Eppley Institute

Asset Priority Index (API) E-course Launched

eppley@indiana.edu (Eppley Institute) — Tue, 07 May 2013 16:41:33 +0800

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The Eppley Institute has completed and launched the new Asset Priority Index (API) e-course, which was developed in partnership with the National Park Service (NPS) and will replace the older version of the e-course.

Developed in response to major changes made to API criteria in 2012, the new e-course allows facility management personnel to learn about API scores and practice scoring assets before doing it for real. The e-course is available to everyone (free of charge!) on our website. All

Overhauled Minimum Requirements Analysis E-Courses Released

eppley@indiana.edu (Eppley Institute) — Tue, 07 May 2013 15:01:13 +0800

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Wilderness specialists and wilderness managers have a new tool in their toolbox. Featuring highly interactive content and real skills training, the Minimum Requirements Analysis (MRA) e-courses are the newest additions to Eppley's training portfolio. Eppley's long-term partnership with the Arthur Carhart National Wilderness Training Center has led to a marriage of expert content with state-of-the-art learning techniques.

Originally a single course, the MRA e-course has been split into two

The Grand Canyon Revealed via Google Maps

eppley@indiana.edu (Eppley Institute) — Tue, 07 May 2013 14:25:08 +0800

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A recent blog post titled "Forget Hiking! Google Maps Hits the Grand Canyon" asks whether new technology makes it too easy to be an "armchair" hiker. Having been to the Grand Canyon a few times, and having watched my daughter and her friends see this indescribable sight for the first time, leaving them speechless, I am just a bit conflicted.

Google Maps has just released panoramic photos recording more than 75 miles within the Grand Canyon. You can visit the Kaibab Trail, see the Colorado River, and hike the Bright Angel Trail - all without leaving your comfy couch or chair.

For those planning a trip, these photos will most certainly be a help. And they make it possible for those of us who cannot afford a trip right now to experience - virtually - one of the great wonders of the world.

But might these photos allow us to forget why it's important to experience the Grand Canyon firsthand - and why it's necessary to preserve such places for future generations? As Wallace Stegner, a noted author and environmentalist, wrote some time ago, "Something will have gone out of us as a people if we ever let the remaining wilderness be destroyed ... We simply need that wild country available to us, even if we never do more than drive to its edge and look in."

While the Grand Canyon is not official wilderness, it is certainly "wild."
What do you think?

Celebrating Earth Day

eppley@indiana.edu (Eppley Institute) — Mon, 22 Apr 2013 20:43:15 +0800

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It's Earth Day! How are you planning to commemorate this day?

Maybe take mass transportation to work or share a ride with someone
Start recycling or composting program at your workplace
Or something as simple as turning off lights in rooms that aren't in use.

Here is what one community did: Milton, Massachusetts, is a small community not far from Boston. A small advocacy organization called "Sustainable Milton" sponsored a "Recycle Art Challenge."

From their website:

Did you know that your recycling bin is a treasure trove of art supplies??? To help celebrate Earth Day 2013, Sustainable Milton and Artspace Milton are collaborating to produce an event, The Recycle Art Challenge! Dig into your recycling bin and create a unique piece of art. Let your imagination go wild! Students are encouraged to create works of art using recycled materials. Bring your work to our Earth Day Celebration at Turner's Pond on Sunday April 21, 1:00 pm. Prizes will be awarded for creativity.

We have been collecting water bottles from Fitness Unlimited and Milton Hill Sport & Spa, as well as from Glover School, and people in the community. We estimate the "art piece" will include over 1,200-1,500 water bottles, which is the number of plastic water bottles used per second in the US!

The beauty of the structure is juxtaposed to the reality it represents- that 1,500 bottles end up in a landfill every second in America.

The National Park Service and Sequestration

eppley@indiana.edu (Eppley Institute) — Fri, 19 Apr 2013 21:22:59 +0800

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At midnight on Friday, March 1, 2013, the sequestration on government spending went into effect. The National Park Service is just one of the many agencies impacted by the sequester. NPS Director Jon Jarvis shared how the parks will be affected by the sequestration in a video posted by CBS.

National parks have a huge economic impact on their local communities. According to the report titled Economic Benefits to Local Communities from National Park Service Visitation, 2011, "the National Park System received 278.9 million recreation visits in 2011. Park visitors spent $12.95 billion in local gateway regions (within roughly 60 miles of the park). Visitors staying overnight outside the park (in motels, hotels, cabins, and bed and breakfasts) accounted for 54.9% of the total spending. About half (48%) of the spending was for lodging and meals, 21.4% for gas and local transportation, 9.7% for recreation and entertainment, 8.1% for groceries, and 12.7% for other retail purchases."

The report goes on to state that "contribution of this park visitor spending to the national economy amounted to 251,600 jobs, $9.34 billion in labor income, and $16.50 billion in value added. The direct effects of visitor spending are measured at the local level in gateway regions around national parks. Local economic impacts were estimated after excluding spending by park visitors from the local area (9.8% of the total spending). Combining local impacts across all parks yielded a total local impact (including direct and secondary effects) of 162,400 jobs, $4.58 billion in labor income, and $8.15 billion value added. The four local economic sectors most directly affected by non-local visitor spending are lodging, restaurants, retail trade, and recreation and entertainment. Their spending supported 45,200 jobs in restaurants and bars, 34,100 jobs in lodging sectors, 15,500 jobs in retail and wholesale trade, and 20,000 jobs in recreation and entertainment."

In addition to the economic impact, many parks will not be able to open access roads until later in the season, if at all; special events will be canceled; over 2,000 seasonals will not be hired; interpretive programs will be offered far less frequently, if at all; and restrooms will be closed due to lack of staff to clean them. All of this means the American people will have less access to their national parks. You can read more about the on-the-ground impacts on the Park Advocate page from the National Parks Conservation Association.

Aquatics Management Certificate Program

eppley@indiana.edu (Eppley Institute) — Tue, 16 Apr 2013 19:35:55 +0800

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Several years ago, the Eppley Institute, in conjunction with Dr. Bill Ramos and Indiana University's Aquatic Institute, developed the Aquatics Management Certificate Program, a set of five e-courses that serves as an introduction to the field.

The Eppley Institute is proud of this collaboration because of the excellent standing of Dr. Ramos and the Aquatic Institute on this topic.

In February 2013, Dr. Ramos was appointed to the American Red Cross Scientific Advisory Council. The council guides the Red Cross on emergency preparedness and practices that align with new research and medical knowledge. Over the course of his career, he has explored the relationship between aquatics and public health and safety, particularly drowning prevention.

As head of IU's Aquatic Institute, Dr. Ramos advances training and education efforts for all areas of aquatics found in communities, waterfronts, theme parks and resorts, and other venues. The Aquatic Institute also houses centers that are geared specifically toward the advancement of specific aquatic interests through teaching, research, and service.

The Aquatics Management Certificate Program covers general principles, personnel and training, risk management, programming, and maintenance and equipment. Learners who complete the certificate program gain a solid foundational knowledge of what it takes to manage an aquatics facility.

The certificate program, which is available to the general public, is also part of R302 Aquatic Management, a college course taught by Dr. Ramos in Indiana University's Department of Recreation, Park, and Tourism Studies. The certificate program e-courses serve as a textbook of sorts for R302 students, who complete the requisite assignments to demonstrate their understanding of the content.

Thus far, 20 learners have signed up for the course, and five have completed the course of study. To learn more about the Aquatics Management Certificate Program, visit the Eppley Institute's e-catalog at http://eppley.org/elearning/certificate-programs-1/aquatics.

New Evidence of the Dangers of WNS in Bats

eppley@indiana.edu (Eppley Institute) — Thu, 28 Mar 2013 14:55:47 +0800

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The plight of bats and their fight against White Nose Syndrome (WNS) continue to be important issues to me, especially as more is learned about this deadly fungus. The US Geological Survey and the National Institutes of Health have discovered evidence that bats who survive the fungus show signs of immune reconstitution inflammatory syndrome, or IRIS. According to a press release issued by the US Geological Survey, "IRIS is a syndrome in which an organism's immune system, having been suppressed for a long time, reactivates and, perceiving a serious infection around it, goes into overdrive resulting in severe inflammation and tissue damage in infected areas. This condition was first described in HIV-AIDS patients and if proven to exist in bats surviving WNS, this would be the first natural occurrence of IRIS ever observed." For both bats and humans, IRIS can be fatal.

As more and more people become aware of the fungus and the havoc it's wreaking on bat populations, many wonder what they can do to help. RD Wildlife Management recently launched a new nonprofit initiative, Fight WNS, intended to raise funds solely for white nose syndrome research and conservation efforts through donations and the sale of "batstuff" like t-shirts and stickers. To learn more about Fight WNS, please visit their website at http://fightwns.org/.

You can read the full US Geological Survey press release about bats, WNS, and IRIS here.

Richard Louv to Present the 2013 Reynold E. Carlson Lecture

eppley@indiana.edu (Eppley Institute) — Wed, 20 Mar 2013 20:43:45 +0800

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The Eppley Institute for Parks and Public Lands and the Department of Recreation, Park, and Tourism Studies at Indiana University cordially invite you to the 2013 Reynold E. Carlson Lecture on April 12, from 1:00 to 3:00pm, featuring Mr. Richard Louv, journalist and author of eight books about the connections between family, nature, and community.

In 2008, Mr. Louv was awarded the Audubon Medal, presented by the National Audubon Society. Louv is also the 2007 recipient of the Cox Award,

2013 Great Lakes Park Training Institute Award Winners

eppley@indiana.edu (Eppley Institute) — Mon, 18 Mar 2013 16:21:14 +0800

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This year, the Great Lakes Park Training Institute recognized individuals, programs, and facilities that have made a significant impact on the parks and recreation field in the Great Lakes region. The Institute's annual awards dinner gave award recipients an opportunity to speak about their work with their peers from around the Great Lakes. The 2013 award recipients are listed below.

Garrett G. Eppley Scholarship

Garrett G. Eppley Scholarship winner Dan Hebreard poses with Awards Committee Chair Cliff Morrison (left) and GLPTI Chair Dan Downey.

This award is named in honor of Dr. Garrett Eppley, a pioneer in parks and recreation education. He served in various roles with the National Park Service, was a faculty member at Indiana University, and is the namesake of the Eppley Institute for Parks and Public Lands. The scholarship is awarded to current park professionals to encourage continuing education. In addition to receiving a certificate, scholarship winners also receive free registration, lodging, and meals at the Institute.

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The 2013 scholarship winners are:

Dan Hebreard, Senior Ranger, Forest Preserve District of DuPage County (Illinois)

Brooke Artley, Leisure Services Manager, St. Joseph County Parks (Indiana)

Great Lakes Park, Facility, and Recreation Program Award

Joe Ketchum, Superintendent of West Bloomfield Park and Recreation Commission accepted the Great Lakes Park, Facility, and Recreation Program Award for his agencies efforts in the construction of Marshbank Park.

This award, in part, is in honor of Daniel L. Flaherty. In the 1930s and early 1940s, Flaherty worked in the Chicago Park District. During WWII he was the director of Chicago's servicemen's center. After the war he returned to the Chicago Park District, eventually becoming general superintendent. During his term, the Children's Zoo in Lincoln Park was constructed. He had a commitment to in-service training for the parks field. In 1948 he became chairman of the Great Lakes Park Training Institute. To honor his work, this award is presented to recognize facilities and programs completed within the last five years that represent the cutting edge of the leisure movement throughout the United States. The facilities and programs selected demonstrate innovative, cost-effective design, utilize community input and resources, and make a significant impact on their community and agency. This year, we are proud to honor two exemplary facilities.
The 2013 award winners are:
Marshbank Park, West Bloomfield Parks and Recreation Commission (Michigan)
The goals for this park were many and expansive, and include preserving sensitive natural areas and protecting adjacent Cass Lake and its watershed. Design elements and materials were selected to reflect local materials, site context, durability, and aesthetic qualities. The park features 100% barrier-free accessibility. Other innovative details include:

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Geothermal process that is used to heat the Marshbank Lodge.
Park benches, piers, and boardwalks that are constructed with recycled materials, including milk jugs!
Naturalized storm-water treatment that filters sediment from runoff and encourages infiltration and evaporation.

African Elephant Crossing, Cleveland Metroparks Zoo (Ohio)

Liz Geith, Superintendent of Facility Operations accepted the Great Lakes Park, Facility, and Recreation Program Award for Cleveland Metroparks Zoo's African Elephant Crossing facility.

The Zoo envisioned a world-class habitat and conservation center for African elephants. African Elephant Crossing (AEC) was designed to (1) increase the amount and complexity of space for elephants; (2) accommodate a larger and socially complete elephant herd; (3) measure educational outcomes that demonstrate attitude and behavior change; and (4) increase attendance and membership. AEC encourages understanding of the elephant habitat, their plight in the wild, and the need for local action that contributes to the sustainability of zoo elephants and conservation of African elephants in the wild. Some notable innovations include:

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More than 90% of the construction waste was recycled and diverted from a landfill.
A third of the materials used to build the exhibit came from recycled materials.
The exhibit's state-of-the-art water filtration system cut water usage by 72% over the former exhibit, from 26.3 million gallons per year to 7.5 million.
Innovative air systems reclaim over 75% of the heat from exhaust air.
The Sydell L. Miller Elephant Care & Visitor Center is a public education center that informs guests about conservation, sustainability practices, and how their personal decisions and behavior can make a difference.
New bicycle parking racks, capable of accommodating several hundred bikes, were installed around the perimeter of the Zoo.
101 designated green parking spaces were added to the Zoo's main parking lot for fuel-efficient vehicles and those who carpool.

Richard Lawson Award

Cindy Burkhour received the Richard Lawson Award, the Great Lakes Park Training Institute's most prestigious award for her with accessibility issues that affect parks."

Named in honor of Richard Lawson, this award is presented annually to individuals who exemplify continued and significant contributions to the parks and recreation profession in the Great Lakes region. This year, we received nominations for a wide range of candidates from Indiana, Illinois, Ohio, and Michigan.
The 2013 award winner is:

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Cindy Burkhour, Owner of Access Recreation Group, LLC
Cindy provides consulting services in the areas of inclusive recreation, universal design, and the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). She assists recreation providers to design universally accessible recreation facilities, programs, and services and to comply with the ADA. She served on the U.S. Access Boards' Recreation Accessibility Advisory Committee and the Regulatory Negotiation Committees on Access to Play Facilities and Access to Outdoor Developed Areas to establish the ADA compliance rules for recreation facilities.

Cindy developed and directed "Access Recreation: Creating Access to Community Recreation Opportunities for ALL Kids!" projects in Michigan and Missouri, where she's assisted in the development of collaborative relationships between schools, families, and recreation providers to support the inclusion of students with disabilities in sports, leisure, and recreation activities. She has also conducted ADA self-evaluations and developed transition plans for park and recreation facilities, programs, and services to facilitate compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act around the country. She developed and directed the "Access to Recreation Initiative," which was funded by a $15 million grant from the W. K. Kellogg Foundation. The "Access to Recreation Initiative" is designed to assist local, regional, and state-level recreation providers to develop universal access to all recreation opportunities for all people, of all abilities, together.

Organizing Memories of Special Places

eppley@indiana.edu (Eppley Institute) — Tue, 05 Mar 2013 18:26:28 +0800

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If February is the shortest month, then why does it always seem the longest? As a foil to the dreary February rain and cold, I plan for trips to warmer climes, but also take the time to organize memorabilia from previous travels.

First, I cull all the bad photos I took and keep only the ones that are helpful to my work (photos for e-courses, manuals, and blogs) and the ones that simply make me happy. I also name and date all the photos, before I forget!� The organizational strategy that works best for me is to write a short description recording the area, the place, and the date (year/month/day). Here is an example of a photo I took at Glacier National Park.

GLAC Back of Lake McDonald Lodge

GLAC Roots on Trail of the Cedars

I am also a lapel pin junkie and make sure that I always pin my latest find to my work bulletin board.

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Finally, I also like to collect maps to share with anyone who is planning a trip.

Tell us how you collect and save your memories of trips to special places.

Eppley Institute

Asset Priority Index (API) E-course Launched

Overhauled Minimum Requirements Analysis E-Courses Released

The Grand Canyon Revealed via Google Maps

Celebrating Earth Day

The National Park Service and Sequestration

Aquatics Management Certificate Program

New Evidence of the Dangers of WNS in Bats

Related Links

Richard Louv to Present the 2013 Reynold E. Carlson Lecture

2013 Great Lakes Park Training Institute Award Winners

Organizing Memories of Special Places