FNPCW Collaborates with Northland College Class

Students visit Beaver Hollow
Eleven students from Professor Tom Mackey’s Interpretive Methods class at Northland College visited Beaver Hollow on a recent winter day. You might be wondering, “what are interpretive methods?” Interpretation uses signs and exhibits to engage and educate the visitor, explain a site’s history and significance and, thus, help the visitor make a connection to the site.

We shared the Friends’ mission with the students: The FNPCW is dedicated to the long-term protection and scientific management of the North Pikes Creek wetlands, and to the responsible use of this unique resource for nature-based recreation and education by people of all ages and physical abilities.

On their recent visit to Beaver Hollow, the students viewed and evaluated the current site signage in the context of our mission. In the coming weeks, they will make recommendations for additional signs and displays. Visitors to Beaver Hollow frequently compliment the educational signage currently installed along the Beaver Hollow pathways. The recent extension of the boardwalk, and the addition of the forest trail, create an opportunity for the installation of additional interpretive signage. The students will recommend signage, displays, and brochures, and will design items that can be used at Beaver Hollow. We’re looking forward to reviewing their project work and incorporating their ideas to enrich the visitor experience at Beaver Hollow.