The Master interpreter accreditation is the highest level of accreditation presently offered by the Interpretive Guides Association. It is different than the other accreditation levels because this accreditation is appointed to outstanding individuals in the field of interpretive guiding.
In order to become an accredited Master Interpreter with the IGA your name must be brought forward for review. The individual who brings your name forward must demonstrate your expertise through letters of recommendation they have collected from other master interpreters and colleges who know your work.
The following talented people are our accredited Master Interpreters
Peter Duck
Nadine Fletcher
Ben Gadd
Joel Hagen
Bob Sandford
Ward Cameron
Michael Vincent
Dave Verhulst
Laurie Schwartz
Peter Lemieux
"I feel that it is important to let our guests see and experience nature for themselves. Our world, and our survival as a species, truly depends on a healthy environment. A population that is removed from the natural world and a knowledge of its systems is doomed to fail. Interpretation has a role to play here, in helping people to understand the natural systems that allow us to survive and prosper. As an interpreter I can stimulate curiosity and raise questions that help guests truly experience and care about what lies before them."
Ronna Schneberger
"Interpreters are the storytellers. We are the ones that infuse ones consciousness with stories from the land, stories of connection. Most people live very disconnected to nature (and themselves) and when they can go out with a good interpreter they start to remember their connection on a very visceral level and it touches them. It can create change in attitudes and behaviour."
Kristi Beetch
Dave Holder
"Society as a whole is suffering from Nature Deficit Disorder many people are unaware of this. As interpreters we can inform people of the healthy benefits to humans, and the eco system as a whole of preserving wild places and spaces.
We are an inherently a selfish species so hopefully when people realize that nature can actually rejuvenate their health, and this lonely planet, they may take more consideration over its preservation. This can be done through good informative Professional Interpretation.
Therefore it is our job as Interpreters to take examples of what has happened in the past, good and bad, look at what is going on now and draw a conclusion on how the actions of our species may benefit the future. We have an important job and can never rest on our laurels we are more than JUST guides’, we are ambassadors of the future."
Fusako Shimura
Kirsten Schmitten
Art Jackson
"The most important role I see myself providing for visitors to these amazing Mountain Parks is getting them to connect and/or reconnect with our Natural world. We all need to care for the Natural World and if I can help influence a path in that positive direction I will be happy in my role as a Naturalist and Interpreter."
Heidi Fengler
"I want people to walk away with an appreciation of how hard mother nature works to keep everything in balance and realize how we humans have to help her out. We need to restore a connection to nature and experience how we are a small part and not the invincible top of the food chain. I want to get kids out of their virtual screen world and use all their senses and get their feet wet."
Brenda Holder
"In my culture there are knowledge keepers and we have the honour and responsibility to share our teachings and to pass them along to ensure they are never lost. I feel that is part of what interpretation is, but with a deeper purpose. While in Indigenous cultures, these teachings are part of our traditions, there are many who may not even be aware of or care about the natural or cultural history of an area. It’s my job as a professional interpreter to help them care and become more aware, to create a desire to learn more."
Tracey Gage
"A good guide creates connections and meaning between the people we guide and the places we take them. Interpretation is a communication tool that will help us get there by helping people discover and experience the places we take them in a much broader and deeper way than they could on their own. It can be used to help open their eyes, to see all the nooks and crannies, creating depth, understanding and experience. A good professional interpreter can change an individual’s sense of perspective and turn them into ambassadors of these landscapes."