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[dpenvs3000semester]

Hi Ben,

What I really appreciated about you blog was that you can see the clear passion and thoughtfulness that you put into being an environmental interpreter. You've highlighted how your practical work of guiding tours has sharpened your communication skills. In my blog I talked about how having excellent communication skills is a must have and how it can help with adaptability which is also very crucial in this field.

Your experiences at the Cambridge butterfly have clearly taught you a lot about audience engagement and how to keep children engaged with hands on approaches and also handling other visitors with misconceptions.

Additionally, the way that you have connected with your journey of learning a specific experience at the University of Guelph was beautiful, that moment really showed your true inspiration adn passion for nature interpretation.

Overall your blog on both you strengths and your areas of growth really showed me that whatever you are passionate about is genuine and why you are so drawn to this field.

Unit 2 Blog

I believe that my role as an environmental interpreter should tailor to both my strengths gained from experience and my interests as a learner. Based on these criteria, I am certain that I would enjoy a position as an interpretive nature guide in protected conservation areas or woodlots similar to the Arboretum at the University of Guelph. That is, I would take visitors on tours through sites, run workshops, oversee research initiatives and plan/host events. I also believe that I would excel in creating written educational materials for different audiences, such as field guides, books or posters.

As an interpreter, I have worked to polish my strengths and address my weaknesses through experience in communicating with the public. Developing skills for interacting with an audience can range from something as simple as being able to project my voice to something more complex such as being able to deal with conflict among visitors. In my time as a volunteer at the Cambridge Butterfly Conservatory, Riverwood Conservancy, and Willow Park Ecology Centre, I have interacted with a range of different audiences and learned to adapt to visitors’ different learning styles. For example, some visitors would ask a lot of questions, while others would challenge information with misguided notions. Children would often lose interest quickly unless presented with a more interactive and hands-on style of teaching. It was up to me to find and test different methods of presenting the main topic or message in a universally fun, relatable and engaging way. One of the biggest learning curves for me was trying to maintain a balance of visual and auditory interpretation. I would tend to go off-topic and talk for longer than I should instead of using more time to interpret the surrounding environment.

As a learner, I have taken great inspiration from positive experiences with nature interpretation. Having been through school, extracurriculars, summer camps, and other teaching environments, I have seen firsthand what works and what doesn’t. I have also attended workshops, events and walks hosted by professional interpreters, which have varied in levels of engagement. One specific experience was during orientation week in my first year as a student at the University of Guelph. Chris Earley, an interpretive biologist and education co-ordinator at the Arboretum, toured new students through the woodlot and recounted his history as an environmental interpreter. The role that he described felt like it was made for me, and I realized after this walk that nature interpretation was a path I wanted to explore further. In addition to face-to-face walks and workshops, Earley has also written books and field guides designed to communicate information to different audiences. Creating educational materials is another form of interpretation that I had not considered before, and I believe that I could also excel in this since I enjoy writing as much as I do speaking!

[dpenvs3000semester]

Role of an Environmental Interpreter

As someone that has a deep connection with nature, I've always had a great appreciation for the outdoors as it gives me chance to reflect and gain perspective. I've realized over time that sharing this connection with other people is essential as it gives nature and the environment around me a deeper meaning and appreciation. This is where my role of being an environmental interpreter comes into play as it would allow me to guide others into a world where they would have a better understanding of what is around them.

Ideally, I would like to start my role as an environmental interpreter at a national park where the beauty of the environment can speak for itself. For example, in my last blog I talked about Torres del Paine in Chile and how it was a turning point for me and my connection with nature. A location like this has brought me peace and helping other feel a fraction of what I felt would be an amazing experience.

This role entails making nature relatable to others, I would do this by guiding people on hikes and creating other interactive learning experiences that highlight the ecological significance of that area. However, I would like to focus more on the connection factor rather than spewing out information that many would have not have a personal connection with. For example, an active learner might want to dive right in and participate in all of the activities even if it does not entail a personal connection. On the other hand, a reflective learner will take their time and try to build a connection with their surroundings. The real challenge lies in connecting these 2 learners and finding a middle ground where both of them are able to get a meaningful experience out of it.

To be an outstanding interpreter you need a mix of different skills, for example communication is a very important skill to have as it could be used to lead groups such as hikers and others and make sure that they understand the information you are telling them. You would also need excellent observation skills as this can be used to monitor the environment and also how other are interacting with nature itself. Being adaptable and creative will help with this observation and cater to those who are having a tough time connecting with the environment.

All in all, the role of an environmental interpreter would make the outside world a better place and enjoyable for everyone. Whether it's through a guided hike or an exhibit where they go over interesting facts about the place, seeing a deeper connection with the environment around them would be a notable passion for me.

[dpenvs3000semester]

Hi Ben,

I've just read through your blog and I wanted to share my thoughts and feedback. I really enjoyed how you interpreted your personal journey with nature. Your story about growing up in a rural town and your fascination with bugs at an early age is both relatable and engaging.

The way you described your experience at the Cambridge Butterfly Conservatory is striking as it's clear that this was the experience that shaped your path to becoming a volunteer in the future.

Your reflection on how you've adapted to communication styles based on your audience is also very insightful and shows that you have a deep understanding of nature interpretation, i found it very impressive how you turned your personal experiences into a bigger perspective on nature and education as a whole.

Also, I'd like to say that your commitment to continuing your education and career in wildlife biology and environmental sciences is well thought out. It's evident that you are not only passionate about nature and what it has to offer but also dedicated to leaving a positive impact through your work and I 100% relate to that as well!

Overall your blog was engaging, heartfelt, and even inspiring, it shows your journey and passion for nature and it was a pleasure to read.

Unit 1 Blog

Hello and welcome to my blog! I will be using this space to share and discuss my relationship with nature and the environment, my experiences both as a learner and as an interpreter, and how my perspective has evolved over years of developing my passions and interests.

I grew up in a rural town surrounded by deep woods and wetland, where I spent the majority of my free time outside exploring. Most notably, I loved learning about the bugs and insects in my backyard. This early interest developed into a lifelong appreciation for the natural world and the wildlife we share it with.

A photo of 7 year-old me and my new friend at a bug summer camp at the Cambridge Butterfly Conservatory

One of my most memorable experiences came from a summer camp all about bugs at the Cambridge Butterfly Conservatory (formerly Wings of Paradise) in 2011. Not only was I able to meet like-minded peers who were just as excited about insects; the camp counsellors were also very enthusiastic interpreters, which enhanced the experience significantly. This was my first real experience with nature interpretation. The counsellors’ passion and care for the insects and animals inspired me so much that, 8 years later, I actually came back to the Cambridge Butterfly Conservatory to volunteer as a nature interpreter during the summer of 2019! I did not run summer camps, but would instead show different types of insects to visitors, guide them on tours through the building, and care for the different insects in the conservatory.

A photo of me showing off a Thorny Devil stick insect as a volunteer nature interpreter at the Cambridge Butterfly Conservatory

It felt surreal to be in the shoes of the interpreter, sharing my own enthusiasm with kids who, like me, were developing an early interest in nature. The conservatory was frequented by visitors of all ages and different levels of comfort around insects, and it was often up to me to alter the way I communicated information depending on my audience. Nature interpretation can do wonders to create a fun and enriching experience for everyone, and I had a blast helping people develop a sense of place the same way others had for me. Needless to say, nature interpretation has played a major role in both my upbringing and the development of my passions and interests. I have learned a lot from experience both as the visitor and as the interpreter, and plan to apply this knowledge and experience to other aspects of life. After all, interpretation doesn’t just apply to nature!

Today, I continue to develop my interests by working towards a career in the field of wildlife biology and environmental science. I am in my third year of Wildlife Biology & Conservation at the University of Guelph, where I have explored options to specialize my skills and strengths. Beyond the beauty and history of the natural world, I have also grown to recognize the importance of protecting what we have to lose as a result of human impact on the environment and global climate change. I have continued to volunteer my time and have more recently focused on helping to manage protected conservation areas. Beyond this course, I will continue to take opportunities to further my knowledge and experience with nature interpretation.

[dpenvs3000semester]

Unit 01 Blog

Over the years my relationship with nature has become a very personal part of my life, for me it's not just about being outdoors or looking at beautiful scenic views it's about the connection that I feel to the world around me. Nature has always been a source of calm and clarity, a way to step outside of my daily routine and the stresses that are going on in my life. As my family and I have explored many different places, we've realized that nature provides beauty and a sense of peace and perspective.

One of the most significant parts of my relationship with nature is the journeys and hikes I've been on with my family. Together we've travelled all around the work experiencing some of the most breathtaking landscapes this world offers. From places like Machu Picchu to the red rock formation in Sedona, Arizona, and even the forests of Puerto Rico, each one of these places has deepened my appreciation for nature. Every destination is more than just a beautiful view, it is a reflection of how the people of that culture live there. I've always found it fascinating to see how different communities connect with the environment and how this connection shapes their daily lives.

However, out of all the places that I've been to none of them have left an impression on me like Torres del Paine in Chile. This was the most breathtaking place that I have ever been to, the towering mountains, pristine lakes, and open skies created a view for me like no other. I can still remember the feeling to this day standing with my family and taking in such a raw and untouched view. It was at that very moment that I came to realize the sense of relaxation and ease, it was unlike anything that I'd ever experienced before. All the noise and stress of my daily life seemed to vanish and was replaced by a deep sense of peace.

The experience that I had in Torres del Paine was a turning point for me, it showed me that nature has more to offer than just an amazing view, it reset my mind to offer more clarity and remind me of the bigger picture. Looking back now my relationship with nature has evolved drastically over time, it started off with me just wanting to see different landscapes or being "forced" to go on a hike with my family, but has quickly become something much more meaningful. Nature has been a center point of my life where I can just step away from everything and take in the beauties of this world and what it has to offer.

As I continue to explore new places all around the world, I know that my connection with nature will only deepen and keep growing. It has become a vital part of me and a place where I feel most at peace and a reminder of how beautiful this world really is.