"On the Shoulders of Giants: Honoring our past as we shape our future"
NAI Region 9 Workshop, March 16-18, 2012
Yosemite National Park, California
Greetings Region 9ers!!! It’s time to mark your calendars, for Region 9’s Spring Workshop in Yosemite, March 16-18 2012. This is a fabulous opportunity to visit beautiful Yosemite National Park in all its glory and grandeur. Our theme for the workshop is “On the Shoulders of Giants: Honoring our past as we shape our future.”
Our session presenters will be focusing on the rich history of interpretation as well as our collective impact in the present and in shaping our future. Through engaging workshop sessions, you’ll have a chance to learn from and share with each other ways to stay on the cutting edge of our profession. You’ll also have invaluable time to network and have fun with both old and new friends and colleagues. In addition to these sessions we will be offering a number of field trip opportunities on Friday and Sunday that will give you an opportunity to explore one our Nation’s oldest and greatest parks. Unless otherwise noted, all meals, evening events, and field trips are included in the full workshop registration cost.
Here are a few highlights of the programs we have planned for the workshop:
**See the draft schedule!!**
Keynote: Shelton Johnson, Yosemite National Park Service Ranger http://www.pbs.org/nationalparks/people/nps/johnson/
Acorn Soup and Beyond: Best Practice in Interpreting Culturally-Specific Plant Foods Past to Present (Julia Parker, Coast Miwok/Kashaya Pomo & Beverly Ortiz, EBRPD Naturalist and Ethnographic Consultant)
Buildin’ on Tilden: Exploring Tilden’s 1st and 4th Principles as the Core of Successful Interpretation Today (Jim Covel, recent NAI President)
The Creative Art of Storytelling: Breathing New Life into History and Ecology (Arin Trook, NatureBridge Yosemite Mentor Teacher)
Habla Espanol: Reaching out to Hispanic visitors in Yosemite through innovative partnerships with success stories and lessons learned since 2006 (UC Merced in collaboration with DNC P&R Yosemite)
What is there to do?
Friday Field Trips, March 16, 2012
Time 1:00 – 4:00pm
Naturalist Hike on the Upper Yosemite Falls Trail - Full
Join Naturalist Erik Westerlund on a trek to the Upper Yosemite Falls trail. This hike will provide a captivating experience in the natural environment exploring all elements from the smallest insects to the grand views of Yosemite Falls and Yosemite Valley. This may also include the opportunity to see the phenomena of Frazil ice, if the conditions are just right (Curious about “frazzle ice?” Check out the Frazil Ice episode of Yosemite Nature Note videos by Steve Bumgardner.)
* Limit of 20 participants
Time: 1:00pm-5:00pm
History Stroll at the Ahwahnee Hotel - Full
Meet Andrew West, Historic Interpreter, on the back lawn of the Ahwahnee Hotel. Passionate characters from Yosemite's history will be the avenue to explore the Park's early beginnings. Next, the group will delve into the significance of Yosemite's rustic architecture with a tour of the historic Ahwahnee Hotel and an exclusive tour of the hotel's kitchen! Participants should wear close toed shoes for safety on this stroll.
* Limit of 20 participants
Friday Evening Events, March 16, 2012
Time: 6-10 pm social hour with hors d’oeurvres
Time: 7:00 – 8:00 pm
Dr. Stellar Jay; A First Person Narrative
Almost everyone who lives or travels in the Sierra Nevada—or, for that matter, the western United States—is familiar with the Steller’s jay. Its deep blue plumage, shaggy black crest, squawking calls and boisterous behavior make it a conspicuous year-round resident of forest communities.
We will feature an entertaining, informative living history visit by the Stellar Jay’s namesake, Dr. Georg Wilhelm Steller. Brought back to life by Yosemite Conservancy education coordinator Pete Devine, “Dr. Steller” will describe his life as a naturalist, his dramatic explorations of the North Pacific and the life history of the remarkable bird that enlivens the places we live and visit in the Sierra. Known for his enthusiasm and as a charismatic storyteller, Devine “will inspire and delight you.”
An accomplished naturalist himself, Devine has lived in Yosemite for 20 years and has served as the Yosemite Conservancy’s Education Coordinator since 2005. Reared near Boston, he finished school in Colorado and has worked as a park ranger, river guide, archeologist, teacher and naturalist in Arizona, New England, New Zealand and Chile. For most of his years in Yosemite he directed the Yosemite Institute’s education program for schools. He is also a birding enthusiast; his international life list of birds includes motmots, bulbuls, kakas and chiffchaffs.
Time: 8:00pm-10:00pm
Beer Tasting & Interpretation
Beer is universal. Every culture knows beer and every culture is proud to boast that its brew is the best. Civilized people all over the world brew and enjoy truly great beers, but could it be possible that beer is responsible for civilization as we know it?
Ponder this and other truths as you take a taste bud tour of some of the world’s best breweries. Join well-known Tastemaster, Ira Bletz, as he looks at the history, lore, and mythology surrounding beer and brewcraft. Learn how beer is made, discover a beer famous in story all while you experience the art of beer interpretation.
Cost $15.00
* Limit of 60 persons
SATURDAY NIGHT WILL BE OUR LIVE AUCTION. DON’T FORGET TO BRING AUCTION ITEMS!
Sunday Afternoon Field Trips, March 18, 2012
Time: 2:00pm-3:30pm
Cultural History Talk & Demonstration at the Indian Cultural Museum in Yosemite Valley
Come join an NPS Cultural Interpreter on an exploration of the Indian Cultural Museum and village of the Ahwahnee in Yosemite Valley. Your guide will share with you the deep heritage of the Ahwahneechee and the cultural connection to Yosemite.
*Limit of 30 persons
Time: 2:30pm-4:30pm
Hetch Hetchy: Explore the beauty of this smaller version of Yosemite’s granite grandeur as you are lead through the tales of this land and the significance of the decisions that have been made here. This adventure will be guided by National Park Service Ranger Andrew Smalldon.
Time: 2:30pm-4:30pm
Snow Shoe Walk @ Historic Badger Pass Ski Resort. Conditions permitting
Join Dick Ewart, National Park Service Ranger on a snowshoe walk over the hills and through the woods at Badger Pass, one of California’s first ski resorts – built in 1933. We will meet at ranger office A-frame for naturalist tour of winter landscape. Bring warm clothing; snowshoes provided.
(Suggested Donation of $5.00)
* Limit 30 participants
Time: 2:30pm-4:30pm
Tuolumne Grove of Giant Sequoias
Join Karyn O'Hearn (National Park Service Interpreter and local teacher) on a tour of the Tuolumne Grove of Giant Sequoias. These gargantuan sentinels of the park drew the attention of the early travelers of one of the first routes into Yosemite Valley. Giant Sequoias helped inspire the preservation of public lands (originally through the Yosemite Grant of 1864 - a land grant to the State of California) and continue to be an extraordinary example of the grandeur that influenced the creation of the National Park System.
* Limit 25 participants
Where do I sign-up?
Click the registration button at the top right of this page.
Rates:
Early bird rate before February 17th, 2012
$125.00 member
$125.00 + $69.95 (membership fee) non-member
$62.50 single day rate member
After February 17th, 2012
$145.00 member
$145.00 + $69.95 (membership fee) non-member
$72.50 single day rate member
Student Rate $100.00 not matter what the date.
If you would like to volunteer please let us know.
Refund Policy
Up until Friday March 2nd, participants can get a full refund if needed.
March 3rd-9th, participants get a half refund.
After March 9th, participants receive no refund.
Where do I stay?
Our room block in Curry Village has now closed, please contact Emily Jacobs with the Delaware North Company to facilitate making reservations and help Region 9 meet our room block goals. To reserve a room contact:
Emily Jacobs
(209) 372-1257
ejacobs@dncinc.com
Or pack your tent and stay at one of Yosemite's campgrounds.
What about food?
There will be light appetizers on Friday night, a Sandwich/Salad Buffet Lunch for both Saturday and Sunday and a California Style Buffet Dinner on Saturday night. Breakfast on both Saturday and Sunday will NOT be provided. However there is a small store w/food items on site. Please see our web page for a more detailed menu. Please indicate on your registration if you have any dietary restrictions or allergies.
To find a roommate or check for carpooling options visit the Region 9 Forum at: http://nairegion9.proboards.com/
Please Note: All participants entering the park will also have to pay the $20.00/ vehicle park entrance fee.
For specific questions or concerns please contact Lisa Murphy or Dan Albro with the Workshop Planning Committee.
Lisa Murphy
lasmurphy@earthlink.net
Dan Albro
dalbro@mbayaq.org