Provides and explains a diagrammatic representation of the community concept and discusses how the concept can be used for interpretation programs that address the intertwined environmental and social problems facing society. (LZ)

Describes the events, and educational strategies used in the events, that make up the Nature Bowl, California's largest third- through sixth-grade competition focusing on regional ecology, natural history, environmental issues, and natural resources conservation. (LZ)

Discusses, in an environmental education context, whether games and other teaching methods are close enough to real experiences to be effective educational tools. (MKR)

Interpretive and educational facilities at five wetland sites near Sydney (Australia) were studied to determine their goals, range of facilities and activities, and themes related to wetlands and their conservation covered in informal visitor programs and formal education programs for school groups. Program objectives and activities were generally…

Uses a travel cost method to quantify benefits received by visitors to Petawawa National Forestry Institute's public awareness facilities. Analysis of data from 697 visitors provided a basis for calculating benefits, which are reported in monetary terms. These benefits ranged from $2.89 to $6.64 in value (United States) per visit. (Author/JN)

Draws from perceptual and cognitive psychology to present a theoretical basis for the principles of interpretation developed by Freeman Tilden. Emphasized is cognitive map theory which holds that information units people receive, code and store are structured into cognitive models intended to represent the environment. (Author/WB)

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…

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)

Unlike students in traditional classrooms, the interpretive visitor has voluntarily approached the site and is usually looking for interesting entertainment. Meeting the challenge of satisfying both the visitor and the sponsoring agency requires an understanding of the audience and its interests and motivations. A social-marketing approach to…

The job knowledge and performance of 23 Australian ecotour guides were systematically observed and compared with client satisfaction ratings. Client satisfaction was quite high, and evaluators gave the guides high scores on content and knowledge. However, scores were lower on certain aspects of communication and interpretive skills and were poor…

As National Park Service (NPS) employees are charged with providing interpretation and education, this manual provides them with a training document and resource guide on the subject of global change. An introduction contains excerpts of the Climate Change Action Plan released in October 1993. Section 2 contains six summaries of technical…

A visitor education strategy was developed, implemented, and tested for its effectiveness in raising levels of knowledge and attitudes toward state nature preserve management. Visitor sociodemographic and site-specific data were also collected and analyzed. Methodology, results, conclusions, and implications are reported. (Author/JN)

Results of this study indicate a difference in enjoyment and interest levels between sensory (N=35) and non-sensory (N=25) senior citizen groups engaged in interpretive hikes. Enjoyment/interest levels were measured by direct observation during the hikes and a questionnaire administered at the conclusion of the hikes. (JN)

Interpreters who understand differing reasoning abilities of children can more effectively use humor with children, as in the case of getting a school group comfortable with a stranger (the interpreter) in a strange environment (the woods). Humor can also enhance learning and information retention and increase attention span. Development of humor…