The Art Of Interpretation
Creating connections between visitors and the topics they’re exploring
By Jennifer Jaworski
Photos: Huron-Clinton Metroparks
The field of parks and recreation has many facets that contribute to quality recreational and educational experiences for visitors. Many park systems include nature centers, farm centers, and/or educational programming to teach and engage visitors on nature, science, and historical topics. You may have noticed that some staff members have slightly different job titles, but you may not have realized what those differences really mean.
Photo: NAYS
The Huron-Clinton Metroparks Interpretive Services Department in Brighton, Mich., is one of the largest certified interpretive programs in the nation. It has been recognized for its professional leadership, educational programs, expertise of staff members, and commitment to the natural and cultural environment. The teaching staff is composed of interpreters instead of naturalists. There is a difference:
A naturalist is an expert in natural history.
An interpreter uses interpretation to educate around a theme. Interpretation is defined by the National Association of Interpretation (NAI) as a “mission-based communication process that forges emotional and intellectual connections between the interests of the audience and the meanings inherent in the resource.” https://www.interpnet.com/NAI/interp/About/About_Interpretation/nai/_About/what_is_interp.aspx?hkey=53b0bfb4-74a6-4cfc-8379-1d55847c2cb9
Thus, interpreters teach visitors about more than just natural history, and they do so with purpose and goals. They engage and inspire visitors through interactive programs and create connections between visitors and the topics they’re exploring.
66 Years Of Educating Visitors
The first naturalist was hired in 1952 at Kensington Metropark. As the profession of interpretation developed, the job title and philosophy changed. Past employees were instrumental in developing the profession of interpretation and helped found the NAI.
Today, the interpretive department consists of staff members at 10 interpretive centers, covering science, nature, history, and agriculture. The staff has more than 525 years of experience in the field in dealing with more than 1.3-million visitors annually.
Staff members are always focused on making an impact on future generations. On the interpretive continuum, the ultimate end goal is to have visitors take action and become stewards in topics they are passionate about. Most of the employees became hooked on the field when they participated in programming as children, and today they are inspiring others to take action.
Interpretation Is Goal-Oriented
The goal of programming is to reach a desired outcome—but also to have fun doing it in order to inspire visitors to keep going, learning, and doing. For the Metroparks, these goals are:
Goal #1: Provide innovative, interactive, effective, mission-based interpretation for visitors.
To accomplish this goal, staff members focus on environmental, cultural, agricultural, and natural-science literacy. They offer a wide variety of programs that support Common Core curriculum, STEM, and Michigan Science Standards. Programs are taught by a professional interpreter who is knowledgeable in the content and school requirements.
To achieve this, locations are strengths. That means we can create environmental stewards using the existing natural environment of parks. We look for those unique elements and species within parks and tailor the program to the age or experience level of the group. We can also explore the history of the region and remind visitors we recognize that the parks sit on lands that were home to native people. Everybody’s location is unique and special. These elements make programs and messages stronger and more impactful.
Goal #2: Provide high-quality interpretation while being fiscally responsible.
Anybody in the field of parks and rec knows that budgets are tight. Staff members are constantly looking for creative ways to reduce the costs of programs while still offering a quality experience. Sometimes, the solutions are searching out grant funds to help expand the reach. Grantors often have a particular interest in educating youth and connecting them to unique learning experiences in their communities. For interpretive departments, that can mean big opportunities to supplement budgets and deliver new programs. The Metroparks Interpretive Services Department has secured over $600,000 in grants, sponsorships, and donations since 2015. These grants are often used to bring students to the interpretive centers or to take programs to the schools or sometimes to purchase new equipment and exhibits. Grants are often focused on underserved regions or specific topics, so interpretive departments can be successful by remaining flexible and looking into opportunities where they can offer new programs by applying for a diverse selection of grants.
Goal #3: Evaluate, maintain, and strive to improve services in all areas of interpretation—both personal and non-personal.
It’s important that interpretive departments don’t become complacent and stagnant. In order to best serve communities, we must periodically refurbish and refresh exhibits and interpretive signage. Our staff members are continually educating themselves on new topics and refreshing old ones in order to deliver better programs. We use Community Outreach Interpreters to travel outside parks to schools and community events. These are often the first interaction visitors have with us and the first step in creating stewards. We use the aforementioned grant funds to offer scholarships to schools where 50 percent or more of the students receive a free lunch. Scholarships cover the cost of programming fees and transportation to bring students to the interpretive centers or to bring the interpretive centers to the schools. These are some of the ways staff members are continually expanding our reach and improving our impact.
The COVID-19 pandemic has proven even more how important flexibility and creativity are. Before, interpretive programs were interactive and hands-on. When schools and public programs and events were canceled for safety, staff members had to get creative. Programs were still offered, but they were done so virtually. The goals were still the same, but the delivery method had changed. Scavenger hunts, worksheets, and do-it-at-home activities were added to our website while we created virtual video programs and live social broadcasts on seasonal topics. Now, as kids are back in school in a whole new way, interpretive staff members are remaining flexible and offering new solutions. Equipment has been purchased, and training was conducted so staff members can offer virtual live programing, allowing virtual students the opportunity to see and learn even without being on location. Virtual resources are being developed for teachers to assist them in the classroom, and in some cases, interpreters are going to schools for outdoor, in-person programs when field trips are not allowed. Interpreters are also working with more home-school groups than ever as the environment of learning rapidly changes.
Goal #4: Maintain a high degree of professionalism for all interpretive-services staff members.
For the Metroparks, that means we encourage each staff member to become a Certified Interpretive Guide through NAI. We require certification for certain levels of staff, and we have Certified Interpretive Trainers on staff.
Goal #5: Facilitate communication between interpretive services and stakeholders.
Connecting and maintaining new and old partnerships is the best way to spread the message and to find possible grant and donation funds. It’s also important to remember that “stakeholder” does not always mean a grantor. It is also the school districts with students we want to reach and for them to know what we offer. It’s the teachers and volunteers. It’s the local elected officials. They are often strong advocates and are looking for positive stories to share and positive efforts to support. And, yes, it’s also the board, management staff, commissioners, corporate sponsors, grantors, and more traditional stakeholders.
Does Interpretation Sound Right For Your Organization?
If you’re looking to add interpretation, here are some tips:
Start by exploring the NAI website and attending some of the conferences and learning sessions https://www.interpnet.com/.
Set interpretive goals. The intention of interpretation is to work towards an outcome. That might be a better understanding for visitors on a certain topic or creating future stewards, law makers, and interpreters.
Remember that young visitors are the best source for potential staff members. A department can grow with individuals who personally have felt the impact of interpretation.
Always be growing, evaluating, adapting, and changing. This keeps you relevant.
Always be making connections with stakeholders and leveraging those connections to maximize the impact.
Connect and partner with other organizations that are already doing interpretation.
Seek out grant opportunities and donations to support interpretation.
If you choose interpretation (or if you have already chosen it or are an interpreter yourself)—be proud. Be vocal about what interpretation is and how it’s important and different from other fields. Be deliberate in calling staff members interpreters if they are, instead of naturalists. As more people become aware of its existence, impact, and importance, the field will grow stronger as a whole.
Jennifer Jaworski is the Chief of Interpretive Services for Huron-Clinton Metroparks in Brighton, Mich. Reach her at (810) 494-6030 or jennifer.jaworski@metroparks.com.