Interpreter’s Road Show ‘07

Wichita, Kansas

November 5-6, 2007

The Interpreter’s Road Show was 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.  During this year’s Road Show, we visited the Great Plains Nature Center, Dillon Nature Center, Quivira National Wildlife Refuge, Lakewood Discovery Park and the Tallgrass Prairie National Preserve.  This professional development opportunity included 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.  

Twenty-five adventurous and curious people from all over the United States and Canada met early on Monday morning, introduced ourselves and hit the road.  We covered a lot of Kansas territory between Monday morning and Tuesday evening!  We started our Road Show tour close to downtown Wichita at the Great Plains Nature Center.  This facility is cooperatively run and staffed by four different agencies-the City of Wichita, Kansas State Parks, the National Wildlife Service and a Friends organization. 

Afterwards, we headed to Hutchinson, Kansas home of the Dillon Nature Center.   Built on property that was once a recreation area for the employees of the Dillon Food Company, Dillon Nature Center now serves over 100,000 visitors a year on a very modest budget!  This park is actually part of the Hutchinson Recreation Commission. 

The last stop of the day took us to Quivara National Wildlife Refuge.  Quivara is open and free to the public. Their Friends organization helps them to plan special events on the refuge that really get people out into the refuge to see and enjoy this special place. 

Day two began with a tour of the Lakewood Discovery Park in Salina, Kansas.  Using a converted home, the staff has done a tremendous job utilizing every square inch of space with creative exhibits that capture the minds of the young and young at heart. 

Last was the Tallgrass Prairie National Preserve in the Flint Hills of Kansas, a relatively new property for the National Park Service. For the last 11 years, they have operated out of the historic home built in 1880-81.  The NPS works collaboratively with the Nature Conservancy and the Kansas Park Trust to fundraise, operate and maintain the almost 11,000 acres.

In addition to seeing these wonderful places, participants had plenty of time to talk with one another and ask questions concerning matters that were of interest to them. We had such a great group of people and from what I heard, lots of ideas and operational procedures were being shared.