OVERVIEW
The U.S. National Park Service (NPS), in conjunction with National Trails, manages more than 25,000 miles of congressionally authorized national historic trails (NHTs) in 24 U.S. states and on land owned and managed by cooperating federal, state, and local agencies and private organizations and landowners. The preservation of these nationally and historically significant migration, exploration, and military action routes is essential for highlighting the settlement and development of the United States. National Trails offers web-based tools that help visitors plan trips and learn historical and cultural information about the trails and adjacent landmarks and features.
NPS’S NEEDS
NPS needed a way to provide the public with a more interactive and engaging way to learn about NHTs. NPS wanted to create a series of Story Maps that would provide a visually appealing and interactive way to learn about NHTs and the history and culture surrounding them. NPS needed a contractor to provide the technical expertise to create the Story Maps and to provide the graphic design and editorial services to make the Story Maps visually appealing and engaging.
STRATEGY
Schatz determined that creating a modern, inviting, and youthful experience that displayed historically accurate and culturally appropriate content would be critical for relating to the target age group. The Schatz team incorporated a large variety of fun, educational, and interactive activities to keep kids engaged and wanting to move further through the maps to learn more about the trails. Schatz worked to consult with subject matter experts and representatives from Native American tribes local to the regions near the trails to ensure accuracy and cultural appropriateness.
APPROACH
Schatz designed and developed Story Maps for the Trail of Tears and the California Trail, using the Esri Story Maps platform and the geographic information system (GIS). Schatz also developed supplemental materials in 508-compliant PDF format that could be downloaded from the Story Maps website. The team performed original copywriting and copyediting, original illustration, web design, web development, and 508 remediation services. Overall, Schatz created 18 parts of content for the two trails, including 84 sections with historical data points. The team also developed informational popups, virtual trading cards, videos, language-learning audio clips, and other interactive content to entice learners to keep exploring the Story Maps. Those activities advanced enjoyable and educational learning experiences for youth.
As part of the original illustrations designed for the trails, Schatz created custom characters to help young users identify with the trail experience. The characters would appear in various situations and locations to greet young visitors throughout the trail and encourage the students to consider how they might respond to various events today and to engage with customized elementary school-age-educational activities. This type of direct engagement and personal storyline aims to foster a sense of civic duty to protect these landmarks and promote better cultural understanding.
Schatz also worked to ensure that the content and visuals in the maps aligned with tribal culture and that all depictions were respectful and appropriate. Characters designed for both trails were submitted to members of the Cherokee Tribe to ensure cultural accuracy, sensitivity, and appropriateness.
RESULTS
- Schatz effectively raised awareness of the two trails, promoted participation in historical understanding and preservation of U.S. trails by a younger audience, and established a new brand identity for the Story Maps project that provides long-term support for the NPS National Trails program.
- By leveraging digital and social media communication channels and engaging with stakeholders, the Story Maps project is successfully set up to continue growing.
