distribution. As you mentioned, fabric production is extremely wasteful, and so shopping at, and donating to, thrift shops is a great way to reuse fabrics. In addition to Depop, Poshmark is another reseller app. The farming of fibres such as cotton can contribute to global warming. Using organically farmed fibres would support more sustainable fashion. Organic farming has a lower environmental impact as it reduces the chance of fertilizer and pesticide runoff.

On this topic, it is important to ensure that companies are not just marketing themselves to be environmentally friendly, this process is called “greenwashing”. Recently many businesses have been encouraging the public to purchase reusable bags, such as cotton totes, to replace single-use plastics in order to reduce their environmental impact. While single-use plastics contribute to pollution and greenhouse gas emissions, reusable bags are not as environmentally friendly as they are made out to be.

While biodegradable plastics take several months to decompose in a landfill, their synthetic counter parts can take hundreds of years. Cotton totes can have a lower environmental impact than plastic bags but only if they are reused enough times. Cotton totes must be used roughly 173 times, paper bags 4 times, and recycled plastic 2 times. A study by (Evans, 2019) found that 40% of shoppers forget their reusable bags while shopping. So, in conclusion, reusable bags can have a lower impact on the environment than plastic bags depending on how they are produced, how often they are used, and how they are disposed.

Back to your original point, I understand the importance of reducing consumerism through thrift shopping. However, with more people shopping at thrift stores, there is an increased gentrification of them. Check out this video on the gentrification of thrift stores. Though they are sustainable, do you think this will influence if you will continue shopping at them?

References:

Kimmel (2014): https://tigerprints.clemson.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1006&context=cudp_environment

As humans, we all possess the ability to be impacted emotionally. It is through this that art can make the largest impact.

Photo by Birmingham Museums Trust on Unsplash

Near Brodick, Isle Of Arran, Scotland, 1849-1851 by William Andrews Nesfield

Art definition: the expression or application of human creative skill and imagination, typically in a visual form such as painting or sculpture, producing works to be appreciated primarily for their beauty or emotional power.

Interpreting nature through art takes effort, understanding of your surroundings, and passion. I think anybody who wishes to pursue this has the agency to do so and because we are all unique in our own ways each person would have special attributes that allow for distinction in style and approach.  

Photo by Stephen Leonardi on Unsplash

Art can inflict emotion upon its viewer which can create various feelings toward the piece(s) or in a more internal way that causes personal belief or ideas to be shaped, re-shaped, or morphed. Art has the ability to create interest in something that could have been rather boring to some people. If you consider something such as a simple painting depicting a natural scenery. People will likely be able to connect to the art if they are able to relate in some sort of way.

Photo by Edanur Ağaç on Unsplash

When interpreting art, it is important to appeal to the imagination and reason. To do so we must appropriately use the information we know about the art and creatively inspire others to buy in so to say. This can be done through things such as relating to the artist’s style, representation of something, or how the art visually reads. This can be touchy if you overextend your position because there is a fine line between talking to the piece and talking about the piece. An interpreter seeks to make connections between the audience and the art which give expression to the myths, symbols, and rituals of our world. To breathe life into inanimate objects such as paintings or sculptures is important in how the audience perceives the art. By giving biographies rather than classifications it allows the audience to make the connection more easily for themselves which in turn can lead to a spark of discovery and promote further interest. Judicious silence is needed at times as some scenes or art pieces need no words and “reporting” may actually hinder the beauty in ways that discourage the audience’s connection. Art speaks what words can’t explain. Visual pieces have the ability to convey messages more easily that depict sceneries, problems, or beauties to people and allow for consideration in various perspectives.

Photo by Jp Valery on Unsplash

The goal is to provoke rather than instruct, so as someone who interprets nature through art the largest contributing factor is the emotion the piece inflicts upon us. As an interpreter, you must use how the piece emotionally makes you and those around you feel as you look upon it and it gazes back at you.

What kind of emotions arise?

Is the piece depicting something larger at play?

What is it implying about nature?

Art has the power and transforming qualities to move people in extraordinary ways (Beck, et al., 2018, pg 230).

Photo by Birmingham Museums Trust on Unsplash

The Sheep Drive, 1863. Artist: John Linnell

The gift of beauty is truly unique to everyone because each and every one of us has varying beliefs, morals, and codes that we live by, and these guide our interests. Although many people’s ideas of what makes something beautiful may align in a similar manner it is important to consider that the connection people make to art is often personal or intrinsic in ways that they can’t always explain. This is why when discussing the gift of beauty on a specific piece, it’s important to encompass the audience with valuable ideas that provoke the connection in various ways to encourage people to make their own connection. The gift of beauty can not be proclaimed and is created by desire’s form within.

Questions I have for the reader:

How does art affect your mood? Your Thoughts? Or your perception of something?

Can participating in arts-based environmental education activities enhance the connection of participants to the world around them?

Can you encourage a direct experience/ connection to someone through discussing a work of art? 

Thanks for reading, 

Justin

References

Art affects my perspective of something, whether it is a place I’ve never been to, or something that is happening in the world like the wildfires, because art represents passion to me. Someone is passionate enough about a place or a thing and they want to convey the beauty, tragedy, or unusual nature of it. I am passionate about nature, and so when someone is passionate enough to create an art piece about nature, I feel compelled to learn about it and understand its importance.

I think that participating in art-based environmental educational activities could enhance people’s connection to nature, only under certain circumstances. These circumstances are that the participant shows at least some voluntary interest in nature, and that the interpreter conveys information about the art to the participants in the correct way. Personally, I am not a very artistic person, so for me, I think the biggest thing when I’m looking at art, is not so much the piece itself, but the facts surrounding the piece. The fact that someone felt so inspired by a certain topic, potentially a landscape, intrigues me. Or sometimes its the fact that an old piece of art has been admired for so long, relocated from one place to another, and is so securely protected. So to answer your question, I think you can encourage someone to have a connection with nature through a work of art, but it helps to know your audience. Gauging their experience with art, as well as what type of learner they are, can help you decide what details you should focus on when encouraging the connection. For example, visual learners may be interested in the brushwork and details in the painting, such as trees. Auditory learners may want to hear about the environment that inspired the work.

As someone who loves nature, I would definitely feel more connected to it and have a greater appreciation for it, through art if someone was describing the environment the artwork was based on. I recently have been very interested in Alaska, based on paintings and photographs I’ve seen that were inspired by Alaska. Have you ever wanted to go somewhere or learn more about something because of a piece of art you saw?

This painting is by John Anthony and is called “The Cannery, Haines, Alaska, 1984”.  I love how the river winds around the mountains and how the house is buried in the side of the valley- yet is so full of life. Click here to go to the website this picture came from, and to learn more about it!

     Wondering how privilege could possibly impact your ability to get outdoors? Head over to Pixabay and search for any of the following keywords: camping, backpacking, skiing, rock climbing, hiking, or canoeing.  What do you see? Something like this?

A group of skiers and snowboarders on a lift in Austria.  Photo by Gerard DM, via Pixabay.

Or this?

A group of hikers in the Pyrenees mountains. Image by Huche, via Pixabay.

Or maybe this?

Four kayakers, enjoying the outdoors.  Photo by Dimitri Svetsikas, via Pixabay.

     These images may seem like no big deal, they’re just people enjoying being outside, right? I mean, I look at these photos and see people that look just like me: white, young, fit, and able to afford expensive gear.  However, this is not an adequate representation of everyone who is interested in these activities, and directly demonstrates the history of gatekeeping and whitewashing the outdoors.

     Unfortunately, this specific royalty-free photo source is not the only place where this is evident; exclusively white people doing outdoor activities is easily seen in ad campaigns across countless outdoor retailers.  In fact, Mountain Equipment Co-op (MEC) came under fire in 2018 after years of hiring almost exclusively young, fit, white models for their ads.  

A compilation of previous ads run by MEC – it is not difficult to see their idea of what nature enthusiasts should look like. Photo by MEC, via Global News.

     Privilege, or advantages that specific people are given over marginalized groups, largely due to their race, sexual orientation, socio-economic status, religion, gender, etc. is often invisible to those who benefit from it.  For example, I am a straight-passing white woman, and I have never felt like I am invading spaces not meant for me.  I have never been turned away because of my race or my physical appearance, I do not face disproportional rates of violence, the list goes on.  None of these are true for me because I had any say in the matter, they are innate advantages that I have out of sheer luck.  I recognize that many people are not as inherently lucky as I am, and this is especially true when it comes to inclusivity in outdoor activities.

     Even here in Canada there is a significant issue with discrimination in the workplace.  A recent study confirmed that visible minorities are more likely to have a harder time getting a job than an equally-qualified white person (Quillian et al., 2019). How does this relate to nature interpretation, you may ask?  Aside from the fact that the campaigns of many prominent outdoor-centric companies perpetuate the myth that nature is exclusively for white people (effectively shunning people of colour from these spaces), getting a job in any outdoorsy field is clearly affected by your race.  Therefore, many nature interpretation-oriented jobs are (absolutely unfairly) essentially catered to white people.  

MEC made a statement following the backlash that they faced with a new pledge on inclusivity, via MEC.

     Although some people may be uncomfortable discussing race, you cannot claim to care about diversity without acknowledging and addressing the internal biases (be it towards race, sexual orientation, body image, etc.) that we all carry, and that is reflected by frequent campaigning and advertisement of who should be allowed to enjoy the natural world.

     I implore you to ponder whether your physical appearance or identity had a role in helping you get to where you are today.  It certainly did for me, and that is something that I recognize and am passionate about helping to end.   Do you think that using more diverse models in prominent ad campaigns is enough to combat the history of racial gatekeeping?

Thanks for reading!

References:

Dimitri Svetsikas. (2017). ‘Kayakers’ [Digital Image]. Pixabay. https://pixabay.com/photos/canoe-kayak-sport-kayaking-canoeing-2385207/

Fida, K. & Jeffrey, A. (2018). ‘Outdoor retailer MEC apologized for whitewashing ads – and nature enthusiasts agree’. Toronto Star. https://www.thestar.com/edmonton/2018/10/23/outdoor-retailer-apologizes-for-whitewashing-ads-and-nature-enthusiasts-agree.html

Gerard DM. (2016). ‘Skiers and Snowboarders in Austria’ [Digital Image]. Pixabay. https://pixabay.com/photos/ski-lift-skiing-ski-skis-snowman-1201084/

Huche. (2019). ‘Hikers in the Pyrenees Mountains’ [Digital Image]. Pixabay. https://pixabay.com/photos/bouleste-pyr%C3%A9n%C3%A9es-mountain-snow-3903496/

MEC. (2018). ‘Ad Campaigns’ [Digital Image Compilation]. Global News. https://globalnews.ca/news/4583551/mec-advertising-diversity-inclusion/

MEC (2018). ‘Diversity, Equity and Inclusion’ [Digital Screencap]. MEC. https://www.mec.ca/en/explore/diversity-equity-and-inclusion

Quillian, L. et al. (2019). ‘Do some countries discriminate more than others? Evidence from 97 field experiments of racial discrimination in hiring’. Sociological Science. https://sociologicalscience.com/articles-v6-18-467/ 

Your question really made me think. I’m not sure if I ever had any job opportunities based on my appearance, however, I definitely noticed something interesting when I was traveling. I did some solo traveling in Europe as a 19 year old, white, female. I noticed at every airport, whether I was going through security, or border control, or asking for directions, I always had people speak to me in such a kind manner. I felt that every employee I met wanted to make sure I reached my destinations and that they truly were concerned for my safety as I traveled alone. I know that there are many cases of people traveling alone and getting accused because it seems suspicious. I have a sick feeling that people who get questioned for this look very different from me and that no one is worrying about their safety. 

What is your ideal role as an environmental interpreter? When asked that question, it may help visualize any previous experiences you may have had with interpretation and begin to dissect what aspects made you drawn to them. Understanding your past relationships with interpretation can help you realize the type of interpreter you would like to become.

A photo of one of my first interpretation experiences on a guided tour boat along San Francisco Bay (photo taken by me)

Personally, it was not until I went to South Africa on a safari when I started to recognize the type of interpretation that I find interesting. Although it may seem unrealistic to say, my ideal role as an interpreter would be as a Kruger National Park tour guide. The experience I had was genuinely captivating and sparked my interest. To this day, I’m fascinated by how my tour guide was able to immerse his audience in these animals’ lives by showing them in a different light. As a safari guide, you should be extremely knowledgeable about your surroundings while capturing individuals’ attention at the same time. Whether it’s guiding individuals on a walk or a drive, it’s crucial to understand various environmental components ranging from insects to topography. When asking my tour-guide a question, he did not hesitate to provide an answer and, in doing so, explained it in a manner that his audience would relate to.

A photo of Kruger National Park from the private safari game reserve I stayed at (Photo taken by me)

While some aspects of this job are self-explanatory, there are specific skills a tour guide should possess to elevate the guest’s experiences. A guide needs to communicate with their audience to keep the conversation flowing and understand what topics to mention and avoid. One of the most critical skills, from my perspective, is being passionate about your work and intuitive to your guest’s needs. I appreciated the interactions I had with my tour guide. Every time he showed us something, the enthusiastic manner in which he spoke resonated with my family. He did not just merely show us lions and elephants and continue with the tour. He also shared his interactions with these animals. Hearing these stories allowed us to better connect with these animals and gave them personality traits we could relate to.

My tour guide picking up a chameleon from a branch to allow us to see what they look like (photo taken by me)

Most importantly, a tour guide should instill a sense of reality in their guests as most often, on a safari, they only see one side to the story. I will distinctively remember my tour guide stopping us in front of two rhinos and explaining how these are the last remaining rhinos on the reserves due to poaching. Guests should become aware of issues surrounding wildlife oppression. A guide should tell it in a manner that illustrates the situation’s truth while remaining hopeful for the future.

 A photo of one of the last remaining rhinos on the reserve (photo taken by me)

It is also essential to understand the type of learning style you prefer, given it can influence the kind of role you take on. From that experience, I find myself drawn to environmental interpretation forms that use visuals to illustrate the information. I would much rather have someone explain a concept to me using visuals aids such as videos or pictures instead of just speaking. Therefore, as an interpreter, I will use a more visual approach to accentuate my interpretation, an essential tool for a tour guide.

I’m responding to your post because I also thought that being a guide in some sort of park would be an ideal role as an interpreter. I can imagine that it would be important for a guide at a safari park to not only be able to communicate to a variety of learners, but also to communicate to a variety of people from diverse backgrounds with different levels of knowledge in wildlife preservation. For this reason, I would add to your list of important skill sets, that the guide be slightly knowledgeable about what nature and wildlife may look like in the countries that their visitors come from. 

I agree with what you said about the guides giving visitors hope. In a class called “Management of the Biophysical Environment” I learned about the importance of clearly communicating information about environmental protection and conservation to the non-scientific community. We discussed the importance of highlighting the reality of environmental issues, while also remaining optimistic and showing the public there is a potential to reverse the negative impacts. If you take away all hope, it is likely the public will lose interest in the cause. 

Though I have never been on safari, I found that when I have the opportunity to learn about nature visually and kinesthetically (whether taking a guided tour through a forest, or helping with tree planting) I have a greater appreciation and deeper understanding of the environment. These experiences contribute to my interest in being an eco-guide that is able to provide hands-on demonstrations.

Based on your preference for visual learning, upon reflecting on your photos from safari, do you find that you can remember things you learned from your guide as they spoke and you took pictures? For example, do you remember more information about the chameleon your guide held up, than some animals you didn’t take pictures of?