#mountsberg raptor centre

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Unit 10

Describe your personal ethic as you develop as a nature interpreter. What beliefs do you bring? What responsibilities do you have? What approaches are most suitable for you as an individual?

Through writing this blog, I’ve been pushed to develop a more concrete sense of my personal beliefs and ethics within nature interpretation. I’ve found that at the core, I feel nature interpretation is most powerful in its ability to create lasting connections with people and the natural world, rather than simply an avenue for education or entertainment. These were thoughts I brought with me before starting this blog but were immediately reaffirmed in Chapter 1, where Beck et al. (2018) explain how good interpretation expands awareness and understanding, leading to enriched experiences. As such, I continue to view interpretation as a vehicle for connecting diverse audiences with equally diverse aspects of nature, from towering mountains to molehills.

Nested closely with my core beliefs is my personal history, where, as a new Canadian (having only lived here since 2022) I deeply value conversations which highlight the diverse cultural perspectives on nature. From a purely personal standpoint, moving continents meant a VERY steep learning curve in terms of the species I now share spaces with; allowing (aka forcing) me to take things way back to basics and appreciate natural spaces in a way I had certainly taken for granted. For example, even after more than two years, an up-close interaction with a black-capped chickadee in the UofG Arboretum or cautiously passing the neighbourhood skunk on the way back from my mailbox never fail to make me smile, despite being some of the most overlooked species. In a way, I feel this is what makes them most exciting! While settling here has encouraged me to reorient myself to Canadian species and landscapes, it has also encouraged me to explore differing cultural attitudes towards wildlife and conservation. I distinctly remember being saddened but not surprised to learn that the Woodland Caribou (mentioned in an earlier post), which hold great ecological and cultural significance to many Indigenous people, face dire threats of habitat destruction by humans: despite the continued efforts towards their protection by Indigenous communities (Viswanathan, 2023).

Knowing that humans are so frequently directly responsible for the loss of wildlife and subsequently indigenous culture around the world has led me to reflect on my biases. As an interpreter, it is my responsibility to share knowledge in an accessible and captivating way, but also to ensure my delivery and practices are equitable and inclusive. The concept of the “invisible backpack” mentioned in Unit 03 reminds me to consider the varying privileges and barriers people face when accessing natural spaces (McIntosh, 1989). For example, as someone navigating new cultural norms in Canada, I’ve noticed how environmental experiences often reflect dominant cultural values, sometimes overlooking other traditions of engaging with nature. Recognizing this informs my efforts to craft experiences that resonate with diverse audiences and honour multiple ways of knowing; which have led me to realise the power of nature interpretation as a tool for change.

A photo of Buzz, a non-releasable Turkey Vulture at Mountsberg Raptor Centre. Here, he’s ‘sunning’, a common behaviour among vultures where they save energy by using the heat of the sun to maintain homeostatic body temperature.

I am especially drawn to advocating for species that are often misunderstood, like Turkey Vultures. Their scavenging lifestyle means they are commonly associated with death and decay, meaning that many people think they are unpleasant or even ugly! But this species and other scavengers around the world play a vital ecological role; they are nature’s clean-up crew. By consuming and digesting carrion using stomach acid that has a pH slightly above zero, they prevent the spread of disease and help to recycle nutrients back into the environment (Greaney, 2017). By sharing remarkable adaptations like this, I hope to shift perceptions and inspire admiration for a species often dismissed. Advocacy for such misunderstood creatures aligns with my goal of broadening people’s appreciation for all forms of life, even those that might not immediately captivate their attention.

In Unit 2, I learned that I am an auditory learner. As an auditory learner, I can bring a unique perspective to nature interpretation by embracing sound and storytelling as powerful tools to connect people with the natural world. Storytelling through sounds allows me to craft vivid narratives that bring ecosystems and wildlife to life, weaving tales of resilience and interconnection, and lends itself to my particular interest in birds. The bird-nerd phase started young and never left, thanks to these wonderful species. Take a listen!

I love the idea incorporating the sounds of nature into my interpretation, whether it's guiding audiences to pause and listen for a chickadee’s cheerful call or playing recordings of natural phenomena to deepen understanding. I also find the absence of sound to be incredibly moving, for instance in a dense woodland. It’s moments like this where I personally feel most able to connect to nature, and the peace that comes along with it, and I hope to one-day share that with people. Experiences so far have showed me that my strength in active listening helps me engage with audiences, valuing their insights and tailoring my delivery to species or phenomena they can relate to; encouraging dialogue that fosters a collaborative experience. My aim is that using these approaches allows me to share my passion for nature in a way that reflects some of my personality, while also resonating with others and leaving lasting impressions.

Ultimately, my personal ethic as a nature interpreter is rooted in curiosity—sparking a sense of wonder in others while encouraging them to explore the natural world with open minds. My experiences as a new Canadian, my fascination with misunderstood species like turkey vultures, and my dedication to inclusive storytelling inspire me to approach this work with my own curiosity and wonder. Whatever the medium, I strive to create experiences that ignite curiosity and invite audiences to ask questions, make connections, and see nature in new ways. I am lucky to have already gained experience in this field, but as I continue to grow, I hope to refine this ethic by keeping my passion fuelled by learning of others’ perspectives and new experiences.

---References---

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

Greaney, D. (2017). Vultures have the pH for public health. Record Searchlight. Retrieved 14 November 2024, from https://www.redding.com/story/life/2017/07/26/vultures-have-ph-public-health/504630001/

McIntosh, P. (1989). White privilege: Unpacking the invisible knapsack. Peace and Freedom Magazine, 10–12.

My Birding Year (Director). (2021, January 29). UK Garden Bird Identification Guide—Bird Names and Songs [Video recording]. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IfLIYOh8qEU

Viswanathan, L. (2023, May 15). Indigenous-led Conservation of Caribou. Indigenous Climate Hub. https://indigenousclimatehub.ca/2023/05/indigenous-led-conservation-of-caribou/

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A Northern Saw-Whet Owl, at the Mountsberg Raptor Centre in Campbellville, Ontario.

Photo © Megan Lorenz

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Barn owl 4

Taken during a Ray Barlow photography workshop at Mountsberg Raptor Centre - controlled conditions. Follow my new bird blog: Jen the Bird Nerd Visit my website: www.jenstlouisphotography.com “Like” me on Facebook Follow me on Twitter

[owenian745492]

Barn owl 4

Taken during a Ray Barlow photography workshop at Mountsberg Raptor Centre - controlled conditions. Follow my new bird blog: Jen the Bird Nerd Visit my website: www.jenstlouisphotography.com “Like” me on Facebook Follow me on Twitter

[loattorhoppy]

Slate Snow Gazing

Slate is a captive bred falcon and is unable to live in the wild due to human imprinting, so Slate resides in Mountsberg Raptor Centre.

-- 500px Image Page; http://ift.tt/2kV8zLZ

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Jazz, the barn owl taken for @forsaken-berceuse because she loves owls. 

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A few more random photos from the Mountsberg Raptor Centre, including the unimpressed great horned owl and the deep in thought gyrfalcon

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Barn Owl. by Nuao on Flickr.

[msdenvs3000f24]

Unit 5

Free writing this week - what have you been thinking about?

This week I’ve been thinking a lot about the 2024 eBird Taxonomy Update. Though this may be showing my bird-nerd habits too plainly, it got me thinking in more depth about the way that nature and science interpretation is continually adapted to emerging scientific information, which has the potential to undermine the work of many interpreters that come before us.

The most poignant part of this year’s Update for me is the reclassification of species in the genus Accipiter, as I am lucky enough to spend my weekends caring for birds and interpreting to the public at Mountsberg Raptor Centre (around 30 minutes south of Guelph). Accipiters are one of the genera that falls under the ‘hawk’ umbrella and until recently three Accipiter species could be found in Ontario; the Sharp-shinned Hawk (SSHA), the Cooper’s Hawk (COHA), and the American/Northern Goshawk (NOGO). However, as the Taxonomy Update outlines, new insights gleaned from genetic analyses have led to the determination that Accipiters are not a monophyletic group and should therefore be reclassified. They lack the close ancestral relationships typically found within raptor genera, like the Strix owls, for example. As such, the group has experienced a split (long-awaited, for some) with nine formerly Accipiter species moving to genus Astur (from the Latin ‘asturis’ meaning ‘hawk’). Astur hawks are to be distinguished from Accipiters by their bulky size (particularly of their feet), flight pattern, and vocalization similarity.

Now, what does this mean for raptor enthusiasts in Ontario? To be honest, not much in a practical sense. Both the SSHA and COHA can be commonly found in southern Ontario, often seen hunting around backyard bird feeders, but are notoriously difficult to distinguish from one another.

Left – Adult SSHA; Right – Adult COHA (Lund, 2015).

Their appearance alone fuels the questions of some enthusiasts about recent changes. Namely that COHAs have moved to Astur while SSHAs remain one of just six ‘true’ Accipiters.

The hope is that the new classification will encourage field identifications to be made based on differing behaviour and posture, rather than the often ambiguous or even plainly unhelpful size difference.

All this considered, I have been thinking back on one of our earlier blog prompts about the skills of an ideal interpreter, and how I feel it is important for a nature interpreter to share accurate information about the sights, sounds, and species they’re talking about – particularly, one who is leaning on the sciences as context to their interpretation. To an extent, I enjoy the freedom of being able to share a more personal interpretation of what I’m seeing, but I am also of the opinion that nature interpretation carries a certain responsibility, and so sharing information that is as true and current as possible is vital. Perhaps this point of view stems from experiences interpreting specifically for younger audiences with the intention that they learn, remember, and carry with them key characteristics about the species they share spaces with. As such, a more personal overarching goal is guiding them towards coexistence with these species, so I find truth and scientific accuracy to be the smoothest route.

-- References --

eBird – Cornell Lab of Ornithology (2024). 2024 Taxonomy Update. Retrieved 11 October 2024, from https://ebird.org/ebird/news/2024-taxonomy-update

Lund, N. (2015). A Beginner’s Guide to IDing Cooper’s and Sharp-Shinned Hawks | Audubon Magazine. Retrieved 11 October 2024, from https://www.audubon.org/news/a-beginners-guide-iding-coopers-and-sharp-shinned-hawks

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From my trip to the Mountsberg Raptor Centre, we watched a short show which featured two birds, this is Pip the American kestrel, they are so good at swirling around in the air! :D

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From my trip to the Mountsberg Raptor Centre, we watched a short show which featured two birds, one was this lovely lady Jazz, who is a hybrid between a North American barn owl and a European barn owl. The last photo is my favourite, look at her gorgeous face! :D

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funnywildlife

Barn Owl. by Nuao on Flickr.

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Bald Eagle. by Nuao on Flickr.

#Bird#Photo

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Barred owl portrait 3 by Jen St. Louis on Flickr.

#Nature#Bird#Photo

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American Kestrel 7 by Jen St. Louis on Flickr.

#Bird#Photography

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Eastern screech owl 2 by Jen St. Louis on Flickr.