Grand Canyon Weekly Wrap-up: July 1-5, 2024 — Employee Spotlight!  Monique Navarro, Branch Lead of Education/ Acting Deputy Lead of Interpretation and Education

Ten Year Anniversary Celebration July 6 for Cultural Demonstration Program

Beginning TONIGHT, we’re commemorating 10 years of the Cultural Demonstration Program! On Friday, July 5 at 7:30 p.m., join Ed Kabotie for a performance and alter-native history at the McKee Amphitheater on the South Rim (closest to Park Headquarters). On Saturday, July 6, 18 talented artists who represent 8 of the 11 Associated Tribes of Grand Canyon will be demonstrating at the Desert View Watchtower and Amphitheater from 9 a.m.-3 p.m.

The Cultural Demonstration Program, launched in 2014 by the Grand Canyon Intertribal Working Group, has grown from 4 to over 200 demonstrators, showcasing diverse skills and traditions. To mark this achievement, the park welcomes demonstrators from across the region for a day filled with celebration and cultural immersion.

More information can be found in the attached flyer here or on the park’s website.

The Lockett Fire started on June 29 and is located approximately 12 miles east of Tusayan along the Coconino Rim, between Forest Road 307 and Forest Road 310. It is currently 75 acres burning in ponderosa pine forest, moving with a slow rate of spread and consuming pine needle duff and dead-and-down woody debris and stumps on the forest floor. This fire is burning in the footprint of the 2014 Belknap Fire.

The Lockett Fire will be managed in a confine and contain strategy within designated areas to reduce fuel loads and promote healthier landscapes.

As part of management efforts, a temporary reroute of a 3-mile section of the Arizona Trail along Forest Road 310 has been implemented to ensure visitor safety. We understand that smoke may be visible from various forest roads and along Hwy. 64 E/Desert View Drive within Grand Canyon National Park. Please be aware of this if you are in the vicinity.

The Kaibab National Forest, known for its fire-adapted ecosystem, relies on periodic, lower-intensity fires like the Lockett Fire to maintain its health. These fires play a crucial role in clearing forest floor debris and promoting the growth of new vegetation, benefitting the entire ecosystem in the long run. More information on the Lockett Fire can be found on the Inciweb website here.

Temporary drinking water outage July 8-12 along the North Kaibab Trail

A temporary drinking water outage will occur along the North Kaibab Trail from Monday, July 8, to Friday, July 12. Water will be off at the following locations: Manzanita Day Use Area, Cottonwood Campground and Day Use Area, Phantom Ranch, Bright Angel Campground, and Boat Beach. All hikers in the inner canyon should plan to carry water or bring methods to treat creek water.

Repairs to the Transcanyon Waterline are expected be complete by Friday, July 12, with restoration of drinking water the next day. Schedules may change or be delayed due to unforeseen circumstances or a break in the waterline.

Backcountry hikers are encouraged to check, the park’s Critical Backcountry Updates page for the most up-to-date information on water availability in the inner canyon.

Park Rangers received new equipment for DUI enforcement, School Zone Safety, and Training

The Arizona Governor’s Office of Highway Safety (AZ GOHS) awarded Grand Canyon National Park grants to purchase equipment to be used to enhance DUI/Impaired Driving enforcement, enhance Grand Canyon School Zone Safety, and enhance Selective Traffic Enforcement Program (STEP).

Grand Canyon National Park and AZ GOHS have partnered to target speed reduction, decrease impaired driving, increase seat belt and child safety seat usage, pedestrian safety, and driver distractions that cause traffic fatalities and injuries in Grand Canyon and surrounding communities.

For 2024, Grand Canyon National Park received Federal 402-Alcohol (AL) funds in the amount of $40,676.00 for overtime to participate in the Route 66 DUI Task Force events, conduct targeted DUI/Impaired driving enforcement, to fund traffic safety trainings, and to purchase equipment needed for detecting, testing, and enforcing laws against driving, flying, or boating while impaired.

Grand Canyon National Park received Federal 402-Police Traffic Services (PTS) funds in the amount of $38,094.00 for overtime to conduct high visibility enforcement operations to reduce speeding and aggressive driving within the park in addition to purchasing essential patrol equipment to include vehicle mounted RADAR, and other necessary equipment to process citations, arrests, and other administrative tasks more efficiently while roadside. The PTS funds were also used to purchase RADAR feedback speed signs that have already been implemented in the school zones of the Grand Canyon Unified School District and popular visitor overlooks along Highway 64.

This NHTSA funding will help improve work performance with NPS US Park Rangers serving the community and visitors who come to Grand Canyon National Park to ensure a safe and more enjoyable experience.

Drone Reminders

With the increase in unmanned aircraft use nationwide, it’s crucial to remember that recreational drone use is prohibited at all national parks, including Grand Canyon. Unmanned aircraft, including model airplanes, quadcopters, and drones, have caused safety concerns and disturbances to wildlife and visitors. This prohibition is to ensure visitor safety and protect the park’s natural and cultural resources.

If you see a drone in operation, please report it through dispatch (928-638-7805). Violations are misdemeanors, punishable by up to six months in jail and a $5,000 fine.

For further clarifications, visit the park’s website.

Employee Spotlight!

Monique Navarro, Branch Lead of Education/ Acting Deputy Lead of Interpretation and Education

My spouse Jose and I moved to the South Rim from Ventura, CA in January 2022. I worked seasonally at Channel Islands National Park, then started my career as a high school English teacher, from 2004 to 2009. Jose and I moved to Thailand and lived and taught there for five years. I held various positions: university English lecturer, fifth grade teacher, then principal at an international school. We returned to the states (after a six-month sabbatical in India) in 2014. I ran the education program at Channel Islands National Park, then officially began the Education Branch Lead position at GRCA in November 2021 remotely, and we moved top the South Rim a couple months later. In my free time, I read, do yoga, hike, camp, take photos, snuggle my two cats Luna and Sol, hug pine trees, and Facetime my nieces and nephew.

In your role, what are some of the key initiatives or programs you oversee? Could you give us an example of one that you’re particularly proud of?

The education program’s main focus is to reach gateway audiences – which is a large area geographically. Coconino County is the second largest county area wise in the lower 48 states. There are many students who attend rural and tribal schools who have never visited Grand Canyon National Park. It is our main focus to provide access for these youth. We reach out to these schools and teachers, and their bus transportation is supported through Grand Canyon Conservancy.

A moment that made me feel our work is worthwhile occurred this past spring. Students from the Hualapai tribe were here on a field trip, and one of their tribal elders ran into the students on the South Rim. He was here for the tribal film premier. He was so excited to see them here. Our main goal is to welcome students to canyon, to their ancestral homelands. The canyon is home to the youth and members of the 11associated tribes.

In my current official position and in my detail, it is my job to support staff in their vital work of communicating with visitors, and advocating for them so they can thrive at work.

What advice would you give to someone who is interested in pursuing a career in environmental education?

Take advantage of every career opportunity that you have, even and especially if it is outside of your comfort zone. When I became a principal, I was 32 years old, supervising a team of 30+ teachers, many older than me, and trying to establish the baseline school infrastructure: network drives, online gradebook, accreditation, syllabi, and curricula. There was of course a lot of push back. I believed that if I did my job well, they would follow suit. I was wrong. I had to learn that more than anything, positive relationships with my staff are the key to building a success team.

Also, the best way to get better at teaching is by teaching. The hardest and most challenging job I’ve ever had was a high school teacher – I learned organization, communication, team building, motivating and re-directing groups – and with five different classes of 40+ adolescents, every 50 minutes. Teaching taught me all of the skillsets that are vital and transferrable to being successful in any workplace.

Call for 2024 Grand Canyon Celebration of Art Hosts

The Grand Canyon Conservancy is currently looking for host families for the 2024 Celebration of Art. Hosting an artist is an excellent opportunity for community members to meet individuals from all over the country who appreciate the canyon.

The plein air painters will need accommodations from September 6-16 in order to participate in the event. For more information on becoming a host for the 2024 Celebration of Art, see the attached letter from the Grand Canyon Conservancy.

July Calendar of Events for Grand Canyon Rec Center

See all the latest and greatest events the Grand Canyon Rec Center has planned for July!

The full calendar can be viewed here.

South Rim

Xanterra

• Maswik Cafeteria, 6 a.m.-9 p.m.
• Maswik Pizza Pub, 4-10 p.m.
• Bright Angel Fountain, 6 a.m.-6 p.m.
• Harvey House Café/Fred Harvey Burger Restaurant, Breakfast 6:30-10:30 a.m., Lunch 11 a.m.-3 p.m., Dinner 4-9 p.m.
• Fred Harvey Tavern, 11 a.m.-10 p.m. daily
• Arizona Steakhouse, Lunch 11:30 a.m.-3 p.m., Dinner 4:30-9 p.m.
• El Tovar Dining Room and Lounge – Breakfast 6:30-10 a.m., Lunch 11 a.m.-2:30 p.m., Dinner 4:30-9:30 p.m., Lounge, 11 a.m.-10 p.m. (Food until 9 p.m.), Patio closed until further notice.
• 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 Dining Hall: Breakfast 7-10:30 a.m., Dinner 5-9 p.m., Yavapai Lodge Tavern and Patio, 12-10 p.m., Coffee Shop: 6:30 a.m. -5 p.m.
• Canyon Village Market, 7 a.m.-9 p.m., Deli 7 a.m.-7 p.m.
• Camper Services laundry and shower: 7 a.m.-10 p.m.
• Trailer Village Kiosk: 10 a.m.-8 p.m.

Other

• Grand Canyon Clinic: Open 7 days a week, 9 a.m.-6 p.m.
• Bright Angel Bikes, Rental: 8 a.m.-5 p.m., Café 7 a.m.-5 p.m.
• Grand Canyon Visitor Center (GCVC): Open daily from 8 a.m.-3 p.m.
• Grand Canyon Conservancy stores: Verkamps and Yavapai Geology Museum-8 a.m.-8 p.m. daily, Visitor Center Plaza-8 a.m.-8 p.m., Kolb Studio-8 a.m.-6 p.m.,
• 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., Saturday 2-4 p.m.
• Canyon Community Yoga & Wellness (at the Rec Center) June schedule: Fitness Classes (under the ramada): Sunday 9 a.m., Tuesday & Thursday 6 p.m. Yoga (in the SPR): Monday & Wednesday 6:30 p.m. Use discount GCLOCALS at checkout.

Desert View

• Desert View Trading Post and ice cream and coffee shop, 9 a.m.-5 p.m.
• Desert View Watchtower, 8 a.m.- 7 p.m. daily. Stairs and tower access available until 6 p.m.
• The Desert View Deli, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
• The Desert View convenience store, 9 a.m.-5 p.m. daily.

North Rim

• North Rim Visitor Center (GCC), 8 a.m.-6 p.m. daily
• NPS Backcountry Information Center, 8 a.m.-12 p.m., 1-5 p.m. daily
• Camper Store by campground (Aramark), 7 a.m.-9 p.m. daily
• Guest Laundry and Showers, 7 a.m.-7 p.m. staffed, unstaffed from 7-10 p.m.
• Grand Canyon Lodge Gift Shop (Aramark), 8 a.m.-9 p.m. daily

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

• A painted bowl on the rim of the canyon (NPS Photo/D. Pawlak)
• Fire crews prepare the perimeter of the Lockett Fire on July 4 (Photo courtesy USFS)
• South Rim Law Enforcement stands with school administrators next to a new speed enforcement sign on Center Road. (NPS Photo)
• Drone sign at Yavapai Overlook (NPS Photo)
• Monique Navarro, Acting Branch Chief of Interpretation and Resource Education (Photo courtesy of M. Navarro)