Why INHA Is Here?

Sometimes we have so much fun visiting with visitors who come from all over the world that we forget why we are here–as INHA.

Our purpose is to aid the National Park Service, the Forest Service, etc. in serving visitors by providing interpretive (and educational) materials that visitors can purchase, take with them and help them remember that connection they made when they visited the park.

If we don’t provide those interpretive items, we don’t have much reason to be here. The rangers are specifically assigned to make contact with the visitors and provide interpretation for them. It’s fun to find out where people are from and answer questions as we help fill gaps for the rangers–but that’s not our #1 assignment. Interpretive sales items (products) are our #1 job. If product is in the backroom and/or the warehouse, it doesn’t sell. If we don’t get it out on the shelf on the floor in the store–it won’t sell. If we don’t sell because we wouldn’t take the time because we’re too busy trying to do the ranger’s job–we can all go home. We won’t have jobs–we won’t make any money–INHA won’t have any funds to donate to our public-land-partners–and there is no reason for us to be there.

Just remember these things. Be friendly. Be helpful. Be cheerful. Be willing to help in any way we can–but remember what our job is. If we can’t find time to do it–our priorities may be in the wrong place.