Selling the PrairieInterpreting Prairies for the General Public

Presented by: Jaime Gonzalez, Katy Prairie Conservancy

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.

Why Sell Prairies? - Interpretation

! Freeman Tilden 1883-1980A. 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 described to something within the personality or experience of the visitor will be sterile.

2. Information, as such, is not interpretation. Interpretation is revelation based upon information. But they are entirely different things. However, all interpretation includes information.

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.

4. The chief aim of interpretation is not instruction, but provocation (Anatole France & the mystery tree)

5. Interpretation should aim to present a whole rather than a part, and must address itself to the whole person rather than any phase.

6. Interpretation addressed to children should not be a dilution of the presentation to adults, but should follow a fundamentally different approach. To be at its best, it will require a separate program.

Freeman Tilden

(Use Analogies)

(Reveal)

(Teachable)

(Inspiration)

(Holistic - avoid the ‘name game’)

(Age Appropriate)

Why Sell Prairies? - Interpretation

Deflating 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?

Sell Biodiversity

Rice University circa 1916 Tomball at six months

Katy 1912 Tanglewood 1950’s

Sell Ecosystem Services“Every place has a history”Cable and Beck in Interpretation for the 21st Century

• Where to find historical information about the prairie• Quotations to live by

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 ResultsHarris County, 7 sites from 1 to 17 acres, mostly 6 - 7 acresFort Bend County, 5 sites from 4 to 9 acresBrazoria County, 13 sites of up to 280 acres, mostly 5 - 20 acresGalveston County, 8 sites up to 125 acres, mostly 10 - 20 acresChambers 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.

Sell Rarity

1836

2010

Sell Ecosystem Services & Use of Pamphlets

Coastal Prairies provide many ecosystem services including:

• Flood Control• Potential biofuels• Mitigating ‘heat island effect’• Recreation

Use What’s Available Online

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

Signage Options

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

A Community-Built Curriculum

Coastal Prairie Educators’ Handbook

• First lesson will debut on December 1, 2010• Handbook will be organized into four basic

sections• Have a good prairie lesson? - Contribute to

the project• Other resources (such as downloadable

PowerPoints) coming soon!

Coastal PrairieEDUCATORSH A N D B O O K

Resources for

teaching about

the imperiled

Coastal Prairie

ecosystem of

Texas & Louisiana

Edited by Jaime González, M.Ed.

Community Education Manager

Katy Prairie Conservancy

The Coastal Prairie Partnership Publication | Volume No. 2 in a series

www.coastalprairiepartnership.org

Concept Sketch of Exhibit at MFAH - April 2011

Coming to a Museum, Nature Center, or School Near

You!

What Do You Still Need?