f 
For more information contact your local BLM State Office: 

Bureau of Land Management 

222 West 7th Avenue, #13 

Anchorage, Alaska 

99513-7599 

Bureau of Land Management 

222 North Central 

Phoenix, Arizona 85004 

Bureau of Land Management 

2135 Butano Drive 

Sacramento, California 

95825-0451 

Bureau of Land Management 

2850 Youngfield Street 

Lakewood, Colorado 80215 

Bureau of Land Management 

7450 Boston Boulevard 

Springfield, Virginia 22 15 3 

Bureau of Land Management 

1387 S. Vinnell Way 

Boise, Idaho 83709 

Bureau of Land Management 

P.O. Box 36800 

5001 South Gate Drive I 

Billings, Montana 59107-6800 

Bureau of Land Management 

P.O. Box 12000 

8 50 Harvard Way 

Reno, Nevada 8'9520-0006 

Bureau of Land Management 

P. 0. Box 27115 

1474 Rodeo Road 

Santa Fe, New Mexico 

87502-7115 

Bureau of Land Management 

P.O. Box 2965 

1515 S.W. 5th Avenue 

Pokland, Oregon 

972 08 -296 5 

Bureau of Land Management 

324 South State Street 

Suite 300 

Salt Lake City, Utah 

84111-2303 

Bure"cu of Land Management 

P.O. Box 1828 

5 3 5 3 Yellowstone Road 

Cheyenne, Wyoming 

'82003- 1828 
This strategy clarifies and sets direction for BLM’s 

Guidelines, Rareation 2000, Recreation 2000 Update, the 

BLM’s Blue Printfor the Futuw and supports the Bureau of 

Land Management Strategy and the Government 

Performance Review Act. 

effective interpretive programs which supports management 

goals, serves visitors and protects the public land resources. 

Interpretation is a voice for all the resource management 

programs within the BLM. Although BLM has had some 

interpretive facilities, programs and products in place since 

the early 1970s, the program is relatively young. Red Rock 

National- Conservation Area Visitor Center, completed in 

1982, was one of BLM’s first visitor centers. That same year, 

BLM established a partnership with its first interpretive 

cooperating association. Now the BLM is an active partner 

in 46 visitor centers,l8 of which BLM owns and managers. 

. interpretive program. It is based on BLM’s Interpretive 

It will guide the development of 

In 1993, the BLM hired its first national lead for 

interpretive program. BLM’s interpretive products have won 

many awards for the outstanding quality and creative 

approaches. Many BLM staff members served as officers or 

on committees in the interpretive professional organization, 

The Nafional Association for Interpretation. 

The BLM’s interpretive program focuses on the Nation’s 

public lands and the interrelationship between the physical 

, elements, biological systems, cultural, and historical events. 

Management issues are addressed within the interpretive 

story in a way that relates those issues to the visitors 

experiences. Interpretive planning is done collaboratively 

with internal arid external groups, and clear measurable 

objectives are established to measure the cost/benefit 

and the programs effectiveness. BLM’s interpretive 

program aims to respect and serve people with diverse 

backgrounds and abilities. 

c. 
Table of Contents 

Goal 1: LVorking with user groups and partners, 

ISLM \+ill caii\:as customers to understand their nerds and cicsircs. ...... 2 

Goal 2: BLbI will prpvide interpretii:e opportunities to 

diverse ,ludienccs in a lxriety of settings ~ising a variety of 

cffectivc techniques .............................. : ......... 3 .. 

Goal 3: Thc ELM interpretive staff \vi11 collaborate \\.it11 other gl-oLlps 

such a; pblic affairs, the public rooms, outfitters, guides, and 

coopcrating associations to provide tysic information 

about public lands, ................. :,..................... 4 

Goal 4: Dc\zelop thematic interpretiJre services that promote 

aiid encourage p u biic undcrstlindi iig of res011 rce man ageii~ 11 tgods, 

Goal 5: Expand collaboration 1xtn:cen BLM's interpretation and 

Goal 6: Foster partnerships with other agencies, coopcrating 

and the importance ohesources to individuals and coinmunitics ....... 5 

en\;ironl;nqital education (E.E. ) progra~iis ........................ 6 

associatiom a1J friciids groups to achie\re mutual intcrprctive goals ..... 7 

Goal 7: Demonstrate the role of interpretation to meet agency 

Goal 8: Iiicreasc in\&eiiiciit of BL,M staff at all Ic~ds of the agency 

goals by using accountability and cvaluntion practices ............... 8 

and xross disciplines in idcntification of intcrprerivc priorities ......... 9 

Goal 9: Incorporate interpret'ition into the budget process. .......... 10 

to help achie\rc iiiaiidgei1ient and iiitci-pretivc go'ils ................ 11 

Goal 10: Le\w'ige ELM hiding and iii-lund coiitributions 

Goal 11: Provide profcssioilal training and development opportLlnities 

for staff and management, especially those \vho implei-iient intcrprctii.e 

programs and devc~op pirtnerships. .. to increasc skills and 

Goal 12: Prcwide ai organizational franic~\ork that supports 

competency vithin the oi-gaiiizatim ........................... 12 

interpretation at 1111 leiyis of the orgmization. .................... 13 

. .iCcomplishing BLM's niission and goals.. 

Goal 13: Increase the \-isibility of intcrpretiation as ;I tool for 

....................... 14 
VI. Supports agency initiatives, resource protection, and 

environmental ethics. 

Guiding Theme for BLM’s - 

Interpretive Program: VII. Encourages visitor involvement in activities and 

“hands-on” experiences that increase understanding 

The resources on public lands are an integral part in people’s 

lives and BLM is worlung to protect the value of these 

resources for all generations. 

of ecosystem management goals. 

VIII. Looks acbss administrative and geograplyc 

3 boundaries. 

IX: Employs effective planning processes. 

X. Addresses interpretive media choices based on the The Bureau of Land Management goals and obiectives identified in BLM Dolicies such ” I L - Interpretive Program’s as Recreation 2000, and the Visitor Center 

memorandum (IB 97-85). 

I. Is thematic and uses accepted professional interpretive 

principles. 

11. 

111. 

Iv. 

V. 

Provides services for people of all abilities by using 

diverse media and combining techniques to reach 

different learning styles, abilities, generations, ethnic 

groups, and cultures. 

Serves visitors’ needs and enhances their experience. 

Incorporates appropriate safety and health 

considerations into planning, design, and content of 

interpretive services. 

Is evaluated to measure effectiveness of programs, 

services, facilities, and media for all audiences. 

“We must learn to live toBethev as brothers 

or perish tog.ether as fools. ” 

Actions: r\ilartin 1,uther IGng, Jr 

- 

I. 

11. 

111. 

Identi@ needs and opportunities to reach 

underrepresented audiences by worlung with 

professional organizations such as the National 

Associatifon for Interpretation, the Association of 

Partners for Public Lands, and the North American 

Association for Environmental Education. 

(National and State Interpretive Leads, ongoing) 

During the planning process address methods for 

reaching diverse audiences. (All levels, ongoing) 

Distribute technical information on how to reach 

diverse audiences at least annually. (National 

Interpretive Lead and Accessability Lead) 

3 

. - .. 
Actions: 

I. Identi@ and compile basic information (safety, 

orientation, and recreational information) that should 

be provided to customers through appropriate media 

(web pages, public land information centers, 

administrative sites, visitor centers, cooperative 

sites/programs). (All levels, ongoing) 

11. Update basic public land information (All levels, 

ongoing). 

4 

Fret man Ti Ide 11, In tei-pre ti n 5 0 LI I’ Heri tagc 

f 
Actions: 

L 

I. Provide interpretation to enhance appreciation, 

understanding, and protection of significant natural, 

cultural, and recreation resource values. (Field 

Offices, ongoing) 

“Interpvetation should 

capitalize meye curiosity 

for the envichment 

if the human mind 

and spivit. )’ 

Freeman Tilden, 

Interpreting Our Heritage 

11. On an annual basis identifjr opportunities to share 

information about programs that successhlly help 

reduce resource damage or increase the public’s 

support and understanding of public land resources 

and management programs. (National Interpretive 

Lead, FII, 2000) 

111. Use interdisciplinary teams to identify local resource 

management issues to be addressed by local 

interpretive efforts. (All levels, ongoing) 

IV. Select interpretive media/techniques that minimize 

impacts and whenever possible, enhance the 

protection of the resources. (All levels, ongoing) 

V. Include interpretation in all BLM land management 

plans. (All levels, ongoing) 

-., 

- .. *. 
Actions: 

I. Identifjr opportunities and develop specific goals to 

cooperate on national level initiatives, priorities, and 

programs such as the national weeds initiative, Leave 

No Trace and BLM’s Wilderness program. (National 

Interpretive and Environmental Education Leads, 

ongoing) 

11. Whenever possible the interpretive and EE 

programs should be in the same organizational 

group. (All levels, ongoing) 

I. 

6 
Actions: 

“People are out for ipecreation and need ~estfz~l, 

intellectual visions, and not dull, diy facts. I’ 

EIIC)~ h11115, Adventures of J nature ycic and essavs in iiiterprctation 

I. Continue interagency cooperadon and national level 

partnerships through participation in the Federal 

Interagency Council for Interpretation, the National 

Association for *Interpretation, the Association for 

Partners for Public Lands, the American Recreation 

Coalition, and other organizations. (National 

Interpretive Lead, ongoing) 

11. Identifjr opportunities to increase outreach programs 

and internal sharing mechanisms. (National 

Interpretive Lead, ongoing) 

111. Identifjr ways to increase BLM’s interpretive services 

through cooperative efforts with other public agencies, cooperating associations, outfitters and guides, 

concessionaires, and other government and non-government organizations. (All levels, ongoing) 

N. Highlight successhl interpretive partnerships in the 

annual interpretive report. (All levels, ongoing) 

”. 

7 e&$$* 
I. 

11. 

111. 

S 

w. 

V. 

‘:We aim above the mark to hit the miwk.” 

Establish budget processes to increase interpretation Rdph \Valdo Emerson 

visibility and accountability. (National Interpretive 

Lead & Budget Office, FY2000) 

At least twice a year keep BLM employees informed 

of the latest technology and developments that will 

result in coit effective interpretation and enhanced 

customer service. (National and State Interpretive 

Leads, ongoing) 

Identify and maintain accurate databases on 

interpretive projects and facilities in the Recreation 

Management Information System (RMIS) and the 

Facilities Inventory Maintenance Management 

System (FIMMS). (National Interpretive Lead, 

FY2001) 

Submit interpretive accomplishments to be included 

in the annual BL-M report. (National Interpretive 

Lead, ongoing) 

Develop criteria and procedures for evaluating 

interpretive partnerships. (National Interpretive 

Lead FY2002) 

-. 

< 
5 

I. Prepare an annual implementation plan each 

September that will identify the national priorities to 

be accomplished for the year. (National Interpretive 

Lead, "ongoing) 

11. Prepare an annual report each September on BLM's 

interpretive program accomplishments for the year. 

(National and State Interpretive Leads, ongoing) 

111. Conduct annual interpretive meetings that involve 

people from various BLM disciplines. (National 

Interpretive Lead, ongoing) 

IV. Give interpretive updates at state recreation meetings. 

(National Interpretive Lead, ongoing) 
Actions: 

“The whole art of tenchin8 

is on.lj\ the art of awakenin8 

the natural cuTiosity of yowg minds 

for the pzwpgse of sati@;rzg- it afteriwwds. ” 

I. Track interpretive accomplishments through the 

budget process on an annual basis. (National 

Interpretive Lead, FY2000) 

,hatole France 

11. Work with national BLM budget staff to increase 

annual funding for interpretation. (National 

Interpretive Lead, ongoing) 

10 r 
"I hew and I foyyet. 

I see and I remembex 

I do and I undewtand." 

Confuciu s 

Actions: 

I. Use existing databases, grant coordinators and 

partners to identifj alternative and supplemental 

funding sources for interpretation projects. 

(All levels, ongoing) 

11. Identifjr key sources of hnding (resource 

activities/subactivities, fee demonstration, 

challenge cost share) and incorporate them 

imo the annual directives. (National and State 

Interpretive Leads, ongoing) 

11 

- .. 
. ... .. .. 

.. - .- . . 

,. ..... 

Actions: 

I. Create and dstribute interpretive reference materials, 

self study training materials, and project examples to 

field personnel. (National Interpretive Lead, annually) 

11. Coordinate with National Training Center (NTC) to 

assess training needs in interpretation, (National 

Interpretive Lead, biannual basis) 

VI. Distribute information on visitor assessment 

techniques for the interpretive planning effort. 

(National Intetpretive Lead, FY2000) 

VII. Expand institutional memberships and encourage 

individual memberships in professional organizations 

(Le., National Association for Interpretation, North 

American Association for Environmental Education). 

111. Expand the use of interagency training. (National (All levels, ongoing) 

Lead and State Interpretive Leads, ongoing ) 

IV. Work with NTC to incorporate interpretation into 

VIII. Encourage attendance at interpretive training. 

(National and State Interpretive Leads, ongoing) 

other resource training programs. (National 

Interpretive Lead, ongoing) IX. Encourage BLM interpreters to obtain professional 

certification from the National Association for 

V. Identify people to serve as mentors and help train Interpretation. (National and State Interpretive 

other staff. Leads, ongoing) (National and State Interpretive Leads, 

ongoing) 
“A good listener tries to undentand thoruughlv 

what the othev person is saying. 

In the end he way disagree sharply, 

but before he disagrees, he wants to know exactly 

what it is he is disagreeing with.” 

I(eiiiiet1i A. Wells, Guide to Good Leadership . 

Actions: 

I. Provide mogel job descriptions and performance 

criteria (to supervisors and managers) for positions 

with interpretive duties at the State Office and Field 

Office level. (National Interpretive Lead, ongoing) 

11. Encourage each State Director to have a state lead 

for interpretation who is qualified and active in the 

profession and dedicates at least 50% of his/her time 

to interpretation. (National Interpretation Lead and 

National Group Lead for Recreation, FY 2000) 

111. Evaluate vacant positions as potential interpretive 

positions when a need for interpretive expertise 

exists. (State Interpretive Leads, ongoing) 

IV. Establish an internal networking system across 

disciplines within BLM for people involved in 

interpretation. (National and State Interpretive 

, Leads, ongoing) * 

13 
Actions: 

I. 

11. 

111. 

Iv. 

-&&- 14 

Prepare articles for People, Land and Water, nongovernment agencies’ newsletters, for public media 

and professional publications hghlighting effective 

interpretatibn. (National and State Interpretive 

Leads, ongoing) 

Identify a champion for interpretation from the 

Executive Leadership Team (ELT) and Field 

Committee. (National Interpretation Lead and 

National Group Leader for Recreation, FY2000) 

Use BLM web sites (e.g. National Internet, 

Recreation.gov, Environmental Education and 

Recreation Home Pages) to show the diversity and 

accomplishments. of interpretive programs. 

(National Interpretive Lead, FY 2000) 

Encourage BLM staff to nominate for national 

awards BLM managers and field staff who support 

interpretative efforts. (National Interpretive Lead, 

ongoing) 

V. 

VI. 

VI1 . 

Encourage BLM participation in national awards 

programs such as the National Association for 

Interpretation media competition, BLM Excellence 

in Interpretation and EE, and partnership awards 

through Association of Partners for Public Lands. 

(Natiocal and State Interpretive Leads, ongoing) 

Encourage field offices to publicize their interpretive 

opportunities. (National and State Interpretive Leads, 

ongoing) 

Develop a traveling exhibit that highlights BLM 

interpretive programs and accomplishments, for use 

at conferences and meetings of organizations such as 

the National Association for Interpretation, and the 

North American Association for Environmental 

Education. (Team from all levels of the organization, 

M2000) 

ir U S GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE 1999 - 773-268 124044 Region No. 8 
“There is cz sin8le li8ht of science, 

and to brghten it cznyivheye 

zs to brzdhten it every~vheve.” 

Is~ac ‘4sirnov 

BLM/WO/PL/99 +O 5/4 3 3 3 

c 

4. 

-.