Canyon Views is published by Grand Canyon Conservancy (GCC). As the official philanthropic and collaborative partner of Grand Canyon National Park, GCC’s mission is to inspire generations of park champions to cherish and support the natural and cultural wonder of Grand Canyon.
For more information about Grand Canyon Conservancy, please visit grandcanyon.org.
Board of Directors:
Shantini Munthree, Board Chair; Randall Brown, Board Vice Chair; Lizabeth Ardisana; Ann Becker; Geoff Chatas; Jason Coochwytewa; Aaron Craft; Ann Figueredo; Nigel Finney; Deborah Gage; Charlie Galbraith; Scott Key; Sarah Willie-LeBreton; Carissa Rollins; Rich Rudow; Mick Rusing; Stephanie Sklar; Stan Sutherland
As the Interim Chief Executive Officer at Grand Canyon Conservancy, I am committed to continuing GCC’s work with our dedicated leadership team, staff, and board to remain focused on upholding our mission to preserve and protect Grand Canyon National Park and advance our shared goals. Providing steady leadership to guide GCC through this transitional period is a top priority for me.
I am the former CEO of Casa de los Niños, a nationally accredited child welfare and behavioral health nonprofit, and my strengths include program and board development, strategic planning, finance, fundraising, and community relations. I also hold a specialized interim CEO certification, so I am experienced in helping nonprofits smoothly navigate leadership transitions without losing pace or momentum with annual plans.
I moved to Arizona to attend the University of Arizona in 1975 and visited the canyon my freshman year. I hiked a bit of Bright Angel Trail, which was a great introduction to hiking, and I’ve kept it up through the years. Later in life, I hiked Havasupai twice. I have visited many National Parks and continue to enjoy the great outdoors.
Your support is especially important during this transitional period. The vocal passion for our mission and initiatives continues to empower visitors and fund programs and preservation priorities. We appreciate your role as an ambassador for the organization and value your contributions and involvement in GCC’s programs and initiatives. Together, we will continue to make a meaningful impact that will benefit Grand Canyon National Park.
Thank you for your support of GCC!
Susie Huhn Interim CEO
Photo courtesy Susie Huhn.
A Message from Ed
By Ed Keable, Superintendent, Grand Canyon National Park
Grand Canyon National Park is a complex place. The park meets its mission requirements of “conserving unimpaired the natural and cultural resources and values of the National Park System (NPS) for the enjoyment, education, and inspiration of this and future generations” in many ways, some serious, some inspiring, some foundational. You will learn about many of our efforts in this issue of Canyon Views
The climate is changing in the Colorado River basin with the aridification of the west. Scientists tell us we are no longer in a mere drought. Rather, we are undergoing a long period of climate change during which the soil is drying and hardening, changing the landscape and the flow of water through it.
No other issue facing the park is as complex as this. I spend about a quarter of my time as Superintendent working with NPS staff (locally, regionally, and nationally), Federal colleagues, tribal partners, and stakeholders to try to find solutions to managing the park during these environmentally challenging times.
It could be easy to fall into despair about the effects of climate change, but the work my colleagues in the park, at GCC, and I are doing gives me hope for the future. Some GRCA staff joined me on a nine-day river mission with senior staff from the Bureau of Reclamation and scientists from the U.S. Geological Survey and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. Reclamation is engaged in a series of related planning processes for
managing water in the Colorado River basin. Our river mission gave park staff and scientists a tremendous opportunity to educate Reclamation staff on climate change impacts in the Grand Canyon. We engaged in detailed policy discussions from 5 a.m. coffee to bedtime as we all sought to learn from and support each other as we collaborate to address climate change. My hope in the future is founded in the knowledge that I am working with bright, dedicated, and talented colleagues on this complex and serious issue.
The park is working on many other matters that provide inspiration and hope. We recently premiered a new welcome video, “We Are Grand Canyon.” Tribal leaders from the 11 associated tribes share their
Photo courtesy NPS.
perspectives about Grand Canyon in this film. While they address the challenging relationship they’ve had with the park since it was established over a hundred years ago, they also share a universally welcoming message. Grand Canyon is their home and they welcome visitors to it.
This 24-minute film, which is shown at the top of the hour in the visitor center theater, is just one part of a broader strategy the park is employing to welcome our tribal partners to communicate directly with park visitors. We are pleased to expand our cultural demonstration program to include a new podcast series, “Grand Canyon Speaks,” in which cultural demonstrators speak directly to our visitors to share their thoughts about their arts and crafts and their connections to the canyon.
Grand Canyon’s dark skies also continue to inspire. The park and GCC are making steady progress with the work necessary to maintain our status as a dark-skies-certified park.
As we work on both serious and inspiring issues, we also must be mindful to work on foundational issues. You will learn in this edition of Canyon Views about our efforts to better understand visitor interests, the tremendous efforts we undertake to maintain our trails, and the work the dedicated Preventive Search and Rescue team does to keep our visitors safe on those trails.
Finally, I want to take a moment to reflect on an important characteristic of Grand Canyon. The park is a national treasure and a world heritage site. People across the country and around the globe know about and care
about this special place. Two titans of Arizona politics – from different political parties – worked together to protect Grand Canyon. The park recently erected a wayside exhibit at the visitor center recognizing Senator John McCain and Representative Morris Udall for their bi-partisan commitment to keeping the canyon special. They serve as a model for all of us today.
GCC continues to be a great park partner, helping us to preserve the resource and to meet visitor interests and needs across a wide spectrum. Thank you for your contributions to that support!
Photo courtesy NPS/M.Quinn.
Navigating Climate Change: A Communication Strategy for Grand Canyon National Park
By Elyssa Shalla, Management Specialist, Office of Communications, Partnerships and External Affairs, Grand Canyon National Park
One of the most rugged landscapes in the American Southwest, Grand Canyon National Park stands as an iconic symbol of natural wonder and beauty. Yet, beneath its awe-inspiring vistas lies a complex ecosystem facing unprecedented challenges brought on by climate change. As temperatures rise, the delicate balance of this landscape is being fundamentally altered. In response, Grand Canyon National Park has embarked upon a comprehensive communication strategy aimed at educating, engaging, and empowering the public to confront the realities of climate change.
This strategy is part of broader initiatives within the National Park Service (NPS) to put climate change at the forefront of planning and decision-making to increase resilience in the face of uncertain future conditions. In 2023, the NPS published its Green Parks Plan: Third Edition (2023), a strategic plan for sustainable management of NPS operations. Also in 2023, the NPS published its updated Climate Change Response Strategy (2023), a high-level blueprint to guide and address the ongoing climate crisis. The strategy stands on four cornerstones of action—understand, adapt, mitigate, and communicate.
When the NPS was established in 1916, it was granted responsibility for preserving and protecting the significant resources within national parks for the benefit and enjoyment of current and future generations. Today, as the effects of climate
Mainstreaming climate-informed practices in national parks means we work to…
UNDERSTAND how climate projections for our parks di er from historical conditions and what the potential e ects might be on park resources, facilities, and operations.
ADAPT through strategies that reduce the vulnerabilities of resources, facilities, and operations to climate change e ects.
MITIGATE our own carbon footprint by minimizing the emissions of greenhouse gases from park operations, and increasing carbon storage where appropriate.
COMMUNICATE about the e ects of climate change on our national parks, what we are doing to address them, and what we are learning through our e orts.
Photo courtesy Matt Jenkins.
change accumulate and we better understand its long-term impacts, the need to effectively communicate is more important than ever. At Grand Canyon National Park, climate change impacts may be more subtle than other locations in the NPS where glaciers are melting and sea levels are rising. So, let’s start by taking a look at some of the key areas of concern at Grand Canyon. Then, we will dive into how Grand Canyon National Park is developing a multi-faceted climate change communication strategy to engage a wide array of audiences.
Understanding the Impacts: An Overview of Climate Change at Grand Canyon
At the core of the communication strategy lies a commitment to providing accurate, science-based information about the ways in which climate change is impacting the park and what is at risk in the future. Grand Canyon’s climate change communications strategy is focused on raising awareness about the interconnected stories of changing waters, forests, and experiences. Here is a brief overview of each of these focus areas:
Changing Waters: The Colorado River, along with nearby seeps, springs, and tributary streams, provides vital species habitat and is considered a living landscape by many Indigenous people of the region. The river supports world-renowned recreational opportunities and is also the source of water for 42 million people across the western United States. For the past 25 years, the Colorado River basin has experienced its worst extended drought in a millennium which has led to aridification . The drying of soil from regional warming has led to reduced groundwater infiltrations, decreased spring runoff from snowmelt, lower
reservoir levels leading to reduced Colorado River flows, and rising water temperatures, all of which are impacting resources in Grand Canyon. These conditions influence the operations of Glen Canyon and Hoover Dams and have intensified water scarcity concerns within local communities. This has elevated the urgency to balance supply and demand throughout the Colorado River basin. Collaborative efforts are underway to promote the future health of Grand Canyon’s waters, aquatic species, cultural resources, and recreational opportunities.
Changing Forests: Hundreds of thousands of acres of forest and woodlands are protected within Grand Canyon National Park and extend into neighboring federal and tribal lands. Soils, trees, wildflowers, insects, animals, birds, and humans interact in these vibrant forest communities. In the past century, the health and stability of forests throughout the southwest United States has become increasingly threatened by stressors such as fire suppression, increased temperatures, reductions in snowpack, evaporation, and aridification. These stressors have increased the risk of tree mortality
due to drought, overcrowding, insects, and disease. They’ve also put forests at risk of high-intensity wildfire events that create hazardous air quality conditions and that can force evacuations or species migrations due to unsuitable habitat conditions. Traditional Ecological Knowledge (TEK), evolving fire science, and collaborative action on a landscapescale are being used to address forest health and resilience across the greater Grand Canyon region.
Changing Experiences: Grand Canyon has a reputation for warm temperatures during the summer months where increasing periods of prolonged excessive heat can pose life-threatening dangers for unprepared recreationists on shadeless trails with limited access to water. The newly published NPS Natural Resource Report Historical and projected climate change for Grand Canyon National Park and surrounding areas (Lawrence, 2024) articulates that in the past century, warming has occurred at all elevations and across all seasons throughout the greater Grand Canyon region. It also suggests that in the future, average as well as extreme temperatures are projected to increase significantly.
Photo courtesy NPS.
These projections have the potential to significantly impact visitor experiences and recreational activities at Grand Canyon National Park.
Honest and accurate communication about climate change’s effects on parks is vitally important. The NPS is increasingly adept at discussing impacts to landscapes, ecosystems, wildlife, and infrastructure, but meaningful conversations must move beyond simply stating the impact. At the core of Grand Canyon’s climate change communication strategy lies a framework for engaging audiences in ways that will foster productive civic engagement and collaborative action.
The Empowered Storyteller: Staff Training for Effective Communication
The park’s strength lies in its staff— the rangers, educators, interns, and volunteers—who connect visitors
to the canyon’s wonders. This year, the park will increase climate change communication training for frontline communicators. The effort will focus on strategies for weaving climate change narratives into new and existing interpretive programs and education curricula. By training staff as science-informed storytellers, they are empowered to share Grand Canyon’s changing story with empathy and clarity. Through effective storytelling and productive dialogue, park rangers can humanize the impacts of climate change, making them relatable and compelling. This can move conversations beyond climate change impacts to possible solutions that inspire hope and actions in the daily lives and communities of park visitors.
Learning and development are critical at all levels of an organization and Grand Canyon National Park is not shying away from opportunities to increase its capacity for training,
coaching, and collaboration with neighboring parks and intergovernmental partners. Three initiatives are currently underway:
Speaking of Climate Change:
In April 2024, a co-instructor team from Grand Canyon National Park and Glen Canyon National Recreation Area participated in the weeklong Speaking of Climate Change Trainthe-Trainer pilot course at the USFWS National Conservation Training Center in Shepherdstown, West Virginia. Sponsored by the NPS Climate Change Response Program, this interagency training prepared instructor teams to lead and coach staff using current best practices for climate change communication.
Collaboration with Glen Canyon National Recreation Area: In May, the Speaking of Climate Change co-instructor team led training for approximately 40 frontline communicators. With a focus on
Photo courtesy Matt Jenkins.
rapid response and surveillance
Colorado River management, this training included half-day river trips in Glen Canyon above Lees Ferry. NPS fisheries experts joined these trips to share their work in protecting the federally listed humpback chub (Gila cypha) from the invasion of predatory non-native fish species below Glen Canyon Dam.
DOI Leaders Grand Canyon River Mission: Additionally, the NPS assisted the Bureau of Reclamation with the coordination of a nine-day Grand Canyon river mission to provide Department of Interior leaders the opportunity to learn about the challenges climate change poses to the management of threatened and endangered species and the preservation of irreplaceable cultural resources. This mission gave leaders the opportunity to explore collaborative solutions for the longterm management of the Colorado River, as they develop the Colorado River Post 2026 Operations
guidelines and ensure that they are meeting the requirements of the 1992 Grand Canyon Protection Act (Public Law 102-575).
Climate change is not a singlediscipline issue. Recognizing the interconnectedness of various subject areas, the communication strategy prioritizes collaboration to address climate change impacts comprehensively. By fostering interdisciplinary dialogue and sharing expertise, staff members can gain a more nuanced understanding of the complex challenges posed by climate change.
Reaching Audiences
Beyond the Park: Digital Media and Exhibit Design
In addition to providing onsite interpretation and education, as part of this strategy, Grand Canyon staff from the Division of Interpretation, and Resource Education and the Office
of Communication, Partnerships, and External Affairs are engaged in digital media and exhibit design projects geared towards sharing the impacts of climate change at Grand Canyon with broader audiences.
Climate Change Resource Hub: Park Ranger Melissa Panter is leading the development of a virtual climate change resource hub that will be hosted on the park’s website. This hub will share articles, photos, and videos related to current actions in the key focus areas of changing waters, changing forests, and changing experiences. The resource hub webpages are anticipated to launch this year.
Springs Preserve Exhibit Design: Another project underway is a collaboration with the Las Vegas Springs Preserve as they design a comprehensive exhibit about the Colorado River for their Origen Museum located near downtown
NPS fisheries staff conduct
on the Colorado River in October 2023. Photo courtesy NPS.
Las Vegas. This exhibit will share NPS adaptive management efforts and raise awareness of threats of climate change and its impacts on the Colorado River ecosystem. A small team of NPS staff including Superintendent Keable and NPS Colorado River Coordinator Rob Billerbeck had the opportunity to visit the Springs Preserve in December 2023, where they met with the Springs Preserve Staff and exhibit designers from Ralph Applebaum Associates.
Members of the exhibit design team were also hosted at the South Rim in late March where they explored the park’s Museum and Historic Boat Collection and reviewed the most recent drafts of the exhibit design.
Grand Canyon National Park’s climate change communication strategy embodies a commitment to education, collaboration, and action. By tailoring messages to different
audience segments, fostering collaboration between work groups, and leveraging media, the park seeks to inspire meaningful engagement on climate change issues. As digital, remote, and in-person visitors explore the breathtaking landscapes of Grand Canyon, we hope they also embrace their role as stewards of this irreplaceable treasure, committed to preserving it for future generations.
Resources:
CR Post-2026 Operations | Bureau of Reclamation (usbr.gov)
Green Parks - Sustainability (U.S. National Park Service) (nps.gov)
Lawrence DJ and Others. 2024. Historical and projected climate change for Grand Canyon National Park and surrounding areas. Natural Resource Report. NPS/NRSS/CCRP/NRR—2024/2615. National Park Service. Fort Collins, Colorado. https://doi.org/10.36967/2301726
Grand Canyon Protection Act. U.S. Public Law 102-575. 1992.
NPS staff, including Superintendent Ed Keable, Elyssa Shalla, and Rob Billerbeck visit with the Colorado River exhibit design team at the Las Vegas Springs Preserve. Photo courtesy NPS.
Welcoming in a New Era: Educating Visitors on Grand Canyon Tribal Communities
By Andrea Osorio, Grand Canyon Conservancy
Vision for an Alternate Narrative
If you’ve visited Grand Canyon over the last 10 years, you may have noticed changes to interpretive signs and names of places, changes that now more accurately reflect the canyon’s cultural significance. This transformation was spearheaded by the Intertribal Working Group (ItWG), a collaborative effort between Grand Canyon’s 11 tribal communities and National Park Service staff. Since its inception in 2013, the ItWG has been dedicated to amplifying Indigenous narratives connected to Grand Canyon, which have long been overshadowed.
Part of this endeavor is the development of a 24-minute film
called “We Are Grand Canyon” that serves as an alternate “welcome video” for the South Rim Visitor Center. To broaden the current narrative that predominantly focuses on John Wesley Powell’s exploration and geology of the canyon, the ItWG envisioned a video that centers on the Indigenous relationship to Grand Canyon since time immemorial. With funding from Grand Canyon Conservancy (GCC), the vision started to materialize.
Mike Lyndon, former Tribal Program Manager at Grand Canyon National Park, shares how stakeholders intentionally approached the creation of this film:
“The production process began with group discussion with ItWG followed
by individual interviews with ItWG members to explore the themes, messaging, and scenes they wanted to incorporate into the film. ItWG wanted to make sure all the cultural groups connected to the canyon were represented, and that the film acknowledged the park’s troubled history with Indigenous communities while celebrating contemporary connections to the park. Crucially, ItWG wanted to educate visitors on why this is a sacred place that should be respected and revered by all.”
To execute this vision, the team brought on Ryan Christensen from Bristlecone Media. Christensen has worked extensively with tribal
Photo courtesy GCC/Ryan Christensen.
partners on previous productions and collaborated closely with the ItWG, GCC, and park staff on this new production.
Christensen is a filmmaker with a close connection to natural and cultural spaces, deepened through his previous roles as a park ranger for National Park Service units such as Yosemite, Sequoia-Kings Canyon, Mt. Rainier, Death Valley, and Mojave National Preserve.
“The very first step in the development of this film was to listen. Mike Lyndon and I held many interviews to learn about the goals of the film and what audiences should walk away feeling and knowing,” Christensen remarks. “It was like weaving together a beautiful, bejeweled necklace from all the interview clips and footage we obtained. The hard part was what to leave out! There is so much we
gathered and were not able to fit in a 24-minute film.”
“Participating in this film granted me great opportunity to bring our Hopi ancestral knowledge of the Grand Canyon, our home, our sanctuary, to the forefront,” said Ron Wadsworth (Hopi).
An Ecosystem Approach to Tribal Representation at Grand Canyon
“This welcome video is just one piece of a larger puzzle,” explains Lyndon. “We’re committed to enhancing the visitor experience by incorporating Indigenous perspectives across various platforms, from interpretive signage to social media.”
Indeed, efforts to elevate Indigenous narratives extend beyond the film project to initiatives like establishing the Desert View area as an Inter-tribal
Cultural Heritage Site—the first in the National Park Service. This project includes the improvement of the arrival experience through a new Orientation Area, shade structure, picnic areas, and revision of the parking lots; the development of a Tribal Welcome Center; and the expansion of the popular Cultural Demonstration Series, where artisans from the 11 tribal communities of Grand Canyon share their crafts with park visitors.
Every detail is being explored for ways to represent the Indigenous connections to Grand Canyon. For example, the Tribal Welcome
Center will feature a meticulously designed entrance door and panels that showcase each culture. Artist Andrew Dufford of Chevo Studios, the renowned landscape architecture firm, is crafting the authentic Grand Canyon story from stone, glass, and wood, with these pieces set to be complete in the coming year.
Looking Ahead
While the welcome video marks a significant milestone, it’s just the beginning for reimagining first voice interpretation at Grand Canyon. When asked about the role that the
Participants at the premiere of “We Are Grand Canyon.” Photo by Raymond Chee.
film plays in the park’s future goals, Jan Balsom, the park’s Chief, Office of Communications, Partnerships & External Affairs responded by saying, “The film is a very tangible and public commitment to the goals we’ve set out to provide the voice for Indigenous people of the area. We are demonstrating through actions the commitments we have made. So many agencies and entities talk a good line with little or no follow up. We are demonstrating the actions to match our words.”
Plans for additional exhibits, audio tours, and educational programs are underway, with the goal of ensuring that every encounter in Grand Canyon National Park is an opportunity to learn about and honor the enduring legacy of its tribal communities.
As visitors embark on their journey into the depths of the canyon, they’ll carry with them not only the awe-inspiring beauty of the landscape but also a newfound appreciation for the vibrant tapestry of cultures that call Grand Canyon home.
Details of the panels being created for the Tribal Welcome Center. Photos courtesy Chevo Studios.
Protecting Grand Canyon’s Dark Skies
By Rader Lane, Park Ranger and Dark Skies Program Manager, Grand Canyon National Park
Grand Canyon National Park’s Dark Skies Program surpassed a huge milestone in January 2024.
We are pleased to report that over 90% of the park’s exterior lights are now dark-sky-compliant. With this achievement, the park has secured its certification as an International DarkSky Park for the next five years. You may be wondering, why is 90% such a milestone? Good question. First, a little background.
In 2014, Grand Canyon Conservancy (GCC) hired a specialist to inventory every single exterior light fixture in Grand Canyon National Park. Astonishingly, she inventoried over 5,000 light fixtures—a number that, for national parks pursuing International Dark-Sky Park certification, is unprecedented in scale. It took almost two years to mark the fixtures’ locations, categorize them, and qualify them as either dark-
sky-friendly or not. Park scientists then plotted this crucial data onto a geographic information system (GIS) map of the park. Every single light— from the bustling Historic Village to the North Rim, from Desert View to the four lonely lights out at Tuweep— are monitored on this GIS map, which enables the park to accurately gauge our percentage of retrofit lights.
To achieve the initial International Dark-Sky Park certification, the park had to demonstrate to DarkSky International—the non-profit that awards the certification—that at least 67% of our fixtures were darksky-friendly. The initial inventory from 2014 found that approximately 34% of the fixtures were already compliant, which meant the park needed to retrofit at least another one-third of the total lights in the park to achieve the certification. After having retrofitted nearly 1,700
fixtures in the park, we surpassed this milestone in June 2019, and in doing so, became the largest, most complex, and one of the most pristine International Dark Sky Parks in the world.
But this was just the beginning. As part of the certification agreement, the park had five years to increase the percentage of dark-sky-friendly fixtures from 67% to 90%. The National Park Service worked with GCC over the last five years to retrofit over 1,000 fixtures, overcoming the 90% benchmark in January 2024, six months ahead of the deadline. We now have another five years to achieve 100% compliance.
So, why does DarkSky International celebrate 90% as a huge benchmark? The reason 90% is so significant is precisely because the last 10% is its own incredible feat. Relative to the challenges we will face with the
Rader Lane gives a tour of the night sky. Photo courtesy GCC/L.Cisneros.
Red lights illuminate a large telescope. In the sky above, the Milky Way Galaxy. Photo courtesy NPS/M.Quinn.
last 10% of fixtures, most of the fixtures we have retrofitted to date have been easy to swap out. We have been able to order new fixtures in bulk, retrofitting neighborhoods and historic districts in large sweeps. Simply put, we picked all the low hanging fruit first. The last 10% remaining are inherently the more difficult lights to retrofit, those that require special considerations, unique orders, high costs, and collaboration with multiple entities. This is why DarkSky International allots all parks five extra years for this last 10%. And in turn, this is why 90% is so significant—we are celebrating having accomplished the bulk of the work, an achievement nothing less than historic for Grand Canyon and for dark sky preservation worldwide.
As we continue to march towards 100% lighting compliance, the National Park Service, in partnership with GCC, also carries its dark sky public programs to new heights. GCC’s Astronomer in Residence Program continues to offer park visitors access to research professionals, its night sky programs being some of the most wellattended across the park. At the time of this writing, we just wrapped up hosting Dr. Adeene
Showing park ranger staff how to set up telescopes. Photo courtesy GCC/L.Cisneros.
Ranger Rader Lane talks to park ranger staff about telescope set up and features to note at dusk. Photo courtesy GCC/L.Cisneros.
Denton, a planetary scientist from the University of Arizona, who offered several programs across the park, from the South Rim to Phantom Ranch, to hundreds of lucky visitors. Some even got to witness her perform her capstone project for her residency—a beautiful dance piece themed around the exploration of canyons across the solar system. Next, we welcome Dr. Ashely Pagnotta, Assistant Professor in the Department of Physics and Astronomy at the College of Charleston. We round the year out with Professor Emeritus Dr. David Koerner, an astronomer and classical pianist. And yes, he will absolutely be doing astronomy-themed piano recitals under the stars.
In the fall of 2023, the park piloted a brand-new program called the Astronomy Volunteer Program, which offers visitors opportunities to
experience weekly astronomy events provided by experienced amateur astronomy volunteers. Thanks to the telescopes purchased for the park by GCC, astronomy volunteers are now able to set up miniature star parties, providing telescope viewing and laser-guided constellation talks to hundreds of visitors per night. We no longer must wait until June for our eight-night Grand Canyon Star Party—with this new program, we can expand the experience of the Star Party throughout the year. In fact, last fall, among the dozens of programs we offered, we were able to offer 19 night-sky events in a row (with only a few-night lapse between another 12 nights in a row), a streak I have never seen in my 14 years here at Grand Canyon.
These outreach programs, together with the world-famous Grand Canyon Star Party (celebrating its 34th year
from June 1-8, 2024), enabled us to offer 289 astronomy experiences in 2023, which is a park record.
We truly have a unique situation at Grand Canyon National Park. No other park has as much visitor access while maintaining such pristine night skies. In most cases, a site either has dark skies but very little access, or lots of access but very poor dark skies. Grand Canyon has both the hotels and campgrounds to support our millions of visitors per year, as well as some of the clearest, sharpest night skies in the United States. Now that over 90% of our light fixtures are darksky-friendly, it is time to celebrate this unique situation, to uphold this park as a world-leader of dark skies preservation and education, and to support our dark skies as one of the park’s great pillars of natural and cultural wonders—the Grand Canyon deserves no less.
Park Ranger Rader Lane trains staff on how to set up and focus the telescope on objects that start to appear. Photo courtesy GCC/L.Cisneros.
“Marsh Butte towers majestically overhead, Boucher Creek’s spring-fed waters bubble through the canyon bottom, and brittlebush bloom on perfect spring days like the one I captured here.” Photo courtesy Jake Case.
Unveiling Grand Canyon’s Visitor Experience: Insights from a Three-Year Study
By Andrea Osorio, Grand Canyon Conservancy
Millions flock to the wondrous South Rim every year, drawn by the promise of breathtaking vistas, unique canyon adventures, and a connection to thousands of years of cultural history. Yet, as visitation surged by approximately 40% between 2013 and 2018, it became evident that understanding visitor behaviors and desires was essential for effective park management.
Enter Derrick Taff, associate professor of Recreation, Park and Tourism Management at Penn State University, and Will Rice, assistant professor of Outdoor Recreation and Wildland Management at the University of Montana. Leading a team of students from both universities, they embarked on a groundbreaking three-year study aimed at understanding and
unraveling the intricate tapestry of visitor experiences and flows along the South Rim—from Hermits Rest to Desert View.
The study, which was scheduled for 2020 and 2021 but delayed by the COVID-19 pandemic, finally came to fruition in 2022 and 2023. Equipped with an array of social science tools and techniques, the team delved into the motivations, experiences, and movements of Grand Canyon visitors while providing invaluable insights into the park’s visitation dynamics.
Understanding Visitor Flows and Patterns
One of the study’s key findings was the significant role of digital platforms in trip planning. While the National Park Service (NPS)
website emerged as the primary source of information for around 31% of visitors, other online resources also played a crucial role, with approximately 25% relying on various websites for their travel plans. Surprisingly, newer mediums like the NPS Mobile App and social media channels had a comparatively minor impact, shedding light on evolving visitor behavior in the digital age.
Moreover, the study highlighted the pervasive issue of crowding, with visitors expressing feelings of moderate congestion, particularly at popular sites like Mather Point, Desert View Watchtower, and Yavapai Point and Geology Museum. This overcrowding phenomenon led to visitors altering their schedules or seeking refuge in less crowded areas like Desert View.
Photo courtesy NPS.
What Draws Visitors to Create Their Grand Canyon Experience?
Digging deeper into the myriad reasons for why people from all over the world choose to visit Grand Canyon, the study identified five main categories driving visitor motivation: Soundscapes, Nature & Learning, Family, Socialization, and Relaxing.
Upon being asked after visiting about the themes that defined their trip, Nature and Learning, Relaxing, and Family emerged as the most salient themes. These findings reaffirm the park’s capacity to cater to the diverse needs of visitors and will help guide future park management decisions.
However, the study also unearthed current challenges, including
widespread off-trail use and parking in undesignated areas during busy times, particularly at high-traffic locations like Grandview and Lipan Points. Additionally, observations along popular trails revealed that many people turn around after just a short while, highlighting how fitness level and safety education remain barriers to accessing deeper parts of the canyon.
Turning Insights into Action
The study’s implications offer foundational knowledge for sustainable park management, and park stakeholders have already begun translating insights into actionable strategies. From enhancing education and
campgrounds, the focus is on fostering responsible visitation while preserving the park’s natural integrity.
Moreover, the study underscores the pivotal role of collaboration between academia, park management, and local communities. By engaging students in real-world research and fostering partnerships with universities, NPS is nurturing the next generation of advocates for both parks and people.
Thanks to the invaluable insights and support from Grand Canyon visitors, park managers and stakeholders will continue to ensure the canyon visitor experience remains one of the best in the world.
communication tools to exploring additional booking windows for
Top right: GCC staff swearing in new Junior Rangers. Photo courtesy NPS/L.Cisneros. Bottom right: Grand Canyon National Park mobile park app. Photo courtesy NPS.
Preserving Access and Tradition: The Ongoing Story of Grand Canyon’s Trails
By Andrea Osorio, Grand Canyon Conservancy
Ribbon Falls Bridge
For hikers on the North Kaibab Trail, Ribbon Falls is more than just a scenic stop—it’s a must-see destination. Nestled within the breathtaking landscapes of Grand Canyon National Park, this waterfall captures the imagination upon first glimpse.
Ribbon Falls stands as one of the most frequently visited waterfalls in the park. However, lesser known than its natural splendor, Ribbon Falls holds deep cultural significance for the Zuni people. Known as Chimik’yana’kya Dey’a in Zuni language, it is considered a sacred site—a place of emergence into the world. According to Zuni creation stories, the first beings emerged from the Earth at Ribbon Falls, becoming the “people of the upper world.” Even today, the Zuni recognize glyphic and structural signs left behind by their ancestors at this sacred location.
In recent years, access to Ribbon Falls presented a new challenge for accessibility, as the Ribbon Falls Bridge was closed and later demolished due to structural safety concerns. This bridge
provided a safe passage over Bright Angel Creek, a fragile ecosystem and critical habitat. Without it, visitors are tempted to cross the creek on their own, posing risks to both their safety and the environment.
In response to this critical need, Grand Canyon Conservancy launched a fundraising initiative for the
construction of a safe pedestrian bridge at Ribbon Falls. This new bridge will replace the former timber and steel truss bridge, providing visitors with a secure pathway to experience the beauty of Ribbon Falls while respecting the sacred history and ecosystem of this place.
RIBBON FALLS TRAIL BRIDGE
GRAND CANYON NATIONAL PARK
Photos courtesy NPS.
Photos courtesy NPS.
A Behind the Scenes
Look at Maintaining Trail Splendor
While Grand Canyon’s network of trails is known for transporting visitors on the adventure of a lifetime, these trails require meticulous maintenance to ensure the safety and enjoyment of hikers season after season.
Picture this: a team of ten mules, laden with supplies destined for remote outposts like Havasupai Gardens and Phantom Ranch. Their cargo includes everything from food for park staff to medical supplies for clinics, tools for repairs, maintenance supplies, camping gear, and even feed for the mules themselves.
This is all in a day’s work for one of the teams in the Trail Maintenance Crew, whose purview is to lead projects on everything from repairing weatherdamaged trail sections to managing the inner canyon’s compost toilets!
GCC support of trail repair and restoration ensures that these trail heroes have the tools and resources
they need to preserve and maintain visitor access to the wonders of Grand Canyon.
Transcanyon Waterline Updates
The Transcanyon Waterline, spanning 12½-miles, was constructed in the 1960s and plays a vital role in supplying potable water and fire suppression for facilities on the South Rim (including 800 historic buildings) and inner canyon areas of Grand Canyon.
Below is a snapshot of a few upcoming closures:
• Plateau Point Trail from the Tonto Trail junction to Plateau Point: Through March 14, 2025
• Bright Angel Trail from Havasupai Gardens to Silver Bridge: December 2, 2024–March 14, 2025
• Bright Angel Campground: December 19, 2024–May 9, 2025
• Silver Bridge: September 15, 2025–December 31, 2025
If you’ve been to the canyon recently, you may have seen heavy-lift helicopters delivering equipment and supplies to inner canyon locations. You might have also noticed that these projects have necessitated temporary closures of a few trails and visitor use areas, including portions of the Plateau Point Trail, Bright Angel Trail, and connecting portions of the Tonto Trail. To keep visitors up-to-date on construction schedules, timelines, and closure areas, NPS has a website providing key information for the next two years of the waterline project.
SUPPORT THE RIBBON FALLS BRIDGE
Photo courtesy NPS.
Preventive Search and Rescue HIKE SMART Film Project
By Meghan Smith, Preventive Search and Rescue Supervisor, Grand Canyon National Park
While
Preventive Search and Rescue (PSAR) HIKE SMART messaging and information has not changed significantly over the years, how humans deliver and process information has changed dramatically. While YouTube and other social media platforms have made everyone an “expert,” and many have created content that is much more interesting to engage with, we knew it was time for an update.
The idea was to produce updated video content on HIKE SMART messaging for social media and the main park website. We engaged Harlan Tanney and Sandcast Media to begin work on the project in 2022. After the first meeting, it was clear that Harlan and his team were an excellent fit for the project.
Harlan, Justin, and Blake are Flagstaff locals who have not only recreated in northern Arizona for decades and have completed several other film projects within the park, but they are also stewards of the resources who care greatly for this place. It only took one hike and one vision meeting before scripts and shot lists were underway.
The film maintains the light-hearted humor the National Park Service is known for and still respectfully sends the essential messages of hiking safety preparedness and prevention. Grand Canyon PSAR focuses heavily on customer service, understanding visitors’ motivations, and the “why” behind decisionmaking. The finished product
needed to resonate with our many diverse user groups in the right tone.
In the end, 43 people (along with several mules) were cast in varying roles from across the park. This is exciting because it genuinely depicts one of my key goals—it should not matter whether a visitor interacts with a ranger, volunteer, concession employee, or a local; if we are getting it right, the visitor receives the same valuable information from everyone. Coordinating these many places and
Cast member Laurie Dyer preparing for scene, with Harlan Tanney in the background checking shot lists. Photo courtesy Sandcast Media.
spaces was not easy, but Harlan pulled it off, and, in the end, it is one of the greatest parts of the film.
We know that one of the best times to impact visitors’ decision-making is in the planning phases of their trip. Our intention is for visitors to come across this piece on a social media platform or the park website while they are trip planning and make more informed and better decisions for themselves and their group when visiting Grand Canyon National Park.
The film premiered on March 21, 2024, after much anticipation. Grand Canyon PSAR is grateful to Grand Canyon Conservancy and all its supporters for funding this project, our partners at Delaware North, Xanterra, and Bright Angel Bikes for allowing their staff and spaces to be included, and to everyone who helps to share the HIKE SMART message.
Top: Cameraman Blake McCord behind the camera for the technical rescue shoot. Bottom: Cameraman Blake McCord in the saddle with Xanterra Head Wrangler John Berry. Photos courtesy Sandcast Media.
Honoring Arizona Icons: New Wayside Panel
GrandCanyon Conservancy and Grand Canyon National Park recently collaborated to commemorate the legacies of two remarkable Arizonans: the late Representative Morris K. Udall and Senator John S. McCain. A new wayside panel at the South Rim Visitor Center Plaza commemorates their lasting dedication to Grand Canyon National Park and their exceptional partnership in preserving its remarkable natural, cultural, and historic treasures.
The new panel was dedicated on May 5, 2024, in a small, celebratory affair with both families present alongside representatives from the park and GCC.
Despite their political differences, Udall and McCain were united by their love for the park and their commitment to preserving its natural beauty and cultural significance.
Congressman Morris “Mo” Udall, a towering figure in Arizona politics, served in the U.S. House of Representatives for three decades. As Chairman of the House Committee on Interior and Insular Affairs, Udall played a pivotal role in shaping policies to protect and enhance Grand Canyon National Park. His vision encompassed ensuring public access
to the park, safeguarding its unique ecosystems, and celebrating the cultural heritage of the 11 tribes who call the canyon home.
Senator John McCain made significant contributions to the preservation of Grand Canyon’s natural wonders on the House Interior Committee under Udall’s leadership. As Chairman and Vice Chairman of the Senate Select Committee on Indian Affairs, McCain worked tirelessly to advance policy that centered the voices of Indigenous peoples.
The impact of Udall and McCain’s dedication to Grand Canyon National Park continues to be witnessed today. They played instrumental roles in expanding wilderness protections across Arizona, setting aside millions of acres of landscapes for present and future generations to experience the wonder of the outdoors.
As you pass this panel, take a moment to honor the legacies of Morris K. Udall and John S. McCain. Their enduring work serves as a beacon of hope for the bi-partisan preservation of our cultural and natural wonders.
Top: Jack McCain, Cindy McCain, Eric Eberhard, Jan Balsom, Todd Stoeberl, Mark Udall, Anne Udall, and Judith (Dodie) Udall in attendance at the Udall McCain Wayside Dedication Ceremony. Bottom: McCain and Udall plaque. Photos courtesy NPS.
Detail of John McCain and Morris Udall from the wayside.
Grand Canyon Speaks Podcast: An Evolving
Tapestry of Indigenous Culture at the
Nestled within the colossal expanse of Grand Canyon lies a tapestry of cultures, histories, and stories as diverse as the landscape itself. These voices, often overlooked by mainstream narratives, find resonance in the “Grand Canyon Speaks” podcast, conversations focused on Indigenous perspectives and the people who have called the canyon home since time immemorial.
This podcast serves as a conduit, channeling the captivating stories and experiences of the 11 Grand Canyon tribal communities. Seven episodes are currently available for listeners to immerse themselves in. Whether en route to the canyon, hiking a local trail, or cooking dinner at home, listeners to “Grand Canyon Speaks” can take a unique journey into Grand Canyon’s cultural heart.
Born from in-person interviews between park staff and tribal members participating in the GCC-funded Cultural Demonstration Program, “Grand Canyon Speaks” captures the essence of live conversations—weather impacts and all—and preserves them for audiences worldwide.
At its core, the podcast is a celebration of the individuals who call the canyon home. Through interviews attended by live audiences, listeners gain insights into the lives of remarkable individuals like Gerald Dawavendewa, whose painting reflects the past, present, and future of Hopi art. Listeners have the chance to peer into Dawavendewa’s life as a painter and, first and foremost, as a member of his community.
“As a Hopi, you’re taught that being an individual is one of the last things you are.”
Canyon
Similarly, Aaron White, a Grammynominated musician and maker of Native American flutes, delves into his love for music and the places it can transport us to in Episode 6,
“Music is a very powerful tool and I’m just glad to be a part of it. I’m just a little part of it in a very big world that we live in. And coming to places like this, like the Grand Canyon to share with people from all walks of life, from different countries around the globe, it’s a beautiful thing.”
Noreen Simplicio’s episode illustrates a life rooted in resilience and dedication. As an advocate for preserving Zuni pottery traditions, Simplicio’s commitment to teaching and mentoring Zuni youth ensures that this unique ancestral knowledge endures through generations.
To listen to “Grand Canyon Speaks,” visit https://www.nps.gov/podcasts/ grand-canyon-speaks.htm.
Photo courtesy GCC/C.Keyaanie.
Member Spotlight: Michael Bolner
Basedin San Antonio, Grand Canyon Conservancy member
Michael Bolner remembers seeing Grand Canyon for the first time as a child around age 10 or 11. “My mother drove the five of us kids down there, and we looked over the rim at Mather Point.”
Michael has been drawn back to the canyon many times since. He earned a business degree at Texas A&M and jumped right into working for his family’s business, the well-loved San Antonio brand Fiesta Products. Business trips would often take him out to Phoenix, and once work was wrapped up, he would jump in the car and drive over to Grand Canyon to spend a few hours taking in the natural wonder before returning home.
Michael, his wife Mary Pat, and their three kids have many memories on the North and South Rims, having stayed at El Tovar, Bright Angel Lodge, and the North Rim Lodge. This view from
the top would later turn into views from the belly of the canyon. Michael has taken two exhilarating rafting trips on the Colorado River, capturing these river adventures on camera, describing one cave connecting with the river as the size of four football fields. “The scale of everything is amazing down there,” he says.
“We originally chose to do the first rafting trip because we were really excited to experience the dark skies from deep in the canyon. Well, what you don’t realize is that being in the canyon itself, you’re only seeing a slice of the sky! But it’s absolutely beautiful. We were lucky enough to view multiple planets on this past trip.”
The unique features and irreplaceable moments that Grand Canyon provides was the inspiration that led Michael to join Grand Canyon Conservancy
as a member. Since first attending a dinner hosted by a former GCC board member and learning more about the many ways GCC helps protect and maintain the park, Michael has been a strong supporter of multiple projects, including the funding of new ambulances, which he learned about the importance of first-hand on a recent visit. “I ended up needing search and rescue services one time, while I was on the Bright Angel trail. Having been in Colorado before arriving to the canyon, I didn’t think the canyon’s altitude would affect me. Nonetheless, I experienced altitude sickness and was supported by PSAR volunteers.”
Michael credits his GCC community with a richer knowledge of and appreciation for the canyon he’s come to know so well and looks forward to protecting it for future generations.
Mary Pat and Michael Bolner. Photo courtesy Michael Bolner.
Photos courtesy
Your gifts to GCC ensure that millions of guests arrive as visitors and leave as park champions, forever inspired by the natural and cultural wonders they’ve just experienced.
A Closer Look at Two Critical Projects
Your gift: Keeping visitors safe in the hour of their greatest need with new ambulances
The park sees more than 1,000 medical emergencies each year. When these events occur, highly trained staff use an aging fleet of ambulances to come to the rescue. Sometimes, a speedy response means the difference between life and death for an injured visitor.
Crucially, Grand Canyon National Park is down to one ambulance, which currently serves only the South Rim. The park needs at least two additional ambulances immediately. Given the urgent nature of both this timeline and the park’s need for a robust emergency response, seeking federal funding is not a viable option.
Your generous gift will provide:
• Two new ambulances that will allow park staff to quickly and effectively provide assistance to park visitors in medical emergencies
Photos courtesy NPS.
Photo courtesy Mindy Riesenberg.
Your Legacy: Honoring the Havasupai and connecting visitors
The recently renamed Havasupai Gardens is one of the most pivotal spots in Grand Canyon. An oasis of rest along Bright Angel Trail, the site, formerly called Indian Garden, hosts around 100,000 people each year. For many, this is where enduring love for the canyon is born—in Havasupai Gardens, in the heart of one of the most incredible places in the world.
The name itself is also crucial. Havasupai Gardens is an important cultural site that honors the Havasupai people, the original inhabitants of this land, who are valued partners of the National Park Service and longstanding guardians of Grand Canyon.
To ensure that their story, and the story of shared stewardship, is effectively told, new signs and interpretative materials will be installed.
Your gift will:
• Fund the development, creation, and installation of signs and interpretative materials that honor the Havasupai Tribe’s stewardship of Grand Canyon
• Provide training for Havasupai Tribal members who will staff the site and offer first-voice interpretation
Photo courtesy NPS.
Field Institute
Make the Most of a Shorter Trip to Grand Canyon with Day Tours!
Maybe you’re on a road trip and didn’t have room to squeeze in your hiking gear.
Maybe a recent injury makes it difficult for a family member to tackle the trails on this vacation.
Or maybe you’re hoping to take in the vistas alongside your furry friend while learning about the canyon’s rich cultural and natural history from the South Rim!
Family-friendly Day Tours allow you to take in the sights, lessons, and wonders of Grand Canyon in the span of a few hours. The Field Institute has been providing visitors with world-class adventures season after season, and has a variety of programs to inspire you above and below the rim of Grand Canyon. Learn more about enhancing your next trip to the canyon at https://www.grandcanyon.org/ experience-grand-canyon
Photo courtesy Terri Attridge.
Photo courtesy @moka.amstaff.
Fall Colors Hike and Camp on the North Rim
The perfect adventure for fall color lovers, this trip includes camping along the North Rim and four days of hiking colorful trails.
Designed for those seeking a moderate yet exhilarating exploration, this class will take you on a deep dive into the isolated and captivating North Rim. Discover the wonders of this high-elevation “sky island” and witness the myriad of ecosystems that make it truly unique.
Throughout our time together, we’ll delve into captivating discussions about geology, human history, and the fascinating “life zones” found at Grand Canyon. Learn about the critical role of fire in the forest ecosystem and unravel the secrets that make this natural wonder so remarkable.
Join us as we embrace the beauty of fall at the North Rim, creating memories that will last a lifetime!
Top: Hiking on the North Kaibab Trail. Photo by @karabouadventures. Bottom: Grand Canyon North Rim Campground. Photo courtesy NPS.
SHOP GRAND CANYON CONSERVANCY
Your Purchase has a Purpose! Shopping GCC’s stores supports Grand Canyon National Park, and GCC Members receive 15% off.
Shop the Dark Sky Collection
The night sky over Grand Canyon reveals a cascade of luminous stars and planets. Grand Canyon National Park received its designation as an International Dark Sky Park in June of 2019, and although the park is certified, there is still more work to be done to minimize light pollution and provide a pristine view of our galaxy.
Your purchase of these Dark Sky Collection items makes a great gift while helping protect the canyon’s one-of-a-kind glimpse into the cosmos.
Dark Sky Grand Canyon Tote Bag
$28.00
Carry the magic of starlit nights wherever you go, while supporting conservation efforts with the Grand Canyon Conservancy “Dark Sky” Tote Bag. Featuring a zip top closure, this is the perfect companion for adventuring—from the South Rim to the grocery store.
Grand Canyon Night Sky 1,000 Piece Puzzle
$20.00
Embark on a starry adventure from your living room with our Grand Canyon Night Sky 1,000 Piece Puzzle, featuring a stunning image by photographer Christopher K. Eaton. Assemble the pieces to reveal the majestic beauty of Grand Canyon under a star-studded sky.
Grand Canyon Dark Skies Unisex Tee
$22.00
Gear up for your outdoor escapades with our Grand Canyon Dark Skies Unisex Tee, boasting a “Protect Dark Skies” chest design and back print illustrated with a star-filled canyon. Crafted from soft ring spun cotton with a modern classic fit and seamless body, it’s the perfect companion for stargazing nights and canyon explorations alike.
Plush Mexican Free-Tailed Bat
$10.00
Grand Canyon is an important refuge for the 22 bat species that live here. The park provides important sheltered habitat for these critters that play a crucial role in the ecosystem. This soft and cuddly Bat Plush makes the perfect gift, and a portion of the proceeds go to Bat Conservation International.
A Child’s Introduction to the Night Sky, by Michael
$19.99
This charming hardback exploration of the night sky features a star finder and glow-in-the-dark stickers! This book has more than a quarter of a million young astronomers enjoying the night sky in countries around the world, featuring 96 pages with full-color illustrations.
