Contact
Swedish Centre for Nature Interpretation (SCNI)
Department of Urban and Rural Development, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences (SLU)
scni@slu.se
www.scni.se
Methods and tools for heritage interpretation
Last changed: 26 April 2024
The goals of nature interpretation include elements of learning and positive experiences in nature, as well as stimulating the participants' own reflections. Nature interpretation has a message which aims to evoke feelings in the participant's for the heritage. Then it is easier to relate to the heritage and also to reflect on how own attitudes and/or behaviours might have an affect on it.
There are many methods and tools for heritage/nature interpretation. A way to subdivide them is personal and non-personal. A person guiding you is the most common form of personal heritage interpretation. Non personal interpretation is for example exhibitions; paths with heritage interpretive panels; and audio guides. There are also static heritage interpretation on the Internet, which can be accessed via computer and telephone.
During 2008 and 2009, SCNI made an overview of what is done within heritage interpretation in Sweden. The report Heritage Interpretation in Sweden (summary of the report in English, pdf) was a part of this work and gives a wide perspective on concepts, history and current activities within Swedish heritage interpretation, with an international outlook. Through interviews and surveys, about 100 heritage guides were asked about their thoughts on goals, interests and challenges in the work as a nature guide. The report reflects a part of everything that is done in order to create and deepen experiences of nature and the cultural landscape. This report was published in an updated version in 2010