Essay Evaluating Environmental Interpretation with Mixed Method Case Study – Management Assignment Help

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A mixed method approach was used to evaluate effectiveness of environmental interpretation on visitors’ knowledge, environmental attitude, and pro-environmental behavioral intentions at the International Crane Foundation. Quantitative analysis suggests that participating in personal interpretation has the advantage of improving an audience’s knowledge level, but is no more effective than nonpersonal interpretation in influencing attitude and behavioral intentions. Personal and nonpersonal interpretive methods are both effective in promoting knowledge and behavioral intentions for conservation, but do not influence environmental attitude. Qualitative results indicate that participation in personal interpretation makes more of an impression in the visitors’ long-term memory than nonpersonal interpretation. Keywords environmental interpretation, conservation education, evaluation research, mixed method, International Crane Foundation Evaluating Environmental Interpretation with Mixed Method A Case Study at the International Crane Foundation, Wisconsin 6 j o u r n a l o f i n t e r p r e tat i o n r e s e a r c h Problem Statement Environmental interpretation, which connects audiences to natural resources, has often been considered an approach that not only provides experience and inspiration but also contributes to conservation and management of the resources (Knudson, Cable, & Beck, 2003; Munro, Morrison-Saunders, & Hughes, 2008; Powell & Ham, 2008; Weiler & Ham, 2010).

The increasing demand for these practical objectives requires empirical research to evaluate the effectiveness of interpretive programs in order to optimize allocation of limited resources and maximize outcomes. However, the evaluation of environmental interpretation as a conservation strategy and management tool is difficult and insufficient. Short time spans, non-captive audiences, and various site-specific situations make the evaluation effort difficult. Some problems in interpretation research include lack of generic instrument and methodology (Munro et al., 2008; Weiler & Ham, 2010), lack of understanding of the longer-term effects (Orams, 1997), and lack of understanding of the differences between various types the programs. In this study, we evaluated the environmental interpretive program at the headquarters of International Crane Foundation (ICF) near Baraboo, Wisconsin, where on-site interpretation is applied as a strategy in the overall environmental education effort of the organization. Our goal was to investigate the effectiveness of the environmental interpretation program with a method that combined quantitative and qualitative measurements. We aimed to explore evaluation tools as well as inform management of interpretation and educational strategy. Our quantitative hypotheses and qualitative research focus were: • Visitors who participate in personal interpretation (Group PI) have significantly greater changes in knowledge, attitude, and behavioral intention than the completely self-guided visitors (Group SG, Research Question 1).

• The qualitative proportion of the study takes an inductive approach and explores the key factors in the visitors’ on-site experiences (Research Question 2).

Review of Literature The roots of interpretive activities reach back to the early days of national parks, and it is now applied in various places (e.g.; museums, historical heritage sites, other recreational attractions). The sites that carry out environmental interpretation often expect to achieve conservation and management objectives by offering programs to a variety of audiences. These objectives may include mitigating the negative impacts on the natural environment (Kim et al., 2011), increasing supportive behaviors for conservation (Orams, 2004; Powell & Ham, 2008), and promoting visitors’ understanding of conservation and pro-environmental attitudes (Kohl, 2005; Zeppel & Muloin, 2008). In this framework, interpretation is utilized as a communication tool that serves practical conservation purposes in various scenarios.