Port Orford on Oregon's South Coast
Port Orford on Oregon’s South Coast

Why do you want to travel? People travel for interesting and often new and sights, activities and experiences. it might be a new city, a rural setting or a wild lands experience. When we travel we encounter people that live and often speak differently. When we don’t know the language the local people are speaking we look to those people who can understand multiple languages to help us understand and relate to the people and place we are visiting. These people act as our language interpreters.

When when the language is the same as ours there are still many benefits of an personal interpreter who helps us navigate, learn, understand and enjoy new places and experiences. Informally this may be a relative or friend you are visiting who shows you around and shares their local knowledge of place and culture.

Many times though we want a professional to work with us to enhance how we enjoy a new experience or place. Whitewater rafting and other adventure activities, hunting, fishing, visits to parks and historical sites etc. are often when we hire and benefit from professional guides. Interpretive guiding is the process of helping the visitors relate to and understand the topic, place or experience. This is an important element of a professional guides skill set.

The National Association for Interpretation (NAI) is an organization that provides training and certification in interpretation and in March 2017 I gave a presentation at the International Conference for Interpretation in San Jose del Cabos, Mexico discussing professional guide practices. The conference provided a chance to meet and talk with other professionals to learn and be inspired. They define interpretation as follows; Interpretation: “A mission-based communication process that forges emotional and intellectual connections between the interests of the audience and meanings inherent in the resource.”

I personally look for and hire professional guides to enhance my travel experience and suggest you may enjoy doing the same on your travels to the Oregon Coast. For our coastal guides the OSU Extension program provides training opportunities upon request.

For more information on NAI see http://www.interpnet.com/

For more information on Coastal Oregon Guides see https://www.oregon.gov/OSMB/Pages/Guides-Charters.aspx

 

 

Last month, Dr. Scott Reed, Vice Provost for University Outreach and Engagement and Director of OSU Extension, visited the South Coast to learn more about the unique partnerships working to grow the tourism and outdoor recreation economy in the region. Dr. Reed met with Jim Seeley and Marie Simonds of the Wild Rivers Coast Alliance to talk about their work with OSU Extension.

You can watch a longer video about collaboration around tourism and economic development featuring OSU Extension Associate Professor of Tourism and Business Development here.

Travel Oregon – Matching Grants Programs

Are you looking for matching grant funds to complete a tourism-related project? Take a look at Travel Oregon’s grant programs to see if you fit the eligibility requirements to apply for funding.

“CONVERSATION WITH FUNDERS” EVENT SERIES
Travel Oregon will join several Oregon agencies as they travel around the state for the “Conversation with Funders” event series in February. Bring your grant-related questions for this opportunity to have one-on-one time with the different funders. These free events are open to the public and do not require a registration to attend.

  • MEET grant program staff from some of Oregon’s tourism and cultural agencies
  • LEARN about available grants, programming resources and nonprofit services
  • SHARE your project ideas, needs and challenges
  • CONNECT with other organizations in your community

VIEW THE AGENDA

Visit the Oregon Cultural Trust or contact Aili Schreiner at aili.schreiner@oregon.gov or 503-986-0089 for more information.

Conversation with Funders

February 7, 2017
3:45 p.m. – 6:15 p.m.
Liberty Theatre, McTavish Room
1203 Commercial Street
Astoria, Ore.
February 8, 2017
3:45 p.m. – 6:15 p.m.
Newport Performing Arts Center
777 W Olive Street
Newport, Ore.
February 9, 2017
3:45 p.m. – 6:15 p.m.
Coos History Museum
1210 N. Front Street
Coos Bay, Ore.
February 14, 2017
3:45 p.m. – 6:15 p.m.
Willamette Heritage Center
1313 Mill Street SE
Salem, Ore.
February 15, 2017
3:45 p.m. – 6:15 p.m.
Cerimon House
5131 NE 23rd Ave.
Portland, Ore.
February 16, 2017
3:45 p.m. – 6:15 p.m.
Pendleton Center for the Arts
214 N Main Street
Pendleton, Ore.
February 22, 2017
2:30 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Jackson County Library, Adams Conference Room
205 S Central Ave.
Medford, Ore.
February 23, 2017
2:30 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Eugene Public Library, Bascom/Tykeson Room
100 W 10th Ave.
Eugene, Ore.
February 28, 2017
3:30 p.m. – 6:15 p.m.
Sunriver Area Public Library
56855 Venture Lane
Sunriver, Ore.