The Interpretive Guides Association is a non-profit organization that started as the Mountain Parks Heritage Interpretation Association (MPHIA) in 1997. Our mission is to establish and maintain high standards in heritage interpretation in Canada's mountain parks.
The Interpretive Guides Association is guided by the following goals:
- To encourage excellence in the interpretation of nature, history and culture in Canada's Rocky Mountain national parks and surrounding areas.
- To advise Parks Canada through consultation in the development of standards and training programs for guided activities in the mountain national parks.
- To ensure professional standards of communication of the natural and human heritage of our mountain national parks.
- To improve the effectiveness and appeal of natural and cultural heritage programming in the mountain national parks and surrounding areas.
- To deliver training and offer professional accreditation, relating to the communication of natural and human heritage of our mountain national parks to guides and operators, to meet standards established by Parks Canada.
- To develop a common commitment within the tourism community to the enhancement of the training of those charged with the responsibility of sharing heritage information and values with park visitors.
- To exchange information of educational or scientific value about natural and human heritage and any other matters of interest with other heritage organizations having the same or similar objects, throughout the world.
- To promote the general public's awareness of professionally accredited tour operators in the mountain national parks.
