The document outlines the author's experience with various interpretive projects including interpretive talks, walks, campfire programs, flyers, signs, and trail brochures. These projects incorporated principles of interpretation and design to educate audiences about history, environments, and sustainable practices through visual aids, storytelling, and informative graphics. The author collaborated with agencies to create interpretive materials that met their needs and enhanced visitor experiences.

1. Environmental Interpretation Experience
Personal Interpretation
Interpretation is revelation based on information...not instruction but provocation.
~ Freeman Tilden
Interpretive Talk
I applied effective public speaking and communication techniques including
the communication cycle and P.O.R.T. (pleasurable, organized, relevant and
thematic) in the development of a 20-minute interpretive talk. The interpretive
talk used high quality visual aids including historical maps and photographs to
engage the audience’s senses, connecting them to the unique geographic area of
northern California and southern Oregon known as The State of Jefferson.
Interpretive Walk and Evaluation
I used correct mechanics including the timing and placement of each of the
walks stops, together with Maslow’s hierarchy of needs, to plan a 20-minute
interpretive walk about the lives of historical loggers in the Northern California
redwoods. In addition, I prepared a W.A.M.S. style (when, audience, method,
standard) walk evaluation to measure the effectiveness of the overall message as it
was communicated to the visitors.
Interpretive Campfire Program
I developed an Interpretive Campfire program that included a traditional
warm-up activity and a 20-minute Power Point. The warm-up activity consisted of
“folkloric storytelling” accompanied by a shadow puppet show titled, “How the
Beaver stole fire from the Pines.” This activity was followed by a PowerPoint
presentation concentrating on the historical use of fire by native tribes, and its
importance to maintaining healthy ecosystems in North America.

2. Non-Personal Interpretation
When words become unclear, I shall focus with photographs.
When images become inadequate, I shall be content with silence.
~Ansel Adams
Interpretive Flyer
I developed a professional interpretive flyer to educate undeclared Humboldt
State University (HSU) students about their option to choose Environmental
Education and Interpretation as a major. The flyer was designed using cognitive
and behavioral objectives and used graphic design principles including contrast,
repetition, alignment and proximity, as well as unity, color, and balance.
Interpretive Sign
I used artistic design and interpretive theory to design and produce a natural
resources based interpretive sign directed towards a targeted audience.
The interpretive sign was developed with subject, audience and purpose in
mind, and included the use of short words and sentences to increase readability,
high resolution images for aesthetic appeal, and was based on theme and
subthemes, “Be Aware of the Beach Beast: Protect Yourself from Sneaker Waves.”
Furthermore, the sign was designed using the four elements of P.O.R.T making it
meaningful and personal, more effectively connecting my overall message to
information which the visitor already knows and cares about.
Agency Interpretive Sign
I worked with two other colleagues to create a professional and relevant
interpretive sign for the Campus Center for Appropriate Technology (CCAT)
community garden at HSU.

3. Throughout the month long project, our group worked closely with CCAT
representatives to fine tune interpretive text and layouts while demonstrating
conceptual and artistic design elements to fulfill agency needs.
Self-Guided Interpretive Trail Brochure
I used elements of interpretive theory and design of self-guided trails to
create an 8.5 x 14 in. interpretive brochure for CCAT at HSU. The interpretive
brochure consists of 5 stops. Each stop includes a human level of interest to focus
visitor attention towards the innovative characteristics and pro-environmental
strategies utilized at CCAT. These include a corn cob bench, the benefits of
composting for your soil, and a native plant garden.
Fort Humboldt Visitor Center Improvement Project:
Interpretive Graphics and GIS
Environmental Interpretation Practicum required our five student team to
use our knowledge of historical research and interpretive graphic design along with
effective team management and agency communication skills to complete a
collaborative semester long project for California State Parks.
Our interpretive graphics team designed and printed two 3 ft x 4 ft visitor
orientation maps accompanied by photographs and inspirational quotes
highlighting the rich history of Fort Humboldt State Historical Park. The visitor
center project also focused visitor attention on six of the lesser known State Parks of
the area which extend from the Mendocino County line north to the Oregon border.
The maps and layouts which include seven ways visitors may enjoy their time at the
Fort, as well as recreational opportunities around the region, were created using a
combination of geo-referenced historical aerial photographs and recent satellite
images, Geographic Information System (GIS) mapping software and the Adobe®
Creative Suite®.