January 20-23, 2026
Jackson Bottom Wetlands Nature Preserve
2600 SW Hillsboro Hwy
Hillsboro, OR 97123
Instructors: Denise Berkshire and Courtney (Cam) Amabile
Featuring: PNW-based guest trainers
About this Course
The Oregon Department of Forestry’s Tillamook Forest Center and Oregon Heritage, and the National Association for Interpretation (NAI) is offering a training course for individuals in the field of Interpretation. It is designed for staff and volunteers who deliver programs, give tours, provide informal engagement, or have contact with the public at interpretive sites. Light refreshments & snacks will be provided by the State Forests Trust of Oregon.
The nationally recognized Certificate of Interpretive Guiding (CIG) program is designed for anyone wanting to learn more about developing and leading interpretive programs. This course will introduce you to the history, definitions, and principles of interpretation. During the course, you will develop a program outline and deliver a 10-minute thematic presentation, all with the support of your instructor(s) and fellow participants. You will learn how to make your programs purposeful, enjoyable, relevant, organized, and thematic, and leave ready to facilitate meaningful experiences that inspire engagement with the world around us.
Registration Rates
If you are part of the hosting organization, select the in-house registration as this rate does not include the instructor fee.
Select the regular registration if you are not affiliated with the host organization.
$600 Regular Registration (includes a one-year complimentary NAI membership)*
$525 with NAI Member Discount
*NAI membership will start a few days after payment.
Contact Information
Before the start of the course, you will receive information from your instructor on how the course will work and the times you will be meeting. For more information about the course contact, Denise Berkshire at [email protected] or call (503) 815-6817.
Special Terms and Cancellations
Courses may be canceled due to low enrollment. If this course is canceled, NAI will contact you, and you will receive a full refund.
Cancellations requested before January 13, 2026, will be subject to a $75 cancellation fee; no refunds will be issued after this date. If you need to cancel your registration, it must be emailed to [email protected].
Thank you to sponsors!
The State Forests of Oregon is a proud sponsor of this training. With their sponsorship, we are able to offer snacks to all participants for no additional fees.
Jackson Bottom Wetlands Preserve has waived conference room fees for this week-long class. The Oregon Department of Forestry/Tillamook Forest Center and Oregon Heritage are absorbing the cost of instruction for their staff and affiliated partners by allowing their staff to teach this course as part of their roles with the state.
These sponsorships save each partner participant approximately $375. This does not apply to external participants that do not have a partnership with either agency.