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 Suhaimi R (2001) Use of interpretive posters at Lambir Hills National Park, Malaysia, Hornbill 5:nn-nn  

USE OF INTERPRETIVE POSTERS AT LAMBIR HILLS NATIONAL PARK

SUHAIMI RAMBLI1

SUMMARY

Lambir Hills National Park is particularly important for conservation because it has a very large number of plant species. Almost all the visitors to the Park come to picnic and swim at Letak waterfall, and are probably unaware of the other values of the Park. This is a good opportunity for NPWD to implement its strategy of supporting conservation through the promotion of education and appreciation of nature by providing interpretation for visitors to the waterfall.

The study investigated the appropriateness of using posters to provide information on local plants. Temporary posters were put up, and an exit survey of Sarawakian visitors was used to find out what they could recall from the posters. More than half of the respondents recalled seeing the picture on at least one poster, but none of them could remember the information in the accompanying text.

Posters seem to get people’s attention, but they do not necessarily read the accompanying text. Posters where the message is conveyed entirely in pictures may be effective, or posters can be combined with other media.

 

INTRODUCTION

Lambir Hills National Park
The major conservation value of Lambir Hills National Park lies in its vegetation, and especially its mixed dipterocarp forest. This particular forest is extraordinarily rich in tree species and may well to be the richest conserved forest in the world. The park probably contains more endangered species of tree than any other national park in Sarawak and possibly the whole of Asia (Watson, 1985).

Current status of interpretive facility at park
Currently, the park does not have an interpretive centre, video shows or guided walks, only brochures and signboards along the trails. Interpretation is an "educational activity which aims to reveal meanings and relationships through the use of original objects, by first hand experience and by illustrative media, rather than just simply to communicate factual information" (Tilden, 1977). Experience of visiting Lambir can be greatly enriched by improved information services.

Rationale of using posters as interpretive tools in this study
The advantages of using posters as interpretive tool include:

  • an attractive way to approach park visitors,
  • attract various level of viewers,
  • simple and easy to understand,
  • visitors can chose the topics which interest them.

The objectives of the study
The study was undertaken to evaluate the effectiveness of using interpretive posters in giving information to the local visitors at Lambir, but finding out how much information from interpretive posters they could recall (absorb and retain).

 

METHODS

Poster display
Various species of plants commonly found along the main trail to Latak waterfall were depicted in the trial posters, together with a few lines of text in both Malay and English. The A3-size colour posters were mounted on plywood and displayed at strategic locations: the canteen, the visitor reception counter, day-shelters at Latak Waterfall and viewing platforms along the trail.

Exit survey
Sarawakian visitors aged 12 or over were surveyed when they left the Park. They were shown a card with all the pictures from the posters and asked if they recalled seeing the pictures in the Park. If so, they were asked what information they could recall from the poster. Respondents were divided into children (school age) and adults.

 

RESULTS

Two hundred respondents were interviewed, including 117 children and 83 adults. More than half of the respondents (57% of the adults and 56% of the children) recognised the picture of at least one plant shown in a poster. However, no one recalled any of the information in the accompanying text.

When asked where they had seen the picture, a few (8 adults and 3 children) gave places outside the Park. It seems that some people said they recalled seeing the picture when in fact they recalled seeing the plant depicted. The questions need to be clear and should be tried out on many people before starting the survey.

 

CONCLUSION

Interpretation applied in the park needs to be approach in many ways. This is because the people who come to the park are of different ages, academic level, perception, needs and purposes. Posters are a simple and flexible way to introduce visitors to features of the park and to help them to appreciate the values of the park.

However, we should not assume that visitors will read and recall the text of posters. Posters which use only pictures to convey a message may be effective. Posters using cartoons or with a striking picture and a simple slogan (one or two words) should also be tried.

 

REFERENCES

Tilden, F. (1977) Interpreting our Heritage (3rd edition). U of North Carolina Press, Chapel Hill NC

Watson, H. (1985) Lambir Hills National Park - Resource Inventory with Management Recommendations, unpublished report to National Parks and Wildlife Office, Sarawak Forest Department

 
1 Loagan Bunut National Park, c/o National Parks and Wildlife Office, Jalan Angsana, 98000 Miri, Malaysia; email: melano21@yahoo.com.sg