Interpreters Road Show 

The Interpreter’s Road Show is designed to allow front line interpreters and managers at all levels to network, receive a behind-the-scenes tour of interpretive facilities in the host conference region and discuss issues facing those of us operating a nature or visitor center. This professional development opportunity includes time to go behind the scenes at each location and talk with staff to learn how they manage volunteers, programs, building and facility development, master planning, funding development, exhibits and much more.   

Make plans to join us for the Interpreters Road Show in Portland, 2008! 

Interpreter’s Road Show ‘08

Portland, Oregon

November 10-11, 2008

Portland, Oregon-Here We Come!

The 2008 NCDA Section Road Show will take place November 10 and 11, 2008. During this two day extravaganza, we will tour five unique parks: Tryon Creek State Natural Area, Jackson Bottom Wetland Preserve, Tualatin Hills Nature Park & Interpretive Center, Tillamook Forest Center and the Audubon Society of Portland.

The Tryon Creek State Natural Area is part of the Oregon State Park system and the Friends of Tryon Creek State Park operate a nature store, summer youth day camps, school tours, guided nature walks and special events. Jackson Bottom Wetlands Preserve is a 725-acre wildlife preserve considered a premier resource center for information and services related to wetlands and aquatic education in the metro region. Jackson Bottom Wetlands Preserve has been in public ownership since the turn of the century.

The Tualatin Hills Nature Park is a 222-acre wildlife preserve and a part of the Tualatin Hills Parks and Recreation Department. The park has an interpretive center with a reference library, classrooms, nature store, and exhibit area. The center offers a variety of outdoor recreation and environmental education classes for adults, children, and school groups, throughout the year.

The Tillamook Forest Center is operated by Oregon’s Department of Forestry and is bookended by a climbable 40-foot tall replica of a forest fire lookout tower and a dramatic 250-foot-long pedestrian
suspension bridge which leads from the building across the Wilson River to the Wilson River Trail and nearby Jones Creek Campground. No other place in Oregon or the Northwest provides the forest-based learning opportunities found at the Tillamook Forest Center. They are distinguished by the forest surroundings, their focus on forest history, on the power of wildfire, and on the art and science of sustainable forest management today.

Last, but not least we will visit the Audubon Society of Portland. It
is one of the National Audubon Society's most active local chapters, with more than 7,500 members and 1,000 volunteers and a dedicated, knowledgeable staff. This stop will include a chance to explore the nature store and wildlife care center, where trained
volunteers rehabilitate injured and orphaned wildlife and teach people how to co-exist with our wild neighbors.

This professional development opportunity will include time to go behind the scenes at each of these locations and talk with staff to learn how they manage volunteers, programs, building and facility development, master planning, funding development, exhibits and much more. In addition, participants will have the time to discuss topics important to them with other Road Show participants. This will enable the participants to network and learn from their fellow NAI interpreters and administrators.