What’s Up? – Interpretation and Education Division Embarks on Developing 5-Year Strategic Plan

Under the leadership of the Interpretation and Education Chief, Heather Holm, and in partnership with the California State Parks Foundation, the California State Parks Interpretation and Education Team will develop a 5-year strategic plan over the course of 2025. This plan takes a holistic landscape approach to the planning process creating a roadmap for interpreters statewide. Division, the field, and any aspect of state parks that touches interpretation will be considered in this plan. Surveys, a series of meetings, and interviews will be implemented to gather input from all interpretation and education employees.

According to Holm, “The Interpretation and Education Strategic Plan will shape the statewide direction for the next five years. Feedback gathered from all interpreters will help inform policy updates and changes, identify training needs, and set priorities.”

Once completed and approved, the 5-year plan document will be available to all in the department and to our park partners. A tracking method will be implemented to capture achievements, progress, and areas that need attention during the 5-years. It is anticipated that the plan will be analyzed and updated in future years.

If you’d like more information, please contact either Elizabeth Hammack, Interpretation and Education Division Project Coordinator at Elizabeth.hammack@parks.ca.gov or Randy Widera, Director of Programs, California State Parks Foundation at randy@calparks.org.