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Erica Wheeler is the owner of Sense of Place Consulting and creator of the Sense of Place and Story Framework, which uses a compass model to help people find and share stories that inspire caring and action. She works with parks, museums, heritage sites, and other organizations across the country to provide training and community events that inspire meaningful connections between people and place.

For over 20 years, she has trained hundreds of interpreters, educators, and resource specialists, including staff at more than 45 National Park Service sites nationwide, helping them design and deliver engaging visitor experiences. She's led a multi-week training program for the National Association for Interpretation and has published widely in professional journals such as NAI's Legacy, including "The Interpreter's Technique Compass" (2025), establishing her as a leading voice in interpretation.

A TEDx speaker, Erica has keynoted multiple Governor's Conferences on Tourism and events ranging from conferences for the New Mexico Council Aging to the American Horticultural Society.

Her background in natural history, conservation, writing, and the performing arts creates a unique approach to interpretation—one that participants describe as both rigorous and renewing.

She also offers creative writing courses, seasonal retreats, and 1:1 mentoring for individuals exploring their own stories of connection to place.