Nov 29th, 2022 - National Association for Interpretation

Tuesday, November 29

12:00 pm - 4:00 pm

Join Dr. Wallace J. Nichols author of Blue Mind and Brian Thill from the South Carolina Aquarium as they dive into the neuropsychology of water and how to implement wellness.
 
As we continue to work through the pandemic and increasing rates of emotional health challenges we wanted to look at how places like aquariums, parks, zoos, and nature centers could play a role in helping others. With a vision of "Connecting people to water, wildlife and wild places" the South Carolina Aquarium looked at programming that engaged Blue Mind theory for staff and visitors. Our goal is to share the research behind humans interacting with water and then look at how to implement at your facility. Our goal would be that participants have tools to take back to their centers to implement programing that benefits, staff, multiple audiences, and conservation. Participants learn about and have tools to address wellness programming across many of their facility’s divisions (staff, volunteers, visitors, marketing, outreach, education, development)
 
Outside is my therapy. Interpretive Nerd. Loves to see people get better/improve. Director of Education at the South Carolina Aquarium if we want to be fancy.
 
Target Skill Level: Novice
Objective: Participants understand the research and best practices related to the emotional wellness benefits of water and wildlife and wild places. Participants see models of programming that could be implemented and adapted at their center.