Executive Director Update | |
Spring has arrived, painting the landscape with signs of renewal. As baby sheep graze in the distance and buds adorn the trees, the Colorado National Monument Association (CNMA) is abuzz with excitement. | | |
|
Recently, three CNMA team members returned from the Public Lands Alliance (PLA) Conference in San Francisco. It was a privilege to speak at a general session on "Nature is Not Only Healing, it’s Transformative," sharing insights on resilience and mental health initiatives within the Colorado National Monument. We're thrilled to announce the support of the Western Colorado Community Foundation (WCCF), which has funded our inaugural Resiliency Ranger. This ranger will collaborate with d-51 to deliver resilience-focused curricula, engage at-risk youth at CMU, and lead service projects and programs in the monument with veterans.
| | |
|
As temperatures rise, our ranger-led field trips are back in action, offering engaging educational experiences. Thanks to a National Park Trust grant, CNMA and Colorado National Monument are able to offer assistance with transportation costs for interested schools. If you know a school that could benefit, click here for more information.
In April, we're honored to be Hot Tomato's nonprofit of the month. Indulge in their delectable pizza and beverages, as a portion of every sale will support CNMA. Join us on April 17th at Hot Tomato, where we'll enjoy the sounds of the Troy Douglas Band while discussing CNMA's mission and, of course, eating pizza together. Thanks to the amazing member who donated to make this music happen.
Walks and Talks are in full swing, with Monument on Tap events just around the corner as well. Chief Ranger of Visitor Resource and Protection, Perrin Pring's, recent "Day in the Life of a Ranger" talk last week was a hit, and I'm personally looking forward to joining a couple of guided hikes this spring. We hope to see you at these upcoming events.
Don't miss the "From Canyons to Canvas" exhibition at the Art Center, showcasing stunning artwork from Colorado National Monument and the McInnis National Conservation Areas. A portion of art sales supports CNMA, so be sure to visit before it ends on April 5th.
With the arrival of seasonal employees next month, projects and programs will pick back up as we collectively work toward the National Park Service's mission. Thank you for being part of this vital legacy. If you'd like to contribute to CNMA's continued support for the next 60 years, consider donating here. Together, we can ensure the conservation and enjoyment of our natural and cultural treasures for generations to come.
With Gratitude,
Johanna van Waveren
| | |
|
Amache National Historic Site - the newest National Park in the Intermountain Region
Our NPS team shared that IMR (Intermountain Region) has a new national park! In February, the NPS announced the establishment of Amache National Historic Site in Colorado as the 429th national park. This announcement is being made in connection with the National Day of Remembrance of Japanese Incarceration During World War II, recognized each year on Feb. 19.
Amache, also known as the Granada Relocation Center, incarcerated more than 10,000 Japanese Americans, including many who were United States citizens, during World War II. It was one of 10 confinement sites operated by the War Relocation Authority created by Executive Order 9066 issued on Feb. 19, 1942. Between 1942-1945, more than 120,000 Japanese Americans were forcibly relocated from their homes and held, without trial and due process of law, in these detention centers. Today, Amache joins six other national parks already established that preserve and interpret this painful chapter of American history.
Numerous stakeholders and partners, including descendants and survivors of Amache, worked tirelessly to see this important site protected and interpreted in perpetuity. We are committed to working with these stakeholders as we collectively envision the future of this site. I would like to recognize and offer special thanks to High Plains Group Superintendent Eric Leonard, Site Manager Chris Mather, Former High Plains Group Superintendent Stuart West, former Site Manager Kara Miyagishima, Reality Specialist Steve Craddock, and my many other NPS colleagues for their extraordinary work helping us with establishing this new NPS unit.
You can read more about the Amache announcement in the NPS press release.
| |
|
Field trips have begun for the spring semester! By the time this newsletter goes out, we’ll have already had close to 300 education contacts this year, all from local schools. There are still 28 days of field trips currently scheduled over the next two months, and there’s room for a few more. I’m so excited to see learners try new things, share positive outdoor experiences with their peers, and leave with the curiosity to come back and explore the natural world some more.
At the end of February was the annual Mesa County Safety Fair, a two-day tabling event where dozens of community partners share various safety messages with D51 students. Many thanks go to our amazing VIPs who staffed our table at the event – in total, they spoke to almost 1,500 students.
In early March, I hosted a training for the VIPs interested in our school programs. We went through the schedule and logistics of spring field trips; reviewed the Education Program’s themes, goals, and values; practiced skills in outdoor education and group management; and learned some games and activities that we facilitate during field trips. I’m so grateful for these volunteers’ continued interest in education and willingness to help connect learners to these outstanding canyons.
Also, we have start dates for two seasonal education technicians! These positions will assist with our standard field trips but will also have their own unique projects to develop. One is hired to work with local school teachers to help develop tools for leading field trips to public lands. The other is hired to work with the local Spanish speaking community and develop educational opportunities that better serve Spanish speaking learners and families.
There are a few grants I’d like to acknowledge that are helping us reach our goals. The National Park Foundation’s Open Outdoors for Kids grant is funding the bilingual Spanish-English education technician and the work they’ll be doing. The National Environmental Education Foundation’s Greening STEM grant helps us work with Riverside Educational Centers to connect after-school learners with the monument. The National Park Trust’s Every Kid Outdoors Small Grants Program is funding bus transportation for school field trips to the monument in 2024.
None of this grant assistance would be possible without the Colorado National Monument Association continuing to help with grant applications, fiscal management, and motivation to continue serving our local community. Many thanks to the entire CNMA team, especially Johanna and Sharon who help directly with these grants, and many thanks to members like you who support CNMA’s mission.
| | |
|
CNMA would like to join Jim's friends and family in celebrating the life of Jim Burch who passed February 12, 2024. I got to know Jim when I was a seasonal park guide for the Colorado National Monument and he would volunteer at the visitor center desk. Jim loved to travel and share stories and he loved Colorado National Monument. Our sympathies go out to Jan and the rest of the family.
| | |
|
Welcome to the CNMA Board!
Jessica Hamlin recently relocated to the Grand Valley from Anchorage, Alaska, to be near family who live in the area. She’s been visiting Grand Junction for about 16 years and each trip involved time spent hiking and exploring the breathtaking Colorado National Monument.
Jessica holds a Bachelor of Arts in public relations with a minor in tourism management from Central Washington University. A communications and administrative professional, she has nearly 20 years of experience in public relations, marketing, writing/storytelling, advertising, event promotion, team management, and corporate governance.
Jessica and her husband Mark live in Fruita and have two children. Her family stays active through youth sports, camping, downhill skiing, kayaking, and visiting national parks and monuments. She feels fortunate to be raising her family in a vibrant community surrounded by the natural beauty of the “red rocks.”
| | |
|
Welcome to the CNMA Board!
Sue Conry is a Colorado native and a twenty-six year resident of Mesa County. She moved to Grand Junction for a new job opportunity in 1997. What she thought would be a three-year stay has become her forever hometown due to her love of the high desert and year-round opportunities including hiking, exploring slot canyons, snowshoeing, rafting and gardening.
Sue is a graduate of the University of Northern Colorado with degrees in Recreation and Business Administration. She has over 35 years of not-for-profit leadership and management experience, including leading the local Girl Scout Council for ten years prior to working for Hilltop Community Resources. All of her professional experience has included providing opportunities for helping people of all ages and abilities improve or enhance their lives. Sue brings expertise and perspective for both the governance and the operational side of not-for-profits and is able to merge her passion for our beautiful Colorado National Monument, nonprofit leadership and community board experience together.
Sue is a life-long outdoor enthusiast and has a strong passion for supporting and utilizing our National Parks and Monuments, State Parks and other Public Lands and encouraging others to do the same for future generations.
Sue is an active community volunteer, currently serving as a Mesa County Public Library District Trustee, Mesa County Public Library Foundation Member and her President of her HOA. She has also served on the Hilltop Community Resources and HopeWest boards and is a member of the Girl Scouts of Colorado Women of Distinction planning committee.
Sue lives in the Redlands with Vicki, her wife of 26 years, and their two dogs, Chaco and Bodie.
| | |
|
Did you know that Museum of the West has a digital collection?
Our resident curiosity seeker, Crystal, found articles on both John Otto and Colorado National Monument. Check them out below!
John Otto & Colorado National Monument
Another fun fact Crystal learned was John Otto's first name was Johannes. Sound familiar?
| | |
|
Did you miss our Public Lands Day
event in 2023?
Want to know more about how recreation may affect bighorn sheep populations? Check out this report from Senior Scientist, Joel Berger.
Bighorn sheep populations report
|
|
Youth Conservation Corps
Seasonal Job Opportunities
Youth Conservation Corps (YCC) offers participants an opportunity to work in National Park Service sites while learning about the environment, archaeological and paleontological preservation, resource management, and
future career opportunities within public land management.
Colorado National Monument will hire up to eight (8) young people from areas near the park to work from June 3 to July 26, 2024 in a non-residential Youth Conservation Corps program.
Projects & learning opportunities may include:
- ongoing work on existing trails
- revegetation of native plants
- assisting with scientific field work
- educational trips and service projects
To be eligible to participate, you must:
- be a United States citizen with a social security card
- reach age 15 by June 3, 2024 and not reach age 19 by July 26, 2024
- not have participated in YCC within the past three years
- have no history of serious criminal or disorderly behavior
- be able to obtain parent/guardian consent
- be able to attend June 3 orientation and the full 8-week program from June 6 to July 26
- be able to provide proper work clothing (long sleeve shirts, trousers or jeans, etc.)
- have reliable transportation
- Youth with physical or other challenges who can effectively participate in most YCC activities are also eligible.
-
Youth ages 15-19 are eligible. Applications should be completed and emailed to [email protected], delivered in-person to the Visitor Center, or mailed to 1750 Rim Rock Drive, Fruita, CO 81521. The deadline to submit applications is April 19, 2024.
-
Visit the YCC website for links to the application and more information.
| |
COLM 2024 Bike Jersey Update | | |
|
Design Sneak Peek
The design for the COLM 2024 Limited Edition Bike Jerseys is finalized! We worked toward a bold and bright design to increase rider visibility.
We expect to have them available for purchase starting in May and will send an update out once they're ready.
| | | |
|
Get ready to embrace the beauty of spring with an exciting lineup of events that we've carefully curated for you! For a comprehensive list of programs and detailed information, be sure to explore our events page. Let the season of renewal and growth be filled with fun, learning, and community engagement.
CNMA Events page
| |
|
We're excited to shine a spotlight on one of our new business members!
Meet Networks Unlimited, they are an award winning, cutting edge IT company in Western Colorado that helps businesses with IT solutions, computers, networking and more! With over 15 services to offer, Networks Unlimited strives to make IT simple for businesses.
We are so thankful to Networks Unlimited for joining as a Business Member and for their support of our work and mission.
| | |
|
Thank you to our Rim Rock Partners!
We recognize support by the local business community is critical to our success and to continuing improvements to Colorado National Monument. Our Rim Rock Partners provide the ongoing assistance to fund our mission to support and bolster the educational, interpretive, and scientific research programs within the monument.
| |
Interested in becoming a business partner? Click here for more information. | | | | |
