A wide range of examples gathered in U.S. and Canadian national park service areas during several years of field study reinforce the value of matching issues and messages with interpretive techniques and audiences. (LZ)

Discusses the increasing interest in recreational centers and the policies of the Department of Transportation, National Park Service, and Forest Service in the selection of possible areas. Describes these areas as archeological, cultural, historical, natural, recreational, and scenic. Explains the importance of partnership and taking…

Examines the role of park guards in the Galapagos National Park in Ecuador, in interpretation and visitor management. Presents strategies for involving the park guards, who function more as rangers, in interpretative activities with local people and national visitors. (LZ)

Reviews methods for interpreting cultural history in a park setting. Discusses programs used by the National Park Service along the Freedom Trail in old Boston and other programs conducted at the Boston National Historical Park. (LZ)

A nontraditional public workshop for respondents to a survey and other community members was conducted to explore state park-related issues important to a Massachusetts community. This paper discusses the workshop format, summarizes some of the major findings, and discusses some of the benefits and challenges of conducting such workshops. (LZ)

This address given to the Division of Interpretation, Yellowstone National Park, Interpretive Training, June 1993, examines successes and failures in interpretive programs for adults and children in light of Tilden's principles. (LZ)

Using discovery stations offers solutions for increasing attendance at park interpretive programs. Compact, portable stations can be used in playgrounds, special events, trailheads, picnic areas, campgrounds, nursing homes, and scouts and day camps. Describes a case in which stations were used 85 times and reached 4,927 visitors between July 1996…

Outlines specific guidelines and suggestions for developing preschools at community environmental education centers, and explains the rationale for doing so. Points to consider during planning include population served, developmentally appropriate curriculum, properly trained and consistent staff, scheduling, parent involvement, health and safety,…

Some parks and some artists working outdoors are interacting with the environment and interpreting ecology through artworks in ways related to methodology of interpreters. Several sculpture parks are described. Sculptures include those that interpret local history and ecology, teach about tree function or historic use of stone, or supply habitats…

Outlines the history of the educational role of the National Park Service under various leaders. Details the types of educational outreach programs that are thriving today and discusses their merits and successes. (DDR)

Examines the idea of nature centers keeping wild animals for programming and displays designed to send the message that wild animals should stay in the wild, and offers an alternative to that practice. (LZ)

Explores reasons to create special events, change existing events, or discontinue events, in the pursuit of new audiences. Describes surveys of usership at Cleveland Metroparks to identify new audiences. Effective event design and implementation requires effective advertising, which is expensive, so a discussion of fund development, branding, and…

Offers reminders and tips for improving interpretive walks, including having a theme, drawing on basic teaching methods, drawing on all senses rather than just talking, being a role model to show how learning can be fun, using picture books, using tools of the trade to encourage visitors to learn for themselves, and playing games. (PVD)

Describes an aerobic activity set to music for children that mimics animal movements. Example exercises include walking like a penguin or jumping like a cricket. Stresses basic aerobic principles and designing the program at the level of children's motor skills. Benefits include reaching people who normally don't visit nature centers, and bridging…

Discusses the results of a survey in which participants at evening campfire programs on the Blue Ridge Parkway in North Carolina were asked to rate their degree of interest in different types and topics of interpretive programs, and to rate different reasons for attending programs. (LZ)