the catalyst - california state parks 2003.pdf · catalyst page 3 from the editor brian cahill,...

The Newsletter for Interpretation in California State ParksSummer 2003 Volume 7 No. 1

The

Catalyst™

Look! Up in the Sky!Red Alert! Red Alert! Mars is approaching! This

August and September, Mars will be at its closest distanceaway from Earth, a mere 34.6 million miles. This is largerthan anyone has ever seen it since the telescope wasinvented in 1608. Usually during the Earth- Mars meeting,our neighbor is roughly 45 million miles away with reallyclose visits about 38 million miles.

It will grow large enough in the night sky that you caneasily view surface features using a 150x magnificationtelescope. If you just have your eyes for viewing, watchas Mars gets dramatically brighter as it rushes toward youfrom now through August. It will reach its closest proxim-ity on August 27th.

Where to start looking? Find the constellation ofAquarius about halfway up the southeastern sky, Mars will be the very bright orangey colored disk. Even from the

big cities it will be easy to spot. The event will passquickly though. By autumn Mars will lose half its bril-liance, so savor this opportunity for a rare close-up lookat our mysterious neighbor.

Other more mundane celestial events occur through-out the summer but much is washed out by brilliant Mars.Venus and Jupiter are no longer visible as they hide behindthe sun and the Perseids meteor shower is outshone bythe full moon. One event to look for if you can find darkskies, is Uranus�s opposition on August 24th when it canbe dimly glimpsed above Mars by the naked eye.

Enjoy the view and keep your eyes to the sky!

The Catalyst Committee

Karen Beery SPI II So. Svc. Ctr. (619) 688-6103 FAX (619) 220-5400Wes Chapin DIS Channel Coast (805) 899-1406 FAX (805) 899-1415Diane McGrath SPI III San Simeon (805) 927-2049 FAX (805) 927-2117Julie Payne SPI I San Simeon (805) 927-2014 FAX (805) 927-2031Donna Pozzi CEA Interp./ Ed. Div. (916) 653-4643 FAX (916) 654-9048Jenan Saunders SPI II Interp./ Ed. Div. (916) 653-0768 FAX (916) 654-9048Mary Stokes DIS Four Rivers (209) 826-1196 FAX (209) 826-0284John Werminski RIS Interp./ Ed. Div. (916) 653-8959 FAX (916) 654-9048

Contributor's GuidelinesThe Catalyst welcomes your original articles of any length! Or, send copies of

stories published elsewhere that you think our readers will appreciate. Be sure toinclude information about the publication so we can get permission to use thematerial. You may submit an article at any time.

We really appreciate articles submitted on disk or by e-mail. We can readmost formats of DOS/Windows disks. Printed manuscripts, facsimile or phonemessages are also accepted. Please advise if you would like your diskette re-turned, otherwise we will recycle it in our office to save postage.

Illustrations are strongly encouraged. Drawings, graphs or other illustrationsmay be submitted on disk or hard copy. Black & white glossy photos are preferred;color prints or slides are usually acceptable. All photos and artwork submitted willbe returned promptly.

Catalyst

Catalyst is published periodically byCalifornia State Parks. ©2003.Opinions expressed are those of theauthor and not necessarily those ofCalifornia State Parks. By submitting amanuscript the author warrants toCatalyst that it does not infringe on anycopyrights and that the author assumesfull responsibility for any such infringe-ment. Please contact the editor forpermission to reprint any item appear-ing in Catalyst.

For address changes or torequest a free subscription,contact Pam Rocksvold at

(916) [email protected].

ISSN 1089-9286

Catalyst Editor: Brian CahillColorado Desert District200 Palm Canyon Drive

Borrego Springs, CA 92004(760) 767-3716

FAX (760) [email protected]

®

�Have more than thou showest.Speak less than thou knowest.�

� William Shakespeare

Catalyst

From the Editor

Brian Cahill, Editor

Summer is here again. That�swhen several million of thenicest people you�d ever meetand a handful of grouchy oldtroublemakers pour intoCalifornia�s 277 State Parks. Wehope you are hanging-in-thereand offering world class inter-pretation to all of them.

Just in time for summer, a particularly fun bunch ofinterpretive resources and training opportunities fills thenext page. And you will find the Master Interpreter,presiding on page 5 as usual, offering gratuitous advice tothe interpretively challenged.

Page 6 brings History Goes Virtual: CSRM LibraryDebuts Online Offerings. Written by by Ellen Halteman,Senior Librarian, California State Railroad Museum, whocan be reached at [email protected]

We celebrate another big victory on page 8. StateParks Again Wins Big at SIOC Awards by Jenan Saunderstells the story. Jenan is with the Interpretation & Educa-tion Division and would love to hear from you [email protected].

On Page 10 you�ll find Putting Geologic Time IntoPerspective � California Style. It is written by By R.Forrest Hopson of the Geological Information Servicesin Reno, Nevada, who can be reached [email protected]. It helps to interpret acomplex subject, the chronological sequence of thestate�s geologic creation. Compressing events into asingle year makes it easier to see the relative spacingbetween those events, but of course there�s much moreto this story than will fit in these pages.

Page 13 takes a peek at the BVST 25 Cadets as theycomplete their interpretive training. Page 14 brings apiece from Troy Dunham, an award winning Living HistoryInterpreter. Troy works with many California StateHistoric Parks, including Petaluma Adobe and Fort Ross,and also participates in the programs at Fort Vancouverand Fort Nisqually in Washington State.

It is time to start thinking about attending the NationalInterpreter�s Workshop in Reno this November. Perhapsyou should plan to go. Page 16 provides a few more tipsto help you get there.

On page 17, I am pleased to bring you a piece titledRadical Rants: Seasonal Justice. While the message hitsclose to home, it comes to us all the way from WoodLake, in Minnesota. The author, Karen I. Shragg, hascontributed to Catalyst before and we are pleased towelcome her back. This piece also appeared in BuffaloBull, the NAI Region V newsletter and is reprinted herewith permission.

Since there are quite a few exhibit projects underwaythese days we thought we�d consider a package thatNational Parks uses for Exhibit Planning. Learn all about iton page 18. It is written by Joanie Stadtherr Cahill, whocan be contacted at [email protected].

On page 20 you will find a piece by Jaime Mendez,part of her ongoing series, �The Road Less Traveled.�Jaime is a Guide I at Hearst Castle;® you can email her [email protected].

And you�ll find another installment of �California�sTapestry,� back in its usual place.

Thanks to each of you for reading Catalyst! We hopeyou have a GREAT summer!

Do we have your correct address?Please check your distribution /mailing label on the back cover. Ifyou are in a diferent District now,please tell us! Contact PamRocksvold at (916) 654-2249 [email protected]. Thanks!

What's Up?Interpreters� Resources

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CAM ConferenceThe California Association of Muse-ums annual conference will be held inLos Angeles July 16-18. This year�stheme is Creativity: Using Change toEnergize Your Museum. Sessionsaddressing a variety of issues perti-nent to museums will be supple-mented with special events at placeslike the Autrey Museum of WesternHeritage and the LA Zoo. For moreinformation call (714) 542-2611.

NIW 2003National Interpreter�s Workshop,November 11-15, 2003, JohnAscuaga's Nugget,Sparks, Nevada.See:www.interpnet.com.Keep checking;updates will beposted there assoon as they areavailable. Earlyregistration will be$315. CaliforniaState Parks is aworkshop cosponsor.

CIM CertificationA Certified Interpretive Managertraining workshop will be held De-cember 10 - 15 at Eagle Creek,Oregon. Ideal for anyone whomanages a facility, supervises staff,prepares budgets, or is otherwiseresponsible for the daily operations ofan interpretive site. For details, calltoll free (866) 326-4642, or see:www.interpnet.com.

Frog TonguesDo you interpret amphibians and needa new activity? Or how about anicebreaker for your seasonal training?Just get a supply of those party blow-out toys and a jar of bubbles. Giveeveryone in the room a frog tongue(blow out), then fill the air with flies(bubbles). Turn everyone loose tosee how many flies they can nail withtheir tongues!

PLT NewsletterCheck out the Branch, a newsletterfor Project Learning Tree, an "inter-disciplinary environmental educationprogram for educators working withstudents in Pre-K through grade12."Full Text online and in PDF format,see: www.plt.org/newsletter/index.cfm

Scat VocabularyAny fourth-grader can give you atleast a dozen scat related words; buthere are a few more that maybe youcan use to impress your friends!Fewmets - deer pelletsCrotiles or Crotisings - hare pelletsBilliting - fox fecesFrass - caterpillar poopLesses - boar, bear or wolf droppingsMutes - hawk excrementCoprolite - fossilized dooSpatilomancy - old fortune tellingprocess involving animal droppingsStercoricolous - living in dung (tellyour children how you feel abouttheir room)Sterquilinian - �of the dung hill� (mightbe useful in certain office memos)

Summer ReadingWe recommend a fun book with aserious message for your summerreading. Last Chance to See is byDouglas Adams (of the Hitchhiker�sGuide fame). The BBC sent a team tofilm some of the most endangeredanimal species throughout the worldand Adams tagged along.

Remember, if you can�t connect withsomething, it�s easy to becomecomplacent. Adams helps his readersconnect. He moves rapidly frominformal, laugh-out-loud descriptionsof his travels to serious pleas forawareness and conservation of allanimals. Buy one for a friend, only$13.95 at your favorite bookseller.

New Jr. Ranger BadgeThis season we have all-new JuniorRanger badges. This metal badge is aquality item that will be highly prizedby our young park visitors. Makesure you have received the instruc-tions that were included with yournew materials, as the rules havechanged a bit. Supplies are somewhatlimited, but we will try to get youwhat you need. Request themthrough your District InterpretiveCoordinator.

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Dear Master InterpreterDear MasterInterpreter,I�ve workedseasonally forState Parks for5 years.Because ofretirements,unadvertisedvacancies,funding and �salary savings,� my lasttwo seasons in a very busy park wereWITHOUT a Unit Ranger. I am all toofamiliar with the current budget crisis,and how this situation directlyaffects front-line park interactions(and it DOES!). At this time, itlooks as though we may be hiringonly one Interpreter in our sector offour units, compared to the usualthree.

Though I look forward to completingmy education, and it�s my dream toobtain permanent employment withState Parks, I am often frustrated bythe bleak future.

My question: How can I possiblykeep my spirits up and feel like I�mmaking a good decision when inter-pretation, like the arts and music inschools, is the first to get the ax? Itfeels that there is no bright light at theend of the tunnel this time. Anyadvice for a budding young Inter-preter questioning the future of notonly the budget crisis, but possiblyher career choice?

Sign me,�The future�s not so bright,do I really need these shades?�

Dear Bright Future,Sure, it�s a tough time to be enteringthe job market in any field. But it wasno picnic back in the mid-seventieseither. This year�s graduates arefacing tough prospects everywhere.Some are even going into grad schooljust to postpone job-seeking in thesedifficult times.

Take a moment to understand someof the political realities. There aremany people who believe there aretoo many government workers. Itmay sound O.K. in the abstract, butwho really wants fewer teachers orprison guards or even interpreters?Voters are simply hoping to makegovernment employees more eficientby keeping the numbers limited. Sothe Governor instituted a hiringfreeze.

A freeze focuses on entry levelpositions. However as upper-levelsinvariably retire, promote or other-wise vacate the positions, then entrylevel people move up, leaving vacan-cies behind. Maybe the interpretersituation will become critical enoughto justify an exception to the freeze.

At the same time, the whole depart-ment is trapped by some unfortunatedemographics. Unprecedentednumbers of employees are reachingretirement age. This is hitting theranger ranks particular hard, as youhave seen. So we are going to a lotof retirement parties these days andworking hard to recruit and train newrangers. The ranger shortage is mostacute because there are so manyrangers, and they are crucial to

operating our parks. So a lot of effortis being made, but it will take awhile toget where we need to be.

While the interpreter numbers aren�tas big as ranger numbers, there isalso a very real demand for interpret-ers. There are several crucial vacan-cies throughout the state. Additionalupper-level vacancies will surelyfurther deplete the ranks.

This demand is gradually beingacknowledged by management. But itis real tough to try to justify an entrylevel exam during a hiring freeze.Hang in there! No matter how bleakthe times are, there are alwaysopportunities somewhere, for tal-ented people.

Some new interpreters are avoidingthis whole situation by turning to theinterpretive field�s brightest cornerright now, ecotourism. Look into ajob in ecotourism or other options ifyou must, but continue to monitorstate park exam announcements. Oursis important work. Opportunities willcome around again, and we will needpeople like you.

MI

Dear Master Interpreter,How is it one careless match can starta forest fire, but it takes a wholebox to start a campfire?

Smoke Eater

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History Goes Virtual:CSRM Library Debuts Online OfferingsBy Ellen Halteman, Senior Librar-

ian, California State RailroadMuseum

The California State RailroadMuseum Library announces thelaunch of two new online resources.Sacramento History Online is a digitallibrary of rare and primary sourcesrelating to the history of the Sacra-mento County area. Searchwww.sachistoryonline.org to findprimary source materials from thecollections of four Sacramentoresearch institutions. SacramentoHistory Online is a joint endeavor ofCalifornia State Parks� largest publicresearch library, the California StateRailroad Museum Library, theCalifornia State Library�s CaliforniaHistory Room, the SacramentoArchives and Museum CollectionCenter, and the Sacramento PublicLibrary�s Sacramento Room.

The U.S. Institute of Museum andLibrary Services funded the projectunder the Library Services & Technol-ogy Act (LSTA), administered inCalifornia by the State Librarian. Eachyear since 1957, the program hasawarded grants on a competitive basisfor locally initiated proposals. TheLSTA supports projects involving theinnovative use of technology, net-working and resource sharing, as wellas the development of targeted libraryand information services.

During the first year of the grant(2001-2002), the partners selected

primary source materials relating tothe history of transportation in theSacramento Valley region from themid-19th century to the late 1920s.With an eye for diversity, strikingimagery and content, each institution

selected some 250 examples fromtheir collections to illustrate travel,recreation and commerce as theyrelate to railroad, bicycle, airplane,maritime and animal-powered modes

of transportation. During a secondyear of funding (2002-2003), thepartners are adding materials that tellthe story of the region�s rich agricul-tural history.

Two easy-to-use search screensallow students to search transporta-tion topics by keyword, or to narrowthe query by date, transportationmode, document type or institution.

Sacramento History Online introduces users to theCalifornia State Railroad Museum Library�s documen-tary collections, giving website visitors a chance tosample the CSRM Library�s diverse holdings.

Sacramento History Online is a digital library of rare and primary sources relating to the historyof the Sacramento County area. It brings together materials from the collections of fourSacramento research institutions.

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Site visitors will find photographs,pamphlets, technical drawings,posters, postcards, book and periodi-cal illustrations, and even a fewlicense plates. The details of full-sizedrawings, handwritten letters and thefull text of selected pamphlets can bestudied online or printed for review.

Complementing the image catalogis a narrative history of Sacramento-area transportation, and a timeline.McLean Media, of Grass Valley,created an eight-lesson curriculumguide to assist teachers in makingeffective use of the website in theclassroom. A travel game, useful forschool-age children and at-homefamily learning, entertains as well aseducates users of all ages.

Sacramento History Onlineintroduces users to the CaliforniaState Railroad Museum Library�sdocumentary collections, givingwebsite visitors a chance to samplethe CSRM Library�s diverse holdings.Links within the image catalogrecords lead researchers to theLibrary�s online catalogs that aredirectly available at the Museum�swebsite:www.californiastaterailroadmuseum.org.Funding for the development andhosting of the CSRM Library onlinecatalogs was provided by a grant fromthe North American Railway Founda-tion, headquartered in Harrisburg,Pennsylvania.

The CSRM Library�s catalogs havelong been available for searching on-site in the reading room. With grantfunding, the Library staff was able torealize the goal of providing access tothe Museum�s collections over the

Internet. Users can search forinformation about the Library�sarchives and manuscripts collections;books, periodicals and otherpublished documents; as well asemployee timetables and accidentreports.

Customized search screens allowfor targeted searching of the Library�sextensive holdings of technicaldrawings and documents from theLima Locomotive Works collection.The Pullman Company negativecatalog describes images of rollingstock, both passenger and freight,dating from the late 1880s to the1940s. About 125 of the over 3,000catalogued images were scanned andadded to the online catalog forviewing.

The California StateRailroad Museum Li-brary is open for re-search use Tuesdaythrough Saturday, from1 to 5 p.m. Pleasecontact Library staff at(916) 323-8073 forquestions about theMuseum�s researchcollections and thenewly launched onlineresources.

This is one example of the historic photos in the archive. It shows the celebration for thearrival of a new 3-cylinder compound 4-10-2 class of locomotive, 5000 series. View is lookingeast. South end of Roundhouse is visible at left.

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State Parks Again Wins Big at SIOC AwardsBy Jenan Saunders

Interpretation & Education

On May 8, the State InformationOfficers Council (SIOC) presentedCalifornia State Parks with an out-standing number of awards for avariety of publications produced in2002. Eight parks staff memberswere in attendance at the awardsceremony, which took place inSacramento and was emceed by ourown Roy Stearns. Below are listedthe awards given to State Parks,including the category, award level,name of the project, and name of theindividual (or group) responsible forthe project.

Mary Helmich, of the Interpreta-tion and Education Division, wasgranted a Gold Award in the categoryof Brochure/Pamphlet (1-2 colors)for her Heritage Adventures BrochureProgram.

The Interpretive PublicationsSection earned a Gold Award in theBrochure/Pamphlet (3+ colors)category for the Park Map andBrochure Program, and that entryalso took the Grand Prize Award forthe entire category.

Laurena Cabañero, of the Inter-pretive Publications Section , wasgranted a Gold Award in the Logocategory for the logo she created forthe National Association of StateParks Directors conference. Laurenaalso earned a Silver Award in thePoster Category for the DiversityRecognition Posters Program.

Heather Fargo and LaurenaCabañero, both of the Interpretationand Education Division, earned a GoldAward in the Best Product Impact(more than $750) category for theVolunteer Recruitment Brochure.

Joe Rosato, Laura Wagner, DavidL. Widell and the OHMVR Divisionwere selected for a Gold Award in thecategory of Special Report (3+colors) for their report entitled,�Taking the High Road,� and werethen awarded the Grand Prize for thatentire category. Joe Rosato, LauraWagner and Square Tree, Inc., alsoearned a Silver Award in the Magazine(3+ colors) category for Off-RoadAdventures magazine.

Laura Wagner and Crocker/Flanagan were granted a Gold Awardin the Posters Category for theirthree-part poster series entitled�Come Out and Play!�

California State Parks� Communi-cations Office earned a Silver Awardin the Newsletter (3+ colors) cat-egory for the News and Viewsnewsletter, and a Silver Award fortheir Public Service Announcement(PSA) entitled, �Big Basin State Park�100 Year Anniversary � ClintEastwood.�

Congratulations to all this year�swinners!

Eight parks staff members were in attendance at the awards ceremony, which took place inSacramento and was emceed by our own Roy Stearns. Pictured (from left to right): front row PatMcLatchey, Carol Cullens, Laurena Cabañero, Leslie Walery; back row Steve Capps, RoyStearns, and Mary Helmich.

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Congratulations to all of our winners � we are proud of your work!

The 2002 Interpretive Publications Section (from left to right): Gail Dudding, Sherri Vargas, Carol Cullens, Pat McLatchey, Laurena Cabañero, RonWarr, and Tom Lindberg in front.

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Putting Geologic TimeInto Perspective � California Style

By R. Forrest HopsonGeological Information Services

Reno, [email protected]

Planet Earth formed about 4.6billion years ago. Since then, anynumber of significant events hasoccurred. To name a few, the earliestforms of life made their appearanceabout 3.8 billion years ago, freeoxygen began to accumulate forminga primitive atmosphere about 3 billionyears ago, the Atlantic Ocean openedand closed twice following thebreakup of the supercontinentPangaea 200 million years ago, thedinosaurs became extinct 65 millionyears ago, the Himalaya Mountainsbegan forming about 37 million yearsago, and by about 1 million years agomuch of our planet was covered in iceduring a worldwide glaciation event.

To put the enormity of geologictime into perspective, it would beinteresting to scale the entire 4.6billion years of Earth history into onecalendar year. The �year� of Earthhistory can be subdivided intomonths, weeks, days, hours, minutes,and seconds. If we were to scale theentire 4.6 billion years of Earth�shistory into a single calendar year,each day would be equivalent to 12.6million years, each hour to 525,000years, each minute to 8,752 years,and each second to 146 years.

This article lists in chronological orderthe ages of selected important geologicevents that occurred in California from thestandpoint of one year.

The geologic clock began tickingat midnight on New Year�s Eve whenthe earth formed from a coalescinggas cloud. For the first six months, allwas geologically quiet in what was tobecome California, although othergeological events occurred elsewhere

around the world. Then on June 26 at1:34 P.M. the first granitic rocks thathave been found crystallized frommolten magma that was intrudingbeneath the newly developing conti-nent.

Although the timing is poorlyconstrained, things were relativelyquiet for another four months or so,but sometime between September 11at 9:55 P.M. and October 8 at 2:21A.M. the first sedimentary rocks�limestone�were deposited in shallowseas near Death Valley during the firstrifting event in the western UnitedStates. On October 21 at 2:05 in theafternoon, a sequence of conglomer-ate and limestone was laid downduring a short-lived extensional eventthat was also contemporaneous withthe first glaciation event in California.This event was followed by onemonth of geologic quiescence.

From November 30 on, the paceof the known geologic developmentof California began to pick up withnew events happening every few days.That morning at 10:49, plus or minusa few hours, a series of volcanicisland arcs�chains of volcanic

islands�developed off the west coastof the newly developing continent.

For the next two and a half daysvolcanic activity from the arc wascontemporaneous with tectonictransport towards the westerncontinental coast. During the weehours of the morning�12:55�ofDecember 3, these volcanic island arcrocks as well as surrounding oceaniccrustal rocks began accreting to thecontinent, which was to later becomethe west slope of the Sierra Nevada,and continued for the next 10 days.Meanwhile, in eastern California andsouthwestern Nevada at 5:29 A.M.the next day, a thick sequence ofmostly carbonate rocks�limestoneand dolostone�was deposited inshallow inland seas.

Beginning December 13 at 8:40A.M., and ending Christmas Day,

If we were to scale the entire 4.6 billion years ofEarth�s history into a single calendar year, each daywould be equivalent to 12.6 million years, each hourto 525,000 years, each minute to 8,752 years, andeach second to 146 years.

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magmas rose above the subductingFarallon tectonic plate forming chainsof volcanoes along the continentalmargin between British Columbia andMexico. Granitic plutons and golddeposits formed from the risingmagmas, which include the rocks thatmake up the Sierra Nevada. OnDecember 19 at 7:18 A.M. a regionalmetamorphic event known as theNevadan Orogeny occurred thataffected the entire Sierra Nevada asthe final earlier-formed volcanic islandarc and oceanic crustal rocks wereaccreted against its western slope.

On December 21 at 4:26 P.M. aline of volcanoes that formed as aresult of the subducting Farallon platehad developed at the latitudes be-tween San Diego and San Clemente.The rocks erupted from these volca-noes were to become known as theSantiago Peak volcanics. The begin-ning of this volcanic island arc eventwas followed by the deposition ofgold between 11:29 A.M. and 9:00that night, that included the famedMother Lode gold deposit along thewestern slope of the Sierra Nevada. Afew hours later in the wee hours ofDecember 22�12:48 A.M.�SantiagoPeak volcanoes had shut off. OnChristmas Day, at 3:39 in the after-noon, granitic intrusion events endedand the ancient Sierra Nevada beganto erode.

On the evening of December 26at 8:13 an inland sea began to form inwhat is now the Central Valley.Meanwhile, oblique subduction of theFarallon Plate was occurring off thesouthern California continental marginprompting the earliest stages of rightlateral displacement along the SanAndreas Fault after 6:40 on the

evening of December 29. At 12:24the next morning, a local rifting eventnear the present location of LosAngeles caused the Los AngelesBasin to open. The early Los AngelesBasin served as a center for thickaccumulations of sediment later thatafternoon. The opening of the LosAngeles Basin was contemporaneouswith the end of erosion of the ancientSierra Nevada, which had beenreduced to a rolling upland with lowtopographic relief.

A few hours later at 6:06 conti-nental rifting of the western UnitedStates began, creating the Basin andRange geologic province. This riftingevent affected all of eastern Californiaand is still occurring to this day. At9:54 A.M. a chain of volcanoes wasdeveloping along the southernCalifornia continental margin owing tothe subducting Farallon Plate. Late thatafternoon at 5:31 the TransverseRanges had rotated: 45° clockwisefor the eastern Transverse Ranges and90° clockwise for the westernTransverse Ranges. By 7:26 theFarallon Plate had completely sub-ducted beneath the continent, mark-ing the end to volcanism in southernCalifornia.

December 31, the final day of thecalendar year, California began to takeits present form. At 10:40:11 in themorning, the Los Angeles basin hadtaken its present shape, and less than2 hours later�12:36:26 P.M.�thepresent tectonic situation off thecoast of northern California wasestablished as the Pacific tectonicplate began subducting beneath theNorth America plate. This event marksthe onset of earliest volcanic activityin the southern Cascade Range, which

continues to this day. At 2:48:42 themodern Sierra Nevada began to risecontemporaneously with the drainingof the inland sea that filled the CentralValley. By 4:22:57 northwesternMexico began pulling away from theMexican mainland to form the Gulf ofCalifornia, with the Salton Trough atits north end.

At 6:22:49 there was a majorchange in California�s climate as airtemperatures plummeted and thehighest peaks in the state, includingthe Sierra Nevada, were covered withglacial ice. Glaciation continuedintermittently for the next 25 sec-onds. Shortly thereafter at 8:11:29the Coast Ranges began uplifting,which was followed by the earlieststages of rifting of the San FranciscoBay at 8:34:20. At 8:57:11 volcanicactivity in the Central Valley built theSutter Buttes. By 10:05:45, theCentral Valley was completelyblocked so streams draining theSierra Nevada and Coast Rangesformed a shallow lake called LakeClyde.

Meanwhile, east of the Sierracrest near the California-Nevadaboundary and less than 30 secondslater at 10:33:10, Long Valley calderaerupted cataclysmically, sending outvoluminous ashflows up to 20 milesnorth and south of the volcano. At10:51:27 Lake Clyde had completelydried up. By 11:32:35, pluvial LakeManly began filling Death Valley, and26 minutes later it had dried up. Tenseconds later, San Francisco Bay hadreached its present level and LakeTahoe had completely filled, thusmarking the final stages of the geologicevolution of California up to now.

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Ages of significant geologic events in California scaled to one yearMajor Events Region Geologic Age Scaled To One Year

(Years) Date TimeEarth age 4,600,000,000 January 1 00:00:00First granitic rocks Southeastern California 2,400,000,000 June 26 1:33 A.M.First sedimentary rocks Death Valley 1,400,000,000 September 11 9:55 P.M.First glaciation event Death Valley 900,000,000 October 8 2:05 P.M.Volcanic island arc Sierra Nevada 385,000,000 November 30 10:49 P.M.Beginning of accreting Sierra Nevada 365,000,000 December 3 12:55 A.M.Carbonate Rocks Southeastern California 350,000,000 December 4 5:29 A.M.Beginning of granitic intrusion

British Columbia to Mexico incl. Sierra Nevada 216,000,000 December 13 8:40 A.MNevada orogeny Sierra Nevada 160,000,000 December 19 7:18 A.M.Beginning of Santiago Peak volcanism Near San Diego 130,000,000 December 21 4:26 P.M.Beginning of Mother Lode gold deposition

Western Sierra Nevada 120,000,000 December 22 11:29 A.M.End of Mother Lode gold deposition Western Sierra Nevada 115,000,000 December 22 9:00 P.M.End of Santiago Peak volcanism Near San Diego 113,000,000 December 23 12:48 A.M.End of granitic intrusion

British Columbia to Mexico incl. Sierra Nevada 80,000,000 December 25 3:39 P.M.Begin erosion of ancient Sierra Nevada Sierra Nevada 80,000,000 December 25 3:39 P.M.Begin inland sea Central Valley 65,000,000 December 26 8:13 P.M.Begin San Andreas fault Southern California 28,000,000 December 29 6:40 P.M.Begin Los Angeles Basin rifting Los Angeles 25,000,000 December 30 12:24 A.M.End erosion of ancient Sierra Nevada Sierra Nevada 25,000,000 December 30 12:24 A.M.Begin Basin and Range

Western United States incl. southeastern California 22,000,000 December 30 6:06 A.M.Rotation of Transverse Ranges Southern California 16,000,000 December 30 5:31 P.M.Present shape of Los Angeles Basin Los Angeles 7,000,000 December 31 10:40:11 A.M.Uplift of southern Cascade Range Northeastern California 6,000,000 December 31 12:34:36 P.M.End inland sea Central Valley 5,000,000 December 31 2:28:27 P.M.The modern Sierra Nevada begins to rise 5,000,000 December 31 2:28:42 P.M.Begin Gulf Of California rifting Northwestern Mexico 4,000,000 December 31 4:22:57 P.M.Begin glaciation Many California mountain ranges 3,100,000 December 31 6:22:49 P.M.Uplift of Coast Ranges Western California 2,000,000 December 31 8:11:29 P.M.Begin San Francisco Bay rifting San Francisco Bay Area 1,800,000 December 31 8:34:20 P.M.Sutter Buttes Central Valley near Sacramento 1,600,000 December 31 8:57:11 P.M.Begin filling of Lake Clyde Central Valley 1,000,000 December 31 10:05:45 P.M.Bishop Tuff eruption Mammoth Lakes 760,000 December 31 10:33:10 P.M.Lake Clyde drained Central Valley 600,000 December 31 10:51:27 P.M.Begin filling Lake Manly Death Valley 240,000 December 31 11:32:35 P.M.Lake Manly drained Death Valley 10,500 December 31 11:58:42 P.M.San Francisco Bay San Francisco Bay Area 10,000 December 31 11:58:52 P.M.Lake Tahoe Eastern California 10,000 December 31 11:58:52 P.M

Geologic Time Table

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Cadets Practice Interpretive TechniquesThe cadets shown here during the

interpretive training phase are mem-bers of BVST 25. They recentlygraduated and are now workingthroughout the state. We congratu-late them on the successful comple-tion of their Academy!

Cadet campfire programs are evaluated usingthe department�s RAPPORT form.

Cadets become crabs, seastars and limpets in this game that demonstrates the relationship ofthe moon and the tidal cycle.

Can I light myself on fire with a bug box?Getting ready for the Buggy Olympics.

Cadets experience activities they can use with school groups and Jr. Rangers. Photos byJoanie Stadtherr Cahill.

Catalyst

Presentation Hints for Living HistoryBy Troy Dunham Volunteer,

Petaluma Adobe State Historic Park

So it�s Living History Day at yourpark! You�ve done your research,your period outfit looks marvelous,you have your demonstration gear alllaid out and you�re ready to bring onthe park visitors . . . Now what?Some interpreters struggle withfinding ways to engage their audience.The following article offers hints andsuggestions on ways to connect withour visitors through our attitudes, ourspeech, our mechanics and the physicallayout of our interpretation area.

As interpreters, we always needto be aware of the visitor�s percep-tion. When the public walks into aLiving History program for the firsttime, they�ve entered into a world thatmay be alien to them. They maywonder, �Why are these peopledressed oddly and talking that funnyway?� Our visitors may be shy,confused, disoriented, or evenintimidated by their new surroundings.It�s helpful to give visitors some formof orientation upon entering a LivingHistory event, especially if partici-pants are using first person interpreta-tion techniques. Because the publicmay feel uncomfortable towardsinterpreters in period dress at first,we need to extend ourselves effec-tively to connect with visitors.

AttitudeWhen we are interpreting,

especially in first person, we create amind-set. Poise is an important partof successful interpreting, no matterwhich method of presentation you

use. Poise shows that you areknowledgeable and comfortable inyour role and that confidence trulyhas a magnetic effect on visitors.Your confidence radiates to thepublic, and it shows that you arewilling and available to interact withthem to maximize their enjoyment ofthe experience. Having confidencedoesn�t mean being a swaggering�know it all;� that attitude also radi-ates, but in a negative way. Poisecomes with practice and experience,and as they say, if you don�t haveconfidence yet, act like you do.

We interpreters are not the starsof a Living History program. Sure,good interpreters are a big attractionto any Living History event, but thereal star is the historic site and/or thehistorical subject being featured.Through all the methods and stylesthat interpreters use, we worktogether as a team towards a com-mon goal. And that goal is to com-municate why the historic site and/orthe historical subject is significant.

Make Yourself Available To VisitorsBe sure that your body language

and facial expressions communicatethat you are open and approachable.If interpreters are gathered in a grouptalking amongst themselves, visitorswill not want to interrupt to askquestions. When you see folkscoming your way, break it up. Thepublic is much more comfortabletalking to individuals, particularlythose who appear welcoming, openand friendly.

Be Active, Be Doing SomethingBy doing a simple period chore

or craft demonstration, you arecreating a casual atmosphere thatinvites visitors to approach you. andask the magic question, �What�chadoing?� Once the ice is brokenbetween the visitor and the inter-preter, the fun really begins. Take theinitiative and strike up conversationswith the quiet ones; they will be gladyou did.

Some demonstrations are effec-

What works for a uniformed interpreter may be different than what works best for a livinghistory interpreter.

Catalyst

tively done while sitting down. Peopleare less threatened by us when weare sitting down, and they are morelikely to come over to see what youare doing. If you discover that noteveryone listening to you can seewhat you�re doing, then stand up anddirect your presentation to the wholegroup. When more visitors walk in onthe middle of your presentation,complete the first talk and then begin allover again. Your first viewers will thenknow it�s time to move on, and the newfolks will step in closer to watch.

Talk To People, Not At ThemIt is wise to come up with a short

introductory talk about your subject,perhaps 3-5 minutes in length. Whenyou are talking, be aware of thelisteners� body language. You don�twant to launch into a twenty-minutedissertation for a group when they arelooking at their watches and shiftingfrom one foot to another. When youraudience starts to step in closer withcurious eyes, move into a longermore detailed talk, perhaps 10-15minutes. You will know by people�smannerisms and questions whetherthey are ready to move on, orwhether you have them fascinated andbegging for more.

Be friendly and enjoy yourself.Listen to people�s questions carefully,especially children�s. We are alwayssurprised how knowledgeable someof our visitors are, and they also havesome very interesting stories to tell.Be good listeners as well as goodinterpreters.

If someone asks you a questionthat you can�t answer, don�t be afraidto say, �I don�t know.� The fact that

they are asking questions shows thatyou have stirred their interest. Callover another participant to help fieldthe question or refer them to some-one else.

Make Your Setting Visitor FriendlyBe aware of the physical arrange-

ment of your interpretation area.There should a plan for easy visitorflow throughout your program�sentire setting. Work to eliminatedead-ends and bottlenecks in yourplaits. If you need a barrier toseparate visitors from the interpreter�sareas, be creative and make thebarrier part of your period display.

Each demonstration or activityarea should be arranged from thevisitor�s point of view. Display itemsso they are easy to see, well lit andattractively arranged. A commonmistake is to display too many itemsin a limited space; the visitor�s eyesglaze-over because all they see is ajumble of mysterious things. It�smore effective to display a limitednumber of carefully chosen items forvisitors to see.

Hands-On DemonstrationsPeople are used to being told

not to touch things, particularlykids. So when they do get toparticipate in hands-on activities andhandle special things, it leaves alasting impression. You must usekeen judgment here and be certainthat all participants are informed of

your program�s policies on thissubject. Obviously you don�t letpeople handle objects that can hurtthem.

Hands-on activities are a dynamicaddition to interpretive programs andshould be supervised by responsibleindividuals at all times.

Speaking To CrowdsHere are some effective mechan-

ics used by stage actors and profes-sional speakers when talking to largegroups. The larger your audience, thelouder and more clearly you shouldspeak. Slow down the tempo of yourspeech. If you�re talking in the middleof a group, turn from side to side asyou speak so everyone can hear you.

When performing a skit withother interpreters, adjust yourmechanics so that the most peoplecan see and hear you. Rather thanstanding face to face with othercharacters as you would in normalconversation, stay back a step or twoand remain turned slightly towardyour audience � just like actors on a

stage. As you speak in a slightlyslowed tempo, turn from side to sidedirecting what you say to fellowinterpreters and audience alike.Sometimes nervousness sneaks up onus when we are speaking to a bigcrowd. Don�t let nerves hurry youthrough your routine. Go slowly,remember these hints and have fun!

Create a casual atmosphere that invites visitors to askthe magic question, �What�cha doing?�

Catalyst

Attending a National Interpreters Workshop

November 11-15, 2003

A Dummy�s Guide

Are you even just a little bitcurious about the NationalInterpreter�s Workshop? This year isyour chance to come and find out. Itwill be held in Reno / Sparks Nevadaand won�t be this close to us again formany years.

In the last issue we discussed thecomplexities of �Out of State� traveland considered some potentialalternate sources for travel funds. Inthis piece we hope to take some ofthe mystery out of the registrationprocess.

NAI members should havealready received the registrationpacket by mail. It can also be down-loaded at www.interpnet.com. Don�tdelay, you�ll pay an extra fifty bucks ifyou wait until after October 7. Alsosome popular activities will be soldout.

The name and address section ispretty straightforward, but rememberyour name, organization and city willend up on your workshop nametag.Also, all of the information will bepublished on the participant list, soexclude anything you don�t want toshare.

It starts to get a bit confusingwhen you get into the registrationcategory. Of course, members paymore than non-members. If you wantto save a buck, download a member-ship form and join NAI before youregister for the workshop. There aremembership categories available thatcost less than the difference betweenmember and non-member registration.

Don�t be put off by the registra-tion fee ($315). It includes a lot morethan might be obvious to you. Inaddition to a very full schedule ofactivities there are several meals andcatered receptions included in thebasic fee. So don�t skip lunch� it�spaid for! You will also receive theInterpretive Sourcebook and a fewother nice goodies too.

The Awards Banquet is an option.If you need to save money, skip it (orwatch for discounted tickets duringthe workshop). But if you can swingthe cost, I encourage you to give it atry. The banquet caps off the weeknicely, and it�s the place where werecognize our profession�s best. Iknow it is a bit tough to shell out $45for a banquet style chicken dinner, butif you enjoy dancing (even a little)you�ll have a great time.

The next option is the SpecialEvents evening. You�ll want to, at aminimum, choose the free option.Next you will see three different types

of activities that all happen before theworkshop: Preworkshop Training,Interpretive Management Institute andPreworkshop Trips. Remember eachof these options is in addition to a fullweek of training. So while each ofthem is an excellent opportunity, Iusually skip them to save a littlemoney (and save enough room in mybrain for the week that follows)!

Toward the bottom of the pageyou�ll see Off-Site Sessions. Remem-ber, in the middle of the workshop,we shift gears for sessions in the field.Be sure to register for one of the off-site sessions as many interpreters findthis field-trip day the most instructive(and fun) part of the workshop. Yes,you could just drive over to see oneof the sites offered on your own, butyou won�t get the same experiencethat you get travelling with a group ofinterpreters.

The final section offers guesttickets. This option is primarily forspouses who want to join in onevening sessions. Note that evensome of the activities that are free toworkshop participants have a fee forguest tickets. Don�t just assume thatthe event is free and you can bring afriend � they�ll be checking tickets.

The registration form is complex,but only because of the many events,sessions, courses and field trips thatthe NIW offers. Don�t delay, fill it outtoday. I hope to see YOU in Renothis November. In the next Catalystwatch for a few tips about attendingthe workshop.

Catalyst

Radical Rants: Seasonal JusticeBy Karen I. Shragg

Wood Lake Minnesota

One of the few shows I try tocatch regularly on T.V. is �Live at theActor�s Studio.� At the end of theshow the host James Lipton asks hisguests, �What is your least favoriteword?� I always try to answer thequestion myself. Lately I�ve beenthinking that one of my least favoritewords is �seasonal;� not as in Sea-sonal Affective Disorder, although thatis no picnic, and not as in changes inthe seasons. I�m referring to theword �seasonal� as in naturalists hiredfor a portion of the week or year forno benefits. �Seasonal� is a word thattoo often becomes synonymous with�expendable.�

In our ever increasing world ofrevenue generation, these are thepeople who are the income genera-tors, the ones who do the birthdayparties, the scout groups, the week-end public programs. These frontlinefolks are the naturalists the publicsees, the people that keep themcoming back for more, the ones thatmake budget revenues look good.

In tight budget times, like we arecurrently experiencing, these posi-tions are some of the first to go.Even though their time is often moredirectly tied to revenue producingprograms, these positions are throwninto the sacrificial flames becausereinstating a seasonal position is mucheasier than trying to get a full timeposition put back in one�s budget.Under these circumstances alternativefunding to save seasonal positions

needs to be pursued, not onlybecause it can be easily justified dueto the potential revenue gain, butbecause we need to have entry levelpositions in our field. We also needthese positions to pay enough perhour so that no one is tempted awayby a cashiering job at the localhardware store.

The trend to eliminate seasonalpositions as a budget saving tool willprobably be with us for a long time.While they are on staff we need to besure that these recent or not-so-recent college graduates, excitedabout entering our profession, arebeing treated as professionals.Seasonal naturalists expect to paytheir dues by taking the worst hoursand living with the stress of zerohealth benefits. Now added to theirstress is the worry that their jobs maybe eliminated.

We as managers and full timenaturalists who work side by side withthese �professionals in entry levelpositions� as I prefer to call them,need to be sure that they are well

appreciated while we are fortunateenough to have them on staff. Theyneed to feel they are not there just toconduct already-developed programs.These naturalists need to be includedat staff meetings and tapped for theircreativity. We need to make theirexperience in these entry levelpositions fulfilling by giving themmany opportunities for professionalgrowth. They may not come to uswith finely tuned skills in a specialtyarea, but they should leave us withmany skills and a wide variety ofexperiences that will give them abetter chance of getting a full timejob. They need to be encouraged totough it out until a full time positionopens up or we as a profession risklosing them as the most importantresource of our profession�s future.

James Lipton also asks his guestswhat their favorite word is. For a longtime mine has been �justice.� Justiceis served when we treat people fairly,and who better to start with thanthose in our midst who are trying toget their foot in the door of thenaturalist profession?

Catalyst

Exhibit Planning the NPS WayBy Joanie Cahill

District Interpretive SpecialistAnza-Borrego Desert State Park

Those of you involved with exhibitplanning, whether it be for a smallmuseum or a large visitor center, maywant to consider using a databasedeveloped by the National ParkService�s Harper�s Ferry Center.

The database is called MuseumExhibit Planner and works onFilemaker Pro software. FilemakerPro 6 retails for $272.00, and yourdistrict may already be using it forother applications. A free trial versionis available at www.filemaker.com.

The Museum Exhibit Plannerapplication may be downloaded freefrom the National Park Service atwww.nps.gov/hfc/exhibits/exhibit-planner/. Granted, this approach isnot for everyone, as you must have atleast a beginner�s level of comfortwith the use of databases. But onceyou get the NPS file opened-up in theFilemaker Pro software, some usersmay be able to put it right to work.

Here�s how it works. The data-base provides the structure, and youbuild your exhibit plan piece by piece.Each piece of text, artifact or photobecomes a record that is categorizedand stored. The categories (or fields)are:

L=Labels (exhibit text to be read byvisitors including captions, titles,quotations)G=Graphics (photos, illustrations,maps and other images)

or theme of an individual exhibit)D=Digital Graphic Layouts (com-puter files integrating multiple ele-ments for output)

Customized work screens speedtasks such as label-writing, editing,graphic sizing, photo reproductionordering, and artifact tracking. Drop-down menus provide standardizedfield entries. Museum Exhibit Planneralso creates professionally formattedreports and documents to help youconvey your plan to stakeholders,donors, or contractors.

Each record (that is, each ele-ment of the exhibit plan) is assigned athree-part number. A sample itemmight have a number like this:

A=Artifacts (objects for displayincluding artifacts, models andspecimens)E=Equipment (catch-all categorywhich includes video monitors,interactive devices, a/v programs)P=Purpose (Purpose, objective and/

Customized work screens speed tasks such as label-writing, editing, graphic sizing, photoreproduction ordering, and artifact tracking. Drop-down menus provide standardized fieldentries.

Catalyst

G-04-012G means it is a graphic04 means it goes in exhibit number 4012 means it is item number 12

So, an entire exhibit (Exhibit #4)in the planning stages might looksomething like this:

P-04-000 Statement of exhibit�spurposeL-04-001 A title, �Coyote Creek:Stream of Life�L-04-002 A subtitle: Wanted:Riparian AreasL-04-003 Text developing themeG-04-004 Map of Coyote Canyonand Coyote CreekA-04-005 Taxidermied specimen,bighorn sheepA-04-006 Taxidermied specimen,mountain lionA-04-007 Taxidermied specimen,least Bell�s vireoL-04-008 Caption for dioramaG-04-009 Background photo fordioramaE-04-010 A/V program on bighornsheepL-04-011 Label for under A/V showpush button

When it comes time to print listsor reports, you can print a compre-hensive plan, a plan that just listspurposes, a plan that just lists arti-facts, etc. Here is an example pagefrom reports I�ve printed. You maynotice this plan is in the beginningstages, so not all elements arepresent.

I�ve been using Museum ExhibitPlanner for about six months, and ithas become a favorite tool. By

providing the structure and organizedstorage of information and graphics,the database allows me to spendmore time on creativity. Once youunderstand the system, it is easy touse and organizes things logically.

Don�t confuse this with TMS orother database software used formuseum collections. While they do agreat job at managing collections, thisis a specialty application focused onexhibit planning. Sure, any database

could be made to do something likethis, but Museum Exhibit Plannerprovides a well-tested, proven struc-ture that is ready to use.

If you�re interested in learningmore about Museum Exhibit Planner,be sure to attend the NationalInterpreter�s Workshop in Reno thisNovember. Staff from the Harper�sFerry Center will be there to demon-strate the database and provideinstruction.

Museum Exhibit Planner also creates professionally formatted reports. You can print acomprehensive plan, a plan that just lists purposes, a plan that just lists artifacts, etc.

Catalyst

The Road Less Traveled

Identity Crisis?By Jaime Mendez

It was bound to happen. The daywas absolutely gorgeous � sunnywith not a cloud in the sky. It was theperfect type of day to be outsidesoaking up the sunshine and leisurelywalking down a favorite forest trail. Infact, that was exactly what I wasdoing. Today was the day to actuallystop and smell the flowers � to put allmy cares away. Then the sky grewsuddenly dark, blocking out the warmsummer sun. The gentle breeze beganto gain momentum and grow chill.The leisurely stroll became a briskwalk as I hastened toward home. Itwas as if this day couldn�t decide whatit really was. How absurd � a dayhaving an identity crisis!

It�s bound to happen. During acasual conversation someone askswhere you work. Before you know ityou�re telling them all about your

park, historical monument or mu-seum. The conversation gets livelieras others join in with their adventuresat a favorite park. You�re reallyenjoying the repartee when someonecomments that it must be exciting tobe a forest ranger. �I�m an inter-preter.� �Oh, I didn�t know thatrangers had to translate foreign

languages.� The quizzical expressionsmake it abundantly clear that FreemanTilden is definitely not requiredreading for this group. It�s as if thesepeople had never been to a visitorcenter or taken a hike. How absurd �not knowing the difference between aranger and an interpreter!

It did happen. The Native Ameri-can didn�t want to talk to the inter-preter because he thought theinterpreter was an anthropologist. Theguide didn�t want to be reclassified as

an interpreter because interpreterswould have to work in the visitorcenter. The naturalist didn�t want tobe called a guide or an interpreterbecause naturalists do not give toursor work in the visitor center. Theranger avoided campfire programsand cringed at interpretive training butloved leading hikes and giving nature

talks. The archeologist was clearlyexcited about �his� site and wanted tointerpret the excavation himself. Thequizzical expression on theinterpreter�s face made it abundantlyclear that Sam Ham needed to have aserious talk with this group. Howabsurd �park professionals with anidentity crisis!

It doesn�t have to continue. Justlike the weather, attitudes can changefor the better. Interpretation iscommunication. Perhaps one of ourgreatest challenges is communicatingto our co-workers what interpretationreally is and how coordinating inter-pretive efforts can help all of us reachour goals. Even flawlessly executedinterpretation will probably not besuccessful in convincing visitors thatevery park employee is not a rangerbut it should address the moreserious misconceptions about inter-pretation and interpreters. Talented,educated park professionals with anidentity crisis � how absurd!

Want to see your story in print? Tell me whoyou are, where you work, and what you do. E-mail me at [email protected]

Perhaps the greatest challenge is communicating toour co-workers what interpretation really is and howcoordinating interpretive efforts can enhance a park�sinterpretive program.

Catalyst

California�s Tapestry A Section of The Catalyst Office of Community Involvement Issue #17 - Summer 03

Submit articles and comments to: Jack K. Shu, Park Superintendent, OCI-Southern California, c/o Southern Service Center, 8885 Rio San DiegoDrive, San Diego 92108, Ph# (619) 220-5330.

Diversity SeminarOn June 4th of this year the

Golden State Environmental Educa-tion Consortium (GSEEC), as part ofthe national Environmental Educationand Training Partnership (EETAP)sponsored a Diversity Seminar in LosAngeles. The topic was �Developing aRoadmap to Diverse, Effective, andDynamic Leadership in the field ofEnvironmental Education in Califor-nia.�

GSEEC was fortunate to haveProfessor Emeritus from UC River-side Carlos E. Cortes present tofacilitate the event. Since 1990 hehas served on the summer faculty ofthe Harvard Institutes for HigherEducation and is also on the faculty ofthe Summer Institute for InterculturalCommunication. Highlights from Dr.Cortes� talk as it relates to educationand interpretation are as follows:

Dr. Cortes stated that there aresix �Imperatives� in dealing withdiversity.

1) Perceptions: As we evaluatemulticulturalism as part of our society,lets look at our views. How do theyfit with what we do or don�t do? Arethey consistent with current informa-

tion such as urban communities andminorities voting for park bonds athigher percentage than white ruralcommunities?

2) Interactions: Considerdifferent perspectives. People havedifferent views and ways of express-ing their understanding of the environ-ment and how to care for it. Howdoes the �Culture� of parks reflect ornot reflect the variety of ways peoplesee themselves as stewards of naturaland cultural resources?

3) Balancing: To be inclusive ina multicultural society, we need tobalance how and what we present torepresent many cultures.

4) Limits: We all have ourlimitations when it comes to ourpersonal beliefs on diversity. Recog-

nize where your limits are and realizethat as a professional, in the businessof education and interpretation, we donot place our own limits in our work.

5) Equity: On this point, weknow that one person of a particulargroup does not speak for everyonefrom that group. However, manypeople in that group may have thesame perceptions as that one person.So, be fair and reasonable; correctwhat is causing a bias.

6) Change: California is chang-ing. We do not always have to do thetraditional things such as campfires,songs, nature activities and quotingthe same old preservationists. It takeseffort to change and there is a degreeof risk to consider as well. However,there is assurance in what will happenif we do not change.

These �Imperatives� are consis-tent with the comments of otherleaders who have addressed diversityin our field. They can provide a basefor a �Roadmap.�

Carlos Cortes has two newbooks, The Making � and Remaking -of a Multiculturalist and The Childrenare Watching, How the Media Teachabout Diversity. They are availablefrom Teachers College Press(www.tcpress.com) which has manyother interesting books on education.

There are six �Impera-tives� in dealing withdiversity: PerceptionsInteractions, Balancing,Limits, Equity andChange.

Catalyst Summer 2003 Contents

From the Editor Page 3Interpreters' Resources Page 4Dear Master Interpreter Page 5History Goes Virtual: CSRM Library Online Page 6State Parks Again Wins Big at SIOC Awards Page 8Putting Geologic Time Into Perspective Page 10Cadets Practice Interpretive Techniques Page 13Presentation Hints for Living History Page 14Dummy�s Guide to Attending a NIW Page 16Radical Rants: Seasonal Justice Page 17Exhibit Planning the NPS Way Page 18The Road Less Traveled Page 20California�s Tapestry Page 21

Interpretation & EducationRoom 1431P.O. Box 942896Sacramento, CA 94296-0001®

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