Thousands of visitors to Oregon's Bonneville Lock and Dam have come away with a better understanding of a variety of important Corps messages thanks to Ranger Ryan Braaten, winner of the Hiram Chittenden Award for Interpretive Excellence in 2012.

Ryan puts an astounding array of low- and high-tech communications tools to work, from simple banners and lectures by guest speakers to PowerPoint presentations, YouTube videos, even cell phone tours using QR codes. Ryan's presentations are successful thanks to the way he skillfully weaves learning, emotional and behavioral objectives into his programs, and creates compelling themes that will help connect the project with his visitors. For example, when he is discussing the history of the Benneville Dam, he discusses the enormous economic impact the dam had on the region during the Great Depression.

Ryan also works major conservation issues into his presentation, and always incorporates a call to action that challenges his guests to help conserve natural resources.

Ryan is particularly adept at educating and entertaining children, and his presentations on the life cycles of salmon, hydropower, natural resource protection and water safety get high marks from his Junior Rangers, whose parents also learn a lot from his discussions. He developed his own animation software to illustrate concepts such as "how fish are counted" and "how fish climb ladders." By simplifying complex messages, his visitors gain a new appreciation for the vital role the Bonneville Lock and Dam plays in the economic, recreational and natural ecosystem of the region.

"I am very humbled to be the recipient of the 2013 Hiram M. Chittenden award," Ryan said when he learned of the award. "It validated my hard work and dedication to enhance the visitor's experience and connect them with our historical and natural resources. By giving the visitors an opportunity to connect, we ensure the preservation of our resources for generations to come."