What is NAI?
The National Association for Interpretation (NAI) is a not-for-profit 501c3 professional association for those involved in the interpretation of natural and cultural heritage resources in settings such as parks, zoos, museums, nature centers, aquaria, botanical gardens, and historical sites. For more than 50 years. NAI and its parent organizations have encouraged networking, training, and collaboration among members and partners in support of our mission: inspiring leadership and excellence to advance heritage interpretation as a profession.

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NAI was founded in 1988 from two existing organizations, the Association of Interpretive Naturalists (founded in 1954) and the Western Interpreters Association (founded in 1965). From 1954 to 1988, AIN and WIA operated as two separate professional organizations with offices in Needwood, Maryland, and Sacramento, California, respectively. After merging to form NAI, the office was moved to Fort Collins, Colorado, creating a partnership with Colorado State University’s Department of Natural Resource Recreation and Tourism that provided initial office space. A growing staff required a move to a nearby Victorian house of 900 square feet, though CSU students continue to work in the office as interns and work-study employees. By June 2004, NAI employed 10 full-time staff and moved into a new 8400-square-foot office and training facility in the historic Old Town of Fort Collins, Colorado. Although the building is owned by NAI, almost half of that space is leased to Rocky Mountain Bird Observatory and National Parks Conservation Association.

NAI’s growing network of members includes volunteers, docents, interpreters, naturalists, historians, rangers, park guards, guides, tour operators, program directors, consultants, academicians, planners, suppliers, and institutions. By 2008, NAI had 5,000 members in over 30 countries with three international affiliate organizations: NAI-Greece, NAI-Korea, and NAI-China.

NAI continues to add programs, products, and services to meet the needs of a growing profession. Currently, NAI offers an annual national workshop that attracts over 1,000 people, an international conference, regional and special-interest section workshops, two full-color magazines, certification and training, an association store, a publishing imprint (InterpPress), digital newsletters, and web-based services.

Contact the National Office
Look here for phone numbers, and mailing and shipping addresses for the national office in Fort Collins, Colorado, as well as e-mail addresses, photos, and bios of NAI's staff.
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Board of Directors
NAI is governed by a Board of Directors chosen by the membership. Look here for contact information and photos for NAI's Board of Directors.
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Welcome from the Executive Director
Tim Merriman, NAI's executive director since 1995 welcomes members, partners, and interested parties to the organization.
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History of NAI
NAI's history dates back more than 50 years. Find out more here.
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Mission, Vision, and Core Values
NAI's programs and services have their roots in these guiding policies.
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Media Awards
NAI's professional and media awards recognize excellence in the field of interpretation. Find out more about how to nominate a peer or submit a product for consideration.
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Professional Awards
Through its awards program, NAI recognizes outstanding achievements and showcases the successes of NAI members and others working to advance the profession of interpretation.
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Regions and Sections
NAI is divided into regions and sections to help members network with others who work near them or who work with similar subject-matter content.
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Programs, Products, and Services
NAI offers networking and training opportunities, publications, and other programs to benefit members and the profession.
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In Memoriam: Remembering NAI Members
Read about NAI members who have passed away in recent years, and share your own thoughts, memories, and stories.
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Frequently Asked Questions
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