Certified interpretive guide training to be offered
Interpreters play vital role in introducing visitors to area attractions
The Eastern Sierra Interpretative Association (ESIA) will be holding a National Association for Interpretation (NAI) Certified Training Certification class Jan. 22-25.
The class will be held at the White Mountain Research Station, 3000 E. Line St., Bishop.
The sessions will be held each day from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Those interested can register at www.interpnet. com and click the “Certification & Training” tab and then “Certification & Training Calendar.” The list of courses is under the “In-Person Certified Interpretative Guide Courses.”
The NAI certification program is intended to help people new in the field demonstrate they have what it takes to make interpretation their career and to help experienced interpreters demonstrate that they have gained the experience, collected knowledge, skills, and abilities that make them accomplished professionals in their field.
Interpreters connect visitors to important natural, cultural, and historical resources at parks, nature centers, historical sites, aquariums, zoos, and anywhere that people come to learn about places. Interpretation is defined as a purposeful approach to communication that facilitates meaningful, relevant, and inclusive experiences that deepen understanding, broaden perspectives, and inspire engagement with the world.
The Eastern Sierra Interpretative Association (ESIA) is one of the oldest not-for-profit organizations in Eastern Sierra. ESIA was founded in 1970 by visionary citizens interested in helping the U.S. Forest Service provide interpretive education relevant to the unique sur
rounding landscape, sharing with the public the importance of the public lands.
Today, ESIA’s ongoing agency partnership include the Inyo National Forest, Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest, Tahoe National Forest, Death Valley National Park, Devils Postpile National Monument, Manzanar National Historic Site, and the Bureau of Land Management-Bishop Field Office.
The National Association for Interpretation (NAI) is a 501(c)3 not-for-profit professional organization dedicated to advancing the profession of heritage interpretation, currently serving about 6,000 members in the United States, Canada, and over thirty other nations.
For more information about the CIG course, call the Jeff Gabriel at (760) 272-1220 or email admin@esiaonline.org.