Dear Master Interpreter — Fall 2025
Your questions answered!
Dear Master Interpreter,
We have many people visiting our park with dogs and, unfortunately, they take their dogs on trails where dogs are not allowed. As an interpreter, I often meet these visitors and inform them that their dogs are not allowed on the trail. We have even increased “No Dogs” signage throughout the park yet that has not made a difference. Often my interactions are not very good. I try to explain the importance of keeping the habitat natural and that even well-intentioned dog owners have dogs that disturb the park wildlife and natural resources–visitors either quickly dismiss me or are irritated that their dogs are not allowed. Do you have any suggestions?
—Dog GONE IT
Dear DGI:
Yes, this is a very common issue in our parks and it’s a challenge to manage the resource and provide optimum visitor experiences. People form strong attachments with their dogs and it’s hard for them to see the forest through the trees to understand and want to abide by the rules.
My suggestion is to do more than just say “Don’t.” Do your research and find out where people CAN take their dogs both within the park and in nearby parks. Dogs are often (not always) allowed on both fire roads and park roads. Create materials that show where they can take their dog in the park. Collaborate with nearby agencies such as the U.S. Forest Service, municipal parks, land trusts and other open space areas to learn where dogs are allowed on their properties near your park. You can disseminate this information via a brochure, a link on your website, a QR code or even a hand-out that you carry with you when you are in your park. Feel free, too, to borrow from other statewide messaging about dogs in parks.
Saying no but then YES is a very good way to show empathy to the visitors’ needs and their pups’. You can even carry dog treats with you and ask permission of the owner to give the dog a treat. Thank them for understanding the need to protect the resources and for sharing this information with other dog owners.
Yours,
—Master Interpreter
Dear Master Interpreter,
I do craft activities with my Junior Rangers and school groups. I’m having trouble getting funding for supplies. Can you give me resources to obtain craft supplies?
Thanks,
—Crafty Campground Interpreter
Dear Crafty,
Excellent question! Craft projects with Junior Rangers and school children are a wonderful way to reinforce your theme with a tangible object/project and something they can take home to remember their park experience. Don’t let budget woes get in the way of your creativity. Here are several resources for you to conside.
Donations
Either your 501(c)(3) cooperating association or other partner organization can help with the funding of supplies OR assist with soliciting donations. You can go to local craft stores, stationary stores, etc. with a letter showing your non-profit status requesting donations. Most stores are happy to donate supplies and especially appreciative if you offer to mention them as a sponsor in a newsletter, a flyer or another type of media.
Schools are often a source of supplies. At the end of the school year, they may have additional supplies that they want to discard. These include pre-schools, Sunday Schools, and both public and private schools. Print shops, copy centers, sign shops, fabric stores, packaging businesses, florists, and even restaurants may have supplies you can use.
Many libraries and museums host makerspaces or craft activity kits that you can check out and use.
Post on social media or at your park that you need craft supplies and share contact information for people to reach out to you and let you know what they can offer you.
Re-use/Recycle
Craft projects in parks also lend themselves to conveying the importance of reducing waste and reusing or recycling items. Some re-use centers or creative re-use shops have bins or bulk sections of mixed materials at little to no cost. It’s a great lesson to model re-use/recycle in your craft project.
Happy Crafting My Friend,
—Master Interpreter
Send your questions for the Master Interpreter to interpretation.staff@parks.ca.gov