Selling the Prairie

Interpreting Prairies for the General Public

Presented by: Jaime Gonzalez, Katy Prairie Conservancy

 What is Interpretation?
The Big Picture
INTERPRETATION:
Interpretation is a
communication process that
forges emotional and
intellectual connections
between the interests of the
audience and the meanings
inherent in the resource.
-National Association of
Interpretation
…whose goal is to provide
new volunteers, good
publicity, and/or monetary
benefits to the host
organization.
- Jon Kohl, Fermata Inc.
 What is Interpretation?
A Historic Viewpoint
 Freeman Tilden 1883-1980
A. He held many types of jobs including newspaper reporter
B. Hired by park service in early 1940’s
C. Interpreting our Natural Heritage 1957
D. Tilden’s Six Principles
1. Any interpretation that does not somehow relate what is being displayed or
(Use Analogies)
described to something within the personality or experience of the visitor will be
sterile.
(Reveal) 2. Information, as such, is not interpretation. Interpretation is revelation based upon
information. But they are entirely different things. However, all interpretation
includes information.
(Teachable) 3. Interpretation is an art, which combines many arts, whether the materials presented
are scientific, historical, or architectural. Any art is in some degree teachable. Freeman Tilden
(Inspiration) 4. The chief aim of interpretation is not instruction, but provocation (Anatole France &
the mystery tree)
(Holistic - avoid the 5. Interpretation should aim to present a whole rather than a part, and must address
‘name game’) itself to the whole person rather than any phase.
6. Interpretation addressed to children should not be a dilution of the presentation to
(Age Appropriate) adults, but should follow a fundamentally different approach. To be at its best, it
will require a separate program.
 Good Interpretation is:
Age-appropiate

Ways to make interpretation more memorable & enjoyable

Don’t talk your way through a presentation; if you can show
them do it (see guide cards & Demo.)
• Be Age-appropriate
 Good Interpretation is:
Thematic
Topic (To) or Theme (Th)
1. Desert people of the past__
A topic is a broad general topic or category
2. The Old West wasn’t so wild after
Examples: all___
Whales 3. This Old House__
4. The Water is Green for a
Wildlife habitats
reason__
Historic houses 5. Inupiats, people of the North__
A theme is primary message that you want to get across to your 6. Seals and their blubber__
audience and narrows a theme’s focus 7. Thestories of the stars talk
Examples: through the night skies__
8. Famous cowboys and their
Different whales use different methods to eat
horses__
_______________________________________________ 9. Bald eagles and their prey__
_______________________________________________ 10.Water is the source of life__
 Good Interpretation is:
Come up with a Theme

A topic is a broad general topic or category

Examples:
Men of Twilight Series
Katy Perry
Summer Vacation
 Good Interpretation is:
Relevant & Purposeful

Relevant Use a word, phrase, or idea that would

help your visitors understand the
1.Use analogies or metaphor from everyday life
following
2.Put the person in the place of someone else 1. The weight of a hummingbird
3.Personalize your tour by using first names 2. Insulating power of whale blubber
3. Ratio of soldiers killed in a Civil War
Purposeful
battle
1.Interpretation should lead to a certain level of 4. Daily chores on a pioneer farm
understanding
5. Structure of a wolf pack
 What are the take home concepts that you want to
get across?
2.Should seek to change viewpoints or inspire action
Houston was Born on the Prairie
A City Carved from a Grassy Wilderness
 Good Interpretation:
Deflates Misconceptions

Which types of prairies misconceptions exist?

• Filled with dangerous animals (including snakes)

• It is too wet here to have prairies and/or prairies only
exist in the midwest
• Prairie fires are destructive
• Which other myths or misconceptions abound?
 Good
Sell Interpretation:
Ecosystem Services
Explains History

Rice University circa 1916 Tomball - 1896

Katy 1912 Tanglewood 1950’s

Good Interpretation:
Explains History
Good Interpretation:
Sells Exceptionality
What’s left?

A 2008-2009 study by the Native Prairies Association of Texas found that their
are few remaining high-quality prairie patches left in Harris and surrounding
counties.Yet, even mid-quality prairies can and should be restored.

A sample of NPAT survey results

★ On average there were only 7 prairies found per county

★ Prairie sites generally ranged in size from 5 to 10 acres with many

sites under 10 acres in size

★ Only 1/2 of sites are protected by land trusts

★County-level Results
Harris County, 7 sites from 1 to 17 acres, mostly 6 - 7 acres
Fort Bend County, 5 sites from 4 to 9 acres
Brazoria County, 13 sites of up to 280 acres, mostly 5 - 20 acres
Galveston County, 8 sites up to 125 acres, mostly 10 - 20 acres
Chambers County, only 1 site visible from a public road but it is
hundreds to thousands of acres,aerial photography indicates potential
for thousands more acres of quality prairie.
Good Interpretation:
Sells Usefulness

Coastal Prairies provide many

ecosystem services including:

• Flood Control
• Potential biofuels
• Mitigating ‘heat island effect’
• Recreation
 Good Interpretation:
Is Graphically Attractive & Affordable

The Role of Signage

• Helps to tell a cohesive story

• Helps to provide context for a prairie
• Attracts visitors
• Helps deflect criticism
An inexpensive option

• Aluminum signage can cost as little at $13-

$15 per square foot with accompanying
holders about $25; Get a temporary sign for
around $100
• If you are a school or nonprofit, CPP can
assist you with developing signage
 Good Interpretation:
Is Based on Good Information

The CPP Website already has:

• Over 1,500 photos most of which can be

used for signage and interpretive pamphlets
• Galleries and photo search make finding the
right photo easy
• CPP members are typically enthusiastic
about having their work used - just ask and
we’ll find a photo for you
What Do You Still Need?