National Association for Interpretation facts for kids
The National Association for Interpretation (NAI) is a group in the United States. It is a non-profit organization, which means it doesn't try to make money for itself. Instead, it helps people who work to explain nature and history to others. These people are called "interpreters." The NAI is based in Fort Collins, Colorado.
What NAI Does
The NAI helps people who work as interpreters. These are the people who explain things like national parks, museums, or historical sites to visitors. They help people understand and care about our natural and cultural heritage.
- Training and Learning: NAI offers special training and programs. These help interpreters learn new skills. They can also get certificates to show they are experts.
- Sharing Knowledge: NAI is a main place for experts to share what they know. They publish a special journal where people write about new ideas in interpretation.
- Meetings and Workshops: Every year, NAI holds a big meeting. Interpreters can learn new things there. They also meet other interpreters and share ideas. This helps them get better at their jobs.
How NAI Started
The National Association for Interpretation was created in 1988. Before that, there were two separate groups:
- The Association of Interpretive Naturalists, which started in 1954.
- The Western Interpreters Association, which started in 1965.
These two groups decided to join together. They formed one bigger organization to help all interpreters.
