Background

1. Interpreting Sustainability Initiatives:The “Greened” Aiken Center at the University of VermontKatherine OstrootThe University of Vermont, Rubenstein School of Environment and Natural Resources Background Regional Materials Map The George D. Aiken Center, at the University of Vermont, houses the Rubenstein School of Environment and Natural Resources. The Aiken Center reopened for the 2012 spring semester after undergoing a complete renovation that will help the school better fulfill its mission of achieving a sustainable human community that is in harmony with the surrounding natural environment. The renovated building is a working demonstration and living classroom that will provide many opportunities for learning and continued research for students. An environmental interpretation class that ran during the fall 2011 semester explored interpretive communication skills and developed an interpretive master plan and educational media for the building. Interpretive Theme: Many materials used in the renovation of the Aiken Center were chosen to reduce the carbon footprint of the building and to support local economies. Photo by Sally McCay Guidelines for Interpretation • Clear and concise main theme • Connection to the audience and their experiences, emotions and ideals • Creates a bridge between old and new knowledge • Sparks an interest, generates curiosity, and encourages audience participation • Accessible to a wide range of audience types Objectives Interpretive Master Plan • Theme: • The newly renovated George D. Aiken Center will serve to educate, inform, inspire, and provoke all visitors by emphasizing the sustainable features • of the building, while also encouraging environmental competency. • Project Examples: • Guided tour to educate visitors • Online, self-guided tour • Digital touchscreen monitor for informational displays • Educational signs for the eco-machine • Regional materials map • Develop a comprehensive master plan that contains an inventory of potential interpretive and educational media projects to be used in the Aiken Center • Effectively disseminate information about the ecological and sustainable aspects of the Aiken Center in a way that is accessible to a wide range of audiences • Convey knowledge and information in an engaging and effective way that creates an emotional and intellectual connection between the audience and the resource • Complete various projects from the master plan prior to the reopening of the building Created by John Kinnicutt, Kate Ostroot, & Alie Sarhanis