Hey @dmenvs3000w24,

I really enjoyed reading your final blog post. I also believe that continual learning is one of the most critical aspects needed to become a nature interpreter. Researchers studying nature make breakthroughs every day, and information and theories we take for granted become outdated in mere months. If a nature interpreter is not open to learning, being corrected, and changing their viewpoint on specific subjects, they might be prone to sharing outdated or false knowledge when interacting with their audience. This would be a hazardous situation as your audience is putting their faith in you, the nature interpreter, as being a source of nature knowledge.

I also agree that we should emphasize and understand different perspectives when interacting with nature. I believe that local populations are almost always the most educated individuals when studying in a new environment. The locals usually have spent multiple generations interacting with their environment, so they would know what plants and animals roam the environment, weather patterns, and any unusual sightings. Their perspective is critical as differences usually exist no matter how similar two different ecosystems seem. The differences can be the invasive organisms, climate change effect, or human influence affecting the ecosystem. Most researchers who don’t live in the area would not be able to understand the differences on first arrival without consulting and surveying the region's locals.  

My Journey as a Nature Interpreter

As a nature interpreter, the overall journey isn’t just about passing on knowledge, but also about creating a strong connection between individuals in our community and the natural world around us. This role brings forth a deep sense of responsibility, both towards the environment as well as the people around us that we engage with. Being a nature interpreter is a journey that requires a solid foundation of personal ethics, beliefs, and approaches to ensure that every interaction that we have will serve the greater good of both humanity and the planet. 

At the core of my personal ethics as a nature interpreter are several different foundational beliefs that aid in my journey. Interconnectedness, stewardship, empathy, and continual learning are the keys to becoming a well developed nature interpreter. Interconnectedness is important as I believe that all living beings and ecosystems are all connected as one. Every action, big or small, all have reactions and consequences that create a ripple effect that extends far beyond our immediate lives and surroundings. Recognizing this interconnectedness allows for me as a nature interpreter, to approach my work with a sense of humility and respect for the intricacy of life around me. 

Stewardship is another key belief to becoming a nature interpreter that I believe I bring with me on my journey. I believe that we should all behave as stewards of the natural world, and that we have been entrusted with the task and responsibility to preserve and protect the Earth for future generations. This belief instills a sense of duty to advocate for more sustainable practices to be put in place, as well as more conservation efforts in order to protect our future. Understanding and empathizing with many diverse perspectives is crucial to creating meaningful connections with nature. I believe that by interacting with people no matter where they are in their journey of life and nature. They may be experienced with nature enthusiasts, or a newcomer and just trying to figure things out for the first time. Empathy and understanding are the key to any good nature interpreter. Continual learning is the final belief that I bring to being a nature interpreter, and it is the understanding that the natural world is a very vast and dynamic entity, and it is important to continue lifelong learning inorder to fully understand it. I approach my role as a nature interpreter with curiosity and a commitment to continue to expand my knowledge and understanding of all the ecosystems and environments that I encounter. 

As a nature interpreter, there are certain responsibilities that I hold that shape how I interact with both the environment and with other citizens I encounter. The first responsibility is education; one of the primary responsibilities is to educate and inspire others about the vast wonders of the natural world. Education comes in various forms such as delivering presentations, leading guided hikes, or conducting various workshops that aid in exposing participants in the natural world. The goal is to impart knowledge in a special way that inspires curiosity and appreciation for the environment. Another responsibility that I hold as a nature interpreter is the responsibility to advocate. I believe it is important to use my platform, such as this blog, to advocate for environmental conservation and the integration of more sustainable practices worldwide. This too comes in many different forms, such as raising awareness about urgent environmental issues, supporting local conservation initiatives, or encouraging more environmentally friendly behaviours within the community I live in. Ethical conduct is also an important responsibility and plays a large part in my role as a nature interpreter. This of course includes respecting the rights of indigenous people, their lands, and local communities, practicing Leave No Trace principles, and ensuring the well-being and proper treatment of all the ecosystems I come across in my journeys. Lastly, inclusivity is likely one of the most important responsibilities that I, and other nature interpreters have. It is crucial to create inclusive and welcoming spaces within the realm of nature interpretation. We need to embrace diversity and inclusivity, and aim to make the natural world accessible to people of all walks of life, all backgrounds and abilities, and create a true sense of belonging and empowerment among all those who seek a connection with nature. 

In my journey of navigating my role as an aspiring nature interpreter, I’ve found that certain approaches resonate deeply with my personal ethics and style. For example, storytelling is a great means of connecting people with nature on a deeper level. By weaving narratives that highlight the beauty, complexity, and the importance of the natural world, you can captivate audiences and instill a sense of wonder and respect for the environment. Immersive hands-on experiences have the potential to leave a lasting and memorable impact on individuals and their relationships with nature. Whether it is through wilderness workshops, citizen science projects, or habitat restoration efforts, I believe that it is an approach that provides the opportunities for meaningful engagement and discovery for the public. Empowerment is another approach that is important to the success of a nature interpreter. I believe that my role as a nature interpreter is not only a source of knowledge but also acts as a spark for empowerment. By empowering more individuals to explore, connect with, and advocate for the natural world, we can aim to form a sense of agency and stewardship that extends beyond our typical interactions. Lastly, collaboration is the most beneficial approach to effective nature interpretation. Whether it is partnering with local organizations, community leaders, or with fellow interpreters, I believe that the value of the collective effort is crucial to advancing our shared goals of conservation, education, and advocacy. 

As I continue to develop as a nature interpreter, my personal ethic will continue to evolve and be further shaped by new experiences, personal reflection, and ongoing learning. I aim to keep grounded with the beliefs of interconnectedness, stewardship, empathy, and continual learning, and my approach to interpretation being guided by the sense of responsibility to both the environment and the communities I serve. By upholding ethical standards, embracing inclusive practices, and employing storytelling, hand-on experiences, empowerment, and collaboration, I will strive to fulfill my responsibilities as a nature interpreter and inspire others to join me in forming a deeper connection with the natural world. In doing so, I hope to contribute a much more sustainable, harmonious relationship between humanity, and the Earth we call our home.

Hey @zhenvs3000w24,

I found your post really interesting, especially how you described the roles and responsibilities of a nature interpreter before smoothly transitioning into your own way of interpreting nature.  I agree with you that nature interpretation is about sharing information and creating a deep and meaningful connection between people and their environment. I also believe that nature interpreters are responsible for educating their audience on respecting nature and the grave consequences of disrespecting nature.

There are famous cases worldwide where locals who rely on their local rivers and water sources pollute their waterways due to their actions. The polluted waterways usually lead to disease and water scarcity as the water source becomes too contaminated to drink. The locals unknowingly disrespect nature as they are not knowledgeable enough to know the consequences of their actions regarding water pollution.

I also agree that many underestimate the difficulty of being a nature interpreter. You cannot be a nature interpreter if you are not passionate about nature since the job can be relatively grueling and taxing while feeling that you are not getting paid enough, especially for jobs such as hiking guides, park rangers, or photographers. Like most jobs, nature interpreters need to show up to work even through adverse weather, but unlike most jobs, they also need to be outdoors in nature to accomplish their job responsibilities. As a photographer, you might finally get the perfect weather and environmental conditions to capture your desired image. However, to capture the image you desire, you might also need to travel to a remote area in nature while its -25° C outside.

The Final Episode

Hey guys, it saddens me to say this is the last blog post for this semester. It has been an interesting ride in which I have had a lot of time to think and reflect on feelings I didn't know I had. I am glad that you guys have stayed with me for 10 weeks and watched me ramble on about different topics and read my poor attempts to articulate my feelings. With this last post I hope I have managed to invoke feelings in you guys and maybe connect you a little more with nature. For this last post I will be talking about my personal development as a nature interpreter. 

To start off within the realm of nature interpretation a person's ethics is a compass that guides them, it dictates the interactions within the natural world and shapes the message that they want to put out into the world. Nature interpretation is not just about sharing information but also creating a deep and meaningful connection between individuals and the environment that surrounds them and giving them the tools to do so . The course content this week states that we can provide the tools to the younger generations in order for them to make safe decisions when connecting with the nature around them, we can ignite the interest and passion (Hooykaas, 2024). I think this is one of the most important roles of a nature interpreter as the children are a crucial piece in preserving our natural world and all of its inhabitants. Every child should be given the opportunity to experience nature and form a connection with it as it can help them when they grow up. But unfortunately not all kids have the privilege to witness beautiful natural landscapes. Without guidance and the chance kids can grow up not really knowing how to feel about the environment around them, and they will grow further apart from it creating a disinterest and this might lead to the destruction of the natural world. 

Being a nature interpreter is a role that must connect others with the vast world in front of them, but it is a taxing and a hard role, as the textbook says “passion is the essential ingredient for powerful and effective interpretation- passion for the resource and for those who come to be inspired by it” (Beck et al, 2018). This is very important to think about, because I believe it is the job of the nature interpreters to be able to reach all types of audience. This can be someone who may not be able to walk or the most mobility compared to other, the interpreter needs to be able to adapt to this by providing a safe place to walk or showing places that are more accessible, or even through various art forms like music or art, all in order to get your feelings across and still give them the tools to form a connection. Another thing is being able to welcome and handle individuals who may not be so open to experience new ways of thinking or may not be so interested in the natural world. Nature interprets a lot of responsibility, they must be able to show people what they can’t see and they hold so much for the future. Especially in this age of technology, they have an important role in drawing the fleeting attention of the younger generations and pulling them towards the natural world through the use of exciting stories. Being able to educate their audience is another huge responsibility that interpreters shoulder. Through education we can empower individuals to truly become stewards of the Earth, and through this we can inspire curiosity. Through education we can teach people how to ethically interact with the environment and everything within it. 

To most it may seem like they could never interpret nature, but that's the beauty of it, there is no one set way to interpret. There are so many different approaches to expressing your feeling like the textbook says there are so many different venus that interpretation can occur in (Beck, et. al, 2018). For me, photography from the start has been my main approach, you can fully immerse the audience in the beauty of nature. It allows the interpreter to fully capture the essence of nature in all its glory. Through their lens they can connect and inspire people to really connect with nature and may inspire people. However, during week 7 we spoke about music, through this I fully realised how important music is for interpreting nature. I believe this approach is also important and probably the easiest way to introduce people into nature, and form a connection. I believe that it is crucial for a nature interpreter to continuously learn, and the best way to do that is think about many various different outlets, and partake in discussion with other interpreters. Experiencing many different cultures is also essential as you can learn so much from different beliefs and a myriad of historical backgrounds. It is my dream to be able to do this throughout my life 

In conclusion, this has been an interesting journey to say the least, before this I had no idea how important nature interpretation really was. I was interpreting nature in my own way all this time without fully understanding it. I am very thankful for the privilege to be able to experience the nature around me. I think everyone should try to engage in nature interpretation as it is an easy way to reconnect with nature and to make up for the lost years that technology has caused. I think nature interpretation is a deciding factor in reducing the damage we have caused to our natural world and the animals that inhabit it. In the end, I hope you guys have enjoyed this journey and reading my thoughts on various topics and I hope that I was able to inspire others to maybe go out and appreciate nature almost as much as I do!

References: 

Beck, L., Cable, T.T., and Knudson, D.M. (2018). Interpreting cultural and natural heritage: For a Better World. Sagamore Publishing. 

Hooykaas, A. (2024). Unit 10: Nature Interpretation’s Role in Environmental Sustainability. University of Guelph. https://courselink.uoguelph.ca/d2l/le/content/858004/viewContent/3640024/View.

Blog 9: Last But Not Least

As the last blog post of this semester, I want to talk about my personal ethics as a nature interpreter.  Everybody interprets nature differently, governed mainly by their ethics, beliefs, and learning styles. One of my personal mantras/ethics is to treat everyone fairly, not equally. Although this might come off as something negative, I believe treating everyone equally can cause massive issues, especially when dealing with a diverse audience. As mentioned in Chapter 7, “Studies have shown that interpreters often don’t know their audiences well and have misguided beliefs about audience values, beliefs and motivations” (Beck et al., 2018). As a nature interpreter, we need to get to know our audience better before we engage professionally with them. When guiding visitors on a nature walk, we cannot assume everyone on the hike can see what we see. They could be too short or visually impaired to notice what we are trying to showcase. As nature interpreters, we should ask everyone to see what we see and even describe what we are looking at so they can paint a picture in their heads. In Chapter 7, we learn about how to serve diverse audiences, and the part that really stuck with me was that we severely underestimate the knowledge and wisdom older people have when it comes to natural interpretation (Beck et al., 2018). Older people have the most time and money to spend on nature interpretation, thus making them the most knowledgeable and experienced nature enjoyers. Yet, we bore them with simple interpretations geared for new visitors due to prior assumptions (Beck et al., 2018). If we spend additional time at the beginning and ask if they have been to the park before, we will know that we can delve more into complex topics instead of simple ones. I believe that treating your audience fairly by getting to know them allows you to make the event more enjoyable for everyone involved, but treating them all the same can lead you to alienate certain individuals.

My most prominent personal belief is that we should always respect nature. In my ‘Blog 1: First of Many’, I have already mentioned how my culture and heritage heavily impacted my relationship with nature. Those two factors taught me to respect and fear nature, as nature can be gentle but unforgiving. I believe that as a nature interpreter, you must respect nature as it can influence how your career develops and progresses. If you are a nature interpreter who routinely litters while giving guides, your littered work environment might attract unwanted attention from animals such as bears or coyotes, making your job harder. Your littering might also cause certain plant and animal species to disappear, drastically impacting the local ecosystem and your workplace. These factors can lead to fewer visits and interest from tourists and locals, all because you, as a nature interpreter, decided to disrespect nature by littering. As nature interpreters, it is our responsibility to help people respect nature, which is impossible if we do not respect nature (Beck et al., 2018).

Velcro was created by observing how burs work.

Another one of my beliefs is that we should let nature guide us. We as humans try to bend nature to our will too much, with constant deforestation, habitat loss, pollution, etc. We should and have started to let nature guide us instead. Much of our studies advancing research in cancer, age, and regeneration are being done by studying animals such as the axolotl, hydras, flatworms, and naked mole rats (Bellantuono et al., 2015). Many architectural buildings nowadays try to gain inspiration from nature, as most natural structures are solid and sustainable due to the long lineage of evolution and selective pressure (S, 2023). These are great examples of us letting nature guide us, and I believe that is where our future lies.

'Exotic' animals being sold in small plastic containers not suitable for their health.

My final belief is that we should not cage nature. As a person who grew up around wild and domesticated animals in Nepal. Seeing wild animals being kept as ‘exotic’ pets in small places that do not meet their habitat requirements feels weird. I specifically remember going to a reptile expo and observing multiple artificially and selectively bred boas, turtles, anoles, and frogs being kept in small plastic containers and bags that were too big to fit in. It disgusted and frightened me to see an exotic pet trade taking place under the title of an ‘expo’ where wild animals that do not belong in homes are being sold for profit. Domesticated animals, such as cats, dogs, and cows, are animals that have been tamed millions of years ago and now can safely live with humans and do not pose a threat when kept as pets. Exotic animals are wild animals that have not been tamed by humans over time but have been taken from the wild and kept as pets. Most wild animals kept as pets have huge habitat ranges compared to their body size, which they forage and roam for food, shelter, socializing, and mating. People who keep wild animals as exotic pets cannot accommodate these animals for their habitat size and instead give them drastically reduced cages where they are kept and fed way beyond their health limit. Also, these exotic pets are wild animals that have not been tamed. They cannot comprehend humans the same way domestic animals such as dogs can. This usually causes issues around the time these animals reach maturity, causing wild outbursts and violence against owners due to owners not caring for their exotic pets. There was a famous case in 2009 where a chimpanzee being kept as an exotic pet attacked their owner’s friend, severely injuring her limbs and face, leaving her permanently disfigured and traumatized (Gritt, 2021). The chimpanzee was killed in the incident, and investigation revealed that the chimpanzee was overweight, showcasing violent tendencies recently, and had been fed Xanax-laced tea to self-medicate for anxiety and lyme disease (Gritt, 2021). This is a classic case of owners keeping exotic pets and abusing those wild animals without realizing their wrongdoings.

Travis the chimpanzee involved in the 2009 incident was already overweight at the time of the picture.

Finally, as a nature interpreter, I like to learn visually and experience nature myself. I cannot feel a connection with nature without seeing, feeling, hearing, and experiencing the nature described by myself. I can enjoy documentaries, pictures, and videos of nature and nature interpretation projects, but that does not resonate with me as much as when I go camping, hiking, fishing, or identifying unknown plants and animals I stumble on.

References

Beck, L., Cable, T. T., & Knudson, D. M. (2018). Serving Diverse Audiences. In Interpreting Cultural and Natural Heritage: For a Better World (pp. 127–158). Sagamore Publishing LLC. https://sagamore.vitalsource.com/reader/books/9781571678669/pageid/145

Bellantuono, A. J., Bridge, D., & Martínez, D. E. (2015). Hydra as a tractable, long-lived model system for senescence. Invertebrate Reproduction & Development, 59(sup1), 39. https://doi.org/10.1080/07924259.2014.938196

Gritt, E. (2021, May 12). Crazed pet chimp wails as he rips off woman’s face and eats eyes in harrowing phone call. Daily Star. https://www.dailystar.co.uk/news/world-news/crazed-pet-chimp-wails-rips-24088031

Beck, L., Cable, T. T., & Knudson, D. M. (2018). Values to Individuals and Society. In Interpreting Cultural and Natural Heritage For a Better World (pp. 41–56). Sagamore Publishing LLC. https://sagamore.vitalsource.com/reader/books/9781571678669/pageid/73

S, A. (2023, January 17). Nature-inspired design: Biomimicry in architecture. Parametric Architecture. https://parametric-architecture.com/nature-inspired-design-biomimicry-in-architecture/

Hey @vcenvs3000w24

I found your write-up on bioluminescence interesting, and I especially like your use of imagery where you take us on a journey abroad on a research vessel. Biologically speaking, I find bioluminescence fascinating as it is one of the most significant forms of convergent evolution. Bioluminescence is most observed in ocean waves, where dinoflagellates produce these fascinating displays that attract visitors and even tourists worldwide. Fireflies are also another excellent example of bioluminescence due to how common they used to be; however, nowadays, you would be lucky to see more than 5 of them at night.

My personal favorite example of bioluminescence can be observed in the species Arachnocampa luminosa or better known as glowworms. This species is endemic to caves in New Zealand where bioluminescence can only be observed in the larva that creates silk nests on the cave ceilings to trap prey and feed on them. Like mayflies, glowworms spend most of their life cycles in the larva stage, and the adult stage only lasts for 76 hours, where they mate, lay eggs, and die. As a side note, I love how the species is named after the larva stage, not the adult stage. It is like calling a monarch butterfly a milkweed caterpillar instead. Another side note, Arachnocampa luminosa, when translated from Latin, means ‘spider bright luminous’, which is probably due to the larva’s hunting method, which feels like a spider’s hunting method.

Also, I'm pretty sure your 2nd last, and 4th last paragraphs are the same. I am assuming that’s an editing mistake.

Blog 8: Illuminating Nature's Mysteries: A Journey into the Enchantment of Bioluminescence

In this week's blog, let's embark on a captivating journey into the mesmerizing realm of bioluminescence, where the ethereal glow of living organisms illuminates the darkness of the ocean depths. Drawing upon insights from our course lectures, scholarly texts, and personal reflections, we'll unravel the enchanting mysteries of bioluminescence and its profound significance in the natural world.

Imagine yourself aboard a research vessel, surrounded by the inky blackness of the ocean at night. As bioluminescent creatures twinkle and shimmer in the water below, a sense of wonder fills the air. Yet, amidst this spectacle, questions arise: What are the ecological roles of these luminous organisms? How do they produce light? And what secrets do they hold about the ocean's depths? Delving into these inquiries, we navigate the depths of bioluminescence, guided by the principles of sense-making and interpretation.

Bioluminescence serves as a captivating example of nature's ingenuity and complexity, but its intricacies leave room for further exploration and discovery. By pondering these questions, we open doors to new avenues of research and understanding, shedding light on the fascinating adaptations and interactions that shape life in the ocean's depths.

My inspiration for exploring bioluminescence stems from a childhood fascination with the ocean's mysteries. As I recall nights spent gazing at the stars above, I'm drawn to the idea of uncovering the hidden wonders of the sea. Just as Tim Merriman emphasizes the role of interpreters as leaders in guiding us through the complexities of nature (Beck, Cable, & Knudson, 2018), I see myself as a beacon, illuminating the beauty and significance of bioluminescence for others to discover. Whether through immersive experiences or educational outreach, I'm inspired to share the magic of bioluminescence with the world, igniting a sense of wonder and appreciation for the ocean's luminescent inhabitants.

The exploration of bioluminescence offers boundless opportunities for inspiration and discovery. From the shimmering waves of a bioluminescent bay to the depths of the ocean where mysterious creatures dwell, there is a wealth of beauty and wonder waiting to be explored. By drawing inspiration from these natural marvels, we can cultivate a deeper connection to the world around us and inspire others to embark on their own journeys of exploration and discovery.

The prospect of sharing the captivating story of bioluminescence fuels a passionate fire within me. I'm driven by the belief that by connecting people with the wonders of the natural world, we can inspire greater conservation efforts and a deeper appreciation for our planet's biodiversity. Drawing from Merriman's vision of interpreters as catalysts for positive change (Beck, Cable, & Knudson, 2018), I'm eager to translate the enchantment of bioluminescence into narratives that resonate with audiences of all ages. Whether through multimedia presentations, guided nature walks, or interactive exhibits, I'm committed to sparking curiosity and fostering a sense of stewardship for the ocean and its luminous inhabitants.

The exploration of bioluminescence offers boundless opportunities for inspiration and discovery. From the shimmering waves of a bioluminescent bay to the depths of the ocean where mysterious creatures dwell, there is a wealth of beauty and wonder waiting to be explored. By drawing inspiration from these natural marvels, we can cultivate a deeper connection to the world around us and inspire others to embark on their own journeys of exploration and discovery.

In conclusion, let the mesmerizing glow of bioluminescence be our guide in interpretation, illuminating the beauty and complexity of the natural world. Through our exploration of bioluminescence, guided by the principles of sense-making and interpretation, we embark on a journey of discovery, wonder, and inspiration (Dr. Hooykaas, n.d.). 

References:

Beck, L., Cable, T. T., & Knudson, D. M. (2018). Interpreting Cultural and Natural Heritage for a Better World (1st ed.). Sagamore Publishing. https://www.sagamorepub.com/products/interpreting-cultural-and-natural-heritage-better-world

Hooykaas, A. (n.d.). Unit 09: Sense-Making of Nature Interpretation [Lecture notes]. ENVS3000 Nature Interpretation. University of Guelph.

Blog 8: The head of the Hydra keeps growing back!!!

One of the biggest characteristics of living beings is the fact that they are mortal, and their time on Earth is limited. However, some organisms defy this characteristic and can obtain biological immortality where their mortality rate from aging is stable or decreasing (Bellantuono et al., 2015). This does not mean that they can live forever, as they can still die from other factors such as injury, predation, disease, etc. One of the most famous organisms exhibiting biological immortality is the genus Hydra from the phylum Cnidaria (jellyfish and anemones).

Image of a Hydra, a dragon in its own aspect

Hydras are only found in freshwater environments where they latch onto sticks and rocks and feed using their tentacles like jellyfish and anemones. They are relatively small organisms, but they are most known for their ability to regenerate anything (why they are named after the mythical creature) and live forever if unbothered (Rigby, 2019; Robitzski, 2021). This makes them one of the most fascinating aspects of nature, in my opinion.

The Hydra’s aging process, or lack thereof, was first described in a pioneering study conducted in 1998 and had not been retested until 2015 (Martínez, 1998; Schaible et al., 2015). In the 2015 study, 2,256 individuals from three different strains were maintained in a controlled environment for eight years (Martínez, 1998; Schaible et al., 2015). Both studies observed and concluded that the death rates of the individuals were low and uncoupled from age (Martínez, 1998; Schaible et al., 2015). Imagine if humans did not age at all after they reached the age of maturity. Everyone aged until 25 and then never aged further, and nobody would die of natural aging. Einstein would still be alive to this day studying the vastness of space and maybe even the darkness of oceans. That is basically how Hydras live at least without other factors leading to death considered. However, immortality is not the only fascinating aspect of these organisms.

Hydras are indeed very small or the person pictured is Goliath

Hydras are also able to regenerate their body from any part of their body (Fell, 2023; Robitzski, 2021). You can detach their heads from their body and they will regenerate within two days (Fell, 2023). Their body plans are very simple (think of a tube) and contain three separate self-renewing stem cell populations with post-mitotic cells only appearing in extremities (Siebert et al., 2019). Imagine human cells that constantly undergo mitosis also contain stem cells that allow them to regenerate any damaged tissue and organs quickly. This marvelous feature is what Hydras can accomplish in their life cycle.

"I swear every time I try to get rid of one head, two more replace it" - Hercules (sometime before I was born)

The immortality and regenerative properties of the Hydra have made them ideal candidates for research into aging stem cell regeneration by scientists (Fell, 2023). Although studies into Hydras are ongoing, much is yet to be understood about them. One such mystery would be how they are able to achieve their complex stem cell regeneration while maintaining a small and simple body plan (Siebert et al., 2019). Another mystery would be whether the ability to regenerate that is present in multicellular organisms such as Hydras, axolotls, and flatworms is a derived feature unique to these organisms or is ancestral in nature passed down from an ancient ancestral organism (Robitzski, 2021).

References

Bellantuono, A. J., Bridge, D., & Martínez, D. E. (2015). Hydra as a tractable, long-lived model system for senescence. Invertebrate Reproduction & Development, 59(sup1), 39. https://doi.org/10.1080/07924259.2014.938196

Fell, A. (2023, March 9). Using Hydra to Understand Tissue Regeneration | College of Biological Sciences. College of Biological Sciences. https://biology.ucdavis.edu/news/using-hydra-understand-tissue-regeneration

Martínez, D. E. (1998). Mortality patterns suggest lack of senescence in hydra. Experimental Gerontology, 33(3), 217–225. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0531-5565(97)00113-7

Rigby, S. (2019, August 3). Secret of the ‘immortal’ hydra’s regenerating ability uncovered - BBC Science Focus Magazine. BBC Science Focus. https://www.sciencefocus.com/news/secret-of-the-immortal-hydras-regenerating-ability-uncovered

Robitzski, D. (2021, December 13). How Hydras Regenerate Decapitated Heads. The Scientist. https://www.the-scientist.com/how-hydras-regenerate-decapitated-heads-69523

Schaible, R., Scheuerlein, A., Dańko, M. J., Gampe, J., Martínez, D. E., & Vaupel, J. W. (2015). Constant mortality and fertility over age in Hydra. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America, 112(51), 15701–15706. https://doi.org/10.1073/PNAS.1521002112/-/DCSUPPLEMENTAL

Siebert, S., Farrell, J. A., Cazet, J. F., Abeykoon, Y., Primack, A. S., Schnitzler, C. E., & Juliano, C. E. (2019). Stem cell differentiation trajectories in Hydra resolved at single-cell resolution. Science, 365(6451). https://doi.org/10.1126/SCIENCE.AAV9314/SUPPL_FILE/AAV9314_SIEBERT_SM.PDF

Thank you, and yes, most of the spongebob songs, mainly from seasons 1 to 8 are imprinted into my head. Also thanks for the song recommendation, I will definitely check it out and later on claim that I heard them before they blew up.

Blog 7: Planting musical roots

I believe music in nature is very easy to find. Birds are found on every continent and sea birds such as the Albatross spend most of their life at sea or near water. One could even say that it is very difficult to find a location where birds have not colonized. One of the unique aspects of birds is their mating rituals, which involve multiple dance routines, plumage colors, structures such as nests, and, most importantly, songs.

Male Bowerbird decorating its nest with bright objects to attract a potential mate.

Bird songs and calls are perhaps the most recognizable characteristics of birds apart from their wings and beaks. Many bird species identification books and keys use bird songs and calls to identify the species since you cannot always see a bird, but you can definitely hear it. Characterizing bird songs as music, as defined by humans, tends to be controversial. Musicians, composers, scientists, researchers, and bird experts cannot agree that bird songs are music. One of this week’s assigned papers, ‘The Music of Nature and the Nature of Music’ by Gray et al. (2001) supports that bird songs are music but articles over the years from (2012) and (2023) still showcase that the discussion is ongoing and will likely not reach a concrete conclusion any time soon.

Nature in music is, in my opinion, vague. Can you call a song describing a couple’s divorce, written after the author went on a nature hike as being inspired by nature? Does the song have to mention or explicitly revolve around nature to be considered as a song inspired by nature? I do not know, to be honest, but that’s the beauty of music as an art form, it's subjective, so you can define nature in music however you want.

Plant Wave in progress, where electric singnals from the plant are being converted to music.

Regarding nature in music, I want to talk about a specific type of music or phone application; Plant Wave. Plant Wave is a phone application that converts electrical signals produced by plants into music that plays through the app by using a sensor that is hooked up to the plant. The creator of Plant Wave, Joe Patitucci, has released some songs he has made using plants. I personally find this fascinating since you do not think about plants when it comes to music but Joe Patitucci did, and he has opened a gateway for people to enjoy nature even more through Plant Wave.

My story revolving plant wave is funny as I found one of Joe’s songs on Spotify while listening to a playlist about space themed synthwave music (think about the interstellar movie theme). I found this rather amusing because while looking for music relating to the vastness of space, I ended up back on Earth listening to a plant’s electronic signals instead. This scenario showcases how the reach of nature can be further expanded using media as described by this week’s assigned textbook chapter reading. If Joe had not decided to share his nature experience with the public, I would have never gone down the rabbit hole that was plant wave.

C-A-M-P-F-I-R-E-S-O-N-G song being performed live in public for the first time

As for a song that takes me back to natural landscape, I think about the CAMPFIRE song song (yes it is song song, not a typo) from SpongeBob Squarepants. The whole episode revolves around how camping can be fun and dangerous. Nowadays, whenever I hear camping or campfire, that song immediately comes to my mind, especially the sear bear scene (if you have watched the episode, you know the sea bear scene).

Hey @jjenvs3000w24,

I really enjoyed your post on this week’s blog prompt. I don’t know why but I never thought of insect buzzing as music in nature even though I have heard songs that incorporate insect buzzing and calls in them. I loved the sentence you used to end your fast paragraph. I never thought about how sounds produced by abiotic factors in nature can also produce music, especially wind and water. Also, I really enjoyed the examples you gave in that same sentence, it paints a picture in my head where I can both see and feel the ability of abiotic factors to make music.

I agree with you that sounds such as bird calls and songs are used as a communication device. I personally would not group frog mating calls and bird calls as music. I believe calls are like humans speaking where there is no rhythm or melody even though there might be repetition. Bird and whale songs are what I would categorize as music but experts are still discussing whether they can be considered music in a discussion that has largely remained with no conclusion to this day.

Funnily enough, when you talked about sparrows teaching their young how to sing, it reminded me of how humpback whales are known to steal other whales' songs. So not only can animals teach others how to sing, but they can also teach others how to steal songs too.  

On a side note, I think the phrase “Radio's greatest strength is its power to reach many people,” is outdated and has now been replaced by the internet.

Nature Interpretation in Music

Music can be found everywhere in nature, from the songs of birds to the buzzing of insects, almost all life produces some unique sound that can be pleasant to the ear. Life is not the only origin of music, where even the natural world can produce rhythmic sounds, such as rushing water, rain pounding the ground, or the wind in the trees.  

Music has been defined as patterns of sound varying in pitch and time produced for emotional, social, cultural, and cognitive purposes (Gray et al., 2001). Music is sounds that are used for communication between animals (including humans), where noises are arranged in a way that is unique and sends a message. This message is a way to communicate to other animals of the same or other species to convey information like the location of the group (in whales and other herd animals), the site of food (in some birds like crows), possible mates (frogs, birds, and many others), and territory (wolves). These animals also use sound to convey emotions, much like humans and our music, where a growling predator displays aggression, a whimper or whine can convey sadness or fear, and a yelp or squeal can represent discomfort. In this way, the sounds and music of nature are filled with purpose and meaning and are a means to communicate. Animals are even known to produce and teach songs to others, where young sparrows learn songs from older adults that they will practice and perfect quietly on their own and then perform to others (Petrinovich & Baptista, 1987). This creates a cultural evolution of songs in these populations of sparrows that will be different from other populations.

Human music is much the same in that sounds and words are used to convey the emotion of the artist and can even communicate powerful messages or stories. Culturally, music has been used to instill the beliefs and morals of a society and shape the identities of the people who listen to it. Nature can be found in music in many areas. Sometimes directly inspired by the sounds heard in nature like in the Hutu and Tutsi tribes of central East Africa that incorporate elephant sounds into their songs, or can be indirectly inspired like the beating of rain setting the pace of a song (Gray et al., 2001). Some music can also follow the patterns of nature with ebbs and flows and crescendos, and sometimes incorporate both direct and indirect influences such as in “Morning - Edward Grieg” which I am sure many of you have heard before (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x463zoWpiVI). This song in particular reminds me of nature, or more so, the feeling of being in nature, with a calm melody and rising beat that is reminiscent of the rising sun.

Interpreters need to capture the attention of their audiences and communicate in a way that is both informative and entertaining. Music is a perfect medium to accomplish this as it can combine the important message of information with the entertainment that can be experienced through song. The textbook states: “Radio's greatest strength is its power to reach many people,” but I think this is more true of music in general, where certain songs can transcend the barriers of even culture and language. 

Beck, L., Cable, T. T., and Knudson, D. M. (2018). Interpreting cultural and natural heritage: For A Better World. Sagamore Publishing.

Gray, P. M., Krause, B., Atema, J., Payne, R., Krumhansl, C., & Baptista, L. (2001). The Music of Nature and the Nature of Music. Science (American Association for the Advancement of Science), 291(5501), 52–54. https://doi.org/10.1126/science.10.1126/SCIENCE.1056960

Petrinovich, L., & Baptista, L. F. (1987). Song development in the white-crowned sparrow: modification of learned song. Animal Behaviour, 35(4), 961–974. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0003-3472(87)80153-7.

Blog 7: Planting musical roots

I believe music in nature is very easy to find. Birds are found on every continent and sea birds such as the Albatross spend most of their life at sea or near water. One could even say that it is very difficult to find a location where birds have not colonized. One of the unique aspects of birds is their mating rituals, which involve multiple dance routines, plumage colors, structures such as nests, and, most importantly, songs.

Male Bowerbird decorating its nest with bright objects to attract a potential mate.

Bird songs and calls are perhaps the most recognizable characteristics of birds apart from their wings and beaks. Many bird species identification books and keys use bird songs and calls to identify the species since you cannot always see a bird, but you can definitely hear it. Characterizing bird songs as music, as defined by humans, tends to be controversial. Musicians, composers, scientists, researchers, and bird experts cannot agree that bird songs are music. One of this week’s assigned papers, ‘The Music of Nature and the Nature of Music’ by Gray et al. (2001) supports that bird songs are music but articles over the years from (2012) and (2023) still showcase that the discussion is ongoing and will likely not reach a concrete conclusion any time soon.

Nature in music is, in my opinion, vague. Can you call a song describing a couple’s divorce, written after the author went on a nature hike as being inspired by nature? Does the song have to mention or explicitly revolve around nature to be considered as a song inspired by nature? I do not know, to be honest, but that’s the beauty of music as an art form, it's subjective, so you can define nature in music however you want.

Plant Wave in progress, where electric singnals from the plant are being converted to music.

Regarding nature in music, I want to talk about a specific type of music or phone application; Plant Wave. Plant Wave is a phone application that converts electrical signals produced by plants into music that plays through the app by using a sensor that is hooked up to the plant. The creator of Plant Wave, Joe Patitucci, has released some songs he has made using plants. I personally find this fascinating since you do not think about plants when it comes to music but Joe Patitucci did, and he has opened a gateway for people to enjoy nature even more through Plant Wave.

My story revolving plant wave is funny as I found one of Joe’s songs on Spotify while listening to a playlist about space themed synthwave music (think about the interstellar movie theme). I found this rather amusing because while looking for music relating to the vastness of space, I ended up back on Earth listening to a plant’s electronic signals instead. This scenario showcases how the reach of nature can be further expanded using media as described by this week’s assigned textbook chapter reading. If Joe had not decided to share his nature experience with the public, I would have never gone down the rabbit hole that was plant wave.

C-A-M-P-F-I-R-E-S-O-N-G song being performed live in public for the first time

As for a song that takes me back to natural landscape, I think about the CAMPFIRE song song (yes it is song song, not a typo) from SpongeBob Squarepants. The whole episode revolves around how camping can be fun and dangerous. Nowadays, whenever I hear camping or campfire, that song immediately comes to my mind, especially the sear bear scene (if you have watched the episode, you know the sea bear scene).

Hey @jwhenvs3000w24,

I really liked reading your post and we seem to generally agree on what the quote by Edward Hyams was trying to express. I found it interesting that when we mentioned “scattered throughout time”, you took it as ancient artifacts appearing distant or irrelevant. I thought it meant the artifacts had scattered in pieces due to time.  

I also believe that your failures shape the person you become. I think it is due to people being more likely to remember their failures compared to their success stores. Failures are what guide us to our future and we should not let our success stories blind us to our flaws. I really enjoyed your quilt analogy with stitching being important. I look at it similarly like a puzzle where you cannot see the whole picture or the lesson that history is teaching us without all the pieces; the parts are what make us whole.

Even though we reached the same conclusion in the train analogy, you mentioned how every station contributes to the plot of the whole trip. I took it as meaning that you will never reach your destination, if you do not know what stations before it are. How do you realize when you are supposed to get off when you don’t know when your stop is or what precedes it? Likewise, you will never learn the lesson that an artifact is trying to tell you if you do not remember the history and lesson that it was built from.

Since you mentioned Silent Spring, if you watch, read, or consume old movies or books, you will realize that whenever the protagonists go on a road trip, a common scenario involves bugs hitting the windshield or bugs having to be cleaned off the car. Nowadays, when you go on long road trips, unless you go to remote places, you do not hit any bugs, let alone see or clean any off your car. When I first realized this, I felt kind of sad as bugs play an important role in the ecosystem and their disappearance is a very bad sign for the future. One could say that they are the historical artifact that humans have forgotten as most people do not seem to care.

The Timeless Merit of Ancient Things

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

In a world driven forward by advancement and innovation, it can be easy to fall into the trap of believing that the past retains little importance to our present lives. Yet, as this quote suggests, the knowledge found throughout history has profound value. While ancient artifacts and events may appear distant or irrelevant, their value lies not in their age but in the lessons they hold. Personally, I believe history is one of the greatest teachers. Even within the course of my life, my successes and, more importantly, my failures have shaped the person I have become. Integrity requires the gathering of information and the forming of connections to gain a more complete perspective. It's about forming the knowledge needed to connect us with our past and guide us toward our future. To maintain integrity when faced with the uncertainty of the past, we must acquire a deep knowledge of ancient events and objects. Like a quilt, without the careful stitching of its patches, history loses its coherence; our understanding of the world suffers without the incorporation of historical context. I thought the quote's use of the train station analogy was a very effective way to support its claims further. The analogy uses each stop at a train station to represent a moment in history. To be ignorant of the significance of these stations once the train has passed through them is to miss the importance and knowledge the journey holds. Each station, however brief, contributes to the plot of the whole trip. Similarly, each period in history contributes to a better understanding of how things came to be, no matter how distant.

History serves as our roadmap, guiding us through the struggles of the present and illuminating the path forward. For example, the environmental movement sparked by Rachel Carson's book "Silent Spring" catalyzed a shift in public consciousness and laid the groundwork for critical environmental legislation (Beck et al., 2019). Though written decades ago, her work continues to create impacts today, reminding us of the power of individual actions. Moreover, interpreting history is not only for increasing our knowledge but a call to action. By documenting memories of both successes and tragedies, we commemorate the sacrifices of those who came before us and empower ourselves to shape a better future. As a community, we must embrace our heritage to cultivate a society built on principles of justice, equity, and compassion. For instance, Remembrance Day is a good example of commemorating the sacrifices of those who came before us. Every November 11 since the First World War, Canada has dedicated the day to honour the bravery and sacrifice of those who served our country and acknowledge our responsibility to recognize and respect the peace they fought to protect (Government of Canada, 2021). As a kid, I didn't fully appreciate the importance of Remembrance Day. However, after joining Air Cadets and hearing the experiences of Canadian veterans, I gained great respect for those who have served our country and the impacts their actions had.

In conclusion, while ancient objects or events may lack merit at first glance, their significance lies in their ability to give insight into periods of history. As we navigate the challenges of our modern world, we must not forget the wisdom and lessons from the past.

Government of Canada. (2021). Why Remember?. https://www.veterans.gc.ca/eng/remembrance/history/a-day-of-remembrance/why

Beck, L., Cable, T. T., & Knudson, D. M. (2018). Chapter 5: Guiding Principles of Interpretation. In Interpreting cultural and natural heritage: For A Better World (pp. 304). Sagamore Venture.

Blog 6: How safe are you at work?(Historical interpretation)

In this week’s blog prompt, we were tasked with unpacking the quote:

“There is no peculiar merit in ancient things, but there is merit in integrity, and integrity entails the keeping together of the parts of any whole, and if these parts are scattered throughout time, then the maintenance of integrity entails a knowledge, a memory, of ancient things. …. To think, feel or act as though the past is done with, is equivalent to believing that a railway station through which our train has just passed, only existed for as long as our train was in it.” – Edward Hyams, Chapter 7, The Gifts of Interpretation

Collecting and fixing the broken historical artifact helps discover the knowledge that accompanies the artifact.

I believe that Edward wants to express that historical artifacts and evidence of the past by themselves have no value. However, by collecting these often degraded and broken parts, we can discover a story, lost knowledge, or memory of the past. He also uses a train simile to explain that one cannot ignore the past just because it has already happened. It usually teaches us a lesson that helped us improve to the present. Edward’s use of simile, a figurative language, is like what Alan Leftridge talked about when discussing ‘Interpretive Titles and Leads’ in the assigned reading, chapter 14 of the textbook. This helps the reader better visualize and relate the meaning behind Edward’s statement as most people have ridden a train, allowing them to easily visualize and understand.

Relating this quote back to interpretating history, Edward mentions how learning about past helps discover lost knowledge or warnings. This was also mentioned in this week’s second assigned reading, chapter 15 of the textbook, “Another reason to interpret history is to remember. To remember not only the happy stories of our past, but also the tragic ones”. The textbook goes on to mention historic conflicts and events, but I want to relate this to work safety and OSHA.

There is a common saying in the workforce especially centered around manual labour and heavy equipment: “All safety regulations are written in blood”. This saying wants to drive home the message that all work safety regulations and rules that workers find annoying only exist due to a worker in the past getting seriously hurt by a workplace incident causing preventative measures to be made afterwards. While working daily, it is important to follow safety regulations and rules as YOU might be the next OSHA case that rules are written about to prevent serious injury.

By observing the preventative rules, watching recreated incident videos, and reading case files, a working can paint a picture and gain knowledge of the incident that happened in the past that they can prevent now. This is in my opinion exactly what Edward Hyams was talking about in his quote but in a different circumstance compared to my interpretation.

As someone who has worked in many different warehouses and distribution centers, I am fairly comfortable working around loud heavy machinery and forklifts moving around with their horns blaring. Safety is always important in warehouses as the employers do not want to get sued however, safety incidents still occur. One of the biggest safety rules is always wearing high-visibility clothing in the facility so people operating heavy machinery can notice the employee easily. However, all employees are given the same high-visibility clothing so after a period of time, employees unconsciously start tuning out the high-visibility clothing as they become used to them. This is why the saying “All safety regulations are written in blood” resonates with me, as I believe high visibility acclimatization is going to lead to an incident that will create a new OSHA law sooner rather than later.

Hey @tsenvs3000w24,

What a coincidence! I am in my last year of Zoology, too!! I agree with you, I also feel very lucky to be able to study organisms and how they interact with their environments. I did a field course in Algonquin Park last summer and was lucky enough to study garter snakes in their natural habitat. This made me appreciate the interactions between animals and their habitat. Garter snakes can be found anywhere but they seem to really like having big rocks or tall grasses along with a body of water nearby no matter what.

As you mentioned, I also observed that garter snakes would be missing in their ideal environment if humans regularly interact with the area. I observed a bridge under a busy road near campgrounds that had ideal conditions with big rocks, lots of sunlight, and a stream running nearby. However, no matter what time of the day I went, there were no signs of snake activity, even with lots of prey nearby just because of the constant human activity. The area behind the arboretum has been recently sold for development and that area is home to different reptile species that are now going to be displaced due to construction and constant human activity over the coming times.

Lastly, I love experiencing nature. Whenever I see videos and pictures of people sharing breathtaking views, it does not resonate with me. I need to experience it myself, and I believe that is why I love fieldwork, hiking, and camping so much.

Unit 5: Free Week - Animals and Nature

I wasn't super sure what to write without a prompt, so I decided to write about something I really enjoy learning and talking about: animals!

I'm in my last year of Zoology, and over the years of study (and over the years of nature documentaries and tv shows!) I learned that animals and nature coexist in a way that I feel lucky to study. They both dictate the state of the other, and the crazy balance they live in is amazing, and something that should be more appreciated.

From ecological relationships (like predator-prey relationships, or symbiotic relationships), to nature management (like pollination and decomposition), to adapting to live with each other, animals provide key services for nature, and in return, get shelter, habitat stability, food, and water. When considering conservation efforts, these two usually have to be thought about in tandem, because heavy change in one tends to affect the other.

Human involvement has put an unforeseen strain on this balance. Human activities, like deforestation, pollution, and habitat destruction, has disrupted the balance between animals and nature. Personally, this is an area I feel really strongly about, it really upsets me. Delicate balances thrown out of whack because of the effects humans bring to the table, and yet, taking responsibility and making an effort is difficult for a lot of people to admit. It's hard to think on such a grand scale, so I always think about my neighborhood, or my favourite place, and how that would be affected in the future if nothing changes. I feel like a smaller scale approach works better to visualize impacts, then you can move on to the large scale stuff later!

That's my take of the week, tell me your favourite areas, and how animals and nature make it that special place for you!

Blog 5: Now this is podcasting

Since we have no prompt this week, I wanted to discuss audio/video speed. When listening to or watching a media format, you might be given the opportunity to choose the speed of the video or the podcast. Initially, if it was your first time encountering the listening speed option, you might wonder who this feature was made for? If you were someone like me who asked the same question when I first started consuming podcasts, you might be persuaded based on one factor: the length. When you first find a podcast series or podcaster you want to listen to, you will most likely notice their vast catalog, with each episode being, on average, 30 to 60 minutes (~brought to you by Hello Fresh, use discount code pod1!~).

However, time is limited; people cannot have podcasts, audiobooks, or video essays constantly playing throughout the day.  Most people consume long-form media either while multitasking or during commutes while driving, riding the bus, or walking. Stats Canada mentioned in their 2023 report that Canadians were commuting for on average of 24.5 minutes on car and 42.2 minutes on public transit. The average length of a podcast is around 42 minutes long; most people usually listen to multiple podcasts.

Let's use our podcasts to put it into perspective. There are 21 groups, and each podcast would be, on average, around 35 minutes, so 735 minutes or 12.25 hours is the total listening time. Therefore, listening to all 21 podcasts would take 30 car commutes or 17.4 public transit commutes. If we were to speed up those podcasts by 1.5 speed, it would take 20 car commutes or 11.6 public transit commutes. If we took it further and sped up by 2 speed, it would take 15 car commutes and 8.7 public transit commutes.

I personally only listen to podcasts and video essays at 2x speed now and have been doing so since 2019. I mainly listen to podcasts and video essays about zoology, botany, sports, and mysteries. On average, each podcast episode ranges from 50 to 90 minutes, and listening to them at 2x speed cuts the time in half, allowing me to consume two episodes in the time it would take to listen to one podcast at 1x speed.

There are definitely downsides to listening to any media at a faster speed, especially music and audiobooks. They usually rely on spacing and pauses to paint a picture or send a message; however, listening at a faster speed ruins the point of the pause. The biggest issue with speeding up any media is whether you are retaining any information or is it just passing through you. Most people who are against speeding up podcasts or any media mention that it is very hard to pay attention, especially if you are multitasking, driving, or browsing your phone on the bus.

Anyways, I just wanted to talk about this topic as we are working on a podcast and I felt that it was topical.

Hey @jwenvs3000w24,

Like you, I also believe my lowest connection to nature is artistic, while my highest connection to nature is physical. I can enjoy and appreciate artistic interpretation of nature; however, I truly feel like I am enjoying nature when I am physically interacting with it. I love fishing, hiking, camping, flora and fauna IDing, and experiencing the elements. I do occasionally take photographs so that my parents can also see what I experienced, however, I do not think they get the same enrichment that I get from being in person.

I love the shout-out you gave to Mark Nadjiwan and learning about the relationship indigenous people have with nature is very fascinating. I have always found it fascinating how they believe in protecting and nurturing nature so that future generations can enjoy it too. It’s a very unique belief that we as a society should strive towards as we move forward.

Regarding your point about sunsets, most of the people I know who do not care about nature that much still enjoy sunsets. In the capital region of Nepal, there is a location called Nagarkot entirely known just for the sunset and sunrise view it provides. Nagar means city, and Kot means hilltop, so it's supposed to mean an area where you can get the best view of the city.

Blog 4: The Natural Art of the World

Hey everyone! Welcome back, today we’re looking at nature in art and the beauty of nature. Enjoy the reading and the pictures!

Nature comes in many different forms; the physical which is the tree’s, plants, animals, water and the physical stuff you can touch, the spiritual which is what the physical things mean to you and how you care about them, and there’s an artistic form too which can range from pictures to paintings to dances to stories to songs, all of which are beautiful in their own way. Every person and thing on earth has a different level of connection through each of these forms of nature. This triangle of form connection acts in a way that if someone is more connected to nature in a physical way they are not as connected to nature spiritually or artistically. Most people are mixes of two of the three forms, but usually they lean more strongly to one of them. For me, when I am interpreting nature on a hike I am most connected with nature spiritually with physical, but my lowest form of connection is artistically. I’ve never really been one to sit down and listen to music or look at paintings of different things, however, I will gladly look at pictures of things people have found or seen out in nature. 

This is a picture I took on Flowerpot Island, Tobermory of a lone birch tree on the beach, and thought about how much this tree has been through with all the storms, waves, and ice that lash against it with no remorse but yet it still pushes through and stands strong.

People perceive nature’s beauty through their forms of connection. The textbook talks about the ‘gift of beauty’ and defines it as how it, “should promote the ability, and desire to sense the beauty in one’s surroundings to encourage  conservation/preservation and allow for a stronger spiritual connection” (Beck et al., 2018). I like to think of this as looking at nature through someone else’s views. 

This is a painting done by Mark Nadjiwan (https://www.threetreesart.com/) of dragonflies. I purchased this painting for my mom who's favourite animal is a dragonfly, but also because the story behind it is amazing. It talks about combining western science views with the views of the indigenous peoples. I highly recommend everyone to look at the paintings and read their stories.

There is an outstanding artist that lives in Lion’s Head, Ontario whom I have purchased a few things from because of the beautiful stories that go along with each of the creations. This artist is Mark Nadjiwan. He is an indigenous artist who creates simple but complex indigenous art. He has a website:https://www.threetreesart.com/ which his creations can be found on. Every single work of art he creates has a meaning behind it along with an indigenous story of what entity it is about and what it means to the indigenous. Through the use of these different stories it ties in the many spiritual beliefs from indigenous people in ways that never really would have been thought about unless you grew up learning the stories. I would frequent his stand he set up to read the many stories he had and to purchase the ones that had the biggest impacts on me and the way I see the world. By reading these stories it helped me think about the animals I see everyday in a different way and it gave me more appreciation for them, even the animals that we consider “pests”.

Going back to the idea of the connection forms of nature, sometimes nature can display itself artistically that any person cannot resist to appreciate. For example, sunsets/sunrises are a form of natural painting on the world's biggest canvas. How many people do you know, when walking or driving and you see a sunset/sunrise, that don’t stop and look at all of the different colours for even a second?

This is a picture of my most handsomest puppy (Ripley) with a stunning sunset behind.

Thank you all for reading and I hope you enjoyed it! Please check in again next week for the next blog!

Blog 4: The Gift of Tragedy

Nature interpretation heavily relies on art and literature to express and showcase nature to the public. People who normally do not embrace nature need nature interpreters to help them enjoy nature, whether it be through music, painting, or photography. It is the job of nature interpreters to adapt their interpretations to suit their current audiences. If they want to appeal to French Canadians, then using a setting based on Quebec to tell their story and offering their story in both French and English might help.   

Lake Timiskaming where the Timiskaming tragedy took place

In Chapter 5, ‘The Gift of Beauty’ is defined as “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”. I interpret The Gift of Beauty as something created by a nature interpreter that inspires their audience to want to explore and protect more nature instead of just experiencing it and moving on. Due to the 1978 Timiskaming tragedy, Lake Timiskaming will forever have a sentimental connection for many people. In Unit 3, James Raffan and Paul Mills used the ‘The Last Place’ song to tell the story of the Timiskaming tragedy where 12 boys and a leader/teacher died due to their canoe overturning while on a canoe trip. The tragedy expresses how to fulfill the macho attitude fantasy of old adults, young boys had to lose their lives before the old adults changed their views. This tragedy makes Lake Timiskaming a historic site that many people will want to protect after learning about the tragedy to make sure we do not forget the boys who lost their lives and learn from the tragedy. This is my ideal interpretation of The Gift of Beauty.

The famous landmark; Green Boots on the Mount Everest summit

Linking back to my last blog post, I am going to talk about Mount Everest again. When I think of The Gift of Beauty, I am reminded of ‘Green Boots’. The famous photograph taken in 2010 showcases an unidentified dead mountain climber wearing distinct green boots that now represents a landmark on one of the routes to summit Mount Everest. The climber has been assumed to be dead since 1996 and his body remains in perfect condition on initial observation. Due to the sheer cold wind and freezing conditions on the mountain, bacterial activity cannot decompose the bodies of dead climbers thus leaving them where they perished. The photograph is famous among mountain climbers as it serves as a warning of the fate that most likely lies ahead of them and that your body could end up as the next landmark, used by future climbers to summit the tallest mountain in the world.

Hey Madison,

 I really enjoyed your definition of privilege in the context of nature interpretation, specifically when you mentioned privilege as having the resources to pursue outdoor activities. I do not think people realize how big of a privilege it is to be able to either go camping, visit your cottage every year, or participate in sports outside of school. I believe that people are getting better at acknowledging this issue, but many underserved kids, no matter how talented, cannot afford to enjoy outdoor activities that involve money. In high school and middle school, certain students who excelled in gym class would frequently be asked why they weren’t on a varsity sports team or weren’t pursuing sports as a career. They would always mention that they either could not afford to participate, or their parents did not have enough time.

Privilege in an activity usually coincides with barriers for the underprivileged to enjoy that same activity. You mentioned making the invisible visible in nature interpretation and dismantling the invisible knapsack of privilege. This resonated with me as the authors in the textbook mentioned that acknowledging your privilege as a nature interpreter is a very important role (Beck et al., 2018). Then, making a simple sign at the entrance showcasing ‘All are welcome to this site’ highlighting people with disabilities and minorities can greatly impact the underserved population’s willingness to visit. Actively hiring minorities is also another great method of addressing privilege showcased in the textbook (Beck et al., 2018). The inclusion of minority staff in the planning and deployment of nature interpretation reduces social barriers to visitation as they find another minority to be more relatable (Beck et al., 2018).

References

Beck, L., Cable, T. T., & Knudson, D. M. (2018). Interpreting Cultural and Natural Heritage: For a Better World. In Interpreting Cultural and Natural Heritage: For a Better World. Sagamore Publishing LLC. https://sagamore.vitalsource.com/reader/books/9781571678669/pageid/152

Privilege in Nature Interpretation🌲

As nature enthusiasts and interpreters, we often find solace and inspiration in the great outdoors, appreciating the diverse wonders that Mother Nature provides (see below!). However, this week's reading, "Helping Teachers Unpack their 'Invisible Knapsacks'" by Nancy P. Gallavan (2005), prompts us to reflect on the role of privilege in our nature interpretation journeys.

A snapshot I took of Emerald Lake in 2020, situated near Thorne, Ontario. I am privileged to have had the time, resources, and ability to witness the breathtaking beauty of this serene landscape. This image stands as a testament to the fortunate opportunities that enable me to appreciate and share the wonders of nature. 📷🍃

Before delving into the connections between privilege and nature interpretation, let's establish a working definition of privilege. Drawing from Peggy McIntosh's influential paper on "Unpacking the Invisible Knapsack," privilege is a set of unearned advantages, assets, and provisions afforded to individuals based on various characteristics, such as race, gender, class, and more (Gallavan, 2005). These privileges are often ingrained in societal structures and can be taken for granted by those who possess them (Gallavan, 2005).

In the context of nature interpretation, privilege can manifest in various ways. Consider the ability to access and enjoy natural spaces without fear or hesitation, feeling a sense of ownership over the environment, or having the resources to pursue outdoor activities. These privileges are often invisible, like an unnoticed backpack of unearned assets, shaping our interactions with nature.

Gallavan's (2005) emphasis on multicultural education, inclusivity, and understanding one another becomes particularly relevant when applied to nature interpretation. Nature should be a space for everyone, regardless of their background or identity. However, acknowledging and dismantling privilege in this context requires a conscious effort to create environments that are welcoming, safe, and accessible to all.

Much like the students in Gallavan's multicultural education courses, nature interpreters can benefit from exercises that prompt self-reflection and awareness of their privileges. Let's adapt Gallavan's approach to unpacking invisible knapsacks for our nature interpretation community.

Cultural Artifacts in Nature Interpretation:

Imagine bringing a "cultural artifact" from your outdoor experiences—a symbol of your connection to nature. It could be a leaf from your favourite tree, a stone from a meaningful hike, or a photo capturing a special moment in nature. Share this artifact with your audience/ fellow interpreters, explaining its significance and the personal connections it holds. This exercise fosters a deeper understanding of each other's relationship with nature and highlights the diverse ways people engage with the environment.

This mushroom, a cherished find from one of countless hikes with my best friend, encapsulates the shared joy and wonder we can discover in the hidden corners of nature. It serves as my 'cultural artifact,' a symbol of the bond forged through exploration and a reminder of the privilege I enjoy to freely connect with the great outdoors. What's your nature artifact? 🍄🌲

Identifying Perceived Privileges in Outdoor Spaces:

Adapt Gallavan's (2005) chart to assess your privileges in nature interpretation. Reflect on aspects like access to natural areas, the ease of engaging in outdoor activities, or the feeling of safety while exploring. Then, challenge yourself by considering how these privileges might differ for others based on their cultural backgrounds, abilities, or socioeconomic status. This exercise encourages us to recognize the disparities in nature experiences and work towards creating more equitable outdoor spaces.

Making the Invisible Visible in Nature Interpretation:

In the final exercise, interpreters can use artistic expressions to visualize their nature-related privileges. Unpack the invisible knapsack by creating a visual representation—perhaps a collage or artwork—that symbolizes the privileges, challenges, and aspirations within your nature interpretation journey. Share these creations to encourage dialogue and understanding among interpreters.

Nature interpretation, like education, should be a transformative and inclusive experience. By acknowledging and dismantling the invisible knapsacks of privilege, we pave the way for a more equitable and enriching connection with the natural world. This raises the question of how each one of us, as passionate nature interpreters, can actively contribute to dismantling these invisible barriers and ensure that our shared journey with the great outdoors becomes a beacon of unity and understanding for all. Let me know your thoughts on this!🌿✨ Until next time,

Madison B.

References:

Gallavan, N. P. (2005). Helping teachers unpack their "invisible knapsacks". Multicultural Education, 13(1), 36-39. https://link-gale-com.subzero.lib.uoguelph.ca/apps/doc/A137921591/AONE?u=guel77241&sid=bookmark-AONE&xid=9fe2f151

Blog 3: The Privilege of Driving to Nature

Mcintosh described privilege as “an invisible knapsack of unearned assets ... of special provisions, maps, passports, codebooks, visas, clothes, tools, and blank checks” while Oxford describes it as “a special right or advantage that a particular person or group of people has” (Noel, 2000; Oxford University Press Editors, 2024). My personal definition of privilege kind of relates to my country, Nepal. When I think of privilege, I think of the rich tourists who go to Nepal to summit Mount Everest. Not only can they afford the expensive tickets, but they are also able to sit around doing nothing at the base camp while waiting for ideal weather conditions to summit the Mountain. They don’t even have to carry all their heavy equipment; that’s the job of the Sherpas; all they must carry is whatever they feel like carrying. At the same time, the Sherpas must plan their whole year around when and how many rich tourists they can help summit the Mountain. They are not afforded the opportunity to worry about their lives or how taxing carrying all the heavy equipment is on their body. If they don’t risk their lives, the families that rely on them risk starvation for the season, as growing their own food and making money through alternate pathways is nearly impossible. I am frequently reminded of the video where a Sherpa carried a dying tourist all the way back to safety, only for the tourist to go back home, become a celebrity, and not acknowledge the Sherpa who saved their life until the internet forced them to (Zachary Rogers, 2019). I believe the ability to scale Mount Everest, sometimes multiple times, without putting in much effort is the best representation of privilege for me.

A Sherpa carrying a heavy load for a climber on Mount Everest summit

Privilege plays a huge role in nature interpretation since people who are not privileged enough to experience nature interpretation do not even know what nature interpretation means. To the immigrant parents living in the Greater Toronto Area, nature and nature interpretation are not even in their mindset. Their mind is filled with how to support their family, whether they can afford rent this month, and if they can finally buy a car to open more job opportunities. I witnessed my parents go through this as my dad would work night shifts at a Petro Canada and then go to college all while relying on whether this bus would arrive on time. This posed an economic barrier for my parents to experience nature and nature interpretation, which was one of the five factors mentioned in this week’s assigned reading on ‘Why Don’t More Minorities Come?” (Beck et al., 2018). In the same chapter, the authors proposed that public transportation from urban areas to interpretive facilities would greatly alleviate the car economic barrier (Beck et al., 2018). I believe this is a great idea, as I experienced this myself while living in Ottawa, where I did not have a car. I wanted to visit Gatineau Park however, you cannot reach the park without a car or paying for a cab. The city provided free shuttle buses from urban downtown Ottawa to Gatineau Park to alleviate this barrier.  

Shuttle bus at Gatineau Park

References

Beck, L., Cable, T. T., & Knudson, D. M. (2018). Interpreting Cultural and Natural Heritage: For a Better World. In Interpreting Cultural and Natural Heritage: For a Better World. Sagamore Publishing LLC. https://sagamore.vitalsource.com/reader/books/9781571678669/pageid/152

Noel, J. (2000). Notable Selections in Multicultural Education. Dushkin/McGraw-Hill.

Oxford University Press Editors. (2024). Privilege - Definition. Oxford University Press. https://www.oxfordlearnersdictionaries.com/definition/english/privilege_1

Zachary Rogers. (2019, June 6). Man saved from certain death on Everest criticized for thanking sponsors instead of savior sherpa. ABCNews4. https://abcnews4.com/news/nation-world/man-saved-from-certain-death-on-everest-criticized-for-thanking-sponsors-instead-of-savior-sherpa-mount-ravichandran-tharumalingam-gelje-zone-rescue

Your ideal role as an environmental interpreter sounds very similar to what the members of The Field Botanists of Ontario do. They are a non-profit organization that does exactly what you mentioned. They go out on field trips (sometimes to areas unavailable to the public) while accompanied by a local flora expert who guides the tour. The local expert showcases all the unique plants of the area and helps the members key out and identify the plant species. The activity is very hands-on and requires a lot of visual interaction, so people who have a physical and visual learning style would be ideal for The Field Botanists of Ontario. As a side note, if you are interested in furthering your knowledge of plant identification and how to use field guides and keys to ID plants, I would recommend BOT*3710: Plant Diversity and Evolution (if you already did not know).

I agree with you that Guelph is an excellent location due to the access points you mentioned. I really like Preservation Park since it has so many ways to enter and explore. It has set paths, but you can go off the path and get lost for three to four hours. I agree that nature does transform through the seasons and birds such as Dark-eyed Junco are more prominent in Southern Ontario during winter and cannot be seen as frequently during the other seasons. I personally like to observe the snow layer build up in an undisturbed area starting from the first to last snowfall to study how much the ground level rises as snow compacts, but unfortunately, this winter was not ideal for that.  

My Ideal Role as an Environmental Interpreter

My ideal role as an environmental interpreter would likely look like me taking a group of people on a hike/walk in the forest and teaching them about plants and their medicinal value. I don’t know a great deal about this topic currently but I know enough that I can go on a walk and name some of the plants I’d see (thanks to my plant-loving mom). I hope to learn more about plant identification in the future as well as medicinal uses of these plants which can be very useful in a pinch. I think these things are best learned from someone in your community giving a hands-on learning environment. In this way, people of all learning types can get something out of the experience because you are speaking to them, showing them, and actively using and showing the plants. I would hand out booklets with the information spoken as well for those who prefer to read and process information on their own. Forest walks are not accessible by everyone so I’d like to have this information online as well for those who can’t be there in person.

Guelph is a great location for this kind of learning because there are so many access points to nature. I currently don’t drive but if I did I would do some walks out in a further forest that would be more remote and I would host some on the Royal Recreation Trail for those like me so they can access it by foot or bus. The fact that we experience all four seasons, and beautifully so, in Guelph adds another layer to this job. I would be going out in very hot and very cold temperatures which may not always be ideal but this is my dream job so I would still enjoy it! Nature transforms throughout each of those seasons, making what I present to each group slightly different based on the time of year and which plants are in season.

This job requires a lot of skills including teaching, understanding, problem solving, organization, creativity and communication. Firstly, I’d need to learn more about how different people learn and possible nuances in this that I may come across while in this position. I’ll need to educate myself further about this topic and on how to communicate what I’ve learned to others. I will want to make my nature walks as engaging as possible which requires a lot of creativity and organization to put something together that people will find valuable. Thus, this is a journey I’m excited to delve further into and take you all along with me. I hope to expand my skills in all of these areas through learning and teaching and hopefully one day be able to make this dream a reality.