The City of Fort Collins Natural Areas Department recently won a 2022 Interpretive Media Award for the 2021 Explorer publication. The Explorer is a catalog of free events provided to the community which also contains community-submitted art and writing, important information, self-guided activities, and much more. The National Association for Interpretation (NAI) gives awards that are open to entries from across the nation.

“This year’s awards were very competitive,” said AJ Chlebnik, Public Engagement Specialist for the Natural Areas Department. “The Natural Areas Public Engagement team is thrilled that the Explorer publication was recognized for excellence in interpretive publications.”

The Natural Areas Department won the first-place award in the Site Publication category on December 14, 2022. Entries are evaluated by a panel of experts, who provide valuable feedback, and award recipients are recognized during "Awards Week" on the NAI website and social media outlets. The Interpretive Media Awards promote excellence in the delivery of natural, cultural, and historical nonpersonal interpretive services. Through the exchange of ideas, members increase the level of excellence in the profession.

For more information about the Natural Areas Explorer and associated programs, visit fcgov.com/naturalareas/the-explorer.