Is your Interpretive Program inclusive? Ask yourself the questions of the PARKS acronym* to find out.

• Place - is the physical place of the program accessible and does it feel safe?

• Action - Do my actions make people feel warm, welcome, and comfortable?

• Reach - Am I reaching the audiences I need to and communicating expectations?

• Knowledge - Have I used my knowledge of DEI principles to meet program outcomes?

• Story - Is the story I’m telling in my program thoughtful, meaningful, and inclusive of undertold stories?

The PARKS acronym was developed by Celeste Sherer and Jessica Burke, formerly of Texas State Parks’ Outreach and Engagement teams.