Kim Sikoryak has had a three decade career working for National Park Service as a Ranger, Planner and Trainer. Today on Reflections on Interpretation:Talking Story with Guides and Interpreters, co-hosts Bill Gwaltney and Tim Merriman chat with Kim about his long and varied career and the importance of excellent interpretation in national parks.   https://lnkd.in/gWapDsx3   #timmerriman #interpretationservices #interpretation #interpretivenaturalists #interpretivetraining #heritageinterpretation #NPS #nationalparkservice #interpretiveplanning

The Certified Interpretive Guide and Host Courses are no longer certifications through National Association for Interpretation and NAI Certified Trainers have some opinions about those changes. Tim Merriman has Rita Nethersole, Clark Hancock, Mary McCormac, Dr. Phillip Smart and Lisa Brochu as guests in this special edition of Reflection on Interpretation to talk about those changes.  #timmerriman #interpretationservices #interpretation #interpretivenaturalists #interpretivetraining #heritageinterpretation #certfiedinterpretiveguide #certifiedinterpretivehost

Tim Merriman has had a 50 plus year career in the interpretive profession including Executive Director of National Association for Interpretation for 17 years. He has been a Nature Center Director, Manager of Research and Innovations at a National Recreation Area and a Park Ranger/Interpreter at a State Park. He was President of Association of Interpretive Naturalists and led the move to merge with Western Interpreters Association in 1988 to create NAI. He is an active trainer and co-author of five books, including an award-winning novel.    #timmerriman  #InterpretationServices  #interpretation #interpretivenaturalists #interpretivetraining

Mark Jordahl, CIG, joins Tim Merriman on Reflections on Interpretation after several decades as an adventure guide, tourism entrepreneur and guest communications specialist with Natural Habitat Adventures. He is now the Communications Manager with Gorilla Rehabilitation and Conservation Education (GRACE) Center in Democratic Republic of Congo, working from Colorado.    Join us at Reflections on Interpretation: Talking Story with Guides and Interpreters timfmerriman.podbean.com/   #timmerriman  #InterpretationServices  #interpretation #interpretivenaturalists #GorillaRehabilitation #ConservationDRC #DRCWildlife #SaveGorillas #DRCConservation #WildlifeRehabilitation #ProtectGorillas 1 #GorillaTrekking #UgandaGorillas #RwandaGorillas #MountainGorillas #GorillaSafari #GorillaConservation

James Mazigo is a very experience safari guide working more than two decades in Tanzania, Rwanda and Kenya, now guides with Regal African Safaris, our guide company of choice in Tanzania. He tells of his unique journey to being a safari guide and explains how guides are organizing professionally in his nation.    In two weeks Tim talks Story with Mark Jordahl, Communication Manager with Gorilla Rehabilitation and Conservation Education Center in Democratic Republic of Congo and Colorado, a program devoted to protecting Grauerʻs Eastern Lowland Gorilla whose numbers are in decline.  Join us at Reflections on Interpretation: Talking Story with Guides and Interpreters timfmerriman.podbean.com/

Tom Cowper of Snohomish County in Washington state is Timʻs guest today on Reflections on Interpretation. Heʻs been a park ranger, off-road vehicle coordinator, nature center superintendent and park interpreter after a stint in the U.S. Army.   In two weeks on April 18 I welcome James Mazigo is Timʻs guest, a guide with Regal African Safaris in Tanzania.   Join us at Reflections on Interpretation: Talking Story with Guides and Interpreters timfmerriman.podbean.com/   #timmerriman  #InterpretationServices  #interpretation #interpretivenaturalist #SnohomishCountyParks #SnoCoParks #WashingtonParks #ExploreSnohomishCounty #SnohomishNature #SnohomishConservation

Michael Kirschman, City of Virginia Beach Parks and Recreation Director is talking story with Tim Merriman today on Reflections on Interpretation: Talking Story with Guides and Interpreters.  They will be sharing his unique journey from being a conservation educator to consultant with the EPA in American Samoa and Deputy Director of Nature Preserves for Mecklenburg County in North Carolina. #timmerriman  #InterpretationServices  #interpretation #interpretivenaturalist  #VirginiaBeach #VBVA #VisitVirginiaBeach #VAOutdoors #VBPR #VirginiaBeachParks

Tim Merriman will talk story with Ilan Shamir, interpretive entrepreneur who created Your True Nature and an amazing series of interpretive products sold all over the US in parks, zoos, museums, nature centers and historic sites. They will also discuss his diverse experience as a keynote speaker and program innovator. His unique products and services may be found at yourtruenature.com and myadviceforlife.com. March 22 Tim will talk story with Michael Kirschman, City of Virginia Beach Parks and Recreation Director.  They will be discussing  his unique journey from being a conservation educator to consultant with the EPA in American Samoa and Deputy Director of Nature Preserves for Mecklenburg County in North Carolina.  Join us at Reflections on Interpretation: Talking Story with Guides and Interpreters timfmerriman.podbean.com/   #timmerriman  #InterpretationServices  #interpretation #interpretivenaturalist  #IlanShamir #YourTrueNature #NatureInspiration #PoetryInNature #InspirationalQuotes #NatureWisdom

Tim Merriman talks story with Dr. Robert “Bob” Hinkle, retired Chief of Outdoor Education with Cleveland Metroparks.  Bob reflects on his early career as a professor of wildlife management, decade as a cruise boat naturalist on the Great Lakes and achievements in more than 30 years of management with Cleveland Metroparks, overseeing the creation of three new nature centers on Cleveland’s famed Emerald Necklace.   In two weeks, March 8, Tim will talk story with Ilan Shamir, interpretive entrepreneur who created Your True Nature and an amazing series of interpretive products sold all over the US in parks, zoos, museums, nature centers and historic sites. They will also discuss his diverse experience as a keynote speaker and program innovator.  Join us at Reflections on Interpretation: Talking Story with Guides and Interpreters timfmerriman.podbean.com/ #timmerriman #clevelandmetroparks #InterpretationServices #interpretertraining #interpretation #interpretivenaturalist  #outdooreducation

Tim Merriman talks story today on Reflections on Interpretation: Talking Story with Guides and Interpreters with Bradley Block, former Chief of Interpretation at Custer State Park within South Dakota – one of the largest state parks in the country, as well as Chief of Interpretation at Jewel Cave National Monument within the National Park Service – one of the longest caves in the world.  He is currently the Recreation Program Manager with the Black Hills National Forest, encompassing 1.2 million acres. He also has a long tenure of leadership as a regional director and numerous committee positions with National Association for Interpretation. On Feb. 23 Tim will talk story with Dr. Robert Hinkle, former Director of Outdoor Education with Cleveland Metroparks. Bob led the Emerald Necklace parks organization in Cleveland through amazing growth with the addition of three new nature centers.  Join us at Reflections on Interpretation: Talking Story with Guides and Interpreters timfmerriman.podbean.com/   #timmerriman #BlackHills #BlackHillsNationalForest #BHNF #SouthDakota #ExploreBlackHills #InterpretationServices  #interpretation #interpretivenaturalist

Tim Merriman talks story with Jay Miller, CIT, CIP, who worked 37 years with Arkansas State Parks, most of those years as Chief of Interpretation.  Retired from the parks, he continues to train and plan with clients through his business, Interpretive Communications. He is a recent Past President of the Board of Directors for National Association for Interpretation.    In two weeks, Feb. 9, Tim will talk story with Bradley Block, former interpreter with South Dakota State Parks and National Park Service, now Recreation Manager with Black Hills National Forest. He also has a long tenure of leadership as a regional director with National Association for Interpretation.    Join us at Reflections on Interpretation: Talking Story with Guides and Interpreters timfmerriman.podbean.com/   #timmerriman #arkansasstateparks  #InterpretationServices #interpretertraining #interpretation #interpretivenaturalist  #arkansastourism #certifiedinterpretiveguide

Karin Hostetter, CIT, has had a long career working with zoos and museums as an interpretive trainer, writer and planner with her business, Interpret This. She also serves as a Lead Trainer with National Association for Interpretation, training trainers in delivery of the Certified Interpretive Guide and Host courses.  January 26, 2024, Tim will talk story with Jay Miller, CIT, CIP, who worked 37 years with Arkansas State Parks, most of those years as Chief of Interpretation.  Retired from the parks, he continues to train and plan with clients through his business, Interpretive Communications. He is a recent Past President of the Board of Directors for National Association for Interpretation.    Join us at Reflections on Interpretation: Talking Story with Guides and Interpreters timfmerriman.podbean.com/   #timmerriman #zooeducation  #InterpretationServices #interpretertraining #interpretation #interpretivenaturalist #certifiedinterpretiveguide #interpretiveguide #interpretthis

Pete Devine, Certified Interpretive Guide, naturalist, and graduate of Colorado College has had a long career with Yosemite Institute and the Yosemite Conservancy in California. He shares his experiences managing a diverse staff in working with people of all ages to explore Yosemite National Park. He also has led nature tours to Chinaʻs National Parks, sister parks to Yosemite National Park, with Mountain Travel Sobek.    In two weeks Tim Merriman talks story with Karin Hostetter, NAI Master Trainer and interpretive consultant as owner of Interpret This.   https://timfmerriman.podbean.com/   #timmerriman #certifiedinterpretiveguide, #yosemitenationalpark, #yosemite #InterpretationServices #interpreter #interpretation #naturalist

Helena Vicic serves as Managing Director with Interpret Europe, a professional association for more than 900 interpretive professionals in 57 countries, that mainly serves members through their training program and professional conferences. Helena lives and works from, Slovenia, her national home, privately acting also as an interpretive trainer.    Next week Tim will talk story with Pete Devine, a retired naturalist and adventure guide who led trips to Chinaʻs National Parks and served as Resident Naturalist with Yosemite Institute and Yosemite Conservancy for three decades. He is a Certified Interpretive Guide and graduate of Colorado College.    Join us at Reflections on Interpretation: Talking Story with Guides and Interpreters timfmerriman.podbean.com/   #timmerriman #interpreteurope  #InterpretationServices #interpretertraining #interpretation #interpretivenaturalist #certifiedinterpretiveguide #interpretiveguide

Ryan Finchum talks story with Tim Merriman this week on Reflections on Interpretation: Talking Story with Guides and Interpreters. Ryan is Director of the Center for Protected Area Management at Colorado State University, training managers and rangers from Latin America and Africa in good management practices and interpretation. He is a Certified Interpretive Trainer with National Association for Interpretation.   In two weeks, Dec. 15, I will talk story with Helena Vicic of Slovenia, who serves as General Director of Interpret Europe. This podcast is changing as of Dec. 1 from being weekly to a bi-weekly schedule.    Join us at Reflections on Interpretation: Talking Story with Guides and Interpreters at https://timfmerriman.podbean.com/   #timmerriman #galapagostourism  #protectedareas #InterpretationServices #interpretertraining #interpretation #interpretivenaturalist #certifiedinterpretiveguide #interpretiveguide #cpam

Kara Garilao is an interpretive guide, planner and trainer, who lives and works in the Philippines, talking story with Tim Merriman on Reflections on Interpretation: Talking Story with Guides and Interpreters. She recently earned the CIG Certificate with Tim Merriman in a Virtual Certified Interpretive Guide Course. Join us on your favorite audio platform.  https://timfmerriman.podbean.com/ Next week, Nov. 24th Tim will not post a podcast but will return on Dec. 1 talking story with Ryan Finchum, Director of The Center for Protected Area Management at Colorado State University.  #timmerriman #culturaltourism #InterpretationServices #interpretertraining #interpretation #certifiedinterpretiveguide #interpretiveguide #reflectionsoninterpretation

Artificial Intelligence and Generative AI are tools that guides and interpreters might reasonably use to improve their tours and talks. Tim Merriman talks story with Tobias "Toby" Merriman, his son, who is Assistant Director of Center for Virtual Expression (CVeX) at Southern Illinois University, a program training professors and students to use AI skillfully. Join them on Reflections on Interpretation: Talking Story with Guides and Interpreters on your favorite audio platform. Or you may also watch this broadcast with slides and a live demo on YouTube.com. Links follow - https://timfmerriman.podbean.com/ https://youtu.be/EiJSfw27t4Y   Join Tim next week, November 17, when he talks story with Kara Garilao, CIG,  an interpretive guide, planner and trainer in in the Philippines.    #timmerriman #AI #artificialintelligence #generativeAI #InterpretationServices #interpretertraining #interpretation #certifiedinterpretiveguide #interpretiveguide #reflectionsoninterpretation

Dr. Lucy Long, author of Culinary Tourism, is a folklorist, fiddler, ethnomusicologist and interpreter of food and culture. She and Tim Merriman talk story about food tourism and interpretation on Reflections on Interpretation: Talking Story with Guides and Interpreters.   Next week, November 10, Tim will be talking story with Tobias Merriman, Assistant Director of CVeX at Southern Illinois University, a program to assist professors in application of Artificial Intelligence and Virtual Reality. Tim and his son, Toby, will discuss how guides and interpreters might benefit from these new tools.    #timmerriman #foodtourism #ethnomusicology #culturaltourism #InterpretationServices #interpretertraining #interpretation #interpretivenaturalist #certifiedinterpretiveguide #interpretiveguide #reflectionsoninterpretation

Tim Merriman talks story on Reflections on Interpretation with Masa Shintani, a Japanese trainer and planner who has worked in 18 countries in Asia and Africa, helping communities develop ecotourism and learn about interpretive guiding. He also has his own ecotour and glamping company in Fujinomiya, Japan.    Next week, November 3rd, I will be talking story with Dr. Lucy Margaret Long, a professor, folklorist, fiddler and author of Culinary Tourism, who has a new book coming out on interpretation of food and culture.    Join us at Reflections on Interpretation: Talking Story with Guides and Interpreters at https://timfmerriman.podbean.com/   #timmerriman #ecotourism  #japantourism #InterpretationServices #interpretertraining #interpretation #interpretivenaturalist #certifiedinterpretiveguide #interpretiveguide #reflectionsoninterpretation

Maria Elena Muriel, CIT,  is a very talented interpretive guide, trainer and planner who has worked throughout Mexico and Latin America, carrying the banner of interpretation to new audiences of guides and interpreters. She shares her amazing story of being the very first Certified Interpretive Guide with National Association for Interpretation in January of 2000 while guiding tourists to turtle beaches, whales with young, birding Baja del Sur and the mysteries of the night sky.    Next week Tim Merriman will talk story with Masa Shintani, a Japanese trainer who has worked in 18 countries in Asia and Africa, helping communities develop ecotourism and learn about interpretive guiding.    Join us at Reflections on Interpretation: Talking Story with Guides and Interpreters at https://timfmerriman.podbean.com/   #timmerriman #bajadelsurtourism #loscabostourism #mexicantourism #InterpretationServices #interpreter #interpretation #interpretivenaturalist #certifiedinterpretiveguide #interpretiveguide