Clear Creek Agave Survey with Lisa Kearsley & Wendy Hodgson

October 2 - October 8, 201 8 

CLASS INFORMATION AND SYLLABUS  Native flora and fauna of Grand Canyon and efforts to support/reintroduce them The Phillips’ agave, Agave phillipsiana, is one of  Symbiotic relationships of plants and several species of agaves believed to be animals domesticated and farmed centuries ago by pre-  General introduction to the rock layers, Columbian farmers. Its populations survive as geography, and formation of Grand scattered archaeological relicts/artifacts from Canyon Grand Canyon in the north to the Tonto Basin in south-central Arizona, having persisted by DAY 1 vegetative reproduction. This rare agave was first described in 1938 in Grand Canyon by Rose Beginning at 4 pm (MST), we will meet at the Collom, the distinguished first botanist of Grand Community Building (directions) for a short Canyon National Park. orientation. We aim to discuss the route, logistics, and meet each other. Plan to be wrapped-up by 6 The Clear Creek canyon population is only one of pm. four within the Park. As part of its assessment, we will count the number of individuals and DAY 2 determine if there are obvious or potential impacts on the population. We will also discuss We will meet at the Community Building bright how these and other Southwest plants in and and early before being shuttled to the South outside the Canyon played important roles in the Kaibab Trailhead. This canyon trail is unsurpassed subsistence patterns of indigenous people, in its beautiful landscapes that unfold with every including potentially cultivated wild species. We turn, as well as an abundance of educational will also survey the area for other potentially rare opportunities. We will take our time as we species. We will also discuss the diversity of the descend (7 miles and 4500 ft), eventually arriving Canyon’s plants and the on-going research at Bright Angel Campground, where we will have addressing its flora, including the evolution and the chance to rest and recover from our descent. distribution of certain plant groups as affected by the unique factors characteristic of this area. DAY 3

Partial List of Subjects Covered Our task for today is the nine miles to Clear  Further roles of Agave phillipsiana and Creek. After an initial steep climb, the Tonto other domesticated agaves and other Platform will be our classroom today and we’ll be plants possibly cultivated able to discuss its ecological diversity as we go.  Speciation in Grand Canyon We have a steep but efficient descent into Clear  Desert Botanical Garden research in Creek proper, down gorgeous red shale and collaboration with NPS in the Canyon siltstone slopes and to our camp by the perennial  Riparian restoration planning and status stream. This lovely site will act as our base camp for the next two days. Clear Creek will be the  Overview of invasive plant species water source and will need to be treated prior to management and decision making consumption. A Ratsack is essential food storage  Ecological effects of Glen Canyon Dam equipment for staying at Clear Creek (we have on the Colorado River some available for loan at the Community Hodgson, W. C. 2012. PreColumbian agaves: Building). living plants linking an ancient past in Arizona. In: Explorations in Ethnoboiology: the legacy of DAYS 4 & 5 Amadeo Rea. Contributions in Ethnobiology. M. Quinlan and D. Lepofsky, eds.(To be mailed to We will explore both up and down canyon with participants before trip) an eye relocating and inventorying known populations of Agave phillipsiana. We’ll also Husinga, Makarick, Watters. River and Desert Plants survey for additional populations. Our time in the of the Grand Canyon. Clear Creek area brings us near remarkable archaeological sites where the Ancestral Puebloan Whitney, Stephen. A Field Guide to the Grand people once made their home. We will also enjoy Canyon. the striking sandstone narrows and the heart of Supergroup geology. Most of these books and other interpretive aids can be purchased at Grand Canyon Association DAY 6 bookstores on the north and south rims, online at www.grandcanyon.org, or by calling 800-858- We will retrace our steps back to Phantom Ranch 2808. GCA members receive a 15% discount. and nearby Bright Angel Campground. ABOUT THE INSTRUCTORS DAY 7 Wendy Hodgson is a certified desert rat, having We will leave the campground and hike out of the lived in the Sonoran Desert for 48 years. She is a canyon on the Bright Angel Trail (9 miles and research botanist, herbarium curator and botanical 4500 ft), perhaps using some of the old historic illustrator and has been with the Desert Botanical but now seldom used stretches as we make our Garden for 42 years. Her areas of interest and way to Indian Garden for a lunch break, and then research include southwest US and northern out to the rim. Although much different in Mexico floristics. For over 25 years she has been character from the South Kaibab Trail, the Bright documenting and studying plants within Grand Angel is beautiful in its own right, with many Canyon National Park, including the evolution interesting geological, historical, and archeological and distribution of certain plant groups as features to explore. We will meet back at the affected by the unique factors characteristic of Community Building for a wrap up session and to this area. Her research also focuses on taxonomy say goodbye to our classmates who will have and systematics of Agave and Yucca, including surely become friends this past week. the study of pre-Columbian agave domesticates, Cactaceae, Sonoran Desert ethnobotany, and rare RECOMMENDED READING and endemic plants. Wendy is the author of numerous scientific papers and the illustrated Aitchison, Stewart. A Wilderness Called Grand book, Food Plants of the Sonoran Desert Canyon. (University of Arizona Press), winner of the 2002 Klinger Book Award, presented by the Society for Anderson, Michael. Living at the Edge: Explorers, Economic Botany. Exploiters, and Settlers of the Grand Canyon Region. Lisa Kearsley has lived in Arizona since the Carothers, Steven and Bryan Brown. The Colorado 1980s when she earned a master’s degree in River through the Grand Canyon: Natural History and biology from Northern Arizona University. She Human Change. has worked for the National Park Service at

Grand Canyon as an interpretive park ranger Coder, Christopher. An Introduction to Grand Canyon Prehistory. providing natural history programs to visitors and as a researcher primarily studying vegetation trends and the effects of Glen Canyon Dam on Grand Canyon river campsites. Her love of river running drew her to Utah’s San Juan River, which prompted her to write and publish The San Juan River Guide, a comprehensive guidebook for river runners. In addition to leading backpack trips with the Field Institute, she works intermittently for the Park Service and is a natural science illustrator.