New Climate Change Report available for Greater Grand Canyon Region

This week, the National Resource Stewardship and Science Directorate (NRSS) published a scientific report on historical and future climate change effects for Grand Canyon National Park and the surrounding landscape. This report has been a long time in the making and we are thankful to the staff within our Science and Resource Management Division who greatly assisted in this research.

If you don’t have time to read the entire report, here are some key takeaways on observed changes attributed to climate change for the Grand Canyon region:

• The Greater Grand Canyon Landscape has already warmed significantlyover the period of 1895-2020, with a greater rate of temperature increase over the period of 1970-2020.
• This warming has in turn had physical and ecological changes to the landscape, including change to drought dynamics, Colorado River flow, wildfire, tree regeneration, tree mortality, bird ranges, and insect changes.
• Two ‘climate futures’ are evaluated in this report and were chosen to provide contrasting, but plausible, future climate scenarios for the region. Both project increasing temperatures across the Greater Grand Canyon Landscape and explain how air temperature, precipitation, snow, moisture deficit, drought, and runoff will change over time.

This research has already begun to help park managers at Grand Canyon National Park understand how, and to what degree, climate will change over the next century. In turn, this research will help park managers establish climate climate-informed goals and strategies to adapt to this new reality.

Stay tuned for more information and updates in the coming months on new park initiatives that will help address climate change here at Grand Canyon.

Next week, the Cultural Demonstration Program presents Ahkima Honyumptewa – Hopi Weaver and Painter, along with Marie Honyumptewa, Hopi Beader.

They will be demonstrating Tuesday through Thursday, January 30, through February 1, 2024, from 10 a.m. to 4 p,m. at the Visitor Center.

Ahkima is a member of the snake clan. He has been an artist since he was young, painting mostly kachinas, along with landscapes, people and animals. Weaving is something he learned later on, when encouraged by family and friends. Over the years, Ahkima has mastered the traditional Hopi styles and patterns and he also creates contemporary blankets and clothing. The quality of his work has been recognized by collectors from around the world.

Marie has been beading since she was in grade school. Beadwork is not a traditional Hopi art form, however, she was familiar with and incorporated Hopi symbols to create unique items. Marie says, “Creating art comes from the heart and I enjoy expressing my Tribe’s symbols in another art form.” A flyer for the next two weeks of Cultural Demonstrations can be found here.

South Rim District Report available

Curious what South Rim Patrol has been up to lately?

Read the latest South Rim District Report below!

• South Rim District Report ending 1-13-2024

Brady Dunne

Wildlife Biologist, South Rim

I have degrees from both NAU (anthropology) and University of Montana (Wildlife Biology). I started my natural resource career as a Park Ranger- Naturalist in Glacier NP (2000) where I discovered the field of wildlife conservation research while volunteering for NPS wildlife biologists. After returning to school (U of M) for my second degree (wildlife), I spent the next 16 years (2002 to 2022) working year-round as a field biologist collecting wildlife research data on numerous western wildlife species (mainly song birds, raptors, and large carnivores). During that time, I worked for several state wildlife agencies, universities, BLM, USFS, USGS, and NPS. The last park I worked at was Yellowstone NP (2018-2021) as a bear management specialist. But after 1 final gruelling field season (2021-2022) leading the field operations of a wolverine study in the Sawtooth Mtns, I decided to “hang up my field hat” and switched career paths. In 2022, I accepted a full-time federal position as a Natural Resource Specialist for the DOD.

How long have you worked at GRCA? Where are you based out of? I just started working in GRCA in Oct-2023 in the SRM building on the S.Rim. Even though I grew up in Prescott I have not seen the Grand Canyon in over 30 years.

What does a typical day look like for you in your role? The average day is showing up to the office and working on the continued development of a strong IPM program for the park. But I often respond to Call-outs for Human-wildlife conflict like; animals in buildings, injured animals, or elk at the school.

Are there any specific projects or tasks that you find particularly interesting or challenging? The most challenging aspect my career in wildlife is trying to bridge the gap between human perception and their understanding of wildlife behavior. Educating people on the behaviors of different wildlife species and trying to explain without anthropomorphizing is a constant challenge.

Can you share a talent or skill that surprises people when they find out? I have spent over 60,000 hours of my life collecting field data and specializing in the capture and management of cougars, grizzly bears, and grey wolves. The skills I became most specialized in was climbing trees to capture cougars and aversively conditioning grizzly bears at close range. I also had my own expedition company capturing cougars and bears for wildlife photographers.

Is there a destination on your bucket list that you’re eager to visit? The Torres Del Paine National Park

Canyon Closet changes hours for February

Thanks for your continued patience while the Canyon Closet is closed this month. During this time staff are reorganizing the space to make it even better for the community.

Starting in February, hours of operation for the Canyon Closet will be the first and third Saturday of each month from 12-3 p.m. and every Wednesday from 12-2 p.m. The Canyon Closet is located within the Grand Canyon Community Library (old Chase Bank building).

If you are interested in volunteering please send an email to: canyon_closet@grandcanyonschoolpta.org

Hamlet performance at Shrine of the Ages on February 13

To be, or not to be: that is the question.

The Utah Shakespeare Festival continues in 2024 and will be visiting the South Rim for a performance of Hamlet on Tuesday, February 13 at 7 p.m. at the Shrine of the Ages Auditorium.

Admission is FREE and is made possible by the Flagstaff and Coconino Friends of the Library and the Grand Canyon Community Library.

More information can be found in the attached flyer here.

South Rim

Xanterra

• Maswik Lodge Cafeteria, 7 a.m.-8 p.m., Maswik Pizza Pub, 4-9 p.m.
• Canyon Coffee House at the Bright Angel Fountain, 7-11 a.m.
• Bright Angel Fountain grab and go, 7 a.m.- 4 p.m.
• Fred Harvey Burger, Breakfast 7-10 a.m., Lunch 11 a.m.- 3 p.m., Dinner 4-8:30 p.m.
• Fred Harvey Tavern, 11 a.m.-10 p.m.
• Arizona Steakhouse-closed through March 3, 2024
• El Tovar Dining Room and Lounge – Breakfast, 7-10 a.m., Lunch, 11 a.m.-2:30 p.m., Dinner, 4:30-9 p.m., Lounge, 11 a.m.-10 p.m. (Food until 9 p.m.), Patio closed until spring 2024.
• The Grand Canyon Kennel, 7:30 a.m.-5 p.m. daily
• Grand Canyon Rec Center, 6:30 a.m.-10 p.m. daily.

Delaware North

• Yavapai Lodge Tavern and Patio, 12-9 p.m., Yavapai Lodge Coffee Shop, 7 a.m. -2 p.m., The Yavapai Dining Hall, breakfast, 7-10 a.m., dinner, 5-8 p.m.
• Canyon Village Market, 7 a.m.-8 p.m., Deli 7 a.m.-5:30 p.m.
• Camper Services laundry and shower: 7 a.m.-6 p.m.

Other

• Grand Canyon Clinic: Monday-Friday from 8 a.m.-5 p.m.
• Bright Angel Bikes, Rental: 10 a.m.-4 p.m., Café 8 a.m.-5 p.m.
• Grand Canyon Visitor Center (GCVC): 7 days a week from 10 a.m.-4 p.m.
• Grand Canyon Conservancy stores: Visitor Center Plaza 8 a.m.-6 p.m. daily, Kolb Studio, Verkamps and Yavapai Geology Museum 8 a.m.-6 p.m. daily
• The Grand Canyon Community Library: Monday, Wednesday, Friday, and Saturdays from 10:30 a.m.-5 p.m. and Tuesdays and Thursdays from 10:30 a.m.-7 p.m.
• Grand Canyon Food Pantry: Monday 11 a.m.-1 p.m., Wednesday 5:30-7:30 p.m.
• Canyon Community Yoga at Grand Canyon Rec Center: Mondays-6:30-7:30 p.m., Wednesdays-6:30-7:30 p.m. (full schedule available here, locals use discount code: GCLOCALS when registering)

Desert View

• Desert View Trading Post Coffee and Ice Cream and Market, 9 a.m.-5 p.m.
• Desert View Watchtower, 9 a.m.- 5 p.m. daily
• The Desert View Deli, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Please visit the Grand Canyon National Park website for a complete list of closures and available amenities.

• View from Mohave Point on January 22, 2024 (NPS Photo/J. Baird)
• Cover photo of NRSS climate change report (NPS Photo/D. Pawlak)
• Ahkima Honyumptewa – Hopi Weaver and Painter (NPS Photo)
• Brady Dunne, Wildlife Biologist (Photo courtesy of B. Dunne)