Analysis of environmental interpretation methods in Ibitipoca State Park (MG, Brazil)

Abstract

This study investigates the environmental interpretation tools employed in Ibitipoca State Park (ISP), Minas Gerais, Brazil, relating them to geotourism as a tool for environmental education, geodiversity conservation and the strengthening of local development. The research, qualitative and exploratory in nature, combined a literature review with fieldwork conducted in November 2024, assessing both personalised and non-personalised media according to the five presentation levels proposed by Frey et al. (2006) and operationalised by Moreira (2014). The results indicate that the park has a well-established infrastructure with highlights including the Visitors Center, well-marked trails, and an active presence on social media, factors that support high satisfaction levels among tourists and visitors. However, gaps were identified in the integration of narratives from communities displaced by the park’s creation, in the control over visitor profiles, in the systematic training of guides, and in the provision of geoeducation content along the trails, which currently focus mainly on safety instructions. It is recommended to diversify interpretive media by using QR codes for audio and video content, increase local residents’ participation as guides and conductors, consolidate recurring academic partnerships, and implement continuous audience monitoring to adjust message depth and language. The study concludes that, although ISP already stands out as a leading destination, fully realizing its potential requires a holistic interpretive approach, one that reconciles natural and cultural values, strengthens the sense of belonging among surrounding communities, and enhances visitors’ learning experiences, thereby contributing to the park’s economic sustainability and conservation.