LINKING BEAUTY AND UTILITY THROUGH COMMUNICATION 
People respond to scenic beauty through visual and thought im- 
pressions. What the eye sees can create an emotional response to 
a landscape. Often this response is stronger if one is also knowledge- 
ably aware of the natural and human forces at work in nature. 
Through verbal and visual communication people can come to 
know and appreciate what they are seeing and thus, perhaps, per- 
ceive beauty and enlarge their concepts of it. Perception of beauty 
is one goal of an informational program; an equally important goal 
is the understanding of the relationship between man and the 
natural resources, including the management and use of these 
resources. 
Many media are available for informing the public about the 
scenic outdoors. Some of these involve personal services in the form 
of campfire programs, conducted walks, informal talks, and public 
contacts at information stations. Other media allow visitors to find 
out things by themselves. These include signs along highways and 
trails, exhibits indoors and outdoors, audio stations, and publications. 
It is important for the planner to become familiar with these tools 
and learn the advantages and limitations of each. In this way it 
will be possible to select the communications medium that is best 
F—458553 
suited for the purpose at hand. The following are steps in planning 
for successful public communications: 
@ Determine the geographical extent of the area your program will 
cover. The area should be a planning unit where all information 
devices and programs are interrelated and considered together. In 
one place, the unit might be a single vista point, requiring only one 
sign; in another, it might include a whole park or forest where 
several devices will be used. 
@ Within the area selected, make a survey to identify needs and op- 
portunities for telling about beauty and use. 
@ Analyze potential audiences in such terms as their size, how they 
will use the area, and their interests. 
M@ Select the site where each opportunity can be best developed. 
HW Select the best information medium for each communications 
need, 
@ Prepare a well-coordinated plan of action for your outdoor infor- 
mation program. This should include what is to be done; where it is 
to be done; development and operational schedule ; estimate of devel- 
opment and maintenance costs; and manpower needed to operate 
and maintain the program. 
67 
