People say a picture is worth a thousand words, so a painting must be worth a million. When it comes to designing interpretive signs, you can only have so many words before you lose your audience and that is why using art is so important to getting your message across and have an audience actually receive it. Interpretation in itself is an art and has a process all on its own. Each interpretive sign you see has its own inspirations, passions and messages it is trying to portray, and an artist/designer behind it trying to share all these things. It’s a process that I have had the opportunity to experience and want to share with you now.

Telescopes. Microwaves. WiFi. These are the words that most West Virginians associate with Green Bank, and rightly so. The Green Bank Telescope (GBT) and its fellow structures dominate the lifestyle of this small town. Join Ben as he explores life and his work in Green Bank!

One of Emily Culp’s main goals for this year and serving with AmeriCorps has been to advocate for blurring the lines between community goals and conservation goals. In order for conservation to work, the community must be supportive and advocate for the lands that need to be preserved. Public lands can be great spaces for recreation, however, they are also simultaneously lands that are meant to be protected and preserved for the sake of wildlife and general ecosystem health. Serving in an outreach position with the US Forest Service is a perfect place to put these ideals into practice, and Emily has been happy to be able to assist with conservation minded community initiatives.

When you think of a stream, what comes to mind? You probably think of water (obviously) or about the fish that swim in it. Maybe you think about aquatic insects that you find by turning over rocks. Maybe it makes you think about fishing or swimming with your friends. Talking about streams, a lot of things can come to mind, but what about the word “habitat”?