INTERPRETING GEOLOGY: PAIRING PEOPLE WITH PARKS

Geoscientists, naturalists, and others who present geology programs to the public in parks, museums, and natural areas can ensure maximum effectiveness by incorporating interpretive principles in their presentations. Interpretation is a philosophy of communication that aims to reveal meanings and significances of natural and cultural resources, and to facilitate connections between the interests of visitors and these resources. The interpretive chain is a model that describes successful interpretation as PAIRing People with Parks. Successful interpretive programs incorporate four components: effective Presentation techniques, knowledge of Audience characteristics, Interpretive techniques, and Resource information. A chain is used in the model because chains make strong, durable connections. Like a chain, all elements of an interpretative program have equal significance, and an overall program is only as strong as its weakest link. Resource information is the first critical link in the interpretive process. Resource information includes knowledge of geologic resources at all levels that can be related to diverse visitors. Interpretive methods is the revelation step in the interpretive chain. Interpretive methods include the use of thematic interpretation, tangible/intangible links, and other tools to make geologic information meaningful to the public. Knowledge of audience characteristics enables an interpreter to gear programs for particular groups. Since general audiences usually have little baseline knowledge of geology, programs targeted to them must begin at basic levels, avoiding technical information that audiences can’t assimilate. And finally, using effective presentation techniques ensures that audiences receive the intended interpretive message. Interpretation has been described as revelation based on information. Thus, a geology interpretive program should aim to increase not only knowledge, but also the relevance and meaning of that information. By seeking to reveal the stories behind the scenery, geology interpretive programs can increase public understanding of geologic processes, natural landscapes, and our relationship as humans to our planet.