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Amazing Thing in Nature

The aspect of nature that I find most amazing and by far the coolest are frogs. Specifically, the fact that frogs freeze throughout the winter and survive until the weather defrosts them. This is an amazing phenomenon. All of nature adapts to survive in their ecosystems, from trees loosing their leaves to plants surviving on very little water. Frogs and some fish go far beyond this as the ability to survive being frozen took an insane amount of evolution to achieve. To put in perspective how amazing this is, human tissue often dies when it freezes, even what the rest of the human isn't frozen or dead. Surviving while frozen is already impressive, but in addition to just that, they also go months and months without food.

The process is similar to hibernation. When animals hibernate, their metabolism slows and body temperature lowers, allowing them to go long periods of time surviving on just their body fat. The primary difference is that mammals that hibernate would die if frozen. Frog cells are different. They have adapted to freeze without crystallizing which allows them to stay alive.

To me, this is the most amazing thing about nature. The amount of work through evolution that it took to develop this is beyond impressive. In winter, when the lakes and rivers freeze, people stop thinking about and looking for the organisms surviving in the water. Although you cant see them, the frogs are still there, using their impressive trait survive the freezing winters.

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Music and Nature

Music and nature have a strong correlation in the sounds that occur outdoors. The most obvious example are birds. Birds sing constantly, creating recognizable patterns that are used to decipher the species. Along with birds, there are sounds created by the flow of water and wind which create notable patterns. Other animals have calls as well, which can have a musical tone and pattern. Especially in heavily forested rural areas, the music in nature is quite prominent and can be heard year round.

When examining classical music, many instruments resemble the sounds created by nature. For example, the sound of a flute is comparable to the sound of a bird, and drums can recreate the sound of rain. Even in modern music, there are often sounds of nature played in the background to create ambiance and add emotion. In sad songs there may be rain, angry songs may have a storm, and happy songs may have the sounds of birds. The sounds of nature set the scene for a listener and add to the impact of the lyrics and music.

Some songs that bring me immediately to natural landscapes are the songs throughout the movie Peter and the Wolf. This movie was played for my class as a music lesson in third grade to show how the sounds of nature are used in music. Throughout the movie, the landscape and emotions change, and the music follows. Hearing classical music such as the songs featured in this movie remind me of nature, and take me back to times in my life where the weather is so good or bad, that it could be captured in a song.

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Interpretation Through History

"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)

Edward Hyams explained the importance of maintaining knowledge of history, and interpreting history through the spread of memories. Although physical historical objects still exist in society, without interpretation, there is no meaning behind them. Pieces of history throughout time must maintain their importance to prevent ignorance of the past. This can only be done through spreading the knowledge and memory of ancient things.

This quote explains the importance behind this course as a whole. Interpretation almost always has a historical aspect that is examined and explained. Without interpretation, the past is forgotten and significant artifacts become meaningless. Edward Hyams draws attention to the ignorance caused by a lack of historical knowledge by comparing it to someone only believing an object is there while they see it. Understanding history is acknowledging the events that took place prior to our presence. The things around us only become meaningful when we understand what they are and why they are there. Pieces of history are what came together to create the world we live in, and we only have integrity when we know and share what these pieces are.

If we act as if the past is done, we forget that the past is the reason why we have the society we have today. From the species that exist among us, the laws we have in place, to the objects we use daily; everything in our lives exists because of history. By loosing a sense of history we loose the meaning behind everything and the gratitude we have for what brought us here today. Appreciating nature and technology cant be done without some understanding of its history, which is why the spread of knowledge and memories continues to be an important part of society.

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Unit 5: Positive Interpretations of Winter

Throughout the winter seasons in Ontario, its common for us to receive very little sunlight and plenty of cold, windy days. Though the amount of snow can vary, this generally leads to a cloudy, grey environment through most of the season. The sun sets quite early and time outdoors is limited due to the weather conditions. Every year, I find myself dreading this season and constantly missing the summer weather. This seems to be a common opinion about winter in Ontario, which I often discuss with friends and family. I now find myself looking for beauty in the winter and trying to change my negative outlook on the season.

Finding and sharing the beauty in nature is a massive component of nature interpretation. The content of this class has contributed to my interest in finding the beauty in a season that I typically dread. I often view nature negatively during these months, which limits my ability to take in the beauty of my surroundings. I've found it helpful to explore nature with a positive outlook and observe the changes that occur during this time. In doing this, I've been able to find beauty that I would have never noticed. I've learned to appreciate the way the lake freezes, the icicle formations on trees and buildings, the presence of birds and squirrels on slightly warmer days, and the light that snow brings to gloomy days. Participating in outdoor winter activities has also helped me gain appreciation for winter. Thinks such as skiing, skating, and even running outdoors allow me to experience nature while also doing something that I enjoy.

The more time I spend in this weather, the more I wonder about the ways other people and animals adjust to the cold. I find it interesting to learn about which animals hibernate, how birds migrate, how the fish freeze, and how the trees survive the extreme temperature change. I find it especially fun to see the way people dress their dogs to prepare for a winter walk. The variety of clothes and shoes for dogs shows how much people care about making this season enjoyable for pets, even if the last thing they want to do is go for a walk outside. Appreciating winter has also sparked my interest in learning about how the weather was handled throughout history. Right now, most people have indoor heating, well-insulated jackets, and warm, waterproof boots. These items have been developed and distributed in bulk using technology that is relatively new. How did people survive this weather 1000 years ago?

Learning to interpret nature during a cold, gloomy winter has helped me enjoy the season much more than I was able to in previous years. I can see the beauty in animals adapting to the changing weather, in the appearance of my surroundings during the season, and in the way people have learned to take advantage of having constant snow and ice. I especially appreciate the inventions of warm clothing, indoor heating, and all the other things we use to combat the cold. Although I don't think winter will ever be my favourite season, nature interpretation has helped me hate it less. A more positive mindset during this time helps me maintain my metal health and wellbeing, which brings more happiness and productivity in my everyday life.

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Interpreting Nature Through Art

Almost any art form can be used in interpreting nature. From drama to music and photograph, nature can be displayed in an array of forms. From my perspective, learning to interpret nature through art is intimidating. What makes a person qualified to interpret the art of others, or create art with such deep meaning? How can I become one on these people? The only conclusion I have come to is that everyone is qualified to do these things, they just have to start. People interpret art in a variety of ways without he guidance of others, so surely one persons interpretation will resonate with someone. Or it will bring a new concept into someone else's mind that can encourage them to dive deeper into the meaning behind art.

I feel that everyone has the right to interpret art in their own way. So when I interpret art, it is something I do for myself to encourage thinking and imagination. While I don't feel that I am qualified to push my opinions onto others, there is nothing wrong with sharing the interpretations that you perceive from a work. In the topic of nature interpretation, paintings and photographs catch a particularly high amount of my attention and curiosity. Paintings and photographs capture beauty in an original way, and provide an introduction into something that is larger. The still images give a representation of a location and time period that spark imagination about the history and current state of that place. Interpreting the beauty of an art piece encourages my to look further into a location or piece of nature. As my interest grows, I feel excited to share what I have seen and learned with other, hopefully capturing their attention the same way mine was captured.

The gift of beauty within our world is something that I feel has a massive presence in my life. I try to bring beauty of all forms into my everyday life. The gift of beauty is under appreciated, simply because we are constantly around it, but searching for beauty in daily life brings me immense happiness. Even seeing the ways that others bring beauty into their lives can bring inspiration and joy to a person. My person efforts to appreciate the world beauty consist of meeting new people, taking care of plants and animals, travelling, taking pictures, drawing and painting, and so much more. I feel that everyone can benefit by putting in an effort to create a beautiful space for themselves, surrounding them selves with people they love, and visiting locations they haven't yet seen. Appreciating beauty brings me love and happiness, which I choose to interpret as a gift thats meant to be spread to those around me.

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Hey Yassin,

I really enjoyed reading your post! I found the your point about applying the lessons learned in this unit to your future career very interesting. It got me thinking about how I will do the same thing when I begin my career. Your analogies about privilege were effective in explaining privilege to a deep extend. The way you related privilege to nature interpretation was relatable and clear, using everyday examples that people forget are opportunities that come from a privileged life. I look forward to reading more of your work!

Navigating Privilege in the Wilderness of Interpretation

Hey again, fellow nature enthusiasts,

Unit 3 has us unpacking some pretty weighty stuff, and it's got me reflecting on the role of privilege in nature interpretation. We're talking about invisible backpacks here – those unearned advantages that some of us carry without even knowing. Peggy McIntosh first tossed this idea our way in women's studies, highlighting how privilege can silently shape our experiences, and this concept has evolved and been further discussed in more recent studies and discussions (Kendi, 2019).

So, what's in my backpack? Well, for starters, I've got the privilege of education. I'm here at university, studying biomedical science, aiming for a future in dentistry. That's a path paved by a series of privileges many don't get to walk. Language is another. I'm blogging to you in English, the lingua franca of academia and the internet. It opens doors, ones that might remain closed for non-English speakers.

Privilege is like this backstage pass to life's concert. It gets you in places, sometimes without you even realizing it. In nature interpretation, privilege might mean having the freedom to explore the great outdoors or the financial means to afford the gear and go on expeditions.

Here's the thing, though. Recognizing your privilege isn't about guilt. It's about awareness. It's realizing that not everyone starts the hike from the same trailhead. This awareness can shape how we interpret nature to others, making sure we're inclusive and mindful of different starting points.

Reflecting on this, I'm thinking about my future dental office. It'll be a place where I can apply these lessons, ensuring that it's welcoming to all, regardless of what's in their backpack. That's the thing about privilege – once you see it, you can't unsee it. And you definitely shouldn't ignore it.

And in the spirit of this course, here's a nod to the precautionary principle we're familiar with in environmental science. It tells us that prevention beats cure (Raffensperger & Tickner, 1999). I see it as a call to be proactive – to use our privilege for good, to prevent harm, and to spread the benefits of our invisible assets.

As we delve deeper into this course, I'm keeping my eyes wide open to the privileges I hold. I'm thinking about how I can use them responsibly in nature interpretation and beyond. This isn't just about interpreting the environment; it's about interpreting our place in it and how we can make the trail better for those hiking behind us.

Stay aware, stay kind, and let's use our privileges to pave the way for a more inclusive world.

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

Kendi, I. X. (2019). How to Be an Antiracist. One World.

Raffensperger, C., & Tickner, J. (Eds.). (1999). Protecting Public Health and the Environment: Implementing The Precautionary Principle. Island Press.

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Hey Evan, your post was great! I appreciated reading about your own experience with understanding your privilege. It was very powerful to read about your acknowledgment of privilege and experience of seeing others not understand their own. When speaking about the effects of privilege on nature interpretation, the reference to camping was relatable and touching. Your post was effective and enjoyable, I look forward to reading more of your work.

How Privilege Shapes our Relationship with Nature

My working definition of privilege goes as follows; the disproportionate, unwarranted opportunities given to an individual, not based on the merit of a person’s character, but one in which a person is born into, that consciously or not, receives and takes advantage of benefits not available to others; not because the latter is undeserving, but because the former has unique socio-economic traits that give them an advantage in life based off traditional, biased, societal norms (Beck et al., 2018, Gallavan, 2005)

Growing up, I was not taught about my privilege, it was only until I started to see with my own eyes the differences in my life to my friends. Peggy McIntosh is correct when she says individuals born into privilege are taught that their lives are morally neutral; because that is what I thought as a younger kid (Gallavan, 2005). I was born into a middle class household, white, male, put into Catholic school, was able to participate in after school sports; I was given every opportunity to be able to freely explore my surrounding environments without worrying about costs, food, or being discriminated against because of my race or gender, whereas for my friends, they cannot say the same.

I have unfortunately encountered many privileged white men in my life where they seem to think just because they’ve experienced heartaches growing up, that this puts them in the same class as other minorities. That is like comparing going on a hike with a perfectly paved path with designated lookouts and pit stops, versus being kicked off that path, having to work much, much harder than the former to end up in the exact same destination.

The role privilege plays in nature interpretation extends from, but not limited to, economic, cultural, communicative or discriminatory barriers (Beck et al., 2018). These are the contents in which I believe McIntosh refers to as our “invisible backpacks”. Some people’s bags are empty, some maybe only have one or two things, and others have so much in their bags that they don’t even feel the weight anymore (Gallavan, 2005). What I mean by this is, if you are born with privilege, you are most likely unaware of the compounded benefits (weight of the bag) that you receive, because that’s all you’ve ever experienced. If your bag is always 50lbs, eventually that weight will feel lighter and lighter. Similarly, if you’ve always had access to higher education, food, speaking English or having a Canadian passport, you won’t realize how ahead in the game you really are. 

One thing that really stood out to me in the chapter 7 readings was the differences in perspectives of going camping between the privileged and underserved. To middle-class individuals, camping is seen as an escape from the city, where you choose to sleep in tents and cook hotdogs over the fire because that is an a-typical experience which seems “new” and “refreshing”. Alternatively, if you come from a lower economic status, can’t speak much English in an English speaking country, or simply don’t have the transportation to get to and from locations, these factors limit one's ability to interact with nature. Additionally, the textbook raised another very important aspect which I admittedly hadn’t given much thought about until now, and that's how minorities potentially view camping as a “rich white person activity” where they typically associate sleeping outside in a tent with being poor or homeless (Beck et al., 2018). When you look at it from this perspective, it is really eye opening to think about how privileged individuals have gotten so used to their lifestyles, that for fun, they choose to sleep outside in tents, under the elements, without a worry of being stuck in this situation, because they have a car or trailer on stand-by, and a warm 3-story home waiting for them. 

The minimal concerns privileged individuals have for not having to worry about transportation, food, wasting time when you could be making money or being a victim of discrimination when visiting a National Park is one of the highest forms of privilege. Based on our readings and from my own life experience regarding privilege in nature, if your skin is white, you speak English, you have a Canadian passport, were raised middle-class, always had food on the table, and didn’t have to worry about being discriminated against, you had the opportunities to interact in nature where others could not; in short, you were undoubtedly, privileged. From the words of Peggy McIntosh, you were born with an infinite amount of unearned assets at your disposal, that could be used at any given time to put yourself in an advantageous position relative to others. Where you might have a theoretical backpack full of privileged opportunities, based on your unearned socio-economic status, others barely have enough space in the palm of their hands (Gallavan, 2005). 

References:

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

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

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Privilege in Nature Interpretation

I define privilege as an advantage given to a particular group that often goes unnoticed by the beholder. It is prevalent in every aspect of life, including nature interpretation. Nature interpretation is most abundantly available at natural and historical sites. It may be in the form of a lecture, but often involves walking with a guide who will interpret the environment while showing specific notable aspects. As it is usually spoken, privilege based on language is obvious. If a tour is done in English, non english speakers will not be able to understand or effectively participate. On the site, the physical ability to walk through terrain, see, and hear the presentation is another privilege that impacts ones ability to participate. The elderly, blind, deaf, and physical disabled often don't have the privilege of participating in such tours. The price of the transportation and the tour itself is another consideration in attending a nature interpretation. It is a privilege to be able to afford to go on one of these tours. The last privilege I will address is not having to worry about discrimination while attending a tour. Not being part of a minority limits the worry of facing discrimination when in a new environment or with new groups of people. While many would never think twice about attending a tour due to their race, gender, disability, etc, it is a very real part of peoples lives. The fear of being treated poorly in the situation may stop people entirely from attending the tour.

Aside from the attendees of a nature interpretation, the guides and site workers also face privilege in their jobs. Like the attendees, the ability to speak the language of the majority proficiently is a privilege that can determine whether or not a person can work as a nature interpreter. If the guide is not part of a minority group, they likely wont have to worry as much about how their presentation is received and the feedback they are given. The ability to work as a nature interpreter can also be seen as a privilege. The job requires plenty of education, which many don't have access to. Nature interpretation is a very low paying job, on average, so the ability to dedicate a career to this field is often limited to those who can afford to support themselves and their families while receiving a low income.

When examining nature interpretation closely, it is obvious that many aspects of privilege are involved both internally by workers and externally by attendees. Privilege cannot be removed entirely from this situation, as it is always present, but there are steps to be taken that can limit the effects it has on the tours. Making tours accessible to physically and mentally disabled, creating a zero tolerance policy for acts of discrimination, and providing tour in multiple languages are just a few ways nature interpretation sites can limit the effects of privilege. While many more steps are possible, the key to making a change is recognizing ones privilege and actively trying to create an equal experienence for everyone.

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As an Environmental Entrepreneur

My ideal role as an environmental entrepreneur is to pursue a career in urban planning. In a time where new developments are constantly in the works and technology is improving at a rapid pace, environmental sustainability and preservation often gets overlooked. Growing up in Toronto, I always noticed the sheer quantity of construction going on at all times as well as the heavy traffic that occurred every single day. While traffic and construction are inevitable in urban areas, there are plenty of improvements that can be made to promote sustainability and advocating for the environment. I would like to aid in designing developments, such as homes, offices, parks, and malls to be sustainable and aesthetically pleasing. By using my skills to develop urban areas, I could benefit communities and cities to create a more eco-friendly environments and reduce the amount of pollution emitted by highly urbanized areas.

The role of urban planner can have a wide array of duties that would be taken on day to day. The job may entail research, engaging with communities, developing policies, architectural design, transportation planning, collaboration with stakeholders, outsourcing for specialists, and marketing and promotion of sustainable urban planning. Although many activities go into the everyday lives of urban planners, the overall goal is the create sustainable urbanization.

My ideal location for workers as an urban planner would be Toronto. It is an urban area in need of more sustainability, plus my family lives there and I'm family with the city. To become an urban planner in Ontario, I will need a bachelors degree in either urban and regional planning, architecture, geography, engineering, or a related discipline (job bank, 2023). I may also need a masters degree in one of those disciplines (job bank, 2023). I will then need to become a member in the Canadian Institute of Planners, and a certification from the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (job bank, 2023). Some of the recommended skills include evaluation, critical thinking, management of financial resources, problem solving, reading, writing, and oral communication (job bank, 2023). Recommended personal attributed include collaboration, innovation, attention to detail, adaptability, leadership and independence (job bank, 2023). It is also recommended to be knowledgable in mathematics and water resources (job bank, 2023).

References

Canada, E. and S. D. (2023, November 21). Planner, urban and regional near Pictou (NS): Skills - job bank. Planner, Urban And Regional near Pictou (NS) | Skills - Job Bank. https://www.jobbank.gc.ca/marketreport/skills/22469/23051

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My Relationship with Nature

Lately, I have found a lot of peace in experiencing and exploring nature. I often find myself craving a walk outdoors and direct contact with fresh air and sunlight. As I've aged, I have definitely become more appreciative of nature and the time I get to spend outside. Although I love and appreciate nature now, as a kid I had an extreme fear of thunderstorms which brought lots of anxiety around time outside. Coupled with a pollen allergy, I avoided time outside at all costs. Growing up in Toronto, most of my time outside was spent taking the subway or walking to school, both of which I associated with negative experiences. There were very few opportunities to enjoy nature and experience it in a positive way. As I grew older and gained independence, these opportunities increased, and my relationship with nature changed completely.

I have a few notable experiences with nature that have altered my opinion throughout my life. First in my memory, I have nature camp at 5 years old. One day, my camp group was taking a nature walk through what seemed like a massive forest (it was a park in Toronto). Not even half way through the walk, I heard the sound of wind blowing through the trees. I mistook this sound for thunder, panicked, and attempted to run back to the camp building. My councillor followed me and took me back to the building where I spent the rest of the day waiting for my parents to pick me up. I did not have a good time at camp. My next big experience with nature was in 8th grade. My class took a full day nature walk through the city to learn about nature and history. Having gotten over my fear of thunderstorms, I had a great time. The lessons throughout the day and the ability to see and enjoy nature brought a positive few of the outdoors into my life, and my interest in plants and animals began. My third and final notable experience with nature was in 12th grade when I took up outdoor running as a hobby. I ran through parks and boardwalks year-round, getting to enjoy nature everyday and appreciate the weather I once considered bad. Daily time outside is now something I greatly appreciate. My days feel incomplete without my time outdoors.

After years of developing my relationship with nature, my sister is the one that gave me a sense of space. I believe that many people tried to offer me a sense of place in nature throughout my life, though I accepted very few of these opportunities. Growing up, I was encouraged to play outside by teachers, councillors, parents, and friends, but always found myself waiting to go back inside. It wasn't until I was 16 that my sister offered to take me on a run with her. We started running together frequently and I began to truly appreciate nature in its many forms. With her help, I have gained so much love for nature which I could brought me so much happiness and support throughout my life.

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Disclaimer

This blog was created for ENVS*3000, University of Guelph. 

The opinions expressed here represent my own and not those of the University of Guelph. 

The University of Guelph is not responsible for the accuracy of any of the information supplied by this blog.