Date: Fri 28-Jul-1995

Publication: Bee

Author: ANDREA

Quick Words:

c1-state-parks-nature-guides

Full Text:

FOR REAL ESTATE PAGE

Interpretive Walks:

Fostering Interest In Our Natural Resources

B Y A NDREA Z IMMERMANN

Is there a language of the woods? Interpreters with state parks, Audubon

Society, and area reserves offer programs that can greatly enhance

understanding of history as well as the natural world. But these are often

interactive walks - the participants are encouraged to share their own

observations and knowledge; the guides become further enlightened.

"Interpretive programs are facilitated walks where we direct attention to

things of interest, either natural or man made, and describe how they fit into

the eco-system as a whole," said Southford Falls and Kettletown State Park

interpretive guide Rebecca Stankiewicz. For example, a stone wall in the woods

might prompt mention of barriers to pasture, stone removal from fields, or the

succession of trees that has since taken over the area. "You answer questions

and try to direct people's investigation."

Ms Stankiewicz spends a good deal of time reading about the area, and also

previewing walks to know how long it will take and what she will encounter.

Although the parks offer free scheduled programs, the guide said she is happy

to lead walks at other times for groups of 10 to 15 people.

The nature walks, offered at Kettletown State Park are Saturdays at 3 pm and

Sundays at 10 am, leaving from the beach area. On July 27, August 10 and 17 at

9 am, Ms Stankiewicz will lead historical walks at Southford Falls that

examine the transformation of the area from a grist mill in the late 1770s to

cardboard factory to reclaimed forest.

"Some think nature is static. It's not; it's very transient," said the

interpreter. "Eighty years ago there was a factory here. There has been

change, succession, evolution, adaptation. Now there are trees that no one

planted."

Even though state parks are not necessarily labelled "preserves," Ms

Stankiewicz views them all as conservation areas to be respected. She said the

whole environmental issue is not hopeless. People do have choices and can

change the way they use resources. "If people come here and this [natural

beauty] makes them happy, then this is what they're going to want," she added.

Walks in the many of Connecticut's natural settings may be more than just a

stroll through the park. It all depends on your point of view.

"You learn things you carry through to other areas of your life," said Ms

Stankiewicz, who has a particular interest in entomology. "I hope to foster an

appreciation for nature and education in general."

For a brochure on the free Connecticut State Parks Interpretive Programs for

July and August, contact the Department of Environmental Protection,

Environmental Office at 203-424-3542. Information on Connecticut Audubon

Society programs, which usually cost $10 for non-members and $8 for members,

can be obtained by calling 1-800-996-8747.