**LONG RANGE INTERPRETATION PLAN**

**OZARK NATIONAL SCENIC RIVERWAYS**

#### PART 1: BACKGROUND FOR PLANNING

**ENABLING LEGISLATION**

*For the purpose of conserving and interpreting unique scenic and other
natural values and objects of historic interest, including preservation
of portions of the Current River and the Jacks Fork River in Missouri as
free-flowing streams, preservation of springs and caves, management of
wildlife, and provisions for use and enjoyment of the outdoor recreation
resources.*

Public Law 88-492 (79 STAT. 608), August 27, 1964

**PURPOSE STATEMENT**

To conserve and interpret unique scenic and natural values and objects
of historic interest and to provide for the use and enjoyment of the
outdoor recreation resources.

**MISSION STATEMENT**

Ozark National Scenic Riverways is dedicated to the conservation of the
natural and cultural values of the Ozark Mountain area and to the public
use and enjoyment of a wide variety of educational and recreational
opportunities.

**APPLICABLE STRATEGIC PLAN MISSION GOALS**

##### MISSION GOAL IIa

Visitors safely enjoy and are satisfied with the availability,
accessibility, diversity, and quality of park facilities, services, and
appropriate recreational opportunities.

##### MISSION GOAL IIb

Park visitors and the general public understand and appreciate the
preservation of Ozark National Scenic Riverways and its resources for
this and future generations.

**SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENTS**

Ozark National Scenic Riverways exemplifies the unspoiled nature of the
Ozark Mountain plateau, conserving the wildness of forests, bluffs, rich
flora and fauna, clear clean spring-fed rivers, and the beauty of quiet
hills and natural scenic views. The free-flowing rivers, surrounded by a
nationally significant concentration of karst features including caves,
sinks, and springs combined with the area\'s cultural heritage
illustrated by archeological sites, historic structures, and cultural
landscapes, provide educational, inspirational, and recreational
opportunities.

Ozark National Scenic Riverways conserves a free flowing river in an
Ozark landscape characterized by clear and clean water, bluffs, forests,
wildlife, cultural features, and scenic views, as well a nationally
significant concentration of karst features including springs, caves,
and sink holes.

IT\'S THE WATER AND A LOT MORE

three-dimensional nature of resources: surface and sub- surface (fourth
dimension = human action)

clarity and quality of water (watershed considerations)

subtly of resources

length of evolutionary sequence

inter-relatedness of cultural use and resources

preservation/managed land syndrome

personal sense of stewardship

**VISITOR EXPERIENCE GOALS**

\* Visitors are aware Ozark is an NPS area.

\* Visitors are aware of their options for experiences and activities.

\* Visitors can find their way to particular resources, facilities,
experiences, and activities.

\* Visitor use, interpretive programs, and facilities do not harm the
natural, cultural, and recreational resources.

\* Visitors have opportunities for quality recreation which the NPS
manages-more than river-related.

\* Visitors have opportunities for a variety of experiences beyond the
river.

\* Visitors have opportunities for experiences related to their
particular level of interest and skill level.

\* Visitors have interpretive opportunities in a wide depth of
experiences from simple orientation to skill building to intense
knowledge of the resources.

\* Visitors have interpretive opportunities throughout the natural,
cultural, and recreational resources.

\* Visitors encounter a variety of non-personal and personal services.

\* Visitors have opportunities to understand, experience, and interact
with the unique regional culture.

\* Visitors have opportunities for spiritual renewal as well as active
recreation.

\* From visitor experiences, Ozark gains public support.

\* Visitors understand the inter-relationship between human beings and
the local environment for the past 10,000 years.

\* Visitors understand the natural systems within the riverways.

\* Visitors are aware of the connections within systems of resources.

\* Visitors become aware of the possibility of the susceptibility of
resources to degrade.

\* Visitor experiences appeal to diverse groups of people.

\* Visitor experiences are inclusive.

\* Partners support and complement the programs of the riverways,
thereby enriching and expanding visitor experience opportunities.

**EXPECTATIONS**

\* Increase the amount and quality of interpretation.

\* Provide guidance on staffing.

\* Define the essential role of interpretation.

\* Complete the plan.

\* Incorporate new research.

\* Keep and or restore past success.

\* Identify target audiences.

\* Identify essential messages.

\* Build momentum to carry out the plan in the field.

\* State what we need to do rather than rely on the traditional
programs.

**INTERPRETIVE THEMES**

1\. An extensive underground karst landscape consisting of massive water
conduits is the foundation for the creation of the Current and Jacks
Fork Rivers.

Natural sub-themes

complex karst system still being discovered

unseen network with visible outlets that represent a glimpse of a
largely unseen system (tip of iceberg)

active karst development

world class karst features in terms of concentration and length of
discharge

2\. Ozark National Scenic Riverways preserves ecological processes that
sustain a high quality example of an Ozark riparian landscape and its
natural communities.

oldest land mass

biodiversity

remnant species

special environments (karst, glades, fens, riparian)

succession and recovery

genetic resources-active evolution (salamanders)

wildlife (flora and fauna

3\. Because of the karst features, rivers and springs are highly
susceptible to pollution. To date, the relatively undeveloped nature of
the watershed directly contributes to the outstanding water quality and
clarity.

porosity

lack of filtering

long distance, rapid transport

limited knowledge about potential impacts

risks to water quality

present high quality of water

water flow volume

water temperature

limited park boundary

4\. Geography and limited resources defined the inherent transitory
nature of human occupation on the Eastern Ozark plateau for the past
10,000 years.

5\. The Ozark region features a still living culture, making conscious
choices in its way of life.

loyalty to clan/kin

personal independence

pragmatic lifestyle

dominion over resources (land, water, and animals)

6.Impact/reaction to economic forces (boom/bust)

population boom/bust

extractive economy

manipulation of resources

national context

communication corridors

recreation

railroads

highways

timber harvesting

small scale mining

7\. Impact/reaction to social forces

practical recreation (hunting, fishing, hiking, floating, picnicking,
and family reunions)

spiritual renewal

national context (change through time)

marriage of outside/inside interests

8\. The resources of the Ozark National Scenic Riverways provide a wide
variety of appropriate recreational opportunities and experiences.

The compelling, sensory experience of traveling on clear, flowing water
through a tree-covered valley, with the chance to catch native wildlife
"in the act." explore a cave, or ponder the size of a spring flow, is
the essence of an Ozark National Scenic Riverways experience.

Outdoor recreation sub-themes:

safety

variety

sustainability-management of hunting/fishing

historical perspective

fun

recreational ethic

respect for resources and other users

rejuvenation and re-creation

promotional aspect -- tourism economics

**VISITOR EXPERIENCE STATEMENT**

**ISSUES AND INFLUENCES**

-   As a linear park, the riverways has multiple points of access.

-   Safety remains an essential goal of all recreation uses within the
    riverways.

-   Growing development and land use in the region threatens the
    integrity of the watershed.

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-   Recreational use patterns have changed with fewer people using
    canoes and more people participating in organized horseback rides.

-   The National Park Service needs to develop a strategy for managing
    the organized horseback rides to protect the resources of the
    riverways.

-   The riverways relies on local communities and businesses to provide
    current information to visitors.

-   The interpretation program lacks adequate funds and staff to provide
    services for its diverse visitor groups.

-   To build a constituency of stewards for the resources and values of
    the riverways, interpretation must become accessible to people who
    do not visit the riverways.

-   

**VISITOR PROFILES**

EXISTING INTERPRETIVE FACILITY AND MEDIA CONDITIONS

**PART 2: INTERPRETIVE PROGRAM DESCRIPTION**

**PRE-VISIT INFORMATION**

\* Provide a comprehensive list of visitor opportunities for recreation
and interpretation on the World Wide Web site for the Riverways. Ensure
that information remains current through periodic maintenance of the
site. Include links to other related resources, facilities, and local
commercial services.

\* List the telephone number of the riverways in the telephone books
and/or yellow pages for St. Louis, Kansas City, and Springfield.

\* Include a page of information in the public service sections of the
St. Louis, Kansas City, and Springfield telephone books.

\* Connect the riverways telephone number to a voice mail system
offering a menu of informational options with a wide range of
information. Update this information on a regular basis throughout the
year.

\* Provide information on upcoming events and programs to a mailing list
of interested visitors.

\* Develop and distribute a rack card with basic information to visitor
information facilities and commercial businesses.

\* Develop a standard package of information provided to people who
write or telephone with information requests.

\* Cooperate with Jefferson National Expansion Memorial, other NPS
sites, and other public facilities to distribute riverways information.

\* Cooperate with such regional attractions as Bass Pro Shop, Table Rock
Lake, the St. Louis Zoo, the St. Louis Science Center, and the
Anheuser-Busch Brewery to distribute riverways information.

\* Distribute and display informational literature in commercial
businesses on major travel routes.

\* Maintain the informational station within the McDonalds Restaurant at
Mountain View. Upgrade the equipment to require less frequent
maintenance visits.

\* Place highway directional signs at the following intersections:
US-60/MO-19; US-60/Van Buren; I-55/US-67; US-67/US-60; US-63/US-60.
Place \"reminder signs\" on I-44 and I-55.

**ORIENTATION**

The orientation function provides a very significant means for providing
recreational and interpretive opportunities for the public. The linear
nature of the riverways, multiple developed areas, diverse resources,
and the small interpretive staff all will increase the importance of a
comprehensive orientation for successful visits. Collaboration with
canoe/tube concessioners, private campgrounds, lodging vendors, area
businesses, and local chambers of commerce all become essential for the
public to successfully enjoy the riverways.

# Facilities

# Headquarters this new headquarters building in Van Buren will include a public contact area. This staffed facility will introduce visitors to the cultural, natural, and recreational resources of the riverways through interpretive panels highlighting the interpretive themes of the riverways. A wall-mounted relief map will illustrate the topography of the riverways. (see Museum Exhibits) A video monitor will present a short orientation film. Another video or computer monitor will present an animation of the natural processes of karst resources. (see Audio-Visual Programs) Wayside exhibits will interpret the impact of the Civil War on the local area. Additional wayside exhibits will illustrate the natural resources of the riverways along a short interpretive trail from Headquarters to Watercress Spring. (see Wayside Exhibits) An information desk and an Eastern National sales outlet will provide the public with staff to enhance their visit to the riverways. A comfortable sofa and chairs, a fireplace, and a wall-mounted quilt will create a friendly, informal atmosphere for the public contact area.

-   **Eminence Storefront Information Center** The riverways will work
    with the Eminence Chamber of Commerce and local officials to
    identify a suitable building in downtown Eminence to establish a
    storefront information center. This facility will provide wayfinding
    services and orientation to the riverways for visitors staying
    overnight in the Eminence area and for commercial bus tours passing
    through the area. Operating hours will include evenings to reach
    visitors after their day\'s activities. The facility will include
    space for an orientation exhibit and relief map (see Museum
    Exhibits), information desk, orientation film video monitor,
    animation of karst on a video monitor or computer monitor (see
    Audio-Visual Programs), Eastern National sales outlet (featuring
    locally-produced theme-related objects), public rest rooms, and a
    pay telephone. An exterior exhibit will provide information after
    operating hours or for casual visitors passing by the facility. The
    facility will provide classroom space for programs for educational
    groups prior to their visits to Alley Spring or Round Spring (see
    Education Program).

# Public Contact Stations Develop public contact stations at Alley Spring, Big Spring, and Round Spring to operate on a seasonal basis. Design the facilities to permit public entry without the presence of staff. With or without staff, the public should have an opportunity to make informed choices about their experiences and interpretive opportunities with the recreational, natural, and cultural resources of the riverways.

# Informational Aids

-   Design and install general orientation panels at major entry points
    on highways in the vicinity of Round Spring (MO-19), Mountain View
    (intersection of US-60 and MO-17), Eminence (MO-19), Van Buren (east
    of town on US-60), and Winona (intersection of US-60 and MO-19). The
    design of the panels would enable drivers read the information
    without getting out of their car.

-   For visitors using automobiles to experience the riverways, design
    and install three-sided orientation kiosks or two-sided bulletin
    boards to provide orientation information and a short, concise
    interpretive text at Akers, Alley Spring, Big Spring, Eminence,
    Headquarters, Pulltite, Round Spring, Two Rivers, Van Buren, and
    Winona. The kiosks or bulletin boards will include a concise list of
    recreational ethics related to nearby resources. They will promote
    the concept of passive sightseeing.

-   Limit bulletin boards in developed areas to such heavily visited
    locations as campground fee stations, public telephones, and public
    shower facilities. Reduce the number of locations for bulletin
    boards to reduce staff time in maintaining them, as well as to
    reduce the visual clutter within developed areas. Use a
    professionally produced grid design system with designated spaces
    for key regulations, emergency telephone numbers, general visitor
    use information, program schedules, and site-specific topics. Use
    empty space to draw attention to the information sections. Establish
    a permanent appearance by using high quality, long-lasting materials
    and professional production of the sections. To reduce the potential
    for visual clutter, provide only a small section for temporary
    information.

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-   Design and install an orientation panel at the beginning of each
    interpretive trail. Provide a map of the trail, highlight
    significant resources, provide an interpretive message, and
    emphasize safety information. List the location riverways of nearby
    and related trails.

-   Develop an orientation program for use on computers with a
    menu-driven series of sections on recreational, natural, and
    cultural resources, visitor uses, visitor facilities, visitor
    services, interpretive programs, concessioner services and
    facilities, and local businesses. Install the computer orientation
    stations in all ranger stations, public contact stations, and
    concession facilities (on a willing basis). Link the program to the
    WEB site.

###### Publications

-   Redesign the informational newspaper, *The Rootwad*, to emphasize an
    orientation function (see Publications). Provide a very wide
    distribution of *The Rootwad* to visitors through public contact
    stations, concessioners, and local businesses.

-   Redesign the park folder to serve an orientation function (see
    Publications).

-   Develop a series of site bulletins providing orientation to Current
    and Jacks Fork river resources (river guides), caves, trails,
    canoe/tube concessioners (with a locator map), and current
    scientific research in the riverways (see Publications).

-   Redesign tear-off sheets for Akers, Alley Spring, Big Spring,
    Pulltite, and Round Spring to make them easy to use while walking.
    The sheets will assist public contacts with an area map, a list of
    significant resources, and a short interpretive message. In addition
    to public contact stations, the sheets will support orientation at
    concessioner facilities and local businesses.

# Partners

-   Work with Eastern National to write, design, and produce an
    inexpensive overview booklet about the recreational, natural, and
    cultural resources of the riverways. This publication will respond
    to the market niche between the park folder and a formal NPS
    handbook. Encourage concessioners and local businesses to carry this
    sales item (see Publications and Eastern National).

-   Work with local restaurants to place riverways information within
    their menus. Seek cooperating association support to develop
    placemats for local restaurants that would contain riverways
    information.

-   Seek support from private sector partners to print an interpretive
    message on the litterbags distributed to canoe users by the
    concessioner.

-   Work with canoe concessioners to place information signs inside of
    their buses.

-   Work with canoe concessioners to place succinct interpretive or
    safety messages inside the canoes. Develop a series of signs so that
    frequent users will encounter different messages.

-   Work with canoe/tube concessioners, private campgrounds, lodging
    vendors, and local businesses to place informational displays within
    their establishments.

-   Work with canoe/tube concessioners, private campgrounds, lodging
    vendors, and local businesses to enhance the public\'s understanding
    that they have visited an NPS area by designing signs, logos, and
    publications with the NPS arrowhead that state \"In cooperation with
    the National Park Service,\" or \"Licensed concessioner of the
    National Park Service.\"

-   Work with local motels, lodges, hotels, and bed/breakfast
    establishments to develop an informational channel on the
    televisions in their rooms. Work with the Van Buren High School to
    use their television studio to produce the informational program.

-   Work with the National Tour Association to develop a Guide\'s Guide
    to provide orientation and activity suggestions for commercial tour
    companies. Identify and work with interested companies to encourage
    them to include the riverways on their tours.

-   Work with Eastern National to develop an orientation videotape of
    the riverways for use on commercial tour buses and other
    long-distance uses (similar to a videotape produced by Cape Cod
    National Seashore) that highlights the recreational, natural, and
    cultural resources of the riverways and related activities. Develop
    seasonal versions of the videotape to show the appropriate stage of
    vegetation and available activities for a particular time of the
    year. Develop another version of the video to meet the needs of
    children (see Eastern National).

**MUSEUM EXHIBITS**

**Headquarters** Panel exhibits on the walls of the public contact area
will illustrate the interpretive themes of the riverways. A
locally-produced quilt mounted over the fireplace will symbolize the
unique culture of the area. A wall-mounted relief map will illustrate
how topography defines both the natural and cultural resources of the
riverways.

**Eminence Storefront Information Center** A panel exhibit and a few
cultural objects will illustrate the cultural heritage of riverways
area.

**Alley Spring Mill** In addition to the mill representing an artifact
related to the culture of the area, museum exhibits on the first and
second floor of the mill will interpret the cultural history of the
riverways. Exhibits will refrain from emphasizing isolated and unusual
elements of the cultures of the riverways by emphasizing interpretive
themes 4 (impact of natural resources), 6 (economic forces), and 7
(social forces). Whenever possible, the exhibits will establish patterns
of behavior throughout the human occupation of the Eastern Ozark Plateau
instead of segregating exhibits by time or ethnic group. Visitors should
have multiple opportunities to make a personal connection with the
meaning and significance of the various cultures within the riverways
area over the past 10,000 years.

**INTERPREIVE TRAILS**

Trails at the riverways provide an important opportunity for the public
to experience natural and cultural resources. In addition to recreation
riverways trails will offer interpretive opportunities through trailhead
panels, publications (site bulletins and trail guides), and/or wayside
exhibits. The interpretation of each trail will emphasize a particular
interpretive topic or theme. The riverways will highlight trails with
common topics or themes such as watershed resources. The trail system as
a whole, therefore, will provide a comprehensive view of the
significance and intangible meanings of the riverways (see Orientation,
Publications, Wayside Exhibits, and Eastern National).

##### Existing Trails

### Alley Spring Overlook Trail: community and economy

Alley Spring Branch Trail: connection of springs to the river; karst;
caves

Big Spring Ridge Trail: upland forests

Blue Spring Trail: role of parks in preserving beauty and opportunities
for recreation and spiritual renewal (through Missouri Department of
Conservation land)

Prairie Hollow Gorge Trail: geology, relict species

Round Spring Trail: archeological and biological impacts of springs

Susie Nichols Place Trail: home; human and natural resources

Welch Spring Trail: human development of natural resources; attraction
of healing waters

##### Proposed Trails

Alley Spring Campground Trail: Ecological processes, biodiversity

Big Spring Slough Trail: American Indian civilizations, CCC development,
10,000 years of human occupation

Chub Hollow Trail: natural communities, riparian views

Devil\'s Well Trail: karst system and its impact on the watershed;
connect the sink hole to Cave Spring to the Current River; glades

Pulltite Trail: upland forests

Watercress Spring Trail: natural resources of the riverways

**WAYSIDE EXHIBITS**

The riverways will follow NPS design standards for wayside exhibits to
develop a unified system of wayside exhibits to replace the wide variety
of designs and sizes now present. Whenever possible, wayside exhibits
will not stand in isolation, but establish a connection to other similar
resources. This will enhance public understanding and appreciation of
the context, significance, and relationship of the various natural and
cultural resources of the riverways.

##### Overlooks

At roadside overlooks of rivers, heavily used river accesses, and at
canoe concessions, a wayside exhibit will provide an overview of the
role of rivers in the watershed system with the following topics:

-   preservation of the \"rivering\" process - floods/droughts

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-   the nature of the gravity-influenced system - straining/filtering
    process

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-   each natural community responds uniquely to the need to capture the
    energy of the watershed - adaptation and re-use

Establish roadside overlooks at the following locations:

1.  The "saddle"on MO-106 just west of Alley Spring

2.  The "Devil's Backbone" on MO-KK near Akers

3.  The overlook of Eminence on MO-19

4.  An overlook on "Skyline Drive"between Van Buren and Big Spring

5.  Overlook on MO-19 ¼ mile south of Round Spring

##### Springs

Wayside exhibits at springs will emphasize distinct topics while
including an introduction with basic concepts about springs including
their role in the watershed as a connection between caves (constant) and
rivers (fluctuation). The wayside exhibits will include a locator map of
other springs to encourage visitors to obtain additional perspectives of
springs. The riverways will develop a site bulletin and a sales folder
that will connect the springs together, emphasizing their connections to
other karst resources, and their common features (see Publications and
Eastern National).

Alley Spring: impact of springs on local culture and economy

Big Spring: geology of karst

Blue Spring: the role of public land in preserving beauty, and
opportunities for recreation and spiritual renewal

Pulltite Spring: impact of springs on local culture

Round Spring: archeological and biological impact of springs

Watercress Spring: introduction to springs

Welch Spring: human development of natural resources

**Audio-Visual Programs**

## Orientation Film

Develop a five-minute videotaped film for presentation in the public
contact area of the Headquarters and at the Eminence Storefront
Information Center. The videotape will introduce visitors to the meaning
and significance of the cultural and natural resources of the riverways.
It also will convey the distinctive essence of a recreational experience
in the riverways.

**Alley Spring Film**

Develop a twelve-minute videotaped film for presentation at the Alley
Spring mill to present academic and local interpretations of the meaning
and unique aspects of the culture still flourishing within the
riverways.

# Karst Animation

In the public contact areas of the Headquarters and at the Eminence
Storefront Information Center, present a short animated film, videotape,
or computer-generated illustration to explain the natural processes of
the karst resources of the riverways. Contact parks with similar
resources, such as Blanchard Springs Caverns in Ozark National Forest,
Arkansas, to determine if an "off-the-shelf" product exists that the
riverways could adapt for this purpose.

# Devil's Well Program

Develop a short sound/light program at the Devil's Well to illustrate
the role of sinkholes in the natural process of karst resources.

**PUBLICATIONS**

##### Park Folder

The redesigned park folder will emphasize an orientation function. It
will include a \"big picture\" interpretive message stressing a holistic
view of the significance of the natural, cultural, and recreational
resources: \"It\'s the water, AND a whole lot more.\" A short paragraph
will provide a frame of reference for the public to understand and
appreciate the world-class karst resources by conveying the images of
\"leaky rocks,\" an underground watershed, and massive water conduits.
In addition to the rivers, a large orientation map will locate such land
features as springs, caves, historic structures, scenic drives, vistas,
short hiking trails, and horse trails. Photographs will highlight these
features. Inset maps will provide a detailed view of major developed
areas. An explanation of the mechanics of canoe and tube rental will
include a succinct river safety message. General information about
campgrounds and pavilions will include an explanation of the reservation
system for group campsites. The folder will include the WEB site
address, e-mail address, and information telephone number for the
Riverways.

####### The Rootwad

Redesign the newspaper to emphasize an orientation function with very
wide distribution. Include current information about visitor facilities
and services, campgrounds, concessioner services, fishing/hunting
regulations, interpretive programs (calendar grid schedule), special
events, the Junior Ranger Program, and Eastern National sales outlets.
Include safety information and advice as well as emergency telephone
numbers. Include a short interpretive essay that highlights the
relationship of the riverways to the entire National Park System.

**Site Bulletins**

Produce a series of site bulletins to orient visitors to the following
topics:

1.  Current and Jacks Fork river resources

2.  Springs

3.  Caves

4.  Karst resources

5.  Canoe/tube concessioners (with a locator map)

6.  Interpretive trails

7.  Recreational trails

8.  Current scientific research children.

9.  Activities for children

# Water Safety Folder

Incorporate the design in the present park folder to produce a free
folder highlighting safe water recreational activities. Include
information about floating, camping, and fishing. Emphasize regulations
related to safety. Design the folder in a generic style for use at other
areas with water recreational activities. Distribute the folder through
canoe/tube concessioners and other commercial vendors; and at public
contact stations, campgrounds, and ranger stations.

# River Guide

In collaboration with a commercial publisher, prepare a waterproof river
guide that would provide a detailed map of the Current River and Jacks
Fork River through the riverways, highlighting access points, visitor
facilities, interpretive opportunities, and points of interest.
Emphasize safe recreational practices and stewardship for the cultural
and natural resources of the riverways. Distribute this sales item
through Eastern National sales outlets, canoe/tube concessioners, local
businesses, commercial campgrounds, lodging vendors, and nearby NPS
areas.

##### Sales Booklet

The riverways will work with Eastern National to write, design, and
publish an inexpensive general overview booklet about the recreational,
natural, and cultural resources of the riverways. This publication will
fill a market niche between the park folder and a formal NPS handbook
(see Orientation and Eastern National).

##### NPS Handbook

Work with Eastern National and the Harpers Ferry Center to write,
design, and publish a formal NPS handbook about the recreational,
natural, and cultural resources of the riverways. This publication will
emphasize the interpretive themes, relying on recent and current
research. Incorporate essays by scientists, historians, ethnographers,
park users, and neighbors to convey multiple perspectives on the
significance and intangible meanings of the riverways. Seek alternative
sources for design and publication if available financial resources
cannot accommodate design and production by the Harpers Ferry Center;
but maintain the professional standards of the center in the publication
(see Eastern National).

##### Trail Guides

Develop a free folder or site bulletin that lists, locates, and briefly
describes each trail. Work with Eastern National or other publishers to
develop a sales item that will provide more extensive information and
interpretation about the trails (see Eastern National and Trails).

##### Springs Folder

As a companion to a network of wayside exhibits at the springs, produce
a sales folder to connect the springs together, emphasizing their
connections to other karst resources, and their common features (see
Wayside Exhibits and Eastern National).

##### Children's Publications

The riverways will serve children visiting with their families by
developing a series of children\'s publications. This will include site
bulletins, junior ranger publications (sales item), and a children\'s
book about the recreational, natural, and cultural resources of the
riverways. This series will accommodate different age groups of children
and their frequency of visits to the riverways (see Eastern National).

**PERSONAL SERVICES**

The first priority for staff will remain the operation of orientation
services at public contact stations and the Eminence Information Center,
seven days a week in the Summer; Friday-Sunday in Spring and Fall; and
weekends in Winter. In view of the small staff, interpretive programs
will support visitor opportunities for resource experiences not
available by non-personal services. Interpretative programs, including
evening campground programs, will relate directly to interpretive themes
and visitor experience goals. Education programs will support curriculum
objectives and the mutual goals of the riverways and local schools.
Education programs will take priority over interpretation programs
during the school year. Programs designed to enhance recreational
opportunities will only take place after the staff has fulfilled the
needs for interpretation and education programs.

**Priorities**

Conducted tours of the Round Spring Cave will provide public access and
a very significant contribution to the public\'s comprehensive
understanding of watershed resources and the international significance
of the karst resources of the riverways.

Interpretive programs and activities related to the cultural resources
of the riverways will enhance the public\'s awareness and appreciation
for the distinct and living heritage of the Ozark region, as well as the
impact of human beings on the environment of the riverways for the past
10,000 years. Programs will incorporate recent and current historical,
archeological, and ethnography research.

Interpretive programs related to the riparian environment will stress
the national significance of those resources, watershed quality issues,
and the implications of recent and current scientific research.

Junior Ranger programs will provide opportunities for children at varied
ages to make personal connections to the intangible meanings and
significance of the resources of the riverways. Programs will emphasize
particular interpretive themes related to cultural or natural resources
in a manner that promotes a sense of caring and stewardship among the
children.

Staff will work with commercial trail ride vendors to train their
employees in basic interpretive concepts about the riverways including
recreational ethics and the impact of visitor use upon resources. The
riverways will offer the vendors the opportunity for an interpreter to
provide a program before or during the trail rides.

Interpreters coordinate river cleanup special events in partnership with
other riverways staff, the Stream Team, and local communities. The
riverways will seek the sponsorship of private sector groups to provide
equipment and publicity. The event will include an interpretive program
concerning riparian resources.

**EDUCATION PROGRAM**

The Education Program will develop an informed constituency among
neighbors of the riverways by reinforcing their care and stewardship for
the resources of the riverways. The curriculum-based Education Program
will provide programs, teacher guides, and educational products related
to the following interpretive themes of the riverways: Karst; natural
processes; fragile, susceptible resources; 10,000 of human occupation;
living culture; and the impact of economic forces on the people and
environment. Programs will emphasize the resources of the riverways and
address its visitor experience goals. The riverways will develop an
Education Plan prioritize actions for achieving its goals in education.

The Education Program will develop a targeted, ongoing relationship with
schools in Birch Tree, Bunker, Ellington, Eminence, Mountain View, Salem
(Oakhill School), Summersville, Van Buren, Willow Springs, and Winona.
The program will begin with schools in Eminence, Van Buren, and Winona
as a pilot project. The effort will begin at a level that available
staff can continue into the future. Success will encourage an expansion
of the program with additional staff. The riverways will work closely
with the educators and parents in each community to ensure that the
program meets their needs and expectations.

The program for the targeted schools will include pre-visit activities,
on-site educational programs, post-visit activities, and a formal
evaluation process. Over time, a close cooperative relationship will
develop between riverways staff and individual teachers at these
schools. Eventually the educational program will become an ongoing
series of presentations and school visits throughout the year similar to
the D.A.R.E. Program. To enhance the relationship with these schools,
the riverways will seek funding to support teacher participation at the
annual Missouri State Conference on Environmental Quality. The riverways
and the participating teachers will followup these conferences with new
educational programs and activities.

The workload of serving the targeted schools will require staff to limit
the number of off-site presentations and on-site programs for more
distant schools. Staff will ensure that such commitments do not
compromise the quality of their service to the targeted schools.

For schools beyond the targeted area, but within a day\'s drive of the
riverways, staff will develop and distribute pre-visit, on-site, and
post-visit activity guides to enable teachers to lead their own
educational programs during on-site visits. The riverways will
collaborate with the Missouri Department of Conservation at the Jerry J.
Presley Education Center to offer teacher workshops to help teachers use
the activity guides**.**

To serve schools beyond a day\'s drive of the riverways, staff will
develop such distance-learning products as WEB sites and CD-ROM
programs. When possible, the riverways will make available the education
products of its partners. Staff also will develop a series of traveling
trunks or kits for use by teachers to present their own classroom
programs related to the themes of the Riverways. Staff would contact the
teacher to introduce the trunk or kit with advice on its application to
curriculum objectives.

The riverways will serve children visiting with their families by
developing a series of children\'s publications. This will include site
bulletins, junior ranger publications, and sales items. This series will
accommodate different age groups of children and their frequency of
visits to the riverways (see Publications).

**RISK MANAGEMENT**

All personal services and non-personal services will promote safety,
especially on water-based resources. Orientation will emphasize safe use
with minimal impact on resources. Children will receive safety messages
at their level of understanding and appreciation. In the vicinity of
major use areas for water-based resources, posters will promote safety.
Safety icons will replace safety posters in developed areas
(campgrounds, picnic areas, fee stations, contact stations, and ranger
stations) away from the actual use areas.

**EASTERN NATIONAL**

The riverways and Eastern National will operate a sales outlet at
Headquarters year-round, seven days a week. They will operate sales
outlets on a seasonal basis at Alley Spring, Big Spring, Round Spring,
and the Eminence Storefront Information Center. The riverways will work
with Eastern National to develop a scope of sales that will ensure that
its sales items support the interpretive themes and resources of the
riverways. The sales outlets will offer only authentic objects related
to local culture in its selection of theme-related items. Whenever
possible, sales outlets will feature locally-produced objects. The
cooperating association presently provides 600 hours of staff per year
for its sales outlet. The riverways will strive to increase its sales to
a level that would permit the cooperating association to provide a
full-time employee. The riverways will explore with Eastern National the
potential for the cooperating association to operate the johnboat rides
at Big Spring. This would provide spontaneous visitors with an
opportunity to experience a portion of the river resources The
cooperating association would support the relationship between the
riverways and its neighbors by hiring local residents to conduct the
rides. The riverways will develop a product development plan to
prioritize new Eastern National sales items including postcards, springs
folder, trail guides, junior ranger publication, orientation videotape,
overview booklet, children\'s book, booklets on recent riverways
research, an NPS handbook, and curriculum guides (sales items). Eastern
National will offer these items for sale by commercial vendors as well
as in its own sales outlets. The riverways will work with Eastern
National to develop an electronic sales service linked to the riverways
WEB site.

**OTHER PARTNERSHIPS**

With the limited fiscal and human resources available for interpretation
and education at the riverways, partnerships with other government
agencies and the private sector represent a vital means for enhancing
public programs.

##### Missouri Department of Conservation

The riverways will develop joint staff training at the Jerry J. Presley
Education Center. The agencies will present joint special events related
to the state\'s \"Eagle Day\" and \"River Day.\" The riverways will
distribute state publications related to its resources at its public
contact stations and as part of its education program. It will promote
state conservation areas and public facilities related to the resources
and interpretive themes of the riverways. The riverways will seek
technical support for exhibits related to natural resources.

##### Missouri Department of Natural Resources

The riverways will develop joint public and educational programs with
Montauck State Park. It will promote state parks and public facilities
related to the resources and interpretive themes of the riverways. The
riverways will distribute state publications on water quality at its
public contact stations and as part of its education program. It will
seek technical support for exhibits related to natural resources.

##### USDA-U.S. Forest Service

The riverways will develop joint public programs and educational
programs with U.S. Forest Service staff within the Mark Twain National
forest. It will seek technical support for exhibits concerning natural
resources.

##### U.S. Geological Survey

The riverways will work together on teacher guides. It will seek
technical support for publications, wayside exhibits, and museum
exhibits concerning karst and watershed resources.

##### National Aeronautical and Space Administration

The riverways will seek support for publications, wayside exhibits,
museum exhibits, and educational programs related to natural resources.

##### Missouri Stream Team

The riverways will develop joint special events including Earth Day, the
March for Parks, river cleanups, and a photography competition/exhibit.
It will work together on special classes. The Missouri Stream Team will
seek financial support from the Missouri Humanities Council for speakers
at special public programs at the riverways.

##### Missouri Conservation Association

The riverways will seek technical and financial support for teacher
curriculum guides.

##### Nature Conservancy

The Riverways will seek the technical and financial support for teacher
activity guides, traveling trunks, teacher workshops, and natural
resource publications and exhibits.

##### Local Museums

The riverways will develop joint programs, exhibits, or education
programs with the Forestry Museum in Winona, the Bonebreak
Nature/History Center in Salem, and the Van Buren Community Center.

**Eminence Arts Council**

The riverways will seek financial and volunteer support for special
events and programs including quilt shows, art shows, poetry readings,
mill demonstrations.

##### Eminence Chamber of Commerce

The riverways will seek support and advice from the Eminence Chamber of
Commerce for the Eminence Storefront Information Center. The chamber
will seek volunteers from the community to supplement the paid staff at
the storefront. The riverways and the chamber will jointly promote each
other\'s programs, public facilities, and special events.

**LIBRARY AND COLLECTIONS NEEDS**

#### Library

The park library at headquarters will have a distinct, secure space away
from direct public access. Someone on the headquarters staff will assume
the responsibility for the management of the library. This security and
orderly management will discourage the accumulation of \"pirated\"
collections at remote locations. Remote collections of the library
(Alley Spring, Big Spring, and Round Spring) will become restricted to
basic interpretation and resource management references consulted by
field staff on a regular basis. Preparation and implementation of a
Library Plan will establish a functional operational system for the
library.

\* To provide a mission for the library, develop a scope of collections
related to the resources and interpretive themes of the riverways. The
scope of collections will guide all new acquisitions. De-accession all
items found beyond the scope of collections.

\* Conduct periodic inventories of the library; acquire replacement
volumes for missing resources.

\* Acquire education references listed in Module 270 of the Interpretive
Development Program.

\* Acquire new texts related to current scholarship on the resources and
interpretive themes of the riverways.

\* Acquire interpretation references listed in various modules of the
Interpretive Development Program.

\* Implement the pro-cite catalog system to enable staff at remote
locations to access the library. Train staff in the use of pro-cite.

\* To save work time, staff at remote locations will cooperate in the
delivery/return of resources when they travel to headquarters.

\* The Volunteer Program Manager will seek volunteer support for the
operation and maintenance of the library.

##### Slide Collection

The slide collection will support the presentation of interpretive
programs and the development of exhibits and publications. Management of
the slide collection will additional financial and staff support to
develop and implement a scope of collections and an operations system,
as well as to acquire new slides, deaccession inappropriate slides, and
arrange for duplicate slides for individual interpreters. Someone in the
interpretation staff or a volunteer will assume responsibility for the
slide collection.

The slide collection will acquire new slides illustrating the public and
employees within the resources, facilities, and public programs of the
riverways. New slides also will illustrate education programs.

##### Museum Collection 

**RESEARCH NEEDS**

-   As part of the ongoing ethnography study of the Scots-Irish people
    in the region, include recommendations for incorporating the
    research into interpretative programs and exhibits.

-   Prepare a research paper concerning karst in the riverways in format
    understandable by the general public.

-   Conduct additional research into the impacts and implications of
    water quality in the riverways.

-   Prepare an analysis of use patterns of the one million visitors per
    year who do not use the rivers.

-   Work with Eastern National to produce sales publications based on
    recent research projects.

-   Enhance interaction between researchers, resource managers, and
    interpreters to incorporate recent and current research into public
    programs, education programs, exhibits, and publications. Inform
    interpretive staff about management views toward critical resource
    issues.

-   Prepare site bulletins and an article in *The Rootwad* concerning
    recent and current research projects (see Publications).

**STAFFING & COSTS**

##### Interpretation Staff

North Unit:

(1) Supervisory Park Ranger, GS-11, full-time

\(1\) Lead Park Ranger, GS-06, seasonal (May-September)

\(3\) Park Rangers, GS-05, seasonal (June-August)

\(1\) Park Ranger, GS-05, seasonal (May-September)

South Unit:

\(1\) Supervisory Park Ranger, GS-11, full-time

(1) Park Ranger, GS-09, full-time

\(2\) Lead Park Rangers, GS-06, seasonal (May-September)

\(2\) Park Rangers, GS-05, seasonal (April-October)

(2) Visitor Use Assistants, GS-03, full-time

##### Education Staff

\(1\) Outreach Coordinator, GS-11, full-time (builds relationship with
schools; writes/manages grants; coordinates teacher workshops; plans and
budgets education program; develops educational partnerships;
coordinates educational activities with partner parks; trains and
coaches seasonal staff in their presentation of education programs)

\(1\) Educational Specialist, GS-09, full time-term ( develops
educational products; presents teacher workshops; works with curriculum
specialists and school teacher to ensure that educational programs
relate to the curriculum)

\(2\) Park Rangers, GS-05, seasonal (February-May) (present educational
programs)

\(1\) Park Ranger, GS-05, seasonal (February-July) (present educational
programs and Junior Ranger programs)

(3) Park Rangers, GS-05, seasonal (September-October) (present
    educational programs)

> **Theme/media Matrix**

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8

Wayside Exhibits X X X X

Publications X X X X X X X

Museum Exhibits X X X X

Personal Services X X X X X X X

Audio-Visual X X

Programs-Productions

Models X X

Audio-visual X X X X

Exhibits

Electronic X

Computer

Exhibits X

**Implementation Plan**

##### Priorities for the \$100,000

1.  Work with concessioners and local businesses to design and install
    free-standing orientation exhibits; design, publish, and distribute
    rack card; upgrade and expand orientation and wayfinding
    publications and other products; standardize bulletin board design

2.  Develop an web site with education materials.

3.  Plan, develop, and operate the Eminence Storefront Information
    Center

4.  Work with HFC to redesign the park folder.

5.  Develop Library Plan including a system of remote Pro-Cite access
    points.

6.  Recruit/train volunteers; prepare a volunteer plan targeting service
    opportunities; develop a volunteer handbook; conduct volunteer
    orientation and training.

**Priorities for Eastern National**

1.  Develop overview sales booklet.

2.  Publish a free folder linking together the springs.

3.  Publish a free folder highlighting the interpretive trails.

4.  Develop new postcards; consider postcard strips highlighting a
    particular kind of resource (e.g. springs) or natural/cultural
    process (e.g. watershed, architecture, or economic development)

5.  Provide funds to support HFC production of a handbook.

6.  Prepare and distribute curriculum guides.

7.  Develop children's publications; conduct marketing research;
    consider an activity book; consider a history book.

8.  Publish a free publication highlighting recent research at the
    riverways; publish individual research reports.

##### SHORT-TERM ACTIONS

**Pre-visit Information**

-   WEB site

-   Rack card

-   Cooperate with JEFF and other NPS areas

-   Phone book/yellow page listings in St. Louis, Kansas City, and
    Springfield.

-   Develop free-standing orientation exhibit for display in local
    stores and concessions.

**Orientation**

\* Work with canoe concessioners to place informational signs within
their buses.

\* Work with canoe concessioners to place succinct interpretive or
safety messages inside the canoes. Develop a series of signs so that
frequent users will encounter different messages.

\* Seek assistance from the National Park Foundation to gain private
sector support for the donation of litter bags with an interpretive
message distributed to canoe users by the concessioner.

\* Reduce the number of bulletin boards in developed areas to heavily
visited locations: campground fee stations, public telephones, and
public shower facilities.

\* Reduce visual clutter on bulletin boards by establishing a basic grid
layout to determine locations for each informational section.

\* Redesign *The Rootwad* to emphasize an orientation function.

\* Develop a series of orientation site bulletins concerning river
resources, springs, trails, caves, concessioners, trails, current
scientific research, and activities for children.

\* Redesign the tear-off sheets to make them easy to use while walking.
Expand distribution of tear-off sheets to concessioner facilities and
local businesses.

\* Develop an orientation program for use on a computer with a
menu-driven series of sections on resources, public use, and services.

**Personal Services**

\* Work with commercial trail ride vendors to train their employees in
basic interpretive concepts about the riverways including recreational
ethics and the impact of visitor use upon resources. Offer the vendors
the opportunity for an interpreter to provide a program before or during
the trail rides.

\* find a sponsor to support river cleanups as special events in
partnership with other riverways staff, the Stream Team, and local
communities. Support will include equipment and publicity. During the
event, present an interpretive program concerning riparian resources.

**Trails**

\* Develop the Devil\'s Well Trail connecting the sink hole to Cave
Spring to the Current River. Prepare a site bulletin as an interpretive
guide to the trail stressing the connections of karst resources to the
watershed.

**Education Program**

\* Develop a cooperative relationship with schools in Ellington and
Summersville.

**Risk Management**

\* Develop safety messages for children.

\* In the vicinity of major use areas for water-based resources, posters
will promote safety.

\* Safety icons will replace safety posters in developed areas
(campgrounds, picnic areas, fee stations, contact stations, and ranger
stations) away from the actual use areas.

**Partnerships**

\* Establish or enhance partnerships with the USDA-U.S. Forest Service,
the Missouri Department of Conservation, the Missouri Department of
Natural Resources, the Nature Conservancy, the Eminence Chamber of
Commerce, and the Van Buren Community Center.

**Library**

\* Acquire education references listed in Module 270 of the Interpretive
Development Program.

\* Acquire interpretation references listed in modules of the
Interpretive Development Program.

\* Develop the pro-cite catalog system; train staff in its use.

\* Work with the Volunteer Program Manager to acquire volunteer support
for the management and operation of the library.

**Research**

\* Enhance interaction between researchers, resource managers, and
interpreters in the incorporation of recent and current research into
public programs, education programs, publications, and exhibits. Inform
interpretive staff about management views toward critical resource
issues.

\* Develop site bulletins and an article in *The Rootwad* concerning
recent and current research.

**Implementation Plan**