Paatuwaqatsi Run (Hopi Water is Life Run)

Posted on September 19, 2011 by volunteerNow

By Verlena Tso

The Colorado Plateau tribes believe water is a crucial aspect to the continued survival on their homelands. It provides nourishment to all entities of life including plants and animals. Water is highly recognized in ancient stories, songs, dances, and ceremonies of the Colorado Plateau peoples.
Native people in today’s society are taking alternative routes to inform their community and the general public about the meaning of “Water is Life.” The Paatawquatsi Run, held every year in Polacca, Arizona on the Hopi Reservation, tries to instill in runners from all over the country the importance of water and the sacredness of traditional Hopi springs. The run is thirty miles long consisting of ultra-runners who run the full distance, three person relay teams who run ten miles each, six person relay teams who run five miles each, and a four mile fun run/walk. The trail takes participants along Hopi springs, mesas, and villages within the community.

The event founder, Bucky Preston from Polacca, grew up with a healthy lifestyle consisting of long distance running and eating well. As he got older, Bucky began to realize Native Americans, including his own Hopi people, are drifting far from traditional teachings, ancient knowledge and the healthy ways of living, which help to sustain these important aspects. He eventually set into motion the Paatuwaqatsi (Hopi Water is Life) Run for all people to enjoy and absorb traditional knowledge on health. He established the first run over five years ago and has since kept it going annually.

Water is Life Run - September 2011

This year’s run, which took place on September 10, 2011, brought about difficulties for not only its coordinators, but also the runners. The night before the run Polacca got one of the largest rain storms of the year, which left planners with the difficulty of rerouting the trail and the start point of the run. Trails were washed out from the rain, runners had to run in mud, and roads to the start point were flooded and impassable. Despite the difficulties coordinators and runners had to face, they still managed to make this run a huge success. Over 300 people registered for the run and received traditional gifts from Native artists. Although the rain placed added pressure on Bucky and his fellow assistants, they all welcomed the rain with open arms and prayer for blessing their homeland.

Visit our Flickr page to see photos from the run.

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Upcoming Community Education Series: September 28, 2011

Posted on August 29, 2011 by admin

Bison and the Grand Canyon: Ecological Effects and Management Implications of an Introduced Herd

7 p.m. on Wednesday, September 28, at Du Bois Center at Northern Arizona University (306 E. Pine Knoll Dr). Click here for directions.

Evan Reimondo, Master’s student in the NAU Environmental Science and Policy Program, will present his graduate study of bison in the Kaibab Plateau region of the Grand Canyon. The American Bison is a symbol of the American West and a conservation priority. Despite this, a herd of bison recently became unwelcome guests in Grand Canyon National Park. The herd is managed as a wildlife game species by the Arizona Game and Fish Department, but in 2000 the bison left their designated habitat in House Rock Valley and migrated onto the Kaibab Plateau. This research aims to determine the ecological effects of bison on spring and pond vegetation, and to identify the feasible bison management options.

For more information, download the flyer or call 928-774-7488.

To accomplish our goal of local education and outreach, the Grand Canyon Trust Volunteer Program hosts a Community Education Series in Flagstaff and Utah, with presentations and discussions of various environmental issues affecting the Colorado Plateau. Presentations are made by our program staff and other experts from partner organizations, and are free and open to the public. We look forward to seeing you there!

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The Healing Nature of Volunteering

Posted on August 19, 2011 by volunteerNow

by Emily Thompson, Volunteer Program Coordinator

I’m pretty sure I have one of the greatest jobs in the world. I’m a Volunteer Coordinator for the Trust, which means I coordinate and lead Volunteer trips with inspiring people from all corners of life doing hands on conservation and restoration work on the Colorado Plateau. I’ve been fortunate enough to lead a few trips this year that reminded me that while part of my role is that of teacher, I might often be learning more from those I am instructed to lead. While the work we do is helping to preserve a landscape we are deeply connected to and passionate about protecting, sometimes the more important work that happens on a volunteer trip involves the struggles and transformations occurring within ourselves.

Our work this summer in the Escalante watershed of southern Utah involves a variety of projects including Beaver habitat surveys, building and repairing fences that keep cattle out of sensitive riparian habitat, and surveying riparian vegetation and impacts from cattle grazing. Most recently we closed historic logging roads in the Dixie National Forest for the US Forest Service to help implement their Travel Management Plan. The work involved lifting and moving very large, dead trees and branches and building barriers in the roads. My crew of volunteers who signed up for this strenuous work were from Jaywalker Lodge, a drug and alcohol rehabilitation facility for men based in Colorado. This was the second time Jaywalker volunteered with us – and I was ecstatic - because they work their tails off and I knew we’d get a tremendous amount of work done with their help. Here are a few photos of the crew helping to repair an Aspen log fence at King’s Pasture in Utah back in June:

Volunteers from Jaywalker Lodge carried newly cut (and HEAVY!) Aspen logs to replace rotten logs from a fence. The fence will keep cattle from trampling riparian habitat crucial to fish and other species, including beaver.

 

Volunteers had to lift many sections of fence that had fallen over the years.

 

A section of repaired fence

As anticipated, the Jaywalker crew brought their “A” Game the second time around. Over the course of the week, we closed approximately 6 miles of roads at 8 different sites – impressive to say the least! They were quite helpful with camp chores too. Here are some photos of the road closure work:

Large dead and downed trees were placed in road tracks to prevent further use of roads designated for closure.

 

Old road tracks were also raked, and vegetation was transplanted to disguise the roads.

 

Some days required hiking up to four miles while consistently moving heavy trees.

More impressive than the amount of work we accomplished were the positive attitudes these men brought with them. One thing I appreciate about these young adults is their openness and honesty about their individual struggles. They shared their stories with us if they felt inclined, and those struggles are VERY REAL. It dawned on me that this experience wasn’t just about volunteering to save the Earth. It was also about saving their own lives. I went to sleep every night under the Utah sky hoping this would be a worthwhile experience for them and feeling grateful to be able to help make it happen.

People will choose to spend their time volunteering for many different reasons. While I believe that the work we do draws people in who are devoted to conservation or who want to do something to help heal the environment, I now recognize that there are those who are healing themselves in the process. So more than being a trip leader, or teacher, or volunteer coordinator, I hope I can always be a friend. Thanks to all the volunteers who touch our lives and include us in their journeys.

Jaywalker Lodge volunteers after a hard day's work

 
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A Fish Warrior’s Tale

Posted on August 17, 2011 by volunteerNow

By Sam Gordon

In the summer of 2010 I was lucky enough to do a river raft trip in the lower section of the Grand Canyon with my wife Tracy. Like many people that visit, it left me with a strong connection to the canyon. As soon as I returned to the rim, my mind swirled with how and when I could possibly get back.  That opportunity came about when my old high school friend Kate Watters (who works for the Grand Canyon Trust) dropped me a note about an upcoming volunteer trip in January 2011.  Although I could have easily come up with a dozen reasons and obligations to stay nice and warm at home in Florida, the draw of the canyon was strong. I could not pass up the opportunity to be back in the belly of the “big ditch”.

Blog author, Sam Gordon descending the "Big Ditch"

Of course I had plenty of reservations about the weather that time of year, the company I would be keeping for a week and all other sorts of minor details pertaining to the trip.  I’m a fairly adventurous person and known to go with the flow, so I put my concerns aside.  As they say, life is not a spectator sport, so I decided to get off the bench and get in the game.

The trip I volunteered for was with the National Park Service fisheries department and sponsored by the Grand Canyon Trust.  Our goal was to monitor the native and non-native fishes in Bright Angel Creek, and remove the non-native fish.  We accomplished these goals by “electrofishing” the creek which is best described by Wikipedia as
follows:

Electrofishing uses electricity to stun fish so they can be caught.  Electrofishing is a common scientific survey method used to sample fish populations to determine abundance, density, and species composition. When performed correctly, electrofishing results in no permanent harm to fish.

The biologists in the group were in charge of electrofishing and it was the volunteers’ job to net and bucket the fish so they could be properly processed later for information and,in the non-natives’ case, eradication..  This sounds like a fairly easy and straightforward task, but at times seemed like a rigged carnival game.  The icy, fast moving current of varying depths, and slick boulders set up an obstacle course any Marine drill sergeant would
be proud of and it was a wonder we caught anything at all.  After many days and multiple passes up the stream, the volunteers became a well oiled electrofish-catchin’ team.  Had this been an Olympic sport, we would have won the gold by the last day.

Grand Canyon Biologists and volunteers form a well-oiled electrofishing machine in Bright Angel Creek

The non-native fish that were removed were put to good use.  Under the guidance of the regional Native American tribes, the fish were used as a food source for humans.  Many of the fish were eaten hours after being pulled from the creek, while the rest were smoked and packed out for later consumption.

Non-native trout with a native speckled dace in it's mouth

The trip was led by Emily Omana, a Park fisheries biologist, who served the roles of field general to master chef.  The details and logistics of the expedition were planned and managed as if it were a professionally guided backcountry trip.  At every moment I was confident that my safety and best interests were a priority.

The other volunteers were top-notch people who shared a love for the outdoors, a sense of adventure, and an obligation to volunteer for the greater good.  I enjoyed their company and shared several laughs and special moments with them and hope to see them again on future trips.

If you are considering volunteering with the Park Service or Grand Canyon Trust, jump in with both feet and without hesitation.  Any trip in the Grand Canyon will positively change your life forever.  In the words of Mother Teresa: “Life is a promise…fulfill it.”

For more photos of the project taken by Sam visit our Flickr gallery.

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Living in the Moment

Posted on May 31, 2011 by volunteerNow

By Sonali Gandhi, University of Illinois-Chicago

We knew it was going to be tough. We knew it was going to be fun. We also thought it was going to be hot and sunny so I packed two bottles of sun block. However, what we experienced was lot more than what we expected.

We woke at sunrise to fresh snowfall on our camp

Out of three previous Alternative Spring Break (ASB) trips, this was truly the most rewarding. From waking up with frozen feet to amazing bonfire talks at night, I learned something new from each experience. I wish everyone cared about environment as much as Grand Canyon Trust does.

Kate and Gayle were really inspiring. This place is truly magical and I will do everything I can to keep it this way. Without nature, we are nothing. If you want to learn how to care, this is the place to be.

Our group getting oriented to the vast geography of the Paria Plateau

I came here to volunteer for the Grand Canyon Trust with ASB at University of Illinois at Chicago.  Living in a city, we rarely see any nature. Everyone is busy running after money or chasing a career. I’m one of those career-oriented people. I never sit and live in the moment. This place taught me how to appreciate what I’ve got. Just working at small projects to make our surroundings better made me realize how lucky we are to have this amazing Earth. These mountains, valleys and land must be protected from mining, pollution and corruption for our future generations. I want my grandchildren to appreciate natural beauty as much as I do.

Taking a moment to enjoy my surroundings

Lastly, I’ve learned a lot from our site leaders, Kate and Gayle. They have dedicated their whole lives to making this place and its environment better. They care about the littlest plants. One day I want to find something to dedicate my life to. Thanks GCT and everyone here for this amazing trip. I will never forget this for the rest of my life.

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Rock Work for the Cacti

Posted on May 13, 2011 by volunteerNow

by Molly Dever, Americorps NCCC

We were told we’d be doing some new rock work, but what did that mean? Was it like the rock work we did when we built the Maze Trail? Would we be closing more roads using rock?

On Tuesday morning Emily arrived and we were headed out to pick up rock. We filled the bed of her truck with white rock that we collected from House Rock Valley Road and we were off to the Badger Creek Overlook Road. It wasn’t long before we learned what this rockwork was-we were lining a road with rock in an effort to keep vehicles from off-roading and killing an endangered species of cactus.

Now, I am the lover of cacti on my AmeriCorps NCCC team. I have taken several pictures of cacti since arriving in the Vermillion Cliffs and discovering my absurd and unexplainable obsession for cacti, so I immediately felt an attachment to this new cactus-the Brady Pincushion cactus-and to this project. The only problem was I could not find the Brady Pincushion anywhere! So as we laid rocks along the road I stuck to my protecting the roadside prickly pears and the barrel cactus, disappointed that I was not going to find any Brady Pincushion.

Sign that's posted next to the road we were lining with rock.

Lining and partially burying the rocks on Badger Creek Overlook Road

One day, while I was waiting for the next load of rock to arrive for burial, I went on one of my cactus picture taking escapades. Suddenly I looked down and saw a round piece of metal with “106” engraved it in, and a nail stuck through it. I thought “what a funny piece of trash to be sitting here on the edge of this canyon!” I picked up the trash and started to walk back towards our truck. On my way back to the truck however, I spotted several other round pieces of metal and it suddenly occurred to me that these were here for a reason. After inspecting the area surrounding the metal pieces I realized that I had spotted the Brady Pincushion cactus! I was so excited! I quickly returned what I thought was trash-cactus marker #106-and started taking more pictures. In a matter of 5 minutes I had found probably 15 of these cacti. They were so small that I was starting to understand why they were endangered! If nobody can see them, how can they protect them!?

The Brady Pincushion Cactus!

I started to tell all of my teammates about the Brady Pincushion, and I showed off all of my pictures. It made the work seem, right then and there, that much more important than I had thought before.

On our last day lining the small rocky road we stopped in Cliff Dwellers on the way home. There was a local woman who ran our road regularly. She stopped our team and gave us the greatest compliment she could have given us. She said “I have seen the work you’re doing. Thank you for protecting our land! I run that road all of the time and especially in the winter, people drive wherever they want! I have seen cars doing donuts up there. Thank you for all of your hard work! We really appreciate it!” It was that compliment that brought the project full circle! It’s great to help the cacti, but it’s awesome to know that people, not just the cacti, appreciate the work we are doing!

I love Cacti!

Badger Creek Overlook Road

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Americorps NCCC Project Update by Amanda Smith

Posted on May 11, 2011 by volunteerNow

My Americorps team and I had a great week! We had a few challenges due to some unpredictable weather, but we’ve been having a lot of fun. We spent two days this week closing roads on the Paria Plateau, assisting the BLM in the implementation of its travel management plan. Since the Vermillion Cliffs National Monument has a lush cultural history, it attracts many tourists who visit the many undocumented archeological sites. This puts those sites that they haven’t yet inventoried at risk.

 We closed some roads in order to help preserve the cultural history of the Paria Plateau. Since some of these roads were created by tourists, there are many roads that lead to nowhere and disturb the local ecosystems in the process.

 We had fun learning how to disguise the roads to blend in with the rest of the plateau. We raked out the raised middle section to make it level and created roadside barriers. Here are some “before and after” photos of a road we closed:

BEFORE: This road is visibly used often.

AFTER: The tree barrier we built to block access to the road.

AFTER: Just beyond the tree barrier. You can’t even tell there was a road there! We transplanted some nearby vegetation after raking the road to mask the road tracks.

Here's a picture of me raking out tracks on another road.

 Since then we’ve been staying at the beautiful Kane Ranch in the House Rock Valley. We are adjusting barbed wire fences used for cattle pasturing to make them more pronghorn friendly. Pronghorn are a species of antelope that live in the House Rock Valley. Instead of jumping over fences they slide under them.

 The lowest barbed wire on the fence that runs throughout the valley has already been replaced with smooth wire, and our team adjusted the spacing so the pronghorn will have enough room to easily get under it. We adjusted over a mile of fence. While we were working we only saw one pronghorn frolicking around, but it was very exciting nevertheless!

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NAU Honors Students Rock the House Rock Valley

Posted on April 20, 2011 by volunteerNow

by Lauren Berutich

Gayle and I were joined by a group of NAU Honors students involved in a class on the greater Grand Canyon. Their instructor is passionate about environmental conservation and stewardship and asked us to collaborate on a service learning project at Kane Ranch Headquarters. There was a combination of her dedication to teaching and learning, the students’ enthusiastic approach to new explorations, and our excitement for a weekend in the House Rock Valley that electrified this treasured dessert ecosystem.

 

What a great weekend! From invasive removal to a half mile of pronghorn fence modification, the students engaged in meaningful, on-the-ground work while learning about the southwest landscape.

Here’s to engaged learning and collaborative restoration efforts. Here’s to adventure and meeting new friends. Here’s to the NAU Honors team that made a huge difference on the Kaibab Plateau.

For more photos capturing this exciting trip and many other field projects, visit our photo gallery.

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Photo Contest Winners: “Youth in Conservation”

Posted on April 14, 2011 by volunteerNow

The Grand Canyon Trust’s Volunteer Program is pleased to present the winners of our recent “Youth in Conservation” photo contest. Participants were asked to submit a photo and a caption that represented their experience. We are very fortunate to work with young folks like AmeriCorps and Alternative Spring Break groups from universities across the nation, so please check out these photos for a look at our future environmental leaders at work!

Grand Prize Winner: Elizabeth Blair (Northeastern University)

Many college students are dedicating their spring breaks to environmental preservation. Our young volunteers learn to view mankind as a part of nature, where both humans and the land exist in harmony. This student is crouched over, as if in submission to nature's greatness. Although humbled, looking out past the student one can see a vast landscape of opportunity, hope, and beauty.

Cody Bauman (AmeriCorps National Civilian Community Corps)

"I hope that future generations of youth make choices not based on what seems expected, but on what makes them come alive. I challenge them to do something that they feel passionate about. I hope that through people’s passion and drive, more of this country’s beautiful places can be protected. Through our actions, we instill conservation in others."

Nick Connolly (AmeriCorps National Civilian Community Corps)

Through AmeriCorps and sponsors like the Grand Canyon Trust that provide service learning to young adults, the future of America’s environment looks brighter every day.

Ashley Driver (California Polytechnic State University)

Young volunteers observe and connect with nature, understanding its intrinsic value and importance.

Sonali Gandhi (University of Illinois-Chicago)

"Being from a big city, we rarely see any nature. Everyone is busy chasing money or a career. I’m one of those career-oriented people. I never sit and live in a moment. This place taught me how to appreciate what I’ve got. Working to improve our surroundings made me realize how lucky we are. These mountains, valleys, and land must be protected for our future generations. I want my grandchildren to appreciate natural beauty as much as I do."

David Hecht (AmeriCorps National Civilian Community Corps)

“I joined AmeriCorps NCCC primarily for two reasons. The first is that I want to further my life education by pushing the boundaries of my comfort zone and learning about issues such as environmental degradation, ecology, conservation, etc. The second reason is that I want to physically give myself back as a young, idealistic and hard working individual.”

Jacob Lucas (AmeriCorps National Civilian Community Corps)

Today’s youth will be tomorrow’s leaders in conservation. It is important to have well-educated and motivated youth to shape tomorrow’s world. Through organizations like the Grand Canyon Trust, we can make a better future.

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National Civilian Community Corps: A Reflection on Youth in Conservation

Posted on April 13, 2011 by volunteerNow

By Cody Bauman

“Don’t ask what the world needs and do it, ask what makes you come alive; because what the world needs are people who have come alive” I stumbled upon this quote a year ago and realized that I had been living my life by its meaning from the day I was able to make choices for myself. I’m a firm believer in immersing yourself in your surroundings and fully taking advantage of experiences that are made available to you. I took the opportunity to work with the Grand Canyon Trust no differently.

Growing up in a family deeply involved in conservation I was exposed to the natural world and its beauty from a young age. During high school I was involved with the Student Conservation Association, which further instilled my love of the outdoors, its exploration and protection. Teaching became a passion of mine, and something that I pursued as a degree in college. The past 6 years I have attempted to follow both my interests in teaching and the outdoors through job positions in outdoor education. Not only did I get to explore and experience different places around the U.S. but I was also able to pass on my love of the natural world to future generations. I feel that being exposed to environmental ethics from a young age greatly influenced my future life choices and career path.

After graduation the idea of getting to further explore my country, while impacting communities and natural resources sounded like the perfect next adventure to embark on! Serving as an AmeriCorps NCCC team leader was an incredible opportunity to further impact the natural resources I had come to love as well as pass on my enthusiasm for the outdoors to others. Getting to work with the Grand Canyon Trust was a dream project for me! I was thrilled to be able to make an impact in the environment along with working with likeminded young adults in the process. The passion that each individual on my team possesses for conservation is an incredible thing to witness. Seeing others be a part of something that makes them come alive further influences my decision to continue to make my life choices based on what I feel will fulfill me the most. It is people who are driven by passion that make the greatest impact in this world. I’m blessed to be surrounded by people like that now, and to work with people driven by passion at the Grand Canyon Trust. Passion for beauty in its simplest form (the natural world) passion for education, passion for conservation.

I hope that future generations of youth make choices not based on what seems expected, but on what makes them come alive. I challenge them to do something that they feel passionate about. I hope that through people’s passion and drive more of this country’s beautiful places can be protected and conserved. That through people coming alive in what they do change is made, and positive impacts result. Through people’s actions conservation is instilled in others.

AmeriCorps NCCC Following their passion!

 

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