A Field Guide’s Reflection
Then someone asked me:
10 things about the area I guide in and 10 interesting bits of information
10 things about trees and 10 trees that grow in my area
10 things about flowers and 10 flowers that grow in my area
10 things about grasses and 10 grasses that grow in my area
10 things about soils and 10 minerals that occur in my area
10 things about birds and 10 birds that live in my area
10 things about mammals and 10 mammals that live in my area
10 things about insects and 10 insects that live in my area
10 things about reptiles and 10 reptiles that live in my area
10 things about mollusks and 10 mollusks that occur in my area
10 things about frogs and 10 frogs that live in my area
10 things about scorpions and 10 scorpions that live in my area
10 things about our universe and 10 constellations in the sky above me
10 things about geology in my area and 10 rocks and minerals
10 things about interaction between animals and 10 examples of symbioses
10 things about danger and 10 potentially dangerous situations I’ve been in
10 things about evolution and 10 examples of adaptation I’ve seen
10 things about conservation and 10 examples of what I believe in
10 things about what I like about being a guide and 10 about myself
10 things about my beliefs and 10 of my principals
10 things about footprints, and 10 examples of them
10 things about signs in the wild and 10 examples of them
10 things about climate and 10 examples of weather in my area
10 things about my rifle, and 10 reasons why it’s safe for me to have it
10 things about 1st aid and what I’ll do in 10 different medical emergency situations
10 life lessons and 10 examples of what I do in the wilderness
10 philosophies and 10 practical experiences
10 years on…I try and ask myself at least 10 things a day I don’t have any answers for yet!
10 seconds
It takes just 10 seconds for a nature guide to:
1. Transfer inaccurate information to guests through lack of knowledge and experience.
2. Seriously endanger or injure someone because of a lack of interpretation, knowledge or training.
3. Damage or harm sensitive soils, plants or animals through irresponsible or ignorant behaviour.
4. Respond or act in manner that is unthinking, uncaring and unethical.
10 minutes a day
It takes 10 minutes a day for a nature guide to:
1. Reference accurate information for guests.
2. Review areas of learning and record today’s lessons.
3. Learn something new about a plant, process or animal in the field.
4. Listen rather than talk.
It takes 10 days a month for a nature guide to:
1. Spend time in the field with reference books.
2. Spend time in the field with mentors and specialists.
3. Think about personal skills and interpretations.
4. Write down areas that require more learning or practical experience
5. Learn from practical experience
10 months a year
It takes about ten months a year for a nature guide to:
1. Gain invaluable experience with guests, animal encounters and insights into field lessons.
10 years (I’m a slow learner)
It taken me about ten years to:
1. Reflect on my current contribution to conservation, guest education and experience, and to toast a new day of learning and living in this wonderful world of nature.
2010 and onwards
Better than now, better than then – tomorrow holds another wonderful ten!
Happy Holidays and a prosperous New Year to you all!
Neil Heron
www.beardedheron.com
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