Guided walks, self-guided trails, leaflets and games can be used to highlight and interpret the natural and built environment. The process of researching and planning interpretive information is a good way of involving people from the community with knowledge of their local area.
Schools may be interested both in researching and using interpretive facilities, with other local groups making good use of them.
Trails can be within wildlife sites, woods, parks, churchyards, school grounds or other areas. Alternatively, trails can follow routes through a part of the town or city where interesting features can be seen from the pavement or from other public areas.
In general, it is better to focus effort on trails, guided walks and events to attract organised groups. Leaflets, puzzles, games and other back-up material can be used. Self-guided trails for casual use by individuals are not so likely to attract use in the urban environment.
Features which can be interpreted include the following:
Trees, shrubs and flowering plants.
- name
- native, introduced, naturalised
- type of flowers, leaves, fruits
- use for timber, fruit or other products
- cultural or historical significance
Mosses, lichens and ferns
Old buildings and gravestones may support interesting communities of these plants.
Habitats
Areas of scrub, damp ground, ponds, streams, piles of building materials and other features can have their value as habitats explained.
Walls, pavements and other stone features
These can be used to demonstrate geology, by identifying types of stone and where they originate from. This can be linked with historical information about the buildings. The Geologists’ Association are producing a series of ‘Wall Games’, each describing an urban site where varied geology can be studied in a small area. Each game includes a map and detailed drawings of the described walls or other features, so they can easily be identified. Local geologists may be able to compile something similar in your area. Churches and other old buildings are usually the best sites.
An alternative approach is to build your own ‘geological feature’, by gathering together as many different types of stone as you can collect, and then building a wall, pavement or other feature to display them. keep the feature ‘live’ by leaving space for further stones to be added.
Method of interpretation
Signs and boards
Permanent signs and boards are expensive to produce, and prone to vandalism, fading or other weather damage. The information contained may also date or become inappropriate, and the investment requires that such signs are designed to last many years. Temporary signs for special open days or other events may be more appropriate. See also here.
Leaflets
These are cheap to produce, and can contain as much detail as you wish. They can describe a trail, with features of interest marked on the ground with a numbered post or similar, matched to information in the leaflet. They are ideal back-up material for organised groups, but are not easy to make available to casual visitors or passers-by. Stocks of leaflets can be held at local libraries, shops or community centres.
Guided walks
A guided walk with a knowledgeable and enthusiastic guide is the best possible type of interpretation, but for most sites can only be arranged occasionally. For linking with the past, a guide in historic costume or as a particular character can bring an event to life. See project on page 18.
Audio tapes
Audio tapes for playing on personal stereos or portable cassette players can be used as an interpretation tool. Tapes can include bird song or other animal sounds, music, poems, personal recollections or anecdotes from local people. Media study groups or sound enthusiasts are likely to be interested in producing this type of material. Copies of the tape can be made available from libraries or other information points. School or other groups who inquire about the trail or site can be asked to bring along their own cassette players or personal stereos. Tapes are especially valuable for those with a visual impairment. TCV in Northern Ireland, with funding from the Sensory Trust, have produced tapes to accompany a nature trail near a centre for the blind. Walkers use personal stereos, with brightly coloured marker posts along the trail for those with a little vision.
