Wildlife Habitat interpretive Signage

Nuszer Kopatz conceptualized and graphically designed three

different types of interpretive signs to demonstrate the variety of ecological species and habitats within the native open spaces surrounding the community of Idyllwilde in Parker,

CO. A combination of environmental graphics such as illustrations,

photographs and descriptive text in the form of a “nature-journal”

provide educational information for the surrounding residents. Working

in collaboration with Mary Taylor Young Nature Writing and Richard K.

Young Fine Art & Illustration, themes for these signs included a focus

on a grassland ecosystem, swallow habitat for swallows, and tips for

observing wildlife.

CLIENT: Village HomesLOCATION: Parker, ColoradoSTATUS: Signage Installed 2006HONORS: Best Signage - Home Builders Association Colorado 2005-2006SERVICES PROVIDED:

Interpretive Signage Graphic Design•Signage and Wayfinding Programming, Master Plan, and Design•Signage Construction Observation Services•

NATURE JOURNAL

The many habitats of Idyllwilde provide "nei

ghborhoods" for a variety of native plants

and wildlife. As I walk the trails, I watch for signs of the

different creatures living

among the grasslands, pine bluffs, cotton

wood groves and seasonal streams.

Walked along Tallman Gulch today

This seasonal stream is a ribbon of moisture

across the dry hills and grasslands east o

f

Parker. It carries rain and snowmelt to C

herry Creek. Even when the stream is dry,

there’s moisture below the surface. It nurtures water-lov

ing willows and cottonwoods,

chokecherries and wild plums, cattails and

rushes.

This riparian habitat, near water, provides h

omes

for all kinds of creatures.

Mule deer shelter in the shade of the cottonw

oods.

Skunks and raccoons sniff for food in the

creek

bed. Garter snakes hunt insects in the leaf litter.

Woodpeckers and nuthatches move up and

down

the tree trunks looking for insects. Wrens, goldfinches,

mourning doves, magpies and other birds bui

ld nests

among the branches or in holes in the trees.

A woven pouch dangling from a branch, like a

sock

caught on a twig, is an oriole nest.

I’m learning how to Watch Wildlife!

I look for movement or shapes tha

t seem out of place.

A blocky form sitting on a branch, n

ear the trunk, was a great horned

owl.

Amazing the detail I can see with

my binoculars.

When I spot a songbird on a branch

, I keep my eyes on it and bring t

he

binoculars up into my line of vision.

Early morning and evening are the

best times to see animals.

That’s when they are most active, f

eeding and moving about.

What a lot of racket here in spri

ng! Woodpeckers drum on hollow trees.

Songbirds sing to attract a mate

and defend their territory. I duet

with a

black-capped chickadee, whistlin

g back its two-tone song - fee be

e.

In early summer, with young in the ne

st, the birds quiet down a bit to av

oid attracting predators.

When the young fledge, things get n

oisy again - the babies are out o

f the nest but still want

their parents to take care of the

m. They sit on a branch and flutter an

d squawk - Feed me!

Even in winter there is something to

see and hear. Chickadees, nutha

tches, crows, juncos

and magpies call and hunt for fo

od.

Fox squirrels scamper up the tree

s.

Coyotes leave their tracks in the s

and.

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featured ecologyinterpretive and identification Signage

CLIENT: Village HomesLOCATION: Parker, ColoradoSTATUS: Signage Installed 2006HONORS: Best Signage - Home Builders Association Colorado 2005-2006SERVICES PROVIDED:

Interpretive and Identification Signage Graphic Design•Signage and Wayfinding Programming, Master Plan, and Design•Signage Construction Observation Services•

Nuszer Kopatz conceptualized and designed signage that

highlights the diversity of plants often overlooked in the rolling eastern

plains of Colorado. This “featured plant” sign is located along trails and

at key nodes of native open spaces and parks, to help trail users identify the surrounding flora. Environmental graphics

for this include an illustration of the plant, the plant’s scientific and

common name, and educational information about the plant. Nuszer

Kopatz, after collaborating with Mary Taylor Young Nature Writing to

develop the themes, graphically designed the sign plaque to incorporate

Mary’s interpretive text and the illustrations by Richard K. Young Fine

Art & Illustrations. Themes for the educational information varied from

sign to sign, providing a diversity of information from typical plant form

and blooming patterns to cultural uses of the plant.

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HiStorical & cultural interpretive Signage

CLIENT: Village HomesLOCATION: Parker, ColoradoSTATUS: Signage Installed 2006HONORS: Best Signage - Home Builders Association Colorado 2005-2006SERVICES PROVIDED:

Interpretive Signage Graphic Design•Signage and Wayfinding Programming, Master Plan, and Design•Signage Construction Observation Services•

Nuszer Kopatz conceptualized and designed a series of educational

signs that provide information about the cultural history surrounding the community of Idyllwilde in Parker, CO. In collaboration with

Mary Taylor Young Nature Writing, themes were developed that focused on the

pioneers who first came to the Town of Parker. Interpretive signs that focused

on the play activities of the pioneer children are located near the play areas and

parks within Idyllwilde. These signs include instructions on how to play similar

games and provide accompanying graphics. Bronze plaque markers are located

along trails and provide detailed information about different historical figures

significant to Parker and to the Idyllwilde site.

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Scenic viStainterpretive Signage

CLIENT: Village HomesLOCATION: Parker, ColoradoSTATUS: Signage Installed 2006HONORS: Best Signage - Home Builders Association Colorado 2005-2006SERVICES PROVIDED:

Interpretive Signage Graphic Design and Illustrations•Signage and Wayfinding Programming, Master Plan, and Design•Signage Construction Observation Services•

The Idyllwilde community is surrounded by rolling hills and

180-degree views of the Front Range Mountains. Nuszer Kopatz conceptualized

and graphically designed interpretive signs to identify the surrounding natural

environment, near and far. Nuszer Kopatz created illustrations that identify

natural features such as gulches and creeks, various mountain ranges and peaks.

Such signs were conceived to be integral interpretive elements of an observation tower and along trails.

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trailHeadKioSK and informational Signage

CLIENT: Village HomesLOCATION: Parker, ColoradoSTATUS: Signage Installed 2006 - 2007HONORS: Best Signage - Home Builders Association Colorado 2005-2006SERVICES PROVIDED:

Trailhead Graphic Design (Including Map Design)•Signage and Wayfinding Programming, Master Plan, and Design•Signage Construction Observation Services•

Parks, Trails & Open Space Rules and RegulationsFor your enjoyment and safety

Put Trash in its PlacePack it out if Needed

Keep Pets on LeashStay on Designated TrailsWhen Provided on Property

Motorized Vehiclesin Designated Areas Only

Fires in DesignatedAreas Only

Speed Limit15 MPH

ProhibitedAny activity that is hazardous to people, animals or property

� Damage or removal of any park or open space property, flora, fauna, or artifacts � Disorderly conduct� Harassment of livestock or wildlife � Hunting and discharge of firearms unless otherwise posted � Commercial activities without prior approval � Overnight Camping � Swimming or boating

� Glass Containers � Alcohol � Fireworks

Parks, Trails & Open Space areas open 6:00 A.M. to 11:00 P.M.Authority: Town of Parker Municipal Code, Chapter 12.02 - Park Regulations and Park Rules and Regulations

Adopted by: Recreation DirectorEnforcement: Town of Parker Police Department

This is a partial list, Complete Rules and Regulations at www.parkeronline.org303-841-0353

15MPH

Trail Courtesy

Yield To

With over 300 acres of native open space, parks and trails, the

community of Idyllwilde in Parker, CO, offers residents and trail users alike

the opportunity to experience a rich natural and cultural environment. Nuszer

Kopatz conceptualized and designed trailhead signs and kiosks to provide trail

users with an overall understanding of the open space and trail system as well

as site-specific opportunities. Environmental graphics and maps illustrate the trail

and open space system, scenic overlooks, unique ecological habitats, and wildlife viewing areas. In addition, the trailhead

signs explain trail and open space rules and regulations and include space for

events within the community. All trailhead signs were designed as a lockable

sign system of separate components, to allow for updates to the map, regulations

and events.

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