NatureWatch

Get your NatureWatch Program off on the right foot. Loads of material that will save you days/months of work. See what has been done before you re-invent the wheel. A must! NOTE: Some of the files below are large, so a high speed internet connection is recommended. File size is noted at the end of the description (a size in "kb" is small file under 1 megabyte, and "mb" denotes larger file size in megabytes).

	Access Guidelines
Special Populations: Programmatic Accessibility Guidelines for Interpretive Media. This document is a guide for promoting full access to interpretive media to ensure that people with physical and mental disabilities have access to the same information necessary for safe and meaningful visits to National Parks. An excellent piece for a very important topic. 14 pages. [PDF: 41 kb]

	Accessiblity Guidelines
A 11 page checklist for complying with Accessibility requirements for exhibits. You need to be aware of these regulations BEFORE you start your exhibit. Contributed by the Smithsonian Institution Accessibility Program. An excellent resource. [PDF: 895 kb]

	Aquatic Education Synopsis
Many years ago the Forest Service Pacific Northwest Fisheries Program had a vision to create a network of highly visible and effective Aquatic Education/NatureWatch programs throughout Oregon and Washington. This synopsis documents the success, and the reality, of what persistence and commitment can bring over a long period of time with dedicated field people and partners. 6 pages. Check out the website at the end of the document for additional information. [PDF: 9.3 mb]

	Audience Analysis
From the National Park Service... the role of evaluation in exhibit planning and design. [PDF: 25 kb]

	Catwalk Interpretive Plan
A very well done Interpretive Plan for a Interpretive Catwalk on the Gila National Forest. Thanks to the Interpretive Art Enterprise Team for this contribution. Use this plan to understand the complexities and considerations of a quality interpretive/public outreach effort. 38 pages. Full color. [PDF: 3 mb]

	Colorblind Check
Vischeck lets you check your work for color blind visibility. It is also interesting to anyone who is just plain curious about what the world looks like if you're color blind. [PDF: 13 kb]

	Conservation Festival Guide
An excellent 31 page guide to developing conservation festivals in your communities. These types of festivals are an excellent springboard to promoting your NatureWatch Program. [PDF: 1.7 mb]

	Creating Exhibit Topics
1-page summary from the Park Service [PDF: 16 kb]

	Developing Exhibits
Another 1-page summary from the Park Service [PDF: 40 kb]

	District Level NatureWatch
An excellent Annual Report of the Cordova Ranger District, Chugach National Forest. [PDF: 6.2 mb]

	Editorial Style Guide
An excellent editorial style guide that has wide application for all interpretive media. Many very helpful examples. Check it out! Thanks to the National Park Service, Harpers Ferry Center - Interpretive Media Institute. 19 pages. [PDF: 204 kb]

	Exhibit Production Outline
A one-page outline for pre-production, production, and post-production of an exhibit. Simplified. [PDF: 32 kb]

	Festival Planner
Planning a education festival? Read this first! Sometimes the folks that developed this planner are available to come to your forest/district to help you get started. Don't try to start from scratch, learn what you can BEFORE you begin. [PDF: 2.6 mb]

	Forest Conservation Education Strategy
A very nice Forest-Level Conservation Education Program Plan and Strategy. 16 pages that includes a 3-year plan. Thanks to the Gila National Forest for this contribution.. [PDF: 349 kb]

	Forest Conservation Education Strategy Plan
A Forest Level Strategy and Program of work for Conservation Education. 14 pages. Includes detailed action items to accompany the overall theme. Thanks to the Bitterroot National Forest for this contribution. [PDF: 248 kb]

	FS Guiding Principles
A 1-page summary. [PDF: 147 kb]

	FS Interpretive Strategy
A nice ten page Interpretive Service Strategy that covers the big picture and includes information on internal and external audiences. Worth a look to get your NatureWatch planning "ducks on the pond." [PDF: 637 kb]

	How to be Influential
Everyone likes "Top Ten" lists. Here are 10 ways to be influential, written by Regional Forester, Harv Forsgren. Consider these in developing your NatureWatch Program. Excellent. One Page. [PDF: 65 kb]

	Human Dimensions of Natural Resource Mgt
Identifies, describes, and begins to prioritize research issues related to social, or “human dimensions,” that confront managers and decision makers. [PDF: 742 kb]

	Interpretive Project Guide
The title says it all. One of the best efforts on interpretation you are likely to find. 88 pages, illustrated. [PDF: 1.5 mb]

	Interpretive Planning
A wonderful 69 page plan for Interpretation and Visitor Experience from the National Park Service. Loads of excellent information that will assist you in your NatureWatch viewing area planning efforts. Includes information on visitor attitude and behavior. Check it out!. [PDF: 1.9 mb]

	Interpretive Sign Design
25 pages on Forest Service Interpretive Signs. Could just be all you need to know. Valuable information to use BEFORE you get started. [PDF: 349 kb]

	Media Design Standards
A Checklist for Evaluating the Effectiveness of Interpretive Media. [PDF: 22 kb]

	Media Development Process
General phases of development for museum exhibits, wayside exhibits, audiovisual programs, historic furnishings, and publications.. [PDF: 22 kb]

	Media Selection Choices
4-page summary from the Park Service. [PDF: 27 kb]

	National Conservation Education Strategy
Conservation education report. [PDF: 311 kb]

	National Monument Interpretive Plan
A very well done Interpretive and Environmental Education Concept Plan for the San Jacinto Mountains National Monument. The plan covers settings, themes, objectives, and recommendations for interpretation at selected sites, design standards, media costs, and inventories. 42 pages. [PDF: 1.6 mb]

	NatureWatch Implementation Guide for Visitor Centers
The title says it all. [PDF: 10.5 mb]

	Pandapas Pond Planning
An excellent example of a planning document for the development of "Pandapas Pond - a NatureWatch and recreational activity area" located on the George Washington and Jefferson National Forest in Virginia. Loaded with good information on what it takes to create a well-planned effort. 25 pages - illustrated. [PDF: 4.4 mb]

	Planning Exhibit Project
9-page summary from the Park Service. [PDF: 317 kb]

	Regional Conservation Education Strategy
Conservation Education in the Northern Region. [PDF: 173 kb]

	Scenic Byway Design Guide
Here you go. A complete 116 page Design Guide for Roadside Improvements. This has what you need to know about Scenic Byways and how they can be, or become, incredible areas for NatureWatch. A very valuable document. Full color. Prepared by the Forest Service San Dimas Technology and Development Center. Thanks to Floyd Thompson, FS Tourism Director, for letting me know about this resource.. [PDF: 3 mb]

	Successful Media Projects
1-page summary from the Park Service. [PDF: 27 kb]

	Trails for Wildlife Handbook
Planning trails with wildlife in mind. [PDF: 622 kb]

	Visitor Center Redesign
72-page, excellent visitors center redesign proposal. [PDF: 319 kb]

	Visitor Center Training Manual
An excellent visitors center staff training book. [PDF: 3.9 mb]

	Viewing Area Slide Show
An effective slide show showing developed viewing sites and recreation sites in Alaska. Get some ideas from these exemplary efforts. 56 pages. Full color. [PDF: 5.3 mb]

	Wildlife Viewing Plan
A strategic plan from state of Washington on wildlife viewing - 53 pages. [PDF: 2.4 mb]