BLM Sponsorship of the National Association for Interpretation’s Certified Interpretive Guide Training for Fiscal Year (FY) 2018
United States Department of the Interior
BUREAU OF LAND MANAGEMENT
Washington, D.C. 20240
http://www.blm.gov
January 10, 2018
In Reply Refer To:
1115, 8360 (420) P
EMS TRANSMISSION 02/01/2018
Information Bulletin No. 2018-027
To: All Washington Office and Field Office Officials
From: Assistant Director, National Conservation Lands and Community Partnerships
Subject: BLM Sponsorship of the National Association for Interpretation’s Certified Interpretive Guide Training for Fiscal Year (FY) 2018
The Division of Education, Interpretation, and Partnerships is pleased to announce the availability of the National Association for Interpretation’s (NAI) Certified Interpretive Guide (CIG) training for BLM staff, volunteers, and interns. The nationally recognized CIG program is designed for anyone who delivers interpretive programs or interacts with the public on a regular basis. The course integrates the theoretical foundations of interpretation with practical strategies in delivering quality interpretive programming to visitors.
This 32-hour course addresses:
• The history, definition, and principles of interpretation.
• Techniques on how to make programs purposeful, enjoyable, relevant, organized, and thematic.
• Use of tangible objects to connect audiences to intangible ideas and universal concepts.
• The three certification requirements needed to become a CIG: 1) passing the open-book Core Literature Review exam, 2) development of an interpretive program outline, and 3) production of a 10-minute interpretive presentation.
In keeping with the BLM’s commitment to shared conservation, interpretive programming is vital in creating public support for resource protection, preservation, and management goals on a national level. The BLM Education, Interpretation, and Youth Engagement National Strategy and the Bureau’s Strategic Plan underscore the importance of a well-trained and knowledgeable staff in providing satisfactory facilitated interpretive programming to the public.
The CIG course will be offered at two sites in FY 2018. A contact person for each training site is listed below:
Elko, NV, March 27-30, 2018 – Course instructor Julie Clark, jdclark@blm.gov
Albuquerque, NM, June 5-8 – Course instructor McKinney Briske, mbriske@blm.gov
Both sessions of this course are listed as course 8300-39 in the National Training Center (NTC) DOI Learn online catalog at https://www.doi.gov/doilearn. Space is limited; therefore, interested parties should register immediately.
Please register by logging into DOI Learn with your user name and password. The class can be found by typing “Essential Interpretation Skills” into the course catalog search box, then clicking on the corresponding listing. The applicant’s supervisor will receive an automated email from the system indicating that the applicant has requested the class.
Once the supervisor has approved the request, the applicant must log back into DOI Learn, search the catalog for the Essential Interpretation Skills course again, and select the preferred class offering. At that point, the applicant will be waitlisted in the class for the dates selected. The instructor will notify the student six weeks prior to the course start date as to whether he or she has been accepted into the class. Once a student has been accepted, further instructions will be provided to him/her.
All of these steps must be completed before an individual is fully enrolled in the class. If assistance with the system is required, applicants may call the DOI Learn Government Support Help Desk at (866) 466-1998. For specific questions about this course, applicants may request NTC assistance by contacting Mike Lytle at (602) 906-5607 or mlytle@blm.gov.
Non-DOI applicants should visit the DOI Learn public portal at https://www.doi.gov/doilearn and review the procedures for External, Non-DOI customers. The applicant will need to establish a DOI Learn external account, and then use the Public Catalog to request the course. Questions regarding difficulties with registration or enrollment may be directed to NTC or site-specific local contacts using the information included herein.
There is a $160 course registration fee, which covers supplies and the NAI certification fee for the CIG course. Participants’ home offices are expected to cover travel and per diem costs, if any. External, non-DOI applicants must be associated with a nonprofit partner group working directly with the BLM. Colleagues from other Federal agencies are also welcome to attend if space allows.
Certified Interpretive Guide Trainers from the Bureau will teach the course. Visitor information specialists, interpreters, educators, resource specialists, outdoor recreation specialists, and other staff interested in working with the public are strongly encouraged to attend this essential interpretation course and to receive certification.
Please contact BLM National Lead for Interpretation Brianna Candelaria of the Division of Education, Interpretation, and Partnerships at (202) 912-7583 or bcandela@blm.gov with any questions or for more information.
Signed by: Authenticated by:
Christopher J. McAlear Robert M. Williams
Assistant Director Division of IT Policy and Planning,WO-870
National Conservation Lands and
Community Partnerships