TMN Volunteers as Teachers

Interpretation

Marla Layne

Blackland Prairie Chapter of Texas Master Naturalist - Class of 2023

Certified Interpretive Guide - NAI 2024

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Agenda Timeline

6:15 – 7:10 7:10 – 7:20 7:20 – 7:40 7:40 – 8:00 8:00 – 8:10 8:10 – 8:50 8:50 – 9:00

Presentation - Marla Layne and Dave Powell

Break

Pods receive their resource & create an interpretive talk

Three pods present

Break

Six pods present

Feedback & Wrap-up

What are we going to do tonight?

• What is interpretation– what makes it unique & why it’s important

• Review some fundamental principles of interpretation

• Dave Powell - Basic Trail Guide training

• Pods will each receive a different resource, will have time to prepare their talk, and then present it to the class. Marla and Dave to give feedback

So why should I volunteer as an Interpreter?

• As Master Naturalists, we’re all passionate about nature.
• We sometimes fall into either the specialist or generalist categories

Interpretation gives you the opportunity to be both!

• Interpretation gives you the chance to share your expertise, but also to do deep dives into new resources you may know nothing about.

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• Interact face-to-face with our communities and share our love and passion for nature, individually and in group settings.

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• It’s incredibly rewarding!

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From the homework video…

Teaching /Formal Education

The sharing of facts for future recall; the learning and recitation of those facts is the objective

The sharing of information in a way that invites audience engagement and wonder, leading

to self-discovery of personal meaning and connection to the resource

Interpretation

Enos Mills – Naturalist & Author

“The best interpretation comes from the heart and is laced with

imagination, creativity, inspiration, revelation, and personal

commitment.”

Freeman Tilden – Founding Father of Interpretation

“Through Interpretation, we get Understanding. Through Understanding,

we get Appreciation. And through Appreciation, we get Protection.”

Be intentional to make children feel included

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• Don’t talk down to them

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• DO get physically down on their level. Don’t be afraid to get your hands dirty with them!

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• You may even want to include some props!

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• They love the tactile!

One of the best ways to show

you what interpretation is, is by first showing you what it’s NOT! Facts, Facts, Facts....

• This is the Honey Locust tree.

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• The average height of this tree is about 70 feet.

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• Its long, compound leaves are divided into as many as 30 oval leaflets, each of which is about 1 inch long.

• Some leaves may be doubly divided, in which case the leaflets are more numerous and smaller.

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• The fruit is a reddish-brown flattened pod, up to 18 inches long, sometimes sickle-shaped and twisted.

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• That’s a lot about this tree, but so what? Interpretation solves this question!

Now, let’s put that interpretive spin on it!

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• The "honey" in its name comes from the sweet, honey-like pulp found inside its long (up to 14 inches), twisted seed pods.

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• Native Americans and settlers ate the pulp, and dried seeds can be ground into flour or roasted for a coffee substitute.

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• The tree's massive, branched thorns evolved to deter giant Ice Age herbivores (mammoths, ground sloths) that once fed on their seed pods.

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• During the Civil War, the hard thorns were used by the Confederacy as pins to fasten clothing.

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• The thorns are so sharp and strong that they have been known to pop tractor tires.

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Interpretive Trail Guiding to Help Adults and Children Enjoy Being Outdoors

By David Powell

Certified Trail Guide at the Heard Natural Science Museum and Wildlife Sanctuary

Member of the Blackland Prairie Chapter of Texas Master Naturalist

Interpretation is

• An information service
• A guiding service
• An educational service
• An entertainment service
• A propaganda service
• An inspirational service

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Interpretation aims at giving people new understanding, new insights, new enthusiasm, and new interests. A good interpreter is a sort of Pied Piper, leading people easily into new and fascinating worlds that their senses never really penetrated before.

From Edwards, in G,W, Sharpe’s, Interpreting the Environment

What makes an interpretive guide?

• Attitude

• Invites visitors to return

• Knowledge of the area and environment

• Understanding of different learning styles

• Willingness to share that knowledge

• Understanding of different learning styles

• Tools to enhance the appreciation of the visitor

Do not try to satisfy your vanity by teaching a great many things.

Awaken people’s curiosity.

It is enough to open minds; do not overburden them.

If there's just a spark. If there is some flammable stuff, it will catch fire.

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- Anatole France

Example

Tools you might use on the trail

• Hand magnifiers (loupes)

• Mirrors (handheld)

• Paint samples ( from hardware store)

Dave Powell

powell1217@yahoo.com

469-450-3712

Contact Information

Marla Layne

marlal@bptmn.org

806-223-8974

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Questions

POD Assignments

Pod 1 – Pecan Tree

Pod 2 – Copperhead

Pod 3 – Cattails

Pod 4 – Barred Owl

Pod 5 – Black Willow Tree Pod 6 – Monarch Butterfly Pod 7 – Coyote

Pod 8 – Dragonfly

Pod 9 - Ragweed

Pod 1

Pecan Tree

Pod 2

Copperhead

Pod 3

Cattails

Pod 4

Barred Owl

Pod 5

Black Willow Tree

Pod 6

Monarch Butterfly

Pod 7

Coyote

Pod 8

Dragonfly

Pod 9

Ragweed

Interpretive Guide Certification Information

https://www.interpnet.com/