Planning for the Future of Interpretation and Education

April 16, 2008
Planning for the Future of Interpretation and Education in Yosemite

The National Park Service at Yosemite National Park is pleased to announce the intent to develop a Comprehensive Interpretive Plan (CIP), which will outline a comprehensive approach to interpreting park natural and cultural resources. The CIP is necessary to ensure long-term protection of resources through visitor understanding and enjoyment. The final product of this effort will guide interpretation and education in Yosemite for the next five to 10 years.

The planning process will begin with two workshops scheduled for May 1 and May 20, 2008, both from 9 am to 4 pm. We invite you to join us for one or both.

The first workshop is designed to outline primary and secondary interpretive themes for Yosemite. An interpretive theme is a statement that tells a story about Yosemite and its resources. Multiple themes and sub-themes need to be developed to properly tell the stories of Yosemite's compelling scenery, geology, ecology, human history, and wilderness.

The second workshop will convene providers of interpretation in and around Yosemite including NPS staff, associated American Indian tribes, NPS concessioners, Yosemite Association, tour companies, community museums and others.

If you would like to participate in either of the workshops, we request your RSVP by April 25, 2008. We will forward an agenda and location information to respondents as the date gets closer. For questions concerning the CIP and the workshops and to RSVP please contact Tom Medema 209 372-0642 or tom_medema@nps.gov.

If you are unable to attend we still welcome your ideas and comments, and will be posting our progress on the web at http://www.nps.gov/yose/parkmgmt/cip.htm.