{"id":7754,"date":"2025-11-05T19:11:57","date_gmt":"2025-11-05T19:11:57","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.birds.cornell.edu\/landtrust\/?page_id=7754"},"modified":"2025-12-19T14:01:38","modified_gmt":"2025-12-19T14:01:38","slug":"interpretive-sign-gallery","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.birds.cornell.edu\/landtrust\/interpretive-sign-gallery\/","title":{"rendered":"Interpretive Sign Gallery"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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Interpretive signs can help engage community members and encourage visitors to share their bird observations. Eye-catching images along with information about species and bird-friendly habitat management can spark visitor interest and engagement\u2014and media from the Macaulay Library<\/a> may be requested for educational uses.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

QR codes linking to eBird<\/a> or to a specific hotspot<\/a> can help visitors discover and contribute to your participatory science project, and QR codes linking to other resources may help visitors learn more about focal bird species.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Interpretive signs developed by land trusts and conservation organizations across the country are shared below. Use these examples as a starting point, customizing them to fit your specific context. Click the arrows beside the images to move through the examples, which are organized by theme. Scroll to the bottom of the page for resources and guidance<\/a> on designing your own interpretive signs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Restoring and Managing Habitat<\/h2>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
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Conserving Species<\/h2>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
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Using eBird, Merlin, and Hotspots<\/h2>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
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Principles of Interpretation<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

(courtesy of Aiken Land Conservancy)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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  1. Interpretation is an art that relies on the art of storytelling<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  2. The main aim of interpretation is provocation, not just instruction<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  3. Good interpretation is built around a theme<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  4. Don\u2019t try to tell stories that aren\u2019t yours to tell<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  5. Make your interpretation relatable to your visitors’ lives<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  6. Instill a sense of wonder and appreciation, and inspire a desire to conserve the resources they are learning about<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  7. Engage with people intellectually, emotionally, and spiritually with the stories, ideas, and values of a place<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
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    Resources for Interpretive Sign Design<\/h2>\n\n\n\n