GEOLOGIC INTERPRETATION IN KOLOB CANYONS DISTRICT, ZION NATIONAL PARK: CHALLENGES AND REWARDS FROM THE GEOCORPS AMERICA PROGRAM

The spectacular finger canyons of the Kolob Canyons District in Zion National Park provide a unique opportunity for geologic interpretation. The finger canyons are easily accessible by road and their topographic extremes of up to 900 meters are impressive to most visitors. The role of a geologic interpreter is to create personal relevancy between the geology, natural environment, visitors, and park staff. A successful connection enriches the visitor and park staff's encounter with the park geology and is essential for the continued preservation of public lands. Through a partnership with the National Park Service and the Geologic Society of America's GeoCorps America program, a geologist was placed as an interpreter in the Kolob Canyons District of Zion National Park. The main duties of the interpreter were leading guided interpretive walks, creating an interpretive trail, developing curriculum for ranger led presentation in classrooms and informing rangers about park geology. In the interpretive programs, the GeoCorps America participant conveyed the processes of deposition, uplift, and erosion that lead to the creation of the finger canyons. The large scale concepts such as the geologic time scale, Colorado Plateau Geologic Province, and environmental interdependence were also related to the variety of visitors in the park by creating a personal connection between geology and their lives. The variety of styles used to convey these processes included visual aids, games, and storytelling. In addition to these formats, it is useful to use tools to aid in observation of the natural environment, such as a compass, thermometer, and hand samples. These tools not only increase the relevancy to visitor's lives, but also create a tangible example with which to inspire visitors. Making a personal connection to the visitor and revealing a larger picture behind the scenery not only is rewarding to the visitor and interpreter, but gives the visitor a connection to the National Park that will aid in continued preservation of public lands.