Evaluation

SCNI works actively with evaluation. We organise seminars and are writing a report on the subject. We also try to collect good examples from all over the world. If you have experiences or want to exchange ideas on this matter, please contact Anders Arnell.

The aims of nature interpretation of course vary according to the interpreter. They include awakening interest in nature, mediating knowledge and understanding, giving positive experiences, creating environmental awareness, making nature more available, strengthening local economies and much more.

According to the SCNI report "Naturvägledning i Sverige - en översikt" (Nature Interpretation in Sweden - a Review) most nature interpreters wants to achieve the following:

1. Increase the interest for nature and the cultural landscape.
2. Transmit knowledge and understanding of nature conservation.
3. Contribute to positive experiences in nature and spread happiness
4. Create environmental awareness and power of action.
5. Make nature more available to everyone.
6. Unify the perspectives of nature and culture.
7. Strengthen local economies and entrepreneurship.

Most nature interpreters interviewed by SCNI when writing the report pointed out that working with something that feels important and meeting people face-to-face and finding that they gain new knowledge and perspectives are important driving forces for them. They also believe that their activities will lead to a deeper engagement for the environment among the participants.   

How can we know if our aims are really achieved? What tools are there to use? What are the experiences of others? How can we verify whether nature interpretation leads to increased environmental awareness?

There are many questions and there seems to be a great need for further information and education about evaluation in different aspects. Depending on the organisation or authority an individual represents, he or she might also be interested in how their work influences the target achievement of the whole organisation.   

The experience of SCNI, based on our own investigations and also other sources of information, is that monitoring and evaluation is very seldom made as a part of the nature interpretation activity. Working with this is one of the main tasks of SCNI.