Ethics in Interpreting Natural Resources
James Little
Interpretive Consulting Services
How to Interpret Natural Resources Without Damaging Them
Never underestimate the impact you may have through your interpretation. There may be a young person in your presentation that goes on to become a great ecologist, creating new concepts for conservation and restoration of natural areas. Or perhaps they are inspired to become a park naturalist, or nature writer, or countless other possibilities. Your presentation may be more inspirational than you know. Keep in mind in addition to your recurring message elements, your example will be remembered as well. The ways in which you interact with the natural world, and guide others in their interaction, will also be part of what visitors take home.
In developing interpretive presentations and media of various types, encouraging visitors to interact with the resource is a common goal. The nature of that interaction can vary considerably. Some interactions could actually help the resource health through projects such as planting native plants or enhancing or restoring natural areas. Some interactions may be neutral, such as visitors who remain on trails. And some interactions can be harmful, such as visitors picking wildflowers or other damaging activities.
When planning any interpretive activity, part of our research needs to be how to make the visitor interaction either neutral or beneficial to the environment. Visitation is generally up at parks everywhere, with the impact of visitors on the environment an important issue for interpreters as we plan our programs and exhibits. The behavior of visitors after our interaction with them may be changed, even if just slightly, for long periods of time.
(If you are not familiar with the concept of the Sixth Mass Extinction, check out the link below for more information.)
When interpreting wildflowers, for example, it is important to remember that the purpose of the flower on a plant is to produce seeds. When a flower is picked, it no longer can fulfill that function. If it is a rare plant, it can be a problem for that population. I have been surprised to learn of interpretive sites that actually pick wildflowers to put into displays for the public. This shows visitors (by example) that it is ok to pick wildflowers! That is an unfortunate and counter-productive message if you are trying to promote conservation and stewardship of natural resources. Better to plan both your messaging and your interactions with the natural world to inspire and encourage visitors towards stewardship of the resource.
Did you know that two species of native bumblebees have gone extinct in North America?
If the focus is on interpreting wildflowers, I would recommend finding a way to display native wildflowers that avoids any collection (one example would be a photo collage.) This is both to minimize the impact on the natural environment, and more importantly, to set a conservation example for visitors that encourages them to not pick wildflowers.
Using photography to create wildflower displays, having a wildflower photo contest, and having wildflower coloring books for kids are all examples of ways to have visitors connect with wildflowers without needing to pick any native plants. Leading an interpretive wildflower walk to visit wildflowers while treating the plants and their environment with respect can help encourage stewardship of the resource.
“Through interpretation, understanding; through understanding, appreciation; through appreciation, protection.”
-anonymous U.S. National Park Service ranger in an obscure administrative Manual, quoted by Freeman Tilden
Loss of species diversity has become a problem across the globe, here is one specific example:
In our area, (Pacific Northwest) native bumblebees have become a conservation issue and need all the help they can get in preserving native habitats and wildflowers.
Here are links to more information:
PNW Bumble Bee Atlas - PNW Bumble Bee Atlas
https://wdfw.wa.gov/species-habitats/species/bombus-occidentalis
https://www.fws.gov/story/2023-05/bumble-bee-atlas
Bumblebees (usda.gov)
Here is a brief quote from the USDA website listed:
"Bumblebees are also a conservation issue, as they are sometimes threatened by human activities such as habitat fragmentation, pesticide use, disease transmission, and loss of floral resources. In the past few years, it appears that two species of bumblebees have gone extinct in the United States. Franklin's bumblebee (Bombus franklini) is (or was) an endemic species with the most restricted geographic range of any bumblebee in North America and possibly the world. Its range, known at one time to span from southwest Oregon to northwest California, was quite restricted, but it has not been found despite intensive searches during the past few summers. Another species from the eastern United States, which was once found from Canada to North Carolina, also seems to have disappeared in the past few years."
“Though I do not believe that a plant will spring up where no seed has been, I have great faith in a seed. Convince me that you have a seed there, and I am prepared to expect wonders.”
-Henry David Thoreau
Other Natural Resource Topics
For any guided interpretive walk into the resource, scouting the trail is important both for safety as well as to plan on how you will have visitors interact with the resource along the way.
If your topic is ferns, birds, mammals, salamanders, or any of many possible subjects, your goal should be to research how to have the visitor interaction with the resource to be a positive experience while either being neutral or beneficial to the environment. Check out the American Birding Association code of ethics for interacting with birds as one example. Check with experienced interpreters for tips. You may need to contact biologists, botanists, or other resource experts to get the background needed. Check with your agency for information on any permits that may be required, and any relevant agency policies. If you have an interpretive coordinator or supervisor, they may have guidelines already created to help you in this area.
Suggested resources:
For an example of ethics guidance from an agency, check out this Ethics webpage from the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission:
ABA Code of Birding Ethics
ABA Code of Birding Ethics - American Birding Association
The Sixth Mass Extinction
Accelerated modern human–induced species losses: Entering the sixth mass extinction (science.org)