Vic (She/Her)

I want to begin this post by saying thank you to everyone for taking the time to read and respond to these posts! I loved reading about everyone’s personal experiences on concepts this class has presented us with. I probably would not discuss these topics without this class.

We started off the blogs by discussing our relationships with nature. I found my childhood has a lot to do with the way I interpret nature and my family and friends play a large role in these experiences. The idea of” invisible backpacks” and how we all carry our knowledge and experiences with us when interpreting any situation, was a crucial part of the blogs in the starting weeks. In unit 2 we had the opportunity to discuss the role of environmental interpreters and how the roles may vary depending on where you are in the world. We then discussed our own ideal roles as interpreters, and I specifically chose to look at plastics and wastes. The following week the role of “privilege” was discussed, later in this post I will discuss why I think it is crucial to acknowledge how privileged we really are. Then we looked at different interpretation of nature such as art and music, followed by the role of history. The reason for this really brief wrap up is because all of these posts lead into this weeks prompt. Putting all these ideas together, we are able to answer the question of how we would describe our person ethic as a nature interpreter.  

In terms of my personal ethic as a nature interpreter I think the biggest belief I bring is that everyone is free to and should interpret nature in their own way. In other words, there is no right or wrong way to interpret nature. I also believe it is important that we do not take the opportunities we have for granted. We are living in a time where everyone is constantly on the go, and I think practicing gratitude is often overlooked. Getting caught up in day-to-day life, especially those who work in a closed office 9-5, get stuck in their routine and having been there before, I found myself really missing my afternoon hikes and adventures I went on during the pandemic. I began to appreciate the smaller things like sunsets while coming back from work or the beautiful clear sky on my way to work. Here is one of the beautiful pictures I got to take right outside my workplace!

A lot of my beliefs stem from my childhood and how I was brought up. My parents always emphasized the importance of gratitude, whether that be the food on your table, the trips you are able to take or the heat in your house. It is important to note that privilege is also interpreted in different ways by every individual, so what I see as a privilege may not be seen as one for someone else.

The idea of “invisible backpacks” comes back to me when thinking about the beliefs I bring as a nature interpreter. The “baggage” we all carry with us allows our interpretations to different (Beck et al., 2018). I mentioned in one of my first blogs that this can be something as simple as looking in the sky and seeing a cloud shaped as a bunny, whereas someone else might see the same cloud as a cat.

As I was looking through some articles, I found a lot of them come back to teachers and school settings. Teachers’ beliefs about the nature of knowledge and learning have an impact on curriculum selection, teaching tactics and assessment procedures. Teachers’ beliefs influence their learning objectives and plans (Li, 2018). The research in this study is relatable to a nature interpretation perspective as it allows you as an interpreter to use your thoughts and experiences to guide your peers, friends and family. Something as simple as going on a walk on a summer night where you look up at the stars can be influences by an interest in an astronomy. Findings in this case study, specifically of students and teachers’ perspectives on the education of translators and interpreters, show factors not related to schooling may have an effect on how effectively teachers instruct their students (Li, 2018). When I think back to my days in grade school, I realize my favourite teachers were those who I was able to relate to and had similar interests and traits as me. I vividly remember my gym teacher being my favourite because he shared an interest in the same sports as me.

In terms of responsibilities, I believe sharing and showcasing the beauty of nature is something I am responsible for. As I mentioned in an older blog, I love taking pictures, so sharing these with family and friends on social media or in person is something I feel responsible for. Having a section of my personal social media to display my passion for photography is a way for me to express myself, which I am so grateful for. Stories, dances, and songs serve a range of functions in various cultures from amusement to instruction, as was discussed in the course notes (Hooykaas, 2020). We are able to see a wide variety of talent presentation in different ways because we live in such a multicultural society (Hooykaas, 2020). Personally, photography, listening to different genres of music, and being a dancer having done hip-hop and bhangra (Folk dance that originated in Punjab) are some of the few opportunities I have had to explore different cultures and practices. I am sure I am not the only one, so I’d love to hear from you guys!

Here's another picture I had the opportunity to capture at the Arboretum here in Guelph!

I have loved writing these blogs and reading everyone’s in return! Being able to connect with everyone has been a great opportunity. Have a great rest of the semester!

References

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

Hooykaas, A. (2020). ENVS 3000 Unit 10: Nature Interpretation's Role in Environmental Sustainability [Courselink Content] https://courselink.uoguelph.ca/d2l/le/content/791355/viewContent/3306935/View

I also found the discussion on the role of environmental interpreters fascinating. It's amazing to see how the roles of interpreters vary across the globe and how they are crucial in raising awareness about environmental issues. I was particularly drawn to your choice of interpreter role, which was to focus on plastics and waste. It's an issue that's very close to my heart, and I think it's crucial to raise awareness about the impact of plastics on our environment.

Furthermore, I completely agree with your stance on privilege. It's important to acknowledge how privileged we are, and how our privileges may differ from those of others. It's interesting to see how different interpretations of privilege can impact our relationship with nature, and it's important to keep this in mind when discussing environmental issues.

Until this semester I had honestly never heard the term “nature interpreter”. I read the course description for this course and I thought it sounded interesting. I wanted to try something different and did not know what to expect. I have been very pleasantly surprised by how much I have enjoyed this class, and I now do feel that I have a thorough understanding of what it means to be a nature interpreter and how I would personally approach nature interpretation.

One of the first blog posts that we did in this class had us reflect on our privilege. This was a really eye opening experience for me. I knew that I held a lot of privilege in the sense of my ability to get a good education and live in a nice place etc… However I had never really thought about how privileged I am to live in a place where I can frequently immerse myself in nature, as well as the privilege I have to be able to travel and experience new places. Also the privilege that I have the time and can afford to take time to go outside for hikes or go to my cottage. This is not something that can be a part of everyone's lifestyle, and this is a privilege. In the textbook they discuss the importance of getting to know your audience as much as possible in order to maximize their experience (Beck, 2018). This includes information regarding the audience members privilege as this may impact the approach that you need to take. Privilege covers a wide scope of things ranging from gender to race to income to even geographic location (Beck, 2018). Personally if I get a chance to go forward as a nature interpreter one of the main things I will take from this class is I need to try and learn about my audience so I can cater the experience to their needs. This is a very important aspect of my personal ethics in regards to nature interpretation.

I need to not just know my audience for the sake of taking into consideration varying privilege, but also in regards to audience members' age and varying learning styles. I have learned a lot from trying to make two podcasts with the same topic for two different age groups. I have learned that age is a huge factor when considering how you want to go about talking to your audience. The textbook discusses the need for balance when presenting to an audience (Beck, 2018). There needs to be a balance between the information that is being given and the fun aspects that will keep your audience engaged and the information (Beck, 2018). This balance is going to be different for children vs adults and this is crucial. Also it is important to recognise that different people have different learning styles (Beck, 2018). Personally going forward I will try and incorporate aspects that benefit people who are hands-on learners, learn audibly, and learn visually (Beck, 2018). I think with a little bit of creativity this can be done in most settings.I was not able to have a visual component in my podcast but I do feel that we made sure to have parts supporting the other two learning styles. It is important to my personal ethics that all people with all learning types can take something away from the experience.

I also think as a nature interpreter I will hold a lot of responsibility. First of all I think that I am able to effect change with my role as a nature interpreter, and I need to try and take advantage of this to make a positive impact. In the textbook it says, "By  following the guiding principles of interpretation the recipients of the interpretation are more likely to be moved by their experiences and will recognize, more deeply, both their privileges and obligations toward the planet, therefore making it a better place"(Beck, 2018). I am personally very passionate about the environment and trying to make small changes to help our environment. I think that as a nature interpreter I have the responsibility to try and help educate people on what is going on with our planet, and what small changes we can all do to help our environment. I also think as a nature interpreter that is leading a group of people I hold the responsibility of making sure that everyone feels comfortable. The article that discusses unpacking our invisible backpack goes into detail regarding the importance of making sure that everyone from all cultures and all backgrounds feels welcome (Gallavan, 2005). It is my responsibility to treat all members of my audience equally and with kindness. It is also my responsibility to ensure that this is the standard within my audience members as well. Both of these responsibilities are in line with the personal ethics I value and want to hold myself to. 

Overall I think that the idea of bringing a group of people together to hopefully inspire them and have them take something away from our time together is a really beautiful thing. I hope that as a nature interpreter I can adequately account for varying privileges and make everyone feel comfortable and welcome, as I would say this is what is most important to me as far as my ethics go. I also hope that I can inspire people to have an open mind and truly be impacted from the experience. Perhaps audience members will even be inspired to make changes regarding the health of our planet. I hope that I can create an environment where my group feels open to share experiences and stories, so that I too can learn and grow. 

References:

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

I also found it interesting how age and learning styles play a role in how we present information. I think it's important to find a balance between giving out information and making the experience fun and engaging for the audience. As you mentioned, we should incorporate different learning styles into our nature interpretation so that everyone can take something away from it.

As nature interpreters, I agree that we hold a lot of responsibility. We have the opportunity to make a positive impact and inspire people to make changes for the betterment of our planet. I think it's important to use our role as nature interpreters to educate people on the environment and what small changes we can make to help it. It's also crucial that we create a welcoming environment for everyone in our audience, regardless of their background or culture.

It feels super strange to not have an official prompt this week, but I do already know what I want to talk about and share with you guys. I've mentioned repeatedly throughout my blogs my most favourite undergrad volunteering opportunity has been with Wild Ontario. It's a program that uses non-releasable raptors to educate about conservation and human impact on wildlife.

I was indirectly prompted to write a blog purely about my time and upcoming opportunities that I'm excited about with Wild Ontario because of Jenny and Kitty from the Arboretum Walk Video, both of whom I met when I first started as a volunteer as they were also volunteers at the time I had joined. Below is a photo from a program I helped with during COVID with two of my peers. We did a presentation featuring (left to right) Atwood the Northern Saw-whet owl, Apollo the American Kestrel, and Indiana the Red-tailed Hawk who are all non-releasable due to some form of human impact (permanent injury, imprint, habituation, etc.).

I recently decided to take the course for an internship in biological science. I was able to get a placement with Wild Ontario after being a volunteer for almost 4 years. I've learned a lot from everyone in the program about birds and nature interpretation like changing your talks for different goals and audiences, avoiding jargon that turns people off your message, and how providing a personal and unique experience engages with people so much more.

I've learned that as excited and passionate as you are about a topic, not everyone will stick around to learn about every single thing you've learned. Figuring out the wants and needs of your audience can be tricky to gauge because sometimes you can only get a sentence in before they walk away. This keeps it interesting though, and definitely has taken me time to accept and work on.

For example, above is a screenshot from the article linked, where a writer for Guelph Today was interviewing some of us volunteers and taking photos for an article. The picture shows me and Sibley, a Red-tailed hawk, but the caption names a different bird Freyja, and another picture is captioned with things that aren't about the bird I'm seen with. I was a bit surprised at the mistake but the dude was super excited and I understand it was a lot to take in from all the birds he met and stories he heard, so it's fine he mixed up the two birds that look alike (they are the same species after all). Here's a side by side of Sibley (left) and Freyja (right), the Red-tailed Hawks, and if you can tell the difference between them I applaud you.

On the 15th I leave for the International Association of Avian Trainers and Educators conference in Orlando, and I'm going with some other Wild Ontario members! I'm super stoked to learn more about not only cool training ideas and protocols for birds, but also learn more about the industry, get some networking in, and learning more about how to be the best educator I can be and how to apply it to my nature interpretation! I hope to have another opportunity to share an update on what I learned after!

I believe everyone is entitled to interpret nature through art. Whether it is through the action of creating art oneself, or appreciating the interpretive eye of another, everyone benefits when beauty is captured. As Interpreters, one of our main objectives is to inspire in others a love and appreciation for the natural world. We have previously discussed verbal instruction and other teaching methods to achieve this goal, but I believe self expression through visual art can be just as effective. When we create nature-related art that can be externally appreciated and considered, we are inherently using this medium to achieve our goals. As stated by Beck et al. in Interpreting Cultural and Natural Heritage For a Better World; “Interpretation should instill in people the ability, and the desire, to sense the beauty in their surroundings– to provide spiritual uplift and to encourage resource preservation” (Beck et al., 2018). If one can use knowledge and language to spread a sense of wonder and beauty in their surroundings, why not a paintbrush?

In fact, I would argue that art is one of the most subtle, gentle ways of sharing an idea. Through this medium, people are able to consider a visual display of your thoughts in their own time, in their own way. It doesn’t have to be a particularly prominent piece of art to be powerful, either. I remember a time I went to a gallery in central Ontario, and I was struck by a purple painting of a forest in the winter. I just loved the imagery of the purple snow, and I stared at it for a long time. That painting didn’t impart me with a set of facts, or a piece of knowledge, or a history lesson. But it was beautiful. In some small way, its existence reaffirmed the love I have for the winter forest. In some small way, art reaffirms the beauty of the world.

Beauty is everywhere in nature, and every person on this earth is better off for knowing it is there. Creativity is a wonderful way to share its abundance. I will always enjoy seeing other people’s interpretations of the world around them, and I will always enjoy the act of interpreting it myself. I love to draw, and in my mind there is nothing more peaceful than sitting somewhere with my sketchbook and drawing a flower, or maybe a frog, or maybe a little hummingbird. The beauty of nature isn’t always in the most obvious places, either; sometimes it is found on the glittery back of a tiny beetle, or the complex underside of a wild mushroom. These little moments and processes all have their place in our world, and artists are able to capture them accordingly. “Interpreters gladly accept the thesis that beauty is in the hard-to-perceive order of the universe. Visitors may share similar preferences if given a chance to understand" (Beck et al., 2018). The natural world is magical. With the use of art, we can help others understand. 

Work Cited

Privilege is a tricky thing to define, as it comes in many forms, however I would define it as an unearned advantage in life. Privilege means not having to worry about as many obstacles in life as others, and this is usually taken for granted.

I consider myself quite privileged. I have a family, housing, easy access to food, and I have been enrolled in a University program for almost 4 years now. I am only in the position I am in because of my supportive family, which I did not ‘earn’ per se. It is very easy to take things like this for granted, but it is so important to recognize that I, along with many others, have a safety net when taking risks - something that a lot of people do not have. Regardless of how independent I am or become, I have my family to turn to in a time of crisis, which gives me yet another advantage that was thrust upon me simply by happenstance.

I always believed that I worked towards my university degree and earned it by getting good grades in high school, and getting a job to make money towards my tuition, but I realise that without the comfortable life I have been given, this would not have been nearly as easy. Without the emotional and financial support of my parents growing up, none of these opportunities would have been possible, even when working my first job at Tim Hortons in high school, my parents very often had to drive me to and from shifts. As well as this, they assisted me when preparing for my interview for that job, as well as multiple others. 

I have mentioned in my previous posts how much I have enjoyed going for hikes, and going camping with family, which I know is what led me to study environmental sciences and ecology at Guelph. However, I only gained these experiences because my parents spent time and money to share their passion for nature with me, not because I worked for it or earned it.

In the field of Nature Interpretation, or Environmental Sciences as a whole, I realize I have an advantage over those who did not attend university, or experience some of the things I was able to do while growing up. Everyone should be able to experience nature freely, and sadly this is not possible for all. Being an able-bodied, young, heterosexual male, I will face little to no prejudice or obstacles when looking for opportunities in this, or any field of work. For example, if I wanted to travel for a nature hike that I think might benefit me, I am able to, which is not the case for many people facing financial struggles, or physical struggles or disabilities.

Privilege is defined in many ways but my interpretation is that privilege is the inherent advantage someone has being part of a majority or power-holding group over an equity-seeking group.

Some examples of things found in my invisible backpack are:

A high level of education in English

A privileged, safe childhood

Access to affordable healthcare for my body and mind

In my opinion, recognition of privilege should be a top priority when sharing nature connection with others. In recent years, calling someone privileged can be seen as an insult, but people who think this way fail to understand privilege. There is no shame in having privilege, however, it comes with the responsibility to be mindful of how you carry your privilege in your daily life.

While in nature, I’ve had many opportunities to reflect on privilege, how I can use it to help others, and how I can be consistently mindful of it. When communicating nature to others, I have the responsibility to acknowledge my privilege and be cognisant of my place.

There are many ways to outwardly and inwardly acknowledge privilege, but I tend to rely on gratitude for everything, no matter how mundane. I am grateful for my coat in the winter for keeping me warm and for my ability to purchase a coat at all. I am grateful my time outside has allowed me to adjust to situations I thought were scary. I take the things I am grateful for and ensure that I am able to apply what I know to make others feel safe and respected. For example, acknowledging that someone may not have the clothing necessary to be completely comfortable in the cold. I would take time to understand that they value nature connection enough to come out in the cold anyway. We can make room to build fires together, walk to stay warm, or make tea. There usually is no need to bring attention to what others may not have, as this may be unintentionally isolating, but making internal adjustments that allow someone to feel comfortable can be all it takes to use your privilege in a positive way. 

I am an abundantly privileged person, but as a mixed woman pursuing jobs in outdoor education. I take extra care to ensure people who are like me are comfortable, heard, and understood. When a young black girl comes to programs in the forest, I go out of my way to make her feel seen and prevent her from feeling like she does not belong in nature. In a girls’ outdoor program I volunteered with, they talked about the pressure they felt to present more masculine when participating in nature connection. They mention that they feel too “embarrassed” or “out of place” to come to the forest with makeup on, in a sparkly dress, or in any “excessively feminine” way. This is another barrier I actively try to break when I share nature connection with others. “Girly girls” are allowed to enjoy nature, play in dirt, chop wood for fires, climb trees, and hold bugs. I take time to actively step away from the implied masculinity of spending time outside. 

I am a visual and tactile learner, I enjoy seeing how things work and why things are as they are in real-time. For example, my work at the Outdoor School introduced me to one of my favourite plants, Jewelweed. When I was first introduced to Jewelweed, it was explained to me that it was a friend in the forest. It is named Jewelweed for the way it glistens in the rain, and nicknamed a 'touch-me-not' for the way the seed pods burst when brushed. It was vital for me to know and recognize because it could help soothe poison ivy rashes and bug bites. However, when I was told this, it was winter. The plants were covered with snow, there were no bugs to be concerned about or seed pods to pop.

When summer programming started, new kids arrived at the forest with different levels of personal connection and comfort with nature. My most memorable moment of nature connection came from a rough situation. A 10-year-old boy came to programming in one of the last weeks of summer. On a wander to a nearby creek, he went to explore up a hill and, unfortunately, stepped on a ground wasp nest. He came running back, screaming that he had been bitten by wasps. The bites were already growing and he was becoming paranoid that the wasps were following him. We ran back to camp together to get some water and cool down. I told him I knew just the thing that would help, Jewelweed. Together we crushed up the stems and talked about ways Jewelweed could be used to help itching and pain, how its leaves glimmer in the mist and its bright orange flowers that can be spotted from far away.

When he reunited with the group he took it upon himself to show them how he was able to feel better. He led them to a patch of Jewelweed and they all listened as he explained that the stems are more helpful than leaves at soothing, and how they are capable of magically gleaming. 

Through this story, each aspect can connect to the stages of flow learning by Joseph Cornell (Beck et al. 2018). The first stage is awakening enthusiasm, by encouraging teamwork between the boy and I to help him, he was excited to go and look for the Jewelweed with me (Beck et al. 2018). Secondly, is focusing attention. I described to him how to use and crush the stems and mindfully and respectfully forage to protect the forest (Beck et al. 2018). The third stage is direct experience, the moment he felt pain relief from the Jewelweed, he was able to trust not only me but the land he was on to help him (Beck et al. 2018). The final step is sharing inspiration, when he told the group his own experience, they were able to bond as a group and collectively understand the power of the land around them (Beck et al. 2018). 

The nature interpreter I want to combine all these stages and ensures a genuine, authentic, memorable connection to the outdoors. I've attached an image of some Jewelweed below! (Courtesy of Wikimedia Commons) For those interested, the leaves are hydrophobic so water beads rest on top and look like small gems :)

Reference:

FunforLouis, Eva zu Beck and Rayawashere were some of my favorite travel youtubers when I was younger. These influencers inspired me into wanting to create a life where I can experience the wonders of the world and all of its natural beauty.  Since the time I was a kid, I have always loved creating and editing videos. Whether these videos were fun challenges, vlogs or silly skits it has always been a hobby of mine. Being completely immersed with wanting to create the lifestyle that these vloggers had, they completely inspired me to create my own travel content. So in 2015 when I went to Colombia I recorded my very first travel vlog. I initially visited my family in Bogota and then flew into Cartagena, this is where I captured the wildlife, the landscape and the people of this wonderful place. Over the span of three years I continued to occasionally create these vlogs, some took place in a family vacation in Mexico, or when I went ice fishing with friends. While I have been writing this blog post, I have actively been rewatching a lot of these videos. A couple of seconds in a video bring back so many valuable memories and incredibly fun experiences. 

I mention my passion for cinematography to introduce my ideal role as an environmental interpreter. This ideal role would entail the creation of vlogs in various places around the world. These videos would capture and highlight the wildlife and natural landscapes in the country I have traveled to. The vlogs would be a source of learning, with education based on environmental processes, landscapes, information on the local wildlife and the ecological dynamics that occur in these natural areas. These videos would also incorporate different aspects of these communities with an emphasis on appreciating the culture and diversity. This could take place anywhere, whether I go to Australia, camping in New Zealand or swimming in the beaches of thailand. All of these places provide opportunities to learn and to educate others. 

There are many skills that are required for this ideal position, with an emphasis on communication, editing, cinematography and adaptability skills. Communication is very important, it is the way that I will communicate to my audience and to the locals. Strength in this sector can allow for efficient learning and comprehension, it can allow for deeper conversations which can lead to a deeper world of knowledge in these communities. Editing and cinematography skills are very valuable in order to create a story that actively captures the wildlife and engages the viewer. Adaptability is always important when traveling to new countries, especially when there is a drastic change in culture. 

It would be an amazing experience to be able to combine two of my favorite things and create a successful career. The inspiration came at a very young age for me, and has shaped the way I would like to live my life. It makes me wonder if any of you have also had someone (or multiple people) in your life that have inspired you into what you consider as an ideal role as an environmental interpreter?