Hmmmmmm. Interpretation by a concessionaire. Interesting concept.

Is this a move toward privatization of parks? Doesn't sound like it. Does anyone know if there are similar operations anyplace else? Is this new at Wrangell? Will this replace interpretive rangers or serve as a supplement?

The first thing that popped into my head when I read this was the specter of interpreters at the Bryce Canyon visitor center a few years ago who were all wearing Ford Motor Company T-shirts.

I checked the links provided in the article but they didn't provide answers to the questions I have. Can we get more information on this? With what was provided here, I don't know whether to get ready to fight or to say, "Hey, good idea!"

Concessionaire Interpretation is a daily occurance, Lee. Often, extremely well done with many significant visitor breakthroughs connecting to the very best of what these great places can convey, safely. What I heard from your "interesting concept" header was a bit of NPS snobery. Many individuals that work for corporate concessionaires go far past the minimum requirements of "processing visitors." What is dissapointing is that many times those that do their job far and above the minimum are not supported in a way that they can stay doing an exceptional job. Amazing what a little respect can do in visitor contacts which can be supported by a little bit of it trickling down from management. It all originates from the top, I believe. Lee, I just took exception to your statement although it's certainly a common impression by some in the NPS community.

I lived and worked in Kennecott for a summer, and the park has both NPS interpretation and a concessionaire that provides such a service. The concessionaire would give tours of the copper mill, as well as the nearby glacier. The tours of the copper mill have been going on for years, and provide another option for visitors (especially those that book packages through Kennecott Glacier Lodge). They seemed to do a pretty good job of explaining the operation of the site. I think NPS should never lose its intrepretive function, but at this remote site in the biggest (and of the most remote) national parks, its important to have additional options for visitors.

I'm not sure if it's "snobbery" or a reaction to some fear that there are many out there who are ready to do all they can to turn our parks into for profit theme parks. This was a new thing to me and I was surprised by it.

Although in other cases, I've thoroughly enjoyed some concession run adventures -- particularly in Yellowstone on some Xanterra winter snow coach tours. As long as there is adequate quality control, I usually have no beef. The Ford Motor Company debacle at Bryce came about as a direct result of Bush's efforts at privatization. It was NOT good. I think we need to be very wary of attempts to turn our parks into cash cows for anyone.

I'll also have to admit that there have been a number of times when I've come away from visiting a park with a sour taste. When I have a good experience, I try to share it here. When the experience is not good, I usually try to find a way to contact the park's senior staff. Y'know, the few times I've felt a need to do that seem to have produced some good results. Praise publicly, criticize privately. But I do believe that ALL of us -- whether we are ardently pro-NPS or otherwise -- have a responsibility to try to do all we can to protect and preserve (and when needed, improve) a true national asset.

I think it all depends. I too remember the Ford logos at Bryce Canyon, although I thought they were actually smaller than the logo of the nonprofit organization that was sponsored by Ford. I would say that it seemed rather commercial in nature to have that logo.

Quite often I've gone on "naturalist guided walks" where the tour was conducted by someone employed or volunteering at a nonprofit associated with the park. Did that at Grand Teton. A lot of the events listed on park calendars are led by personnel not employed by NPS.

At Yosemite the regular morning snowshoe walks are guided by a ranger. If you chose to try one of the special "full moon" deals the guide is someone supplied by DNC. The calendar of events include videos and movies presented by DNC.

Heck - if you take the Shark Valley Tram tour at Everglades, some of the tours are guided by a ranger sitting in the front seat. I missed the last one, and our guide was the driver, who was actually pretty entertaining.

After reading other comments here and a little more research and thought, I think I'm ready to say, "Hey, Good Idea!"

Although I've throroughly enjoyed some other concession interpretation, this somehow caught me off guard and I failed to associate the things I've experienced with this one. Perhaps it was because this one didn't seem to be associated with such things as mule rides or snow coach tours.

But on the other hand, I'd hate to see interpretive rangers entirely replaced by concession employees.

Agreed, Lee.

Supporting all the Interps, Concession and NPS, in meaningful ways only furthers their giftings/abilities to help facilitate visitor's connections to these historical places and landscapes, in real terms. A Win-Win for everyone, I believe.

I'd like to nominate many of the guides that lead the concession Mule Rides into and out of the Grand Canyon over two days and the shorter rides from the North Rim. Yes they do a lot of interpretation in one of the most dramatic and at times, brutal environments. The visitors have so much personal equity in the experience in real terms that I feel there is a real bond and respect gained for the Canyon, their mules and the professionalism of their guides. Most often far better than they could have expected. I know many NPS Interp Rangers and the best of them try and succeed in facilitating those same outcomes and only mention the concession end of Interpretation and specifically the Canyon Mule Rides because there has been an effort to marginalize their presence. When riders at the end of their two day adventure in the Inner Canyon commonly praise the adventure as the best experience of their lives, I'd say a good thing has been accomplished.

I touched the edges of another topic here but the point is that concessionaires can and do have very capable interpretive personnel and should be valued by their employers and deserve respect by NPS for their efforts to facilitate connections to these special places.