Messages and Grand Canyon News-Week of May 1, 2023

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.

Prescribed Fire within Grand Canyon National Park will begin Wednesday, May 10

Grand Canyon National Park fire managers—working with personnel and resources from Saguaro, Rocky Mountain National Park as well as Dinosaur National Monument, anticipate initiating prescribed fire treatments from May 10-12, on the South Rim, as weather and fuel moisture conditions allow.

On Wednesday, May 10, ignitions will occur on the Grapevine segment, approximately 0.5 miles south of the Duck on a Rock Overlook along Highway 64 (Desert View Drive). The Grapevine project area totals an area of 865 acres and is bound by the Kaibab National Forest’s boundary to the south and the E4/Long Jim Canyon Road to the north. Following completion of the Grapevine project, crews will initiate ignitions on the Lonetree project area, totaling an area of approximately 926 acres. Ignitions may be complete as early as Friday, May 12, but may be extended based on favorable weather conditions.

Smoke from both project areas will be most visible during ignition operations and will likely diminish after ignitions are completed. Smoke impacts are most anticipated along Highway 64 (Desert View Drive). Smoke may also impact the Grand Canyon Village and the inner canyon, particularly near the ignition area. Fire managers are working with the Arizona Department of Environmental Quality-Smoke Management Division to reduce and mitigate potential smoke impacts.

Astronomer in Residence, Kevin Schindler, presents two evening programs this weekend

Friday, May 5 – Grand Canyon Visitor Center Theater – 8:30 p.m. — ‘From the Canyon to the Moon: Astronaut Training at the Grand Canyon’ In preparation for their voyages to the Moon in the 1960s-70s, Apollo astronauts hiked into the Grand Canyon to hone their geology skills. Relive these expeditions and learn why this training was so important.

Saturday, May 6 – Grand Canyon Visitor Center Theater – 8:30 p.m. — ‘What’s Up in the Night Sky?’ (Dress Warm). Using a laser pointer, Kevin will identify some of the major constellations in the current night sky and share their stories as told by a variety of cultures.

Kevin Schindler is the historian and Public Information Officer at Lowell Observatory in Flagstaff, Arizona, where he has worked for 28 years. For more information, see the attached flyer here.

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.

South Rim District Report Available

South Rim District Report-period ending 4-8-2023

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!

COVID Updates

As of May 4, Coconino County has remained at LOW CDC Community Level. Masks remain optional in all public buildings.Total new COVID cases in Arizona for the week of April 27 through May 3, is 3,206 —a decrease of 800 cases from the previous week.

As a reminder, be sure to promptly report any illness, to include possible COVID-19 symptoms, COVID exposure, or a positive COVID test to your supervisor and our Public Health Consultant, Ronan King. Ronan can be reached at: 202-891-8599 or Ronan_King@nps.gov.

Grand Canyon Community Corner

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.

Community Potluck at Grand Canyon Rec Center this Saturday, May 6

Join fellow Grand Canyon community members on Saturday, May 6 starting at 5 p.m., for a summer kickoff event at the Grand Canyon Rec Center Ramada featuring live music from local band, ‘Tha Yoties’ and a community potluck. All are welcome to attend!

More information is available in the attached flyer here.

Pride Club meeting and planning May 9

The Grand Canyon Pride Club will be meeting on Tuesday, May 9, to plan June’s Pride Month celebrations. Pride Club is for all members of the LGBTQIA2S+ (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer and/or Questioning, Intersex, Asexual, Two-Spirit) community and allies. 2S (Two-spirit), is an Indigenous-created word for traditionally recognized identities. It means different things in each nation and to each person who holds that identity, and it is an identity that is culturally specific, meaning that it belongs to Indigenous communities.

All are welcome to attend the meeting to help plan numerous events to take place in June. The meeting will be at 6:30pm in the Rec Center Piano Room.

Please reach out to Samantha Troi at stroi@xanterra.com with any questions or concerns. A full flyer for the meeting can be found here.

Yoga Pop-Up event in Tusayan

On Saturday, May 13 from 5-6 p.m., there will be a pop-up yoga event led by Stephanie Washington in the courtyard of the Grand Canyon Visitor Center/IMAX. Space is limited and participants are encouraged to sign up up ahead of time. The cost of the event is $10 per person.

More information can be found in the attached flyer here.

Current Operational Hours

*Please note: new changes to operations are indicated in bold/italic

South Rim

Xanterra

Maswik Lodge Cafeteria, 6:30 a.m.-8 p.m.
Canyon Coffee House at the Bright Angel Fountain, 7 a.m.-11 a.m.
Bright Angel Fountain grab and go, 11 a.m.- 3 p.m.
Fred Harvey Burger, breakfast 8-10:30 a.m., lunch 11 a.m.- 3 p.m., dinner 4-9 p.m.
Arizona Steakhouse within Bright Angel Lodge is now offering dinner service from 4:30 to 9:30 p.m. daily. Lunch service is from 11:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. daily.
Fred Harvey Tavern, 11 a.m.-10 p.m.
The Fred Harvey Food Truck outside of the Train Depot: 11: 30 a.m.-4:30 p.m. daily, weather dependent.
The Grand Canyon Rec Center, 6:30 a.m.-10 p.m. daily.
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.-9:30 p.m., Patio (limited menu), 11 a.m.-8 p.m.
Maswik Pizza Pub is open daily from 4-8 p.m.
The Grand Canyon Kennel is open seven days a week with hours from 7:30 a.m.-5 p.m. daily

Delaware North

Yavapai Lodge Tavern and Patio, 12-10 p.m., Yavapai Lodge Coffee Shop, 6:30 a.m. -3 p.m., The Yavapai Dining Hall, breakfast, 7-10:45 a.m., dinner, 5-8 p.m.
Canyon Village Market, 7 a.m.-8 p.m., Deli 7 a.m.-6:30 p.m.
Camper Services laundry and shower, 7 a.m.-6 p.m. daily

Other

Grand Canyon Clinic: Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Bright Angel Bikes, Rental: 8 a.m.-5 p.m., Café 8 a.m.-5 p.m.
Grand Canyon Visitor Center (GCVC): 8 a.m.-12 p.m., Thursday-Monday (closed Tuesday and Wednesday)
Grand Canyon Conservancy stores regular hours: Visitor Center Plaza, Yavapai Geology Museum, Verkamps, and Kolb Studio 8 a.m.-7 p.m. daily.
Grand Canyon Community Library: Monday-Saturday from 10:30 a.m.-5 p.m.
Canyon Closet (located behind Community Library): Mondays 4:15-6 p.m., Wednesdays 12:15-2 p.m., Saturdays 3-5 p.m.
Grand Canyon Food Pantry: Mondays 11 a.m.-1 p.m., Wednesdays 6-8 p.m., Saturdays 2-4 p.m.

Desert View

Desert View Trading Post Coffee and Ice Cream and Market, 9 a.m.-5 p.m. daily
Desert View Watchtower, 8 a.m.-6 p.m. daily
The Desert View Deli, 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.

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

Photo Credits (in order of appearance)

Moonrise on May 4, 2023 (NPS Photo/M. Quinn)
Mike Kearsley retires after 16 years with the NPS (NPS Photo)
Prescribed fire burning near Market Plaza, 2019 (NPS Photo)
Cory Ahownewa with a collection of Kachina dolls (Photo courtesy of C. Ahownewa)
Carmen Kraus, Visual Information Specialist (Photo courtesy of C. Kraus)
A calm and completely flat Upset Rapid along the Colorado River last week during the High Flow Event (Photo courtesy of Jeff Dodrill)

Grand Canyon National Park, in northern Arizona, encompasses 278 miles (447 km) of the Colorado River and adjacent uplands. Located on the ancestral homeland of 11 Associated Tribes, Grand Canyon is one of the most spectacular examples of erosion anywhere in the world—unmatched in the incomparable vistas it offers visitors on the rim. Grand Canyon National Park is a World Heritage Site. The National Park Service cares for the special places saved by the American people so that all may experience our heritage.