SD GFP NEWS FOR 12-5-08

·        Adams Homestead Naturalist Named National Master Frontline Interpreter

·        Public Invited to Trail Workshop

Adams Homestead Naturalist Named National Master Frontline Interpreter
PIERRE, S.D. – Jody Moats was one of two people awarded the National Association of Interpretation’s (NAI) Master Frontline Interpreter Award at the 2008 National Interpreters Workshop recently held in Portland, Oregon. This professional organization has over 5000 members worldwide and recognizes outstanding work and contributions each fall season at its National Interpreters Workshop. This award symbolizes the best of the best of interpretive and educational service. Moats is the Park Naturalist at Adams Homestead and Nature Preserve in southeastern South Dakota.

As a Park Naturalist, Moats creates, implements and provides natural and cultural history programs. She provides environmental education programs and interpretive information for school groups, scout groups, toddlers, and senior citizens in addition to the general public.

“I am very honored and proud to receive this national award from NAI, said Moats. I enjoy my job immensely and hope to continue educating all ages about the outdoors for many years to come."

In order to receive the Frontline Interpreter award, an NAI member must have worked 5 or more years in the profession and his/her current duties must be at least 60% frontline interpretation. The member must demonstrate a mastery of interpretive techniques, program development and design of creative projects. In addition, the nominee must have three letters of support describing his or her involvement and achievement in frontline interpretation.

Last spring, Moats was named the Region V Master Frontline Interpreter. Region V is made up of North Dakota, South Dakota, Nebraska, Iowa, Minnesota, Illinois, Wisconsin and part of Manitoba, Canada. 

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Public Invited to Trail Workshop
KEYSTONE, S.D. – A public workshop will be held Dec. 10 regarding a proposed non-motorized recreational trail connecting Mount Rushmore National Memorial and the George S. Mickelson Trail. The workshop will gather input to identify a feasible route for the trail.

The meeting will take place at Keystone Community Center, 1101 Madill Street, Keystone, SD at 6 p.m. The public is invited to share concerns, identify opportunities, and create strategies to address the issues encountered in planning the trail.
 
Wyss Associates, Inc. has been contracted by the South Dakota Department of Game, Fish and Parks to prepare a routing study for the proposed connector trail.  The project is a cooperative effort between the Department of Game, Fish and Parks, Black Hills National Forest, Mount Rushmore National Memorial, and the Mount Rushmore National Memorial Society.
 
For more information contact Pat Wyss or Matt Fridell at Wyss Associates, Inc. at (605) 348-2268 or email:patw@wyssassociates.com or mattf@wyssassociates.com.

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