interpretation
Volume 15, Number 1 - National Association for Interpretation Volume 15, Number 1 - National Association for Interpretation
m a n d y h a r r i s o n , s a r a h b a n k s , j o y j a m e s Conclusions All participants increased their interest in and knowledge of the river environment after the river rafting experience, whether or not their guides participated in the HWI seminar. This may indicate that just being exposed to the river environment can begin the process of influencing recreationists to become more aware and interested in the environment. However, increases in knowledge and interest in the environment were significantly higher for the group whose guides had participated in a Headwaters Institute seminar. Implications This study is limited by the small number of participants, as well as the fact that only one rafting company was involved. Additionally, it is also true that HWI participants may self-select, and so may have more enthusiasm regarding educating clients about the environment. However, even in this context, it is significant that the results of this study indicate that guide participation in the HWI seminar can influence clients’ knowledge of and interest in the environment. There is tremendous potential to influence a “captured” audience through the training of guides in basic environmental knowledge and interpretive methods. This study indicates that the use of interpretive messages in settings that are not traditionally interpretation platforms can encourage interest in the natural environment in a wider population. Past research has confirmed the value of interpretive messages in influencing people’s attitudes regarding the environment (Ballantyne, Packer, & Beckmann, 1998; Madin & Fenton, 2004; Hughes & Saunders, 2005; Zeppel & Muloin, 2008). What makes the Headwaters Institute seminar unique is the focus beyond traditional raft guide training of reading the water, paddling skills, and safety of the client to a more robust educational experience. The results of this study suggest that other ecotourism and outdoor recreation providers should consider including specific area natural history, environmental information, and interpretive skills in their staff trainings, thus encouraging the embedding of interpretive messages within the recreational activity that they provide. References Ballantyne, R., Packer, J., & Beckman, E. (1998). Targeted interpretation: Exploring relationships among visitors motivations, activities, attitudes, information needs and preferences. Journal of Tourism Studies 9(2): 14–25. Ballantyne, R., Packer, J., Hughes, K & Dierking, L. (2007) Conservation learning in wildlife tourism settings: Lessons from research in zoos and aquariums. Environmental Education Research 13(3), 367–383. Daily, G.C, editor. (1997). Nature’s Service: Societal Dependence on Natural Ecosystems. Washington, D.C.: Island Press. Ham, S.H., & Krumpe, E.E. (1996). Identifying audiences and messages for nonformal environmental education: A theoretical framework for interpreters. Journal of Interpretation Research 1(1), 11–23. Harrison, M.B., & Banks S. (2008). An evaluation of a Headwaters Institute watershed seminar. Journal of Interpretation Research 13(2), 83–87. 42 j o u r n a l o f i n t e r p r e t a t i o n r e s e a r c h
a n e v a l u a t i o n o f t h e i m p a c t o f r i v e r g u i d e i n t e r p r e t a t i o n tr aining Hicks, T. (2006). Headwaters institute at ten: Still providing leadership in watershed education [On-line]. Available: www.headwatersinstitute.org Hughes, M & Saunders, A. M. (2005). Interpretation, activity participation, and environmental attitudes of visitors to penguin island, Western Australia. Society and Natural Resources 18, 611–624. Kimmel, J. R. (1999). Ecotourism as environmental learning. Journal of Environmental Education 20 (2), 40–45. Madin, E. & Fenton, D. M. (2004). Environmental interpretation in the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park: An assessment of Program Effectiveness. Journal of Sustainable Tourism 12 (2), 121–137. Novak, J. D. (1998). Learning, creating, and using knowledge: Concept maps as facilitative tools in schools and corporations. Mahwah, NJ: Lawrence Erlbaum Associates, Publishers. Orams, M.B. (1996). Using interpretation to manage nature-based tourism. Journal of Sustainable Tourism 4(2), 81–94. Petrosillo, I., Zurlini, G., Corlianò, M.E., Zaccarelli, N. & Dadamo, M. (2007). Tourist perception of recreational environment and management in a marine protected area. Landscape and Urban Planning 79(1), 29–37. Roggenbuck, J.W.,Williams, D. R., & Bobinski, C. T. (1992). Public-private partnership to increase commercial guides’ effectiveness as nature interpreters. Journal of Park and Recreation Administration 10 (2), 41–51. Sharpe, G.W. (1982). An overview of interpretation. In G.W. Sharpe (ed.) Interpreting the Environment. New York: Wiley. Vygotsky, L.S. (1978). Mind in society. Cambridge, MA: Harvard University Press. Zeppel, H. & Muloin, S. (2008). Conservation benefits of interpretation on marine wildlife tours. Human Dimensions of Wildlife 13, 280–294. v o l u m e 15, n u m b e r 1 43
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a n e v a l u a t i o n o f t h e i m p a c t o f r i v e r g u i d e i n t e r p r e t a t i o n tr aining<br />
Hicks, T. (2006). Headwaters institute at ten: Still providing leadership in watershed<br />
education [On-line]. Available: www.headwatersinstitute.org<br />
Hughes, M & Saunders, A. M. (2005). Interpretation, activity participation, and<br />
environmental attitudes of visitors to penguin island, Western Australia. Society<br />
and Natural Resources 18, 611–624.<br />
Kimmel, J. R. (1999). Ecotourism as environmental learning. Journal of Environmental<br />
Education 20 (2), 40–45.<br />
Madin, E. & Fenton, D. M. (2004). Environmental <strong>interpretation</strong> in the Great Barrier<br />
Reef Marine Park: An assessment of Program Effectiveness. Journal of<br />
Sustainable Tourism 12 (2), 121–137.<br />
Novak, J. D. (1998). Learning, creating, and using knowledge: Concept maps as<br />
facilitative tools in schools and corporations. Mahwah, NJ: Lawrence Erlbaum<br />
Associates, Publishers.<br />
Orams, M.B. (1996). Using <strong>interpretation</strong> to manage nature-based tourism. Journal of<br />
Sustainable Tourism 4(2), 81–94.<br />
Petrosillo, I., Zurlini, G., Corlianò, M.E., Zaccarelli, N. & Dadamo, M. (2007). Tourist<br />
perception of recreational environment and management in a marine protected<br />
area. Landscape and Urban Planning 79(1), 29–37.<br />
Roggenbuck, J.W.,Williams, D. R., & Bobinski, C. T. (1992). Public-private partnership<br />
to increase commercial guides’ effectiveness as nature interpreters. Journal of<br />
Park and Recreation Administration 10 (2), 41–51.<br />
Sharpe, G.W. (1982). An overview of <strong>interpretation</strong>. In G.W. Sharpe (ed.) Interpreting the<br />
Environment. New York: Wiley.<br />
Vygotsky, L.S. (1978). Mind in society. Cambridge, MA: Harvard University Press.<br />
Zeppel, H. & Muloin, S. (2008). Conservation benefits of <strong>interpretation</strong> on marine<br />
wildlife tours. Human Dimensions of Wildlife 13, 280–294.<br />
v o l u m e 15, n u m b e r 1 43
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