Nature Conservation 3/2012 — 17. 10. 2012 — Focusing on the Public — Print article in pdf
Růžička T.: Let Us Learn How to Make Educational Trails
In the Czech Republic, hundreds of educational trails were built during the past decades. Nevertheless, they are often developed by botanists or zoologists who consider any simplification of the expert/technical information towards making it more user friendly for the general public as being a no-no.
Consequently, educational trail routes are supplied with panels presenting long technical texts which are not able to address the in the best sense of the word ordinary visitor. The author reviews the significance of educational trails as a highly effective nature conservation tool in communicating with, education of and awareness among the general public. He highlights mistakes made by authors of information panels and posters on educational paths and sets guidelines on how to develop them so that they provide visitors with appropriate information in an understandable way, raising nature awareness among them.