PARTICIPATION IN INTERPRETIVE PROGRAMS BY VISITOR-CENTER VISITORS - Suncheon Bay Ecological Park and Naejangsan National Park, Korea -

Abstract

Participation in interpretive programs was measured in two Parks in Honam Region. Participation was expressed as a percentage of total park visitor population at the time the program was offered. In and out traffic counters at the park gate, electric counters at the gate of the nature(at Suncheon Bay Ecological Park)/visitor(Naejangsan National Park) center and eye counters at programs were used to obtain the statistics. Results indicated that nature/visitor center visits were not the most popular activities in each park, drawing averages of 40% and 21% of the park populations, except in September at Suncheon Bay Ecological Park. Evening programs(astronomical observation) drew 30-35% at Suncheon Bay Ecological Park, while only about 19.5% went on forest and cultural experience walks. There were significant differences between two park nature/visitor center visitors and among programs. Cities, counties and National Parks are spending increasing sums on interpretive facilities, programs, and activities. New nature/visitor center buildings are often included in park plans. Enthusiasm for environmental study has apparently contributed to public financial support for interpreters of nature and history. The interpreters/naturalists and managers of these services must be concerned with accountability. Are their services really worth the expenditure of public funds? In times of financial stress, are interpretive programs of low priority in the budget? Methods of measuring public support are needed. Enthusiastic endorsements from teachers and visitors are helpful, but political decision-makers often go by the numbers more than individual fervor. The number of participants in programs thus is an important statistic to the park administrator. Perhaps of even more importance is the proportion of all visitors who use interpretive facilities and programs. The objective of this study was to measure participation in the summer interpretive programs in two parks, in comparison to total populations at the time of the programs. The study was conducted in the summer of 2012 in Suncheon Bay Ecological Park and Naejangsan National Park, both Honam Region, Korea. Suncheon Bay Ecological Park has a modern nature center in its 27.5㎢ and was staffed by 12 Souncheon Bay Team under City of Suncheon, nearly 20 full time interpreters, and 2 volunteer naturalists during the study period. At least one was in the nature center at virtually all open hours. The park also had the most modern two cruse boat in the Suncheon Bay Ecological Park system. Naejangsan National Park contains 81.715㎢, much of it in back country with cable-car access. Its cement-block visitor center was open throughout the day, whether or not the park's one naturalist was present or leading an outside program. Interpretive programs studied included eco-classroom for kinds(K-6), astronomical observation(evening program), reed-train (Suncheon Bay Ecological Park), hidden history walk, woodcraft classroom, forest and cultural experience, and attendance at the nature/visitor center.