Thursday 22 May 2014

Wildlife Interpretation: Creating great visitor experiences

(I am not involved with this workshop but Susan is a valued friend and trusted colleague and I reckon this is worth shaking your leaves and feathers over, so why not go along?. O, and the pictures are mine and included 'cause I like colourful blogs!)


gratuitous wildlife pic!


Wildlife Interpretation: Creating great visitor experiences
A workshop arranged by the
Association for Heritage Interpretation

Old Moor RSPB Reserve, Barnsley, S73 0YF
Tuesday 17th June 2014, 10.00am – 4.00pm

Susan Cross –  Interpretation and visitor experience developer, TellTale 
Ivan Nethercoat – Training Manager at RSPB
I said I liked colour,
I didn't promise relevance!
How do we help audiences engage with wildlife sites and have enjoyable and meaningful experiences? There can be challenges associated with interpreting wildlife that moves, disappears, changes with the seasons, and doesn’t behave how we might wish!

This workshop will consider the particular issues associated with providing interpretation at wildlife sites and highlight some interesting recent developments in the field including:
  • Visitor segmentation - and what understanding different motivations for wildlife experiences means for the interpreters.
  • Developing good practice guidelines for wildlife interpretation – an initiative by Forestry Commission Scotland and Scottish Natural Heritage
  • Investigating visitor attitudes to using smartphones to enhance their experience of nature reserves
There will also be an opportunity to hear about the role of interpretation in the RSPB and to visit the Old Moor reserve.

The workshop is designed for anyone interested in communicating with visitors at wildlife sites: interpretation professionals, countryside rangers, people engagement or education officers, site managers, etc.

The day will include presentations and activities, and provide inspiration and ideas that you can put into practice for your visitors right away. There will be opportunities to meet with, share ideas, activities and information with others who undertake similar work.

Susan Cross, the lead trainer at this workshop, is one of the best-known specialists in visitor experience and interpretation in the UK. She has spent 25 years building memorable connections between people, place, and wildlife. Her consultancy, TellTale, has advised and worked with a huge number of bodies from National Parks to the National Trust.

Venue, Cost & Enquiries
RSPB Old Moor is a wonderful wetland and centre with a wealth of birdlife. The site lies about 5 miles from Junction 36 of the M1 and 7 miles from Junction 37 of the A1(M). The railway stations of Wombwell and Bolton-on-Dearne are 2 and 3 miles away respectively, and Barnsley about 4 miles away
For more information go to

The cost of the event is £80 for AHI members and £100 for non-AHI members (including lunch and refreshments). Places are limited to 20. 

Attendance on this course is worth two points for those working towards full membership of AHI.

For bookings and enquiries contact the Association for

Heritage Interpretation at 54 Balmoral Road, Gillingham, Kent, ME7 4PG by telephone on 0560 274 7737 or by email to admin@ahi.org.uk.

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