Mike Kearsley Retires after 16 years at Grand Canyon

After 16 years working for Grand Canyon, Dr. Mike Kearsley retired on April 30, 2023. Mike has been a key figure in protection of the park’s wilderness, and a champion of the benefits of wilderness character, natural soundscapes, and backcountry experience. One of Mike’s living legacies is the vegetation map that he developed for Grand Canyon.

Before working for the National Park Service, Mike was employed at Northern Arizona University (NAU) where he taught classes. He earned his master’s degree and Ph.D. at NAU and worked as a research associate for 15 years.

Mike’s passion, humor and dedication to wilderness will be hugely missed! Mike has also been an active member of the Flagstaff community for decades, and has mentored dozens of students, interns and seasonal staff with a focus on wilderness stewardship.

Coyote Wildlife Alert

Over the past 5+ years, Grand Canyon coyotes have become habituated to human food at campgrounds and viewpoints after being regularly fed by park visitors. After many hazing and removal attempts, Grand Canyon National Park staff have needed to euthanize these coyotes to protect visitors.

Keep wildlife wild and prevent the needless loss of animal life:

• PLEASE do not feed or approach animals
• Make sure to secure your food

Please help us pass along this message to visitors and residents by distributing this flyer.

Cultural Demonstrators next week at the Desert View Watchtower

Next week’s Cultural Demonstratorswill be Laverine Greyeyes (Navajo) andCory Ahownewa (Hopi). Laverine is traditional weaver who learned from her mother and is known for her pictorial rugs. Cory is a traditional Kachina carver who puts incredible detail into his carvings by using pigments he creates and bird feathers.

Laverine and Cory will be at the Desert View Watchtower on May 9, 10, and 11 (Tuesday-Thursday) from 9 a.m.-4 p.m. 

For a flyer on the Cultural Demonstrators at Desert View from May 9-18, see the attached flyer here.

Employee Spotlight!

Carmen Kraus

Visual Information Specialist, Office of Communications, Partnerships, and External Affairs

Back in college I was pretty sure I wanted to be a research scientist: I got degrees in ecology and scientific illustration, then later a master’s in plant genetics. I realized during that time that what I enjoyed most was science communication and discussing science and nature with others. I was lucky enough to stumble across a Scientists in Parks internship working with Interpretation on the North Rim, and that started my National Park Service journey! I’ve worked two summers at Grand Canyon and a winter internship at Death Valley with Education.

How long have you worked at GRCA? Where are you based out of?  

I just started my new position on the South Rim, and I am excited to get to know the area and the people. I worked the previous two summers in Interpretation on the North Rim, first starting with the Scientists in Parks internship.

What have you enjoyed the most about working and/or living at GRCA so far? 

I love the community! I’ve had the opportunity to work with some amazing coworkers, and that has kept me coming back to work at Grand Canyon.

Any summer adventures you’re looking forward to this year? 

I brought a wide array of art materials with me and I’m looking forward to using them. I love that the canyon never looks quite the same—the views are always changing due to time of day, weather, etc. If you see me out sketching in a shady spot, come say hi!

NPS Job Opportunities!

Grand Canyon Dispatch has an open job announcement for three public safety dispatcher vacancies.  The announcement is currently open and will close on 05/16/2023. The positions are all GS-07/08, and the announcement is limited to 50 applications.

The dispatch center is located in Grand Canyon Village on the South Rim.  Come work with a fantastic team! If you have any questions about the specifics of the position, please reach out to dispatch supervisor David Holmes at david_holmes@nps.gov.

Job Announcement Link: https://www.usajobs.gov/job/723337900/print

Town of Tusayan Cinco de Mayo event this Friday

Tusayan’s first annual Cinco de Mayo celebration will take place on Friday, May 5 at the Squire Resort. The fiesta takes place from 3 to 7 p.m., is family-friendly, free, and open to the community. 

There will also be lawn games, piñatas, a Mariachi band and a variety of authentic Mexican foods for guests to enjoy. The drive-in movie, Coco, will be begin at 5:30 p.m. 

The Cinco de Mayo event is new this year and reflects the town’s goal of offering more activities and recreational opportunities for visitors and residents alike. A full flyer with more details on the event is available here.