The North Rim opened on May 15 for what promises to be another busy season. Due to historically heavy snowfall, the National Park Service closes the North Rim to visitation from mid-October through mid-May. Although more remote stretches of the North Rim remain open year round, the lofty plateau endures its harsh winter with little human fanfare.
The North Rim is a favorite for the savvy visitor looking to get away from the hustle and bustle of the South Rim. Many canyon regulars feel the extra few hours of driving is worth the trade off in solitude and cooler temperatures. In fact, it’s often said that the North Rim is where residents of the South Rim go to vacation. As a South Rim resident chomping at the bit to visit the lush forest, and challenging trails on the far side of the abyss, I’d have to agree.
Monday, May 14, 2007
Increased Funding Headed to the Parks
In his Fiscal Year 2008 budget, announced in February, President Bush proposed the an increase in operating funds for the national parks (a $258 million increase over Fiscal Year 2006, for a total of $2.4 billion) and called for three new $100 million components that could provide up to $3 billion over 10 years in increased philanthropic, partnership and government resources for national park programs and projects. These various initiatives represent the backbone of National Park Centennial Initiative, which will culminate in the 100th anniversary of the National Park Service (NPS) in 2016.
“This is money above and beyond our regular budget,” NPS Director Mary Bomar said. “It includes $100 million of additional operating funds for parks each year and up to $200 million annually for special projects and programs paid for by a combination of $100 million in donations and a federal match of up to $100 million.”
“By the National Park Service’s 100th birthday,” Secretary of the Interior Dirk Kempthorne said, “the initiative will have provided significant resources to restore and better protect the parks’ natural, cultural, recreational and historic resources. There will be new and improved visitor centers, trails, campgrounds, and other facilities; more ranger-led programs; greater volunteerism and philanthropy. Visitors’ park experiences will be significantly enhanced. In short, our national park system will be prepared for its next century of excellence in conservation, preservation and enjoyment.”
“This is money above and beyond our regular budget,” NPS Director Mary Bomar said. “It includes $100 million of additional operating funds for parks each year and up to $200 million annually for special projects and programs paid for by a combination of $100 million in donations and a federal match of up to $100 million.”
“By the National Park Service’s 100th birthday,” Secretary of the Interior Dirk Kempthorne said, “the initiative will have provided significant resources to restore and better protect the parks’ natural, cultural, recreational and historic resources. There will be new and improved visitor centers, trails, campgrounds, and other facilities; more ranger-led programs; greater volunteerism and philanthropy. Visitors’ park experiences will be significantly enhanced. In short, our national park system will be prepared for its next century of excellence in conservation, preservation and enjoyment.”
New Grand Canyon Superintendent Comes Full Circle
Newly-appointed Superintendent Steve Martin has found his way back to Grand Canyon National Park. Martin began his National Park Service (NPS) career in 1975 after graduating from the University of Arizona with a B.S. in Natural Resource Management. His stint as a park ranger at Grand Canyon was but the first stop on a wide-ranging and successful rise through the NPS ranks.
Over the years, Martin served as superintendent at Grand Teton National Park, the John D. Rockefeller, Jr. Memorial, Denali National Park and Preserve and Gates of the Arctic National Park and Preserve. He was the Regional Director for the Intermountain Region, and, most recently, the Deputy Director of the NPS based in Washington, D.C.
Martin has received many awards for supervisory and management accomplishments including the Meritorious Service Award, the Department of Interior's second highest departmental honor.
He has been busy introducing himself to the local community and various park stakeholders, including a speech he gave at Grand Canyon Association’s 75th anniversary community dance where he fondly recalled his early days at Grand Canyon National Park.
Over the years, Martin served as superintendent at Grand Teton National Park, the John D. Rockefeller, Jr. Memorial, Denali National Park and Preserve and Gates of the Arctic National Park and Preserve. He was the Regional Director for the Intermountain Region, and, most recently, the Deputy Director of the NPS based in Washington, D.C.
Martin has received many awards for supervisory and management accomplishments including the Meritorious Service Award, the Department of Interior's second highest departmental honor.
He has been busy introducing himself to the local community and various park stakeholders, including a speech he gave at Grand Canyon Association’s 75th anniversary community dance where he fondly recalled his early days at Grand Canyon National Park.
A Canyon Between your Toes
Though but a speck on the lofty rim of the Grand Canyon in relative terms, the Grand Canyon Skywalk has generated a canyon-size buzz in the popular media. The Hualapai Indians of western Grand Canyon have been working with a variety of investors and developers to construct a sixty-five foot, see-through platform suspended thousands of feet above the floor of the Grand Canyon.
The Grand Canyon Skywalk, which opened on March 28, is said to be able to withstand the weight of seventy-one fully loaded Boeing 747 airplanes (more than 70 million pounds), though only 120 people will be allowed onto the glass bridge at any given time.
This high-profile attraction is the latest attempt by the Hualapai Nation to increase visitation to their tourist enterprise known as Grand Canyon West—located within the boundaries of the 2000-member tribe’s one million acre reservation in northern Arizona.
The Grand Canyon Skywalk, which opened on March 28, is said to be able to withstand the weight of seventy-one fully loaded Boeing 747 airplanes (more than 70 million pounds), though only 120 people will be allowed onto the glass bridge at any given time.
This high-profile attraction is the latest attempt by the Hualapai Nation to increase visitation to their tourist enterprise known as Grand Canyon West—located within the boundaries of the 2000-member tribe’s one million acre reservation in northern Arizona.
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