Multiple Goal Conveyance in a State Park Interpretive Boat Cruise

Abstract

The qualitative case study examined interpretive programs for four sets of management goals. A proposed model, Four Conceptions of Interpretation, previously tested in national parks, was retested in a state park. The four conceptions are (a) connecting visitors to resources, (b) conveying agency mission and influencing behavior, (c) encouraging environmental literacy, and (d) promoting tourism. The hypothesis was that evidence of all four conceptions would be found in visitor recall of interpretive programs. Analysis found conceptions one and two strongly recalled by visitors. Conception three, environmental literacy, was conveyed by staff and moderately recalled by visitors. Conception four, tourism, identified in the Arkansas State Parks mission and opening dedication speeches, did not find its way into programs. Findings suggest that all four conceptions identified in foundational literature, mission, overall park vision, and staff interview did not trickle down into interpretive practice; it was not recalled by visitors in programs.

Heritage Interpretation and Sustainable Development: A Systematic Literature Review

“…There are only few important findings in this area and even where there are some sound and useful conclusions, they still do not address some of the more fundamental concerns about interpretation more broadly". Similar conclusions were drawn by Benton [51] (p. 7) as a result of research carried out at Lake Fort Smith (LFS) State Park. She stated that all four conceptions of interpretation (connecting visitors to resources, conveying agency mission and influencing behaviour, encouraging environmental literacy, and promoting tourism), did not trickle down into interpretive practice because it was not recalled by visitors in programs.…”

Direction for interpretive programming from Alberta Provincial Park management plans

“…The age of plans is worth noting, since older plans for World Heritage sites appear to pay less attention to tourism and visitor planning than newer ones (Job et al 2017). Concurrently, noting the plan age is valuable because, in preparing management plans, policy-makers managers, and field staff can perceive them differently, resulting in quite different goals, topics, strategies, and outcomes (Benton 2011). Thus, the conceptualizing and implementing of interpretive activities vary considerably (Benton 2009) and are affected by many factors, including the agency, audience, park, ecosystem, period, and season (Beck et al 2018).…”

Alignment of Goals for Personal Interpretation Among Staff Groups in a Park Agency

“…However, even with clearly identified guiding policies, policy-makers, planners, managers, and field staff perceive interpretive goals in different and potentially incompatible ways. Such varying perceptions may result in misalignment between management and interpreters, which may, in turn, influence outcomes and experiences for park visitors (Benton, 2011).…”