Management of Interpretive Sites: Developing Sustainable Operations Through Effective Leadership

Tim Merriman- I live, travel, write and do consulting work all over the world with my wife, Lisa Brochu. We live on a one acre coffee farm above Kealakekua Bay on the Big Island of Hawaii. Our first novel, The Leopard Tree, won two literary awards with Writer's Digest International Self-published and the Colorado Independent Publisher's Association. It was inspired by President Clinton's 2007 TV Special on HIV in Africa. We wanted to share a story that would inspire others to try to understand the plight of millions of children orphaned by the scourges of HIV, war and malaria. We are told it does that in a very heartwarming way.We consult internationally as Heartfelt Associates, as trainers and planners with community leaders and people who interpret natural and cultural heritage. We have co-authored four books on heritage interpretation that have sold more than 40,000 copies. We have consulted in 26 nations around the world, including planning work with Wolong Panda Reserve and the Great Wall of China. We also lead ecotours/safaris to Tanzania and Rwanda, including visits to national parks in both nations and treks to visit mountain gorillas and chimpanzees (Rwanda only). I have played bluegrass and old-time mandolin most of my life and enjoy working in the garden and raising koi. Lisa raises miniature appaloosa horses, enjoys yoga and cares for our parrot, Katie, and cat, Koa. I run each morning on Napoopoo Road and pick up litter along the way - 17,000 items a year, sadly. We believe we are fortunate to live and work (semi-retired - some jobs are too much fun to miss) in Hawaii. We enjoy hearing from readers through reviews."

Lisa Brochu- Throughout my career as a writer, planner, and trainer, I've tried to live by the mission statement "Inspiring people to care for each other and the world in which they live." I'm passionate about encouraging people to do whatever they can to make the world a better place. That covers a lot of territory - these days, I try to invest much of my time, talents and discretionary income to support causes that I have a personal connection with, and that usually means wildlife-related issues, social justice issues, and helping those who live in East Africa work towards solutions to some of the enormous problems that plague those nations. My husband and I share personal interests in our work and home life, and we genuinely enjoy spending time together (which is good because we're pretty much around each other 24/7). We travel internationally with our work in community development, interpretive planning, and training, but always take time to get to know the places and people we visit. Judith Stone once said, "Travel is not only broadening, I've realized, but burdening too. I carry these lives and places with me. But I'm grateful for the ballast; it's keeping me from tipping into total complacency." International travel is perhaps the best way to learn about yourself as you learn about others and forces you to find ways to reach beyond your own life experience to see the world differently and do something about it. It breaks your heart and it give you hope.When we're home, we live pretty simply, spending most of our time writing on various projects, enjoying our many (too many) pets, and spending time in our garden, figuring out innovative ways to grow most of our own food.