Resources and Tools

Welcome to the Interpretive Resources and Tools website for California State Parks. Here you will find resources from California State Parks that may be of interest or use to interpreters. From Photographic Archives to Interpretive Providers, these pages will assist you in getting information, statistics, recommendations and ideas that we hope assist you in meeting the needs of your visitors. If you have any comments, suggestions or ideas on how to improve this site or questions about the resources included here, contact the Interpretation and Education Division at interp@parks.ca.gov.

For ease of navigation, the resources included on this site are separated into the following categories:

Program Policies and Handbooks
From A (Accessibility) to V (Volunteers), this is your one-stop location for policies and guidance related to many Department programs related to interpretation. Included on this page is information about and links to the following:
Junior Ranger Program Handbook (and Adventure Guide)
Volunteers in Parks Program Guidelines
Donor and Sponsorship Recognition Guidelines
Parks Accessibility Guidelines and Transition Plan
Cooperating Association Program Manual
Children in Nature campaign website
Coming soon to this page--California State Parks Intellectual Property Handbook

Interpretive Services Coordination and Management
Are you coordinating, supervising or managing interpretation in State Parks? If so, you should find the information on this page useful for such things as evaluation of interpretive presenters, training tools, and guidance on applying for grants. Included on this page:
Aiming for Excellence: An Evaluation Handbook for Interpretive Services in California State Parks
Basic Interpretation Learning System
The Catalyst newsletter
School Group Program Evaluation results
Guidance on grants for parks and recreation providers.

Interpretive Services Creation and Development
Now we're getting into the nitty-gritty, the nuts and bolts of what we interpreters do. You'll find useful background information on this page, guidance on interpretive planning, our interpretive providers database, and much more. Included on this page:
Interpretive Providers Database
California State Parks Park-to-Park Index
Workbook for Planning Interpretive Projects in California State Parks
All Visitors Welcome: Accessibility in State Park Interpretive Programs and Facilities
California in Time chronology
Five Views: An Ethnic History Site Survey for California
Guide to the California State Parks Photo Archives
Blank Park Activities Announcements templates
Coming soon to this page--Science, Poetry and Parks: A Sourcebook for Interpreters of California's Natural History

Useful Information for Park Visitors
Want something you can lay your hands on quickly and immediately provide to your visitors? Then make sure to check out this page with everything from information in our Park Panel Program to download-and-print brochure inserts and bulletin board flyers. Included on this page:
Park Panel Program
Transcripts of videos shown in our parks
Guides for educators
Informational brochures, inserts and flyers suitable for copying and distribution
Guide to Environmental Education Programs


ADVENTURES IN LEARNING Program Policies and Handbooks Interpretive Services Coordination and Management Interpretive Services Creation and Development Useful Information for Park Visitors	Resources and Tools Welcome to the Interpretive Resources and Tools website for California State Parks. Here you will find resources from California State Parks that may be of interest or use to interpreters. From Photographic Archives to Interpretive Providers, these pages will assist you in getting information, statistics, recommendations and ideas that we hope assist you in meeting the needs of your visitors. If you have any comments, suggestions or ideas on how to improve this site or questions about the resources included here, contact the Interpretation and Education Division at interp@parks.ca.gov. For ease of navigation, the resources included on this site are separated into the following categories: Program Policies and Handbooks From A (Accessibility) to V (Volunteers), this is your one-stop location for policies and guidance related to many Department programs related to interpretation. Included on this page is information about and links to the following: Junior Ranger Program Handbook (and Adventure Guide) Volunteers in Parks Program Guidelines Donor and Sponsorship Recognition Guidelines Parks Accessibility Guidelines and Transition Plan Cooperating Association Program Manual Children in Nature campaign website Coming soon to this page--California State Parks Intellectual Property Handbook Interpretive Services Coordination and Management Are you coordinating, supervising or managing interpretation in State Parks? If so, you should find the information on this page useful for such things as evaluation of interpretive presenters, training tools, and guidance on applying for grants. Included on this page: Aiming for Excellence: An Evaluation Handbook for Interpretive Services in California State Parks Basic Interpretation Learning System The Catalyst newsletter School Group Program Evaluation results Guidance on grants for parks and recreation providers. Interpretive Services Creation and Development Now we're getting into the nitty-gritty, the nuts and bolts of what we interpreters do. You'll find useful background information on this page, guidance on interpretive planning, our interpretive providers database, and much more. Included on this page: Interpretive Providers Database California State Parks Park-to-Park Index Workbook for Planning Interpretive Projects in California State Parks All Visitors Welcome: Accessibility in State Park Interpretive Programs and Facilities California in Time chronology Five Views: An Ethnic History Site Survey for California Guide to the California State Parks Photo Archives Blank Park Activities Announcements templates Coming soon to this page--Science, Poetry and Parks: A Sourcebook for Interpreters of California's Natural History Useful Information for Park Visitors Want something you can lay your hands on quickly and immediately provide to your visitors? Then make sure to check out this page with everything from information in our Park Panel Program to download-and-print brochure inserts and bulletin board flyers. Included on this page: Park Panel Program Transcripts of videos shown in our parks Guides for educators Informational brochures, inserts and flyers suitable for copying and distribution Guide to Environmental Education Programs