Environmental Interpretation

by Ham, Sam H.

• ISBN13: 9781555919023
• ISBN10: 1555919022
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 1992-12-01
• Publisher: Fulcrum Pub

Summary

Sam Ham presents a diverse collection of low-cost communication techniques that really work for all types of natural resources management programs.

Table of Contents

Foreword	xi
Preface	xii
Acknowledgments	xxiii
PART ONE---IMPORTANT CONCEPTS	1	(44)
What is Interpretation?	3	(30)
Interpretation Versus Formal Instruction	4	(1)
Captive Versus Noncaptive Audiences	5	(3)
The Interpretive Approach to Communication	8	(20)
Glossary Terms	28	(1)
Good Interpretation's Worth Money	29	(2)
References	31	(1)
Additional Reading	31	(2)
Practicing Thematic Interpretation	33	(12)
Topics Versus Themes	34	(1)
How to Write a Theme Statement	34	(2)
Why It Helps to Build Your Presentation Around a Theme	36	(3)
People Remember Themes---They Forget Facts	39	(1)
Being Thematic in Oral and Written Presentations	40	(1)
Glossary Terms	41	(1)
Thematic Interpretation---The Price Is Right!	42	(1)
References	43	(1)
Additional Reading	43	(2)
PART TWO---CONDUCTED ACTIVITIES	45	(188)
How to Prepare and Present a Talk	47	(30)
Types of Talks	47	(3)
Qualities of a Good Talk	50	(1)
A Note About Personal Style	51	(1)
How to Plan and Prepare a Thematic Talk	52	(18)
Tips for Better Speaking	70	(2)
Glossary Terms	72	(1)
Talks Afloat	73	(2)
References	75	(1)
Additional Reading	75	(2)
Tips on Using Visual Aids	77	(54)
The Role of Visual Aids in Interpretation	77	(1)
How Does the Brain Utilize a Visual Aid?	78	(4)
Using Visual Aids in a Talk	82	(27)
Creating Your Own Illustrations	109	(1)
Glossary Terms	110	(9)
The Idaho Natural Resource Education Traveling Trunks	119	(3)
Resurrection of an Old Friend---Felt Story Boards for Environmental Education	122	(2)
Powerful Slides from Simple Techniques	124	(3)
References	127	(2)
Additional Reading	129	(2)
How to Prepare and Present a Guided Tour or Walk	131	(32)
Types of Tours	132	(1)
Qualities of a Good Tour	132	(2)
Tour Guides Have Personalities	134	(2)
How to Plan and Prepare a Thematic Tour	136	(11)
Ways to Make a Tour More Dynamic	147	(3)
Tips on Tour Mechanics	150	(1)
Glossary Terms	151	(2)
Guided Walks and the Protection of an Archaeological Site	153	(4)
Guided Train Tours in National Forests---A New Kind of Partnership in Interpretation	157	(2)
Situation Training for Tour Guides---Intensity Pays!	159	(2)
References	161	(1)
Additional Reading	162	(1)
Guidelines for Other Conducted Activities	163	(28)
Living History Demonstrations	163	(4)
Personification	167	(1)
Puppet Shows	168	(1)
Roving Interpretation	169	(2)
Working at an Information Station	171	(7)
A Note on Handling Angry and Difficult Visitors	178	(1)
Glossary Terms	178	(1)
Puppets Are an Interpretive Resource	179	(4)
Interpretation on Wheels---A Mobile Information Station in Southeast Alaska	183	(2)
Creative Interpretive Financing	185	(3)
References	188	(1)
Additional Reading	189	(2)
Case Studies on School and Community Programs	191	(42)
Formal and Nonformal Community Education Programs	192	(1)
Educational Events Versus Campaigns	193	(1)
Mass Media	194	(1)
Role Playing and Community Theater	194	(1)
Capitalizing on Traditional Celebrations	195	(1)
Introduction to the Case Studies and How to Use Them	196	(4)
Glossary Terms	200	(1)
A Community Celebrates Nature: The Wenatchee River Return-of-the-Salmon Festival	201	(6)
Traveling Ecology Theater---Nobody's Ever Alone in the Forest	207	(4)
The Impact Monster---A Skit for Teaching Wilderness Use Ethics	211	(4)
The ``Bat Show'' Comes to Bagaces!	215	(2)
Taking Wildlife to Children---Traveling Education Programs in a Box	217	(4)
The Environmental Express---Trinidad and Tobago's Mobile Interpretation Center	221	(3)
The Pied Bare-Faced Tamarin Conservation Education Campaign: How We Did it, and Cheaper	224	(3)
Reaching Out with Environmental Education: Two Innovations from Trinidad and Tobago	227	(3)
References	230	(1)
Additional Reading	231	(2)
PART THREE---SELF-GUIDED MEDIA	233	(174)
How to Plan and Prepare Inexpensive Exhibits	235	(76)
Do Effective Exhibits Require a Lot of Money?	236	(1)
Types of Exhibits	236	(1)
Qualities of a Good Exhibit	237	(1)
Conceptual Designs Begin with Theme Titles and Levels	237	(9)
Preparing Messages and Writing Copy	246	(1)
Artistic Considerations in Exhibit Design	247	(9)
How to Select a Color Scheme	256	(7)
A World About Indoor Lighting and Color Schemes	263	(1)
Text and Type Styles	263	(4)
Spacing Between Lines of Text	267	(10)
Adding Interest to Exhibits	277	(6)
Making Inexpensive Outdoor Wooden Signs	283	(4)
A Word About Regulatory Signs	287	(1)
Glossary Terms	287	(3)
Planning Exhibits---Creative Teamwork Puts Magic in the Message	290	(4)
Type Matters---Some Typographical Guidelines for Interpretive Texts	294	(5)
Just Say No to Litter---Untraditional Signing Supported by Enlightened Regulation in a Costa Rican National Park	299	(3)
Signs for the Times---Some Design Considerations for Today's Visitor	302	(2)
From Bulletin Boards to Information Boards---User-Friendly Communication is the Key	304	(3)
References	307	(2)
Additional Reading	309	(2)
How to Develop Inexpensive Self-Guided Tours	311	(38)
Types of Self-Guided Tours	312	(1)
Self-Guided Tours are Sequential	312	(1)
Brochures, Signs, or Audio---Which Is Best?	312	(2)
Qualities of a Good Self-Guided Tour	314	(4)
Designing A Self-Guided Trail	318	(5)
Anatomy of a Good Self-Guided Trail	323	(7)
Conceptual Planning for Self-Guided Tours	330	(6)
Ways to Make Self-Guided Trails More Dynamic	336	(2)
Glossary Terms	338	(1)
Talking Trails---Inexpensive Options for Self-Guiding Trail Brochures	339	(4)
Accessibility---Facts, Challenges, and Opportunities for Interpreters	343	(3)
References	346	(1)
Additional Reading	347	(2)
How to Produce an Inexpensive Slide/Tape Program	349	(38)
Types of Audiovisual Programs	349	(1)
Why Slide/Tape Programs?	350	(1)
Five Steps to Better Slide/Tape Programs	350	(24)
Presenting a Slide/Tape Program	374	(1)
Multi-Media versus Multi-Image Programs	375	(4)
Glossary Terms	379	(1)
Slide/Tape Shows---Getting Your Message Across, Even When You Can't Be There	380	(4)
References	384	(1)
Additional Reading	385	(2)
Protecting Interpretive Resources	387	(20)
Protecting Outdoor Exhibits and Signs	387	(2)
Protecting Slides and Photographs	389	(10)
Protecting Video-and Audiotapes	399	(2)
Glossary	401	(1)
Storage of Photographic Prints, Slides, and Negatives---If You Value Them, You'll Take Care of Them	402	(4)
References	406	(1)
Additional Reading	406	(1)
Appendix A: Glossary of Key Terms	407	(10)
Appendix B: Models	417	(8)
Appendix C: Lettering Aids	425	(6)
Appendix D: Key Organizations in Interpretation and Environmental Education	431