Creative Climate Stories
Wherever people are a part of the landscape, there are relevant—and important—climate change stories to explore. These stories can improve our understanding of why we’re in this moment of climate crisis. They can inspire our curiosity on how people have worked together to create change in the past. And they can motivate us to protect parks and communities in a warming world.
History & Hope for Climate Action: An Interpretive Toolkit helps communicators explore people-centered connections to climate change. The toolkit uses a three-step process to develop engaging, site-relevant stories that move audiences to awareness and action. An accompanying worksheet helps interpreters implement the three-step approach. Department of the Interior employees can also access an interactive version of the toolkit. Although developed for National Park Service employees, interpreters and communicators from other organizations may find History & Hope equally useful.
History & Hope in Action
Eric Leonard, Superintendent of the High Plains Group of Parks (Amache National Historic Site, Bent’s Old Fort National Historic Site, Capulin Volcano National Monument, and Sand Creek Massacre National Historic Site)
History & Hope is a framework that can be integrated into a variety of mediums: webpages, exhibits, formal programs, education programs, and more. Below are a few examples of how History & Hope was integrated into products:
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Theodore Roosevelt and Climate Change
How can we think about Theodore Roosevelt's legacy in the context of climate change?
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Climate Resilient Future for Muir Woods
This article connects the story of Muir Woods' preservation to climate change today.
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Climate Change and the CCC
Lessons from the Civilian Conservation Corps can teach us about climate change.
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Boston National Historical Park
This webpage uses History & Hope themes to connect Boston's history to its future.
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Boston African American Historic Site
This webpage connects Black history in Boston to present and future climate change.
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Lewis & Clark National Historic Trail
This webpage makes connections between the Lewis and Clark story and climate change.
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Causes of Climate Change at Glacier
This article explores how Glacier National Park is connected to fossil fuels, and climate change.
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Climate Change Solutions at Glacier
How is Glacier transitioning away from fossil fuels?
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Juan Bautista de Anza Historic Trail
Explore the legacy of the Anza expedition in the context of climate change.
Example Interpretive Product
Staff at Rosie the Riveter/WWII Home Front National Historical Park used visitor voices to build a History & Hope-inspired interpretive product. Hundreds of visitors answered the following question posted on a whiteboard:
During WWII, the country mobilized around a common cause. What cause do you want to mobilize around next?
Every response was recorded and tallied. The larger words in the word cloud to the right are the most popular responses. Staff created an exhibit that drew parallels between issues visitors proposed we mobilize around today and social movements from the postwar period.
History & Hope Resources
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History & Hope Toolkit
Explore the full toolkit PDF
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History & Hope Worksheet
The worksheet helps you craft a story using the three-step process.
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History & Hope on Headwaters Podcast
Listen to one of the toolkit's creators discuss History & Hope on Glacier National Park's podcast.
Last updated: November 15, 2024