Interpretive Systems Planning Model Building for Emerging Countries: a Stakeholder-Based Needs Assessment Study, National Interpreters Workshop Proceedings
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DEVELOPING AN INTERPRETIVE PLANNING MODEL FOR A NATIONAL PARK SYSTEM: A STAKEHOLDER-BASED NEEDS ASSESSMENT STUDY FOR KOREA DISSERTATION Presented in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree Doctor of Philosophy in the Graduate School of The Ohio State University By Kye Joong Cho. M.A., M.S. ***** The Ohio State University 2005 Dissertation Committee: Approved by Dr. Gary W. Mullins, Adviser Dr. Rosanne W. Fortner ____________________________ Adviser Dr. Robert A. Agunga School of Natural Resources ABSTRACT The focus of interpretive planning in Korean Naitonal Parks presented herein addresses, but extends beyond, stakeholders’ wants and needs (SWAN). Parks, whether natural, cultural, or historical, have resource-dependent criteria or Resource Protection Criteria (RPC), such as maintenance of biological diversity, that must be recognized and protected. Likewise parks are established, governed, and managed by a set of enabling legislation/laws, policies, and guidelines. These are referred to here as Park Management Criteria (PMC). It is in the triangulation and interplay of stakeholders’ wants and needs (SWAN), RPC, and PMC that inform the interpretive planning process. Each of these three is very much dependent on the park resources, political context, and stakeholders involved. Actual plans will vary with the data obtained. Data presented in this study were collected to illustrate types of data that can inform the process; they are not intended to explain. The research reported herein addresses developing an interpretive planning model for national parks based comprehensive data rather than solely upon expert opinion. The stakeholder (SWAN) data are triangulated with Resource Protection Criteria (RPC) and Park Management Criteria (PMC) to inform the interpretive planning process. A conceptually based interpretive planning model was developed. The model can readily guide those who try to adapt the model to their park’s or park system’s interpretive planning. - ii - The interpreters at the parks are the primary contact for visitors and the primary source of interpretive information during the program. Applying a stakeholder-based process gives direction to the interpretive field and interpretive planners. Stakeholder feedback serves as a reference point for assessing effectiveness of the park interpretation. This does raise the issue that some limitations inherent in the park management system, i.e. RPC and PMC, cannot be always changed to suit visitor wants. The results of the needs assessment indicated that about thirty-six percent (36%) of the visitors had heard about environmental interpretation at the national parks. Approximately fifty-six percent (56%) of the visitors who had heard about environmental interpretation at the national parks participated in an interpretive program presented by a national park in Korea. Regarding how the respondents evaluated the environmental interpretive program(s) they attended at the park, the results indicated visitor dissatisfaction with the programs. The majority of respondents stated that they expected environmental interpretation programs to affect the visitors’ awareness of the park issues. Almost ninety percent (87.8%) of the respondents agreed that environmental interpretation programs can affect citizen decisions about political environmental protection issues. All of the respondents agreed that environmental interpretation programs are important to the future success of park resources management and planning. By gaining the perspective from current stakeholders, the planners could then focus on what systematics are needed so that the stakeholders can contribute their perspectives and engage in the planning process. The model articulated in this research iii balances the stakeholder dimensions with criteria for resource protection and park management. iv Dedicated to my family whose love, encouragement, and support have led me this far v ACKNOWLEDGMENTS Life is not easy for any of us. But what of that? We must have perseverance and above all confidence in ourselves. We must believe that we are gifted for something and that this thing must be attained. - Marie Curie I would like to express my thanks to Dr. Mullins for his guidance and support in the development and articulation of this research, and in my development as a researcher. I would also like to thank the members of my committee, Dr. Fortner and Dr. Agunga, for their advice and feedback. I would like to acknowledge my father for teaching me to always believe in myself, whatever path I choose to purse. His high expectations have taught that there are no limits as to what I can achieve in life. I am sure that he would be proud me of this work. I would also like to acknowledge my mother for her gentle encouragement, and for always sharing in the excitement of my accomplishments with me. I also would like to express my deep appreciation to Ok-ja Park for her support, perspective, and love and for always seeking to help me grow as a scholar, a husband, and a friend. Finally, a heartfelt “thank you” to all my family, who may not understand the details of my work, but have always expressed an interest in my ongoing education. vi VITA August 1, 1965 …………………………Born –Jeonnam, S. Korea 1991 ……………………………………B.A. Forestry, Sunchon National University 1997 ……………………………………M.S. Parks Recreation and Travel Tourism, Michigan State University 2002 – present ………………………… Lecturer, Sunchon National University 2003 - present ………………………….Environmental Interpretive Trainer & Planner, National Association for Interpreters, S. Korea PUBLICATIONS Cho, K.J. (1996). Key issues for Interpretation in Developing Countries, National Interpreters Workshop Proceedings. (pp. 254-261). Fort Collins, CO: National Association for Interpretation (NAI). Cho, K.J. (1997). The Active Volcano: Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, Videotape (40 min.) 1997. Cho, K.J. (1997). Case Studies about Interpretation in Developing Countries, National Interpreters Workshop Proceedings. (pp. 254-261). Fort Collins, CO: National Association for Interpretation (NAI). Kim, J.J., and K. J. Cho, (1998). Love Your Life and Love Your Environment. Environmental Reference Book, 1998. Cho, K.J., G. W. Mullins, R. W. Fortner, and N. J. Andrew, (1999). An Accidental Sanctuary: The Korean Demilitarized Zone , National Interpreters Workshop Proceedings. (pp. 254-261). Fort Collins, CO: National Association for Interpretation (NAI). Cho, K.J., G. W. Mullins, and G. A. Vander Stoep (2001). Interpretive Systems Planning Model Building for Emerging Countries: A Stakeholder-based Needs Assessment Study, National Interpreters Workshop Proceedings. (pp. 254-261). Fort Collins, CO: National Association for Interpretation (NAI). vii Cho, K.J. and J.M. Ann (2002). Evaluating Visitor Perceptions of Park-Related Leisure Activities: Importance-Performance Analysis at Jirisan National Park, Korea. Journal of Korean Forest Society, Vol. 91. No. 5. 609-623p October. Cho, K.J., J.M. Ann (2002) and J.S.Kim. A Qualitative Research on the Role of Environmental Interpretive Volunteers in the Forest Park. Korean Journal of Forest Economics, Vol. 10 No.2, 67-80p December. Cho, K.J. (2003). Environmental Interpretive Guide Book, Agenda 21, Sunchon, Korea. Cho, K. J. (2003). Field Guide Handbook for Interpreters in Sunchon Bay, The East Regional Society Institution, Korea. Cho, K. J. (2003). Environmental Interpretation for Children, Green School, Kwang-yang, S. Korea. Cho. K. J (2003). Final Report of Green School. Kwang-yang, Office of Forestry, Korea. Cho, K. J. (2003). Field Guide Book for Interpreters in Nature Park, Mudeng-san Preservation Society, Korea. Kim, S.H., Y.S.Jang, H.G.Chung, H.S.Park, and K.J.Cho. (2003). Leaf Morphological Characteristics of Sorbus Comixta Hedl. Selected Populations, Journal of Korean Forest Society, Vol. 92. No. 5. 488-496p October. Cho. K. J (2003). National Parks and Protected Area. In Department of Forestry (Ed.) Forestry and Social Education. Sunchon National University, Korean Forestry Service, Korea. Cho. K.J (2003). Final Report of Forestry and Social Education. Sunchon National University, Korean Forestry Service, Korea. Cho, K.J. and J.M. Ann (2004). The Efficiency of Interpretive Programs Guided by College Student-Intern Interpreters and park Interpreters at Jirisan National Park, Korea. Journal of Korean Forest Society, Vol. 93. No.2. 167-174p April. Cho, K.J. (2004). Environmental Interpretative Guide book for Children, Green School, Kwang-Yang, S. Korea. Cho. K.J (2003). Final Report of Green School. Kwang-yang, Korean Forestry Service, Korea. Cho, K.J. and J.M. Ann (2004). Interpretive Planning with Visitors Expectations in Nature Park: Case Study in Jogyesan Provincial Park, Jeonnam, Korea Journal of Korean Forest Society, Vol. 94. No. 2. December. viii Cho. K.J (2004). Role of National Parks. In Department of Forestry (Ed.) Forestry and Social Education. Sunchon National University, Korean Forestry Service, Korea. Cho. K.J (2004). Final Report of Forestry and Social Education. Sunchon National University, Korean Forestry Service, Korea. Cho, K. J. (2005). Translated into Korean: Interpreting Our Heritage, by Freeman Tilden, North Carolina University Press (1977). Cho, K. J. (2005). Environmental Interpretation: Research Protection for the 21st Century. Soo Moon Press. FIELDS OF STUDY Major Field: Natural Resources Environmental Communication, Interpretation; Ecosystem Management and Park Management ix TABLE OF CONTENTS Page Abstract..................................................................................................................