Last Blog Post
In todayās society, it is becoming increasingly difficult to connect or learn from nature as we become more and more urban as a population. It seems as though the foundations of nature are being neglected when thinking about the future of our planet. Learning about the ins and outs of nature interpretation and what it means to be an interpreter has been a journey in this course. I find it hard to believe that we are almost at the end of the semester, as it feels like I just began learning! In some ways this is true, as I can now recognize that interpretation is a forever evolving process that will never be ācompleteā. Interpretation in the sense of this course, is a process involving communicating and inspiring others in the context of the nature that surrounds us (Beck et al. 2019). I am now learning that this communication is an integral factor going into saving our environments and our world in the wake of climate change.
Ā As interpreters, there are many core beliefs and values that are shared as well as personal unique ones. A core belief about interpretation is that it is integral for the promotion of healthy and connected communities (Beck et al. 2019). Something personal I bring to this as an interpreter is my passion in gaining new knowledge that I know I can then interpret for others, hopefully making some sort of impact. I believe in making important and educational experiences for individuals in a fun way, as enjoyment is what becomes meaningful in someone's life, not solely instruction (Tilden, 1967). More specifically, I find myself satisfied when I utilize the resources around me to spread messages of interpretation. For example, posting information about climate change and why we should care to my social media platforms is a useful way of bringing individuals together as a nontraditional audience, of whom would not all necessarily voluntarily visit a physical interpretation session (Beck et al. 2019). I believe strongly in the power of technology and its ability to capture people with compelling colours, shapes, and images. Interpretive messages can be spread to audiences far and wide, even going viral without effort (Beck et al. 2019). This should be taken into consideration when approaching the subject of climate change. The best way to reach the intended audience about why they need to take action and what they need to do is through technology!Ā
People learn to love something through good interpretation skills and through love, the natural reaction for an individual is to want to nurture and maintain whatever they have learned about (Beck et al. 2019). This is a responsibility that I, along with all of the newer generations, have, when it comes to climate change. The earthās temperature is rising quicker than ever, and without this nurturing, we will start to lose countless of our precious ecosystems all around the planet. Therefore, we carry a huge responsibility as the new generation. The most important audiences for interpretation are the youngest, as these individuals are the stewards of our future nature and culture (Beck et al. 2019). These children are so extremely impressionable and absorbent, hence my responsibility as a young adult to inform them in a meaningful way, about climate change. We must first teach them about the importance of an empathetic relationship with nature before any tragedy is introduced, as this is where the natural urge to care and maintain stems from (Beck et al. 2019). Not until later years, when these children have found their place in society, is it appropriate to educate about saving the planet and its living species. There is a fine balance between intimidating children with daunting tasks like saving the world and encouraging them to want to do so. I believe one of my main responsibilities is exploring this balance as an interpreter and making meaningful connections with the younger generation.
The approaches I will use to take action against climate change and educating others depend on where my life leads me in terms of a career path. I hope to make a living out of something substantial in which I am fortunate enough to have access to countless educational resources. Things like visual art and music are types of media that I believe are increasingly impressionable when it comes to an audience of children. A big part of interpreting in this sense, is demonstrating the consequences we will see in the future, if we do not act in the present (Beck et al. 2019). Therefore, by connecting educational information to actions that can be easily taken by children, like saving energy in their houses or riding their bikes to school, I am able to connect to my audience. Through the recognition of all three learning domains, I feel as though I am more prepared to take on my role as an interpreter now and in the future.Ā
The use of these blogs has been a really great way of learning from others, as well as discussing our respective passions. It was fascinating to see the variety in everybodyās post, when we are all writing from the same prompt. This variety demonstrates how unique our individual experiences with interpretation have been and the memories we have grasped from these experiences. As a part of the next generation of interpreters, I cannot wait to see our advocacy in action. I have hope that we are all strong stewards in nature interpretation and are sufficiently passionate about fighting against climate change in a way that we can bring society together on small scales and big ones to benefit ourselves and all other species on Earth. It has been so fun reading everyoneās posts and I hope to have evoked something in all of you through my posts, as yours did for me. Thanks everybody! :)
-Sophia
References
Beck, L., Cable, T. T., & Knudson, D. M. (2018). Interpreting cultural and natural heritage. Sagamore-Venture Publishing.
Tilden, F. (1967). Interpreting our heritage. Univ of North Carolina Press.
