Why Interpret

The participating individual (you George), social benefits of an informed society, benefits to the agency (PRS) by performing an effective service to the public.

Acquiring knowledge is enjoyable and reward. Visit to site more meaningful and productive.Programs for schools.

Interpretive progams offered to people as a recreational activity. Progams must be enjoyable, stimulating and satisfying.

Propel visitors to heightened sensitivity and action favoring their cultural and natural heritage. Past, present and future.

To develop interpretive programs that achieve more than one of these benefits.

2 Ways..
1.Survey (question) particiants.
2. Economic Valuation. Travel and willingness to pay for a product... a guided or self guided tour of nature trails or exhibits.

Can improve distribution for better decision- making, improve family and community unity and stability, provides awareness, offers people understanding and appreciation so they can shape their own values.

To get people to expand their lives, care about the world condition in order to help make it right.

Help develop leisure skills and increase understanding of ulti-cultural heritage.

Maslow's Motivational Theories. Developed Maslow's hierarchy of Needs theory concerning Interpretation. Disagrees with the importance of Interpretation.( Human survival needs before the emotional, psychological and educational growth.)

Interpretation ia an important and maybe essential componenet of andy program, not universally accepted.

Humans must first satisfy their needs before they will be receptive to interpretation.

1.Self-actualization: becoming ones own self.

2. Aesthetic: appreciation for order/balance of life,beauty, love, intellectual needs.

3. Understanding: knowledge of relationships, systems, processes, intergrated knowledge.

4. Knowledge: assess to information, accomplish things, wanting meaning. and Affiliation Needs. Ability to put it together.

5. Esteem: recognition as unique person with special characteristics. ( as George Bryan and his wonderful personality and kindness)

6. Belonging: being accepted as a member of a group, others aware of you. Basic physical needs:

7. Security: concerned with future, safety for oneself and family/group.

8. Survival: Concern for immediate existence, finding food, breath, water,sex.

Lower Level needs take precedence over hight level motives for activity.......

1/10 people ever attained the level of seeking self-actualization needs... being occupied with trying to satisfy esteem, love and security.

try it satisfy the lower rungs of the needs scale first.

"Through interpretation, education: through education, through appreciation; through appreciation, protection." Maxim for Interpreters

"in the final analysis, people protect only what they love." Jacuest Cousteau

" to counteract those persons who would selfishly destroy park values." Stephen Mather 1st director of NPS

To build support for its policies.

Management tool. Interpretation ensures tht the public understands resource values. Building support the managing agency or owner needs in order to function.

John Hendee, Forestry Extension Professor, challenged the profession to develope means for evaluation its effect.

Some studies suggest it does.
1. Channel Island National Park (1992)
2. Yellowstone fires of 1988.
3.Wild Horses of NC Outer Banks.
4.Corps of Engineer Study
Detroit Lake, COE (corp of engineers).

Maslow's theory, not enough data-keeping, poor accountability.loct of cost-effectiveness studies .....Porfessional criteria..Nai now has a certification process for environmental Educators.

decreased vandalism, poaching, depreciative behavior,

Increased: compliance with park regulations, support for policies and management practices. Yea.......

1.Interpretation as Persuasion.. Often takes the form of persuasive communication...Bobby Harrison's Ivory-billed Woodpecker Talk 2/3/06

he provided background info of extinction, described his boyhood fascination, identified himself as a southerner,humor, magic moments, described chasing birds for 20 years,
called 'Sobbing Bobby',used stats,needed photos, used humor, props declared his excitement.

2. Processes experienced by listeners of message of the talk...Information availabilityand reception are key in the persuation process.
..People only accept some of the infomation....Information integration .valuation of info based on listeners prior attitudes and ideas.

Consider audience needs and attitudes.Objective is clearly worded statement that calls for action or belief. Consider Maslow's hierarchy ( building from lowest to highest ) in presentation for audience needs...

Audience Characteristics, attitudes . if presentation is inconsistent with an attitude, a persuasive presentation is more difficult.

re-introduction of wolves at Yellowston to an audience of ranchers.
Gas-guzzling card to NASCAR fans.
ORVs on Cape Hatteras to fishermen vs birdwatchers.

Favorable, Intense, and salience (very important to not very important)

Persuasion is more likely to occur when the speaker uses several means of persuasion:

Present info and facts.
Project credibility..competence, good intent, character and personality that causes trust in the audience. and so on....

No OPINION: remain apathetic

IN FAVOR OF: bring audience to decision or actions.

OPPOSED:Look for common ground, propose actions which wil satisfy common ground.

Allow enthusiasm and concern to show. Demonstrate conviction, not fanaticism.

1.rate of speaking
2. verbal and non-verbal expressionas of confidence
3. the medium used (overhead, software presentation, tv...
4. the context
5 type of appeal (eg fear, humor,factual)
6. diversity of vocabulary,
7. physical appearance. (we got that one. (George, this one we have. love you)

Management concerns... Resource protection,
Protecting & Maintaining
visitors facilities,
Visitor safety,
Protecting water quality and etc

after attending all visitors will be able to describe relationships of a wolf pack, the general impact on the food web at Yellostone after reintroducing the wolf.

Personal attitudes(formed by belief and evaluation of outcomes of behavior) and Subjective Norms (peer group pressures affect Intentions and Behaviors.

Behavior causes attitudes... as individuals participate in a particular behavior they develop an explanation for their behavior. Over time they form beliefs and attitudes that reinforce the behavior.

Most Interpreters prefer non-confrontational persuasion.Persuade people by giving them proper info and offering experiences to cause people to make their own decision. Not in propaganda business .Increase knowledge and participation. Don't tell people what they must do, rather what they can do.
Use our vast natural historic resources to show what true morals are.

Lying or misinformation,
Chastising a Visitor for their
personal choice,
Making visitor feel guilty,
Making fun of someone/ethnicity,etc.

Hope I helped you, gma.