RHENVS3000

“Being an environmental educator in today’s world feels like you are asked to stop a rushing river armed only with a teaspoon.” (Rodenburg, 2019)

So why do people do it?

For me, it’s making a difference. As a kid I was so impacted by the environmental crises I learned about, that it made me determined to do something to help.

I originally thought nature interpretation wasn’t that important. If anything, it was an old parks tradition, in an interesting but dying industry. It didn’t take long for me to realize how wrong I was.

As an interpreter your goal is not just to explain what people are seeing, but give it relevance, and use it to inspire and educate. You aim to spark interest, revealing deeper meanings of what your interpreting, all while putting it in an education and entertaining format, as shown in The Gifts of Interpretation (Beck et al., 2018). While it may seem like a large responsibility nature interpretation, for me at least, is an opportunity to create the same motivation for change in others, that I had received by learning about the world’s environmental issues.

Blue Gold : World Water Wars (Trailer) (Sam Bozzo, 2008). The documentary I watched in grade 7 that taught me about the world water crisis and motivated me to help the environment.

It’s importance is critical as there are so many people that are unaware of the problems our environment is facing, or even the importance of the environment itself. Barriers such as communication, culture, and economic status prevent many people from learning about and connecting with nature and thus preventing them from protecting it (Beck et al. 2018).

That’s why I believe there is more to nature interpretation than people think. It’s a job that is so much more rewarding and complex than providing explanations. As a budding interpreter my responsibilities reflect those listed in the Gifts of Interpretation. I want to bring my belief that we are all capable of change, no matter your age, sex, culture, language, or financial situation and share it with others. I want to show people the beauty of nature and teach them its value with the hopes that like me, will use it to make a difference.

That’s one of the powers of interpretation, inspiration.

My approach to interpretation is similar to Beck et al. (2018), in that adjusts for the audience. As mentioned by Rodenburg (2019), using stories and faces are a great way to help teach and connect to younger audiences while older age groups learn better through reading or other methods. I did disagree with the article’s statement that children are not ready to hear about the issues like climate change and pollution, however. I believe its the approach and presentation that needs to differ when it comes to topics such as species endangerment instead and global warming, as these are topics, I believe are important for kids to learn, in recognize the importance of helping the environment.

Severn Cullis-Suzuki at Rio Summit 1992. At age 12 spoke to United Nations urging them to help the environment that lead to an awakening about the world amongst people across the globe (We Canada, 2013).

Besides if we fail to share with people our knowledge in a safe way, are we fulfilling our jobs as nature interpreters? What do you think? Are kids not ready to learn about environmental issues?

While there are several jobs out there for a tree hugger, make sure you don’t overlook nature interpretation, especially if you want to help make a difference.

As Mother Teresa once said, “I alone cannot change the world, but I can cast a stone across the waters to create many ripples.”

References:

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

Rodenburg, J. (2019, June 17). Why environmental educators shouldn't give up hope. https://clearingmagazine.org/archives/14300

Bozzo, S. (2008). Blue Gold : World Water Wars (Trailer). [Video]. Youtube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ikb4WG8UJRw

It was quite interesting to learn about how you found your voice as a nature interpreter.

To answer your first question, I definitely agree with you that if we fail to share our knowledge with people in safe ways, we are not fulfilling our jobs as nature interpreters. Many times, for the sack of being an effective interpreter, people forget that safety plays a big role in the experience of interpreting nature. To answer your second question, similar to you, I also disagree with Rodenburg (2019) that children are not ready to hear about issues such as climate change and pollution. The children of today are the future of tomorrow; as such, educating them about the severity of the issues we face today (i.e., climate change, habitat destruction, endangered species, etc.) (Hooykaas, 2021c) is essential.

To add on, I believe that my future experiences as a nature interpreter will be rooted in nature interpretation through science and nature interpretation through music. Nature interpretation through science focuses on taking a scientific approach to interpreting nature (Hooykaas, 2021a). On the contrary, nature interpretation through music focuses on the importance of music in nature, and nature in music (Hooykaas, 2021b).

It’s great to see that you value education as a means to remain inclusive as a nature interpreter. Therefore, I have linked a great video below in which Matthew White gives a TEDx Talk about the lessons we can learn from nature (TEDx Talks, 2018). Have a watch and share your thoughts!

I look forward to your response.

Regards,

Agam.

References

Hooykaas, A. (2021a). Unit 05: Nature interpretation through science [Course website]. University of Guelph CourseLink. https://courselink.uoguelph.ca

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

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

Rodenburg, J. (2019, June 17). Why environmental educators shouldn’t give up hope. ClearingMagazine.Org. https://clearingmagazine.org/archives/14300

Thank you so much for your kind words! I am so glad you enjoyed my post! I also like how you want to work with nature through science! Both are so interconnected and I personally believe that environmental science is going to be one of the most important fields when it comes to helping change our ways for the better! As mentioned in Chapter 21 science is interconnected with nature interpretation with many National Parks employing a science staff, which I personally think would be a really interesting job (Beck et al., 2018)!

I also wanted to thank you for sharing the video of Matthew White's TEDx Talk. It honestly made me so happy and inspired to see someone so young having such a passion and determination about saving the environment. It really furthered my belief that we are capable of anything and that sharing our knowledge and passion with others is one of the real drivers of motivation and inspiration.

I think one of my favourite things about watching such young speakers stand up and do something is that it shows us just how much we're capable of. I mean if a child can do it so can I!

What was your favourite part of the video?

Let me know!

Robyn :))

References:

           Ethics. One word, so many possibilities. Ethics is defined as “a system of moral principles”, “moral principles, as of an individual” and “that branch of philosophy dealing with values relating to human conduct, with respect to the rightness and wrongness of certain actions and to the goodness and badness of the motives and ends of such actions” (Dictionary.com, 2021). All in all, it is the way each of us sees, approaches, and interacts with the world using our sense of right and wrong.

(My Own Business Institute, 2019)

           Ethics differs from person to person. My personal ethics, the ones that I strive for in my day-to-day life, are integrity, selflessness, honesty, fairness, respect for both myself and others. My core values consist of acceptance, forgiveness, gratitude, emotional wellbeing, trust, respect, truthfulness, creativity, and so on. Mine may be the same or different from yours, however, no matter the differences it is the way we approach the world and our role as nature interpreters.

             I have learned a lot through this course. I’ve taken note of where I started in my relationship with nature and now where I’m continuing on. My journey now includes looking for fairness in nature preserves. I’ve learned that persons with disabilities face so many more challenges not only in their day-to-day lives, but also when attempting to get out to explore nature. “Access to the outdoors and nature is important to the health and education of all individuals regardless of age, location, or physical capabilities” (Why Accessible Nature Matters, n.d.). I’ve learned that my ability to see, walk, touch, hear, are all privileges that I take for granted and that in order to be fair to all those wishing to explore nature, our parks and historical sites must become more inclusive and accessible. This is where I hope to be in the future; making things better for those who require accessibility.

(Parks Canada, 2020)

           I have increased my knowledge that nature is found in art and music. For me, art is in what you see, hear, and feel. It is that “effortless, spontaneous feeling that you get” (Csikszentmihaliyi, 2004) when the everything seems just right and I am at peace. Whether looking at a painting, listening to a song, or peering out over the edge of a cliff to the ocean while listening to the music of the wind behind you, nature brings inner peace and tranquility to everyone it touches. I have heard nature in music and heard music in nature. One of my favourite memories of my time studying with Guelph was in my very first course. We were asked to find a place and study it for what trees we could find, what animals we encountered, for the beauty the place held. I remember standing on the hills at Wascana Trails and hearing the music of the wind for the hundredth time, but also for the very first time. I was at peace and found a sense of belonging. I hope that everyone can have that feeling someday.

Wascana Lake Pelicans - Photograph by A. Gagnon, July 2020.

           I have learned the importance of truth and honesty as a nature interpreter. As Canadians, I see us as natural storytellers. We are able to look at almost anything and tell a story about it. Looking at our past offers us unique insight into our future. We interpret history for educational purposes and for remembrance (Beck, Cable & Knudson, 2018), but it also helps us learn from the past so we do not make the same mistakes, or follow the same paths, as our forefathers. As interpreters, we are responsible for ensuring that the stories we hand down from generation to generation are honest, that they are whole and that there are no gaps in the story… good or bad. When I think of history, one quote always comes to mind. This is from one of my favourite shows The West Wing:

C.J. Cregg:                Yes, but it’s history…

Abbey Bartlet:           It’s our history. Better or worse, it’s our history. We’re not going to lock it in the basement or brush it with a new coat of paint. It’s our history.

(IMBd, 1999)

(Wolff, L., 2013)

           This is the quote I think of when looking through the past. It helps me accept what was done and move on from it in a different direction. It also helps me tell my own history unabridged. History is just that. It’s history. There’s no going back. You can only move forward by learning from the past.

           I’ve had tremendous fun with educating my classmates in the unprompted blog on extreme weather and in the bringing in the armchair reader blog about bats. I found it allowed my creativity to flow freely but also allowed me to take what I learned in this class and use it to bring in the armchair reader. My post about bats was the one that received the most comments and feedback. Beck, Cable and Knudson (2018) tell us that “presentation proves to be the most useful and meaningful for learning to occur, and will be most interesting to participants”. I wasn’t sure what this meant until the bat post, but I do believe that where I presented my information as fun and informative, and by using down-to-earth language, I was able to draw more people in to my post and many of them learned quite a bit about bats. It became interesting to them. Maybe it was my words. Maybe it was the pictures of the largest bat in the world. Either way, it drew people in and made me a better storyteller.

Man beside Giant Golden Crowned Flying Fox (Margaritoff, M, 2020)

             So, I guess the question now is where do I go from here? I find myself wanting to further my environmental and historical education. Learning, for me, is a lifelong passion. I intend to continue on this path for as long as I can. I hope one day to move back to Nova Scotia and put this education to use. I would love to work with the Nova Scotia government on ways to make parks more accessible around the province. Until then, I will just work on making the world a better place, one step at a time.

Photo of me, Lily, and Oliver - Photograph by E. Gagnon, Fall 2020.

Thanks for reading!

Amanda

References:

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

Csikszentmihalyi, M. (February, 2004). Flow, the secret to happiness. TED. https://www.ted.com/talks/mihaly_csikszentmihalyi_flow_the_secret_to_happiness

 Dictionary.com. (2021). Ethics definition. Retrieved from: https://www.dictionary.com/browse/ethics?s=t

 IMBd. (1999). The West Wing (TV series), The State Dinner (episode). Retrieved from: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0745706/characters/nm0000330

Margaritoff, M. (July 20, 2020). Meet the Giant Golden-Crowned Flying Fox – The Largest Bat in the World. ATI. Retrieved from https://allthatsinteresting.com/giant-golden-crowned-flying-fox

My Own Business Institute. (August 26, 2019). Ethics in Life and Business. Leavey School of Business, Santa Clara University. Retrieved from: https://www.scu.edu/mobi/resources–tools/blog-posts/ethics-in-life-and-business/ethics-in-life-and-business.html

Parks Canada. (June 10, 2020). Accessible Trails. Retrieved from: https://www.pc.gc.ca/en/voyage-travel/experiences/accessibilite-accessibility/sentiers-trails

Why Accessible Nature Matters. (n.d.) Nature for All. Retrieved January 24, 2021 from http://www.naturefortheblind.com/importance-of-accessible-nature-trails

I have to say wow. I am so happy to hear how much you gained from this course! I also wanted to let you know that I really connected to your moment that you shared about finding peace while standing on the hills of the Wascana Trails. For myself, I had a similar moment while walking through the Arboretum in Guelph during my first year. Gaining that sense of peace you described is what reminded me of the importance of nature and motivated me to help make a change. Did you feel this way as well when you were at Wascana Trails?

As discussed by Beck et al. (2018) in Chapter 21 we are faced with so much technology now that it almost blocks out our other senses. I think it's so important to make sure that we continue to expose ourselves to these experiences as nature interpreters to remind us of why we care.

I also love that you want to go back to Nova Scotia to help make parks more accessible! My family and I used to drive to Newfoundland to visit family and would always stop in Nova Scotia to visit some of the parks there! My favourite one was when we went to Cape Breton Highlands National Park! Have you ever been? Also out of curiosity, is it the vast amount of nature and parks and Nova Scotia that make you want to go back one day? Let me know!

Finally, I wanted to share with you this video I found on Youtube about the National Ability Center and how it helps make the outdoors more accessible for people with disabilities. While the organization is based in the U.S. I thought it was a cool video that you might like as it shows fun and unique ways to help ensure that everyone has access to seeing and enjoying nature! Let me know what you think!

Robyn :))

References:

I used to consider my grandpa’s shelf a treasure. He’d have books about all sorts of things and it was kind of an unspoken rule to avoid touching his stuff. But sometimes, I would  sift through and grab one of his special leather-bound books. I would flip through all of the words and right in the middle was the jackpot: laminated pictures of birds and brief descriptions about each species. I would quietly sneak off and sit in front of the big window and watch the birds fly in and out of the trees to feed on the birdfeeder my grandpa built for them. I would quickly try to shuffle through the photos to try to find the photo that matched the bird. Soon, my grandpa would find me and join me, and tell me what each of the birds were and then whistle the tunes they sang. Everytime I hear a bird call, I think  of my grandpa. 

Personal photo (2019). A view from my grandparent’s window. This place is my escape from the business of urban life. You can see the birdfeeder on the left but can you spot the deer in the orchard?

Music in nature doesn’t have to be as straightforward as a bird call. True, when I think of nature in music, my first thought is that memory. But music call also be the way the leaves bristle when a strong breeze rushes through them, or the waves crashing on the rocky shore. The world produces its own orchestra, if we take a moment to listen. Sometimes when the world seems so loud with the busy traffic and heavy schedules, I feel a pull to the woods. Almost, as if they were singing, beckoning me to escape. And sometimes, when I can’t make it there, I slip in my headphones and let my own music take over and ease all of my aches and worries away. 

This is a helpful mnemonics poster to remember different bird sounds. I used to teach these to kids when I worked at a nature centre. My favourite is probably the Chickadee because it’s easiest to remember and it says its own name “Chicka-dee-dee-dee-dee-dee”.  Retrieved from: https://becausebirds.com/product/mnemonic-bird-sounds-poster-eastern-north-america/

Music has a way of invoking so many emotions. Like the variety of music there is, music can act as different things, to empower, to share feelings, to get away from your feelings, and so much more. Some of these reasons are why music is such a good tool for grabbing someone’s attention. In environmental teaching, music can be used to draw your audience in. Play a nature sound, or bring out your guitar or play a jingle from your phone. I think our ears are naturally receptive to music. You could write a song to help facts or information stick. Have your audience have their own lines to repeat back to you and make it interactive. Or you could use music to paint a story using your words. My dad used to tell me a story when I was a little about this cowboy and his horse and their adventures. He would sing to me and use gestures like climbing a ‘mountain’ with his hands to keep me engaged. Music is a tool all interpreters should keep in their belt, whether we’re musically talented or not. 

Music and nature have a symbiotic relationship, if you take the time to listen. Even the brushing off the seeds off a dandelion produce a sound however faint. But it’s more than that. Both music and nature have a way of making simple things, like seeds, or stringing notes together, invoke powerful emotions. Retrieved from: https://greenlivinglab.org/2018/03/20/music-in-nature-new-lunchtime-concerts-the-green-living-lab/

It’s easy for me to believe that music and nature go hand in hand because I’ve experienced it. And music has such a powerful way of shaping our memories. Have you ever listened to a song and it instantly takes you back to a moment? Maybe you remember the song you danced to with your high school prom date or the song you and your friends were blasting on a road trip. When I heard the song, ‘River Flows in You’ by Yiurma for the first time, I felt transcended. My parents put me in piano lessons (though not for long) and I remember thinking how peaceful and beautiful the song was. It’s not a complicated piece, but there were no lyrics to tell me how to feel and that simplicity made me feel like I was literally drifting down a lazy river with pretty flower petals falling from the tree branches above me. It makes me think of all the time I spent in front of that big window at my grandparents house or all the times I escaped to the safety of the trees. Music allows us to express ourselves emotionally, and nature is always a safe place for us to return to. So together, music and nature calls to me like the birds who sang with my grandpa. 

I have to tell you I got goosebumps listening to the River Flows in You. I too played piano for a short time as a kid (also instigated by my parents!) and I often wish I had pursued it. I've always loved listening to music, but there's also something about creating it that's as you say, transcending. It's why I think there's something deeper to it, some kind of in-rooted connection we have with it, and why some of the most beautiful pieces are often connected back to nature in some way. Do you ever wish you continued learning piano?

I also think this connection is why so many of us get that "pull" to nature when times are stressful. I don't know if you noticed but ever since COVID-19 hit I've seen so many people spending time outdoors and particularly in nature sites. While this probably also has to do with the fact that it's easier to social distance outdoors and most indoor facilities are closed, I think it also has a bit to do with the calming affect of nature.

If your ever looking for a good get away you should try meditation with nature sounds! It sounds slightly weird, but it can be a really beneficial way of escaping to nature, if you find listening to music itself isn't enough sometimes. This is the playlist I use, feel free to check it out and let me know what you think!

“It’s boring.” “I hate it.” “We just memorize facts about dead people.”

Unfortunately, history class hasn’t always had the best reputation. I mean how many times back in high school did you say at least one of those three sentences when talking about history class?

The problem is most history classes are built on memorization. Students are forced to memorize dates of events, and names of people, whose only connection to them is the 4 paragraph-insert in their textbook.

It’s a critical issue because history is important. It’s how we learn and grow. Our past is what got us where we are today and it’s what makes us who we are.

“There is no peculiar merit in ancient things, but there is merit in integrity, and integrity is what 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.”

This is a quote from Edwards (2007) and I can’t help but think he is trying to communicate the criticality of history interpreters and their responsibilities. Taking individual items, people, or events from a previous time and using them to connect and preserve our past is what allows interpreters to give history life, whether through costumes, museums, or even living history.

“Living History” Image by FotoRC. Licensed under (”Pixabay License”)

Like nature interpreters, they must create an intriguing yet accurate representation of what their showing and allow visitors to connect and learn about the importance of the subject while giving it relevance (Beck et al., 2018). When we ignore history, we act as if the world is only relevant when we are on it, and this is simply not the case. The Earth has been here long before us and will be long after we’re gone. Only by acknowledging our past are we able to preserve and learn from the lessons, memories, and inspirations of those before us.

For me, interpreters altered my view of history when I visited the Holocaust Museum in Montreal. I listened to a real-life Holocaust survivor tell her story of spending 5 years in a concentration camp and watched a costumed interpreter talk of a young boy who had to hide in his neighbors’ cellar, alone, for 4 years during WWII to avoid being executed. The experience was more powerful than anything I had ever felt towards history and it showed me how detrimental ignorance can be.

For all of those that suffered, don’t we owe it to honor and remember their sacrifices?

“Stumbling Stones” by Braxamire. Licensed under (”Pixabay License”). Laid in memory of holocaust victims outside their last-known freely chosen residence (Apperly, 2019).

How can we ensure we won’t repeat the mistakes and tragedies if we forgot them? For many of us, history can seem boring and irrelevant but trust me it’s more important and interesting than you may think.

If you’re still not convinced I encourage you to take 3 minutes to watch this video and let me know if your perspective changed.

References:

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

I really enjoyed reading your post and completely agree with your statement that acknowledging the past is a great way to learn lessons. I was really moved to hear of your experience at the Holocaust Museum and would love to go there myself as soon as i can! I think that your point about learning a lesson from history definitely speaks for the devastating parts of history such as the Holocaust. The museum and artifacts of those times are a good way to remember what those that suffered had to endure and i think the preservation of that is the least that can be done in honour of their sacrifice. 

Thanks, 

I am glad you enjoyed my post! I would definitely recommend visiting the Holocaust Museum if you ever have the chance. I learned about WWII in class and read about it, but going to the museum really made me understand (as much as an outsider can) the brutality of it and why like you said, its so important to preserve and remember it.

If you have a chance I would recommend reading some of the survivor stories from the museum here. For me the listening to these stories were what really deepened my perspective on history.

“The key job of the interpreter boils down to one of helping people to perceive more accurately the world around them” (Beck et al., 2018).

I’ve always loved stories and art. As a kid I loved to read and paint and would jump at the chance for a bed story or arts and crafts.

When I got older and developed a love for nature and travel, my passions began to overlap. Photographs helped me see the beauty in life and in nature, while stories allowed me to experience it.

So, throughout this blog I’ve added some of my favorite pictures I’ve taken and included a brief description of their story. I encourage you to read them and maybe you’ll the beauty of nature I saw in them.

A picture I took of the Caves of Matala in Crete, Greece. The side of the cliff is comprised of hundreds of man-made caves carved out of the rock from thousands of years ago. No one knows their true purpose but they’re believed to be Roman or Early Christian tombs. 

Whenever I travel I find myself talking to locals or tour guides, asking them their story or a favorite one they’ve heard. Hearing stories from people who are knowledgeable and passionate about a place of nature allows me to learn more about it while creating a stronger connection towards it.

A picture I took of the Holy Trinity Monastery at Meteora in Central Greece. During times of war and famine many choose a life of religion in which they were free from violence and could enjoy the peace and beauty of nature. One of the nuns at the monastery spoke of how her isolation in nature freed her from her personal traumas she experienced as a child.  

Being in university takes a toll on one financially though, and I can never travel as much as I would like to. So, when I can’t travel I often spend time looking at photographs of places of nature and wildlife. It allows me to see the beauty of nature without having to be there. 

“Thailand Sea Water” by Caro Sodar licensed under (”Pixabay License”)

Photographs of nature are often done by people who have such a strong love and passion for it and their pictures allow me to see nature from their perspective, see the beauty they see. For me seeing a something from another’s perspective is what enriches your own. Like Beck et al. (2018) wrote “The images of stories are vivid in the minds of listeners, and help them grow in mind and spirit”.

A picture I took of Reece the baboon in South Africa when she was 4 months old. Reece is an orphaned baboon that’s mother was killed be a farmer for stealing food from his crops. This was her first time out of her rehabilitation enclosure since she was rescued. She was so excited to play with the sand on the river bank and was fascinated by the hippos at the end of the river.  

I have no qualifications that justify my ability to interpret nature through art besides this course. While this may prevent me from being an official nature interpreter, I don’t think anything can stop someone from interpreting nature from art. We are human, we seek meaning whether its given to us or not. If it isn’t given to us, we create our own.

For me, nature interpreters help me grasp the true meaning (or at least the one they believe to be true) of art. Whether it’s the tourist I’m talking to about the land, or the article describing the picture I’m looking at, they help give sense to our questions while showing us their own view of nature’s beauty. In an ironic sense it’s the interpreters that help me interpret nature from art. 

Did you interpret nature from these pictures? Let me know!

References: 

(PERSONAL PHOTO// Pelee Island Bird Observatory, May 3rd 2016)

It’s from the Pelee Island Bird Observatory, the environment was beautiful and it was my first interaction with banding a huge variety of bird species (that were also very beautiful). After reading the post I have a few questions for you:

Do you still find time to do art during quarantine? If so, are there any forms of art that you prefer to create, or that you prefer to observe? I have been painting a lot in my spare time, and have recently been wanting to expand my painting to more nature-related landscapes. Here’s a video that might give you some painting inspiration (if that’s what you’re into): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lLWEXRAnQd0

Also, do any of these places that you’ve visited stand out in your mind in terms of beauty? If so, why do they stand out? It could be because of a beautiful landscape, or maybe somewhere you visited served a beautiful purpose - such as the baboon orphanage. 

I look forward to hearing what you have to say! 

I'm so glad to hear that you enjoyed my post and thank you for sharing your photo! I love birds, so I am quite jealous that you got to go to a Bird Observatory! Did you get any good photos of the birds you saw?

When it comes to finding time for art, it often depends on school so when I have lots of work or a midterm coming up unfortunately I'm stuck just studying. However, when its not as crazy I've also been doing a lot painting! I find myself doing a lot of abstract when I'm stressed, just paint whatever I feel and while it often looks like, well paint, its really helped me a lot! I tried this one (at time 4:09 minutes) yesterday and it was really fun!

When I'm feeling more creative that's when I try and do more natural things, like sunsets or llamas! I really want to try the island painting though you sent, it looks like something fun to help me remind me of warmer days!

In terms of beauty I would have to say Africa was a big one. It wasn't so much one image, but the whole place that amazed me. I remember being fascinated on how much the landscape differed. We would drive and within an hour I would go form seeing flat dessert like lands to massive rocky mountains and lakes. It was beautiful because it was all natural. Besides the small villages here and there, so much of it was just completely untouched by humans and just filled with wildlife and nature. For me that was what made it beautiful.

Would love to hear about what you find most beautiful in nature (or what stands out).

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

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

“The Creation of Adam” painting by Michelangelo. 

Now, take a look at this photo!

Photo posted by Zeina Mehal in Art Wise. 

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

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

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

A photo took by me at Canatara beach, Sarnia.

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

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

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

References:

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

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

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

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

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

           This week’s blog post is prompted by a rather challenging topic that has rightfully garnered much discussion in recent years. It presents a somewhat uncomfortable and unpleasant conversation that most people are unwilling to have with themselves. The reality of privilege discrepancy is playing a huge factor in many societal and cultural constructs around the world today. The fact of the matter is that most people tend to ignore or portray a sense of  ignorance when the idea of privilege discrepancy is raised.  Whether it is situational carelessness or an aspect of discrimination and limited opportunity they have yet to experience; many people may not even know what privilege is. This in itself is a component of privilege.

           In this blog, I would like to highlight a working definition of privilege by unpacking my “Invisible Backpack” in hopes of shinning light as to what privilege looks like. Additionally, I want to provide a key example as it relates to nature and the outdoors. Furthermore, I would like to discuss the role privilege plays in nature interpretation which is thoughtfully and thoroughly discussed by Beck et. al in their book Interpreting Cultural and Natural Heritage.

           To start, my invisible backpack holds many attributes that I try to remain humble about. I was born into a white, middle class family, raised in Canada. With both parents owning their own successful veterinarian practice, I didn’t have to worry about food on the table, additional money to help pay for bills, or limited opportunity. I am forever grateful for the life my parents provided to me as I have access to higher education and schooling at university. I have worked multiple jobs that are related to my program with little hardship in finding placement. This is privilege. Where I am afforded comfortable living and particular advantages to the everyday life others are not so fortunate. The world we live in today is inherently driven by societal factors in which some are not free from prejudices. The discrimination and limited opportunity cast onto underrepresented population demographics directly correlates to the privilege discrepancy and oppression experienced by so many.

Image 1 - Privilege Cartoon

           A key example I would like to bring to the front involves myself and my roommate. Privilege as it relates to nature and the outdoors is the ability for me, (a 21-year-old male) to feel safe and comfortable going on a nighttime run when it is dark out, whereas my roommate, (a 21-year-old female) feels scared and hindered by external factors that prevent her from these same feelings.

           I would like to close this blog off on the notion that privilege plays a role in nature interpretation too. I don’t think it could be more thoroughly summed up than through the ideas brought on by Beck and the associates in the textbook. It is stated that “Although many people have traditionally enjoyed opportunities to experience nature and culture firsthand, only a fraction of these visitors attend interpretive programs of other special events” (Beck et. al. Pg. 158, 2016). With the capability to be teachers and bring about new audience that otherwise may have been secluded, it is important to seek relevancy by learning what matters most to them and their own interests. People will become more supportive and involved in interpretive sites if they feel more welcomed (Beck et. al. Pg. 158, 2016).

Image 2 - Nature Interpretation Inclusion

References:

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

Images:

Image 1 - https://www.stockholmresilience.org/research/research-news/2020-03-24-towards-a-more-inclusive-valuation-of-nature.html

Your post was really quite interesting, especially coming from someone who has been given a substantial amount of privilege!

As you mentioned many people are not aware what privilege is, let alone their own. Also as mentioned in the Unit 3 ENVS 3000 post, describing one’s privileges makes one newly accountable (Hooykaas, 2021).

So I guess what I am trying to ask is, as someone who has many privileges, before reading about privilege in this course, were you aware of all your privileges? Did the reading/unit change your views of privilege or give you a feeling of obligation towards those less privileged than you?

Looking forward to hearing from you!

Robyn :)

References:

I have to admit I thought your perspective on privilege was very intriguing. To answer your question, I do believe that not knowing your privileges can make you a higher risk in nature, but possibly in a different way then you have.

While I’m not a First Nation, my interest in nature has led me to meet several First Nations people in Ontario and throughout Canada. During a Council of Canadians conference in Toronto one of the speakers (who was First Nation) shared one of the main beliefs held by her community. That no one can own land or any of its gifts. It’s what we come from and eventually return to, but during our time here we are simply living amongst the land. Yes we borrow from it and some of us alter it but no one can ever own it. Instead it’s our duty to give back to it, using it and enjoying it in a respectful way, during our short amount of time on it. While this can be controversial, it’s a concept that has always stuck with me and one I firmly believe in. It’s led me to think that the real danger of ignoring your privileges can harm nature itself. Mostly by ignoring your education of it and its importance by choosing to still harm it (ex: littering, polluting etc.), or not using your privileges to protect it.

As you mentioned, you’re worried of how the true owners may perceive our actions of conservation areas and view them as negative. While I cannot speak for any First Nations people, I’m curious what you think of this belief.

Can’t wait to hear back from you!

Photo by Mohamed Moiz Ahmed on Unsplash

Hello out there to all you beautiful people gazing upon this blog. My name is Cameron Smith and I hail from the great city of Hamilton, Ontario (hence my self-proclaimed nickname: Camilton). 

Photo by Vivek Trivedi on Unsplash

Growing up in the heavily industrialized concrete jungle of Lake Ontario’s armpit has shaped my perspective on nature and pollution. I primarily lived in the “mountain” (aka Niagara Escarpment) suburbs of Hamilton; which is littered with 100+ waterfalls in urban parks that offer breathtaking views of this wonderful city (like the one above by Vivek Trivedi).

Photo by Joe deSousa on Unsplash

Now every Canadian and their neighbour thinks “Steel City”, “Rust Belt” or “Blue Collar” when the city of Hamilton is brought up. Those are days gone by my friends, followers and lurkers! The steel industry has been steadily collapsing over the last 4 decades: Stelco once employed 30,000 people in 1980 but only had 2,300 employed when filing for creditor protection in 2014. Hamilton should now be better known as “The Waterfall Capital of the World”. There is even a surprisingly high percentage of green space for a major city due to the innate fact we cannot build on the Niagara Escarpment that divides this noble city. 

Photo courtesy of Sunny Freeman of the Toronto Star

Now there are two sides to every coin: if you are anywhere near the downtown core, there is a 50/50 chance a tinge of sulphur dioxide will reside in your nostrils. The picture below by Matthew Henry is of Chedoke Falls: which is sewage water flowing underneath the residential neighbourhoods of the Hamilton Mountain until reaching this destination. As a kid, me and my friends would venture to these urban parks on our bikes to take in the beauty and sometimes the smell of sewage was too overwhelming to bare. Our parents eventually banned us from going off the beaten path once we found heroin needles at the base of these falls at 12 years old (yes, some Hamilton stereotypes are begrudgingly true).

Photo by Matthew Henry on Unsplash

Regardless of the urban waste and sewage that plagues some of these natural landmarks; these offered me a sense of place. Throughout my youth I could always escape the rat race of urban living and be amongst the squirrels, snakes and sanitation (dark humor anybody?) Hamilton’s wilderness provided within a short bike ride away. I reflect on those years fondly and consider these waterfalls as my soul food, regardless if I could hear the nearby highways, or smell the pig iron being smelted at the steel mills.

Photo by Ahmed Abbas on Unsplash

I have to be honest this might be my favorite post this week as I have always had a conflicting view of Hamilton when it comes to water. I currently do a bit of part-time water activism (seeing as university is basically a full-time job) and part of that involves making cities and town’s Blue Communities. This basically involves trying to convince city council’s to pass laws that help protect their local water supplies from pollution and many other common issues - if your interested you can read more about it here  https://canadians.org/bluecommunities. 

What surprised me was that despite how much water reserves and local waterfalls the Hamilton area has they have constantly declined to pass any of the Blue Community laws, one of which is to recognize water and sanitation as human rights. While this decision is mostly made by council after reading your post it made me wonder what the residents think. 

I appreciate the comments, as I too STILL struggle with my conflicting view of home. Now I will admit, I chuckled a bit when reading you were surprised city hall hasn’t taken action and tolerates the pollution because: yes, the majority of local residents turn a blind eye or are ignorant to the pollution. 

It’s not just in the water: every year the steel mills are releasing PM2.5, PM10, SO2, etc. WELL BEYOND the limits set by the government. But the amount the mills pay in fines is cheaper than upgrading their equipment/limiting production. Ask residents what they think about those funky smells of rotten eggs from the industry and disturbingly, some see it as a positive since that means there are jobs and the economy is good. Others just don’t even think about it as they were raised around it their whole lives.

Now there are some who are aware it is not a good thing but are socio-economically unable to escape the North End of Hamilton (every year among the poorest neighborhoods in Canada, sometimes THE poorest).

Now that I have painted that grim picture maybe you can understand why residents don’t REALLY care about water pollution. I attribute this to the fact that the air pollution is persistent and you can smell it, while the water pollution “doesn’t affect us” because we have been raised to NEVER swim in Hamilton Harbour or any of the waterfall basins. 

If you really want to get pissed off, read this (https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/hamilton/chedoke-charges-1.5834037) how raw sewage has been flowing into Cootes Paradise for the last half decade and CITY HALL KNEW ABOUT IT BUT WAS TRYING TO HIDE IT UNTIL GETTING EXPOSED JUST THIS YEAR!!! That should help you understand why Hamilton city council refuses to sign your pledge.

Also keep in mind the water reserves have been used as sewer lines underneath the residential neighbourhoods above the Niagara Escarpment. During the post war boom, the Hamilton mountain was being developed and no one knew (or cared) about pollution so when they designed neighbourhoods they incorporated the natural rivers flowing through into sewer lines. This made sense at the time since there was minimal construction necessary and all these rivers lead to waterfalls that eventually lead back to Lake Ontario so in their eyes it made TOO much sense lol.

I apologize for the late response, I just realized my notifications were off and didn’t even see this until now! However, I have to say. Wow. After reading your reply and then the article you sent, my jaw hit the floor. With all the news about the U.S. election recently and the blatant disregard of Hamilton’s environment all I could think was, I wonder how many people in Hamilton City Hall are Trump supporters lol! 

While I probably shouldn’t get political I was just shocked at the carelessness towards their water supply and environment. I mean these chemicals soak into the ground, affecting not just the water you drink but the air you breath, the food you grow, and can even get absorbed through the pores in your skin! While I understand the history and fear of economic loss there has to be a line, I mean I thought there did.

I simply hope with the new regulations of water quality and protection the Canadian government has implemented, along with an increase in public awareness that something will be done at one point before it is too late.

So here’s to spreading the word Hamilton! Hopefully their listening!

Have you ever looked outside your window and noticed that the leaves outside were no longer their usual bright green, but have changed, as if overnight, to their autumn reds, faint oranges, and crisp yellows? For many, this shift in color is just another reminder that summer has ended and it’s time for fall, but for me it was always a little more than that.

I was 4 years old and my family and I were living in a small townhouse that backed onto a large, wooded area, down the hill from our backyard. My mom, who loves the fall season, brought me out to our back deck, lifted me up and pointed to the trees whose leaves had all changed. What were once green were now dark reds, pale oranges, and golden yellows all mixed together in a sea of trees stretched out across the valley. I don’t remember her words, but I remember the feeling. The feeling of excitement and wonderment from my mom and I, hers fueling mine as we looked out, fascinated at how such a massive and colorful change could happen, at what seemed to appear overnight.

Photo of the forest as seen from my old townhouse in Georgetown, ON taken by Joanne Hamlyn (2001)

While it wasn’t until several years later that I really began to appreciate and discover my love for nature, for me that was the beginning. The spark that initiated the intrigue and excitement I get whenever I’m in nature, had been lit.

As I got older the change of colors in the leaves grew less surprising, but my mom continued to point them out every year and still does to this day. While I’d sometimes get annoyed at the constant remarks about leaves, it was hard to ignore the admiration in her voice, the appreciation of something so normalized that it often goes unnoticed by others.

Before writing this, I was struggling to determine who offered me “a sense of place”, who helped me recognize the beauty of my environment, while giving me a deeper appreciation for what is often overlooked. While I knew that my relationship with nature began that moment on the deck, it’s clear to me now that it was my mom who helped me recognize the beauty of it. Whether she knew it or not her love and appreciation for a seemingly simple and natural phenomenon made her my unofficial interpreter. She didn’t explain the cultural or historical significance of the change in the color of the leaves, so her role as an interpreter may be argued. However, like a interpreter, her passion changed my perspective of a seemingly simple activity of examining trees, into a deeper and more enjoyable experience, resulting in a stronger appreciation for nature (Beck et al., 2018). It inspired me to learn more about the environment and work to protect key elements such as plants, trees, water, and even leaves, through activism and public speaking.

Picture of myself speaking at WE Day at the Scotiabank Arena in Toronto, ON and was taken by my friend Tyler Keaton (2017)

So, what is my current relationship with nature? Appreciation. Nature is where we came from, it provides us the air we breath and the water we drink. It’s the roots of our ancestors, and the base of all life. For myself, this is a connection I value and a relationship I try to grow by learning more about it, spending time enjoying and appreciating it, and working to protect it. 

References:

I loved reading about your exposure to nature and your relationship with it over time. I think you and i actually have a lot of parallels in our introduction to it. You had your mom who showed you all the wonderful leaves in the forest near your house. I had my grandma, who showed me all the nature that existed in my own backyard.I also am at a place right now that is focused very much on appreciation. I have tried to not take nature for granted, and instead view it as something that touches every single one of us. I kind of think that is a major outcome we will get from ENVS 3000, a refreshed perspective of how we coexist in nature and how we can share it with others. Perhaps we might even find our own way to inspire the next generation, the way our parents and grandparents inspired us. I think we are also in a generation poised to teach a more overarching view on nature and how our roles in it can effect the planet on a global scale. But for now I’m looking forward to what we will learn about nature and ourselves from this class. Great post!

Cheers,

Thanks for sharing! I am glad you enjoyed my post and based on your response, along with other blogs I have read, I really think childhood experiences impact how we see the world and what we are interested in. Although my mother did the same thing regarding leaves with my brother, he doesn’t seem to share the same love for nature as I do. So I guess its one of those nature vs. nurture debates. 

Just like you I’ve found this course has motivated me to learn more about nature and I’ve found myself adding more nature blogs and groups to many of my social media feeds. During one of my absent minded scrolls I found this article from Tentree (an apparel company that plants 10 trees for every product purchased) that shared some pretty crazy facts about nature.

As a fellow student who is eager to learn about nature I thought you might enjoy it!

Let me know what fact you found most surprising!