lfenvs3000w22

[lfenvs3000w22]

Hi Jacqueline!

It’s incredible what a walk can do for our mental health. It seems so easy and yet is still so effective. I completely understand your stress right now. I am also on the job hunt due to co-op. And between applying and schoolwork it’s all a bit overwhelming.

One of my favourite things about Guelph is the forest trails and how there are so many and they are all connected (for the most part). My roommates and I often take “house walks” to clear our heads and calm ourselves when everything feels like it’s too much. I am from Mississauga and I find that I have to drive to a park or forest if I want to be with nature. Whereas here you step outside and you can find it almost anywhere!

My roommates love a long walk they are always excited to see where the trail leads next and find new ways to get lost. I however am a more sit and enjoy nature kinda gal and usually start dragging my heels around the 30 min mark. So I am very impressed by your two hour walk! 

Thank you for your post I always love reading about how much others feel at home in nature :)

Leah

Walk it off

Hello readers! 

This week there is no prompt and I get to write about what I’ve been thinking about. Of course school first comes to mind. The stress of it all (homework, interviews, job searching, midterms…) is a lot to take in sometimes. So this past weekend I went on a long walk with my thoughts. In hindsight, I should have worn some better shoes – just ask my pair of blisters! I ended up walking with my thoughts around Guelph for 2 hours. I started on campus and made my way down to Speed river. Next I found myself sitting briefly on a bench by the river that didn’t have a heap of snow on it. It was nice to sit quietly and enjoy the sounds of birds and the quiet sound that comes from the insulated, snow covered ground. I continued my walk all the way until I hit Highway 6. I was pretty content to keep walking so I followed the Royal Recreation Trail until I found myself around familiar streets and guided myself home. I think taking the time to appreciate nature in all the chaos of my life helps me “heal”. I hope those reading also have a coping strategy, or activity that helps them find peace. 

I had another uplifting and relevant moment this week. During the week I’m thinking about my group’s podcast and doing research. I was talking with a friend and they shared with me a podcast they had created for a different class. It was so clever! They had interviewed a duck which made their podcast interesting and kept the educational portion of it as well. It made me laugh and still taught me about wetlands. I can’t wait to see what everyone else comes up with for this class!

I hope everyone had a great weekend and week.

Thank you for reading,

Jacqueline

[lfenvs3000w22]

Pandemic Gecko

The pandemic has been a long one I feel like we have been tracking it in stages from Tiger King (oof) to sourdough to Wordle and a whole lot more in between. It’s wild to think that 2020 was two years ago. It feels like we were just panic buying toilet paper and finding out what masks we needed. But it wasn’t all bad like many others; I fell victim to the pandemic pet craze where you found yourself with ample time at home and want a new friend. Except my pandemic baby was a leopard gecko named Norbert. (You know, after the dragon from Harry Potter, haha).

Now you may wonder why a lizard? Since I am in student housing, I didn’t feel I had the space for a cat or dog. Rodents bedding often has an odour and can be messy. And well, birds live long enough to be included in wills, and I wasn’t ready for that level of commitment. So I landed on a reptile. I am new to the world of reptiles and researched from March to June 2020 to make sure I knew everything I needed to give this little guy the proper care. Leopard geckos are also known to be one of the “easier” reptiles to care for. So I thought it would be a good introduction.

On July 14th, 2020, I got Norbert from PetSmart (now I know better and should have gone to a reputable breeder, but I saw him and knew he was coming home with me). He was timid, but now we are the best of friends. It’s unfortunate how many people think reptiles have no emotion and can’t show affection to their owners, which I don’t believe is true. The world of reptiles is amazing. They might not get excited the way a dog does or as cuddly as a cat, but it’s truly rewarding once you get to know them and understand their cues.

I crocheted Norbert a hide because I wanted to give him something cozy. He loves it and sleeps the day away in his little cactus. And when I speak to him, he recognizes my voice and will poke his little head out to say hello. When evening comes, he will walk to the front of the tank and ask to come out, in which he will climb up my shoulder and snuggle into my warmth. He loves watching TV. His favourite shows are the Great British Bake off and Phineas and Ferb. I can’t explain it, but something about those shows have him sitting and watching for an hour.

He is also super vocal and will let you know how he is feeling. He has happy chirps when he eats and is exploring and angry noises when he’s in his carrier. He also has favourite people, my roommates and my sister. And you may be wondering how I know he likes them. Well, let’s just say he flung himself off my partner and rubs himself on anything he touches to remove his scent. He is very clear on who he enjoys and who, um... not so much.

Oh, and SPLOOTING is the best thing ever! If you have a pet, I’m sure you have seen them lay fully extended; now imagine a little lizard laying like a pancake to absorb as much of your warmth as possible. When it happens, you feel like you have been chosen, and you can’t move until the lizard has decided you may.

Norbert’s tank! (40 gallons because he’s spoiled)

So I am sure you have gathered my love of reptiles from this post. They have big personalities, love to communicate, and can form great trust from being worked with. I want to put a disclaimer that they require the best care you can give them and not the bare minimum that many pet stores will suggest. The reptile community also has many divided views on many aspects of care, and it takes a lot of research to make sure you are doing what you ought to. This isn’t to discourage anyone from venturing into the world of reptiles. They are wonderful pets, and I don’t think they get nearly enough excitement.

A series of videos from when Norbert and I️ were playing peekaboo (he loves to pretend he’s stalking me loll)

[lfenvs3000w22]

Hi Isabelle! 

I loved reading your post. It's incredible how much art and nature really coincidence. I really related to your post because just how your grandpa introduced you to the world of nature photography; mine had introduced me to landscape paintings. There is something so special about learning from a grandparent and sharing in an activity you are both passionate about. My grandpa is also a way better artist than me, but I try haha.

When writing my post, I didn't even think about how nature and art come together at flower and garden festivals, but you are so right! It always amazes me what they can do and create out of plants :)

My favourite part of your post is how much you reminded me that art and nature can come through so many different mediums. I have also danced all my life and totally forgot the more abstract ways in which we can express nature through movement. I haven't seen the opening ceremonies yet, but I can't wait to watch and think about how nature and art work together!

Thanks :)

Nature and Art

       When I first read the prompt I was a bit nervous but then I realized that art and nature are everywhere and are very often interconnected. When I think about nature and art I first think of nature photography. My grandpa was always taking pictures when we would go on walks or when we went to the cottage. My family always used to look through the photos all the time and it would often take us back to the moment that photo was taken. My grandpa would always know when, where and why he took the photo, even if it had been many, many years. My grandpa always sends me pictures he finds of me in nature when he is looking through his pictures. He still takes beautiful pictures while out on his walks, even when he goes to cities he always finds something beautiful to photograph. I think seeing his passion for photography really inspired me to start taking pictures when I encountered beauty in nature (he is a way better photographer than I am).  Another way nature photography was introduced to me was the kid’s national geographic magazines and books. I always loved getting these during the book fairs when I was a kid. I didn’t always read them but I always looked at the pictures. The photos of animals in their natural habitat are what really intrigued me. Once I found out how the nature photographers took those photos is when I really got into these pictures. I thought it was crazy how people risked their safety to get these pictures, I also loved hearing about how they would sometimes get into a costume or disguise to be less noticeable to the animals they are photographing.

Photo taken by my grandpa during a walk in Stratford, Ontario.

       One of the topics that I thought of when thinking about the combination of nature and art is the flower and garden festival at Disney world. My family and I have been to Disney world twice while this festival was taking place, and it really is a sight to behold. They had sculptures of the characters made of plants, mostly flowers and vines. These statues were incredible and the detail seemed almost unreal. Knowing that they were made out of living plants really intrigued me. The work that must go into something like that is crazy, they picked out the perfect colours and somehow arranged them to look like their characters. These sculptures showed me that art can be made of anything, including nature.

Photo from the Disney world website

     A more recent example of nature interpretation through art is the opening ceremonies of the 2022 winter Olympics in Beijing. An interpretive dance inspired by the changing of seasons between winter and spring was performed. They used props and background visuals to create the images of blades of grass and changing seasons. I danced for all of my life and have never seen anything like this. I would have loved to take part in something like this. The meaning of this dance was easily interpreted even though the movements are not usually used. This dance reached people all over the world because there is no language barrier that might dilute the message. This is true for most art, it reaches many different people and affects all of those people differently.

Photo of interpretive dance from Beijing Olympics (from LA times)

[lfenvs3000w22]

Nature and Art

I am so glad that we are discussing nature through art. I have loved art my whole life, and abstract landscapes are some of my favourite paintings to make. I’m not sure if it’s because drawing people is hard haha. But there is something about staring at a sunset photo or painting of a lake that just feels like home.

A photo my sister took last summer (2021)

I have always been drawn to paintings, photos, etc., of nature that are full of colour. It amazes me how vibrant and expressive nature can be. When you look at a painting of a sunrise, and it is filled with colours ranging in warm tones, you can almost feel the warmth on your face. Paintings of nature have a special way of transporting you to the place they capture.

A painting I did for my grandparents (2020)

I have stated before how I find peace in nature, and when I stand alone and close my eyes in a forest, I feel a sense of calm as I listen to the birds and the wind. Paintings and photographs have the same effect when I take in the art I am transported and can feel the sense of peace the artist felt when they took the photo. It is incredible that without including people or any clear expressions, you can still feel the emotions and tone of the work pouring out.

A quick painting I did for my leopard geckos tank background :P (2021)

We are so fortunate to live in a time of cameras and the internet, it seems silly to say, but we have such incredible access to places and nature all over the world that we would have never been able to witness if it weren’t for the artist who captured the moment. I am forever grateful to have seen places of the world through paintings and pictures that I may never get the chance to visit but still be able to interpret the nature they witnessed through the screen.

A photo I took on my trip to Alaska (2017)

The question states, who are you to interpret nature through art? Well, that’s the wonderful thing about art. I am no one, yet I can bear witness to the beauty all the same. Art is for everyone, and it gives access to everyday people. Art allows people to broaden their horizons and opens the world to many.

[lfenvs3000w22]

Privilege in Nature

Privilege, by definition, is a unique advantage or right granted to a particular person or a group of people. It separates us as individuals by giving more power to some over others. The world we live in is faced with unfair privilege; based on your race, gender, sexuality, class, or ableness, you may receive advantages. Privilege is being able to go shopping and not fear being harassed; it is not to wonder if a cop only pulled you over because of your race; it is being able to see people like you in positions of power and authority.

White Privilege, for example, is a significant issue. As Peggy describes, it is like an invisible weightless backpack of special provisions, maps, passports, codebooks, visas, clothes, tools, and blank checks. This privilege is invisible to those who have it. White people are raised to believe that their lives are normal and neutral, and others are at a disadvantage. What they do not teach those of Caucasian descent is that they are at an advantage. For example, knowing that you can take a job without your new coworkers suspecting that you got the job because of your race is a privilege. This simple thought may not seem to be a privilege to someone who has it, but yet is an advantage they hold over someone who doesn’t.

A photo taken by my coworker at my job monitoring stream health last summer (2021)

For me, my privilege comes from being white and middle class. I have never experienced oppression based on my race, and I have never had to worry about affording school, rent, etc. I will admit that I take the privileges I have been afforded for granted. I have seen my friends struggle to pay rent when I have the luxury of my parents paying it for me. However, I am also a woman, and because of this, I know what it’s like to be at a disadvantage. I can not take a hike alone through the woods at sunrise because it is unsafe for me to do so. If I want to have a moment alone in nature, I have to bring a friend or be in a well-populated area where I am never really alone. I will never be afforded that peace in nature because I am a woman, and it is my responsibility to keep myself safe.

A photo I took while walking in the woods last year (2021)

As I have mentioned before in this blog, I have always been a child of nature and spent most of my childhood outdoors. Especially when participating in specialty summer camps. And because of my parent’s work schedule, my sister and I ended up at these summer camps a lot. These opportunities allowed my love of nature to grow and develop. They made me who I am today, and I wouldn’t be in environmental science without them. I recognize that not everyone was able to have the opportunity to go to specialized nature camps as they are quite costly. Especially not the frequency in which my sister and I attended them. Privilege in nature interpretation can be seen in being able to afford the opportunity to learn and be taught about nature.

A photo of me admiring a stick at my grandparents farm (2007)

[lfenvs3000w22]

Nature as a kid

My ideal role of environmental interpreter? What a question! At first, I wasn’t too sure what my answer would be. I had never really thought about pursuing environmental interpretation, so I wasn’t too sure what an ideal scenario for me would look like. But the more I started to brainstorm and think about the most important aspects for me, and I kept coming back to kids. I adore children and their endless wonder for the world around them.

Photo taken by my mom of my sister and I making snow angels (2005)

As a kid, I was much smaller than everyone else, and I recall looking up and everything just being so big. Trees, plants, insects, animals all boggled my mind. I also remember that every new fact (no matter how common knowledge) I learned, I would then repeat it to every adult I saw. “Did you know that deciduous trees lose their leaves in the fall and coniferous trees keep them all year round”…. probably, but when that fact was new to me, I had to share my amazement with the world. Anyways, this excitement and mind-blowing wonder that you see from kids discovering nature makes my ideal role in nature interpretation want to center around teaching children.

My sister and I walking through the forest (2012) taken by my mom

When I was little, I was at a new camp every week during summer. My parents worked full time and weren’t able to watch my sister and I, so off to camp we went. We attended everything from photography camp to wilderness camp, cooking camp, and gymnastics camp. Needless to say, we were busy. But it will always be the times we spent outside learning that will forever be my favourite memories. Bug camp at planet kids was my absolute favourite looking back; it wasn’t anything special they sent us to a grassy hill with bug catchers. We spent hours on that hill searching for some creepy crawly friends. And once you caught one, you would race down the hill to show the counselor. They would identify it for you, and then you would send the little bug on its way. These are such special memories to me, and as an environmental interpreter, my ideal job would be something similar. Giving back to future kids what those camp counselors did for me!

Cool frog I found on a walk in Guelph (2020)

To get a little more specific, I would love to be a part of an environmental nature interpretation program that taught kids about species identification, from trees to birds to bugs. Doing nature walks and letting them point and ask questions about the world they are witnessing around them. I would love it to be somewhere up north as there is a greater chance of seeing wildlife or out east as someday I hope to move to Nova Scotia.

My sister and I at summer camp on a nature walk (2007)

For this role, I would have to have an in-depth working knowledge of both the plant and animal species for the local area. Not only being able to identify them (as my camp counselors did with insects) but also give information or facts about the plant or animal so that they may begin to develop a deeper understanding of how the natural world works. I also think working with children and allowing them access to information that some adults may believe to be too complex is important and may inspire future environmental interpreters.

My friends and I on a walk through the forest (2021)

[lfenvs3000w22]

An Old Friend

Nature, for me, has always been a safe place. This is true now more than ever. It’s hard to talk about my current relationship with nature without mentioning the global pandemic we are facing. In a world where we can no longer hug loved ones or visit friends, it can all feel quite lonely. Being in nature brings me a sense of comfort in these uncertain times. It allows for a brief escape from reality. I am very lucky to live and quarantine with friends who feel more like family and who love nature just as much as I. If one of us is having a hard day or just wants some air, we will take house walks through a forest. We often fall quiet as we walk, taking in our surroundings. For me, these walks allow time to decompress and focus on the sounds of nature. As someone who struggles with mental health being in nature is often the only time I feel my mind relax and at peace.

While on a walk my friends and I stopped to skip some stones. Photo taken by my friend at Point Pelee National Park (2018)

I have always been a person who has preferred the outdoors. This is probably because, from a young age, I participated in all kinds of outdoor activities. Whether it was soccer, biking, skating, swimming, hiking, apple picking, camping, most of my childhood happened outside. This is most likely why I️ have such a positive association with being outside. Going outside meant having fun and playing with friends. I️ was also a lover of rocks and still am. When I was little, I would spend hours outside collecting them. But that’s not all I️ stuffed my pockets with. My mom used to get mad when I️ would come home with sticks, leaves, just handfuls of dirt, and sometimes bugs that I️ thought needed a home. Nature, for me, started with childhood wonder and adventure.

My sister and I picking apples. Photo taken by my mom in London, ON (2006)

As I️ got older, I️ started to see nature less like an adventure and more as a friend. When the world would get a little too much, I️ used to sit in my backyard, close my eyes, and listen. Nature was someone who was always there and ready to offer a comforting breeze. Nature has no judgment and does not ask anything of you.

Watching the sunset on a warm summer night. Photo taken by my sister at our friends cottage in Magnetawan, ON (2019)

When it came time to choose a university program, I️ stumbled across environmental science. I️ knew almost instantly that it was for me. A program dedicated to learning about our environment with the hopes of one day aiding in protecting it: I️ finally got the chance to return the kindness that nature had awarded me all these years. Conserving our wildlife and ecosystems is a cause very dear to my heart. And it fills me with great sadness when I learn about all the ways we are failing it. I hope someday I will be in a position to help defend our beautiful world. Nature has done so much for me. It’s provided me with some of my happiest childhood memories, it has given comfort and acceptance in some of my darkest moments, and now it’s an old friend.

I took this photo while canoeing at my friends cottage in Magnetawan, ON (2018)