Chimney Rock Hosts 2nd Anniversary Event for Let's Move! in Indian Country
Chimney Rock National Monument was the site chosen for celebrating the 2nd Anniversary of Let's Move! in Indian Country. Participants included fifty youth from the Southern Ute Montessori Elementary School; the Deputy Undersecretary of Agriculture, Butch Blazer; the White House Senior Policy Advisor for Native American Affairs; and several Puebloan youth who work with the Southwest Conservation Corps. Chimney Rock Interpretive Association volunteers led the group on an interpretive tour of the Monument. Read more.
Our mission is education
In the month of May 2013, Chimney Rock Interpretive Association volunteers will provide free tours of Chimney Rock National Monument to approximately 311 area school children and 25 accompanying adults.
2013 Four Corners Lecture Series
The 2013 Four Corners Lecture Series features presentations on the archeology, current Native American cultures, history, and natural resources of Mesa Verde and the Four Corners area. In cooperation with the Mesa Verde Institute, the Anasazi Heritage Center, the Cortez Cultural Center, Crow Canyon Archaeological Center, Fort Lewis College in Durango, and the National Park Service, guest lecturers will share their knowledge, interpretations, and experiences in the Four Corners Region. All lectures are free and open to the public and are scheduled for April-November, 2013.
CRIA receives Forest Service 2012 Volunteer Group of the Year Award
Chimney Rock Interpretive Association has been selected to receive the Forest Service 2012 Volunteer Group of the Year Award. This is a very prestigious award and we are so proud of all of our volunteers!
Here is some of what Thomas Tidwell, Chief of the USDA Forest Service, had to say about Chimney Rock Interpretive Association in a letter to Susan Yalom, board president of the board of trustees:
"The Chimney Rock Interpretive Association partnership with the San Juan National Forest has elevated awareness about this remarkable archaeological resource and contributed to the designation as the Chimney Rock National Monument. Your volunteers have made significant contributions from leading tours and performing interpretive service, to site maintenance and stewardship that foster a better understanding of prehistory and appreciation of this treasured site.
It gives me immense pleasure to recognize the Association with this award. Thank you for your service."
Sincerely,
/s/ Thomas L. Tidwell
THOMAS L. TIDWELL
Chief of the Forest Service
Department of Agriculture
CRIA to add shuttle service
The Forest Service, San Juan District, has received the Paul S. Sarbanes Transit in Parks Program grant for $140,000, enough to purchase three 12-passenger vans. The vans will be operated by the Chimney Rock Interpretive Association (CRIA) to transport visitors from the Visitor Center area to the upper parking area for tours and special programs.
In addition, expansion of the lower parking area will be studied by the Sarbanes Transportation Scholar (a separate program the San Juan National Forest and Bureau of Land Management Tres Rios Field Office applied for successfully). The scholar will analyze how to most efficiently run the shuttle service and will look at continued road maintenance costs.
Decisions regarding new parking facilities and other improvements ultimately will be addressed in the new Chimney Rock National Monument Management Plan currently being developed by the Forest Service.
Shuttle use should help:
- Relieve congestion at the summit parking lot (a parking area that can't be expanded) and for emergency vehicles.
- Reduce accident risk in parking lots and on the road.
- Provide reliable access to the summit for motorcyclists, RV users (who couldn't park at summit), vehicles with trailers, and those not comfortable with driving conditions.
- Facilitate information exchange during transit.
- Reduce traffic and encounters between walkers/hikers and vehicles. Further improve hiking experience by reducing dust/noise/air pollution.
- Reduce negative impacts to cultural resources in part by reducing parking on road near archaeological sites where use can inadvertently cause harm.
- Reduce erosion, thereby improving road conditions (and possibly reduce maintenance requirements).
- Save energy and reduce pollution.
- Improve logistics during large events such as the Full Moon Program and the Cultural Gathering.
CRIA thanks the Forest Service which applied for the grant in September 2012. CRIA also appreciates the letters of support from Senator Michael F. Bennet, Senator Mark E. Udall, Southwest Native Cultures, Archuleta County Board of County Commissioners, Town of Pagosa Springs, Town of Pagosa Springs Historic Preservation Board, Pagosa Springs Town Tourism Committee, Pagosa Springs Chamber of Commerce, and the National Trust for Historic Preservation.
Kudos to CRIA
The Chimney Rock Interpretive Association (CRIA) was awarded the 2012 Non-Profit Organization of the Year by the Pagosa Springs Chamber of Commerce. For the past 18 years, volunteers have operated the interpretive program at Chimney Rock, America's newest National Monument. In 2012, that meant 12,000 volunteer hours and more than 47,000 miles driven to serve approximately 12,000 visitors to the site.
In addition, outgoing CRIA Board President, Joan Ward, was named 2012 Volunteer of the Year by both CRIA and the Pagosa Springs Chamber of Commerce. In 2012, Joan logged 600 volunteer hours with CRIA and 300 with the Humane Society of Pagosa Springs in addition to the other organizations she serves.
These awards would not have happened without the 80 dedicated volunteers who give their time and talents in support of CRIA and Chimney Rock National Monument.
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