Interpretive Guide 2006 PDF created with pdfFactory trial version www.pdffactory.com Discovery Forest Interpretive Guide Table of Contents Page Theme & Sub-themes 2 Species List 2 Visitor Journey (Exhibit Components) 3 Signage Text 5 Resources 27 Interpretive Signage Development Team David Jenike VP of Education and Facilities Shasta Back Bray Planner, Writer & Editor Greg Hanson Graphics Manager Nikki Nastold Graphic Design & Layout Marcus Jackson Illustrations Jack Rouse & Associates Interpretive Consultants Discovery Forest Interpretive Guide, 7/18/06 1 PDF created with pdfFactory trial version www.pdffactory.com Interpretive Theme Theme All living things depend on plants. Sub-themes 1) Life support—The interactions of plants and animals with each other and the non-living environment support all life on Earth. 2) Products—Plants provide people with foods, medicines and other products that are essential to life and/or benefit our lives. 3) Aesthetic value—Plants enrich our lives by enhancing our emotive experiences. 4) Plant conservation—Plants, and the ecosystems to which they belong, deserve our respect and protection. Species List Plants Passion flower, Passiflora sp. Canopy: Jackfruit, Artocarpus heterophyllus Fish Kapok, Ceiba pentandra Black tetra, Gymnocorymbus ternetzi Mahogany, Swietenia mahogani Bleeding-heart tetra, Hyphessobrycon Sapodilla, Manilkara zapota erythrostigma Ylang ylang, Cananga odorata Cardinal tetra, Paracheirodon axelrodi Cassava, Manihot sp. Bristle-nosed catfish, Ancistrus Guiana chestnut, Pachira aquatica dolipchopterus Leopard corydoras, Corydoras julii Understory: Marble hatchetfish, Carnegiella strigata Coffee, Coffee Arabica Royal pleco, Panaque nigrolineatus Papaya, Carica papaya Rummy-nose tetra, Hemigrammus Cacao, Cacao theobroma bleheri Wild pineapple, Ananas comosus Sailfin molly, Poecilia latipinna Rubber plant, Ficus elastica Striped anostomus, Anostomus Cinnamon, Cinnamomum sp. anostomus Banana, Musa sp. Swordtail, Xiphophorus hellerii Aloe, Aloe sp. Whiptail catfish, Rineloricaria Sensitive plant, Mimosa pudica lanceolata Manaca, Brunfelsia uniflora Rosy periwinkle, Vinca roseus Birds Chile pepper, Capsicum sp. Toco toucan, Ramphastos toco Red banana, Ensete ventricosum Blue and gold macaw, Ara ararauna Taro, Colocasia esculenta Bird of paradise, Strelitzia reginae Mammals Butterfly ginger, Hedychium Two-toed sloth, Choloepus didactylus coronarium. Reptiles Vines: Boa constrictor, Boa constrictor Philodendron, Monstera deliciosa Vanilla, Vanilla planifolia Discovery Forest Interpretive Guide, 7/18/06 2 PDF created with pdfFactory trial version www.pdffactory.com Visitor Journey (Exhibit Components) Targeted for children and their families, the P&G Discovery Forest exhibit is designed to engage visitors in a multi-sensory exploration of the world of plants and their importance. The setting is a tropical Latin American rainforest, incorporating interpretive elements from throughout Central and South America and even into Mexico. (Some plants from other tropical areas in the world are also featured for their significance to the theme of why plants are important.) Several neotropical animals—two-toed sloth, blue and gold macaw, boa constrictor, and various fish— are also displayed in the exhibit to emphasize the relationship between plants and wildlife. Visitors are guided throughout the exhibit by José, a character who appears on the signage. José is a young, modern-day boy who lives in Latin America. Perhaps he lives near the rainforest, and visits it frequently. He learns about the forest and the plants through his visits and from his tribal elders. Visitors join José as he explores the forest, and through his words and suggestions, they discover the importance of the forest, particularly the plants, and the need to protect it. The signage is presented from José’s perspective, in childlike prose with children’s book style illustrations. The animal and plant ID signs are written as if they are pages in José’s journal. A portal off of the main Zoo path across from Vanishing Giants invites the visitor. A short curved path leads them to the entrance of the greenhouse. As visitors walk along the outdoor path, they meet José on several introductory signs welcoming them to the forest and inviting them to go exploring with him. Visitors enter the greenhouse on the second floor, looking out into the canopy and over the forest floor, and are greeted by lush tropical plantings and the gurgling sound of a small waterfall. Before descending the stairs (or walking along the around the edge to access the elevator), they encounter a dozen or so species of neotropical freshwater fish in a community aquarium. On the left hand side at the bottom of the stairs, visitors encounter various plants that are important food sources, such as breadfruit and cacao trees. Visitors learn about several food plants that are important in Latin America, such as cassava and chile peppers, by flipping through José’s family cookbook. Continuing along the left side of the path, the next area features plants that provide us with beneficial products other than food and medicine. Examples of plants that provide us with products, such as kapok and rubber trees, are highlighted on a wheel that visitors turn to reveal the connections between plant and product. At the far end of the path, visitors encounter the two-toed sloth hanging in a tree. Here an interactive panel with flip ups interprets how plants, particularly trees, support all life through filtering water, providing shelter, and so on. Discovery Forest Interpretive Guide, 7/18/06 3 PDF created with pdfFactory trial version www.pdffactory.com Returning towards the stairs on the opposite side of the path, visitors come to the shaman’s hut, where José’s grandfather lives, in which they can peer for a look at the life of a medicine man. Artifacts such as hunting and cooking tools adorn the small shelter. The boa constrictor display is incorporated into the hut’s design. Along a railing outside the hut, visitors can learn about several important medicinal plants through flip up panels. Next, visitors are greeted by the squawking of a blue and gold macaw perched on a tree. Here visitors are encouraged to notice the beauty and diversity around them by playing a game of I Spy with José. Ascending the stairs, visitors leave the greenhouse through the same door they entered. Walking along the exit path, they are bid farewell by José, who reminds them that plants really do matter and suggests several ways they can help protect them. Discovery Forest Interpretive Guide, 7/18/06 4 PDF created with pdfFactory trial version www.pdffactory.com Interpretive Signage Text Along the outdoor path leading to greenhouse: Bienvenido! Welcome! My name is José. Follow me into the forest, To explore and play. Inside the tropical rainforest, There’s much to smell, hear and see. Surrounded by green, It’s my favorite place to be. Monkeys swing, birds sing The forest is really alive! Thanks to the plants-- Without them, we couldn’t survive. All life depends on plants! La vida depende de las plantas! Discovery Forest Interpretive Guide, 7/18/06 5 PDF created with pdfFactory trial version www.pdffactory.com Just inside the greenhouse entrance: Look up, look down, Investigate all around. Come with me and discover All the forest treasures to be found! ANIMAL ID signs Two-toed sloth If I were a sloth, I’d live in the canopy, Feasting on a leafy salad, And snoozing happily. Fact file Scientific name: Choloepus didactylus Spanish: El perezoso Length: 1.9 to 2.3 ft Weight: 8.8 to 17.6 lbs Diet: Leaves and fruits Range: Northern South America Blue and Gold Macaw A squawking macaw, Often heard before it’s seen, Builds a comfy nest Inside a dead palm tree. Fact file Scientific name: Ara ararauna Spanish: El guacamayo Length: 2.8 to 3.2 ft Wingspan: 3.4 to 3.8 ft Weight: 1.3 to 2 lbs Diet: Seeds, fruits and nuts Range: South America Discovery Forest Interpretive Guide, 7/18/06 6 PDF created with pdfFactory trial version www.pdffactory.com Boa Constrictor Slithering on the ground, Or dangling from a tree, A hungry boa catches dinner By a game of hide-and-seek. Fact File Scientific name: Boa constrictor Spanish: La boa Length: 3.3 to 13 ft Weight: Up to 140 lbs Diet: Mammals and birds Range: Central and South America Tropical Freshwater Fish Providing shelter from predators That would find them delish Is just one way Plants help the fish. Cardinal tetra, Paracheirodon axelrodi Marbled hatchetfish, Carnegiella strigata Rummy-nose tetra, Hemigrammus bleheri Black tetra, Gymnocorymbus ternetzi Leopard corydoras, Corydoras julii Sailfin molly, Poecilia latipinna Striped anostomus, Anostomus anostomus Bleeding-heart tetra, Hyphessobrycon erythrostigma Swordtail, Xiphophorus hellerii Whiptail catfish, Rineloricaria lanceolata Bristle-nosed catfish, Ancistrus dolichopterus Royal pleco, Panaque nigrolineatus Discovery Forest Interpretive Guide, 7/18/06 7 PDF created with pdfFactory trial version www.pdffactory.com PLANT ID signs Guiana Chestnut A Guiana chestnut tree Is up ahead. I snack on the nuts, and Grind them into flour for making bread. Fact File Scientific name: Pachira aquatica Plant type: Tree Forest layer: Canopy Flower: Large, white with red center Fruit: Large, football-shaped woody pod Guiana chestnuts taste like peanuts—yum! You can eat them either roasted or raw. Jackfruit. A banana-flavored jackfruit Is boiled and served as a veggie. Some jackfruits get so big, They weigh more than me! Fact File Scientific name: Artocarpus heterophyllus Plant type: Tree Forest layer: Canopy Flower: Tiny and green Fruit: Large, yellow-green, round or oblong Cord and cloth can also be made from the jackfruit tree. Mahogany No furniture is as beautiful As that made of mahogany wood. So very few trees are left to harvest, I wonder if we even should. Fact File Scientific name: Swietenia mahogani Plant type: Tree Forest layer: Canopy Flower: Small, yellow-green and fragrant Fruit: Woody pod People plant mahogany trees in their yards to make a nice, shady place to rest.