Tag: National Park Service (NPS)

Grand Canyon Weekly Wrap-up for Sept. 20-24 — National Public Lands Day and more news

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This Saturday, September 25 will mark the 26th annual Condor Release at the Vermilion Cliffs as part of National Public Lands Day. 

Due to high Covid-19 transmission levels in counties surrounding the condor release site, and to help prevent further spread of the virus, partners hosting the event are strongly encouraging the public to attend the live stream event online. In 2020, due to COVID-19 restrictions, the team took the celebration online with more than 10,000 viewers of the event. Because of that success, the event will be live streamed again this year. 

The programming for the live virtual event will begin at 10:30 am (Arizona time). The release pen will be open at 11 a.m. (Arizona time). 

The virtual event can be viewed here on the Peregrine Fund’s YouTube Channel.

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Grand Canyon Weekly Wrap-up — Sept. 13-17, 2021

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On September 9, President Biden issued new Federal COVID vaccine guidance by Executive Order. While we don’t yet know the specifics of implementation, we do know that all federal employees, contractors and partners will be required to be vaccinated. According to the Safer Federal Workforce Task Force, “Federal Executive Branch employees must be fully vaccinated, except in limited circumstances where an employee is legally entitled to a reasonable accommodation. Agencies must work expeditiously so that their employees are fully vaccinated as quickly as possible and by no later than November 22, 2021.” The full document can be viewed here.

The purpose of this and related orders are to protect the American public, since COVID-19 continues to be spread in the US primarily by unvaccinated people, and because unfortunately, not enough people have been vaccinated to generate herd immunity to prevent the virus from mutating into new and more dangerous variants such as the Delta variant.   

Specific guidance will be coming out soon on implementation of the vaccination requirement.   

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Grand Canyon National Park Weekly Wrap-up — Aug. 23-27, 2021

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Park staff have been busy with Search and Rescues (SARs) recently. Unfortunately, many of these events have been recoveries for apparent suicides. Times continue to be full of turmoil and stress—please, take a moment to check in with loved ones and with yourself. Working in remote areas away from close family and friends can add additional challenges during an already stressful time.

We would like to thank all of the search and rescue personnel and additional searchers from many other work groups who helped with two major SARs in Surprise Valley and Hermit Trail. Luckily, in both instances, all visitors were transported safely to the South Rim. Additional thanks go to Arizona Department of Public Safety for their support during multiple SARs over the last few weeks.

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Grand Canyon Issues Drinking Water Advisory for Manzanita, Cottonwood Campground, and Phantom Ranch

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Effective August 19, 2021, the National Park Service (NPS) is recommending consumers disinfect drinking water at the following locations: Manzanita Rest Area, Cottonwood Campground, Phantom Ranch, and the Bright Angel Campground. 

Drinking water at these areas should be treated or boiled. These processes should be applied to water for any consumptive use including: drinking, making ice, preparing food, brushing teeth, and washing dishes.

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