Nature Interpretation with Ty!

Here we are, delving into our last blog posts of the semester! I have truly appreciated this course for so many reasons. Sharing perspectives and ideas about nature interpretation and the beauty of this marvelous planet with my classmates has really inspired me. It has been exciting to read about all of our unique experiences and I do feel as though it has allowed me to view aspects of nature in new ways.

In order to describe my personal ethic as a nature interpreter, I must start out by stating my core personal ethics that I carry with me in my daily life. These are as follows: compassion, empathy, kindness, honesty, dedication, respect, responsibility and fairness. These are the values I actively strive to  live by every day, and certainly try to bring forth into my role as a nature interpreter. As a wildlife biology and conservation major at the University of Guelph, some of my greatest love and passion is found within nature. I have a strong desire to learn all I can about the animals and plants with whom we share this planet, and in doing so I hope to play a significant role in environmental sustainability and education. 

I believe that we as humans have a profound responsibility of preserving and honouring the creatures we share the earth with. Nature is their home, and though we all enjoy its beauty, it is essential that we take our knowledge as nature interpreters to do our absolute best to care for it. I have always had a great deal of empathy for wildlife, from little bugs to majestic eagles. I also love plants, and I feel connected to nature each time I am out in the world and take the time to look around at the world of greenery around me. I love using plant identification apps on my phone to learn about new species and share this information on the apps so more people can learn of the whereabouts of these species! It is so incredible to bring people together through a love of nature. The same goes for birdwatching, which is another activity I really love. I love tagging the location of birds I see in nature so it can provide data for others to share. In case anyone is interested, I really enjoy “Seek” by iNaturalist for plant identification, and Merlin Bird ID from Cornell Lab of Ornithology for birdwatching. It is always exciting to hear a familiar call of a favourite bird when out enjoying nature, and sharing this information with people who are with you. 

The Black-Capped Chickadee (30 seconds)

(A 30 sec clip of a black-capped chickadee from Hinterland Who’s Who- you can learn so much in half a minute!)

Reviewing the main questions continually asked throughout this course, I believe it is relevant now to answer them on a personal note.

Who am I as an interpreter? 

I am an advocate for wildlife, their habitats and trying to bridge a connection between nature and humans in order to create a better world.

 2. Who is my audience? 

My audience is people of all ages who can contribute in a meaningful way to wildlife and their environment. As mentioned in the course, kids always seem like the most impactful audience because the influence we can have when they are young and learning about the world can stay with them for the rest of their lives. 

“Whether you introduce a child to a pileated woodpecker, you provide tools to allow them to make safe decisions when on a hike with friends, or something else, you are offering a spark to be fanned and developed” (Hooykaas, A., 2021

3. How can I make this experience meaningful? 

My experience as a nature interpreter, as a steward of the earth, can be made meaningful by making connections with others. In forming connections with other people and educating each other, holding each other accountable, and speaking for the voiceless (ie; nature), this experience can be extraordinarily meaningful. 

I feel a great deal of responsibility in my role as a nature interpreter. As a young woman who is incredibly passionate about our natural world, I know  my education is a privilege and a tool in my belt that can be used to connect people to nature. It is a circle, the importance of wildlife to people and vice versa. Humans take comfort in nature in order to recharge, whether that be out birdwatching, hiking, or canoeing. On some level, we all take comfort in nature and amongst our beautiful wildlife. However, wildlife really depend on us to ensure their survival based on how we value them and their habitats, which we coexist in. Wild animals are so important to us, not only on an emotional level, but their wellbeing is also a direct correlation to the health of our ecosystems and even our economy (Hinterland, n.d). Education is power, and the responsibility of teaching fellow Canadians about our natural world is one I am more than happy to take on. 

Hinterland Who’s Who from the Canadian Wildlife Federation, courtesy of Environment and Climate Change Canada has an incredibly informative website regarding the importance of wildlife, and I will include it in my citations for anyone who is interested to read!

Some statistics from this particular page made me a little bit emotional. As we all know, working and studying in the field of nature interpretation, can be very daunting and sometimes feel hopeless. When we are constantly bombarded with news of environmental destruction and loss, it feels like we are fighting a losing battle. However, I will share these statistics in this blog post so at a glance it may lift your spirits a bit to see just how many Canadians truly care about our natural world!

-14.5 million Canadians (70 percent of the population) participated in wildlife-related activities around their residence or cottage. These activities included feeding, watching, studying, or photographing wildlife. Some 6.6 million people put out special feed for wildlife.

-3.9 million people made trips or outings whose primary purpose was to enjoy wildlife.

-1.9 million Canadians belonged or contributed to wildlife organizations.

-17.7 million Canadians (85 percent of the population) took part in activities such as watching wildlife films or television programs, reading wildlife books or magazines, visiting game farms, zoos, aquariums, or natural history museums, or purchasing wildlife art, crafts, or posters.

(Statistics Canada, on behalf of the Canadian Wildlife Federation)

As I have come to realize, the approaches to nature interpretation that are most suitable to me are those that are hands on and directly helpful to nature. Throughout my hopefully very long career in wildlife research and conservation, I plan on learning more about our beautiful natural world and making it a better place.

A final note, I want to thank everyone so much for a great course! I feel like I have learned so much about myself and others and my perspective of nature interpretation has broadened so much. 

Citations

1. Seek by inaturalist · inaturalist. (n.d.). Retrieved March 29, 2021, from https://www.inaturalist.org/pages/seek_app

2. Hinterland who’s who - benefits of wildlife. (n.d.). Retrieved March 29, 2021, from https://www.hww.ca/en/issues-and-topics/benefits-of-wildlife.html#:~:text=Wildlife%20is%20important%20to%20natural%20processes&text=These%20ecological%20processes%20are%20essential,and%20by%20preventing%20waste%20accumulation.

3. Merlin Bird ID. (n.d.). Home page. Retrieved March 29, 2021, from https://merlin.allaboutbirds.org/

That was a very enjoyable post to read - you really have such a talent for writing, and definitely brought up lots of fantastic points as well!

I think nature interpretation is inherently environmental. By showing people the beauty and fragility of nature, we are simultaneously showing them what is at risk in the face of climate change, thus pushing them to care more about environmental issues. This is more of a side-effect of nature interpretation; so, at least for me, I think I would bring this even further by discussing larger scale environmental issues (and possible solutions) with my group in every session.

One thing that was brought to mind while reading your post is the argument about whether humans are a part of nature or are separate from it. This has been a hotly debated topic for environmental philosophers for quite some time now - however, we seem to have reached a conclusion. According to The Conversation (2019), seeing humans as separate from nature is not only ethically problematic but completely untrue. We are animals, just the same as any other species on the planet. The fact that we have reached such extreme levels of technological innovation does not negate this fact - however, it does give us the responsibility to take ownership over our impacts, and take steps to prevent large-scale changes to the natural world in any way that we can.

All the best,

Ty

When I first enrolled to take this class, I wasn’t quite sure what the course would entail or quite frankly what exactly nature interpretation meant. Although I had some idea, I don’t think I really understood the magnitude that goes into preparing and properly becoming a nature interpreter. There are so many variables that all must be taken into consideration; from being accessible to all or as many people as possible, learning styles, historical significance and more.

Photo taken by myself of a sunset at Koshlong Lake, Highlands East, Ontario (2015).

As a nature interpreter, a belief that I will implement is the importance of living harmoniously with nature. To me, living in harmony with nature means living sustainably. When we are living sustainably, we are meeting our everyday needs of the present generation while not compromising the ability of future generations to be able to meet their needs (Ikerd, n.d.). Through sustainability, we as humans, are able to find harmony amongst each other and within our surroundings. Additionally, for the harmonious sustainable ideology to work, the belief that humans are more than one-dimensional but rather multidimensional consisting of physical, mental and spiritual components that are interconnected (Ikerd, n.d.). If the connection between these components is unequal, it can result in the person becoming unbalanced (or not in harmony). This reconnection can be found through the combination of modern science technologies and traditional indigenous beliefs (Wang, 2020). The merger of these two concepts will aid in emphasizing the notion of sustainable development and environmental education while also increasing social productivity from the perspective of production (Wang, 2020). This belief, I believe, is crucial for being a nature interpreter as it demonstrates the significance of nature and that we are not be greedy but rather appreciative of the endless positive opportunities it provides us with.

This image describes some steps on how to become more sustainable within your everyday life. Retrieved from https://www.google.com/search?q=sustainable+living+examples&tbm=isch&rlz=1C5CHFA_enCA764CA765&hl=en-GB&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwjk0uif3NXvAhUO0KwKHcjdBKgQrNwCKAB6BQgBENcB&biw=718&bih=789#imgrc=sfmc9a2NCB2JnM

A responsibility that I believe is important is being inclusive and respectful to the people who are trying to learn. As we learned throughout the semester, either from reading about the various learning styles in week 2 or from ‘unpacking’ our invisible backpack during week 3, no 2 people are the same and there are an array of backgrounds and challenges that people have to overcome in their life’s. As a nature interpreter I would have the responsibility to make sure that I am approachable. When I say approachable, I don’t just mean that people have the opportunity to come and talk to me, although that is important, I mean that the content I am teaching about is approachable to individuals of all incomes and social statuses. I have to realize and acknowledge my privileges and utilize them to assist individuals who are less privileged. However, this is challenge as it has to be achieved as respectfully as possible. This means educating myself through the help of those I am trying to reach out to and listening to them about how and what is the best way to interact with them.

The additional responsibility that comes along with inclusivity is being accessible to individuals who may have different learning styles or who vary in abilities. Again, I have the responsibility to acknowledge that us as individuals differ amongst our preferred learning styles; some are more visual and thrive off of visual aids while others are auditory learners and thrive when able to listen to speakers. By incorporating these various techniques into my interpretation, I have the chance to become more interactive while also reaching larger audiences. At the same time, as I am trying to support the different learning styles, I have to take into account that not all individuals are fully able. This is important when opportunities arise for nature walks or trips out in nature, these challenges must be recognized and overcome with the accessibility of others in mind.

Image retrieved from https://ssir.org/articles/entry/using_diversity_and_inclusion_as_a_source_for_humanitarian_innovation

The final major responsibility I have as a nature interpreter is to be honest with my audiences and peers, however difficult that truth is. Nature is an aspect of human’s life that is presently being harshly exploited and destroyed. This destruction is happening in front of our very eyes through the ample examples of hundreds of species becoming either extinct or endangered every day, the deforestation of rainforests, and the loss of marine biodiversity. It is imperative that I education my audiences on all aspects of nature, whether it is positive or negative. It would not be fair to the individuals to solely speak on the positives of nature or solely speak on the negatives of natures, and how this information is told to the audience is important as well. This is a major responsibility as it relates back to the belief of being at harmony with nature. By expressing the good and the bad, with the adult audiences it may allow them to become more aware of their impact and make substantial changes in their lives whereas with children audiences it may provoke consciousness that they have never experienced before. When we are honest it allows for open conversation to happen which can lead to a sense of appreciation within.

The approach that is most suitable for me would be to keep the interpretation fun and interactive. Even though I stated that I have the responsibility to discuss the negatives that are occurring, this can be achieved through a light and interactive manner. When this approach is maintained throughout, it can allow the individuals to have a greater appreciation for the surroundings.

Photo taken by myself of the ocean in Cocoa Beach, Florida (2017)

This class has also opened my eyes to the intense reality of our relationship with nature. As demonstrated throughout the entire semester, nature is remarkably beneficial to humans and provides us with vast opportunities This course has also helped strengthen my own individual relationship with nature, showing me the impact of nature on humanity. But this relationship can become threatened when it is not appreciated or recognized properly, and I have learned through the various different techniques and lessons that come along with our responsibility to educate others on the significance of this relationship. Overall, I believe I am finishing this course a better and more knowledgeable person.

Thank you for the amazing semester!!

Alyssa

References

Ikerd, J. (n.d.). In Harmony with Nature. http://web.missouri.edu/~ikerdj/papers/HARMONY.html

Your post caught my attention because I also listed environmental sustainability as one of my main beliefs that I am bringing into the role of nature interpreter. 

For me, I think its impossible to show off the beauty of nature without describing the massive risks natural areas face as a result of human activity. Directly showing people the fragility and connectivity of nature, I feel, is also the best way to garner their admiration and respect for these areas, and eventually care more about environmental issues. 

It’s definitely true that there are so many different learning styles to accommodate when planning out natural science lessons! One thing I will add to your comments on this is that incorporating visual, auditory, and kinaesthetic learning devices will also benefit people because of the “multi sensory effect” described by our textbook (Beck et al. 2018) - people will gain a more well-rounded understanding of the subject if all their senses are engaged while learning. 

One thing I’ve learned in my teaching career is that its absolutely IMPERATIVE that you make the lessons fun and interactive, especially when working with kids. This means you have to be creative in your planning and enthusiastic in your delivery, which definitely takes some effort, but will pay off in the end! And if you can offer a debriefing activity at the end, that will further help cement students’ understanding (Hooykaas, Unit 8) - discussing what was learned and how the group felt about it is an awesome way to expand upon some of the concepts that were touched on. 

All the best,

Ty 

References:

Beck, L., Cable, T. T., & Knudson, D. M. (2018). Interpreting cultural and natural heritage: For a Better World (pp. 215–232). essay, SAGAMORE Publishing.

Hello all! 

After much thought and debate over all of the amazing parts of nature, I finally narrowed my enthusiasm to one blog topic! Today I will be talking about a type of fungus called rusts, and, more specifically, a species of rust commonly known as white pine blister rust (WPBR)). WPBR, or Ronartium ribicola, is a fungus that is native to Asia, and is thought to have migrated to Ontario in 1914 (1). All five needle pines are susceptible to WPBR, though it has had the largest impact in Ontario on Pinus strobus, or white pine (1). The damage caused by WPBR is identified by it’s symptoms, such as small yellow or orange spots on needles, cankers and bulges on twigs, branches, and stems, gummosis ( the leaking of resin/gum from the tree), flagging (death of twigs and branches, resulting in discolored portions of foliage), and tree death (2). WPBR has a high mortality rate in its pine host, and the disease progresses slowly over a number of years (2).

*photos from https://www.fs.fed.us/rm/highelevationwhitepines/Threats/blister-rust-threat.htm *full citation below (2)*

Rust fungi, within the class Pucciniales, have multiple stages of their life cycle, and often require multiple hosts in order to complete their sexual and asexual reproductive cycles (3). The stages of WPBR are:  spermogonia (stationary) and spermatia (mobile), which sexually reproduce with each other, aecia (the stationary product of the sexual reproduction) and the aeciospores (mobile) that it releases, the aeciospores cannot reinfect pine, and instead infect their alternate host, Ribes, which then form uredinia, which release more Ribes-infecting urediniospores, until telia and teliospores are produced in the fall, which germinate to produce basidium and basidiospore, which are the only Ribes produced stage that can infect Pinus. If we wanted to break this cycle down more simply it can be said that WPBR will infect Ribes through Pinus originating aeciospores, Ribes is susceptible to be continuously re-infecting through asexual urediniospores, and once a season Pinus is susceptible to infection by basidiospores, from the Ribes host.

*photo from https://www.fs.fed.us/rm/highelevationwhitepines/Threats/blister-rust-threat.htm*

The have been many attempts to contain this fungus, including the local eradication of Ribes species near susceptible Pinus habitats, pruning off infected areas from Pinus trees, pruning to raise Pinus canopies, as evidence suggests that the lower canopy is most commonly affected, and the development of resistance (4).

*photo from https://www.fs.fed.us/rm/highelevationwhitepines/Threats/blister-rust-threat.htm*

The complicated life cycle I described above is exactly why I LOVE rusts! With only one host capable of facilitating their sexual reproduction, and the alternate host required to accept it for the new genetic material to survive, it is amazing how effective they are (4)! I am still learning how to communicate complicated and detailed information to the general public, which is a skill stressed by our text, Interpreting Cultural and Natural Heritage for a Better World, in multiple chapters and for many reasons. I think that the most important reason I would like to develop this skill is because plants and fungus are very misunderstood by the general population, so if we can inspire interest in correcting misconceptions (5). For instance, I regularly encounter people who think that if they see fungus on a tree near their house that it is not safe and should be cut down. This is why urban areas are losing trees to rapidly. If people had the passion or interest needed to take the effort to research the fungus on their trees, they might realize that they do not pose a threat (5). Alternatively, they would be able to spot a hazard early enough that we might be able to prune out infected areas and save the whole tree from decay!

Finally, my questions for you are; if you could instill passion in the general public on one natural topic, what would it be and why? Also, if you have ANY questions about my post or rusts/fungus/trees please ask away, I’d love an opportunity to improve my ability to explain it!

Thanks for reading!

Katie the Treehugger

1)      Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry. (2014, July 18). White pine blister rust. Retrieved March 17, 2021, from https://www.ontario.ca/page/white-pine-blister-rust

2)      White pine blister Rust and its threat to to high elevation White Pines. (n.d.). Retrieved March 19, 2021, from https://www.fs.fed.us/rm/highelevationwhitepines/Threats/blister-rust-threat.htm

3)      Natural Resources Canada Government of Canada. (2015, July 24). White pine blister rust. Retrieved March 18, 2021, from https://tidcf.nrcan.gc.ca/en/diseases/factsheet/24

4)      Forest Pathology. (n.d.). White pine blister rust. Retrieved March 17, 2021, from https://forestpathology.org/rusts/white-pine-blister-rust/

Thanks so much for your informative and very interesting blog post. I’ve actually seen this type of fungus on so many trees in the past, but never actually understood what it was!

I think this is an awesome thing about nature interpretation; we allow people to make the jump from simply observing things in nature to fully understanding them. As our textbook puts it, interpretation goes beyond simply providing information; it reveals deeper meaning behind what we are observing (Beck et al. 2018), thus allowing us to connect different ecological concepts in our mind and expand our overall understanding of the form and function of nature as a whole.

I find invasive species to be so interesting! I think its especially amazing how  invasive plant species can survive (and better yet, thrive) in environments which they are not suited to or adapted for. This phenomena is called the “Invasive Plant Paradox” (Rout et al., 2009). How on earth can an invasive plant species integrate so successfully that they even start to outcompete the native species that have adapted to those very conditions for millennia? 

One suggested reason for this is related to the interactions between the invasive species and the soil microbes in the new environment. Essentially, in the new environment, there are often no pathogens present in the soil that have coevolved with the plant species itself, so they are unable to attack the new (invasive species) - which means it can grow and spread unhindered (Rout et al., 2009). Amazing!

Anyways, thanks again for your post, and I look forward to your future ones!

~Ty🐡

References: 

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

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)

Another thing I’ve noticed with outdoorsy music is that it often is full of romantic metaphors. It often feels as though these artists are trying to help us unravel and explain the complex ties between us and nature, much the same way that other artists try to help us understand what it feels like to love someone else. Same as with love, the feeling of being in nature is very hard to explain, but is undeniably present and absolutely refreshing to experience. 

As nature interpreters, it is up to us to try to share this feeling with others as best we can. Especially during the pandemic, when mental health illness is at an all time high and we are locked up inside the majority of the time, we should try to encourage people to escape to nature whenever possible in order to rejuvenate their soul and break up the humdrum of every day life. I know my hikes in nature have certainly helped me cope with everything going on!

I’ve never heard “Don’t Fence me In” (probably because its long before my time), but I really enjoyed listening to it. I definitely identify strongly with a lot of the sentiment expressed by Roy Rogers; I just wish I could travel by horse (like he does) instead of relying on my own two feet!

All the best, 

When I first read the quote written by Edward Hyams, that we were given this week for the blog prompt, I was intrigued and thought about all of the things that exist in our lives that have been here longer than us. An example can include an old forest with very large trees that have been around for hundreds of years. We do not know exactly how much older they are than us, but we can estimate and also the significance these trees may have on others. From this, I was very interested in knowing what was one of the oldest trees. So I did a google search and found out that The Great Basin Bristlecone Pine (Pinus Longaeva) is the oldest tree in the world (Price 2021).  Here is a link to the website, that you can read more about!  

“Pinus longaeva-Great Basin Bristlecone Pine” by campsjc is licensed under CC BY-SA 2.0

Reading at the quote brings up a lot of questions, but not as many answers. Such as, what ancient things have been scattered through time, and what time span are we talking about? This can include 100 years to 1,000 years or maybe only 20 years. Another question I thought about, was what things in history have lost their meaning to people and are now just some random thing? Also, what role does nature interpretation plays in history? I believe nature interpretation can bring a story or message to others, to understand the history and the meanings behind what is being told. Also, there are many educational advantages to interpreting history according to the textbook  (Beck et al., 2018). We ourselves have a deeper understanding of what is being interpreted, extending our knowledge greatly. Another thing I learned from the textbook, was that we interpreters can relate history to people’s personal lives  (Beck et al., 2018). This relation can get a stronger interest from the audience.

There are so many things that have been part of our lives since we were children or since our grandparents were children. I believe each thing, holds a sense of belonging or is dear to our hearts. This quote is a perfect example of the way I and others see the history of many “ancient things”, and definitely opens my eyes to see those such items in a new light. For example, the kitchen table at my parent’s home looks like a normal wooden table and chairs, but it isn’t. This table was passed down from my great-grandparents on my mom’s side, and was the first table they bought in Toronto when they immigrated from Italy. Both of my great-grandparents are not around anymore, however, I was very fortunate to have some memory of my great-grandmother when I was a child. This table’s history holds a special place in my heart that I shall always remember my great-grandmother and the start of a new journey for my family.  

Picture of my great-grandparents kitchen table. I took this.

Question Time! What is an object or place that holds historical significance that you are connected to? How do you see nature’s interpretation’s role in the world of history?

References

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

Campsjc. Pinus longaeva-Great Basin Bristlecone Pine [Photograph]. Creative Commons. https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0/

Thanks so much for your post; it’s been very interesting reading everyone’s different interpretations of this quote by Edward Hyams, and you certainly had a take on it that I felt was worth responding to.

It is certainly true that knowing the history of a place can help us as interpreters to give a more in depth story of how these natural areas came to be. In my view, there are two main angles to look at history from as it relates to natural areas; the natural history, which includes the geological and ecological processes that led to the physical arrangement of the area, as well as the human history, which includes how people have used this area in the past versus how they do in the present. Including both aspects in our nature interpretation efforts, in my view, allows for the most complete understanding of how these natural areas came to be. 

The dining room table at my home holds a personal significance to me, similar to the way your kitchen table at your parent’s house does. It is full of scrapes, scratches, and dings from when my brothers and I were younger, and continues to this day to be the one spot where my whole family can gather and spend hours upon hours talking with each other. It’s funny how we can attach this intense personal significance to certain material objects that other people wouldn’t look twice at...its as though they exist as our own personal memory vessels, providing us exclusive access to the memories we have made around them. Here’s the old gal:

Again, thanks for sharing, and I wish you all the best!

In Ontario we only have a few months a year of warm weather. I like to take advantage of it in every way possible, whether it be relaxing by the beach or pool, going for hikes or growing my own vegetable garden. This summer my Dad and I took on the task of trying to grow our own garden; we grew tomatos, zucchini, onions, peppers, squash, beans, radishes, broccoli and more. Luckily in Southern Ontario has a deep soil profile left behind from the pervious glacial period. Until recently, the surface was scattered with Carolinian forest, which turned cycles of organic nutrients to the topsoil.

Image: beets, tomatos and a squash from our garden; Summer 2020.

If you have the space and opportunity I would highly recommend growing your own food. Not only does it taste better but it also helps to reduce food waste creating a more sustainable future. Growing your own food also helps save money in the long run; you can simply harvest seeds from fruits and vegetables you already have plant them. Instead of buying produce from the grocery store where the fruits and vegetables are imported you know your home grown food is fresh and local. Also, I find home grown food actually taste better and is fresher, you know where your food is coming from.

Image: our garden from summer 2021 in our backyard

Growing your own food benefits the environment as well. Trucks, planes or boats are used to import fruit and vegetables which are powered by fossil fuels which creates air pollution having a negative impact on the environment. In fact, according to the national zero waste council research on household food waste in Canada, almost 2.2 million tonnes of edible food is wasted each year costing Canadians $17 billion dollars (City of Toronto, 2021). Also, 58% of all food produced in Canada is wasted (City of Toronto, 2021). Growing your own food allows you to only take what you need at that time. Also, growing your own food allows one to preserve excess produce. My Dad and I created a ton of tomato sauce out of the extra tomato’s we had and gave them to friends and family.

Image: Our seeds growing before we planted them in the garden.

Also, gardening your own food allows you to get physical activity and bonding time with a friend or family member. Also, being out in the sunshine allows you to work on your tan and get much needed vitamin D after Canada’s long winters. I believe that the way we as a society are going now we are going to have to grow our own food, so mine as well learn now. As COVID has increased the price of fresh produce it is a good idea to start preparing your own food.

Image: my brothers and I digging up the grass to make room for the garden.

A few questions for you…

Have you ever grown your own food? If so what did you grow and what was your experience?

I think everyone should try growing their own fruits and vegetables at least once in their life! It can be such a rewarding experience, and as you said, can be a great way for you to connect with family and friends.

I spent last summer on an organic farm near Abbotsford, BC. It was an absolutely amazing experience being able to work outside every day, with white capped mountains surrounding me from all sides. But the true takeaway from this experience was that I really gained an appreciation for the agricultural sector. I began to understand the massive amount of work that was required to maintain and grow crops (especially organic ones!), through pest management, harvesting, irrigating, and so much more. I became very thankful for having access to high quality foods and vegetables throughout my life, and recognized that I should be more appreciative for the of the hours work that went into making every little thing that appeared on my dinner plate. 

I can also say that there is DEFINITELY a difference in taste between store-bought and hand-picked vegetables. This may just be in my mind; but I truly believe that something that came straight from your garden and into your salad bowl just tastes better. If this isn't a good enough reason to try out gardening, then I don’t know what is! 

Thanks so much for your post; you have convinced me to grow my own veggies this summer :)

Best,

When thinking about the influence of art on nature interpretation, I begin to reminisce on faun memories that I had in nature and recognize its intrinsic value on my childhood. While I am not an artist or photographer, and I have minimal artistic capabilities; I enjoy interpreting the world around me through photography and through bringing my friends into the environment that I love, wetlands! 

As can be seen from my previous posts, I adore wetland environments, in particular the Long Point watershed. Growing up in this surrounding I fell in love with the hobby of fishing and it quickly turned into something I would invest all of my hard-earned chore money into. Spending money on lures, sunscreen and boat gas, I would dedicate hours of my time trying to catch the next biggest fish. Due to my innocence at the time, catching a bigger fish than the last would be more challenging that I thought; however, I would still catch big fish! As a result, on February 15, 2015 I started an Instagram page known as Longpointbassin where I would post pictures of my catches.

Initially the page was just an outlet to post all of the fish that I was catching. I would catch different species of fish, explain the lures and methods I was using as well as display my boat and equipment set up. At the time I was just proud to let people know that the little boy that they remembered wandering around the marina with a fishing pole could now actually catch a fish; well a couple of fish. 

Screen capture of my fishing Instagram page, Longpointbassin.

Now after five years of growth, when I look at this Instagram page I have over 10,000 followers and a tight knit community of fishing enthusiasts that have recognized my passion and continue to follow my account for fishing updates. I didn’t realize it at the time, but I was interpreting the Long Point watershed fishery for other sport fisherman. Through my pictures and interactions through this platform I was able to instill the ability, the desire, and the sense of beauty of this landscape (Beck et al, 2019). Utilizing large fish, pretty sunsets and explanations of equipment that I used, I was able to provide uplifting and encouraging proactive fishing measures to a public audience that was also interested in the Long Point watershed (Beck et al, 2019). In the future I hope to continue to grow my large circle of social media friends with the hope to ensure this resource is preserved for years to come.

Along with social media, I also truly enjoy bringing my friends to this wetland environment so that they are able to experience a piece of my adolescence. From past experiences, simple events such as catching a fish, especially a recognized game fish (a fish larger than a panfish) is a whirlwind of emotions. From the initial hook set, to the fish jumping on the end of the line, these highly exciting moments are what makes an outdoor experience memorable and is the metaphorical hook that brings them back to the outdoors.

Photo of my friends and I after a successful day at Long Point, Ontario. August 30, 2020. 

Question: Do you remember a ‘metaphorical hook’ that kept you coming back to the outdoors?

References

I can definitely identify with the “gear addiction”, especially as it relates to fishing. Outdoor stores are a happy place for me, and I have been known to spend hours there perusing through the various lures and bait and other miscellaneous gear. I don’t know the degree to which having this gear helped me catch fish...but it was good to know it was there if I needed it!

It’s funny, looking back on the growth of your Instagram page now, and realizing that you have been doing nature interpretation the whole time. You are helping bring people closer to the outdoors, by sharing experiences of yours of something you are truly passionate about, and I think that’s really awesome. I think many bloggers this week focused on the “visual arts” as it relates to nature interpretation, but the art of photography is an absolutely essential tool for nature interpretation, and I’m glad you brought attention to it. 

In my view, these pictures you have been sharing really demonstrate the complexity and depth of nature. It demonstrates the fact that animals are constantly interacting with each other in their ecosystems (i.e. bass attacking a perch from behind), and that our human eyes are very often not privy to these amazing interactions. It shows people that nature is worth investigating and understanding, and is not something that should or could be taken at face value. The fact that you have gained such a following on instagram showing off these fish and the beautiful environments you have caught them in is very uplifting to me; in the age of video games and tiktok and Netflix, people are still interested in outdoor recreation and everything it has to offer.

(Personal photo: a largemouth I caught at Sydenham Lake, near Kingston. I realize now it pales in comparison to the monsters in some of your instagram posts!)

Again, thanks so much for sharing, and I look forward to your future posts!

Privileges are when a certain group of people in society have special benefits or advantages without doing anything to merit those advantages. These privileges can be due to factors such as race, gender, sexual orientation, class, ability, etc.

Most of the time, privilege is innate - it is something we are born with. Many of those that are privileged are not even aware of the fact that they are. For example, for most of my life I was unaware that I had certain privileges due to my race, sexual orientation, etc., reinstating the fact that we need to continually educate ourselves about privilege, and remember why it is important to have an understanding of it.

I think it is important for everyone to unpack their invisible backpack, to allow yourself to see the opportunities and experiences in life that you have had access to. By doing so, it allows for individuals to expand their views and understanding of systemic injustices at play. It is vital to be cognizant that not everyone has had the same opportunities in life due to their social location. This can be helpful on an individual level to not take small things in life for granted. Simply having access to clean drinking water every day is a privilege many of us do not even realize that we have.

So what is in my invisible backpack you may ask? What privileges do I have? Well let’s unpack our backpacks together.

To start off, I am a white, cisgender, able-bodied woman. I am a Canadian citizen, with English as my first language, and have had access to higher education due to having financial support from my middle-class parents. These are just a few factors that have contributed to my privilege, and as such, I have been given opportunities that I did not necessarily earn. As a result of these opportunities, I have gone through life taking these advantages for granted and not recognizing them as privilege.

Personal Photo: This is a photo of me that my mom took during one of our walks over Christmas break. Taken by P. Nowak, 2020.

Unpacking your invisible backpack can be an uncomfortable and difficult task for many. However, it is important for people to reflect and challenge their thinking surrounding privilege and truly recognize the systems they have been benefiting from. By doing this, it has allowed me to realize the opportunities in nature that I have had the chance to experience due to my privilege, and recognize that others may not have had the same opportunities.

Growing up, I lived in a rural area surrounded by nature and farmland. Admittedly, this has allowed me access to quiet country roads to walk, run, and explore. Additionally, with access to family vehicles, I was always able to accompany my family on walks and hikes through local forests or conversation areas. In being able-bodied, I have had the freedom to hike whenever it was convenient and without assistance. I am able to interpret nature with all of the five senses, and I feel that many able-bodied people fail to consider this a privilege. Moreover, ever since I can remember, my family has owned a sailboat and has had access to the open water of Lake Huron in Goderich, ON.

Personal Photo: This photo of the beach in Goderich, ON. Taken by J. Droog, 2020.

Personal Photo: Photo of snow covered trees on the edge of our property. Taken by J. Droog, 2021.

I think it's so interesting that being privileged is something you often cannot recognize on your own. However, all it takes is one thorough explanation (like the video we watched in this week’s unit) to make it immediately clear that you are and always have been truly lucky to have certain things in your life, things which you have never thought twice about like having food in the fridge or being seen as an equal in the eyes of the law. Once you make this realization, I believe it never leaves you; it makes you more gracious for your own opportunities and more empathetic of the lives of others around you for the remainder of your life. 

Unpacking one’s invisible backpack can certainly bring feelings of discomfort and maybe even embarrassment. I think this is because people like to think that they are self-made, that they have gotten where they are today because of their own resilience and determination. However, I truly believe that refusing to accept the fact that you are privileged in your life and that you started 10 steps ahead of the average person is a sign of absolute ignorance. Tackling this realization head-on allows you to move on in your life a more humble, gracious, and empathetic person.

As a side note: I love that you referenced your cottage in Goderich! In fact, my extended have several cottages in Port Elgin (just a short drive up the coast from Goderich), a place in which I have spent many months of my life enjoying. Lake Huron has a special place in my heart. 

(A photo of myself and my brother on the beaches of Port Elgin, circa 2012)

Thanks so much for your post, and I wish you all the best!

I don’t like public speaking. I don’t know when exactly it started, though I have a suspicion it was in the midst of adolescent insecurity. Regardless, I have a genuine fear that the people I present in front of are silently judging me. This took quite a while to deal with, and even now in my late 20s, its still with me. I feel it every time there’s a crack in my voice or a trembling in my hands when I must stand and present for a crowd.

So why I would even want to enroll in something like Nature Interpretation? Well because I want, and need, to get better. One of the biggest issues environmental causes face is bad PR. While public awareness may have increased since the rise of the internet, it does not mean that understanding has done so in stride. We often see articles telling us about the hopelessness of climate change and the steps our leaders are -not- taking to steer us clear. This can overwhelm an audience and make them disengage in the topic. “If it’s that big an issue, I’m too small to fix it.” If we truly want to get more people involved in the stewardship of nature, we need to bring it to a more relatable level. I think that’s why I feel my ideal environmental interpretation role would be in outreach for a smaller organization, such as a non-profit. Having worked for environmental non-profits, I’ve seen firsthand what outreach entails. It can be connecting with schools, or businesses, or even to other organizations hosting events. Whether its arranging planting events or setting up booths to teach kids about the animals in their own backyard, it’s the sort of work that sparks engagement in the community and gets people personally invested in nature.

A juvenile sunfish collected during a fishing event held by a non-profit organization. Photo by me.

With that I think one of the most important skills one can have in any communication role is empathy. You’re always going to have to interact with people who have a different perspective than you. In nature interpretation, this can manifest itself in several different ways, such as misunderstandings, to outright frustration. But I think approaching these situations with patience and compassion can lead to greater learning outcomes for those involved. I remember last summer stopping my nephew from squishing a bee in our yard because, as he put it, “bees sting you.” I took the opportunity to teach him about how bees are important for the earth, and how rare it is for them to sting a person (Here is a great article by Canadian Geographic if you want a crash course on bees). We are always learning in life, and how we learn is unique for every person on the planet. The best educators are those who can bring out the best in those we are teaching…Even if you get a little tongue tied while doing it!

A sweat bee, one of the many bees that get a bad wrap from public misinformation. Photo taken by me.

I’d love to hear if people agree or disagree about my feelings on outreach? Do you think that smaller, community efforts are the way to go, or are larger scale campaigns the best way to get people involved?

Cheers, 

Thanks so much for your post; a lot of what you mentioned really resonated with me (for starters, the fear of public speaking😉). 

I think it's so true that public outreach is one of the most important aspects of modern-day environmentalism. It helps people understand that they are not alone in the fight against climate change, further propagating the idea that collective action induces change. There is nothing more motivating than knowing there are many people out there equally as concerned about climate issues as you are. I also believe that garnering an appreciation for nature in the public is a necessary first step in ‘recruiting’ more people to the climate cause; people first need to know about what they are striving to protect before they can begin protecting it. 

I loved that story about your nephew and the bee. I feel like children most often haven't been taught about the interconnectedness and complexity of earth’s ecosystems, and as such, tend not to view, say, an insect (especially a stinging one!) as an essential component of ecosystem function. I believe it is up to us to educate these younger folks on the important role each component of the natural world plays. 

(Personal photo: this is a beautiful swallowtail that I captured at a farm I worked at over the summer. Thought you would appreciate it!)

This leads me to my answer to the question you posed at the end of the post. For me, I think a combination of both small-scale community outreach and large-scale campaigns is required to really make a difference regarding the issue of climate change. Small-scale community education is needed first in order to get people interested in the concept of nature as a whole and garner their appreciation for its beauty and complexity. Large scale campaigns, however, bring people together across the world together to tackle a common cause; they are what truly induces action. I think this is because when people feel that they are a part of something bigger, they strive to work harder because their goals seem that much more in reach. 

Thanks for sharing your thoughts!

All the best,