Preworkshop sessions are one- or two-day, topic-based workshops designed for those who would like in-depth training in subjects related to interpretation. The Interpreters Road Show and some preworkshop training sessions take place over two days (November 15-16). All others take place Tuesday, November 16. There is a fee (lunch included) above regular workshop registration to cover the cost of these optional preworkshop sessions.

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TWO-DAY PREWORKSHOPS
November 15-16, 2010

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1. “Three of a Kind”: Partnerships, Sustainability & Tourism in an Interpretive World
We know that interpretation and tourism are inextricably linked, but how do we create and maintain beneficial and long-term partnerships between our organizations and businesses? Can promoting stewardship and environmental sustainability through interpretation create a win-win for marketing agencies such as convention and visitors bureaus as well as program sites?

By bringing together leaders from for-profit and non-profit organizations as well as local state and federal agencies, we will together explore the challenges and opportunities for creating synergistic partnerships around interpretive sites and programs. In addition to hearing about specific case studies, participants will have the opportunity to see first hand successful partnerships in the Las Vegas area.

Instructors: Deb Friedel, Director of Sustainability, Delaware North Companies, and Cris Collier, President, Great Bend Convention & Visitors Bureau
Cost: $200
Maximum Number of Participants: 30

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2. Podcasting for Interpreters
Interpretive media has seen tremendous growth with the advent of easy-to-use digital technology and podcasting has seen some of the fastest growth. Podcasting is a multimedia solution to enhancing blogs and providing original interpretive audio and video content. In this workshop, participants will learn the basics of script writing, capturing and editing audio, using music, and creating RSS feeds to distribute podcasts. The bulk of the class will be hands-on. Participants will be given assignments to collect the sounds of Las Vegas and edit them into a podcast using the tools provided.

Also, students must bring a laptop. If they have access to a digital audio recorder, they should bring it and the instructors will bring extra equipment as well. Instructors will provide links to editing software (Audacity and Levelator) which will need to be downloaded to students’ computers prior to attending the class.

Instructors: Dominic Cardea, Northeast Regional Office,
National Park Service; Craig Glassner, Golden Gate National Recreation Area; Judy Lively, Olympic National Park; Michael Liang, North Cascades National Park
Cost: $200
Maximum Number of Participants: 20

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3. Climate Change Myths and Truths: Interpreting the Science in a Climate of Controversy
Climate change is a challenging topic for interpreters. It involves complex science on a global scale (it’s even more complex at the local scale), is controversial, and carries abundant misconceptions. To help participants meet these challenges, this session will provide a basic foundation for interpreting climate change. We will draw upon NASA’s extensive climate research to help address common misconceptions. Methodology for interpreting controversial subjects will be discussed, and climate change interpretive products and techniques from the NASA-NPS-USFWS partnership will be featured (eg., exhibits, pod-casts, Jr. Ranger programming). Abundant interpretive and scientific resources will be provided for participants to draft a plan for interpreting climate change at their own site.

Instructors: John Morris, NPS, AK Interpretive Training and Media Specialist; Ruth Paglierani, UC Berkeley; Sandy Spakoff, USFWS, National Conservation Training Center, Training and Education Specialist; Anita Davis, Sigma Space at NASA, Landsat Education and Outreach Coordinator; NASA scientist TBD
Cost: $225
Maximum Number of Participants:50

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4. Interpreters Road Show 2010
NAI’s Nature Center Directors and Administrators Section is hitting the trail in Nevada and stopping at a wonderful selection of private, non-profit, county, state, and federal interpretive facilities. During this year’s Road Show, we will visit the Springs Preserve, Wetlands Nature Preserve, Spring Mountain Ranch State Park, and Red Rock Canyon. This professional development opportunity will include time to go behind the scenes at each of these locations and talk with staff to learn how they manage volunteers, programs, building and facility development, master planning, funding development, exhibits, and much more. In addition, participants will have the time to discuss “hot topics” selected by themselves during the group roundtable discussion. This Road Show will enable the participants to network and learn from their fellow NAI interpreters and administrators.

This opportunity is open to all interpreters and provides a unique look at a variety of interpretive properties. All transportation, park fees, and some meals are included in this trip. There will be no off-site, overnight lodging during this trip. Participants should make sure they reserve lodging for Monday night at their choice for the NAI National Workshop.

Trip Leader: Amy Roell
Cost: $ 225
Maximum Number of Participants: 30

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ONE-DAY PREWORKSHOPS
November 16, 2010

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5. Interpreting American Indian Traditions in the 21st Century
Learn how to awaken awareness in your audiences with singer, songwriter, storyteller, poet, and bridge-builder Jack Gladstone. Jack has delivered hundreds of presentations highlighting various aspects of American Indian culture including, mytho-poetic imagery in Native story and song, cultural changes on the Northern Plains, treaty talk, the re-birthing of the “talking circle,” and Indian Education for all in Montana. In 1985, Jack co-founded and has since been a presenter for Glacier National Park’s “Native Speaks” lecture series.

Instructor: Jack Gladstone
Cost: $150
Maximum Number of Participants: 50

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6. Coaching for Professional Excellence
In 2009, over 250 interpreters earned credentials as Local Registered Coaches for the new Interpretation and Education Distance Learning Platform created by the National Park Service and Indiana University’s Eppley Institute. Building off the success of the new coaching network, this preworkshop session will creatively use joint panel discussions, break-out sessions, individualized assignments, and personalized feedback to fulfill three distinct goals: to serve as a refresher for registered coaches (fulfills yearly coaching credential requirement), to introduce interested supervisors and experienced interpreters to the purpose and format of the coaching network, and to provide new strategies for those interested in honing their coaching skills.

Instructors: Katie Bliss, Training Specialist, Mather Training Center; Tess Shatzer, Park Ranger, Regional Lead Coach; Dr. Elizabeth Barrie; Nancy Hadlock
Cost: $145
Maximum Number of Participants: 20

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7. Graphic Design Basics for Heritage Interpreters (with the authors of Interpretation By Design)
This workshop is designed for interpreters who have little or no training in graphic design but find themselves responsible for creating non-personal media.

Interpreters use exhibits, brochures, signs, websites, site publications, and other visual media to tell their stories. This session focuses on using basic principles of both graphic design and interpretation in non-personal media. By the end of the workshop, you should have a good understanding of how to make decisions about type, color, and composition, as well as why an interpretive approach may be more effective for communicating with your audience.

Instructors: Shea Lewis and Paul Caputo
Cost: $150
Maximum Number of Participants: 30

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8. Bug Blitz
Because insects and arachnids are among the most fascinating and diverse group of animals on Earth, they are a magnet for audiences in parks, nature centers, and zoos. From ants to tarantulas to zebra swallowtails, arthropods provide interpreters with an almost overwhelming source of opportunities. This workshop is designed for interpreters with beginning-to-moderate knowledge of entomology. Highlights include an insect and arachnid order overview, hands-on identification, and sampling activities. Also included are crafts, programs, tools, and interpretive games that this presenter has used during her 15-year career as a professional entomologist, interpreter, and author of Arkansas Butterflies and Moths (NAI media award winner 2007).

Instructors: Lori A. Spencer, CHI, CIG
Cost: $150
Maximum Number of Participants: 20

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9. Living History Road Show
In this time of uncertainty, all interpreters want to know what we can do to keep our sites viable. Wouldn’t it be nice to travel to an “interpretive oasis” and not be afraid to look outside-the-box for new ideas.

Participants will take a trip to one of Las Vegas’ most well-known living history sites (TDB) and receive a tour of the facility by the site’s staff. The tour will include current facilities, programming, administration, maintenance, master planning, exhibits, and other behind-the-scenes activities. Discussion with the site staff will include current challenges and opportunities.

Come and learn some “fabulous” new (or old) approaches to doing living history and running a cultural interpretation site.

Instructors: TBD
Cost: $145
Maximum Number of Participants: 25