Welcome to the Interpretive Guides Association

Providing interpretive guide training, certification, and professional development programs in Canada and beyond.

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If you are certified or plan to take a course, then this is the spot for you.

Courses and Certifications

SPRING 2026 COURSES AVAILABLE NOW!

The Interpretive Guides Association offers courses and exams in interpretation, knowledge acquisition, and guiding safety designed to provide guides with the skills and knowledge to be the best they can be in their profession.

Interpretive Guides Association

Helping you inspire others to value, understand, and care for the natural and cultural environments they explore.

Who: The Interpretive Guides Association (IGA) is a national certifying body and member-based non-profit organization serving professional guides, outdoor leaders, and interpreters across Canada and internationally.

What: We deliver industry-aligned certification, training, and professional development in interpretation and group management, grounded in national standards and field-based best practices.

Where: Headquartered in Canmore, Alberta, IGA supports guides operating in Canada’s national and provincial parks, protected areas, cultural sites, cities, natural and human-made settings and international expedition environments.

When: Year-round, through field-based, classroom and virtual programs, with primary training seasons in spring and late fall/winter to align with operational cycles.

Why: Guiding shapes how people experience and care for places, and that responsibility demands skill, safety, stewardship, and purpose.

Professional guides influence visitor safety, behaviour, and stewardship. Our role is to ensure they are trained to do so responsibly and effectively.

Upcoming Courses & Events

13 - 15 April
On Zoom
Monday

Interpretive Specialist – Virtual – April 13 & 15th, 2026 Last Few Tickets

The Interpretive Specialist course is a virtual course and will be held over Zoom, so you can join from any location. To register ($380 + gst), ensure you have purchased an IGA membership. If you have signed up and paid for the PICP program you can register for free using your coupon code.
Cost: $380
14 April
On Zoom
Tuesday

Dark Sky Tourism: Supporting dark skies, rural communities, and visitors

Have you ever looked up into a night full of constellations and considered yourself lucky? In this hour and a half lecture, learn the latest research from Glen Hvenegaard and his team about dark sky tourism. We'll cover findings on how dark sky tourism has potential to educating visitors, enhance rural communities, and reduce light pollution - and explore places that are getting it right. Walk away feeling inspired, and with more knowledge about the night sky and the current status of its protection that you can share with your guests.
Cost: $35
17 April
On Zoom
Friday

Professional Interpreter Vignette Workshop

For Professional Interpreter candidates, this is the final learning module for thematic interpretation. You must have completed or be registered for the Interpretive Specialist course to register for this workshop. This one-day workshop will focus on practicing your interpretive skills and how to develop a professional-level interpretive vignette. To register, ensure you have an IGA membership purchased, your PI program coupon code ready, and that you're signed in to your account.
Cost: $169
20 April
On Zoom
Monday

Impact Storytelling Workshop

Are you ready to up your storytelling game? Join this online session to learn how to engage, inspire, and leave a lasting impression. If you're taking this as a PI elective, please register using your coupon code.
Cost: $105
23 - 24 April
Jasper
Thursday

Apprentice Interpreter – Jasper – April 23 & 24, 2026

This Apprentice Interpreter course takes place in person at the Jasper Park Museum in Jasper National Park. The course begins at 9:00am and ends at 5:30pm both days with an online exam from 5:45-6:45pm on the 2nd day. To register ($380 + GST), ensure you have an IGA membership purchased and that you're signed in to your account.
Schedule:
  • Day 1  9:00am - 5:30pm
  • Day 2  9:00am - 6:45pm
Cost: $380
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Professional Dues Renewal

Your professional dues must be paid yearly to keep your certification in good standing and active. To pay your professional dues, follow the link below