Black Kettle National Grassland: Interpretive trail

Schmeeckle Reserve Interpreters

Interpretive Consulting Projects & Clients


Our team strives to produce the highest quality and most comprehensive interpretive plans and products to meet the needs of our clients. We strongly encourage you to contact any of our past clients to determine if our team can be of benefit to your interpretive projects.

Some of the past projects below include links to sample plans and media designs that showcase the quality of our interpretive products.



Interpretive Master Planning and Media Design Projects

  • Springfield Area Addendum: Illinois Historic Route 66: Interpretive Master Plan (December 2022). Updated resources, audiences, themes, and interpretive recommendations for the Springfield region in Illinois in preparation for the Route 66 Centennial. Click here to see the plan.
  • Hugo Sauer Nursery and Research Field Laboratory: Historic Report and Interpretive Trail Signage in Rhinelander, Wisconsin (2019-2023): Research, writing, and photo acquisition for a USDA Forest Service General Technical Report interpreting a historic federal and state nursery. Research, writing, design, and fabrication of a 3-sign interpretive trail kiosk and 8 trailside exhibits. Click here to read the report.  Click here to view the interpretive signs.
  • Ruffed Grouse Habitat: Interpretive Trail Signage in Tomahawk, Wisconsin (2021). Research, writing, design, and fabrication of an interpretive wayside exhibit that describes the importance of coppice harvests to Ruffed Grouse, along with constructing 4 totem-style cedar posts that mark different harvest areas in Treehaven.
  • Pope Lake State Natural Area: Interpretive Sign in Waupaca, Wisconsin (2020). Research, writing, design, and fabrication of an interpretive sign that introduces visitors to a natural area that is part of Hartman Creek State Park. Click here to see photos.
  • Iowa Byways: Interpretive Master Planning (2015-2018): Large-scale planning project for the Iowa Byways program that included the development of interpretive master plans for 10 byways in the state over the course of four years, along with a statewide summary report that documents unified design and messaging. Click here to learn more and view the plans.
  • Lincoln Highway Heritage Byway: Interpretive Master Plan, Iowa (March 2018): Part of the larger Iowa Byways project; planning of interpretive experiences along a 460-mile stretch of the nation's first transcontinental highway.
  • Glacial Trail Scenic Byway: Interpretive Master Plan, Iowa (March 2018): Part of the larger Iowa Byways project; planning of interpretive experiences along a 36-mile loop through a scenic glacial landscape in northwest Iowa.
  • Delaware Crossing Scenic Byway: Interpretive Master Plan, Iowa (January 2018): Part of the larger Iowa Byways project; planning of interpretive experiences along a 36-mile loop in the Maquoketa River valley.
  • Historic Hills Scenic Byway: Interpretive Master Plan, Iowa (November 2017): Part of the larger Iowa Byways project; planning of interpretive experiences along a 110-mile route rich in history.
  • Iowa Valley Scenic Byway: Interpretive Master Plan, Iowa (August 2017): Part of the larger Iowa Byways project; planning of interpretive experiences along a 77-mile route that celebrates the Amana Colonies and Meskwaki Settlement.
  • Grant Wood Scenic Byway: Interpretive Master Plan, Iowa (March 2017): Part of the larger Iowa Byways project; planning of interpretive experiences along a 75-mile route connected to the nationally renowned artist.
  • River Bluffs Scenic Byway: Interpretive Master Plan, Iowa (March 2017): Part of the larger Iowa Byways project; planning of interpretive experiences along a 109-mile route through limestone bluffs in northeast Iowa.
  • Driftless Area Scenic Byway: Interpretive Master Plan, Iowa (September 2016): Part of the larger Iowa Byways project; planning of interpretive experiences along a 100-mile route in the rugged "Driftless Area" of northeast Iowa.
  • Western Skies Scenic Byway: Interpretive Master Plan, Iowa (July 2015): Part of the larger Iowa Byways project; planning of interpretive experiences along a 142-mile route through the rural landscape of western Iowa.
  • Loess Hills National Scenic Byway: Interpretive Master Plan, Iowa (July 2015): Part of the larger Iowa Byways project; planning of interpretive experiences along a 405-mile route through the nationally recognized loess hills of western Iowa.
  • Door County Coastal Byway: Interpretive Master Plan and Experience Hubs in Wisconsin (February 2014). Planning of interpretive experiences along a 66-mile scenic byway and designing 12 experience hub kiosks installed in byway communities. Door County Coastal Byway Council. Click here to see experience hub photos.   Click here to see plan.
  • The Ridges Sanctuary: Interpretive Master Plan in Baileys Harbor, Wisconsin (January 2013). Planning for a new educational facility and trail system at a Door County nature preserve. The Ridges Sanctuary, Inc. Click here to see plan.
  • Illinois Route 66 National Scenic Byway: Experience Hubs (May 2012): Designed and coordinated fabrication of 13 interpretive orientation kiosks with lighted community names and audio units along the Illinois Route 66 National Scenic Byway. Click here to see photos.
  • The Teller Wildlife Refuge: Master Conservation Education and Interpretive Plan in Montana (July 2011). Planning of education and public interpretation for a private wildlife refuge in the Bitterroot Valley of Montana. The Teller Wildlife Refuge, Inc. Click here to see plan.
  • Illinois Route 66 National Scenic Byway: Wayside Exhibits (September 2010). Designed and coordinated fabrication of 28 themed wayside exhibits along the Illinois Route 66 National Scenic Byway. Many included tactile Passport Stations and audio units that featured stories from the road. Click here to see photos.
  • Addendum to the Illinois Historic Route 66: Interpretive Master Plan (February 2010). Plan includes detailed conceptual ideas for five additional northern Illinois communities along the Route 66 National Scenic Byway. Illinois Route 66 Heritage Project.
  • South Denali Visitor Center Complex: Interpretive Master Plan in Alaska (August 2009). Planning for visitor center, trail system, and base facility. Alaska Department of Natural Resources. Click here to see plan.
  • Rib Mountain State Park: Conceptual Master Plan for an Education and Interpretive Center in Wausau, Wisconsin (July 2009). Friends of Rib Mountain State Park. Click here to see plan.
  • Illinois Historic Route 66 National Scenic Byway: Interpretive Master Plan (2008). Planned interpretive opportunities along the Route 66 National Scenic Byway, a 400-mile segment from Chicago to St. Louis with 90 communities. Illinois Route 66 Heritage Project. Click here to see plan.
  • Black Kettle National Grassland: Interpretive trail signage (2007). Interpretive trail signage planning, design, and fabrication. Cheyenne, Oklahoma.
  • Addendum to the Illinois Lincoln Highway Interpretive Master Plan (2007). Illinois Lincoln Highway Coalition.
  • Lost River Cave and Valley: Interpretive Master Plan in Bowling Green, Kentucky (2006). Friends of the Lost River, Inc. Click here to see plan.
  • Central Wisconsin Environmental Station: Interpretive signage (2006). Interpretive trail signage planning, design, and fabrication for in Amherst Junction, WI. Click here to see photos.
  • Hamus Nature Preserve: Interpretive signage and wayfinding (2006). Interpretive panel and wayfinding signage development for preserve in Marshfield, WI. Click here to see photos.
  • Great River Road Visitor Center: Wayside exhibits (2006). Outdoor wayside exhibit design and fabrication for in Prescott, WI. Click here to see photos.
  • Mead Wildlife Area Education Center: Indoor and outdoor exhibits (2006). Outdoor wayside exhibit and indoor history exhibit design and fabrication for in Milladore, WI. Click here to see photos.
  • Great River Road Visitor Center: Interpretive Master Plan in Prescott, WI (2005). City of Prescott. Click here to see plan.
  • Mead Wildlife Area Education Center: Interpretive Master Plan in Milladore, WI (2005). Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources.
  • Illinois Lincoln Highway: Aurora wayside exhibits (2005). Interpretive panel development for the City of Aurora, Illinois along the Illinois Lincoln Highway. Click here to see photos.
  • Sanibel-Captiva Conservation Foundation: Interpretive Master Plan (2004). Interpretive master plan and building redevelopment for in Sanibel, FL. Click here to see plan.
  • Illinois Lincoln Highway National Scenic Byway: Interpretive Master Plan (2004). Illinois Lincoln Highway Coalition.
  • National Ice Age Trail: Hartman Creek State Park kiosks (2004). Interpretive panel development for two kiosks located in Hartman Creek State Park, WI. Ice Age Park & Trail Foundation. Click here to see photos.
  • Crowley’s Ridge Nature Center: Final exhibit plan: Final interior and exterior exhibit planning, included inscription writing, graphic acquisition, and video scripting for nature center in Jonesboro, AR as contracted with Split Rock Studios, St. Paul, Minnesota. 2004. Click here to see photos of trail signs.
  • Planners for Arkansas River Valley Nature Center at Fort Smith (2003), Crowley’s Ridge Nature Center at Jonesboro (2002), and Delta Rivers Nature Center at Pine Bluff, AR (2001) as contracted with Arkansas Game & Fish Commission. Lead development of these regional environmental centers.
  • Whitefish Dunes State Park: Final exhibit plan (2002). Final interior exhibit plan as contracted with with Split Rock Studios, St. Paul, Minnesota.
  • Schlitz Audubon Nature Center: Conceptual exhibit plan (2002). Milwaukee, Wisconsin. 
  • Crater of Diamonds State Park: Interpretive Master Plan (2001).  Arkansas State Parks.
  • Lorance Creek State Heritage Preserve Boardwalk Trail (2001). Arkansas National Heritage Commission/MESA.
  • Served as primary advisor to the Arkansas Game & Fish Commission in a statewide project to develop regional nature centers. 1999. Arkansas Fish & Game Commission, Little Rock, Arkansas.
  • Exhibit Concept Plan for Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge, Richard S. Bolt Visitor Center. 1997
  • Implementation Plan for Great Lakes Scenic Byway. 1996. Hiawatha National Forest, MI.
  • Interpretive Master Plan and Exhibit Plan, Beaver Creek Reserve, Wise Nature Center. 1993. Eau Claire, WI.
  • Exhibit Plan. Whitefish Dunes State Park Visitor Center. 1993. Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources.
  • Wayside Exhibit Plan for the Highland Scenic Byway. 1993. Monongahela National Forest, WV.
  • Interpretive Master Plan and Exhibit Concept Plan, Florence Natural Resources and Information Center. 1992. Florence, WI.
  • Wisconsin Conservation Hall of Fame Exhibit Plan. 1992.
  • The Great Divide National Forest Scenic Byway Master Plan, Chequamegon National Forest. 1991. Park Falls, WI.
  • Whitefish Bay National Forest Scenic Byway Master Plan, Hiawatha National Forest. 1989. Sault St. Marie, MI.
  • Mead Wildlife Area (Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources). Interpretive and Educational Master Plan. 1989. Junction City, WI.
  • Apostle Islands National Lakeshore Wayside Exhibit Plan. 1986.
  • Iroquois Point Lighthouse Interpretive Master Plan, Hiawatha National Forest. 1985. Sault Ste. Marie, MI.