In nearly every IN the Parks episode, you've heard from the state park's interpretive naturalist. But what exactly is that job? They're storytellers. Listen to find out why I think this may be the most important job in the state parks!
I’d never heard of the job “interpretive naturalist” until I started my state parks podcast, but I’ve loved interviewing every state park employee who holds the position. I’ve come to believe this is the most important job in the parks! If you go to any state park, this is who you'll most likely talk to. An interpretive naturalist’s job is to explain the history, flora, and fauna of each state park. They're the storyteller, and you may be surprised to learn that Indiana is a national leader in this position.
IN the Podcast Episode
I'm extremely thankful that I've been able to interview over 25 current or former interpretive naturalists for the state of Indiana. In this episode, you'll hear from Indiana state parks staff who shaped places like Prophetstown, Potato Creek, Indiana Dunes, McCormick's Creek, Mounds, Clifty Falls, and more. I also interviewed the current and two previous interpretive managers who oversee the position in parks statewide. These women are the experts on the position, and they sure know how to sell it! I was ready to quit my day job and go work at a park!
Listen to Side Trail: Interpretive Naturalists, the Storytellers of the Parks on Apple or Spotify.
Lucy Pitschler: Indiana’s First Interpretive Naturalist
Believe it or not, Indiana has a national reputation as a leader in the field of interpretation. Vicki Basman once held the role and even oversaw all interpretive naturalists across the state. She told me, “There are three or four states that really focus on interpretation, and we are one of them.”
The reason we were innovators in the field is because of the man who started Indiana’s state parks system, Richard Lieber. Vicki explained, “He was a visionary. We were lucky he was here in Indiana. Without him, we wouldn't have the park system that we have. And he envisioned that parks should be destinations, that there should be activities for people of all ages, and that we preserve what's there.”
It's one thing to have a vision for helping people connect with the parks. It's another thing to find someone to implement that vision. The woman we have to thank for that is Lucy Pitschler, a woman who loved art and nature but who is a bit of a mystery. We don’t know all of Lucy’s life story, but we do know she was born in Germany, immigrated to the United States in 1910, and eventually moved to Indianapolis.
Vicki told me, “She is very much an enigma… She had been coming to McCormick's Creek from Indianapolis, and she belonged to the Garden Club. She came down and would spend one or two weeks. She was an artist, and she drew, and she hiked. Somehow, [Richard Lieber] connected with her and asked her if she would do some programs, take people on wildflower hikes. That was the very beginning of interpretive hikes at McCormick's Creek or anywhere in the state.” Lucy’s wildflower hikes at the park grew in popularity. She led hikes and gave lectures, all while wearing her favorite iconic white tennis shoes.
Even though we know little about Lucy, it's thanks to her and Richard Lieber that Indiana had an early start to the interpretive naturalist position. It's around the same time that the national parks began their interpretive programs as well. I love that Indiana was a leader in connecting people to the parks through Lucy as she hiked the creeks and hills in her little white tennis shoes.
Lucy Pitschler is such a legacy in Indiana that there's an annual award given to one interpretive naturalist in her name. Anyone can nominate an interpreter for the award, but only other interpreters can vote on the winner. The recipient is recognized for innovative interpretation and for overall excellence in the field. The winner receives a plaque with a pair of real white tennis shoes on it! Best of all, every previous winner signs the shoes and hides a small item in them to pass on to the next winner!
A Typical Day
I don’t think there’s a typical day for any state parks employee, but there are some regular events an interpretive naturalist is part of. Angie Manuel oversees the interpretive naturalists for the state parks now and explained what naturalists often do. “So the profession of interpretation is really multifaceted. It's ‘Hey, come on this hike with me, and let's learn all the prairie wildflowers.’ But it could also be a campfire program in the campground where visitors are spending the night with us. It could also be a fishing program to teach people some outdoor recreation or a paddling program. It could be a woodworking workshop. ‘Hey, let's make a walking stick.’ Just all different types. Our visitors like all of those things. They like lectures and in-depth programs, and sometimes they just like really fun outdoor experiences in all of those different ways.”
To thoughtfully plan hikes and educational events, naturalists look to their national organization that develops professional standards and parameters. Angie said, “It's been studied, it's been tried, it's been researched, it's been put in academic forms… so there are a lot of standards and practices that we follow.”
Interpretive naturalists can also add their own creativity to the work. Angie continued, “We rely a lot on experiential education: hands-on, immersive, using all your senses. We rely on the sounds of the outdoors or the smells of things or touching something or creating something.” The creative, immersive events offer education that kids through adults love. Be sure to check out a naturalist-led program to see what you can learn!
Becoming an Interpretive Naturalist
If this sounds like a job you or someone you know would enjoy, there are many ways into the career. While most of the interpreters have degrees in something science-related, parks management, or in outdoor education, Angie said there are more important skills needed to make someone successful in the role. The most important skill is being able to communicate with all types of people, but it doesn’t mean you have to be an extrovert. Several interpreters expressed that they were able to overcome their quieter, more introverted tendencies because of their love for the job.
Many parks hire seasonal interpreters to work during the summer, often teachers or college students. Vicki Basman told me they’re provided with training that sounds intense, motivating, and helpful! She said over several days “they learn how to put on a program, how to do a talk, how to create a weekly schedule, or how to deal with difficult visitors. But then a lot of it also is hopefully inspirational. You know, they take night hikes, they go on tree identification hikes, they go birding in the morning. If they're lucky, they'll have a bird bander come, and they get to watch birds being caught in mist nets, and they have a guest speaker, and they learn how to do a campfire program. And it is wonderful. It's really what hooked me.” It sounds like summer camp for adults! Anyone interested in a position should connect with their closest state park and could even start by volunteering.
Telling the stories of our state can be a weighty job. I'm so thankful for the interpreters who have done the research, asked questions, and maintained their own curiosity about Indiana so they can share it with the guests at their parks. Ultimately, that’s their goal. An interpretive naturalist is there to help you love this state, to learn about its past, and to care for it now.
If you've never had a guided hike or attended a program with an interpretive naturalist, please do! I can't think of anything better than hiking through this beautiful state with a passionate teacher helping you learn the story of Indiana. It’s the best way to make some of your own memories!
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