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The magazine of the National Association for Interpretation’s Sections

Volume 1, Number 3June 2012

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NAI SectionsP.O. Box 2246Fort Collins, CO 80522888-900-8283 toll-free970-484-8283970-484-8179 faxwww.interpnet.com

Visit www.naisections.org for more information.

board of directors

executive committeeAmy Lethbridge, PresidentCem Basman, VP for AdministrationJohn C.F. Luzader, VP for ProgramsAmy Burnett, Secretary Theresa Coble, Treasurer

at-Large representativesK.C. DenDooven David KnottsMike Whatley

region Leadership council representativesTom Mullin (Chair)Kevin DamstraChuck LennoxJohn Miller

section Leadership council representativesTravis Williams (Chair) Jane BeattieTodd BridgewaterDuane Fast

staffTim Merriman, Executive DirectorLisa Brochu, Associate Director Paul Caputo, Art & Publications DirectorJamie King, Membership ManagerDeborah Tewell, Events Manager Beth Bartholomew, Business ManagerCarrie Miller, Certification Program SpecialistSheila Caputo, Administrative Assistant

Nai’s mission is to inspire leadership and excellence to advance heritage interpretation as a profession.

interpretation is a mission-based communication process that forges emotional and intellectual connections between the interests of the audience and the meanings inherent in the resource.

CILHCultural Interpretation/Living History

CINPCouncil for the Interpretation of Native Peoples

CUACollege and University Academic

EE (featured on page 9)Environmental Education

IMInterpretive Media

INInterpretive Naturalist

INTL (featured on page 10)International Interpretation

ITInterpretation and Tourism

NCDA (featured on pages 4 and 7)Nature Center Directors/Administrators

ZWPA (featured on page 8)Zoos, Wildlife Parks, and Aquaria

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Contents

ON THE COVER: A Federal Eagle Exhibition permit is required to possess bald or golden eagles (living or dead), parts, nests and eggs for educational purposes. See the story on page 4.

Volume 1, Number 3June 2012

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4 NCDA

Skit Skat Diddly Do, Do you want to Deal with

Animal Poo?

Brian Thill

7 NCDA

Interpreter’s Road Show 2012

8 ZWPA

4th Annual ZWPA InterpNet Conference:

Interpreting Complex Issues

Jessica Moore

9 EE

Leaving No Young Child Inside: It Takes an

Interested Adult

Deb McRae, Bev Bryant, Bev Walborn, Sarah Dudziak

10 INTL

Interpret Europe Conference 2012

Duane Fast

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Skit Skat Diddly Do, Do you want to Deal with Animal Poo?

Adding a live animal collection to your nature center can enhance the quality of the visitor experience and be a great tool that can support your theme and mission. These live “ambassadors” can offer a great sensory experience for your visitors and are a great tangible for interpretive programming. But where does one start?

Imagine you’ve just been asked to assist in the opening of a new nature center and your role is to acquire a collection of animals. Where do you start? Just like any interpretive program, sign, or exhibit consider “The Mission Filter.” What are the animals that relate to your site, organization, and mission? Will acquiring these animals tell a story and support and forward your mission?

There’s an Irish proverb that says, “A questioning man is halfway to being wise.” When considering a live animal collection at your center ask yourself lots of questions before bringing in that first snake, hawk, fish, or opossum. Also take advantage of resources in your state (DNR, USFWS, zoos and aquariums, and fellow nature centers) and ask them for advice on the animal you’re considering, as well as the most recent acquisition requirements and permits when considering an animal collection.

Here are some considerations and questions to ask yourself when considering adding live animals to your facility based on the institutional collection plan at the South Carolina Aquarium.

Brian Thill

Nature Center Directors & Administrators

What to think about when planning

for, acquiring, displaying, and caring

for an animal collection.

Animal CareBeing interpreters we recall from Maslow’s hierarchy of needs that physiological needs provide a foundation for successful interpretation. The same is true when considering a live animal for your site. You must be honest and question your ability to provide for the physiological needs of the animal. Ask yourself:

• Canweefficientlyfindandprovidefoodforthis animal?

• Canweprovidealltheelementsforlifesupport: air, food, water, shelter, and space?

• Who’sgoingtotakecareofit,howmanypeople do I need, and can I afford it?

• Willthestaffneedadditionaltraining?

• Whatsortsofthingsshouldwekeepdetaileddocumentation on (number of interpretive programs used in, feeding/diet)?

• Whatdoweneedtoconsiderintermsofriskmanagement for staff and visitors (Zoonosis, venomous animals)?

• Whatdowedowhentheanimalneedsacheckup, gets ill, or dies?

• Dowehavespacefortheanimal(s)anddowehave space to quarantine if we should have to add more of this type of animal in the future?

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• Doestheanimalwe’reinterestedinliveingroups or is it solitary?

• Canweprovideanyenrichmenttothisanimal?

• Howdotheyinteractwithpeople?Canweuse for interpretive shows or display only?

• Hasanyothernaturecenter,zoo,oraquariumin my state used this species before?

Conservation and Education Messages

• Aretherepositiveconservationmessagesconveyed in the interpretive programming, signage, and exhibits as a result of displaying or using this species?

• Aretheirnegativeconservationmessagesconveyed?

When displaying aquatic animals such as fish ask yourself these questions: What happens when the power goes out? Do you have back-up emergency air supply? How will you maintain all of the proper temperature, pH, salinity, etc?

• Willanyconservationresearchprojectsatyour site benefit from displaying this species?

• Doesthisspeciesdisplayanyspecialphysicalor behavioral adaptations that can be interpreted?

• Isthisspeciesanindicatorspecies?

• Whathumanimpactsaffectthisspecies?

• Canyouusethisanimalinaninterpretiveprogram and does using it require anything special (containers, a perch, tree branch, hand sanitizer for the public, etc.)?

Audience

• Willthisspeciesconnectwithyourvisitors?

• Isthisaspeciesthepublicexpectstosee?

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Safety, safety, safety! When exhibiting venomous snakes, safety locks and signs displaying

“Danger – venom” to warn staff are crucial. Write up an envenomation protocol and have a copy posted near each venomous animal. Contact the nearest hospital annually to ensure you know the correct emergency procedure (whom to call and where to go) and ask them if they have the proper antivenom.

• Doestheanimalfitintothethemeoftheexhibit?

• Willyourvisitorsbeabletoclearlyobservethe animal?

AcquisitionIn interpretation we want to know who our audience is when designing a successful program. In acquiring animals get to know the folks who are familiar with animal husbandry and permitting laws. A great place to start is by talking to your state DNR / Fish and Game Departments, USFWS, NOAA, local or state zoos and aquariums, and the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) to get the most current information on permitting and acquisition. Ask:

• HowdoIacquireaspecies?

• WhoarethecontactsIneedtotouchbase with for proper local, state, federal, and international permits, licenses, and paperwork?

• Toacquireananimalcanwebuy,collect,ortrade?

• Aretherereputablesuppliersoutthere?

• CanIworkwithapartnernaturecenter,zoo,or aquarium?

• Aretheregroupsthatregularlyworkwiththis specific species (raptor centers, rehab centers)?

• Whatistheanimal’sstatusatothernaturecenters around you?

• Whatistheanimal’sstatusinthewild?

• Cantheybebredincaptivity?

• Cantheybere-introducedtocaptivity?

Adding a live animal collection to your nature center can enhance the quality of the visitor experience and be a great tool that can support your theme and mission. Challenge yourself to ask and consider these questions when looking into housing live animal collections at your nature center.

Special thanks to Curator Rachel Kalisperis of the South Carolina Aquarium for her animal care insight.

Brian Thill is assistant director of education at the South Carolina Aquarium. Reach him at bthill@scaquarium.org.

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A historical interpreter at Jamestown Settlement, a living-history museum of 17th-century Virginia, shows a visitor how a backstaff was used to determine latitude. Jamestown-Yorktown Foundation photo.

Interpreter’s Road Show 2012

At the Yorktown Victory Center, a museum of the American Revolution, a family in re-created Continental Army encampment learn the steps in firing a cannon. Jamestown-Yorktown Foundation photo.

The 2012 Interpreter’s Road Show is shaping up to be one of the best ever! We will visit a fantastic mix of local, regional, state and national sites, featuring both natural and cultural history interpretation and management. On our schedule is Sandy Bottom Nature Center, the Virginia Living Museum, Newport News Park, Jamestown Settlement and the Victory Center at Yorktown.

This pre-workshop is open to all interpreters and provides a behind the scenes tour of each of the locations. You will have the chance to talk with staff and learn how they manage volunteers, develop programs, design their facilities and exhibits, plan for future growth and much more. Participants will also have the time to discuss things they see along the way with their fellow participants during meals and travel time between locations. The Road Show enables you to network and learn from your fellow NAI interpreters and administrators.

All transportation, entrance fees, lunch both days and dinner Monday night are included in this trip. There will be no off-site, overnight lodging during this trip. Participants should make sure they reserve lodging for Monday night at their choice for the NIW. There is limited space on the Road Show, so be sure to reserve your spot early!

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Zoos, Wildlife Parks, & Aquaria

4th Annual ZWPA InterpNet Conference: Interpreting Complex Issues

Our busy summer schedules are already filling up and time for professional growth and development seems to be slipping away. Fortunately, there is an opportunity coming up this summer to connect with fellow interpreters and gain valuable tips right from the comfort of your own computer desk! The Zoos, Wildlife Parks and Aquaria section will be hosting the 4th Annual InterpNET Conference via Windows Live Meeting on August 15th, 2012. This virtual conference will connect participants from across the country and around the world for a keynote speaker and several program sessions. This year’s conference will focus on Interpreting Complex Issues, which we all face in our careers!

The ZWPA training committee is currently seeking conference session presenters. This conference is the perfect opportunity for any shy interpreters (if there is such a thing!) to get their first opportunity to present at an interpretive workshop, because it is all virtual so you can do itfromthecomfortofyourownhomeoroffice…orStarbucksorthepark!All you need is internet access and the desire to be a workshop presenter. Presenters can use PowerPoint, video clips and handouts to complement their live virtual presentation. The Request for Proposal Application and additional information on the Windows Live Meeting software can be found at http://naisections.org/ZWPA/conferences. Applications must be submitted by June 30.

2012 conference registration fees are set at $60.00 (member) and $75 (non-member) and is open now on the NAI store at www.naimembers.com/store.

Contact Kevin Wright at kwright@mbayaq.org or call 831-648-4992 for more information.

— Jessica Moore

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Leaving No Young Child Inside: It Takes an Interested Adult

Looking for an opportunity to create or expand on your early childhood interpretive programs? Come join the Environmental Education Section before the NAI National Workshop for a one-day preworkshop Tuesday, November 13, to experience the fun and importance of getting young children and their caregivers involved in nature, outdoors, and developing a sense of place.

Nothing is more important than letting young children discover the wonder of nature. Most adults have forgotten how and often need help to wonder and discover. This workshop will provide ideas and activities for engaging young children and their adult care givers. An introduction to the research behind the importance of early childhood nature-based education and tips for getting administrators to allow early childhood programming will be provided. The PowerPoint will be provided as a take home for your use.

Early child hood is about using all your senses and your whole body. Participants will have lunch with a bear, join ants on parade, fish for fun, hide in plain sight, sing with leaf shapes, create a forest symphony, and much, much more as we learn while we play through the day.

The hands-on activities come from two nationally know early childhood guides; Project Learning Tree’s Environmental Experiences for Early Childhood and Project Wild’s Growing Up Wild. Participants will receive training in both guides. The workshop has been designed to allow for certification in either one or both programs based on individual needs. An additional charge will be collected at the workshop for which programs participants want to be certified in. Additional fee is $20/certification. Early Childhood providers can receive hours for the workshop.

To end the day we will have a group sharing of ideas and brainstorm solutions to barriers. Make sure you have an extra bag for bring back all the great ideas you will get. We look forward to seeing everyone in Hampton, Virginia.

— Deb McRae, Bev Bryant, Bev Walborn, Sarah Dudziak

Environmental Education

Bev Bryant presents an activity from Growing Up Wild.

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International

Interpret Europe Conference 2012

The 2012 Interpret Europe conference is over for another year. And it was another great one! Held in the gorgeous hills of Tuscany, how could it go wrong. The setting was spectacular, the food incredible, and the hospitality unbelievable! Everything was perfect! Now add a hundred or so interpreters to the mix, and behold, nirvana!

It was as usual a very well organized event featuring a delightful mix of informative lectures combined with exciting field trips. Nowhere else can you find this kind of eclectic mix of professionals from such a diverse range of interpretive backgrounds all in one place. The intellectual stimulation is intense and the creative juices run wild.

The event was held in a unique building, a medieval monastery turned into a hotel. Perfect setting for interpreters! Interpret Europe chair Micheal Glen was joined by IE Executive Director and Vice Director Patrick and Bettina Lehnes and IE Vice Chair Maurilio Cipparone in presenting a fantastic schedule of events.

Field trips included outings in gorgeous parks, some that were closed to the public in order to prevent destruction by overuse. Modes of transportation included trains, boats, feet and horse-drawn carriages. Of course, you can’t visit Pisa without seeing the leaning tower. Our guide was a great intuitive interpreter (without knowing what that was). She had us in rapt attention all the way.

For the final day we moved to a very special venue. Maurilio Cipparone pulled some big strings and arranged for us to use the former presidential retreat as our meeting place. It is set in a beautiful park and features unique tree-house style architecture. Great meals, singing and dancing into the night and a tired group of interpreters said sad farewells. But we left energized, intellectually enlightened and five kilos heavier!

— Duane Fast

Pisa, Italy

You can’t go to Pisa without seeing the tower

From top:

1. Tuscan village of Lari.

2. Traditional Tuscan re-enactors entertained and educated us.

3. Birding in the marsh.

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From top:

1. Everywhere you dig in Italy you hit something interesting and ancient.

2. Boats were a form of transport used in the park.

3. The venue for the conference was in a fantastic old monastery.

From top:

1. Final night entertainment goes on into the wee hours.

2. Stopping for coffee in the village shop.

3. The final day’s events were held in the former presidential retreat.

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LegacyThe magazine of the National Association for Interpretation

Interpreting Food

PICTURED: Kye-joon Cho, Olga Diez Ascaso. ABOVE: (Networking) Susan Immer, Jerome Bridges; (Professional Development) Participants in an NAI certification course.