Field to Frame worked with three different regional headquarters offices of Montana Fish Wildlife and Parks to create the initial framework of an interpretive plan. A full plan would not fit into their exhibit planning timeframe so we created what I called an Interpretive Framework to provide them with the information they needed to get started and keep their interpretive project on track.
The project focused on regional offices in Kalispell, Missoula, and Great Falls.
Zoom-Based Meetings
We held our planning meetings through video conferencing with one in-person site visit to each visitor center. Over 3 months, we worked through goal setting, key audience review, interpretive theme development, story development, and outlining of parameters and implications. FWP was provided with an Interpretive Framework that articulates clear goals and objectives for new exhibits and displays.
The Interpretive Framework
- Audience: we reviewed the key audiences and visitors of the FWP regional visitor centers and outlined their expectations and needs for use in exhibit design.
- Goal Setting: we reviewed the management and educational goals of the agency. We reflected on recent branding and marketing work and considered their mission and vision. These goals created an initial understanding of what we expect interpretation and informational displays inside the facilities to share and address.
- Themes: we developed a central theme to guide interpretation and, using recently developed marketing and communication materials, we created four key sub themes that all sites would interpret to organize and connect their stories.
- Stories: we brought together fisheries and wildlife biologists, state parks staff, interpretive staff, regional directors, and key education staff to outline stories within each region that spoke to our sub themes. From urban wildlife management and education to conservation easements and the essential connections between public and private land for wildlife and recreation, we explored all the ways that FWP unites people to help protect the integrity of their Montana experience, outdoors.
- Parameters and Implications: through a site visit to each facility, we highlighted important elements about their physical space, staffing, the information they routinely share, resources available for interpretation, and general responsibilities to ensure that exhibit design takes all of these elements into consideration. This process helps to identify opportunities and challenges early to avoid obvious errors in design.
Through the interpretive planning process, we considered what key visitors and audiences expect to see, learn, or find at the visitor center.
Displays featuring animal mounts were identified as important elements to integrate into new design. Can we think of a fresh way to display them?
Maps on display are essential for sharing information with visitors about land access.
We considered how an emphasis on new technology could make maps more accessible and easier for staff to update.
FWP creates a variety of materials to give people information on hunting, fishing, and other recreational activities.
How do we prioritize, organize, and display information so that visitors can find what they need or discover something new?
The front desk is an essential space where people can connect with FWP staff to ask questions and get information. We outlined how to design the space so that staff can see and interact with visitors.
Exhibits that haven't been updated much in over a decade are going to be refreshed with new information that shares the work, mission, and vision of Montana Fish Wildlife and Parks. Stay tuned to see how this interpretive framework guided their exhibit development.
Credits:
Created with an image by MOHANN - "deer fawn bambi"