Interpretation

1
Interpretation
2
What types of resources do we interpret?

• Historical
• Natural
• Cultural
• Recreational
• Industrial
• Artistic

3
How is information interpreted?

• Interpreters
• Signs
• Publications
• Exhibits
• Recorded messages
• Video slide presentations
• WWW sites
• Radio transmissions

4
Why is interpretation important to park managers?

• Increases the number of visitors.
• Increases length of stay of visitors.
• Increases tourism expenditures.
• Improves the quality of experience.
• Generates positive word-of-mouth advertising.
• Encourages return visits.
• Encourages resource preservation conservation!!

5
Visitors remember approximately...

• 10 of what they hear
• 30 of what they read
• 50 of what they see
• 90 of what they do
• Use all five senses when possible!!

6
Example

• Volunteer?

7
(No Transcript)
8
What are the purposes of interpretation?

• To expand a visitors awareness, understanding,
  and appreciation of an area.

9
What are the purposes of interpretation?

• To orient visitors to an area.

10
What are the purposes of interpretation?

• To accomplish management objectives by
  encouraging changes in visitor behaviors.

11
What are the purposes of interpretation?

• To promote a visitors understanding of the goals
  and objectives of organizations, agencies, and
  communities.

12
History of interpretation

• Enos Mills (1870-1922)
• The Adventures of a Nature Guide (1920)
• Freeman Tilden (1883-1980)
• Interpreting Our Heritage (1957)

13
Tildens Interpretive Principles

• 1
• Interpretation should relate what is being
  presented to something within the experience of
  the visitor.

14
Which catches your attention?
15
Tildens Principles (continued)

• 2
• Information is not interpretation. Interpretation
  is information based on revelation.

16
Tildens Principles (continued)

• 3
• Interpretation is an art that combines many arts.

17
What arts are involved?
Plymouth Plantations, MA
18
What arts are involved?
National Bighorn Sheep Interpretive Center, WY
19
Tildens Principles (continued)

• 4
• The chief aim of interpretation is not
  instruction, but provocation.

20
Why provocation?
21
Tildens Principles (continued)

• 5
• Interpretation should aim to present a whole
  rather than a part.

22
Question

• What topic could we interpret from this photo?

23
Solution
24
Theme

• Definition
• The concept or idea which
• unifies the attractions and resources within an
  area and
• which you want visitors to leave with.

25
Themes and subthemes
Subtheme 1
Subtheme 2
Theme
Subtheme 5
Subtheme 3
Subtheme 4
26
Example Eastern Lake Ontario Dune Area

• Theme
• With a little understanding and care, the sand
  dunes and wetlands of eastern Lake Ontario can be
  preserved for both wildlife and people.

27
How was this theme developed?

• Assessment of resources concerns
• Concept to communicate to visitors

28
Relating interpretation to the theme
29
Tildens Principles (continued)

• 6
• Interpretation addressed to children should
  follow a fundamentally different approach than
  that used for adults.

30
Choosing interpretation for visitors

• People boating on the Erie Canal
• People biking along a bike route
• State park visitors

31
Interpretation the 5 phases of the rec.
experience

• Anticipation planning
• Travelling to site
• Activities at site
• Travelling to home
• Recollection

32
Writing interpretive publications

• Two basic types
• Information brochures
• Self-guided tour brochures
• Both have
• Text
• Photos illustrations
• Maps (optional)

33
Writing interpretive text

• Keep it as short and simple as possible!
• Short paragraphs only
• Use bullets
• Maintain white space between and around
  paragraphs
• Write to the 6th to 8th grade level

34
Writing interpretive text

• Use the active or past tense of verbs.
• The community was able to thrive on the abundant
  natural resources that they found.
• Past tense The community thrived on the abundant
  natural resources found.
• Active tense The community thrives

35
Writing interpretive text

• Use descriptive words that help visitors
  visualize ideas.
• Poison ivy, found along the trails in this park,
  has three leaves. This plant can give you a rash.
• Poison ivy loves our trails. Watch-out for this
  three-leaved rash-maker!

36
Writing interpretive text

• Avoid using jargon or technical terms.
• This ecosystem is home to many herbaceous species
  such as trillium and jack-in-the-pulpit.
• As you walk through this forest, look for the
  unique wildflowers shown below. (Include
  illustrations).

37
Writing interpretive text

• Diversify your publication.
• Use quotes.
• Ask questions.
• Encourage recreational activities or sites to
  visit.
• Include games or puzzles.
• Replace text with photos illustrations
• Include travel directions/maps.

38
Writing interpretive text

• Keep your message positive.
• Avoid the Donts, especially in regulation
  signs.

39
Writing interpretive text

• Keep your message unbiased.
• Keep your personal opinion out of it!
• Present all sides of the story.

40
Getting estimates for printing publications

• Number of copies?
• Size of paper?
• Paper type (color water-resistance cover stock
  vs. normal gloss vs. matt)
• Folded?
• Stapled or other binding?
• Ink colors? Four-color process vs. spot?
• Computer software used

41
Producing interpretive signs
42
Tips for sign design

• How long does the average visitor spend reading a
  sign??
• About 30 seconds

43
Tips for sign design

• Keep design simple!
• Use photos and illustrations
• Limit text (50 to 100 words, depending on size of
  sign)
• Keep white space
• Use simple fonts

44
Font styles

• Which is easiest to read? (Arial)
• Which is easiest to read? (Times New Roman)
• Which is easiest to read? (Monotype Corsiva)

45
Tips for sign design

• Choose materials suitable for the site
• Setting (natural vs. urban)
• Vandalism (anti-theft screws, aluminum display,
  plexiglas cover)
• Climate (rain salt exposure winter removal
  sun)
• Wildlife (insects)

46
Tips for sign design

• Consider disabled visitors
• 30 from ground to bottom edge
• Raised letters or Braille
• Large font size!!
• Audio tapes/CDs that match sign info

47
Tips for sign designVisual flow
Title left or centered 32 point font minimum
Primary text box - 50 words 21 point font
minimum
Illustration or photo
Caption 18 point font minimum
48
Silk screening on aluminum
Relatively inexpensive Easy to make
replacement copies - Paint fades (sun,
rain) - Scratches easily
49
Wood

• -Range in prices (painted, carved, sand-blasted)
  
• Repair in-house
• - Paint fades (sun, rain) can be scratched
• Easy to vandalize
• Difficult to replace

50
Embedded fiberglass
- Relatively expensive (500/sign) Copies
inexpensive if made at same time as
original - Paint fades (sun) Scratch resistant
(buff out) - Must be framed ()
51
Porcelain enamel

• - Relatively expensive (500/sign)
• Copies moderate in price
• Scratch resistant
• Sun and rainproof
• Chips if hit with hammer
• Rusts if steel is exposed
• Backing needed

52
High pressure laminate
Moderately priced (250/sign) Copies
inexpensive if made at same time as
original Scratch resistant (buff out) - Paint
fades (sun) - No framing needed
53
Installing signs

• Sign should be facing subject of interpretation
• If multi-use trail, locate in a separate viewing
  area!
• 30 from ground to bottom edge
• 45o angle if possible vertical in kiosk

54
Wood display
55
Railing mount
56
Aluminum display
57
Getting sign estimates

• Type of sign (porcelain enamel, fiberglass)
• Size
• Colors (four-color process vs. spot background
  color may count as one)
• Photos (number, colors)
• Type of display mount needed
• Computer software used
• Sign thickness (gauge of metal)

58
Whats wrong with this sign?
59
Whats wrong with this sign?
60
Whats wrong with this sign?
61
Whats wrong with this sign?
62
Whats wrong with this sign?
63
Whats wrong with this sign?
64
Whats wrong with this display?
65
Whats wrong with this display?
66
Virtual tours

• Useful for
• locations that are otherwise ADA inaccessible
• people planning trips
• individuals who wish to see other locations from
  home
• school groups

67
Tips for internet sites

• Limit text when possible
• Limit each web page to one-screen
• Use illustrations, photos, sound, and animations
  as much as possible
• Include activities and games

68
Some interesting sites

• The Field Museum, Chicago
• http//www.fmnh.org/exhibits/online_exhib.htm
• World Wildlife Fund
• http//www.panda.org/news_facts/education/index.cf
  m

69
Todays Class Project

• Listen to the case study
• Identify resources concerns at site
• Write interpretive theme
• Identify types of interpretation to be used to
  communicate the theme

70
(No Transcript)
71
(No Transcript)
72
(No Transcript)
73
(No Transcript)
74
(No Transcript)
75
(No Transcript)
76
(No Transcript)
77
Visitor Use of Hanauma Bay
78
(No Transcript)
79
(No Transcript)
80
(No Transcript)
81
(No Transcript)
82
(No Transcript)
83
(No Transcript)
84
(No Transcript)
85
Todays Class Project

• Listen to the case study
• Identify resources concerns at site
• Write interpretive theme
• Identify types of interpretation to be used to
  communicate the theme