According to the National Association for Interpretation, the professional organization for the field, interpretation is “a purposeful approach to communication that facilitates meaningful, relevant, and inclusive experiences that deepen understanding, broaden perspectives, and inspire engagement with the world around us.”
This is from San Mateo County Parks’ 2022 Interpretive Strategic Plan, which was funded in part by your San Mateo County Parks Foundation. We look forward to supporting Parks’ interpretive team with implementing its goals over the coming years. You can read the Plan here.
SMC Parks’ Interpretive Strategic Plan
The Parks Foundation has continuously sought meaningful ways to connect people to our truly wonderful park system. Sometimes this is through events or field trips, other times it is with videos, books, brochures, and apps. Below are a few of the ways we have supported parks interpretation in recent years.
Interpretation Along Trails
This interpretive sign is one of several at a lookout point at a former dam along Pescadero Creek at Memorial Park. The dam impeded passage of coho salmon and steelhead trout which threatened their survival. With the dam’s removal came an opportunity to explain to visitors the whys and benefits of such a project.
Fish passage interpretive sign at Pescadero Creek
Translated Self-guided Tour Brochures
The Parks Foundation translated the Pillar Point Bluff and Fitzgerald Marine Reserve self-guided tour brochures into Spanish and Chinese. This allows more people to learn about the natural features, wildlife, and history of this marine protected area (MPA). Watch this video to learn more about MPAs.
A translated self-guided tour brochure for FMR
Book: San Bruno Mountain: A Guide to the Flora and Fauna
From Heyday books: “Drawing on years of visits, observations, and research to offer a comprehensive flora of San Bruno Mountain and its endangered species, conservationists Doug Allshouse and David L. Nelson help us understand this unique and precious place from the point of view of the plants in this one-of-a-kind field guide.”
The Parks Foundation is proud to be one of several funders who helped get this book published. You can buy the book here.
San Bruno Mountain: A Guide to the Flora and Fauna
STQRY – Smartphone App
Thanks to annual support from your Parks Foundation, you can now find San Mateo County Parks on STQRY, an app that is free for the end user and easy to access from your smartphone (search for “San Mateo County Parks” in your app store to download). Choose from a selection of park ranger-created tours to learn more about the history and natural features of your local parks! These self-guided tours will take you on a history tour of Coyote Point, teach you about the steelhead trout at Memorial Park, or help you learn about the redwood ecology at Sam McDonald Park, and more, all while on hikes typically ranging from 1-3 miles.
Outdoor Coupon Book
To be published once fully-funded, this booklet offers 18 fun activities to do as a family, each activity matched with recommended parks for all to enjoy the experience. Completing and documenting at least four activities nets a surprise gift! The booklet is in English and Spanish.
You can help get this book published by making a donation here.
