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Iowa Association of
Naturalists
IAN Professional Standards
Guidelines
for Nature Centers
Developed by the
Definition
For the purposes of the Iowa Association of Naturalists, a nature center
consists of:
I.
A natural resource where
both passive and active interpretation focuses on natural history themes and,
II. Physical facilities which may include, but are not limited to, buildings, trails and indoor and outdoor displays and,
III. An environmental education program to promote understanding of the natural and altered environment and,
IV. A Professional interpretive staff and trained volunteers and,
V.
A funding base
to support staff, programming, maintenance and other needs.
Guidelines
These guidelines are not mandatory standards. They give direction to
organizations developing new nature centers and help existing nature centers
evaluate and improve their programs and facilities.
I.
Natural Resource Base
A.
Overall Considerations
1.
The site's features and
size are appropriate to the nature center's mission statement.
2.
The site is representative
of locally native ecosystems, whether natural, altered or restored.
3.
There are well-maintained
roads leading to the area.
4.
The
site includes areas accessible to handicapped people.
5.
There
is sufficient money and staff to carry out the maintenance schedule and resource
management plan.
B.
Site Maintenance
1.
The site is maintained
according to a written schedule.
2.
Measures are taken to
ensure public safety in the area.
3.
The
resource is protected from potential damage by the visiting public.
C.
Resource Management
1.
There is a written
management plan covering the natural, cultural, and historical resources.
2.
Trained professionals are
involved in development of the resource
management plan.
3.
The resource management
plan reflects the nature center's mission statement.
4.
The resource management
plan includes the following:
a.
identification and
management of ecological communities present at the site
b.
identification of
ecologically sensitive areas and any special provisions needed to protect them
c.
identification of rare,
threatened or endangered species present and any special provisions needed to
protect them
d.
identification of
acceptable activities at the site (activities to be considered may include:
off-trail hiking, bicycling, cross-country skiing, horseback riding, hunting,
trapping, fishing, boating and mushroom, berry and nut gathering)
e.
for preserves and refuges,
plans for handling overpopulation of wildlife, if they become a threat to the
resource
5.
The resource management
plan preserves the integrity of the resource.
6.
All development at the
site is conducted according to the resource management plan.
II.
Physical Facilities
A.
Overall Design
Considerations
1.
The facilities are
designed to fulfill the stated goals and objectives of the nature center. The
following are examples of physical facilities which may be found in a nature
center. If included, these must meet the goals and objectives of the program.
Nature centers are not limited to the following facilities; nor is this list
meant to be all encompassing.
a.
Exhibit area
b.
Teaching collection
c.
Auditorium
d.
Classroom
e.
Library
f.
Small meeting room
g.
Restrooms
h.
Bookstore and gift shop
i.
Trail system and grounds
j.
Parking lot
k.
Office space
l.
Storage and work space
2.
The structure is
functional and efficient.
a.
The structure is designed
to reflect its mission statement and interpretive message.
b.
The building serves as a
model of energy conservation.
c.
The facility is flexible
enough to allow for future expansion.
3.
Visitors are encouraged to
move about the buildings, grounds and trails in an efficient manner.
4.
The signage is adequate to
direct visitors to the interpretive center and to other key locations.
5.
The building is
handicapped-accessible.
6.
There is a written
maintenance schedule and it is followed.
7.
The building is designed
for ease of maintenance and visitor comfort and convenience. For example, the
building contains:
a.
mud or wet room
b.
utility closet
c.
live animal work space
d.
sufficient storage and
work space
e.
restrooms
8.
Public safety is ensured.
a.
All buildings meet safety
and fire code regulations.
b.
Steps and railings meet
regulations.
9.
All pertinent visitor
information such as hours, rules, trail maps and a schedule of events is
properly posted and available both during and after normal office hours. An
easily accessible indoor reception and information area is available during
normal office hours.
10.
Landscaping should be done
with native species in preference to nonnative species wherever possible.
11.
Sound attenuation
(carpeting and acoustics) is taken into consideration where appropriate.
12.
All buildings should be
well-lit and ventilated.
13.
Fifty percent of the
building should be reserved for non-public space (offices, storage, utilities
and work space).
14.
The
buildings and trails are designed for and accessible to people from a variety of
age groups and varying abilities in accordance with the goals and objectives of
the program.
15.
Running
water is provided both inside and outside the building.
B.
Visitor Needs
1.
Exhibit area
a.
The exhibit area appears
roomy and uncluttered.
b.
The exhibits are protected
from environmental hazards and the visiting public where necessary.
c.
There are interactive and
participatory displays.
d.
Both permanent and
temporary exhibits exist.
e.
The exhibits convey
interpretive themes to the visitor.
2.
Teaching collection
a.
The collection fulfills
the stated goals and objectives of the nature center.
b.
There is a written
collection policy for both animate and inanimate objects.
c.
Accurate collection
records are kept.
1.
All necessary federal,
state and local permits are current and applicable.
2.
All specimens are properly
identified.
3.
Procedures are in place
for accessioning and deaccessioning.
4.
If loaned, there are
written procedures to ensure proper handling of the specimens.
d.
The collection is properly
housed and displayed.
e.
The live collection is
humanely treated.
1.
Routine attention is given
to animals and plants on display (feeding, cleaning and medical).
2.
Veterinarian,
horticulturist and other services are used.
3.
Adequate treatment records
are kept.
4.
Staff is trained to handle
and present live animals to the
public.
5.
Adequate exhibit and
storage space is provided.
6.
Proper food, temperature
and other requirements are provided.
7.
Stress on animals is
minimized as much as possible.
3.
Auditorium
a.
This is of sufficient size
to meet the goals of the program.
b.
The room is equipped with
the necessities for lectures and audiovisual presentations.
c.
If so designed, the room
could double as a classroom.
4.
Library
a.
This room is shielded from
traffic flow and noise.
b.
This room could double for
other purposes if properly designed with flexibility in mind.
5.
Small meeting room
a.
This room is shielded from
traffic flow and noise.
b.
This room could be used
for other purposes.
6.
Restrooms
a.
The restrooms are designed
to accommodate peak visitor traffic.
b.
There is access to
restrooms after normal office hours.
7.
Bookstore and gift shop
a.
The store is readily
accessible to visitors.
b.
The location of this room
fits the internal traffic flow.
c.
Items for sale meet the
goals and objectives of the nature center.
8.
Parking lot
a.
The lot is of adequate
size to meet the goals of the program.
b.
There is a logical traffic
flow pattern.
c.
There is proper signage.
d.
There is easy access to
the facilities.
e.
Designated handicapped
accessible parking stalls are included in the design of the parking lot.
9.
Trail system and grounds
a.
The trails are easily
accessible from the visitor center and parking lot.
b.
The trails are maintained
according to a written schedule.
c.
The trails are designed to
minimize impact and preserve sensitive areas.
d.
The trails are diverse and
meet the needs of the intended visitors.
e.
The site includes areas
accessible to handicapped people.
f.
The trail system enhances
the interpretive message using available interpretive techniques.
g.
The area meets the needs
of all segments of the population.
h.
Trails are properly marked
and signed for the ease and convenience of trail users.
C.
Staff Needs
1.
Office space
a.
Permanent staff have
individual offices which afford them a reasonable degree of privacy.
b.
There is adequate space
for work and storage.
2.
Storage, utilities and
work space
a.
There is sufficient work
space available for designing and building exhibits and displays. This would
include storage units and work tables.
b.
This area is shielded from
the public.
c.
The area is easily
accessible to the staff.
d.
Outside storage (garage,
shop, etc.) is available.
III.
Environmental
Education Program
A.
Overall Considerations
1.
Programs have specific
goals and objectives.
2.
Different learning styles
and developmental stages are recognized and are part of the planning process.
3.
Some programs are
specifically designed to meet the needs of special populations.
4.
Programs offer a
progression of experiences to effect a gradual attitude change, from awareness
to knowledge to understanding of issues and values to citizen action. (See
reference "Goals for Curriculum Development in Environmental
Education.")
5.
Programs are scheduled at
a variety of times and days of the week to allow all segments of the population
opportunities to attend programs.
6.
A variety of interpretive
techniques are used (i.e., passive and active exhibits and activities,
audiovisual and interpretive trails).
7.
The interpretive program
is not limited to the staff of the center, but involves networking with other
individuals and organizations.
8.
The center capitalizes on
community desire, to be part of their program, by use of volunteers, summer jobs
and internships.
B.
Program Content
1.
Program content reflects
the mission statement of the organization.
2.
Programs are based on the
needs of the community and are responsive to change.
3.
A variety of programs are
offered to attract different segments of the population.
4.
Programs reflect the
natural, cultural and historical features of the site.
5.
The program's diversity
increases as it matures.
6.
Recreational activities
integrate knowledge of the resource with the activity.
C.
Evaluation
1.
Programs should be
evaluated at regular and prescribed intervals.
2.
Self, peer, and
participant evaluations should be part of the process.
IV.
Professional
Interpretive Staff and Trained Volunteers
A.
Professional Interpretive
Staff
1.
Staff, excluding
volunteers, interns and non-paid employees, meets the minimum "Professional
Standards for an Interpretive Naturalist" as set by the IAN in 1988.
2.
Staff responsibilities
include participation in continuing education and professional organizations.
Staff are given time and monetary support for such activities.
3.
Staff should have access
to the governing board and be involved in decision-making.
4.
Evaluation of staff should
be at regular, prescribed times. Self, peer, and participant evaluations should
be part of the process.
B.
Trained Volunteers
1.
The nature center has a
volunteer coordinator.
2.
Written volunteer task
descriptions should name the supervisor and should include duties and
responsibilities both to the nature center and to the general public.
3.
Volunteers are given
appropriate tasks.
4.
A volunteer contract is
signed by both volunteer and supervisor.
5.
A task-specific volunteer
training program is established.
6.
Regularly scheduled
evaluations are conducted for each volunteer by their supervisor.
7.
Volunteer records should
be kept (i.e., hours worked, duties, etc.).
8.
Volunteers receive
recognition.
V.
Funding and
Administration
A.
Funding
1.
The nature center has its
own budget within any parent organization.
2.
There are adequate funds
available for both interpretive and support staff.
3.
There is monetary support
for continuing education and professional memberships.
B.
Administration
1.
There is a mission
statement which includes goals, objectives and the legal responsibilities to the
general public. The mission statement is evaluated regularly.
2.
Staff size is adequate to
handle all nature center responsibilities and visitor demands.
3.
There is an organizational
chart, listing all paid, non-paid, and volunteer staff.
4.
There is an employee
policy including hours worked, holidays, vacation, sick leave, other
compensations, safety procedures, expectations, evaluation procedures and
grievance policy.
5.
There is a risk management
plan that covers employees, volunteers, participants and facilities.
References
Any organization that has, or is starting, a nature center should be familiar
with the following:
1. TIS Report #4, Accreditation, Self-study and On-site Evaluation
Questionnaire. American Association of Museums, 1225 I Street NW,
2.
3. Goals for Curriculum Development in Environmental Education. Harold
Hungerford, R. Ben Payton and Richard J. Wilke. The Journal of Environmental
Education, Vol. 11, No. 3 Spring 1980
4. State and local laws concerning health, safety and building codes.
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