MEANINGFUL INTERPRETATION
How To Connect Hearts And Minds To Places, Objects, And Other Resources
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FOREWORD

Each year millions of Americans and international visitors enjoy visiting national, state, county, and city parks either in person or through literature, the Internet or television. There are many reasons why parks are so popular and why people select specific places to visit. Perhaps foremost among the motivations to visit are the themes, stories, and recreational opportunities that parks offer. All people who visit sites seek something of value for themselves. They seek to relate their personal interests to the experiences and adventures offered in the places they visit.

This journal is about the symbiotic relationship between visitors and the places they visit and how you can act as a catalyst to initiate and enhance this relationship. It's meant to inspire and help you explore the notion that all interpretation facilitates a connection between the interests of the visitors and the meanings found in the places they visit.

Through a series of questions about your experiences and perspectives as well as a set of exercises, you can personally investigate "Meaningful Interpretation, How to Connect Hearts and Minds to Places, Objects, and Other Resources." The questions and exercises provoke a deeper understanding of the dynamics of interpretation so you may offer improved opportunities for visitors to have emotional and intellectual experiences at the place you interpret.

The practice of interpretation is ever changing and this journal is part of that evolution. You can decide whether or not you want to be one of the people associated with the improvement of interpretation. When I made that choice, I created a personal contract with the profession. I challenge you to do the same. I have always believed that I am in the information and knowledge business. I also believe people want great interpretive services. In my personal contract I pledge high respect and value for real things; I commit to try and create in others and myself an inquisitive mind; I vow to use the most accurate, current information that I can find; I promise to try to create a socializing experience for others and myself; and I undertake to ensure that the audience feels better about themselves and the place they are visiting for having participated in my program.

If you relate your experiences and perspectives to this journal, the effort should result in better opportunities for visitors to care about and ultimately care for their surroundings. I wish you a pleasant journey as you seek to enhance your insights and skills for providing visitors with enjoyable and enriching opportunities to connect with parks in ways that are meaningful to them.

Over the past few years hundreds of field interpreters have contributed to and practiced with the ideas expressed in this journal. Their efforts to improve the interpretive profession have not gone unnoticed. I would personally like to thank all those who have been involved with this project and, in particular David Larsen for his energy in keeping this endeavor alive so that others might benefit.

Charles W Mayo
Chief of Interpretation, National Park Service



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Last Updated: 29-May-2008

Meaningful Interpretation
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