Environmental Interpretation : A Practical Guide For People With Big Ideas And Small Budgets - 92 edition

Ham, Sam H. : University of Idaho

Sam H. Ham is professor of Environmental Communication and International Conservation in the University of Idaho's College of Forestry, Wildlife, and Range Sciences. Dr. Ham's workshops on communication and interpretive methods are in demand both in the United States and abroad. He has authored more than 130 publications and has been a researcher and consultant in many interpretive studies projects in 25 countries. The recipient of numerous awards, in 1990 he received the National Association for Interpretation's highest honor, the ''Fellow Award.''

What is Interpretation? Interpretation is simply an approach to communication. Most people think of it as the process through which a person translates one language into another, for example Spanish to English or English to Spanish. At its most basic level, that's exactly what interpretation is, translating. Environmental interpretation involves translating the technical language of a natural science or related field into terms and ideas that people who aren't scientists can readily understand. And it involves doing it in a way that's entertaining and interesting to these people. Simply put, that's the topic of this book.

Foreword
Preface
Acknowledgments


PART I. IMPORTANT CONCEPTS

What is Interpretation
Practicing Thematic Interpretation

PART II. CONDUCTED ACTIVITIES

How to Prepare and Present a Talk
Tips on Using Visual Aids
How to Prepare and Present a Guided Tour or Walk
Guidelines for Other Conducted Activities
Case Studies on School and Community Programs

PART III. SELF-GUIDED MEDIA

How to Plan and Prepare Inexpensive Exhibits
How to Develop Inexpensive Self-Guided Tours
How to Produce an Inexpensive Slide/Tape Program
Protecting Interpretive Resources

Appendix A : Glossary of Terms
Appendix B : Models
Appendix C : Lettering Aids
Appendix D : Key Organizations in Interpretation and Environmental Education