The Wind Beneath My Interpretive Wings
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www.mointerp.net SPRING 2011 Newsletter of theAMIgoAssociation of Missouri Interpreters Morgan Wyatt The Wind Beneath My is a Naturalist at the Springfield Interpretive Wings Nature Center lmost every interpreter has had someone that inspired by Morgan Wyatt them to go into the field of interpretation. Often the ones inspiring us have not been “official interpreters” A Grandpa knew his lake like the and did not even realize they were interpreting at the time. back of his hand and was always So many people took time to let me in on the secrets and able to put us on some bass, crappie or bluegill (bream, as mysteries of nature. Anyone, anywhere can be an interpreter we called them). He never once lost patience with us and capable of inspiring others. our constantly tangled fishing line. We even gigged frogs. Most of the people who inspired me were members of At his house, we were explorers. Grandpa would help us my own family. My mom and dad took my brother and I examine the stomachs of the fish we had cleaned to determine camping and fishing often. On those trips we learned valuable what they had been eating. A loud, squealing noise down outdoor skills such as setting up tents, building campfires by the dock was a frog being eaten by a water snake upon and fishing. Mom was quite the angler and even showed my further investigation. A dead pelican drowned on someone’s younger brother to fly fish. We had fun doing these things, forgotten trot line became a way for Grandpa to show us how and through many fish-frys we reaped the rewards of our tendons in the bird’s legs worked. Nothing was off limits, hard work. My Aunt Shawn was another influence in my because even in death there was an opportunity for Grandpa to interest in the great outdoors. We had a small pond beside show us something cool. As I grew up, others influenced me our house where we often went fishing. When Aunt Shawn by reawakening my curiosity in nature. When I was in college came to visit, we would grab a coffee can and head for the I began volunteering at the Shepherd of the Hills Hatchery. piles of decaying leaves along the fence and in the ditch to John Miller’s sincere enthusiasm for everything from rocks look for worms to use for bait. She made digging in the dirt to snakes was contagious and Leah Eden’s guidance and exciting! When we would find several fat night crawlers encouragement gave me the extra push to finally realize my all at once, she was always sure to shout “jackpot!. “ We calling. I’ve been doing my best to help others see in nature also found snakes, centipedes, snails, salamanders with egg what I see ever since. clutches, beetles and spiders in those leaf piles. Sometimes, So I encourage you to remember those that inspired you and we never even made it to the pond. The person who made the peaked your curiosity. single most influence on my decision to enter this field was my Grandpa Jim. He took us on many scouting and hunting trips in the Ouachita Mountains. We would search the mud In This Issue: for signs of turkey, follow a blood trail of a shot deer through President’s Corner............................. Page 2 the forest , and at camp Grandpa would call to owls, whose mighty hoots pierced the Officers and Board .......................... Page 2 mountain air to answer AMI Conference Information.......... Page 3 him right back. Some AMI Conference Field Studies......... Page 4 of the greatest outdoor experiences took place at State Park Award & T-Shirt Art......... Page 5 his house on Old River in Interpretive News.................. .. Pages 6 & 7 Arkansas. Many great fish “Be Still” (Article).......................... Page 8 were pulled out of those waters by our little arms. AMI Awards.................................... Page 8 Page 2 AMIgo Spring 2011 Did You Find the Mystery Person? 2011 Elected Officers President - Jeremy Soucy Be the first person on your The mystery Kansas City Discovery Center, MDC person who [email protected] block to find the “mystery appears in this Vice President- Andrea Putnam DNR/DSP Central Office person” in the cover article cover article will [email protected] and win a mystery prize. author the next Treasurer - Amanda Coonce AMIgo newsletter Watkins Woolen Mill SHS, DNR Prizes will be awarded to the [email protected] cover article. Secretary - Jamie Hubert quickest email responder. St. Francois State Park, DNR [email protected] Membership-Kendra Swee To enter, contact John Miller at [email protected] Babler State Park, DNR [email protected] Past President - Eugene Vale DNR/DSP Central Office, DNR [email protected] Appointed Positions Historian - John Cunning Your Help is Needed DNR/DSP Central Office [email protected] Help Scan History Awards/Scholarships - Cyndi Cogbill MDC Joplin Office [email protected] We need volunteers to help scan archived issues Elections Chair- Lisa LaCombe Burr Oak Woods CNC, MDC of both the NAI VIsions and AMI AMIgo [email protected] newsletters. Many of the issues range from Webmaster - Dakota Russell Nathan Boone Homestead SHS, DNR 1980s to 2006. If you are interested in putting [email protected] Newsletter Editor - John Miller your scanning talents to good use, contact Shepherd of the Hills Conservation Center Dakota Russell at [email protected] . [email protected] MEMBERS AT LARGE NE Region - Adam Brandsgaard Chillicothe Office, MO MDC [email protected] St. Louis Region - Shanna Raeker AMI is a Chapter of the National Association for Interpretation (NAI Rockwoods Reservation, MDC Region 6). It is made up of professionals, seasonals, and volunteers from [email protected] federal, state, county, and private entities across the state who promote the SE Region - Jamin Bray art and passion of interpretation. The AMIgo newsletter is published 4 Shortleaf Interpretive Services times a year for members of the Association for Missouri Interpreters. The [email protected] summer edition is mailed as a courtesy issue Lakes Region Dana Hoisington to all interpretive sites appearing in the MO Prairie State Park, DNR [email protected] Interpretive Services Directory. Central Region Submission deadlines are: Kathryn DiFoxfire Wilson Independent January 2 April 1 June 1 October 1 [email protected] KC Region - VACANT AMIgo Editor: [email protected] Spring 2011 AMIgo Page 3 anning the Flames lames of of E 2011 AMI Conference X P L September 12-15 O R A Farmington, MO T I O TENTATIVE hrough interpretation, we N CONFERENCE SCHEDULE have the opportunity to Using interpretation to Tshare our passion for spark resource connections. the resources by educating, Monday, September 12 enlightening, and inspiring others. Our privilege, and REGISTRATION BEGINS obligation, is to help others enjoy, reflect upon, and 8:00am-5:00pm Registration at Tradition Inn find meaning in the places we work. Pre-Conference Field Studies Stoking the flames of wonder while extinguishing What’s new at JSI Wineries of SE MO the fires of nature deficit disorder can be challenging. Hike the Ozark Trail Sam Hildebrand Home How do we fan the flames of exploration? What can Dinner on your own we do to spark connections to our resources? This 6:00pm Optional evening trip: Bat mist netting at year’s AMI conference is all about reconnecting our Silver Mines Recreation Area visitors with Missouri’s resources by fanning the 7:00pm Evening Mixer and Hospitality room open flames of exploration. Tuesday, September 13 8:00-9:30am Registration at Tradition Inn Call for Papers! 10:00am Conference Kickoff at Hawn State Park: Play Day Event demonstration 11:30am BBQ lunch Submit your workshop proposal to: 12:00pm Keynote speech by MO First Lady Georganne Michelle Soenksen Nixon “The Children in Nature movement” Sam A. Baker State Park 1:30-4:30pm Concurrent sessions RR 1, Box 113 4:30-6pm Dinner on your own 6:00pm Optional tour of Crown Valley Brewery Patterson, MO 63956 6:30pm Catch shuttle from hotel to the Brewery or FAX to 573/856-4808 for the auction 7:00pm Scholarship Auction or [email protected] 9:00pm Hospitality Room opens at Tradition Inn Please submit your presentation ideas by June 1. Wednesday, September 14 8:00am - 4:30pm Conference Field studies 6:00pm Banquet and Awards at Tradition Inn Workshop Lodging 8:00pm Hospitality Room opens The Tradition Inn Hotel and Banquet Center is Thursday, September 15 located off Highway 67 in Farmington, MO. 9:00 -11:00am Concurrent Sessions Reservations can be made by calling (573) 11:30am: Business meeting and lunch 756-8031. Indicate that you are with the AMI 1:00pm Farewell! conference. Room rate is $69.99 for double occupancy, which includes a complimentary hot breakfast each morning. Visit their website at www.traditioninn.com Page 4 AMIgo Spring 2011 2011 Conference Field Studies Pre Conference Field Studies Conference Field Studies Monday, September 12th Wednesday, September 14th 1. Johnson’s Shut-Ins State Park – Big, 1. Mining and the Civil War Diverse, Dynamic Early explorers to Johnson’s Shut- Whether searching for minerals, food or the enemy, Ins State Park encountered resources much like those found explorers and soldiers alike discovered a new world in the here today – Big, Diverse and Dynamic! St. Francois Mountains of southeast Missouri. a. Explore the crevices and crowns of Elephant Rocks a. Explore Missouri Mines State Historic Site, once one State Park.