A New Leash on Life

This week’s blog post is very important, as it requires us to reflect on what we have learned in this course and consider how this has shaped our beliefs as a nature interpreter. Writing this final blog post is a bittersweet task. I have thoroughly enjoyed this course because these blog posts have given us the opportunity to communicate our personal opinions on course themes, and they have allowed us to interact with each other and share our views on nature interpretation. Whether you are leading an interpretive hike or discussing ancient artifacts, this course has given us many tools that will be useful in the broad field of nature interpretation.

Brandywine Falls Provincial Park, British Columbia. Photo taken by me.

Ethics are defined as “moral principles that govern a person’s behaviour or the conducting of an activity” (Oxford Dictionary, n.d.). Each individual has a set of ethics that influence the decisions that they make in life. One’s ethics can change as they mature and encounter different experiences. It is important that nature interpreters acknowledge their personal ethics, and consider how their ethics may influence the delivery of their programs. Personally, I think it is important that my programs are inclusive and accessible to everybody who is interested in them, regardless of what their “invisible backpack” may hold. According to Peggy McIntosh, privilege is an “invisible knapsack of unearned assets” (McIntosh in Noel, 2000, p. 116). In unit three we learned about the role of privilege in achieving environmental education and how interpretative programs aren’t always accessible to everyone (Hooykaas, 2021). In the setting of nature interpretation, privilege can govern the experiences you have access to, the destinations you can travel to, and your level of comfort while participating. Thus, it is important to me that everyone who is in my interpretive program has access to the same experiences, regardless of their privilege. The role of a nature interpreter is to share their knowledge of the natural world with their audience, and this experience should not be affected by an individual’s age, race, gender, class, education, etc. 

Photo Retrieved from https://hbr.org/2021/03/implementing-inclusive-policies-across-a-global-organization

One way to make nature interpretation more accessible to a wider audience is by using different methods of delivery. For example, someone who does not have the resources to attend an interpretive program at a provincial park may be able to watch a youtube video on the same topic and receive nature education this way. Chapter eight of the textbook discussed how to interpret to the masses and reach a wider audience via radio, social media and other outlets online (Beck et al., 2018). Additionally, the current pandemic has forced interpreters to come up with new ways to reach their audience, which has made the online delivery of nature interpretation more prominent. Thus, alternative methods of delivery (such as social media, podcasts and online videos) have the benefit of being accessible to a bigger audience and being accessed remotely. 

Different methods of delivery are also advantageous because they can cater to different learning styles. In unit two, we learned about the diversity of learning styles and how to cater to audiences with different learning styles (Hooykaas, 2021). Personally, I am an auditory and tactile learner and I benefit from listening to someone explain a concept or idea. However, I think one of the major responsibilities of a nature interpreter is to acknowledge your audience’s learning style and adapt your programs to fit their needs (Hooykaas, 2021). In order to achieve this, it is helpful to use multiple learning theories in your programs to make your program suitable to a large diversity of learners (Beck et al., 2018). Approaches that I would include in my programs are items and artifacts that the audience can interact with, visual aids (such as diagrams) , auditory aids (such as a discussion) and activities that the audience can participate in. These approaches cater to auditory, visual and tactile learners (Hooykaas, 2021). According to Beck et al. (2018), multisensory learning is beneficial because it engages more senses which enhances learning. I think it is important to consider these things while developing interpretive programs in order to ensure that all participants can synthesize the information you are presenting. 

My friend and I on a hike in Algonquin Park. Photo taken by me. 

There are many responsibilities that come with being a nature interpreter. Primarily, I think it is important that you have all the first aid and safety qualifications required for your programs. For example, if you are leading a canoe trip it is critical that you have wilderness first aid training, ORCKA training, bear safety training, etc. As the trip leader and guide, you are responsible for the health and safety of your participants and need to be prepared for any situation. It is important that you can act well under pressure and know how to adapt to various dangers that may be encountered. Another major responsibility that interpreters have is to share accurate information with their audience. There is a lot of false information that circulates in the media, online platforms and social media. Thus, it is important that interpreters ensure that their audience is receiving correct information. When collecting information for my programs, I would use primary literature, and peer reviewed journals and have colleagues review my work to prevent the spread of false information. 

A photo of me collecting water samples in Algonquin Park. We are always required to wear PFDs while working near water and we receive extensive training before starting field work (WHMIS, Bear safety training, Workplace health and safety training). Photo taken by my co-worker. 

One of the elements of nature interpretation that I find particularly important is education on environmental conservation. It has been made evident that climate change is progressing, and this involves the simultaneous enhancement of environmental degradation. Therefore, it is critical that we, as interpreters, communicate accurate information regarding climate change to the largest audience possible, regardless of their “invisible backpack”. I have strong beliefs about how anthropogenic activities accelerate climate change, and environmental conservation is a topic that I am passionate about. Due to my beliefs, I will try to incorporate environmental education into my nature interpretation. As climate change proceeds, it becomes progressively important that environmental education and science education are synergistic (Wals et al., 2014). As a marine and freshwater biology student, it is my goal to spread awareness on climate change and how it impacts the health of aquatic ecosystems. This course has taught me how to use social media as an outlet to communicate my knowledge on climate change, and encourage my peers to get involved in making a difference.

My friend and I collecting zooplankton samples from the Woolwich Dam. This was used for our research project on the impact of dams (anthropogenic disturbances) on zooplankton alpha diversity in riverine systems. Photo taken by my group member.

Thank you for reading my post! 

Cassie

References 

Beck, L., Cable, T.T., & Knudson, D.M. (2018). Chapter 6: How people learn. Interpreting cultural and natural heritage for a better world. (pp.105-111). Sagamore Venture.

Beck, L., Cable, T.T., & Knudson, D.M. (2018). Chapter 8: Interpreting to the masses. Interpreting cultural and natural heritage for a better world. (pp.165-182). Sagamore Venture.

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

Hooykaas, A. (2021). Unit 2: Teaching Learners [Course Website]. University of Guelph Courselink. https://courselink.uoguelph.ca/d2l/le/content/666945/viewContent/2583079/View

McIntosh, P. (2000). White privilege: Unpacking the invisible knapsack. In J. Noel’s (Ed.). Notable selections in multicultural education (pp. 115-120). Guilford, CT. Dushkin/ McGraw-Hill.

Oxford Dictionary. (n.d.). Retrieved March 28, 2021, from https://languages.oup.com/google-dictionary-en/

I think you really hit the nail on the head when you identified the need for inclusion and identifying the items in our ”invisible backpack” to be able to respectively and effectively connect with our audience. I think another great tool for interpreting is to be able to question and have the audience reflect on the themes and topics being discussed. Our textbook “Interpreting Cultural and Natural Heritage for a Better World” identified 3 different types that are effective; using open ended questions, content related questions and direct or indirect questions. These tactics can help audience connect, feel like they are valued and experiences are relatable.

Prior to this course, my view of nature was quite closed-minded. In fact, I perceived nature as simply a space to enjoy and relax during my downtime, for leisure activities, and as a place to take a breather from the stressful world around me. Although nature still provides this escape for me, I have also come to understand that the natural world is much, much more. I am grateful for this course because it has taught me to appreciate nature interpretation as a space for learning and growing as individuals and as a community. Nature is a welcoming place for all.

Throughout my journey as an interpreter, I have had many opportunities to reflect on my relationship with the natural world. Not only have I become more self-aware of my connection to nature, but I have also become more mindful of new perspectives of interpretation. According to Chapter 1 of Interpreting Cultural and Natural Heritage for a Better World, Canadian Yorke Edwards defines the essence of interpretive work, stating that “the job of interpretation is to open the minds of people so they can receive the interesting signals that the world is constantly sending” (Beck et al., 2018). I truly believe that nature evokes feelings that support a personal relationship with the cultural landscape. Effective interpretation needs to remain relevant and thought-provoking to the audience in order to nurture one’s personal connection to their natural surroundings.

When I think about my own personal morals and core values, I realize that a lot of them are shared with the ethical beliefs of a good nature interpreter. I value honesty, integrity, and responsibility. I strive to stay creative, patient, and passionate. I cherish exploration, wonder, and ambition. These ethics that I have inherited from my parents, learned from friends and family, and discovered through my life journey are extremely important to me. As an interpreter, I wish to share my experiences and teachings with others while remaining true to my values and beliefs.

My responsibility as an interpreter is to make sure that everyone feels welcomed and included. Inclusion is a core value of mine and has been since I was young. In fact, growing up I played soccer and I recall one particular practice that still resonates with me. The coach selected two team captains to do a classic “school-yard pick” to create the two teams. I was chosen as one of the captains for that practice. We went along, going back and forth, choosing each player to join our team. At the end of the practice, the coach pulled me aside and said “I know what you did. I know that you choose all the girls first who were always chosen last to be a part of your team. And when I tell you how happy each of those girls looked - thank you.” To this day I always remember this moment, as what I thought was just a simple school-yard pick, turned out to make a major difference. I still strive to make each person feel included like those girls did that day. I wish for each person's contribution, big or small, to feel significant. As Maya Angelou once stated, “I've learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.” Thus as an environmental interpreter, I wish to create an experience that will leave participants with a stronger sense of belonging. In particular, I can do this by encouraging others to share their personal thoughts, opinions, and experiences with nature. It is so important that I create safe spaces for other nature interpreters where they can feel comfortable to openly explore new perspectives in a communal environment.

Retrieved from: LINK

Another responsibility I have as an environmental interpreter is to understand the numerous ways that people learn. This deeper understanding will allow me to better organize experiences in a cohesive way that others will remember and find meaningful (Beck et al., 2018). Specifically, it is imperative to comprehend diverse learning styles and multiple intelligences in order to provide a deeper learning experience for each unique individual.

My approach to environmental interpretation is foremost rooted in artistic expression. Specifically, I intend to use my passion for art and creative design to inspire others to establish a deeper emotional connection with their surroundings. As noted by Jay Griffiths, “Art elicits sympathy, conjures empathy, and these emotions are requisites for a kind, kinned sense of society… for the greatest artists do not make their best works of art in clay or paint or sound or words; they make them right inside us, within the heart of the reader or audience” (Beck et al., 2018). Knowing this, I hope to use the power of creative expression to foster greater connections between one’s emotions and the world around them. In particular, I hope to encourage others to engage with a variety of artistic mediums (i.e. painting, sculpting, and drawing) to represent their personal understandings of their emotions in relation to nature. Interestingly, just like art, there is no one specific way to interpret nature. Blending art and nature is an important approach that allows interpreters to open their minds to a variety of diverse perspectives.

A second approach that I use as a nature interpreter is focused on facilitating discussions with an array of individuals of different backgrounds and experiences. After taking this course, I recognize that my personal interpretations of the natural world are limited to my unique schema and specific interactions with nature. To address this, I hope to engage in meaningful conversations with other nature interpreters in my community to grow in my understanding of our beautiful world. This approach is similar to Peggy McIntosh’s paper, “Unpacking the Invisible Knapsack.” In this work, McIntosh explains that each of us has, “an invisible knapsack of unearned assets … of special provisions, maps, passports, codebooks, visas, clothes, tools, and blank checks” (McIntosh in Novel, 2000, p. 116). Essentially, we all carry our own knapsacks of privilege and bias that influence the ways in which we view and perceive the world. I understand that my view of nature is limited to the items in my own knapsack and therefore I hope to expand my understanding by sharing my tools with others.

Overall, this course has taught me numerous lessons and strategies to implement as a nature interpreter. I intend to apply these new skills throughout my daily life to continue growing my relationship with others and nature. Thank you all for joining me on this journey!

- Marissa🌿

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

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

Great Post! It is so incredible how smart some animals are. Corvid family members share that intelligence and problem solving abilities. There has been research done on Ravens to explain their sharing behavior. These researchers aimed to explain altruistic behavior seen in ravens. During the winter ravens who find carcasses will circle and fly away returning later (hours or days) with numerous other ravens to share the find. This behavior has been repeatedly studies and shown to be due to a drive in self interest and common good of the group. This means by implying this sharing method the raven is more likely to have continual access to food over the entire winter. (Heinrich, B & Marzluff, J. 2013).

I think that many animals have more intelligence than we as humans give them credit for. Our issue is that we prioritize and hold some abilities as more important and deemed “more intelligent”. An appreciation of the survivability and application of different species survival skills should be considered. I think that species like crocodiles, sharks, turtles who have remained physiologically and behaviorally consistent should also be classified as intelligent. They have figured out the ultimate system of species survival. 

But the appreciation of learning in animals is such a neat concept and shows the adaptability and “human” like pattern thinking in Corvid family groups.

Reference

Imagine you are driving down a barren highway, windows down and your hair whipping around in the sunlight. Maybe to one side you have colourful trees for as far as you can see, and on the other the ocean with the sun dancing on the surface. Moments like these have a way of working into your heart, giving you that wanderlust feeling, but something is missing from this image. In the backround of it all you hear music. Maybe it’s the song of the birds that are swooping down into the water, or the roar of the wind on your ears, or maybe its simply a song playing on the car radio. But now, when you think of the chorus of that moment, you will be able to remember the feeling you had, and the love for the world it made you feel.

             For me, I am constantly flipping between listening to the music on my phone and enjoying the music that nature offers. Like a song, there are elements in nature that follow a rhythm, maybe it’s the pounding of a flowing river, or the hollow knocks of a woodpecker. There is beauty in having the world sing to you, but there is also beauty in allowing a song to inspire you as you look out at the world. It is the mix of two beautiful things. Art in nature surpasses just looks, as animals communicate they are expressing themselves through different tones and octaves, giving us the pleasure to interpret what they are saying. Can you hear the distress with which a red squirrel belts to its mate? Or the longing in the song of a bird that tries so hard to be the one that’s heard. Humans are capable of hearing the music of so many species, it is up to us to listen.

Often listening to the sounds of nature has a calming effect on me and allows me to tune out all distractions. Some sounds from nature that I adore are:

·       Crickets chirping

·       Water running

·       Wind howling

·       Storms raging

·       Birds singing

·       Squirrels being crackheads

It is not entirely up to nature to sing about its wonders, people need to sing their experiences and spread the feeling nature can give. While some songs are specifically dedicated to learning about nature, for example “Canada’s Really Big” by the Arrogant Worms, a comical song about the Canadian landscapes and wildlife. While other songs are about the emotions that nature can provide and the longing people may feel. An example of a song that always makes me think of the freedom that nature makes me feel is the song “Don’t Fence Me In” by Roy Rogers. The lyrics of “Don’t Fence Me in” accurately explains my fear of ever being too far from nature.

“Don’t Fence Me In” has never brought me back to a specific memory, it merely makes me feel free. I picture myself in a sunny field smiling (because I am always smiling when I’m in a sunny field). To me it is a song that I do not need others to like, because to me it is a promise that I will be in nature again, maybe not immediately, but I can hold onto that image until I get to the wide open country that I love.

Lyrics to Don’t Fence me In by Roy Rogers (Retrieved from GENIUS)

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

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

Taken by Jacob Kannel from Unsplash. 

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

Engaging with the Past

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

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

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

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

(Winston Churchill)

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

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

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

The Stick, Rock and Leaf game sounds like a great skill that could be taught to kids in giving them tools of self-help and feel positive connections out in the environment.

In terms of Past thinking and the infamous Winston Churchill quote. I personally believe that basing a future plan referencing the past can narrow our thoughts and limit the creative potential possible. Learning from the past can only take you so far as human ideas and intentions are so complex that unless thoroughly explained it is impossible to completely understand why a person did the things that did. Most relevant historical events have many assumptions and inferences drawing connections to the reasoning. I think it is best to use a multi faceted approach to tackling problems.

Lavender, Anna., Watkins, Edward. (2004). Rumination and future thinking in depression. Institute of Psychiatry.DOI: 10.1348/014466504323088015

Recently I started working on this project with a group of folks in Guelph, called F*ck Perfect. It works with you on a journey of self discovery and finding growth, or achieving whatever you want. They also break pre-existing notions set by society around art and perfectionism. We grow up feeling and learning that to do art, we need to be perfect, or the end goal is something perfect. It works towards breaking these notions and starting on a journey of creative risks.

Art Not Shame, Guelph- Fuck Perfect Workshops.

Ever since I started working on this workshop, I realized how many times when we are expected to do something, we try to be the best or feel like we failed. During lockdown (all the versions of it :D), I started working on a new type of art. I have done water-colour, acrylic, soft pastels, repairing jewellery, journalling, crochet, embroidery, craft, drawing, and what not! And every time I did something new, I would be too focussed on the end product- to make it beautiful and perfect. I never reflected on how the process made me feel, why was I doing it. By journalling for this workshop and later processing things, I realized that it was during the times that I was painting, I was processing my feelings with COVID-19, being isolated, struggling with work, and being burnt out. While I was stressing about making that piece perfect, I forgot about the fact that the process of making that piece of art (moving the brush on the canvas, needle on the cloth) was actually very therapeutic and was actually the best stress buster. 

The painting that I made through the university’s art stress buster series, December 2020- photo taken by me. 

Why am I talking about this when talking about nature interpretation? Something that I noticed while reading through multiple posts was folks fixation on “good art” by “great artists” can create feelings/connection with nature. I don’t think that is true. I think every small piece of art, made by anyone, can play a role in nature interpretation. While my favourite poem is by Oscar Wilde, I do enjoy the random rhymes that slip into conversations, and honestly its these rhymes and not poems by great poets that I remember with a smile on my face. I think every small piece of art- grainy/unfocused pictures, undeveloped music, a kid’s stick figure drawing, journal entry- literally anything that speaks to you, can be a great interpreter. You just have to allow yourself to appreciate it. 

As a way to incorporate this in my life, I took a little advice from my friend, and I no longer throw away art that does not look like what I wanted it to be. I used to call it mistakes, but now I just call them creative opportunities! I will paint over them or try to draw something with a black marker on them and integrate it together. Or, I just leave them as is, just cause they still remind me of the sunset I saw! Others might not see they same sunset as me, but I know what it means to me and what it remind me of. Hopefully, to others, it reminds them of something else they saw! In my small ways, I am fighting the urge to be perfect and embracing my imperfections. 

My Ideal Nature Interpreter job would be working with animals to increase awareness about their behaviors, habitats, and body language, with the aim of helping to revive their habitat and reduce points of conflict between humans and wildlife during interaction. Specifically, I would love to be a part of an organization that is a part of the Species Survival Plan.

Figure 1- Species Survival Program by Santa Barbara Zoo

Back in 2018, I spent a day at the Toronto Zoo and fell in love with the work of the zoologists and animal care teams there. During a conversation with one of the zoo keepers there, they mentioned how one of their female Sumatran Tiger was going to be sent to another zoo and a male will be brought in so that he can mate with the second female. The aim of the program was to help at-risk and endangered species procreate and eventually, when there is suitable habitats for them, releasing them in the wild.

Figure 2- Sumatran Tiger (Creative Commons)

This is not all what the Species Survival Plan does. Just having enough individuals of a population is not enough for a successful release. The individuals also need to have their natural instincts and learned behaviors to help them survive in the wild. This means developing different schedules for them to aid them in maintaining natural hunting, mating, and group behaviors. So, for the species of African White Lions, they had 3 individuals- one male and 2 females. The group is a representation of the hierarchies in the wild, one alpha male lives with a group of females! Furthermore, there was a clear hierarchy maintained by the 3 lions- Alpha male, followed by alpha female and then then third female- which was respected by the zoo keepers. In the open, during feeding time, the alpha male would grab the first meal thrown at him, followed by the alpha female. The submissive female does not try to get these meals and so the keepers would feed her more in the morning than trying to attempt to feed her later in the day with other members of her group, which could lead to conflict.

Figure 3- African white lion (Creative commons)

In addition, the program also aims to help find ways to eliminate barriers to population growth in the wild. For instance, cheetahs are solitary animals and are not social, one might call them introverts! So, a big barrier to population growth for them is not mating. They are so shy that individuals rarely have successful mating. So, to overcome this, cheetah cubs in many zoos are provided with guide dogs (puppies, to be exact)! How cute is that! The aim is that the cubs learn or become more social by learning socializing behaviors from their companions and will be more likely to interact and mate with a female of their species.

Figure 4- National Geographic- Relationship between Cheetahs and Guide dogs

This is how I want to contribute as a Nature Interpreter! While there are some people and organizations that take advantage of these programs by making false statements to maintain population in the zoo and make a profit, I want to use the good parts of this program and educate people about myths. I want to help various species and at the same time communicate with the public to increase awareness about the species and how to behave when they encounter one, without harming the individual!

I hope you enjoyed reading the blog! If you want to know more, here are some websites and articles I found helpful during my research-

Holland, J. (2017, August 03). Cheetah-Dog Friendship Isn’t As Strange As It Sounds. Retrieved January 24, 2021, from https://www.nationalgeographic.com/news/2015/10/151007-cheetahs-dogs-animals-science-zoos/

Throughout the years I am starting to really appreciate nature even more than before. This is based on experiences and things I learned from nature. This can be through environmental classes, hikes, and vacations. When it comes to nature interpretation I am not an expert or professional, but I do care a lot about nature and have a basic knowledge of our natural world and how it works. My ideal role as a nature interpreter would be in a role that informs and educates adults and children about the world of nature that we live in. 

There are a variety of aspects of environmental interpretation that it may entail. One aspect would be teaching adults and children to understand the environment you are in and the safety measures needed to be made. When involved with nature especially in an outdoor environment safety is a top priority for yourself and others. Another aspect of the role is to make the interpretation to your audience interactive and creative. I believe an essential part of our roles as nature interpreters is to make a fun environment. Having things that are interactive will make everyone more engaged in the activity or lesson, and enjoy it. When I was a camp counsellor, I incorporated nature with my daily schedule for the campers to enjoy and understand nature. For example, I would include little scavenger hunts for the children to collect items from nature, such as pine cones, leaves, and sticks from trees. As a result of these activities, the campers had a lot of fun and had a better understanding of nature.  

“Pine Cones - Scots Pine” by foxypar4 is licensed under CC BY 2.0

In general, with any informative environmental interpretation role that I may choose to do in the future, I would want to make sure that auditory, visual, and tactile learning styles are all included when appropriate. Having a variety of learning styles is very important for the people learning to help “stretch” their intelligence on the topic (Beck et al., 2018). This will provide an inclusive environment for whoever is learning about our natural world. This will hopefully result in people understanding and comprehending everything being interpreted. 

For my ideal role as an environmental interpreter, I would prefer my job to be in an outdoor setting, specifically in a conservation area. I found when I am outdoors I have a better grasp, care, and understanding of the natural world. When being outdoors you get to experience things first hand and I find that is a great way to learn as you are participating and interacting. There are two important skills that I will most likely need for an informative outdoor environmental job. The first is having good communication skills, especially when presenting or trying to get an idea across. Another skill is having good teamwork skills to work with co-workers and provide a positive working environment. These skills will also help me with any group assignments I may encounter.

“21st century Learner” by giulia.forsythe is marked with CC0 1.0

Questions

What jobs/volunteer opportunities have you witnessed to find out what your type of learning style was?

Has there been a place you’ve been to that you love to talk about it to other people?

References

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

Forsythe, G. 21st century learner [Digital Image]. Creative Commons. https://creativecommons.org/licenses/cc0/1.0/

One of the skills I value as an interpreter is the ability to teach basic skills that people can be autonomous and go out and apply the knowledge for themselves. To be introduce them enough that they can go create their own memories and experiences that they can then share with others.