Nature Interpretation Blog

Throughout the semester we have learned how to become a nature interpreter and what special qualities and skill we should develop. With the weekly blog prompts we wrote we were able to not only write on our experience with nature but make a connection into becoming a better interpreter while also discussing with classmates and their unique experience.

I believe that everyone can have an understanding and appreciation of nature. However, in today’s world it is harder to get people to leave their comfort zones and ever evolving modern world of technology to spend time in nature. I believe the best way to have a deeper connection and fondness of nature one must be in nature with no distractions to really take in the beauty. But as I mentioned, technology has affected this as more kids are staying indoors rather than going out or them choosing to go to wonderland than going camping. In one of the units we read, it expressed how we can use technology as an outlet that can even help reach more people than we tend too.

I believe that we can use technology as a way to lur others into taking a break and going into nature to explore and develop a deeper connection with nature, on a physical, mental, and spiritual level. My best memories as a child were going to our cottage in the summer with my whole family and my cousins and I would go on a walk in the woods behind the house we would sometimes get lost as we were still young however we always found our way back.

Something I love to do when I am stressed or uncertain of what to do, I find just watch in the distance how water moves weather in a river, lake, or any body of water. It gives me a sense of peace and helps we forget about any distraction and focus on a solution or just giving me a break from the world.

I believe as an interpreter we need to show others that nature isn’t so scary and can be an outlet for us to let out steam or clear our heads as everyone can get overwhelmed time to time. I want to be able help others get this sense of relief when going into nature and for them to seek the comfort that nature can provide.

The responsibilities I have as a nature interpreter is being able to connect each and every person in their own unique way to nature, it takes just one memory to either make or break someone’s relationship with nature. Nature can be scary, as sometimes nature can be ruthless showing no mercy to anyone or anything. However, I believe that the beauty while executing safety precautions outweigh the negative side of nature, because everything in life there is always a good and bad side. Not everyone is going to jump headfirst into the idea of spending days or weeks in nature and or have a past fear of being in nature one bad experience can really impact a person’s life and can reflect onto other people around them. For example, my family and I went to Cuba one summer for my birthday and on the trip, we decided to do a 2-day horse riding expedition. We spent a few hours riding while being informed about the rich history of the forest we were riding through by the guide, we pasted rivers, open spaces, we saw some wild turkeys and native plants of Cuba ending up at an amazing natural waterfall. While we spent time at the waterfall, we had an unexpected visitor a Cuban Boa also known as Chilabothrus angulifer. It was my first time seeing a snake in its natural habitat and so close… I loved it. The whole experience truly brought me closer to nature and wanting to spend more time in it and experiencing new things. However, this trip was the complete opposite for my sister, she hated the whole experience since the horse ride was bumpy that caused her lower body to hurt and since she was wearing dark colors she was being constantly bit by mosquitos and to further ruin her experience something I found so interesting and amazing terrified her wanting to leave immediately. What sparks interest in one person might not for the other and my responsibility as an interpreter is to make sure everyone is creating positive memories and connections with nature for them to then want to continue exploring and creating deeper connections.

An approach most suitable for me as an individual is connecting it with wildlife and entertainment. I really liked earth rangers as a kid I have a fascination with animals so anything involving animals my ears perk up and has my immediate undivided attention which is also the reason why I’m studying zoology. Every time I go to a place, I like to know what wildlife there is in the area, which is why on my bucket list I want to go to both British Colombia and Africa. British Colombia has such amazing and unbelieve views and it has such a diversity in its wildlife. People who live there have the possibility to run into bears, wolf and even cougars, this is dangerous however I find it fascinating that they have such strong predators in Canada. When interpreters use wildlife as a way of creating connections, I really enjoy it and find it interesting, and I have a better way of understanding nature around me.

Another approach is being entertaining, getting information back-to-back with little connection or buffers makes me loose interest as this is a way of parting from my regular day to day learning. Hearing someone talk for more than 30 minutes without a buffer or a way to connect with the audience is exhausting especially when it can be approach in a creative and interactive approach. Having a balance of information and buffers can really help the information sink in while creating a fun atmosphere.

Overall, I REALLY enjoyed this class and what a unique take it had with assignments… I was more of making connections with the curriculum our own way and this is one of my classes this semester where I truly learned because I had to take the information and relate it back to experiences. If I could take this class again I would do it in a heartbeat. I also enjoyed reading everyone’s blogs on their own take of each unit and everyone’s experience. I hope everyone enjoys their summer!

You're right that the coursework is very unique. These blog posts have undoubtedly provided us with the opportunity to express our personal opinions on course topics. It was fascinating to read over everyone's posts and see how we all see things differently. My personal favourite to write was the first blog post as it allowed us to be really creative and innovative with our writing. What about you, which post was your favourite?

You make an excellent point about how people's needs are unique - some individuals best connect through technology, while others are simply afraid of nature. However, as nature interpreters, we can respect individuality by incorporating a variety of views into our programs. It is undeniably true that mixed-method teaching is advantageous due to its capacity to improve learning (Beck et al., 2018). By combining visual, auditory, and physical learning as well we can interpret through so many different mediums - blogs, music, novels, etc. so people can best connect to it in whatever way they prefer. This course has provided us with a plethora of tools that will be beneficial in the vast field of natural interpretation. We now understand how to successfully present information to a variety of audiences while keeping them actively engaged.

With that said, it is critical that we use all of our new abilities and apply them to real-life circumstances to share information about the value of nature and what it, in turn, can do for us. Hopefully, we can pass on our values to future generations, who will join us in our battle for a better, healthier world

Good luck!

My Beliefs I Bring to Interpretation

In grade 10 civics and careers I can remember watching “The Cove.” The 2010 documentary had a profound impact on my perspective of the world and myself. In the movie, I specifically recall one person describing that you cannot be an activist if you are not actively doing something about the problem. This idea has stuck with me ever since then and forever changed the way I view environmental issues.

Scene clip from the "Cove" (2010). Source: https://www.nationalgeographic.com/culture/article/100308-cove-movie-oscars-dolphin-hunts-japan

At times this outlook has benefitted me, but it has also been a detriment. As I have grown as an environmental scientist and activist, I have learned at times this mantra is not always useful. As pointed out in this unit, the list of environmental issues worldwide is daunting and nearly endless. To feel responsible for being the active change that will solve all these problems is therefore extremely consuming and disheartening. It is important to care for what you love which means taking care of the earth and others. However, as an interpreter, I hope to bring the belief that we each have an integral role within our communities. Rather than trying to solve the myriad of global issues, the most effective thing we can do is focus on what is within reach. If each of us paid greater attention to our surroundings, the cumulative impact would be extensive.

My Responsibilities as an Interpreter

At some point, most of the world’s population I feel has become completely disconnected from the world around us. What I see around me often seems to reflect the conqueror mindset that shaped the colonization of the world by Europeans. “If people lose knowledge, sympathy, and understanding of the natural world, they’re going to mistreat it and will not ask their politicians to care for it” (Attenborough 2009). By no longer experiencing nature a large portion of the population has lost touch with the natural world. As David Attenborough said, “No one will protect what they don’t care about, and no one will care about what they have never experienced” (Attenborough 2009).

Community effort in nature. Source: http://dxchem.com.cn/environmental-care/

The best way for me to explain this is through the video below:

In Ethiopia, almost all old-growth forests have been lost to agricultural development. However, the strong spiritual connection people have to these forests through Churches has allowed some to survive. Humans are not removed from the forest but rather are an integral part of its survival. These Church Forests signify the strength that connection to nature can have in its conservation.

As an interpreter, I feel my role and responsibility is to heal people’s relationships with nature by instilling the ability and desire to sense the beauty around us (Beck et al., 2018). While I may not be able to solve every environmental issue, helping one more person form a connection to nature is a step forward.

Jane Goodall. Source: https://www.biography.com/news/jane-goodall-chimpanzees-college-degree

My Approach as an Interpreter

What I have learned throughout this course is everyone’s journey in their relationship with nature is different. The same methods or messages may not always work as a consequence. This has been obvious in the numerous ways we have learned to interpret outside of science such as through art, music, and technology. Personally, I am a very visual and tactile learner. My love for nature developed as I camped, hiked, and enjoyed the outdoors throughout my childhood. All these experiences I can attach to fond memories with family and friends which extended to how I view nature. This love solidified as I spent countless hours watching nature documentaries. I was inspired by the magnificent scenery and wildlife and prominent figures like David Attenborough and Jane Goodall.

However, I think my strength as an interpreter that would have the greatest impact on others is through speaking. Oral communication and engaging with others through speech are where I excel. While developing the podcast it became clear to me that situations, where I can speak to or with my audience, will be my most effective format of interpretation. Moving forward I intend to implement what I've learned about myself and communication regardless of if it pertains to nature.

Prompt

How do you think you’ll continue to interpret beyond this course?

References

Beck, L., Cable, T.T., & Knudson, D.M. (2018). Interpreting Cultural and Natural Heritage for a Better World (1st ed.). Sagamore Publishing.

Brilliant blog! I really enjoyed reading your reflections on the course.  I relate to you in the sense that what drove my initial admiration towards nature was by both experiencing the outdoors as a child and also consuming nature documentaries. When it comes to interpretation, David Attenborough has always been a source of inspiration for me. He has the capacity to encourage a generation of environmental stewards merely through his words and his nature interpretation. It's powerful.

You're absolutely right everybody has had a different journey and holds a different relationship with nature. As well, as you mentioned, there are so many ways to interpret and present nature, whether it be through music or blogs. We have a duty, as interpreters, to instill a love for nature in as many people as possible, and we have learnt so many tools to do so. We can reach a wider audience by ensuring that our presentations are accessible and that we communicate the full story behind the materials we interpret by featuring diverse and indigenous voices. It is our role as interpreters to encourage our audiences to care about the topics we teach just as much as we do, passion is a key part of being an interpreter (Beck et al., 2018)! 

To answer your question...

When I originally started this course, I knew that whatever sort of nature interpretation I engaged in, I wanted it to instil in them the same genuine love for nature that I had. Taking this course has shown me, as I mentioned before and in my own blog post, how vital it is to develop and build our nature interpretation around the varying backgrounds of our audience. If our material isn't relatable, it's almost pointless. 

Beyond this course, I hope to be able to continue interpreting by offering my services at a provincial/national park, whether through volunteer work or otherwise. I find a lot of joy in teaching people about birds and the scenery, and I hope I have the opportunity to continue doing so in the future. Through writing these blogs, I've been inspired to think about doing something similar in the future - there's something intriguing in trying to express how I feel about various topics.

If David Attenborough or Jane Goodall were asked to write this blog -what do you think their ethics would be in regards to nature interpretation?

What is your favorite David Attenborough documentary?

Have you seen this one https://www.netflix.com/title/80216393? I saw it recently and really enjoyed it.

Okay, so this week’s post is about what I find most amazing about nature. That’s a difficult one because there are so many amazing choices to choose from! Nature is amazing in so many ways such as how species communicate through song, colors and movements. It is amazing through its ability to combat human alterations to the planet and its ability to create spaces where life flourishes at every level but also for its ability to cause catastrophic disasters in seconds. We are truly at the will of nature, no matter how hard we try to tame it we will never have control over this planet. This week I watched a documentary called “Fantastic Fungi” and I found it a bit mind-boggling, so I want to talk about the amazing world of fungi this week! 

Fungi is incredible, it is both born in death and the begining of new life! It turns old life into new materials for other life to use as a source of food and nutrients. Fungi has an extensive amount of uses such as creating food and drinks we love such as bread and wine, it is nature’s recycler of organic material, it has antibiotic properties that we use to produce life saving drugs, it can provide mental health benefits and is also utilized by the forest for communication among plant species! 

One cool fact about fungi that I love is that plants use fungi to communicate with one another! Mycorrhizal fungi act like the telephone networks of the forest, hidden from the human eye but bursting with life and activity below the soil. When neighboring plants are linked through mycorrhizal fungi networks they can communicate with each other and ignite behavioral changes such as nutrient transfers from healthy plants to weaker ones, increase the rate of photosynthesis, increased carbon transfer, it can prompt defense responses in plants against pathogens and pests, and can improve plant survival under environmental stress such as droughts (Gorzelak et al. 2015). 

Mushrooms and fungi are beloved around the world for their culinary purposes but also have been used for their medicinal properties and are still being researched today for potential medicinal uses as well. Some medicinal benefits of fungi include antiviral, immunomodulatory, antitumor, antioxidant, radical scavenging, anti-inflammatory, antihypercholesterolemic, hepatoprotective, and antidiabetic effects (Qin & Han, 2014). Cordyceps sinensi is a fungi that has been used by the Chinese for thousands of years and studies have found that it can regulate insulin sensitivity and can lower cholesterol levels  (Qin & Han, 2014). Agaricus blazei Murill commonly known as the “Sun mushroom” is widely used for its medicinal properties in many cultures for the prevention of different types of diseases such as cancer, hepatitis, atherosclerosis, hypercholesterolemia, diabetes, and dermatitis (Qin & Han, 2014).

Some species of mushrooms have been found to contain properties that help stimulate the growth of brain cells, leading many researchers to believe they can be used for the prevention and or treatment of many neurological diseases such as Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s disease, and Dementia (Valverdeet al. 2015). A particular mushroom commonly known as “Lions Maine” for its lion mane-like appearance contains two compounds that help stimulate brain cell growth called hericenones and erinacines. When tested on mice it reduced symptoms of memory loss and prevented brain damage caused by amyloid-beta plaques, which build up in human brains that have Alzheimer’s disease. The ability for this mushroom to promote nerve growth and protect the brain from neurological diseases proves that there may be a promising future for increased uses of medicinal fungi. So that is what I find amazing about nature. Its ability to bring new life from death, how it connects all things in forests and for its capacity to heal humans all in the form of fungi! 

-Jaclyn

Gorzelak, Asay, A. K., Pickles, B. J., & Simard, S. W. (2015). Inter-plant communication through mycorrhizal networks mediates complex adaptive behaviour in plant communities. AoB Plants, 7, plv050–. https://doi.org/10.1093/aobpla/plv050

Qin, & Han, C. (2014). Medicinal and Edible Fungi as an Alternative Medicine for Treating Age-Related Disease. Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine, 2014, 638561–638562. https://doi.org/10.1155/2014/638561

I also had a hard time choosing just one incredible thing in nature to talk about. In your second sentence you describe how nature communicates through colour, song, and movements - funnily enough, that’s exactly what I talked about this week!

I knew that fungi had applications in the food and pharmaceutical industry, but I had no idea that fungi had the capability to communicate with each other! I think we as humans underestimate just how smart flora and fauna can really be.

You mention how fungi act almost as an interface between life and death by decomposing dead matter for other organisms to use for energy. However, it appears fungi also biologically link life to death by bringing life to humans through life-saving medication. Fungi has been utilized in folk medicine since ancient times, but the fact that researchers are still finding new applications for medicinal fungi even today, for lack of a better word, is amazing.

Although we often think of fungi as organisms that rot food and cause disease, as I’ve learnt from your blog, they are vital to human life in so many ways. Your blog post made me consider the vital role fungi play in my own life. Mushrooms are the most obvious source of fungi in my diet, but fungi are also hiding in many other common foods I regularly consume, like cheese and marmite. I also learnt that chocolate actually relies on fungi for its flavour, as cacao beans undergo fermentation (McHale, 2020). I regularly bake fresh bread, so I often use yeast, which is a microscopic unicellular fungus that allows my bread to rise (McHale, 2020). Secondary metabolites of fungi are used as medicines that I have taken, such as antibiotics and anticoagulants (McHale, 2020). In fact, fungi also exist within both of our own bodies, as they are hosts to hundreds of different fungi (McHale, 2020). Fungi are an important part of our microbiomes, along with bacteria and viruses. They live all over our body, including in our guts, on our skin, and in our ears (McHale 2020). The microbiome, which is getting more attention than ever in the food and pharmaceutical industry, plays an important role in our health, including supporting our immune systems and aiding/controlling digestion (McHale, 2020).

I thoroughly enjoyed learning about fungi from your post! I encourage you to also consider the role fungi plays in your life, perhaps it differs from mine! I’d be interested to hear.

Thanks,

Madeleine

One of the most amazing aspects of nature, in my opinion, is birds' ability to communicate not only through song, but also through colour and behaviour. Humans, as we've learned, use music as a storytelling medium to communicate information about the natural world as a form of nature interpretation (Beck et al., 2019). Birds aren't so dissimilar, as they, too, utilize music to communicate. Birds, unlike humans, are unable to communicate complicated thoughts through the words they use, rather, they must use intricate calls and visuals.

African tribesmen talk to birds to find honey (https://en.yibada.com/articles/144001/20160722/african-tribesmen-talk-birds-find-honey.htm)

Most animals rely on their ability to communicate with others to survive. Different animals communicate in different ways; some are vocal, while many others are non-vocal. Birds communicate in both ways and do so for a multitude of reasons.

Why and What Do Birds Communicate?

Birds, like people, communicate with one another for a variety of reasons. As many of us know, birds most often communicate when it is time to mate or procreate, but in the case of Emperor Penguins, they can also use vocals to identify and distinguish each other. Birds can also use highly specialized calls to alert nearby birds (including different species) to a potential threat or to inform another bird that an intruder has entered its area. Some birds, like chickadees, have different alert calls depending on the type of predator, so, a call for ground predators like cats and a different for aerial predators like hawks. As well, birds also communicate to divert or scare off potential predators. There are many other reasons birds may need to communicate, but this blog post would turn into a novel if I were to delve into each and every reason.

When birds squawk, other species seem to listen (https://www.nytimes.com/2015/05/19/science/decoding-the-cacophony-of-birds-warning-calls.html)

Vocal Communication

Birds singing or chirping is a form of communication that most of us are familiar with. As I sit in my living room writing this blog, I can hear a plethora of different bird sounds, all sending different messages.

There are two types of vocalizations that a bird makes - a call or a song. A call is a short, natural sound made by a bird, and has many variations with different meanings. A song, on the other hand, is significantly more sophisticated and must be learnt.

Birds typically have around a dozen different types of common calls that they use to communicate. These are used, as discussed before, to sound an alarm or to deter predators, but are also used to simply communicate with a mate.

Songs are longer and, among other things, are used to declare one's territory. A male can produce a wide range of melodies. Scientists believe that males learn a variety of complicated songs to demonstrate to females how intelligent they are and that they would make a good mate. They can demonstrate if they're a good friend in a variety of ways. For example, if a male can sing for an extended period of time without losing the beauty of his song, he must have a lot of energy. A male who is sick or hungry will not have the energy to sing. Only healthy males that are adept at collecting food can perch in a tree and sing their heart out all day.

Why do birds (and humans) sing? (https://brainworldmagazine.com/our-musical-birdbrains-why-do-birds-and-humans-sing/)

Non-Vocal Communication

Birds can send messages to others simply by changing the colour of their feathers. As birds moult their feathers every year, certain colours or patterns communicate their age or whether they are male or female. Surprisingly, the red in a male cardinal's feathers aren’t just for "fashion". Carotenoids are pigments found in their feathers that are obtained from the seeds and fruit they consume - the brighter the cardinal, the higher the quantity AND quality of food they've eaten. As a result, colour serves as another indicator to the female of how adept the male is at finding food. That skill is essential for a female songbird, as she must rely on the male to feed her and her future brood.

Do cardinals mate for life? (https://ballachy.com/do-cardinals-mate-for-life/)

Birds also communicate with one another through physical movements As a show of aggression, a bird may bob its head up and down, toss its head backwards, or even open its wings and flap. I've observed Mourning Doves and Blue Jays at my feeders engage in some of these violent physical displays with one another, on numerous occasions.

Are Blue Jays aggressive birds? ... or is it just territorial behaviour? (https://birdwatchingbuzz.com/are-blue-jays-aggressive-birds/)

Do you recognize any bird songs or calls? If so, what are your personal favourites?

As spring approaches, some birds, such as the red-winged blackbird and the robin, return to Canada - have you noticed any new (but familiar) faces?

The 1st delightful signs that spring has sprung across Canada (https://www.huffpost.com/archive/ca/entry/the-1st-delightful-signs-that-spring-has-sprung-across-canada_a_23396525)

Beck, L., Cable, T. T., & Knudson, D. M. (2019). Interpreting cultural and natural heritage: For A Better World. Redshelf eBook. Sagamore Publishing. Retrieved March 15, 2022, from https://platform.virdocs.com/r/s/0/doc/1948104/sp/245407251/mi/718086528?cfi=%2F4%2F4&menu=index.

Music is everywhere. As corny as that sounds it's true, at least in my interpretation. Music isn't just the same generic song blasting 24/7 in your cities Forever 21, and it isn't just a century old Mozart composition. Music is all around us and allows one to feel a variety of emotions. Music in nature is a bird's mating call, or the roaring of a river. It can be the sound of ice cracking under your feet or rustling leaves in the wind. These sounds we hear in nature are presented in such a way that it produces beauty, emotion and euphony; music. From crashes of thunder to ocean waves, we have nature to thank for the melodies that calm us.

Music as a form of interpretation is a very powerful tool we should be grateful for.

"Put it before them briefly so they will read it, clearly so they will appreciate it, picturesquely so they will remember it and, above all, accurately so they will be guided by its light.”

–Joseph Pulitzer

What better way to spread information through entertainment and emotion than music? With music not only are we able to reach various groups of individuals, but we are able to reach beyond park boundaries (Beck, Cable, & Knudson, 2017) and set a lasting, creative memory in the audience's mind. It's beautiful to think of large groups of people with different values and beliefs all sharing this one moment together, listening to the same song. The sense of unity felt through music is quite difficult to replicate.

Nature in music is a more complex thought. After some reflection however, I’ve realized aspects of nature are present in various forms of music. We don't need to look too far for examples, Indigenous peoples are known for the deep history and meaning behind their music, full of hidden ecological knowledge. These traditional songs are embedded with history and sense, passed down from generation to generation. Kwaxsistalla Wathl’thla is one crucial example; a man who revealed an ancient ya’a song that led researchers to the mystery of lokiwey (clam gardens). Through his song we were able to discover that cultivation of clams in clam gardens as a popular 3,500 year old practice for Coastal First Nations. Through one song Wathl’thla caused an immense surge in research surrounding traditional management practices and educated communities on how Indigenous landscapes thrived. Plus it was a great step in clam management improvement (White, 2020)!

As for a more personal example, nature is present in a lot of music of my culture. There are many examples of songs and poetry that use various examples of nature to prove how beautiful life is whilst being thankful to the creator that made it. Though not everyone can relate to the religious aspects, the lyrics regarding nature are impactful enough to reach any group. This gives me the perfect segway to share a song that immediately takes me back to a natural landscape;

The song (more of a poem actually) was written by Jalāl al-Dīn Muḥammad Rūmī, a 13th-century Persian poet. Last summer in Pakistan, sitting at the top of a mountain with my headphones on, this poem came on shuffle. I don't know if it was due to the extreme cold at the peak, my sudden fatigue, or the beauty of this poetry and the nature surrounding me; but I had never felt more at peace. For someone with stress levels constantly through the roof, this piece of music never fails to bring me back to the peak of that mountain top and a peak moment in my life.

Here’s me back at the bottom of the mountains, as you can likely tell by my flyaways and peaceful grin, that experience really shaped my future mindset. I will never hear this poem and not have a wave of bittersweet gratitude wash over me.

References

Beck, L. Cable, T. Knudson, D. (2018). Interpreting Cultural and Natural Heritage for a Better World. Sagamore- Venture Publishing LLC. ISBN 978-1-57167-865-2.

I completely agree that we often overlook the music that exists naturally in the world. II believe this is due to the fact that we generally associate nature with its visual elements. We think of trees with green foliage that turns vivid colours of red, orange, and yellow in the autumn. We also think of animals like birds, whose striking colours and patterns are unlike anything else that exists naturally on the planet. As well, the simple charm of flowing water in a stream or a waterfall or the tranquil serenity of lakes comes to mind. With all the visual beauty that exists nature, it’s easy to forget about the numerous other ways we might perceive nature, specifically, through the sound of music.

In our ever-increasingly urban lifestyles, it might be easy to overlook nature as a whole. The songs of nature may only be heard if we take the time to truly stop and listen. This music can sometimes be heard in an early spring morning through the sounds of the wind rustling the leaves of trees or faraway songbirds. Or on a summer night, through the orchestra of crickets and owls. Or perhaps, in certain location, like the sea, where we hear gulls voices competing and melodizing with the smashing of waves on beaches. Only when we take the time to stop and appreciate the world that exists around us, can we realize and appreciate that there is music in nature. Music also has the ability to transport us to specific times and places. Even if I’m in a parking lot, if I hear a gull, I am immediately reminded of memories at the sea. Do you have any nature sounds that give you distinct memories?

Culturally based music, such as indigenous songs, can complement environmental education, as you mentioned. Music is a storytelling medium that can be used to communicate stories about the natural world, and so can be utilized in or as a form of nature interpretation (Beck et al., 2019). Music with a cultural connection, especially indigenous music, frequently use nature to express complicated ideas or to tell stories about the natural setting in which the culture was formed. As a result, and as you mentioned, music can be a powerful tool for bridging the gap between historical and contemporary understandings of nature.

Thank you for sharing some of your cultural music, I thoroughly enjoyed listening to the lyrics/poem. I’ve included a poem from my culture that also discusses nature, which you may like to read; https://www.familyfriendpoems.com/poem/i-wandered-lonely-as-a-cloud-by-william-wordsworth

I often enjoy listening to classical/instrumental pieces from different cultures - do you have any recommendations for Pakistani classical songs?

There are times in life where we can’t physically be in nature and experience it first-hand, for instant my desire to go to Africa and get to experience all they have to offer. However, it is times like this were we have the possibility to get a glimpse of that experience through certain outlets. Throughout this unit we explore the different types of outlets that help interpret nature like print media, radio, television along with the internet and social media, these are considered powerful tools for interpreters to connect with thousands of people virtually (Beck et al. 2018).

These pass two years we have experience the sudden switch to a virtual world due to the pandemic and trying to alter and find creative ways to mauver this switch.

During the pandemic when the whole world was on lock down there was a video of a building in Italy where the residents came out to their balcony and started to sing all together during these hard times to lift morale showing this unity through music.

YouTube link from Guardian news: https://youtu.be/Q734VN0N7hw

Music is an outlet where most people can find a song to relate to and share a connection with. Music has been defined as patterns of sound varying in pitch and time produced for emotional, social, cultural, and cognitive purposes (Gray et al,2001). So, where is music in nature? Music is EVERYWHERE in nature, whether it is the singing of birds, or the sound of a stream nearby, or the rattling of the leaves in a tree when a breeze of air passes through. The sound of nature doing its own thing is music. All of it coming together makes a peaceful melody and calms most people to a peaceful state. When I go on walks in the nature trail I like to stop in excluded areas off the trail and just listen to everything around me and just soak up the music in nature.

Nature is in music in many forms, whether it be in lyrics or in the melody or how a certain song connects you to a memory about nature. It can be used as an interpretation to send a message for example one of my favourite songs “somewhere over the rainbow” by Israel “IZ” Kamakawiwo’ole. https://youtu.be/V1bFr2SWP1I . When I heard it, I start to remember all the places I have been too as well as all the difficult times I have been through. To me it’s a bittersweet song that evoke so many different emotions. While I listen to this song, I want to cry my eyes out and at the same time smile fondly at all my memories. This song has many different ways of interpreting the message. I would listen to this song when I travel, the message I get from this song is that no matter how hard it is, it will get better ‘somewhere over the rainbow.’ When I hear this song, I automatically start to think about when I would go visit my great grandfather in “la sierra” which is the mountain region of Ecuador. Watching through the car window as the trees pass by going up the mountains.

Referenes

Beck, L. Cable, T.  Knudson, D. (2018). Interpreting Cultural and Natural Heritage For a Better World. Sagamore-Venture Publishing LLC. ISBN 978-1-57167-865-2

Hooykaas, A. (2022). Nature Interpretation Through History. [Unit 7 course reading]. Nature Interpretation Course University of Guelph.

I remember watching the videos of people singing together during the early months of the pandemic and feeling an overwhelming sense of unity, which you also described.

I completely agree that music is everywhere and I also find myself just stopping in nature and listening to all of the sounds around me. Do you ever listen to music in nature or do you prefer ambience? After reading a few blogs, this seems to be a bit of a point of contention. I find that music in nature can motivate me to move faster while running, but if I’m walking or hiking when I want to relax and not worry about pace, I prefer just ambience and nature sounds. This also reflects what I do indoors - when I want to be motivated, perhaps if I’m studying or working out, I like to listen to music, but if I’m sleeping or just want to relax, I’ll listen to nature sounds instead (waves, birds singing, storms, etc.) Do you find you experience the same? I found an interesting article about this that you may like to read; https://makingmusicmag.com/music-motivation/#:~:text=As%20you%20move%20to%20the,directly%20related%20to%20self%2Desteem.

It’s amazing that music has the power to transport us to locations or events. Whenever I hear War by Edwin Starr, I instantly feel like I’m on a road trip, as my family always listens to this song while travelling. However, I also think “nature’s music” has this capability to connect us to memories, whenever I hear Blue Jays calling or cicadas chirping, I’m immediately brought back memories of summer. Do you have any nature sounds/songs that transport you - just like how Somewhere Over the Rainbow does? Perhaps this parallel owes to the fact that the rhythm at which animals communicate with one another can resemble the music that is made and enjoyed by us, as humans (Gray, et al., 2001).

Music is a way of telling stories about the natural world, thus, making it an effective tool for nature interpretation. Music and nature interpretation alike hold the power to arouse emotion, give tangible items meaning, inspire creativity and deep reflection about the world around us, and can serve as a foundation for individuals to develop shared experiences (Beck et al., 2019).

Thanks!

Beck, L., Cable, T. T., & Knudson, D. M. (2019). Interpreting cultural and natural heritage: For A Better World. Redshelf eBook. Sagamore Publishing. Retrieved March 1, 2022, from https://platform.virdocs.com/r/s/0/doc/1948104/sp/245407251/mi/718086528?cfi=%2F4%2F4&menu=index.

The Earth has music for those who listen | https://www.pinterest.ca/pin/489555421976402950/

What exactly is music? Does it need lyrics? A singer? When I began to brainstorm for my blog this week, the quote above came to mind. I think there is a lot of truth behind this quote, because music, to me, will forever be embedded into the nature around us, and this concept was supported in this week's reading (Gray et al. 2001). From the sounds of a babbling brook to the songs of birds in the morning to the croaking of frogs in the evening.

I was introduced to music essentially at birth and it has always played an important role in my life - for example, my parents met and connected because they shared a love of a particular band. Through music, I have also learned the value of storytelling; music always has a message and a story to tell, whether it is supported by lyrics or is purely instrumental. I've had the opportunity, through my life experiences, to develop connections with both music and nature, separately and together. Going outside and exercising alone, whether it's running, walking, or hiking, are the times when I feel most at peace. This, I believe, has a lot to do with the fact that when I'm alone, I genuinely enjoy and internalize all of the peaceful sounds and scenery around me.

When I go for a run, however, I almost always find myself preferring to put in earbuds and listen to music from my phone, which I don't tend to do when I go for a walk or hike. This is not because I want to block out the sounds around me, rather, I want to listen to music in conjunction with the natural world around me to motivate me to move faster. I've discovered that the energy I get from being in nature and the energy I get from listening to music work together to lift my spirits and encourage me to run at my best speeds.

One song that will always take me back to a natural landscape is Musetta’s Waltz composed by Giacomo Puccini. I was taking a break at a lake while on a hike, and I felt the desire to listen to some instrumental music, and it really made the moment magical for me. Every time I listen to this song, I am immediately transported back to the lake.

Remarkably, many sounds we hear in nature incorporate the same musical techniques that are employed in human music (Gray et.al. 2001). Perhaps this is why nature is a popular source of inspiration across all genres of human songs. Nature is all around us, and as we've learned in this course, can and should be interpreted in a variety of ways, therefore, it's the ideal muse. For example, one song I like is Blackbird by the Beatles and it samples sounds from actual birds. Some songs also involve nature, in less direct ways, like referencing them in their lyrics - one song that comes to mind is Morning Has Broken by Cat Stevens, which expresses the beauty that can be found in nature. Big Yellow Taxi by Joni Mitchell and Mercy Mercy Me by Marvin Gaye tells of the destruction of the Earth's ecosystems by human industrialization. Bohemian Rhapsody by Queen utilizes nature in a metaphorical way, describing the feeling of a being stuck in life through the imagery of a landslide.

These songs, through their sound, can have a lasting impact on their listeners, much like interpretation. A few units ago, we blogged about the role of art in nature interpretation, and this week's topic is very similar. Artists, through song, hold the power to encourage listeners to connect to certain aspects of nature featured in their songs. For example, people that listen to Blackbird by The Beatles would ultimately develop an emotional attachment to the bird through an association with the song. Listeners who particularly enjoy the song would subsequently be more likely to become stewards in safeguarding Blackbirds and their environment (Beck et al. 2018). Nature association through song can motivate us to learn more about certain aspects of nature, just by having a favourable memory associated with it.

In this week’s reading, Gray et al. (2001) stated that “The ambient sound of an environment mimics a modern-day orchestra: the voice of each creature has its own frequency, amplitude, timbre, and duration, and occupies a unique niche among the other musicians”. This quotation pertains to both music in nature and music nature in music, as it illustrates the reciprocal relationship between the presence and development of music in everyday life. In addition, while I write this in the dead of winter, I'm reminded, by this quote, of the summertime orchestra of nature. When the unique sounds of frogs, birds, crickets, cicadas, and the other voices in nature create a wonderfully unique cacophony of sound that persists throughout the day and merges into the next. Unique sounds, that vary according to location or season, that every human can hear and be instantly transported to a time, a place, or an experience. I'm not a musician in the slightest and I couldn’t tell you what classically or properly constitutes music, but to me at least, nature has provided me with some of my favourite songs, both human-made and not. Do you share my sentiments?

Bird Orchestra | https://www.salon.com/2021/06/20/scientists-translated-a-birds-brainwaves-into-its-song/

Reference:

Beck, L., Cable, T. T., & Knudson, D. M. (2019). Interpreting cultural and natural heritage: For A Better World. Redshelf eBook. Sagamore Publishing. Retrieved March 1, 2022, from https://platform.virdocs.com/r/s/0/doc/1948104/sp/245407251/mi/718086528?cfi=%2F4%2F4&menu=index.

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)

I love this quote because there is an idea people have of  the past being static like a picture–forever stuck, taken for that one purpose to reflect on.  This idea is often used in support of an argument to ignore the most important events from the past that influence current times.  A simple way of thinking about this is: a hiker was going for a walk on a paved trail in the forest when they were confronted by a squirrel that says look what humans have done to my home. The hiker says well that was the past, and walks away.  The squirrel, however, is still left with no home.  It is a funny thought–what if an animal could talk–but then comes the realization that the history of damage to the environment impacts the health of every single animal and that the emergency of time ticking on the clock of climate change started around 1938 (The Carbon, 2021). Those years between 1938 and 2022 are crucial and despite the increase in evidence, people in authority refused to act, instead blaming it on the past. Because history has a tendency to repeat itself, we can be better prepared and make better choices.  The same systemic racism, misogyny, and speciesism that make up relationships toward society and the environment are from old ways that haven’t been adapted to new knowledge.  When working on the enhancement of a community, considering collective memories and traditions along with their stories is a great start (Hookaas, 2022).  Honest, factual, authentic interpretation of historical events is extremely important because it is the only way to keep current the memories of a peoples’ lives or way of life and those hold valuable lessons. Ethical Interpretation also has no agenda to gain and much to lose from misrepresenting the events in history.  Any interpretation must be done with the utmost integrity to ensure the audience is shown true facts (Beck et al. 2018).  It is a very different experience to attend a movie or read a book than to watch living history interpreters. The emotion of the portrayed lives comes through from human contact and being able to interact with the time period objects. Giving the stories a real recognizable face taps into that core subconscious part that brings the teaching to another level of accessibility and immediacy. As noted in our textbook: incorporating sensory awareness and physical involvement of children promoted critical social, cognitive, and emotional development (Beck et al. 2018).  Unpacking this quote is simple in theory but is more difficult to put into practrice because the basis is in order to have an authentic valuable history all perspectives, motives, and facts need to be fully and accurately presented in order for the interpretation to be of any worth.  People can’t change history but they must reconcile themselves to it, repair what they can, and focus on learning better for the future, by actively helping to reduce further damage and applying systems to prevent similar problems.

                                           References

Beck, L. Cable, T.  Knudson, D. (2018). Interpreting Cultural and Natural Heritage For a Better World. Sagamore-Venture Publishing LLC. ISBN 978-1-57167-865-2

Hooykaas, A. (2022). Nature Interpretation Through History. [Unit 6 course reading]. Nature Interpretation Course University of Guelph.

> “Because history has a tendency to repeat itself, we can be better prepared and make better choices. The same systemic racism, misogyny, and speciesism that make up relationships toward society and the environment are from old ways that haven't been adapted to new knowledge.”

I was particularly drawn to your blog because of this quote. I completely agree that history repeats itself, and it seems, more than ever, that the “isms” are making a comeback (racism, sexism, etc.). For example, if we look at the ongoing Ottawa Occupation, it’s almost as if we haven’t learnt from history at all. This is an interesting summary of events I found that perfectly exemplifies your statement: https://www.reddit.com/r/onguardforthee/comments/sh7qok/a_summary_of_events_at_the_protest_so_far/.

In response to the rest of your post:

We often hear the phrase “listen to you elders”, and I definitely thought about it while reading the blog prompt this week. When we consider the experiences of the people who came before us, we can make more informed decisions; both large-scale and small-scale (i.e. in our personal lives or in government climate change responses). When it comes to avoiding making the same mistakes as someone else, there is no substitute for listening to their own personal experience. We can study history of others and draw insight from their stories in the same way that people acquire wisdom by gaining experience throughout their own lives and reflecting on their own past.

We live in a society that is a product of the past, and by disregarding previous mistakes, we invite them to reappear in the present. This may be seen not only in cases of human suffering like I mentioned above, but also in how we treat nature. Humans used to regard the world as a resource to be exploited - everything was created just to fulfil our needs, and our treatment of nature reflected this mentality. Wolves, for example, were formerly enormously abundant, but were hunted ruthlessly without regard for the repercussions. Nowadays, I’ve never seen a wolf in Eastern Canada, and that is what is normal for my lifetime. As such, we encounter a inaccurate concept of what is 'normal', at least, if we do not reflect on our history. Only by examining how natural places and nature in general were in the past, can we get a sense of how much they have changed - then we will be able to begin healing the devastation we, as humans, have caused. We cannot continue to ignore the influence that human’s decisions throughout time have had on nature, wildlife, and the climate; especially with what you mentioned in your blog. After all, making better, more morally sound decisions is an easier feat when we base them on reason and understanding gained from prior mistakes (Beck et.al. 2019).

A History of Wolves in North America | https://environmental-analyst.net/2013/10/17/a-short-history-of-wolves-in-america/

Can you think of any examples where nature (climate, wildlife, natural areas, etc.) has been protected or improved when past mistakes were considered? Do you have any specific examples of when you were shocked to hear that something wasn't actually the "norm"?

References:

I’ll admit, it took me a few rereads of this quote to even digest it. However, after finishing this week's reading, not only did the quote make more sense to me, but I also gained a better appreciation of how important it is to accurately and respectfully present history. Indeed, as the quote implies, a historical representation can only maintain its integrity if every aspect of the story is told. It is vital that in relaying history, that its telling remain neutral and accurate by combining as many perspectives and thoughts as possible. Prejudice and bias can be found in many fields of academia, including science and the humanities, and nature interpretation is a combination of these two disciplines, thus, bias must be carefully assessed and considered before accepting any interpreted material.

Bias in Science | https://blogs.scientificamerican.com/symbiartic/confirmation-bias/

If at all feasible, history can and should be communicated in a respectful, informative, and relevant manner by including the varied opinions and narratives of each group involved. In the framework of nature interpretation, the perspectives of everyone involved, present and past, in the evolving landscape of a place, must be taken into account so that natural areas can be better understood and conserved. Scientific, historical, and indigenous groups' historical information must be thoroughly studied AND integrated so that no person, place, or object is overlooked in management planning and decision-making. It is critical to continue to communicate and bring awareness to diverse historical accounts.

Canada’s National Parks are Colonial Crime Scenes | https://thewalrus.ca/canadas-national-parks-are-colonial-crime-scenes/

As well, this week’s readings examined the concept of "memory locations," arguing that "the nonmaterial component is significantly more important than the material component" (Beck et al., 2019).To be relevant both historically and today, intellectual and emotional connections must be established and maintained between historical material, whether it be an item, a person, or a location. Historical artifacts have the ability to elicit emotions such as pride and respect, as well as hold cultural value. Historical artifacts represent something; they have meaning; nevertheless, without interpretation or consideration for their historical relevance, they are fundamentally worthless.

The Oldest Artifacts in History | https://www.ba-bamail.com/content.aspx?emailid=14141

“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”. To me, this means that the past is always significant as it has, ultimately, influenced the future. Without the information and experiences learnt humankind has learnt over time, we would not be where we are today. History provides a reference point as we continue to adapt to our ever-changing planet, ensuring that we learn from our mistakes and do not repeat them. History has influenced everyone; events happened and things exist, regardless if we have had a personal experience with them. Through developing cultural values, memories, traditions, and lifestyles, history has had an impact in every sense of the way.

Swastikas and other symbols of hate displayed at Ottawa protest aren’t just offensive—they’re dangerous, says Andrea Freedman, CEO of Ottawa’s Jewish Federation | https://thecjn.ca/perspectives/swastikas-and-other-symbols-of-hate-displayed-at-ottawa-protest-arent-just-offensive-but-dangerous-says-andrea-freedman-ceo-of-ottawas-jewish-federation/

This quote reminds me of this excerpt from the reading; “Interpretation breathes life in and meaning into past events, architecture, and artifacts.” (Beck et al., 2019). Providing opportunities for the public to interact with historical artifacts in conjunction with an accurate story, can help to foster compassion, understanding, and a sense of belonging, all of which are key components of nature interpretation. This week’s blog prompt has inspired me to reflect on the times I have personally interacted with historical components, both natural and man-made. Without considering every piece of the story, as stated above, it’s difficult to completely appreciate the significance of a time and place. It also makes me question what viewpoints were left out in my experiences with nature interpretation or even in my lessons at school. We can learn a lot by reconnecting with the past, and we must remember the lessons of history as we strive to "cultivat(e) a culture of peace" (Beck et al., 2019).

Me at the British Museum with the Elgin Marbles

References:

Bird feeders are a terrific way to bring wildlife into our gardens, whether you live in the city, suburbs, or the country. It is, at the very least, one way of interacting with nature and, in a sense, interpreting nature from the comfort of our own homes (Beck et al. 2018).

For the past three or four years, I've been feeding birds. Every year, it's a chance for me to think about what sort of feeder and/or feed to use and what kind of birds I want to attract, among other things. However, the primary goal of feeding birds is to be able to observe and enjoy them, especially since looking out my living room window is much more accessible than driving for a hike.

Along the way, I encountered various issues that I had not foreseen. There were squirrel, mouse, and European Starling invasions, as well as numerous questions when it came to bird feeding and birds in general. A year into my bird feeding hobby, I learnt that feeders should be cleaned on a regular basis, but at that point, I almost never did. Dirty bird feeders were a source of disease for birds, especially trichomoniasis, a disease that killed many birds last summer. I was immediately hit with a pang of guilt about how my lack of experience and knowledge may have been harming the birds I cared so much about. So, after I learnt this, I went to great lengths to clean them regularly and thoroughly. It was time-consuming, a little gross, and laborious, but it was a way of keeping nature safe. When it comes to feeding birds, I've discovered that there's always something new to learn. If we are open to it, we learn to do better over time, and for me, I was able to learn how to safely feed birds in a way that brought in the most diversity and discouraged pests.

Introducing bird feeders to my garden has made me more knowledgeable of the variety of birds that exist in Canada and more conscious of their beauty. Every time a new species of bird comes to my feeder, it feels like winning a mini lottery. In addition, as time went, it became easier for me to observe and draw conclusions about what I could do to provide better food and shelter for the birds who frequent my garden. As a result, I progressed from being an amateur bird feeder to a full-fledged bird nerd; one who was eager to learn more about bird identification, bird behaviour, and other connections to the natural world and share my knowledge as I could. Today, just before I wrote this blog, I had the opportunity to become a spontaneous nature interpreter while on a trail run. I had noticed a group of Cedar Waxwings and stopped in my tracks to observe them, I had never seen them before, but I recognized them from my learning. A couple noticed me looking up and asked what the birds were, and suddenly through the conversation, I was able to share my knowledge and passion with them. This experience today reminds me of when I was on a hike when I was still a bird “amateur” and I noticed a woman observing birds while at a look-out point, she told me that they were Turkey Vultures and this piece of knowledge, as well as the memory, has stuck with me ever since. In a way, this random stranger was a spontaneous nature interpreter a a key piece of nature interpretation is that the information “resonates” with the learner, which it certainly did (Beck et al. 2018). Perhaps this is how many of us become nature interpreters, evolving from casual enthusiasts to more formal well-rounded nature "experts".

Connecting to and interpreting nature, even from the indoors, is filled with opportunities and rewards, if we are willing to take the time.

References:

Lately I’ve been thinking a lot about winter, since it is winter in Guelph at the moment. A lot of people I know hate the cold and snow, but I’ve always loved it. I always try to get outside as much as I can during the winter. I try to go skating, cross country skiing, and winter hiking when I’m not doing my work for school. Getting outside in the winter makes me think about how animals and plants have adapted to living in these harsh conditions.

For example, mice, voles, and shrews use a network of tunnels under the snow to move around which keeps them warm and hidden from predators. This is called the subnivean layer meaning “under snow.” But conditions need to be perfect for this to occur. There needs to be a thick enough layer of snow and there can’t be too much ice. So, in Guelph currently, it appears that the conditions would be pretty good. However, there have been years where we haven’t had enough snow or have had a lot of freezing rain. I wonder what these animals do when conditions are like that. I suppose that they would have to find shelter and stay warm in other ways.

Birds also have different ways of dealing with winter conditions. Some birds like robins and many songbirds migrate to warmer climates before winter begins. Other birds like cardinals and chickadees do not migrate and have strategies for keeping warm during the winter. Some of them huddle together and find shelter from wind to stay warm, while others can puff up their feathers to trap warm air.

One of my favourite animal strategies to handling winter is the wood frog. These animals produce a natural antifreeze to keep the inside of their bodies from freezing, but on the outside they are frozen. The inner parts of their body are able to stay unfrozen because they are high in sugar, which raises the freezing point of these parts. Their heart completely stops, and they have no brain activity during this period of time. Usually, they find shelter before freezing under leaves and logs which keeps them safe from predators. In the spring, once temperatures are high enough, they thaw out completely and begin search for food and mates. I find this to be an incredible adaptation. I can remember learning about this for the first time in high school and being amazed. It just goes to show how many different ways there are to handle the harsh winter.

I also really enjoy getting outside during the winter. As a child, I would always play outside with other kids in the neighbourhood regardless of the temperature or weather. As an adult, I take advantage of the cold weather to go on long runs without overheating - like I would in the summer. The snow and ice mean that the local trails are a little quieter and a little more peaceful. As such, I get to enjoy uninterrupted nature and wildlife, especially birds! During my winter trail runs, I see upwards of 100 birds per hour, and lots of diverse species!

Over the past 2 years, many of us haven’t been able to travel anywhere to see family or even just for the sake of travelling. Travelling is something that has always been on my bucket list. Travelling and seeing the world also helps us broaden our understanding of nature. Although a relationship with nature can be formed anywhere in the world, even in your own backyard, travelling allows us to experience different parts of the world and allows us to observe various species of plants, animals and other natural wonders. Obviously, travelling requires money and time which is not something I have right now. Once the Covid restrictions end and I have enough money saved up, after graduating here are some of the places that I would like to visit.

There are so many beautiful places in our very own Canada that I have yet to explore:

Aurora borealis, Canada:

The Aurora borealis is one of the seven wonders of the world. When electrically charged particles from the sun collide with gasses as they enter our atmosphere, the aurora borealis AKA the northern lights are produced. This phenomenon occurs all year round, but they can only be seen in the winter as it is too bright at other times of the year for them to be visible. The sky’s the darkest from November to March so that would be the most ideal time to visit. From my research Whitehorse, Yukon is the best place to view the northern lights in Canada. There are so many fun activities that I would want to do here some of which are dogsledding, snowmobiling and visiting the Yukon Wildlife preserve.

Yukon Wildlife preserve

Banff, Alberta:

Banff and Lake Louise is a major tourist hotspot in Alberta and is known for some of the most breathtaking mountain locations on the planet. Banff and Lake Louise offer countless activities and have easy access to pristine nature, numerous outdoor excursions, jaw-dropping landscapes, and a rich history and culture. I love to hike and it has always been a dream of mine to hike in such a beautiful place. When I go to Banff, the hike that I would go on would be one that leads to a lake or waterfall, for example the Rockbound lake hike which leads to the high alpine lake surrounded by a cliff and a breathtaking view. After doing some research I found that this hike is 16.8 km long. While it is on the longer side undertaking this hike would be a challenging and memorable experience for me.

Some places outside of Canada that I have been dreaming to visit are:

Gilgit-Baltistan, Pakistan:

Hunza Valley

Five of the “eight-thousanders” (mountains higher than 8000 meters above sea level) and more than fifty peaks higher than 7,000 meters can be found in Gilgit-Baltistan. The three primary centers for expeditions to the mountains are Gilgit, Astore, and Skardu. Some of the world’s highest mountain ranges can be found in this region. Hunza Valley is one of the most beautiful valleys in Gilgit-Baltistan and has many tourist hotspots and this is where I would want to spend most of my time. My mom told me about how she visited this place with my Grandfather when she was my age and I hope to be able to go there one day too as she describes it as being the most breathtaking sight she has ever seen.

Grand Canyon, Arizona:

Like the Northern Lights the Grand Canyon is also one of the seven wonders of the world and is one of the most visited natural attractions and for good reasons too. This natural wonder is 277 miles long and 18 miles wide. The entry points are the North, South and West rims of the canyon. The South and West rim are the most popular spots for exploring this natural wonder. Both of these rims have hiking trails leading to the grandeur of the canyon. I would like to hike at the West rim because it also features a river and is suitable for people of all skill levels unlike the South rim. Although I love hiking I would not say that I am someone who is highly skilled and I am somewhat out of practice.

These are just some of the places that I would like to visit in my lifetime. I could write about so many more, but for now I will leave you guys with this. Thank you so much for reading my blog, I hope you enjoyed it. I would love to hear about some of the places you want to visit or have already visited. I hope we all get a chance to experience memorable adventures and fuel our wanderlust

Links for more information:

https://grandcanyonwest.com/story/how-do-you-choose-grand-canyon-west-rim-vs-south-rim/?gclid=Cj0KCQiAr5iQBhCsARIsAPcwROPaspjiEtdO_t1r3ZOqOJ_Tmkoc0fTak6rsLyRtSlLSoX32UE8q1AEaAj2iEALw_wcB

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tourism_in_Gilgit-Baltistan

https://www.banfflakelouise.com/hiking?https://www.banfflakelouise.com/hiking?utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=TA_DMO_search_program&utm_term=Hiking&utm_content=owned&gclid=Cj0KCQiAr5iQBhCsARIsAPcwROOSZkSxr-W5JrxLLJ9Vx0_BoJ9tmVqXgfwGKJpSDqDBnB-Y6ZVEV_oaAgYdEALw_wcB

Thank you for sharing your travel dreams with us! I recently travelled to a "Dark-Sky Preserve" (https://www.ontarioparks.com/parksblog/killarney-dark-sky-preserve/) in Northern Ontario in hopes of catching the Aurora Borealis, but unfortunately, I had no luck. It's definitely one of my "bucket list" items to see the Aurora Borealis. I think going to Iceland to see them would be my dream. Although, I would definitely like to go to Yukon as well, as I've heard there are some fantastic hikes up there.

Iceland

When I lived in Alberta, we used to visit Banff almost every year and some of my fondest childhood memories come from our trips there. While I never got to try any particularly difficult hikes while there, I remember even the easy hikes rewarded you with fantastic viewpoints and scenery. As well, even the man-made aspects of Banff, like the shops in the city, were amazing. I vividly remember enjoying the Christmas shop every time we went to Banff, regardless of the time of year.

Banff

I recently saw a video of somebody hiking the mountains in Pakistan and I was blown away by their sheer beauty. Before I read the title, I was so sure that they were somewhere in Canada - maybe B.C. or Alberta. I had no idea that Pakistan had such a landscape, and to me, it rivaled some of the most beautiful natural areas in Western Canada. I imagine I'm not alone in being unaware of the natural beauty that exists in Pakistan. I would definitely like to visit one day!

Pakistan

I would also like to visit the Grand Canyon one day! Most of my hikes have been in mountain or forest habitats, but I've never experienced the classic red-rock scenery that exists in the Grand Canyon or in many other hikes in the Southern U.S.A. I've personally been to Nevada, but I don't believe we went to any classic "red-rock" hikes. It's definitely on my bucket list!