National Park Service U.S. Department of the Interior John Day Fossil Beds National Monument

John Day Fossil Beds National Monument Long-Range Interpretive Plan John Day Fossil Beds National Monument Long-Range Interpretive Plan

Prepared by:

Interpretive Planning, Harpers Ferry Center, and John Day Fossil Beds National Monument

March 2010

National Park Service U.S. Department of the Interior

Cover Photo: A Saber-toothed Nimravid from the Turtle Cove Assemblage.

Photo Credits: All photo credits are NPS, unless otherwise noted Table of Contents

Introduction 1 Introduction 1 The Planning Process 2 Executive Summary 3

Foundation for Planning 10 Legislation 10 Background for Planning 11 Purpose and Signifi cance Statements 16 Interpretive Themes 17 Visitor Experience Goals 18

Existing Conditions 20 Visitor Profi les 20 Personal Services 22 The Sheep Rock Unit 28 The Clarno Unit 38 The Painted Hills Unit 44 Partnerships 48

Recommendations 51 Parkwide Recommendations 51 Sheep Rock Unit Recommendations 65 Clarno Unit Recommendations 70 Painted Hills Unit Recommendations 74

Appendices 78 Appendix A: Park Legislation 78 Appendix B: Summary of the JODA Annual Servicewide Interpretive Reports, FY 2002 - 2008 80 Appendix C: I&VS Program Breakdown from 2005-2008 by Park Unit 82 Appendix D: JODA Natural and Cultural Resource Project, Studies and Programming Ideas 83 Appendix E: Maximizing Visitor Understanding of the Park Paleontology Program 87 Appendix F: The Park Implementation Plan 90 Appendix G: Future Educational Programming Ideas from the LRIP Workshop 92 Appendix H: The Early Years of JODA Interpretation 96 Appendix I: Bibliography 99 Appendix J: The Park Planning Team 101 Introduction

This map illustrates the location of the three units of John Day Fossil Beds National Monument.

I National Park Service INTRODUCTION

… No region in the world shows more complete sequences of tertiary land populations, both plant and animal, than the John Day Basin. - Ralph W. Chaney, paleobotonist

Located in eastern Oregon, the 14,000 acre John Day Fossil Beds National Monument is comprised of three units: the Clarno Unit and Painted Hills Unit are located in Wheeler County, Oregon and Sheep Rock Unit is located in Grant County, Oregon. Together these parklands protect a small portion of a 40+ million-year-long, fossil record of earth’s history, a record which documents the diversity of plant and animal life that existed 54 – 6 million years ago during the Age of Mammals.

In calendar year 2007 John Day Fossil Beds National Monument requested and received Servicewide funding to initiate a Long-Range Interpretive Plan (LRIP) with the National Park Service’s Media Design Center in Harpers Ferry, West Virginia. During LRIP project scoping park Superintendent Jim Hammett defi ned the need and challenge for this plan:

People are passionate about this place – the signifi cance of park paleontological resources, the “state of the art” paleontology research center and museum exhibit located in the Thomas Condon Paleontology Center (TCPC), and the surviving features of the Cant Ranch. We have learned through our planning of TCPC that if we can come up with a specifi c direction for the interpretive program and consensus within the park and from our partners on the direction of interpretation and visitor services, we can make it happen. Distillation is the key.

Park staff and partners gathered together for two Long-Range Interpretive planning workshops held in October 2007 and August 2008. The purpose of these workshops was to analyze existing conditions, establish a vision to guide the Interpretive and Visitor Services program for the next 10 years; and make recommendations to address program defi ciencies. This LRIP is a direct result of the aforementioned workshops and is consistent with all park planning documents. The plan outlines recommendations for the next decade. Recommendations address future interpretive services, facilities, interpretive media and the partnerships that support the delivery of the interpretive program. The intended audience for this plan includes park and Pacifi c West Regional Offi ce staff , partners, stakeholders, interested visitors and future contractors.

The primary goal of this Long-Range Interpretive Plan is to promote park resource values through specially planned visitor experiences and excellence in interpretation. Realization of this vision requires new project and staff funding, strong internal collaboration and external partnering. In sum, in the words of Superintendent Hammett: “we can make it happen”.

John Day Fossil Beds National Monument Long-Range Interpretive Plan I 1 Introduction

The Planning Process

The goal of the interpretive planning process is not simply the creation of a plan. The ultimate goal is the development of a cost-eff ective, tightly focused, high quality park interpretive program that eff ectively addresses all audiences and achieves management goals.

This Long-Range Interpretive Plan (LRIP) recommends actions that should occur over the next 8-10 years. It identifi es park themes, describes visitor experience goals, and recommends a wide array of interpretive services, media, programs, and outreach activities to communicate the park’s mission, signifi cance, themes, and values. It will join the park-produced Annual Interpretive Plan and Interpretive Database to make up the Comprehensive Interpretive Plan (CIP) for John Day Fossil Beds National Monument.

Though the park legislation, purpose, signifi cance, themes, and visitor experience goals should remain constant over the life of this plan, new scientifi c discoveries and research may require changes. Also, media and programs may require updating as staffi ng, funding, technology, or resource conditions change. Further design documents will need to be prepared to implement some of the goals and recommendations in this plan.

Sheep Rock Peak and the John Day River.

2 I National Park Service Introduction

Executive Summary partners, the interpretive program will provide a range of informal John Day Fossil Beds National and formal programming and Monument is a 14,000 acre park interpretive media to meet the comprised of three units: the Clarno needs of park visitors -- from the Unit and Painted Hills Unit located fi rst-time visitor to the student in Wheeler County, Oregon and the learner and the scholar alike. Sheep Rock Unit located in Grant - Park Vision Statement for County, Oregon. Parklands protect Interpretation and Visitor a 40+ million-year-long fossil record Services of earth’s history and documents the diversity of plant and animal life Summary of Signifi cant Plan that existed 54 – 6 million years ago. Recommendations Each unit shares an important place in the protection of fossil resources, The goal of this Long-Range magnifi cent and varied scenery, and Interpretive Plan (LRIP) is to contains a variety of park trails and promote NPS stewardship values visitor support facilities. The park through specially planned visitor hosted 113,418 visitors in 2008, a experiences and excellence in 10 % drop from 2007 due largely to interpretation. Realization of this high gas prices during the area’s peak vision requires new project and staff tourism season. funding, strong internal collaboration and external partnering. The During calendar year 2007 the park intended audience for this plan requested and received Servicewide includes park and Pacifi c West funding to initiate a Long-Range Regional Offi ce staff , partners, Interpretive Plan (LRIP) with the stakeholders, interested visitors and National Park Service’s Media future contractors. This LRIP is Design Center in Harpers Ferry, concurrent with all park planning WVA. During the workshop documents. Signifi cant plan participants defi ned a park vision recommendations include: to guide the implementation of this LRIP and the delivery of the • An infusion of funds is needed to Interpretive and Visitor Services expand the interpretive program Program (I&VS) for the next decade: and support opportunities for professional development. The Interpretation and Visitor Services staff seeks to engage The park will seek program monument visitors to form monies to fund interpretive enduring connections to support positions now vacant due to the preservation of John Day Fossil insuffi cient funds. The 2006 Park Beds National Monument and Business Plan documents the the mission of the National Park need for a 37% increase in FTE, Service. The monument will be or staff levels. Considering salary recognized as a leader in resource- diff erences, this recommended based educational programming, 37% increase in FTE would be fostering life-long learning and met by a 30% increase in funding. stewardship. Utilizing the park’s These funds will: diverse resources, facilities and

John Day Fossil Beds National Monument Long-Range Interpretive Plan I 3 Introduction

Improve resource protection, audience is twofold: future interpretation and orientation program advertisements will through a more balanced seek local attendance at the coverage at all three units Thomas Condon Paleontology during the peak visitor season. Center (TCPC) auditorium And, and reach Internet visitors through program videocasting, Expand collaborative podcasting and webinars. programming and internal training. The I&VS staff , o The conversion of the Resource Manager and park’s successful education Paleontology team will work program to an elementary together to develop an annual grade through high school interpretive program schedule curriculum-based education and training plan that supports program. The re-designed the expansion of the I&VS program will meet State and program. undergraduate curriculum standards and utilize the Future ranger facilitated programs videocasting capabilities may include: of the TCPC to include an educational outreach o Connecting visitors to the component for students park’s active research program unable to travel to the park. in the paleontology lab. With the addition of an audio Internal training will: support the system, at scheduled times, delivery of the I&VS program. visitors will be able to observe Session topics will refl ect fossil preservation work and natural and cultural resources hear a staff person describe and issues, interpretive themes, the work from inside the the Servicewide Interpretive laboratory. Development Program, local geology related to prominent land o Providing ranger-led hikes to features and staff developmental research sites to observe the needs related to job performance. park paleontology team at work and have an opportunity • Improve park accessibility through to interact with team the following measures: members. Conduct a formal, summative o Off ering a periodic seminar evaluation of the Thomas series for the general public. Condon Paleontology Presentations will refl ect Center’s (TCPC) new visitor current park specifi c research center facility and museum topics or issues, and other exhibits. Include accessibility timely Servicewide special specialists/consultants in this emphasis topics such as assessment. This evaluation climate change. Program should consider the plaza presenters may be park staff or area outside the structure, invited speakers. The program the entryway, lobby area

4 I National Park Service Introduction

The Clarno Palisades

John Day Fossil Beds National Monument Long-Range Interpretive Plan I 5 Introduction

and associated exhibits Develop at the Thomas within this space, museum Condon Paleontology Center exhibits, and associated (TCPC): trails. The evaluation should 1. Museum exhibit audio assess the interpretation and program, presentation methods, and the eff ectiveness of how the 2. Audio description tour new facility and exhibits meet for visitors who are blind accessibility standards. Based or have low vision. Note: on the evaluation fi ndings The audio description develop a plan to prioritize tour includes orientation and implement recommended and visual descriptions of improvements. the exhibits, including the fossils and murals. The Conduct a formal, summative audio description tour evaluation of the James should point its listeners in Cant Ranch public facilities. the direction of any tactile Include accessibility objects existing or being specialists/consultants in this created as a part of the assessment. This evaluation exhibit revisions. should consider the structures, grounds, and associated 3. A Companion TCPC trails. The evaluation should museum guide publication. assess the interpretation and presentation methods, and These three media projects the eff ectiveness of how the should be developed at the visitor service areas meet same time. Note: a short accessibility standards. Based segment of a draft-Thomas on the evaluation fi ndings Condon Paleontology Center develop a plan to prioritize Museum guide exists and and implement recommended could serve as the start improvements. for this project. These products would enhance Seek funding to add audio visitor understanding of descriptions and assistive the relationship between listening for the park’s the TCPC museum and the existing orientation fi lm to natural features and fossil meet current accessibility resources in the park. requirements. The park fi lm is open-captioned. It should • Help visitors understand the also be audio described and relationship between the TCPC assistive listening systems museum dioramas and the park’s should be provided to people 21st century landscapes. who are hard of hearing. Develop a parkwide sales publication such as a park hand book and companion audio tour, for a general audience. Because the drive

6 I National Park Service Introduction

time between units is not Utilize artwork and graphics really conducive to an auto created for the Thomas tour, a park handbook with Condon Paleontology Center a companion audio program (TCPC) in all new interpretive is recommended as a way to media. This will help to invite visitors to explore the improve visitor understanding park and become immersed regarding the exhibit dioramas in its story. The proposed depicting fossil assemblages publication should focus on all at park units; and, if Clarno three units and could be used or Painted Hill is a visitors’ as a guide to discover what fi rst contact with the park, the park features and activities images may prompt a future each unit has to off er. The visit to the Sheep Rock Unit’s audio program could be TCPC. developed at the same time as the handbook; or, at a later • Develop several important time, depending on funding media projects to improve visitor availability. orientation, understanding and support for monument resources Explore the installation and activities. of webcams and outdoor monitors and speakers Procure a one-way mike and parkwide in order to connect speaker (that can be turned the three units physically via on or off as appropriate) technology. The park staff near the lab window in the has expressed a desire to visitor center lobby. This improve visitor understanding will give interested visitors regarding the resources the opportunity to see what preserved at each unit; a the scientists are working on facilitated media experience in the lab and allow the staff may encourage visitors to person inside (scientist or travel to the other units; or, interpreter) to describe what at least make an intellectual they are working on. The park connection to the resources should consider a two-way preserved in these areas. system, such that visitors can If this recommendation is ask questions. unrealistic due to extreme weather and high sun glare, or Seek funding to produce vandalism/theft concerns, at a a new 15 – 20 minute park minimum, provide rangers at video. The current video while the Clarno and Painted Hills accurate is now dated. The units a portable mp3 that plays video was produced before video and stores photographs. the new Thomas Condon The mp3 player would be Paleontology Center (TCPC) used as an interpretive tool was constructed. The focus by the unit rangers, when of the audiovisual production conversing with visitors about should be on what the JODA the site’s signifi cance and most fossil record reveals about interesting features. earth history and evolution

John Day Fossil Beds National Monument Long-Range Interpretive Plan I 7 Introduction

over the past 40 million years. new artwork for the TCPC Using the new TCPC museum museum exhibit and context artwork, this production so visitors can connect should help the viewer what is viewed at a specifi c envision what the region location to the broader story may have looked like millions of 40+ million years of earth of years ago, incorporate history preserved within the soundbites from explorers and monument. paleontologists of the past, as well as soundbites from Create companion videos present-day subject matter and audio programs for the experts and paleontologists. Cant Ranch Historic District. The current fi lm title “A Place In addition to the artifacts of Discovery” works very and text used in the current well and is very popular, and ranch house exhibit, add a conceptually a similar theme more interactive component should be carried through to by using motion control on the next production. still images in combination with an interpretive narrative Seek funding to create a that includes soundbites signage and wayfi nding master from primary sources and plan for the park. Each unit a compelling music track. requires a well-planned arrival Although this site will be experience. The experience included in the development starts with strategically of the parkwide handbook located NPS signs that follow and audio tour, additional Servicewide identity and audio stations in the barn and messaging standards. The other ranch structures (where wayfi nding master plan would there is power) can add document all the signs in use important animal and work and make recommendations sounds and oral histories to for updating the signs to more fully bring this historic conform to the National site to life. Park Service UniGuide Sign Standards. Develop an interpretation display/exhibit case at the Seek a one-time major Painted Hills Unit visitor funding allotment for wayside contact station, and any new planning, design, fabrication station developed at the and installation. This would Clarno Unit, with realistic bring all outdoor exhibits replicas and information up to current standards and that is professionally incorporate new research complementary to the visitor and artwork produced for center at the Sheep Rock Unit. TCPC. Signifi cant messages must be out in the park where people are recreating. New waysides will provide site specifi c interpretation,

8 I National Park Service Introduction

• Strengthen and utilize existing park Work with the park partners and seek new partners cooperating association to support the expansion of the “Discover Your Northwest”, interpretive program. formally called the Northwest Interpretive Association, to Develop a shared group list develop more park specifi c serve to improve inter-group interpretive sales materials on communications; determine a variety of topics (perhaps who will maintain the behind in partnership with the new the scenes technology to “John Day Associates” friends support the list serve group). Expand future products available to include Create and produce an items of interest and price interagency publication with to appeal to school children. shared land use protection Request the Association to messages. market park specifi c sales items on their internet sales Plan and conduct an website; and, provide a link interagency special event for to their website from the park local and regional residents website.

Develop an interagency education program for a targeted age appropriate audience. The interagency team will identify the topic areas that they feel needs the most attention; and then seek assistance from local school representatives to develop and implement a sustainable program. Consider combining resources to develop an advanced placement science related course that combines classroom lessons with access to agency professionals and resource features. Seek special funding if required.

2007 LRIP workshop participants.

John Day Fossil Beds National Monument Long-Range Interpretive Plan I 9 FOUNDATION FOR PLANNING

Legislation

During the late 19th century, the be established unless and until the John Day River Basin in east- State of Oregon donates or agrees 77 central Oregon gained worldwide to donate the Thomas Condon- prominence as a region rich in fossil John Day Fossil Beds, Clarno and

DIT: UCMP 00 DIT: resources. As early as 1931, the State Painted Hills State Parks: Provided

E R of Oregon began working with noted further, that the secretary shall

O C paleontologist John C. Merriam to designate the principal visitor PHOT identify and set aside lands having the center as the “Thomas Condon Early 1900s paleontologists at most signifi cant fossil deposits and Visitor Center”;….. John Day Fossil Beds. placed them under the protection of the Oregon state park system. Three Section 104. There are authorized to state park sites became the heart of be appropriated such sums as may be what is now John Day Fossil Beds necessary to carry out the provisions National Monument. of this Act, not to exceed, however the following: ... The park’s enabling legislation was (b) John Day Fossil Beds National part of an omnibus bill authorizing Monument, $400,000 for the seven national park areas on October acquisition of lands and interests 26, 1974. Specifi c provisions in lands and $4,435,200 for describing John Day Fossil Beds development. National Monument include: President Gerald Ford signed the Title I legislation authorizing Public Law Section 101. (a) Unless otherwise 93-386 on October 26, 1974; and provided hereafter, the Secretary of following the Federal Register the Interior (herein after referred to notifi cation, John Day Fossil Beds as the “Secretary”) is authorized to National Monument was established acquire by purchase with donated on October 8, 1975. Today the park or appropriated funds, donation, encompasses 14,000 acres in the John exchange, or by transfer from Day River Valley and is comprised another Federal agency such lands of three separate units. These and interests in lands as hereafter units include: the Clarno Unit and provided for establishment as units Painted Hills Unit located in Wheeler of the national park system as County, Oregon, and the Sheep Rock follows:…. Unit located in Grant and Wheeler (2) [the ] establishment [of] the Counties, Oregon. John Day Fossil Beds National Monument, Oregon, those lands Public Law 95-625 was passed on depicted on the map entitled November 10, 1978; the legislation “Boundary Map, John Day Fossil addressed the boundary issues at Beds National Monument”, each of the units and enabled the numbered NM-JDFB-20,014-A and park to better protect signifi cant dated June 1971: Provided, That fossil sites. the national monument shall not

10 I National Park Service Foundation for Planning

Background for Planning superintendent of John Day Fossil Beds National Monument. Following the passage of the October 26, 1974 legislation creating John Day After the fi rst summer season, Fossil Beds National Monument, in Superintendent Ben Ladd and the June 1975, park headquarters was NPS planning team re-initiated park established in the community of John planning undertaken prior to the Day, Oregon, a small city suitable monument’s establishment. Early in for facilitating long-range planning the General Management Planning and oversight of the new national scoping, Superintendent Ladd park. The travel distance from John expressed concern that the park Day headquarters to the Sheep Rock did not truly understand the scope Unit was 37 miles, 73 miles to the and signifi cance of the resource. Painted Hills Unit, and 120 miles to Paleontologist John Rensberger of the Clarno Unit. Park Headquarters the University of Washington was remained in John Day until 1994, contracted to assess the signifi cance then moving to the Sheep Rock Unit. of fossils located on the monument’s lands. Rensberger’s comprehensive Very modest facilities were available report indicated that: at each of the units. The state had constructed parking lots, overlooks • The lands within the Painted Hills and restrooms. The NPS initiated and Sheep Rock Units had the a modest interpretive and visitor best examples of evolutionary services program using temporary transitions in situ of any terrestrial trailers, permanent law enforcement fossil deposit in the world. rangers and a seasonal staff of He estimated that parklands ranger/interpreters. Over the next contained 95% of the region’s twenty years the park’s interpretive known paleontological resources. visitor services program grew from However, a summer seasonal interpretive staff to a year round program led • There were serious problems by a Chief of Interpretation. In at the Clarno Unit. Planning 1995, Superintendent Jim Hammett documents showed there were reorganized operations, and the incredibly signifi cant fossil park’s fi rst Chief of Interpretation resources outside of the legislated position, supervised directly by the boundary, on a nearby ranch. superintendent, was established. The proposed Clarno boundaries were changed to include the The park’s administrative history Mammal Quarry and Nutbeds. Floating in the Stream of Time, Chapter Four: “The Formative • A comprehensive fi eld research Years” summarizes the early years of program was needed in order to national monument management. inform and guide future resource It mentions that, initially, Lava protection, interpretation and Bed National Monument’s Chief education. The report outlined Ranger Ben Ladd was asked to keep interpretive themes for each unit an eye on JODA parklands. Later, and identifi ed relevant literature. on September 28, 1975, Ben Ladd was offi cially named as the fi rst

John Day Fossil Beds National Monument Long-Range Interpretive Plan I 11 Foundation for Planning

Four years later, on November 10, James Cant, Jr. and former park 1978 Public Law 95-625 addressed administrator/Klamath Falls Group the boundary issues at each of the Superintendent Ernest Borgman units enabling the park to better that the park would also interpret protect signifi cant fossil sites. ranching in north-central Oregon; However, six more years passed and, furnish two rooms of the ranch before the fi rst trained professional house with Cant family furniture (a paleontologist, Theodore Fremd, period of time determined by the joined the park staff in July 1984 loan of original furnishings from the – almost ten years after the park’s Cant family). Documentation for establishment. During the next this agreement is not on fi le, though 25-years, this critical position stories of this verbal agreement have evolved from fi eldwork, laboratory been handed down verbally over the preparation, and collections decades. care to encompass coordinating research eff orts and preparation of The NPS staff immediately followed paleontological research plan; along through with this commitment by with fossil preservation, analysis, conducting oral history interviews and the preparation of fossils for with area residents. While a verbal exhibition. The administrative understanding regarding the history notes that due to the interpretation of the ranch may achievements of Chief Paleontologist have been reached during land Fremd and the professional standards purchase negotiations, the park’s established at the Monument, the administrative history documents in park’s role and identity in the Pacifi c footnote 34, chapter 4 that surviving West Region and the National Park correspondence and several Service evolved in to a leadership superintendents’ reports address position in the fi eld of park in part the NPS’s intent to interpret conducted and curated paleontology. the ranching history of the James Cant Ranch in some way. These During the earliest years of documents should be referred to operation, the National Park Service during future interpretive planning (NPS) continued negotiations with for Cant Ranch facilities. the James Cant family to acquire a portion of their ranch near After an architectural study and the Sheep Rock Unit to serve as signifi cant facility upgrades, the the park’s future visitor services ranch house opened as the new and administration facility. Park visitor center in May 1978; and, planners considered this the best the following year the offi cial park location because the Sheep Rock dedication occurred on the front Unit is located on state highway porch and lawn on August 23, 1978. routes and it was the nearest Although the new visitor center unit to the headquarters in John was a signifi cant improvement, Day. In 1976, the NPS acquired Superintendent Ladd’s annual 876 acres of the ranch, the main reports to the regional offi ce refl ect ranch house and several signifi cant a growing frustration that the Cant outbuildings. At that time, there may Ranch House was competing with have been a verbal understanding the primary reason the park had been between Superintendent Ben Ladd, established: to interpret the region’s

12 I National Park Service Foundation for Planning fossil story. In 1984, the Cant Ranch Critical Planning Documents was listed on the National Register Aff ecting Interpretation of Historical Places as a 200-acre historic district including the main The John Day Fossil Beds National house, ranch structures and irrigated Monument Long-Range Interpretive fi elds. Plan is an implementation plan for interpretation, education and visitor The park worked to address this services. This LRIP proceeds under interpretive challenge by establishing the guidance of: a fossil demonstration exhibit in the ranch bunk house, where visitors 1. “Preferred Alternative B” in could view fi rst hand ongoing fossil the fi nal June, 2009, General preparation and talk with the park Management Plan (GMP) which paleontologist. While the creation of articulates the following goals: the fossil demonstration lab/public • “Natural” conditions in the exhibit was an improvement, it was monument would be restored actually the increased understanding where considered most eff ective. of the richness and diversity of the • Visitor opportunities would 40+ million-year-long fossil record be expanded through and a growing collection that led to improvements in existing signifi cant changes in interpretation facilities, establishment of and visitor services. new trails, and increased interpretive eff orts. Finally, in 2001, the park received Sustainability of the approval to proceed again with monument’s operations would renewed planning (ongoing since be stressed. the 1980s) for a paleontological research facility, with visitor center facilities and exhibits, to be located away from the James Cant Ranch. In January, 2004, the Thomas Condon Paleontology Center opened its doors to the public. The center’s fossil museum was later dedicated and opened in August 2005.

The “Thomas Condon Paleontology Center” (TCPC) is located within the Sheep Rock Unit, just a few hundred yards from the Cant Ranch, and in direct view of Sheep Rock peak.

A 44-million-year-old Clarno ant fossil.

John Day Fossil Beds National Monument Long-Range Interpretive Plan I 13 Foundation for Planning

And, is consistent with: the museum exhibit and specifi c park areas/unit features? This 2. The 2006 John Day Fossil Beds question considers two visitor National Monument Business arrival experiences: (a) when Plan, and the visitors come fi rst to TCPC before exploring the park; and (b) when 3. 2008 John Day Fossil Beds visitors stop at the Clarno and National Monument Museum Painted Hills Units or one of the Management Plan. sites within the Sheep Rock Unit before coming to TCPC. Interpretive Issues and Infl uences: • Accessibility: where and how During the Long-Range Interpretive can the park implement the planning workshop the planning concept of “universal access”; team focused on the following topics: what facilities and programs need attention to bring the park • How can the park eff ectively into compliance with existing increase personal services, similar accessibility statues; and how can to what is now off ered at the technology help with interpretive/ Sheep Rock Unit, at the Painted programmatic access. Hills and Clarno Units, and their nearby communities? (Each of • What is the most likely and these two units receive about 25% eff ective approach to creating an of the total, annual park visitation interpretive guide, or book, to the for JODA, about 30,000 visitors John Day Fossil Beds National each.) Monument (with appropriate thematic statements), or assist • What ways can the paleontology the paleontology staff in creating operations and the interpretation/ a defi nitive scientifi c guide? visitor services (I&VS) operations Desired park interpretive goal: work together to improve the production/availability of this park visitor experience, such item in the next three years? as having interpretive staff The park interpretive staff has benefi t from periodic fi eld work expressed a need to expand the experience? scope of park specifi c in depth interpretive materials off ered – • During the next decade, what whether these future materials are interpretive opportunities park and park partner authored should the park staff explore at interpretive materials available for the historic Cant Ranch, such free or available for purchase at as seeking partnerships with the park bookstore. historical societies? • What cost-eff ective and • The Thomas Condon innovative technology should Paleontology Center (TCPC) the park consider for future is the primary interpretive interpretive media? Desired facility in the park. How can the program goal: technology that I&VS staff help visitors make would help address signifi cant intellectual connections between

14 I National Park Service Foundation for Planning

park features and values, reach as vandalism has occurred. In new audiences and overcome 1994, visiting tribal leaders staffi ng limitations? from the surrounding area ask park staff not to point out the • Park partnerships, how best and pictographs in Picture Gorge for in what ways can the agencies and fear of vandalism. In a verbal partners work together to: agreement made then, the park staff has since respected this Provide for unifi ed land request. An interpretive handout use messages, as well as, is available on pictographs at the preservation and stewardship TCPC visitor center. This park ethics to recreational visitors? policy is followed at all units.

Create standardized messages • Not all aspects of park and stories of the historical interpretation were discussed in and natural resources detail during the LRIP planning throughout the John Day process and were left to later Country, striving for accuracy, discussion and planning. The consistency, and sustainability? park is a place of discovery and with discovery change occurs. Expand educational outreach This is a very exciting reality to regional schools and that can only add to, change, colleges using available park and improve future programs, and partner resources. This interpretive media, partnerships discussion will include on-site and planning documents that are (fi eld trips), school visitors intended to maximize the visitor and outreach through long experience. distance learning via the internet?

Provide for programs, tours, and staffi ng for -visitors to the John Day Country, that allow for shared resources and/or facilities in an eff ective and sustainable manner?

Other Considerations:

• There are dozens of American Indian pictographs within Picture Gorge and in other locations throughout the park. Currently the pictograph sites within the gorge are not promoted by the park; there are safety concerns A view of the Painted Hills Unit. regarding visitors parking in the gorge; and, the safety of the historic pictographs is a concern

John Day Fossil Beds National Monument Long-Range Interpretive Plan I 15 Foundation for Planning

Purpose and Signifi cance Park Signifi cance Statements Statements Primary Signifi cance Park purpose statements summarize the reasons a park is included in 1. The John Day region contains the National Park System. They one of the longest and most are derived from the legislation continuous Tertiary records of that created both the National Park evolutionary change and biotic Service and a specifi c park. Purpose relationships in the world; statements provide the foundation this outstanding fossil record for park management and use. heightens our understanding of earth history. John Day Fossil Statements of signifi cance describe Beds National Monument a park’s distinctive natural, cultural, contains a concentration of and recreational resources and localities that are a major part of values. These statements are that record. the factual rationale for national recognition of the site; they provide 2. The John Day Region is one the foundation for park management of the few areas on the planet and use; and describe the park’s with numerous well preserved distinctiveness to help place the and ecologically diverse fossil park in its regional, national, and biotas that are entombed in international contexts. Signifi cant sedimentary layers and are found statements are the basis for the in close proximity with datable development of the park’s primary volcanic rocks; these biotas span interpretive themes. intervals of dramatic world-wide paleoclimatic change. During the park’s recent general management process, the planning Other Signifi cance team reviewed and updated the park’s purpose and signifi cance John Day Fossil Beds National statements and the interpretive Monument contains regionally themes. The park’s General representative scenic, natural and Management Plan (GMP) anchors cultural landscapes – notably, the this Long-Range Interpretive Cant Ranch National Historic planning endeavor. District, which represents the history of sheep ranching in the region. Park Purpose

The purpose of John Day Fossil Beds National Monument is to preserve, and provide for the scientifi c and public understanding of, the paleontological resources of the John Day region and the natural, scenic, and cultural resources within the boundaries of the national monument. James and Elizabeth Cant family portrait, circa 1920.

16 I National Park Service Foundation for Planning

Interpretive Themes Primary Interpretive Themes:

Interpretive themes capture the 1. At John Day Fossil Beds National essence of the park’s signifi cance. Monument: They include the most important • There are great numbers of stories and represent core messages fossils that every audience should have • There is a great diversity of the opportunity to learn about. fossils Interpretive Themes: • The fossils are very well • Tie directly to park purpose and preserved signifi cance statements; • The fossils represent an • Use tangible park resources unusually long time span (people, park features such as • The fossils are datable fossils, rivers, vistas, diaries, Thus, it is a wonderful place to animals, etc) to communicate study earth history. key concepts, stories, ideas or messages to be communicated The following two themes were • Relate to broader universally developed by park scientists to understood concepts (for enhance theme number one above. example: time, struggle, conservation, love, prejudice, 2. The large sequence of fossil biotas justice, childhood, etc.) and paleosols in the John Day • Through a descriptive sentence region shows us that climate and or sentences communicate life are intrinsically linked and the essence of what is said in a continually changing. complete and understandable fashion. Historical and scientifi c 3. There are multiple, well- terms are written in layman preserved fossil assemblages language. in the John Day region that • Answer the “so what” -- represent over 40 million years addressing relevancy to 21st of the earth’s history and may be century visitors – why is/should dated with great accuracy. this be signifi cant to me Secondary Interpretive Theme Interpretive themes are used to guide the development of a park’s future 4. The landscape and people of interpretive program, and elements the John Day region have been that include personal services shaped by many factors; a major (ranger and park partner conducted infl uence was sheep ranching, programs) and interpretive media. which was economically very Park themes should also be used important to the John Day region to guide an evaluation of the in the early 20th Century. interpretive program and future recommendations made to address noted program defi ciencies.

John Day Fossil Beds National Monument Long-Range Interpretive Plan I 17 Foundation for Planning

Visitor Experience Goals • Interact with the park staff informally and formally in a Visitor experience goals describe way that respects their personal what opportunities for physical, rights and viewpoints, and intellectual, and emotional their expectation to receive experiences should be available courteous treatment and factual for visitors to John Day Fossil Beds information. National Monument (JODA). These experiences will be available to • Learn about the park resources visitors of all abilities, including those and nearby attractions before, with visual, auditory, mobility, or during, and after their visit, and cognitive impairments. how best to experience these resources and opportunities in The desired outcome of JODA a safe, comfortable, accessible, operations is to manage visitor- sustainable, and rewarding resource interactions to maintain manner, suited to each visitor. resources unimpaired for the enjoyment of future generations • Understand the mission of the while ensuring that opportunities National Park Service such that exist for the widest variety of visitors it may encourage and inspire to forge meaningful connections personal stewardship ethics, with park resources. The following and as a next step, allows for the visitor experience goals will guide the possibility of becoming engaged development and implementation in the preservation of the park of the monument’s interpretive through projects sponsored by program. Visitors to John Day Fossil the park, park’s Friends Group, Beds National Monument will have park partners or Volunteer-In- opportunities to: Parks (VIP).

Interpretive Rangers on the Story in Stone Trail viewing touch waysides.

18 I National Park Service Foundation for Planning

• Have the adventure of • Appreciate and respect the “discovering” ongoing scientifi c data revealed from paleontology and seeing fossils, studying nature’s ancient history, and inspiring support for the not only as a source for explaining monument as an active place for nature’s current conditions, but scientifi c work having inherent as a source for predicting likely value for understanding the future conditions. natural processes of our world. • Learn about and appreciate the • Better imagine the vastness and monument’s natural resources continuity of Earth’s history and and their intimate role in the John understand where the John Day Day River region, such that they Fossil Beds fi ts within Earth’s will want to protect and preserve timeline and geologic story. these vital resources.

• Realize and appreciate that John • Learn about and appreciate Day Fossil Beds is a special place the archeological and historical to study many aspects of past stories that played out within the life, and factors that had aff ected park landscape and region over life, during most of the Age of the last few hundred years. Mammals.

A visitor views fossils in the museum-gallery.

John Day Fossil Beds National Monument Long-Range Interpretive Plan I 19 EXISTING CONDITIONS

Visitor Profi les

In 2008 113,418 visitors came to John percent of visitors were male Day Fossil Beds National Monument; and 49% were female. Sixty-nine visitation dropped by ten percent percent of visitors were aged 36- from 2007 and may be directly 70 years and 12% were children related to a signifi cant increase in the aged 15 years or younger. Most cost of gasoline nationwide. Visitor visitor groups (76%) reported that use varies seasonally; it is greatest this was the fi rst visit to John Day during the months of June, July, Fossil Beds NM in their lifetime. and August. Visitation during these months consistently constitutes 45% • International visitors from - 50% of the park’s annual visitation. England (18%), Canada (15%), Visitation is lowest in December, Holland (15%), and seven other January, and February but begins to countries comprised 6% of the pick up as the weather warms and total number of visitors to the school groups begin to visit in May. park. United States visitors were Visitation is limited to day use only from Oregon (61%), Washington and is greatest during the summer (14%), California (7%), and 24 holiday weekends (Memorial Day, other states. July 4th, and Labor Day). • Prior to this visit, visitor groups As part of the GMP planning most often obtained information process, the NPS partnered with the about John Day Fossil Beds NM University of Idaho’s Park Studies through maps/brochures (46%), Unit to conduct a visitor survey. friends/relatives/word of mouth Their 2004 report describes the (35%), and highway signs (33%). results of a visitor study at John Day Fossil Beds National Monument • Thirty percent of visitor groups’ during August 29-September 4, 2004. primary reason for visiting this A total of 396 questionnaires were part of eastern Oregon was to distributed to visitor groups. Visitor visit John Day Fossil Beds NM. groups returned 310 questionnaires Viewing scenery (41%), seeing for a 78% response rate. The fossils (21%), and visiting Thomas following information is an excerpt Condon Paleontology Center from the 2004 John Day Fossil Beds (14%) were the most common National Monument Visitor Study: reasons for visiting John Day Fossil Beds NM. • Sixty-four percent of visitor groups had two people and 20% • On this visit, the most were groups of three or four. common activities that visitor groups participated in were • Sixty-seven percent of the visitor viewing scenery (90%), taking groups were family groups. Most photographs (66%), and visiting visitors (99%) were not with a Thomas Condon Paleontology guided tour group. Fifty-one Center (61%). Thomas Condon

20 I National Park Service Existing Conditions

Paleontology Center (63%) and Annual Visitor Survey Card: Painted Hills Overlook (54%) Regarding the annual visitor card were the most visited sites by surveys at JODA, conducted with visitor groups. the assistance of the University of Idaho, the park has achieved high • The average visitor group visitor satisfaction ratings over the expenditure during this visit to last ten years. Four hundred survey John Day Fossil Beds NM was cards are given out each July. The $108. The median visitor group following data refl ects the over-all expenditure (50% of group ratings given, developed from the spent more, 50% spent less) survey results each year. Achieving was $58. The average per capita “satisfaction” was measured by the expenditure was $50. combination of GOOD and VERY GOOD ratings given by visitors under • In regard to use, importance, various categories. AVERAGE and and quality of park services and below ratings were not considered facilities, it is important to note as satisfactory. Before the opening the number of visitor groups that of the TCPC, all 400 survey cards responded to each question. The were given out in one unit of the most used visitor services and park, alternating each year. With the facilities by the 269 respondents TCPC opening the cards have been included highway directional distributed, 200 to the Sheep Rock signs (87%), visitor center Unit, 100 to the Painted Hills Unit, exhibits (60%), and brochure/ and 100 to the Clarno Unit, each map (51%). The visitor services year. and facilities that received the highest combined “extremely important” and “very important” ratings included Thomas Condon Center exhibits (90%, N=152), trail exhibits (82%, N=100), and assistance from park staff (80%, N=93). Assistance from park staff (94%, N=87), Thomas Condon Center exhibits (92%, N=140), and trail exhibits (85%, N= 92), were the services that received the highest combined “good” and “very good” quality ratings.

• Most visitor groups (93%) rated the overall quality of visitor services at John Day Fossil Beds NM as "very good" or "good." Two percent of visitor groups rated the overall quality of visitor services as “very poor” or "poor." A local artist on the Cant Ranch grounds.

John Day Fossil Beds National Monument Long-Range Interpretive Plan I 21 Existing Conditions

Percentage of park visitors Personal Services satisfi ed overall with appropriate facilities, services, and recreational This section of the LRIP will: opportunities: For this measure, the following ratings were achieved the • Provide an assessment of program last ten years: needs common to all park units; and • FY-99 … 95% • FY-00 … 94% • Include a separate description • FY-01 … 92% of the Sheep Rock, Clarno • FY-02 … 86% (caution given: too and Painted Hills units. These few cards returned) descriptions will outline what • FY-03 … 90% facilities, media and services are • FY-04 … 98% (fi rst year TCPC available for park visitors; and, open, ranch house exhibits open discuss specifi c areas that the mid-summer) LRIP planning team identifi ed as • FY-05 … 94% (TCPC fossil needing improvement. museum/gallery opened late summer; high construction in Assessment of I&VS Program Needs TCPC) Common to All Park Units • FY-06 … 97% • FY-07 … 96% The 2006 John Day Fossil Beds • FY-08 … 97% National Monument (JODA) Business Plan helped the interpretive Visitor Understanding: For this staff and park management team to measure, the comments by visitors develop and quantify Interpretive indicating the primary park themes Program Operational Standards; the learned from their visit to the park, new program standards are included the following ratings were achieved. in Appendix C. Following a program evaluation, the Business Plan • FY-99 … 75% identifi ed the need to increase I&VS • FY-00 … 81% staff levels to 6.4 FTEs parkwide. • FY-01 … 93% This means a 30% increase in • FY-02 … 92% (caution given on staff funding is needed to meet data, too few cards returned) Servicewide I&VS standards. • FY-03 … 71% • FY-04 … 83% JODA interpretive program • FY-05 … 78% standards refl ect several anchor • FY-06 … 84% Servicewide documents including: • FY-07 … 75% Director’s Order 6: for Education • FY-08 … 83% and Interpretation, the 2007 Interpretation and Education Renaissance Action Plan, the 2007 Interpretation and Education Renaissance Business Plan and the Servicewide Interpretive Development Program.

22 I National Park Service Existing Conditions

The 2007 Interpretation and Incorporating NPS Education Renaissance Action Plan Interpretive Development identifi ed fi ve areas of emphasis for Program (IDP) concepts NPS units to focus on improvement into interpretive staff of interpretation and visitor services training for all permanent Servicewide: and seasonal employees.

• Engage People to Make Enduring Since a major goal of Connections to America’s Special interpreter training Places; in the IDP is that the interpreter act as a • Use New Technologies; catalyst for the visitor to connect to the resource, • Embrace Interpretation and we should require all Education Partners; permanent full-time park ranger/interpreters to • Develop and Implement National participate in the IDP; and, Standards; and receive certifi cation of competency for products • Create a Culture of Evaluation. submitted for evaluation. (This requirement is The following assessment of JODA’s incorporated into annual existing conditions for I&VS performance plans.) parkwide will be done through the lens of this Servicewide planning Developing within the document. JODA interpretive staff certifi ed IDP instructors • Engage People to Make and evaluators. Enduring Connections to America’s Special Places: Together these interpretive business practices have a) Engaging people to make signifi cantly improved the enduring connections to quality of park interpretive America’s special places is programs and media over the a primary staff objective. last decade. Each year the NPS conducts an annual survey of public b) Signifi cant accessibility satisfaction at national park improvements are needed units. The John Day Fossil parkwide to meet minimum Beds National Monument standards set by law, and/or Visitor Survey Card the broadest interpretation consistently shows high of the intent of the law, to visitor satisfaction ratings for expand recreational and park facilities, programs and educational opportunities services. The factors that for visitors. The 2001 JODA contribute to this high rating Accessibility Survey Report include: summarizes the status of facilities and programs throughout the park. This

John Day Fossil Beds National Monument Long-Range Interpretive Plan I 23 Existing Conditions

report was completed by Unit has 33 outdoor waysides the Chief of Interpretation and exhibits. The park using the Uniform Federal Superintendent has expressed Accessibility Standards and that the existing number standards established through of outdoor exhibits is the the American Disabilities Act. maximum number that can be All three units of the park, eff ectively maintained within including TCPC, were rated current staff and funding as “marginally accessible”. limitations. Current facility and programmatic accessibility The exhibits are in transition leaves the park vulnerable to from year-to-year with complaints. The development replacements, upgrades, of new interpretive media and maintenance. Annually, to address programmatic through the use of visitor accessibility is an important donations (approximately next step for I&VS. Facility $6,000 per year), the park is modifi cations will also need to able to replace three or four be addressed. wayside exhibit panels and bases; (less each year as the c) Outdoor Wayside Exhibits, costs of these items increase). displays and exhibit bulletin This is a small percentage of boards can be graded as the total number of outdoor “average to good” considering exhibits requiring attention to condition, message accuracy, meet quality standards. and eff ectiveness. As of 2008, the park has 151 outdoor Development of new wayside exhibits. The Sheep Rock exhibits is accomplished Unit has 79, the Painted Hills primarily by park staff which Unit has 39, and the Clarno off ers a considerable savings, rather than using outside design and production companies. However, the slow rate of wayside replacement or improvements yearly and the change in Servicewide exhibit design standards means the park has various wayside exhibit styles and appearances in the park. A one-time major funding allotment for wayside planning, design, fabrication and installation would bring all outdoor exhibits up to current standards.

An interpretive ranger leads a hike into Blue Basin.

24 I National Park Service Existing Conditions

• Use New Technologies: received an increased number of requests from Recent improvements in hand- community organizations held technology and software expressing a desire to be (including more aff ordable more actively involved and durable options) make in park recreational and new technology increasingly educational activities attractive as a method to improve (such as the BLM, USFS, I&VS. Electronic media will be Chamber of Commerce, considered as future options to: OPLI, etc.).

Address program and site As a result, planning eff orts accessibility, for the LRIP embraced local, state and federal partners. A Provide new program wide range of organizations opportunities for on-site and groups were invited visitors; and to participate in planning discussions. Connect with new audiences through an expanded b) During FY07, a hiring education and outreach opportunity enabled the program. interpretive staff to re-describe the duties of one position and • Embrace Interpretation and implement a recommendation Education Partners: in the Business Plan. One interpretive staff member a) The JODA staff recognizes is now designated as the that interpretive and “Outreach and Partners educational partnerships Program Coordinator”. Their throughout the region are primary responsibilities an important part of the include initiating and park’s future. The remote developing partnerships and nature of the park’s location scheduling and presenting means that the park and staff interpretive outreach are very visible in the local programs throughout the communities in the John Day region. This change in region. operational focus is vital to foster new staff and partner The park has received very conducted educational positive feedback from programs. Feedback within citizens and educators the local community and the regarding new facilities region has been very receptive and media at the Thomas to the establishment of this Condon Paleontology new position. Center and James Cant Ranch. c) Internal partnerships between work groups are During the past fi ve critical to the success of any years, the park has park. Working together as a

John Day Fossil Beds National Monument Long-Range Interpretive Plan I 25 Existing Conditions

team occurs in many ways at staff . The interpretive staff JODA -- such as sharing staff enables the paleontology staff time and expertise – these to focus on other important kinds of eff orts build esprit responsibilities. While the de corps that in turn fosters nature of day to day work can excellence in service. It is a be inherently diff erent within goal of I&VS to inform the I&VS and Paleontology, public of the contributions both work groups share the of all JODA work groups common commitment to regarding park resource build enduring connections protection and visitor service with the American public to goals. support and protect inherent resource values at JODA. Frequently informal During the LRIP planning interpretive contacts highlight workshops participants spent specifi c activities or projects time discussing how the that illustrate how long-term Paleontology and Interpretive park goals are supported staff could collaborate in the by individuals or diff erent future to improve the visitor work groups, in day to day experience. Many ideas operations. Interpretive discussed in these sessions conversations may touch on were incorporated into the preservation of natural or “parkwide recommendations” cultural resources, park issues, section of this document; and, sustainability, recent studies, Appendix F includes several safety, etc. The interpretive future training and program staff will explore how best to ideas. integrate this type of informal interpretation into future The park’s administrative media products so these topics history reveals that throughout are more visible and tangible its history as a national to the general public and the park, JODA staff members staff . recognize that a strong science program is a critical d) The Paleontology and component of an eff ective Interpretation Partnership: resource preservation and In order to provide the best interpretive program. At visitor experience possible, it this writing, many long-time is crucial that the I&VS and staff members are preparing Paleontology staff s work to to retire. It is important maintain an excellent internal to capture in writing, working relationship for successful inter-divisional public programming to reach work objectives and lessons its full potential. learned to guide future I&VS programs and practices. The interpretive staff has direct public contact; one important task is to explain the work of the paleontology

26 I National Park Service Existing Conditions

• Develop and Implement • Create a Culture of Evaluation Professional Standards JODA’s I&VS operation has Like many professions in received feedback from many the National Park Service sources including the annual interpretation continues visitor survey card, register to mature and develop as comments, and general verbal a profession. Servicewide feedback from the public. professional standards, position Frequently, this type of feedback descriptions with benchmark becomes the fi nal evaluation. performance standards and Future evaluation at JODA should the corresponding Interpretive expand and incorporate new Developmental Program refl ect evaluation techniques/studies the understanding that in order available to help with program to maintain relevancy with assessment. park visitors an interpretive program and program staff must This evaluation process will be grounded in standard trade include a mechanism for gauging practices and in depth resource the public’s understanding information. and appreciation of the park’s mission, signifi cance, and Current and new I&VS staff relevance, as well as, how well are, and will continue to be, we provide the opportunity for directed to learn, practice the public to “connect” to the and demonstrate professional park resources emotionally and interpretive standards. intellectually.

Present and future JODA interpretive staff members will model, teach and share lessons learned (pertinent to Servicewide I&VS standards) for all JODA staff and volunteers conducting programs for the general public meeting.

John Day Fossil Beds National Monument Long-Range Interpretive Plan I 27 Existing Conditions

The Sheep Rock Unit Creek site includes 440 acres and the Waterspout Gulch site includes 480 The Sheep Rock Unit contains three acres. Both of these sites are in steep, parcels of land totaling 8,916 acres rugged topography, are relatively and is bisected by the John Day River. inaccessible, and are unaff ected by Situated along State Highway 19, past livestock grazing. The research northwest of Dayville, Oregon, the natural area would continue to park’s prominent natural features be managed to protect its pristine include Picture Gorge, Sheep qualities. Rock, Goose Rock, Blue Basin, and Cathedral Rock. The General Existing Facilities Management Plan designates most of the land in the Sheep Rock Unit Thomas Condon Paleontology as “primitive”. The GMP specifi cally Center (TCPC) addresses several park features areas and associated future management The TCPC is impressive and one of actions, including: the newest long-term undertakings within the park. The exhibits are John Day River: NPS managers stunning and only a few years old. would continue to focus their The murals bring the deep history of eff orts on vegetation management the park’s story to life. The hundreds and plantings along the riparian of fossils are fascinating to view. The area. In addition, in this alternative facility was developed to engage NPS managers would take actions both the 1st-time generalist/visitor to restore the river’s hydrologic and more informed visitors (such and riparian function in the as a fossil enthusiast or a visiting monument. Dikes and rock barbs paleontology scholar). New museum would be removed when the exhibits refl ect the most current banks are stabilized either through scholarly studies and information is the reestablishment of riparian presented in a hierarchy. vegetation or other factors. The TCPC is the park’s primary Butler Basin: no changes would public contact and research facility. occur regarding the management A multipurpose structure, it: of Butler Basin that surrounds the • Serves as the park’s primary paleontology center. Visitors would visitor center for the three units. continue to be allowed to hike in the area so long as they were not on • Includes a museum-gallery that exposed paleosols. displays rare fossils in murals and dioramas depicting eight Research Natural Area: One specifi c locations and points research natural area exists in the in “deep time,” across 40+ monument in the Sheep Rock Unit. million years. Evidence of these The Sheep Rock Research Natural ancient ecosystems and their Area was nominated in 1985 and corresponding fl ora and fauna includes approximately 920 acres. It are documented through the is composed of two geographically park’s 40+ million-year-long fossil separated sites: the Rock Creek and record. Waterspout Gulch sites. The Rock

28 I National Park Service Existing Conditions

The Sheep Rock Unit

John Day Fossil Beds National Monument Long-Range Interpretive Plan I 29 Existing Conditions

• Has trained ranger/interpreters Thomas Condon Paleontology and volunteers scheduled to rove Center would continue to serve the museum; and, cover the visitor as a primary visitor contact/ center desk. The interpretive interpretive focal point for the staff provides orientation, monument. No new service interpretation and sales assistance facilities would be provided. at the visitor center desk. A NPS managers also would work modest cooperating association with the Oregon Department bookstore is located here. of Transportation to explore possible safety measures or options • Contains a large window for visitors to safely cross State overlooking the fossil preparation Highway 19 to access Cant Ranch. laboratory. Visitors can observe These measures could include paleontologists work with recent lowering speed limits or putting in fossil fi nds or make fossil casts a crosswalk. (models) for the park’s “hands on” education program and for Analysis of Needs for the TCPC: other museums. • The complexity and diversity of • Includes an auditorium; the park’s the paleontological and geological 18-minute orientation fi lm is stories displayed in the TCPC shown hourly or by request. need to be addressed in more eff ective ways interpretively. The • Has an auditorium and a impressive displays generate in- separate classroom that are depth visitor questions on science utilized to provide educational that are sometimes diffi cult to programming. The fossil lab, explain. Some suggestions to classroom and auditorium improve the eff ectiveness of are equipped to facilitate interpreting these stories at the outreach programs via video TCPC include: teleconferencing. A museum handbook and/or • Has a state of the art fossil audio tour would help guide preparation laboratory, visitors through the exhibit collections storage, a library and enhance understanding. and archives to support fi eld investigations and ongoing Increase staffi ng to keep the scholarly research. TCPC open longer daily and through the year, lengthening TCPC’s visitor facilities are designed the opportunity for visitors to in such a way to appeal to the general experience the exhibits. public and scholar as well. Increase staff training The General Management Plan and tenures to develop describes the continuing importance knowledgeable science of the TCPC: interpreters; possibly creating subject-to-furlough positions to replace seasonal positions.

30 I National Park Service Existing Conditions

The park stories are so diverse need to be adjusted for shorter and complex an interpreter people (children) and those in needs about three full years wheelchairs. of study and experience to become comfortable Text size needs to be increased answering most science for many exhibit labels, with questions generated by the eff ective contrast used. public at the TCPC. There is over 50 million years of The park can request technical natural history to learn about assistance from Harpers Ferry and interpret. Center for the evaluation of the quality of the display of • Program and facility accessibility the current video to verify to and within the TCPC, needs to that the playback master and be improved: projection are providing the optimal resolution. Provide automatic entrance doors providing universal The Cant Ranch access. The 200-acre James Cant Ranch Provide accessibility for Historic District is located .25 people who are blind or have miles north of TCPC. The Cant poor low vision. Ranch Museum and the park’s headquarters are located in the 1917 Improve accessibility for the historic ranch house. The ranch deaf, mentally disabled, or house museum includes three rooms those who have a learning and a hallway containing exhibits disability. that discuss the settlement of the area, the regional wool industry, The park fi lm is open- the development of the James Cant captioned. It should also be ranch, and exhibits about famous audio described and assistive listening systems should be provided to people who are hard of hearing. Open- captions are not considered a substitute for assistive listening. Provide assistive listening systems that can be used for the current fi lm and for any future one.

The viewing height of many display areas, and the way specimens and labels are displayed on the displays platforms, are too high and The James Cant ranch house, circa 1920.

John Day Fossil Beds National Monument Long-Range Interpretive Plan I 31 Existing Conditions

paleontologists that explored the The ranch stands alone as a unique John Day Region. Visitors can also resource to present the region’s walk the historic ranch grounds and cultural history. Through the visit the remaining outbuildings surviving buildings and landscape, including a large barn with exhibits this section of the park provides and original machinery. Wayside a strong link to local residents exhibits in the barn connect the and regional visitors. It is well local and regional sheep industry documented that it was a Cant An alligator lizard story to the Cant Ranch structures family tradition to invite residents found in Rock Creek, and artifacts. Excellent reference to socials and dances. There are Sheep Rock Unit. sources are the Cultural Landscape lots of stories in the community Report: Cant Ranch Historic District about their experiences at the ranch and the Environment, Prehistory and during its heyday and the Cant family archaeology of John Day Fossil Beds hospitality. The ranch provides a National Monument. window to the past and might be considered as a location for future The following except from the NPS and partner sponsored special General Management Plan outlines events. proposed future ranch facilities: The current interpretive program The James Cant Ranch Historic emphasis ties historic ranch activities District would continue to be to the national woolen industry story. managed to maintain its cultural In 2007, a new interpretive trail was landscape and features. As part established. The trail begins at the of the cultural landscape, the four rear of the ranch house and takes fi elds would continue to be leased visitors through the yard and into for hay production, with fl ood the barn and sheep-shearing shed; irrigation, sprinkler irrigation, wayside exhibits are placed along the and traditional and modern trail. agricultural practices being employed. However, management The Cant Ranch seems to be the would focus on improvements in perfect epilogue to telling the long sustainability of the agricultural history of the park because it tells the operation, such as improving water story of those who have inhabited the conservation through land leveling landscape in the recent past relative and/or sprinkler installation. to John Day Fossil Beds’ deep history. The National Park Service would For those visitors who may not be as continue to irrigate the fi elds under interested in paleontology or geology its existing water rights. The focus or for those who may be intimidated for the Cant Ranch barn would by these subjects, use the Cant Ranch continue to be on preservation, as a way to make the connection to including some rehabilitation. the deep past by presenting these Public restrooms would be recent inhabitants in relation to available inside the Cant Ranch the long continuum of the park’s house, accessible during normal natural history story where possible. monument business hours. Many famous paleontologists visited the ranch in the past, which could provide a good connection between the ranch and science stories.

32 I National Park Service Existing Conditions

Analysis of Needs for the James • Accessibility to the ranch facility, Cant Ranch: exhibits, outbuildings and trails needs to be improved. Except • The ranch is missing from for the house and one picnic the park’s Unigrid brochure site being accessible to those in produced in collaboration with wheelchairs, several other ranch Harpers Ferry Center. It will be facilities open to the public added to the brochure design, are not currently considered beginning in 2010. accessible for several types of disabilities. An accessibility • Tie the ranch story in with the assessment is needed for the TCPC (and park fossil story) in ranch facilities to determine clear and signifi cant ways, as well possible improvements. as, improving ties to local and regional stories of signifi cance. The Sheep Rock Unit Trail & Using the history of previous Overlook System paleontologists that visited the John Day Fossil Beds would prove The trail system is located in several an eff ective approach. diff erent areas of the unit including the: • Document information about the esoteric and old structures, • Foree Area: remains, and equipment about the ranch grounds before The 0.25-mile Flood of Fire Trail knowledge of their history, use, crosses a ridge to a viewpoint and operation is forgotten or lost. overlooking the John Day River Valley and the surrounding basalt • Though some people come cliff s. . just to see the ranch, use their ranch experience to promote the The 0.25-mile Story in Stone TCPC. Make use of the TCPC to Trail skirts a basin of blue- promote the ranch. The ranch green claystone of the John Day house used to be the main park Formation and features touchable visitor center for over 25 years. exhibits. This formation contains Returning visitors sometimes stop fossils of mammals that lived fi rst at the ranch house and fail to here about 30 million years visit the TCPC. ago. Properly maintained, this trail is traversable by people in • There are outbuildings other than wheelchairs with slight diffi culty the barn and sheep shearing shed due to degree of slope in spots. located on the grounds of the It is accessible to blind visitors James Cant Ranch are not in use using a cane with the use of a self- or do not contain any exhibits/ guiding audio tape. displays.. The log cabin, empty and stable, predates the Cant • Blue Basin Area: family history at the ranch. The potential interpretive use of these The Island in Time Trail is a 1- buildings should be evaluated. mile self-guided nature trail. This gently ascending trail leads to an

John Day Fossil Beds National Monument Long-Range Interpretive Plan I 33 Existing Conditions

amphitheater carved out of the The Sheep Rock Overlook Trail blue-green John Day Formation. begins and ends at the front The volcanic ash, now turned to gate of the James Cant Ranch claystone, yields a rich variety of house. This 0.25 hike leads to an vertebrate fossils. Interpretive overlook with a great view of the wayside exhibits and fossil valley. replicas are placed along this trail, which is considered by many • Thomas Condon Visitor Center visitors as the most scenic and Area: educational trail we have in the park. The Thomas Condon Overlook Trail begins at the Thomas The Blue Basin Overlook Trail Condon Visitor Center. The trail (called the “quote trail” as it begins and ends at the south end displays old quotes about the of the visitor center parking lot. area) is a 3-mile hike reaching The 0.25 mile hike leads to an a 600 ft. gain in elevation. A overlook with a great view of the strenuous, but rewarding, loop valley. This trail also serves to trail brings you to a spectacular prevent visitors from crossing the vista overlooking the John Day fi elds and highway and making River Valley and Blue Basin. The use of the prominent Sheep Rock dirt trail may be impassable in wet Overlook, accessible from the weather. ranch.

• James Cant Ranch Area: • Along Highway 26, in and near Picture Gorge: The River Trail begins at the James Cant Ranch parking lot. The Mascall Formation Overlook This 0.25-mile hike leads down to is located one mile south of the John Day River. Trail exhibits Picture Gorge off of Route 26. feature the current natural and This site provides grand views of cultural surroundings. the John Day Valley and Picture Gorge. Exhibits along a short trail feature both paleontology and geology.

There are dozens of American Indian pictographs within Picture Gorge. Currently the pictographs sites within the gorge are not promoted by the park. There are safety concerns regarding visitors parking in the gorge. Also, the safety of the historic pictographs is a concern as vandalism has occurred. In 1994, visiting tribal leaders from the surrounding area ask park staff not to point out The Thomas Condon Paleontology Center and Visitor Center. the pictographs in Picture Gorge

34 I National Park Service Existing Conditions

for fear of vandalism. In a verbal as warranted by other changes agreement made then, the park occurring in the park and in the staff has since respected their park story. As one example, the request. An interpretive handout interpretive focus of the Foree is available on pictographs at the Area, Flood of Fire Trail could be TCPC visitor center. changed to address more obvious resources in view. The John Day River fl ows almost two miles through Picture • A few new trails are being planned Gorge and provides recreational for within the park in the new opportunities such as fi shing, GMP. Planning teams should swimming, and rafting. Safety ensure that interpretive staff are concerns are paramount when involved with the development referring visitors to stop and of new trails in regards to explore the river in the gorge. interpretation and accessibility.

Analysis of Needs for Trails and Current Interpretive and Visitor Overlooks Services (I&VS) at the Sheep Rock Unit While the LRIP planning team did not spend a signifi cant time Three permanent interpretive rangers discussing needs for this aspect of whose primary responsibilities are park facilities, it was noted that the interpretation, education, outreach park staff worked hard to maintain and visitor services are assigned trails and related facilities – trail head to the Sheep Rock Unit. These parking lots and information areas positions include: and exhibits. • A permanent GS 11, Chief of Interpretation and Visitor • When future facility Services improvements are made, the park • Two permanent year-round GS 9 should make trails and trailhead ranger/interpreters. facilities at parking areas as universally accessible as possible Seasonal staff FTE for the I&VS and reasonable, and not diminish operations has varied the last few the current level of accessibility. years, depending on budget, with a big change from 0.8 FTE for FY- • As some trail waysides include 07 to 1.4 FTE in FY-08. This was reproduction and real fossil due to additional Centennial Funds specimens, they are sometimes provided to increase the number targets of vandalism and theft. visitor service staff at national park More eff ective display methods sites. These additional funds may and techniques are needed to continue through 2016. discourage theft and vandalism. The two subject-to-furlough park • With the development of a rangers located at the Painted Hills future, parkwide wayside plan, Unit and Clarno Unit make use of the interpretive purpose and an interpretive account for salary, objectives of each trail should be though they are not part of the I&VS evaluated for possible changes, division. Refer to Appendix B for a

John Day Fossil Beds National Monument Long-Range Interpretive Plan I 35 Existing Conditions

breakdown of programs presented at These staff members are each unit. supplemented by volunteers and a few temporary employees (funding Together these staff members provide dependent) during the summer a full range of interpretive, education months. and visitor services at the Sheep Rock Unit. Their offi ces are in the Thomas Analysis of Needs for the I&VS Condon Paleontology Center and at Staff and Services park headquarters in the Cant Ranch. Work Unit responsibilities include: • Specifi c seasonal program off erings need to consider the • Operating the TCPC Visitor arrival times of qualifi ed seasonal Center. Interpreters cover interpreters. In the last decade the visitor center desk where there has been a high turnover they provide orientation, in the seasonal work force. interpretation, sales assistance Feedback from seasonal staff for the cooperating association indicates that the lack of nearby bookstore and conduct roving aff ordable housing deters most interpretation within the from returning the next season. museum. The complexity of the park story, and personal learning interests, • Developing and delivering may be another factor. education programs for school- aged children at TCPC and at • The park story is very diverse and local schools near the Unit. complex, so careful consideration needs to be given to types of • Sending fossil kits and fi lms to programs off ered and the staff area schools. assignments to carry them out, considering the capability, subject • Providing outreach programs knowledge, and experience of (by reservation) for groups in the employees. John Day Region. • In allocating I&VS resources, the • Leading programs, such as menu of conducted interpretive evening talks, interpretive programs needs to be balanced driving tours, ranger hikes and closely with the ratio of 66% workshops in the monument paleontology, geology, and during the summer months. climate change stories, and 33% natural and cultural resource, • Maintaining and updating the and special focus stories. This park website, informational signs, seems an appropriate ratio maps, site bulletin publications, between primary and secondary bulletin boards, and wayside interpretive themes in the park, exhibits monument-wide. and has worked well in the last two decades in appropriately • Providing media assistance to diversifying the visitor experience. the Clarno and Painted Hills Unit Rangers (website and publications).

36 I National Park Service Existing Conditions

• The park needs to adjust science • The interpretive staff needs in and history curriculum-based depth training time with the program goals and objectives park paleontologists, access to to adapt to changing State the research used to develop the curriculum goals and objectives. exhibits, and time to research These Oregon Department of new material to incorporate Education (ODE) changes have into informal interpretation, been occurred regularly during interpretive programs and media. the 1990s and 2000s. New State The TCPC museum facility was standards may be fi nalized by developed by the paleontology 2010. Until 2008, State science staff resulting in a science rich, curriculum standards were similar state-of-the-art facility. to the national science standards established by the National • The interpretive staff needs Science Teachers Associations. to increase its commitment to meet Servicewide Interpretive • Increase electronic connections Development Program (IDP) to students in their classrooms training and certifi cation and off site. The staff also agrees standards, allowing park staff that considering the state-of-the- to become certifi ed in many art capability built into TCPC, we interpretive disciplines through have a tremendous opportunity the IDP. to connect with local students electronically. Facilitating Please see Appendix B for a summary long-distance educational of the annual interpretive program opportunities for K through 12th during the last seven years and grade, college, and beyond is Appendix C for further analysis by desired. program type at each unit.

A woman on horseback next to the James Cant ranch house, before 1950.

John Day Fossil Beds National Monument Long-Range Interpretive Plan I 37 Existing Conditions

The Clarno Unit have interpretive signs explaining the landscape and unseen aspects of the The 1,969 acre Clarno Unit is located resource. These three trails do not 18 miles southwest of the town of have limits on the number of visitors Fossil, Oregon on State Highway that may use them, as do other trails 218. The towering 150 foot Clarno that may be established in other parts Palisade cliff s are the most prominent of the unit, per the GMP. natural feature. The cliff s were formed from a series of prehistoric Trail of the Fossils [1/4-mile hike] volcanic mud fl ows approximately This is the only trail in the park 44 million years ago and contain where one can readily see fossils in hundreds of visible plant fossils from the rocks, and many are pointed out jungle-like forests that blanketed by interpretive signage. the region about 44 million years ago. Several signifi cant fossil sites Clarno Arch Trail [1/4-mile hike] A including the Mammal Quarry, the moderate climb will bring hikers to Hancock Tree, and the Clarno Nut the base of the Palisades cliff directly Beds are located in this unit. under a natural arch cut into the cliff by erosion. Petrifi ed logs are visible The park’s General Management in the cliff face. Plan (GMP) designates most of this unit as “back-country”. Geologic Time Trail [1/4-mile one way] This trail connects the picnic Existing Buildings & Facilities: area and trailhead area, leading hikers below the Palisades cliff . This trail The Clarno Unit picnic area has one symbolizes a timeline. Signs along restroom facility, a small picnic area the way note pre-historic events of with six picnic tables, interpretive the last 50 million years. Each foot of signs, three trails, three drinking trail represents 37,000 years. The trail fountains. The restrooms, water may be started from either end, going fountain, a couple picnic tables, backward or forward in time. and primary wayside exhibits are accessible to those in wheelchairs. The “Hancock Field Station”: There is one brochure box and two display cases which are changed The “Hancock Field Station” is a seasonally. The park staff operates private 10-acre tract located within a very small and modest Visitor the Clarno Unit. The Oregon Contact Station/Offi ce in a former Museum of Science and Industry utility work station. (OMSI) has owned this property since 1951, before the national Clarno Unit Interpretive Trails: (trails park was established. OMSI lands are not considered accessible to and facilities are used for research those in wheelchairs) and educational purposes. Their buildings include overnight The Palisades trailhead is located accommodations for groups. During ¼ mile west of the picnic area along a nine-month period (mid-March Highway 218. The three trails listed through mid-December) OMSI will below begin or end at the trailhead host 14,000 – 18,000 students, mostly parking area. Stops along the trails in groups.

38 I National Park Service Existing Conditions

The Clarno Unit

John Day Fossil Beds National Monument Long-Range Interpretive Plan I 39 Existing Conditions

The park has a general agreement Mammal Quarry with OMSI, (renewable every 5 years) to provide access to the Hancock What follows, is a reasonable Field Station across monument lands synopsis of what could happen and potable water. The agreement at the Mammal Quarry site. also limits backcountry and trail Working with interested partners, group use to 17 people per day in monument managers could open the backcountry and/or 17 people at the mammal quarry for research any one time on an established trail. and interpretation. Testing would Non-established trails are considered be conducted with the intent of backcountry. The purpose of excavating portions of the mammal limiting group numbers is to manage quarry that show signifi cant impact on the environment and to fossil deposits. Analyses would limit interaction and interference be conducted to ascertain the of groups and individuals in the abundance, distribution, and backcountry areas. These limits are orientation of the fossiliferous also imposed upon public programs sediments proximal to the quarry conducted by park staff , partners, and to perform excavations to and other groups. The annual review test paleoecological hypotheses, of the agreement provides the park taphonomic explanations, and an opportunity to discuss shared paleoclimatic models. A small awning concerns, interpretive messaging, would be constructed to protect and consider potential future paleontological resources and collaborative programs. allow public visitation, and secure perimeter fencing would be installed. Future Park Facilities Proposed in the The focus would be on a seasonal General Management Plan (GMP) operation that provides opportunities to advance research goals alongside Future improvements include access public viewing and interpretation. to key fossil sites including the Mammal Quarry, Clarno Nut Beds Geo-Loop Trail and Hancock Tree, and formalizing some social trails to expand hiking A new gravel parking area, and educational opportunities. accommodating approximately eight Wayside exhibits will be placed along cars and two RVs, and a trailhead trails. Future front country facilities, would be constructed immediately trail heads, and early portions east of the Hancock Field Station. of some trails will be universally Existing human created unoffi cial accessible. When park trails are trails would be formalized in order formalized, this will enable the park to provide a loop trail, approximately to eliminate spur social trails that 4 miles in length. This trail would have evolved over the years. The access the Hancock Tree, the Clarno following excerpt from the GMP Nut Beds, and the mammal quarry. outline future facility improvements: If possible, that portion of the trail that goes from the new trailhead parking area to the Hancock Tree (approximately 1.2 miles one way) would be made accessible for people with disabilities, constructed of

40 I National Park Service Existing Conditions

a combination of asphalt and a is cautioned. Tribal consultation in boardwalk. Because this trail would naming the trail is recommended. be designed to receive higher levels of use, it would be included in a Ranger Offi ce pedestrian management zone. Rangers would continue to operate Mimulus Trail out of the existing facility located adjacent to State Highway 218. It This existing, human created also serves as a visitor contact point, unoffi cial trail, approximately 2 though not signed as such. miles long, would be formalized. The offi cial trail would extend southwest Future & Social Trails of the Hancock Field Station, run across the top of the palisades to the What is important to note at this ridge between Indian and Hancock writing, is that the “future” trails canyons, and then connect with a listed in this section are not currently trail between the ridges. Although advertized as visitor experience most of the trail is already present, options for the general public. approximately 0.5 mile of new trail However, these social trails are used would need to be constructed. The for educational purposes by the Mimulus Trail would be designed for OMSI/Hancock Field Station, the low to moderate use levels, which Oregon Paleo Lands Institute and would be consistent in character with by park staff conducting research or the surrounding backcountry zone. routine trail patrol. In addition, the superintendent has noted that due Stegamonster Trail to funding issues, it is possible that these facilities may not be upgraded This existing human created or available to the general public unoffi cial trail would be formalized. within the life of this LRIP. This trail is about 2 miles long, and runs from just south of the Hancock Interpretation and Visitor Services Field Station to the east and up to the ridge between Indian and A GS-9 generalist ranger (permanent/ Hancock canyons. The Stegamonster subject-to-furlough) works mid- Trail would be designed for low to March through mid-December moderate use levels, which would paralleling the operation of the be consistent in character with the Hancock Field Station. This position surrounding backcountry zone. is not part of the I&VS division, and there is no I&VS staff currently Indian Canyon assigned to the Clarno Unit.

No changes would occur regarding The GS-9 generalist Ranger keeps all the management of Indian Canyon. park facilities clean and operational, Visitors would continue to be conducts trail maintenance provides allowed to hike in the area so long as orientation and interpretation to they were not on exposed paleosols. individuals and groups, assists the The current, informal name of paleontological staff when needed, this canyon may prove off ensive to and requests assistance from the some, and general use of the name maintenance division when major

John Day Fossil Beds National Monument Long-Range Interpretive Plan I 41 Existing Conditions

facility repair is necessary. The park • OPLI provides independent Superintendent directly supervises programming for their audiences, the part-time permanent GS 9 many of which tour the park generalist ranger duty stationed at the units. Clarno Unit. Five days weekly from mid-March through mid-December When the GS-9 Unit ranger is the Unit Ranger provides: furloughed mid-December through mid-March: • Formal, prepared talks when requested at Hancock Field 1. Usually no special interpretive Station for OMSI. programming for schools or the general public occurs. • Informal/roving contacts are provided for individuals, groups, 2. The park maintenance staff and for OMSI student groups checks the unit weekly to encountered on the trails insure facilities are clean and – (especially Monday through operational, as the picnic area Wednesday for OMSI students). facilities are kept open year- around. • Occasionally the Oregon Paleo Lands Institute (OPLI) has Analysis of Need at the Clarno Unit requested scheduled programs to be given by the unit ranger for • The nearby State highway visiting OPLI groups. directional signs are in need

The “Mammal Quarry Assemblage” mural helps visitors to visualize the Clarno Unit’s ancient past.

42 I National Park Service Existing Conditions

of improvement. They lack a) There is a need to reduce litter adequate information to assist and invasive/exotic weeds visitors in way-fi nding in the transported by users. region around the Clarno Unit. The highway 97 sign in Fossil is b) Many trails are diffi cult to misleading. Many visitors think traverse and have wildlife that the Clarno Unit has a major contact concerns so safety visitor center; visitors become messages are needed warning angry when misdirected. Area trail users. It will be important signs need to clearly state the unit to evaluate and address: in resources and facilities. Similar addition to trail heads, where sign needs to be placed at the are the best locations for junction of highways 218 and 19. placement of critical safety Park staff need to initiate contact messages? and discussion with ODOT as a fi rst step. c) More roving patrols of the unit are needed. Roving • I&VS needs to address the patrols provide several poaching concern using management functions interpretive methods. As an including interpretation, example, the bulletin boards/ basic trail maintenance, display cases contain no hunting monitoring of visitor use information. and evaluation of resource impacts. The roving ranger • Using interpretive methods, plays a crucial role as the parks I&VS needs to address how best “fi rst responder”. During to protect critical cultural sites the General Management such as the pictograph locality in Planning process, trail Indian Canyon, the quarries, and monitoring criteria was Hancock Canyon. established to assess and address resource impacts on • The Clarno Unit needs to have Clarno’s backcountry trails. more I&VS staff present during medium and high visitation d) The possible adverse and periods to present educational positive impacts between and interpretive programs. This visitor use of trails and OMSI will increase the programming student use of trails needs to for the general public during peak be assessed. visitor seasons that is now lacking.

• I&VS staff need to increase outreach eff orts and provide education programs for students attending public schools near to the Clarno Unit.

• Trails: the unit ranger believes there are several issues that interpretation may help solve:

John Day Fossil Beds National Monument Long-Range Interpretive Plan I 43 Existing Conditions

The Painted Hills Unit enjoy the view is at the end of the trail. Total hike round trip is 1.5 The 3,129 acre Painted Hills Unit miles. is located 9 miles northwest of the town of Mitchell, Oregon. The most Painted Hills Overlook Trail prominent natural feature is a series provides glimpses of the colorful of multi-colored hills and ridges Painted Hills from several angles. derived from exposed paleosols. Benches are along the trail. (a 0.5- The park is also noted for a colorful, mile hike.) spring wildfl ower display which draws both amateur and commercial Painted Cove Trail - A third of photographers. Depending on this 0.25-mile trail is a boardwalk, conditions, the annual display can be accessible to those in wheelchairs. poor at times. Here, one can actually walk among the red and gold claystone hills. Most of the unit is comprised Interpretive signs illuminate the of parklands designated as geologic story. “backcountry” or “primitive”. A park road provides access to primary Leaf Hill Trail - One half of this points of interest and visitor facilities. 0.25-mile trail is accessible to those in wheelchairs along a hard-packed Existing Visitor Facilities surface. This hill was the scene of important scientifi c studies in the Park facilities include trails, wayside 1920’s and 1990’s. Thousands of leaf exhibits, a scenic overlook, a picnic fossils discovered here off er a glimpse area and a small kiosk that serves as of an ancient ecosystem 33 million a visitor contact station and ranger years in age. A few fossils are on offi ce. Interpretive exhibits at the exhibit. contact station are displayed within NPS-style bulletin boards on the Future Park Facilities Proposed exterior of the building. The kiosk is located next to the picnic area. The following excerpt from the General Management Plan outlines Near the picnic area is a living future planned facilities: interpretive exhibit, an arboretum. The arboretum trees are evolutionary Painted Hills Overlook: would be descendents of the same tree genera redesigned to improve visitor access living in the Painted Hills area 33 and overall aesthetics. It would million years ago. accommodate parking for the Carroll Rim Trail and a new shade structure Unit Trails include: would be added for visitor comfort.

Carroll Rim Trail ascends a few Painted Hills Picnic Area: would be hundred feet in elevation to rimrock maintained in its present condition, that overlooks the entire area, which includes a maintained off ering a bird’s-eye view of the turf grass area along with a small Painted Hills. A bench to relax and arboretum. New shade structures would be added for visitor comfort.

44 I National Park Service Existing Conditions

The Painted Hills Unit

John Day Fossil Beds National Monument Long-Range Interpretive Plan I 45 Existing Conditions

Leaf Hill Trail: would be Personal Services maintained in its present condition. Bridge Creek restoration eff orts A GS-9 generalist ranger (permanent/ would continue on NPS lands to subject-to-furlough) works mid- remove invasive plants and to plant March through mid-December native trees to restore the riparian which is the period the park receives area to a more “natural” landscape. the most visitation. This position In addition, NPS managers would is not part of the I&VS division, seek a cooperative agreement to and there is no I&VS staff currently partner with the adjacent landowner assigned to the Clarno Unit. on a collaborative creek restoration eff ort. If an agreement were obtained, The GS-9 generalist ranger keeps all NPS managers would work with the park facilities clean and operational, landowner to remove invasive plants conducts trail maintenance provides and to plant native trees on their side orientation and interpretation to of the creek. individuals and groups, assists the paleontological staff when Road to Painted Cove: the National needed, requests assistance from Park Service would work with the maintenance division when Wheeler County to seek funding major facility repair is necessary, to pave the county-owned and and coordinates all permits for county-maintained road to Painted special use photography. The park Cove. If funds were obtained, the Superintendent directly supervises NPS managers would work with the the part-time permanent GS 9 county to incorporate a design that generalist ranger duty stationed at the would ensure that the rural character Painted Hills Unit. of the area is retained. NPS managers would encourage the county to • Five days weekly from mid-March adopt NPS road standards and use through mid-December the unit alternative surfacing treatments. ranger provides informal/roving contacts for individuals and groups.

• When the employee is furloughed mid-December through mid- March: The park maintenance staff checks the unit weekly to insure facilities are clean and operational. No unit personal services are scheduled during this period.

Chaenactis douglasiio on the Painted Hills.

46 I National Park Service Existing Conditions

Analysis of Need at the Painted • There is a need to address the Hills Unit: security of the visitor donations box, as it has been broken into in • Visitors need to be encouraged the past. to visit the visitor information kiosk at the picnic and restroom • Recently a vehicle turn-around area. They often bypass it and has been constructed at Red Scar drive directly to the overlooks. Knoll by the park. I&VS needs They may leave the park without to address the possibilities for having any direct contact with the programming and interpretive ranger or displays at the kiosk. services at this location, including The ranger offi ce is located in a backcountry trailhead. the kiosk facility. The unit ranger estimates on average he is able to • Using interpretive methods, I&VS contact one in every four to fi ve needs to address the continued vehicles, while stationed in his problem of the removal of fossils offi ce or on patrol. by visitors along the Leaf Hill Trail. • The Painted Hills Unit needs to have more I&VS staff present during medium and high visitation periods to present educational and interpretive programs. This will increase the programming for the general public during peak visitor seasons.

• Brochures and fl yers available to visitors in the unit may need to be replaced by exhibits and waysides, as visitors seem to respond positively to outdoor exhibits. This will continue our park eff ort to reduce paper use, which has been implemented over the last few years. Frequently brochures are found littering the park or in trash receptacles.

• Using interpretive methods, I&VS may be able to help with the need to reduce human waste in the Painted Hills Unit at a few specifi c sites.

John Day Fossil Beds National Monument Long-Range Interpretive Plan I 47 Existing Conditions

Partnerships for with the NPS, the DYNW sales Interpretation, Education, and area is very popular and vital to the Visitor Services monument’s interpretive message presented to the public. Over the last Discover Your Northwest (DYNW) fi ve years, since the sales area moved into the new TCPC in 2004, sales have steadily increased yearly. Gross Bookstore sales through Discover sales in 2008 total almost $46,900.00. Your Northwest promotes the From these sales the monument discovery of Northwest public lands, receives a percentage, a small budget enriches the experience of visitors, that the park interpretive operations and builds community stewardship uses to purchase needed items for of these special places today and for projects and events. generations to come. Discover Your Northwest is a 501(c) (3) nonprofi t DYNW provides about 600 hours social enterprise based in Seattle, of staff time annually in operating Washington and also licensed to the sales area, through a sales clerk operate in Oregon, Idaho, California, position. Approximately 2,000 hours and Montana. Since 1974, DYNW of each year the sales area is staff ed has provided on-site resources that and managed by park I&VS staff . help visitors have a great experience when visiting Northwest public lands Federal Agencies and inspire them to become stewards of these places. Over several decades, the monument has partnered with nearby Federal Formally the Northwest Interpretive agencies in regards to various Association (NWIA) until 2008, interpretive and visitor services, DYNW has been a active and particularly with the staff of United important partner at the monument States Forest Service (USFS) offi ce for over 20 years. Acting under a in John Day, OR, and the USFS- cooperative association agreement BLM (Bureau of Land Management) offi ce in Prineville, OR. The plan calls for expanding the number of joint projects undertaken with these partners. One of the current projects involves shared staffi ng of visitor centers at NPS and USFS-BLM sites.

Grant County Chamber of Commerce (GRCC)

In 2008, monument and chamber staff began a project allowing NPS uniformed rangers to staff the chamber offi ce located in John Day, OR, on a weekly basis. This project should continue; and, expand to The Discover Your Northwest sales area in the Thomas Condon include shared staffi ng and training, Paleontology Center. based upon available staffi ng.

48 I National Park Service Existing Conditions

Oregon Department of Education In 2001, the park I&VS and Portland (ODE) & Universities OMSI staff s developed an exhibit on the John Day Fossil Beds which The state schools have made is currently on display at the main extensive use of the monument OMSI center located in Portland, resources over the years, especially OR. The paleontology lab at this through the monument’s education Portland center features many fossils program opportunities. Contacts from the John Day Fossil Beds. with educators have been vital to the Generally communications and success of our education programs planning between the monument and these contacts have and will and OMSI has occurred on an “as prove very important in developing needed basis”. Future discussions future programs that benefi t our might address how this park/partner youth through education. This plan relationship could grow to improve calls for renewed eff ort in developing the protection and interpretation of a more eff ective education program signifi cant park and area resources. growing to the full potential of the monument resources. Oregon Paleo Lands Institute (OPLI) The monument has direct ties to professorships at both the Oregon OPLI off ers interpretive programs State University and the University and introductory tours by reservation of Oregon, and these ties have to group members and the general proven an important benefi t to public throughout the John Day the improvement of interpretive region. OPLI brings interested programs off ered at the monument. groups to various sites throughout These partnerships will prove very the park. Under agreement, benefi cial in some of the action items generally they tour the monument recommended in this plan. Other units independently; their use of schools of higher learning near the interpretive ranger services has been monument have shown interest limited to date. Joint projects and in partnerships, which need to be services may be expanded in the nurtured to mutual benefi t. near future, as per recommendations made in this plan. Oregon Museum of Science and Industry (OMSI) Pine Creek Confederated Tribes

For the past 15 years, since 1993, Adjacent to the Clarno Unit is OMSI has partnered with the NPS the Pine Creek Conservation via their fi eld camp, the Hancock Area managed by the Warm Field Station (HFS), located within Springs Confederated Tribes. The the Clarno Unit. The HFS draws Superintendent and Clarno unit visitation of between 14,000 - 17,000 ranger communicates with these students each year, mostly in groups. neighbors as projects and issues These students make signifi cant use develop. of the Clarno Unit resources, and regularly, resources at the other two units.

John Day Fossil Beds National Monument Long-Range Interpretive Plan I 49 Existing Conditions

State Agencies Other Partnerships with Future Interpretive Impacts/Opportunities The monument partnership with Oregon State agencies regarding The park maintains strong interpretive and visitor services began partnerships with Wheeler County, in the mid-1990s. Monument staff the state of Oregon, the United has been actively involved at nearby States Forest Service (USFS) and the Clyde Holliday State Park presenting Bureau of Land Management (BLM). evening “campfi re” programs at The park shares a law enforcement their campground amphitheater, and position with BLM and JODA also fabricating exhibits at the state park provides technical assistance to BLM on the monument. NPS staff has also with paleontological resources. The worked with Oregon State staff in the BLM, in turn, provides JODA with research and program planning for direct assistance regarding park the Kam Wah Chung State Heritage archaeological resources. Another Site, located in John Day, OR. organization that has potential as a partner in I&VS programming may be the Oregon Natural Desert Association (ONDA).

A volunteer participant in the Artist-In-the-Park Program, and her rendition of Cathedral Rock.

50 I National Park Service RECOMMENDATIONS

Parkwide Recommendations

For ease of reading and clarity, All visitors will have the the document has been organized opportunity to safely and in the following order: Parkwide comfortably … • Recommendations (this section); and have the adventure of Unit Specifi c Recommendations (in discovering paleontology the following sections). • see the scientifi c process Overview applied and in action • During the development of this connect to and learn from Long-Range Interpretive Plan the long history of life and its the interpretive staff worked with implications for us monument staff and partners to • develop a vision to guide the delivery be inspired, such that their of the interpretive program. experience here aff ects them beyond park boundaries The Interpretation and Visitor • Services staff seeks to engage practice stewardship, as a monument visitors to form result of their understanding enduring connections to support and appreciation of site the preservation of John Day Fossil resources Beds National Monument and • the mission of the National Park recognize the uniqueness of Service. The monument will be John Day Fossil Beds N.M. recognized as a leader in resource- based educational programming, LRIP planning team discussions fostering life-long learning and refl ected a need to incorporate stewardship. Utilizing the park’s the concept of sustainability and a diverse resources, facilities and culture of evaluation in all future partners, the interpretive program I&VS recommendations for personal will provide a range of informal services, interpretive media and and formal programming and partnerships that support the interpretive media to meet the delivery of the interpretive program. needs of park visitors -- from the fi rst-time visitor to the student Interpretive Program Management learner and the scholar alike. Goals - Park Vision Statement for Interpretation and Visitor In recognition that the development Services and delivery of the interpretive program must correspond to The vision statement is founded available staff time and funding, upon these specifi c points developed future I&VS program emphasis during the workshop: will strive to achieve the following balance:

John Day Fossil Beds National Monument Long-Range Interpretive Plan I 51 Recommendations

• 66% (two-thirds) of the work • Integrate a culture of evaluation; (staff , interpretive media and and partnership eff orts) will tie directly to topics related to the • Respect visitor independence park’s paleontological, geological, – their right to select from an and climate change stories; array of park planned visitor experiences, how to enjoy the • 33% of the work will relate to park. the interpretation of other park stories and topics related to Common to All Interpretation cultural history, natural history, other Servicewide special The following principles will apply to emphasis topics (such as night all interpretation at John Day Fossil sky, weed control, and natural Beds National Monument: sound topics, etc.). • As an interpretive vision for the The breakdown of the percentages park, all visitors at John Day Fossil above was recommended by the Beds National Monument will 2006 Park Business Plan, and based safely and comfortably: upon the full staffi ng levels. This Long Range Interpretive Plan Have the adventure of (LRIP) adds signifi cantly to the list discovering paleontology; of recommended work projects and ideas mentioned in the business See the scientifi c process plan. Depending on staff levels these applied and in action; additions will, at times, aff ect the percentages targeted above as work Connect to and learn from focus will shift year-to-year. the long history of life, and through this knowledge In order to foster excellence in understand implications for interpretation, from program/ 21st century inhabitants; project conceptualization through implementation, the Interpretation Be inspired, such that their and Visitor Services (I&VS) program experience here aff ects them staff will: beyond park boundaries;

• Utilize the most current research; Practice stewardship, as a result of their understanding • Refl ect professional standards and appreciation of National in interpretation, natural and Park Service resources; and, cultural resources and park management; Recognize the uniqueness of John Day Fossil Beds National • Incorporate new technologies; Monument.

• Encourage partner collaboration and participation;

52 I National Park Service Recommendations

• All interpretation will address Interpretive Media physical and programmatic accessibility. Audiovisual

• Interpretation will use monument Short-term: specifi c fossils and other original objects such as artifacts or oral • Explore the installation of histories to help bring the park webcams and outdoor monitors alive for visitors to facilitate and speakers parkwide in order to understanding of resource values. connect the three units physically via technology. Podcasts and • Interpretation will include videocasts have great potential at examples and perspectives from the park. The staff has expressed diverse scientifi c and historical a desire to improve visitor points of view. understanding regarding the resources preserved at each unit; • The park will partner with a facilitated media experience scientists, universities, nearby may encourage visitors to travel to land management agencies, the other units; or, at least make and neighboring institutions to an intellectual connection to develop programs, media, share the resources preserved in these research, etc. areas.

• The park will implement If this recommendation is National Park Service UniGuide unrealistic due to extreme Sign Standards as signs and weather and high sun glare, interpretive media are upgraded. or potential vandalism/theft concerns, at a minimum, provide • Where possible, “virtual visitors” rangers at the Clarno and Painted will have opportunities to view Hills units a portable mp3, or key park vistas and to access new similar device, that plays video research, studies, management and stores photographs. The plans, and historical information. mp3 player would be used as an interpretive tool by the The following recommendations unit rangers, when conversing describe programs and media with visitors about the site’s designed to realize the interpretive signifi cance and most interesting vision, themes, and visitor experience features. While most portable goals previously described for John players don’t have external Day Fossil Beds National Monument. speakers, a portable external Recommendations will guide the speaker could be connected. development of personal services, Note: this suggestion would be media design and partnerships most benefi cial if additional staff that support the delivery of the were stationed at these units, interpretive program. Realization of at least during targeted times this vision will be achieved only if the when visitation is highest, so that appropriate level of funding occurs. there would be enough time and support to interact more with visitors.

John Day Fossil Beds National Monument Long-Range Interpretive Plan I 53 Recommendations

• Expand the parkwide interpretive 1. The proposed publication education and outreach program should focus on all three to new audiences by using units and could be used as a available webcasting technology guide to discover what park at the Thomas Condon features and activities each Paleontology Center. Collaborate unit has to off er. During with the paleontology and project development ensure natural/cultural resource staff in that the rights for all images these endeavors. and quotes will be available to use in future interpretive Long-term: projects -- including electronic applications for audiovisual • Develop an audio tour program materials or the park website. that corresponds to the future park publication described below 2. Develop a companion audio in the parkwide “publications” program for the proposed recommendations. handbook. Tracks could be divided into subjects, such Publications as an overall introduction to the park’s story, an Short-term: overall introduction to each of the park’s units, and • Work with the HFC publications interpretation of what can staff to update the park’s primary be found at each unit and interpretive handout, the Unigrid how it relates to both the brochure. Currently the Cant paleontology and geology Ranch is not included in the within the park. Like the brochure; this should be rectifi ed. handbook, this item should Emphasize that bicycles are be developed for a general prohibited on trails. audience. The audio program could be developed at the Long-term: same time as the handbook; or, at a later time, depending • Develop a sales publication such on funding availability. as a park hand book, for a general audience. The park staff has Research/Interpretive Program expressed a need to entice visitors Assets to move beyond the Thomas Condon Paleontology Center to • Review the park’s oral history visit trails and features within the collection to organize common Sheep Rock Unit and travel to the storylines and key fi gures that Painted Hills and Clarno Units. would be available for future Because the drive time between audio and video programs, units is not really conducive to incorporated into future exhibits; an auto tour, a handbook with or made accessible to future a companion audio program is researchers through the park recommended as a way to invite website. Note: oral histories visitors to explore the park and were conducted by park staff become immersed in its story

54 I National Park Service Recommendations in the early years of the park’s history and future interpretive establishment. access.

Ongoing development of the • Contact the National Park park’s oral history program Service’s Leave No Trace should include oral history (LNT) coordinator to discuss interviews with paleontologists educational opportunities as and other park professionals the park begins facility planning who have or continue to work at to develop more trails and John Day Fossil Beds National backcountry experiences. HFC Monument. Documenting produced a video outlining the their experiences adds to the principles of leave no trace. The park’s rich history. In addition, video could be shown at the soundbites from these oral visitor center now and in the histories may be used for the future as a tool for getting people recommended audio tour in to think about these issues, which the TCPC museum, at the Cant seems especially important to Ranch (see Sheep Rock Unit JODA when considering all of recommendations) and in future the social trails that now mar virtual tours or podcasts. Oral some of the fragile landscapes history standards such as these in the park. LNT principles should be in use: may also be added to the park website to further its promotion Develop interview questions (see http://www.nps.gov/acad/ as a foundation for supportyourpark/leavenotrace. consistency. htm and http://www.nps.gov/ shen/planyourvisit/leavenotrace. Release forms allowing the htm as examples). use of these interviews in future media projects should • Encourage the incorporation also be signed at the time of of geological interpretation the interview. The National wherever possible, especially in Park Service’s Media Design the development of new media - Center (HFC) has developed - including multimedia programs, a release form that could work waysides and publications. These in this instance. landscapes are big, colorful, dramatic, and fascinating. It When conducting future seems impossible to not wonder interviews use professional, how the formations within the broadcast quality equipment units came to be. For example for the recording; and, provide at Sheep Rock, some of the training for the staff on how to waysides show what fossils were use this equipment. found at a specifi c place along the trail. However, the formations Appropriate equipment, a trained themselves were not explained staff , and use of release forms in depth and this is a visually are essential steps to get the best stunning part of the walk. While and most usable recordings for bringing the paleontology to the the ongoing preservation of park fore is important, the geology is

John Day Fossil Beds National Monument Long-Range Interpretive Plan I 55 Recommendations

extremely evident and it might be Information Signs, and Regulatory another avenue to help visitors Signs. It should be noted that imagine the deep time they are many of the signs that need being asked to consider when to be replaced are along state they see a fossil or interpretation and city road corridors which about these fossils. require coordination between park and local offi cials. The • Utilize the abundant number master plan will defi ne individual of natural and cultural resource sign standards and enable park studies to enhance personal staff to develop sound cost services, interpretive media, and estimates for replacement from shared partner projects. A list HFC contractor. Following the of program ideas and resources development of the master plan, has been compiled by the park’s prioritize replacement needs and resource manager in Appendix D. develop PMIS funding requests to initiate implementation. Signs Waysides and Bulletin Boards Short-term: Short-term: • Use new Servicewide Sign Standards when replacing lost or • Replace bulletin board exhibits damaged signs. at the Clarno and Painted Hills Units and continue to replace Long-term: damaged or vandalized waysides parkwide. • Seek funding to create a signage and wayfi nding master plan for • Incorporate graphic images in low the park. Each unit requires a profi le waysides used parkwide. well-planned arrival experience. Where possible and if space The experience starts with permits, use new artwork from strategically located NPS signs the TCPC Museum. that follow Servicewide identity and messaging standards. The Long-term: wayfi nding master plan would document all the signs in use • Seek a one-time major funding and make recommendations for allotment for wayside planning, updating the signs to conform design, fabrication and to the National Park Service installation. This would bring all UniGuide Sign Standards. The outdoor exhibits up to current new master plan would introduce standards and incorporate new new sign designs that cover a research and artwork produced broader range of identity and for TCPC. visitor information than could be accommodated in the old • Signifi cant messages must be NPS-SSS specifi cations. The out in the park where people new standards cover Park and are recreating. New waysides Facility Identity, Road Guide and should provide site specifi c Trailblazer Signs, new Visitor interpretation and context so

56 I National Park Service Recommendations

visitors can connect what is speaks -- to be used as subtitles viewed at a specifi c location into for the deaf and hard of hearing. the broader story of 40+ million Options to turn the captions years of earth history preserved and/or narration on and off can within the monument. The also be added to the interface as messages should try and connect well as other clearly identifi able the current natural landscapes to usability features, such as previous landscapes of the fossil navigation. and geologic record, conveying the changes that have occurred, • Add additional virtual tours of the loss of previous landscapes, all three units, their associated the evolution of past landscapes trails, the TCPC museum, and the into what visitors see today, etc. Cant Ranch to the park website. Or, simple slide shows featuring Park Website a handful of images of the other units could be quickly compiled Short-term: for rangers to share with visitors inquiring about the other units • Keep website current; update as and what they have to off er. required and maintain webpage Note: part of the agreement for links. special photography hikes that are coordinated with the park might • Create a web page specifi cally include permission to use selected dedicated to accessibility to images for these purposes. inform people regarding what services and programs are • In the future, the narrations and available. Information should fi lm developed for these virtual include descriptions about tours could be used as the basis accessible trails, the open- for podcasts/audiocasts and/or captioned video, and that sign videocasts that visitors could language interpretation can be download and use while at each provided with two-week advance unit or while taking a hike on a notifi cation. particular trail.

Long-term: • Remember in the development of any park produced new • At this writing, the park’s website audiovisual program, to obtain features a virtual tour. This tour the rights for future park use so is nicely produced with regards the materials are available for to its visual presentation and repurposing in other interpretive could be used as a basis for the media or programs. This should refi nement and development of be included in any contracts this already produced content drawn for such projects. and/or additional content. If this program continues to be used, have the text narrated (by a professional narrator). Relocate and display the text at the bottom of the screen as the narrator

John Day Fossil Beds National Monument Long-Range Interpretive Plan I 57 Recommendations

• Within the past ten years, Additional website activities several natural resource related might also include putting inventories, studies, and projects the pieces of a virtual fossil have occurred at the monument together to create the species. resulting in journal articles, Badlands National Park has reports, and restoration activities. a multimedia program that The park website should be features three virtual species, updated to include current and may be contacted as to natural resource issues/concerns, its eff ect. corresponding research and information, and restoration/ While multimedia programs mitigation activities. Since hold a certain appeal, much of the research is being this same concept might directed by the Upper Columbia be considered with fossil Basin Network’s inventory and replicas that visitors piece monitoring program, a link to together. their website should be provided. (See Appendix D.) Universal Accessibility

• Use the museum collection Short-term: database as another tool to be incorporated into visitor activities. • Provide van accessibility through “SPOTS” a regional Many fi elds within the transportation provider. natural history section were often left blank, such as • Provide training to all staff the collection date. Enter members regarding the concept “unknown” in the fi eld of “universal access” and instead of leaving this pertinent legal requirements that information blank. There aff ect interpretation and visitor is locality information and services. Training goals: (1) personal information about acquaint staff with accessible donors to the museum in the park programs and facilities; (2) collection database, which improve visitor service skills; and should be cleared fi rst before (3) integrate new information being made available to the in future program and facility public, if at all. Refer to park planning and development. policy on such clearances. • Create a link on the park’s website Activities which allow the specifi cally for accessibility to let visitor to fi nd a fossil in the people know what services and collection database can be programs are available for people developed and may bring with special needs. Information a greater appreciation to could include descriptions collections management about accessible trails, the open- as well as to the fossils captioned video, and that sign themselves. language interpretation may

58 I National Park Service Recommendations

be provided (dependent upon Long-term: availability of signers) with three- week advance notifi cation. • Implement General Management Planning recommendations to • Add touchable reproduction plan for universal access at all fossils and appropriate natural parking lots, restrooms, drinking and cultural items to interpretive fountains, trailheads and along programs and operations. sections of trails connected to parking lots -- where the terrain • Tape and video the most popular permits. ranger conducted programs and provide universal access via the • If successful in recruiting a park’s website. Consider posting regional accessibility team, use the the certifi ed program submittals team to assist the park in updating created by the interpretive staff the park’s accessibility plan. Seek for the Servicewide Interpretive funding to include the addition of Development Program. a media specialist to help the park evaluate how technology could • Seek funding to update foreign help. Following the identifi cation language brochure translations of parkwide needs, establish to coincide with the production priorities and seek project of the revised Unigrid brochure. funding. Translations are needed for Spanish, Japanese, German and • Design future education French language groups. programs and programs for the general public to accommodate • Provide taped narration of all learning styles. Where brochures; have these materials appropriate include tactile available at park visitor contact elements. areas and on the park website. • Include the Chief of • Obtain a cost-estimate and seek Interpretation on all parkwide funding to provide an accessible planning teams where future automatic front door entrance public access and facilities are at the primary visitor contact addressed. This will help to station -- the Thomas Condon insure that planning needs for Paleontology Center. basic orientation, information, interpretation, and program • Explore the possibility of and facility accessibility are developing an accessibility considered at the onset as project team from regional community scoping and cost estimates are resources available. Team developed. members could assist with future training needs and the evaluation of programs and facilities.

John Day Fossil Beds National Monument Long-Range Interpretive Plan I 59 Recommendations

Personal Services completion. Use meeting as a forum to train, update and build Staffi ng consensus regarding the direction of interpretation, education and Short-term: visitor services based on parkwide goals. Set a time and date for this • Utilize Sheep Rock Unit staff to meeting that works well for all support 7-day week coverage participants. at the Clarno and Painted Hills Units during the park’s busy Programming visitor season and special events. In turn, the unit rangers will be • Develop a secondary park available to assist the Sheep Rock theme to refl ect park Centennial Unit staff with their expertise program objectives to emphasize on park projects, and occasional global warming change in future coverage needs for TCPC or at interpretive eff orts. special events. • Expand collaborative eff orts with • Seek partners, friend, and the park paleontological staff to volunteers with the expertise to enhance visitor understanding conduct programs at the park of fossil resources and the on a regular basis, adding to the paleontology profession. Work opportunities provided to our collaboratively with Chief visitors. Off er similar services Paleontologist to determine outside the park to our partners. shared program goals and training needs to improve the Long-term: park visitor experience. Establish and prioritize a list of shared • Seek NPS “Offi ce Formulation outcomes. See Appendix F for System” program monies to fund ideas discussed during workshop. interpretive positions now vacant due to insuffi cient funds. The • Capture in writing, successful 2006 Business Plan documents inter-divisional work practices the need for a 30% increase in and lessons learned to guide staff . Add to the program request future I&VS programs that other personnel related costs such interface with the Paleontology as computers, vehicles, radios, Division and/or interpret their uniforms etc. work activities.

Planning • Create collaborative eff orts with the natural/cultural resource staff • Conduct yearly, on-site, unit to enhance visitor understanding specifi c planning with key staff of the natural/cultural resource members. This meeting would program. Work collaboratively address short-term facility, visitor with the Resource Manager to services, staffi ng and interpretive determine shared program goals media improvements needed. and training needs to improve Discussions should include visitor experience. action items and target dates for

60 I National Park Service Recommendations

• Experiment with videocasting on Education Program the Internet when new programs or projects are funded. For • Continue the work of the example: the park has received Long-Range Interpretive Plan funding to work with the State through the development of of Oregon to develop a travelling a JODA Education Plan. A exhibit; explore the possibility of future parkwide education adding a video/tel component to plan should outline a specifi c broaden program outreach and strategy of what to do for the connect to new audiences. next 5 years, targeted audiences in the region, grade levels, • Continue to experiment with new potential partners, etc. This programming parkwide and work plan must be developed in with partners in ongoing program light of staff levels and other development program commitments. Start small, think big. An eff ective • Continue to incorporate informal plan should: align desired and formal evaluation as a long-term educational standard interpretive business programming changes with practice for personal services and parkwide interpretive program interpretive media. Specifi cally: commitments and parkwide Integrate an assessment of strategic goals. Request the needs at the onset of new Pacifi c West Region’s Education interpretive programs and Specialist to assist with plan interpretive media projects. development; and, continue Incorporate evaluation results to work with and consult with or “lessons learned” in to LRIP education specialists that future programs and media. assisted with the development of At the onset of signifi cant this plan. Include teachers every projects use front-end, step of the way. formative, and summative evaluations. Include the need 1. Start with evaluating for evaluation in the project the existing 9th grade cost estimate. Assess: what curriculum-based “Horse key messages are needed to Kit”. Request local teachers promote/protect resource to help with program values while visitors are evaluation; and, seek ideas recreating in park areas; to meet new curriculum was the intended message/ standards. Implement experience received by the recommendations; continue targeted group; and was the to re-evaluate progress choice of delivery method as part of the Annual (personal services or media) Interpretive Program review. appropriate and eff ective. 2. Convert successful pre- school through high school education programs to curriculum based education programs.

John Day Fossil Beds National Monument Long-Range Interpretive Plan I 61 Recommendations

3. Seek funding and partners to Media Ideas for Future Education create new programs based Programming Outreach: on park and audience needs. Incorporate webcams into lesson 4. Seek a “Parks as Classroom” plans. Take advantage of the TCPC grant to provide funds for videocasting technology. Develop teacher honoraria to serve a schedule of events, such as on a program development presentations by paleontologists and teams. natural resource scientists for either pre-visit or post-visit experiences. 5. Interview and collaborate Have “hands-on items” for use in with the Paleontology staff the classroom, while park staff is regarding their educational conducting a learning activity via internship program for videocasting. college and graduate students; this program When the expanded curriculum should be marketed as part based education program is launched of the future parkwide and recognized by park staff and education – even though it is educators as successful, consider administered out of another producing a movie that could park work group. Look at be included with other pre-visit this program and determine educational materials and lesson if an I&VS college level/or plans. The movie can help to orient graduate intern program school groups to the site and be used could be patterned after in conjunction with lesson plans. the paleontology model; Recommended movie length: no and, perhaps use their longer than 7 – 10 minutes. The university contacts to seek future planning team should include future applicants to get a the interpretation staff , educators and similar program/positions paleontologists. See Appendix G for established. other education program ideas.

Training/Professional Development

• Continue to participate in the Servicewide Interpretive Development Program. Staff will seek certifi cation for training modules; and, model, teach and share lessons learned with all JODA staff , volunteers and seasonal that have contact with the general public.

• Develop a strategy to provide parkwide subject matter training for the interpretive staff and An interpreter conducting paleontology fi eldwork. unit rangers, during the slower season. If necessary, seek

62 I National Park Service Recommendations

funding to support any required • Develop a shared group list guest instructors. Consult with serve to improve inter-group partners; there may be parallel communications; determine training needs; and/or the ability who will maintain the behind to share costs. the scenes technology to support the list serve Work with permanent staff at all units to discuss and document • Develop an internal group park specifi c subject matter process for identifying who training needs in support of the needs to be involved, who needs development and delivery of the to approve, project review parkwide interpretive program. schedules and due dates, etc. Discuss staff training needs in for joint products. Determine the broadest perspective: in if an interagency agreement or light of natural and cultural project agreement is necessary resources, interpretive themes, and/or appropriate. visitor experience goals, the park paleontological story, • Meet annually to keep the team the interpretive development energized and committed to program, natural resource issues, successful joint endeavors local geology related to prominent land features, and individual • Develop and produce an development needs related interagency publication with to current job performance. shared land use protection Determine: messages.

what are the common 1. Determine if agencies can parkwide training needs; carve funds out of existing budgets to print. what priority projects are coming up that require 2. If necessary, seek new resource specifi c expertise; project money to produce and the brochure. Or, seek a partner to fund the what resources are available to printing. the park? • Work with Eastern National to Partnerships develop “passport stamps” for each unit to raise the visibility Future Local Partner Projects, fi rst of the Clarno and Painted Hills steps: Units.

During the LRIP planning process, • Work with Discover Your local park partners gathered twice Northwest Association -- the park to discuss shared interagency cooperating association to: concerns. The section below outlines shared priorities and projects the 1. Off er and develop more interpretive staff at JODA will pursue park specifi c interpretive with park partners. sales materials on a variety

John Day Fossil Beds National Monument Long-Range Interpretive Plan I 63 Recommendations

of topics. Example: local Second steps: wildfl ower related items due to the profusion of • Maintain “List-serve” and wild fl owers at the Painted good partner communication Hills Unit. exchanges

2. Expand future products • Meet annually to develop new available to include items project goals of interest and priced to appeal to school children. • Develop a Regional Interagency signature event for local folks 3. Link the park website to the Association’s website; • Meet with school representatives Internet visitors would and identify the interagency be able to purchase park educational program need the interpretive items. partner group would like to tackle and establish what grade level 4. Market park specifi c sales the program will address and items on the Association’s why. (Elementary school, Middle internet sales website. School, High School) seek special This service will help funding if required Painted Hills and Clarno Units visitors that don’t Third steps/long term: have the time to travel to the Thomas Condon • Maintain “List-serve” and good Paleontology Center sales communication exchange area. A notice on the unit’s park bulletin board could • Meet annually develop new promote this service. project goals

• Work with partners and agencies • Develop pilot interagency to seek solutions to improve curriculum based program seasonal housing options. A reduced commuting time to units • Support delivery of the from area would make working interagency curriculum-based at the park more attractive and education program encourage seasonal to return season after season; and, reduce • Continue to work with partners the continual training mode the to plan for the development park is now experiencing during of a campground facility near the busy season. the Painted Hills Unit. If there was a place near the unit to stay overnight, this would encourage increased visitor use and provide an opportunity for increased interpretive programming for the general visitor and student groups.

64 I National Park Service Recommendations

Sheep Rock Unit handbook discussed below in Recommendations the Sheep Rock Unit “long-term media recommendations”. Interpretive Media • Install an audio device for Short-term: the window looking into the paleontology lab in the TCPC • Seek funding to add audio lobby. A one-way communication descriptions and assistive listening system with the lab staff will give for the park’s existing orientation interested visitors the opportunity fi lm to meet current accessibility to see and hear about what the requirements. The park fi lm is scientists are working on. A two- open-captioned. It should also way system will provide visitors be audio described and assistive the opportunity to interact with listening systems should be the paleontologists as part of provided to people who are hard scheduled programs. of hearing. • Conduct a formal, review of the • Request HFC technical assistance Thomas Condon Paleontology for the evaluation of the quality Center’s new visitor center of the display of the current video facility and museum exhibits. to verify that the playback master Include accessibility specialists/ and projection are providing the consultants from outside the park, optimal resolution. with park staff , in this assessment. This evaluation should consider • Develop a “Most Asked the plaza area outside the Questions” training guide specifi c structure, the entryway, lobby to the new museum exhibit. The area and associated exhibits goal of this guide would be to within this space, and the assist interpreters in helping museum exhibits. The evaluation fi rst time visitors and/or visitors should assess the interpretation who do not have an in depth and presentation methods, and understanding of paleontology the eff ectiveness of how the or geology. Topics might include new facility and exhibits meet how the fossils displayed relate accessibility standards. Based on to what visitors can see and the evaluation fi ndings develop a experience in the park while pursuing recreational activities such as hiking, photography or site-seeing at the various units. Collaborate with the paleontology staff on the development of the “scientifi cally” correct and easily understood visitor directed responses. This training guide will also be a useful tool to help put together the future The James Cant ranch house before NPS TCPC museum audio tour and renovation, circa 1977.

John Day Fossil Beds National Monument Long-Range Interpretive Plan I 65 Recommendations

plan to prioritize and implement 3. Companion TCPC museum recommended improvements. guide publication.

• Conduct a formal, summative These three media projects evaluation of the James Cant should be developed at the same Ranch and museum exhibits. time. These products would Include accessibility specialists/ enhance visitor understanding consultants from outside the of the relationship between the park in this assessment. This TCPC museum and the natural evaluation should consider the features and fossil resources fi rst fl oor of the Cant ranch house within the three units. and associated exhibits, the trail to the barn/sheep shearing Additional Guidance: shed and associated exhibits, ranch trails, and access to the Work with the senior Chief Park remainder of the outbuildings. Paleontologist to complete the The evaluation should assess the planning and production of the interpretation and presentation TCPC Museum guide. This methods, and the eff ectiveness of publication will enhance visitor how the ranch and exhibits meet understanding of the relationship accessibility standards. Based on between the TCPC Museum and the the evaluation fi ndings develop a natural features and fossil resources plan to prioritize and implement within the three units. Explore recommended improvements. funding opportunities with the park’s cooperating association and/or park Long-term: partners to produce the guide.

• Develop at Thomas Condon Produce a TCPC museum audio tour Paleontology Center (TCPC): to provide additional orientation of the museum exhibits for fi rst-time 1. Museum exhibit audio visitors and visitors’ lacking a strong program, background in paleontology and geology. The future audio tour should 2. Audio description tour for orient visitors to the color coded visitors who are blind or have system used throughout the exhibit low vision. Note: The audio which indicates a particular period description tour includes of deep time. The audio tour should orientation and visual direct people’s attention to particular descriptions of the exhibits, fossils and make connections with including the fossils and those artifacts to the depictions on murals. The audio description the murals of what some of those tour should point its listeners fossils were thought to look like. The in the direction of any tactile audio tour can also include sound objects existing or being bites from paleontologists, geologists, created as a part of the exhibit and other subject matter experts revisions. regarding the subject matter itself. In addition, there may also be some soundbites related to a particular discovery of a fossil that should be

66 I National Park Service Recommendations included in the audio tour. These is ready to proceed, HFC can assist types of soundbites might give insight with technical recommendations. into the science of paleontology and those who engage in the Consider other methods of delivery, discipline; and through this human such as site specifi c transmitters lens help visitors understand and and headsets (i.e. Sennheiser’s make personal connections to this guidePORT system), cell phone tours complicated park story. The audio (should cell phone service come tour might also help visitors make available), and audiocasts, which connections to the three park units, visitors can either download onto where the fossil record has revealed their own device at home and/or the information now conveyed in the the park can provide mp3 players new museum exhibits. with the tour already downloaded onto the player for rent or for sale. Include in the audio tour estimate, an Regardless of the equipment delivery additional cost estimate to design and system, it is recommended that the produce an exhibit audio description park select a fl exible of a system(s) tour for visitors who are blind or have and delivery of content as possible low vision. The audio description to maximize the number of potential tour would be based on the audio visitors. For example, even if a tour, but include orientation and handheld device purchased from an visual descriptions of the exhibits, audio company is used, the audio including the fossils and murals, that fi les could be converted to a podcast would not be appropriate for the downloadable from iTunes or as an interpretive audio tour. In addition, audiocast downloadable from the the audio description tour could park’s website, or both. point its listeners in the direction of any tactile objects existing or • Use webcams to help visitors being created as a part of the exhibit connect to the park’s ongoing revisions. natural and cultural research program. Webcam access could Wait to select the specifi c type of be provided at the visitor center delivery system to be used for the desk computer and on the web. audio tour -- until the park staff is Coordinate with the paleontology ready to move forward with project and resource management staff development. Audio tour companies to set up a schedule of events that can lease, rent, or sell their handheld would be appropriate for visitor devices to the park. These units engagement. The future schedule can be expensive and should be might include interpretive access researched before seeking funding to to research sites and/or park ensure that the project has enough ranger facilitated discussions money for this important element. between visitors and scientists/ Because the technology of handheld resource managers working in the and other mobile devices is quickly fi eld or in the paleontology lab. developing and changing, until this For example, if the staff knows specifi c project is initiated, remain they will be working on a specifi c open on the selection of the audio fossil preparation, designate an tour delivery system. When the park hour of that time to implement 2- way communications between the

John Day Fossil Beds National Monument Long-Range Interpretive Plan I 67 Recommendations

person in the lab and the visitors preservation of fossil remains as watching from the visitor center. well as what can be learned from these activities. While the only • Work with the Resource Manager specifi c point in the legislative to develop interpretive media history of the park is to name on the monument’s natural this facility after paleontologist resources. Please see Appendix D Thomas Condon, it is strongly for possible ideas, such as placing recommended that the future AV weed warning signs and boot script stay away from a history of cleaning stations at all trailheads this facility. for resource protection eff orts. The funding request should • Seek funding to produce include: a new 15 – 20 minute park video. The current video while 1. The production of audio accurate is now dated. The description and captioning video was produced before the and clearances for sales and construction of the Thomas broadcast (including the Condon Paleontology Center web). (TCPC) and its fossil museum- gallery. The focus of the 2. The proposed production audiovisual production should budget should be developed be on what the JODA fossil to include higher production record reveals about earth history elements. While the artwork and evolution over the past 40 itself will work well and million years, along with a focus can be used as the basis for on the science of paleontology animation, animation will at JODA. Using the new TCPC help to bring the story to artwork, this production should life even more. Animation help the viewer envision what created specifi cally for the this place may have looked like production can bring visual millions of years ago, incorporate consistency to the program. soundbites from explorers and paleontologists of the past, as 3. Because the geology itself well as soundbites from present- is so dramatic and visitors day subject matter experts and cannot access some of paleontologists. The current fi lm the resource, the HFC title “A Place of Discovery” works media specialist highly well and conceptually this idea should be carried through to the next production.

• While the new TCPC facility is impressive, any focus on this facility in the future audiovisual production should be limited to how TCPC relates to the resource itself – for example: the park’s An interpreter conducting fossil fossil collection, preparation and laboratory work.

68 I National Park Service Recommendations

recommends incorporating For example: there is a small an aerial shoot in addition exhibit in the hallway of the Cant to shooting done on the Ranch on famous paleontologists ground. that came to the region and visited the Cant family. While space is These production elements will add limited, evaluate this exhibit for additional expenses to the project further development or revision. budget and should be considered Like the human history of the when the park submits its funding Cant Ranch itself, the history of request. In order to submit future the paleontologists who came to project budgets that are as accurate John Day may help those visitors as possible contact HFC’s Cost make a personal connection Estimating Specialist. that furthers their interest and understanding of the subject of Cant Ranch Exhibits paleontology via learning about the paleontologists connected to • Use the Cant Ranch as a way to this place and what has inspired help visitors make the connection them to do the work that they to the deep past by presenting do. Further development of these recent inhabitants on the this exhibit and associated oral long continuum of the park’s histories should be approached resource and history. collaboratively between the interpretation and paleontology • Evaluate the exhibits at the Cant staff . The end result will not only Ranch for further development add to the park’s collections and or revision. The Cant Ranch interpretation, but the process is not just about the ranching itself will help the staff learn from activities pursued, but the people each other about the resource and themselves. their role in ongoing discovery, protection, and presentation of • Create companion videos and this resource to the public. audio programs. An eff ective way to tell stories about people Personal Services is to hear these stories from the Cant family and ranch employees • Work with paleontology staff to themselves. In addition to the provide more scheduled fossil artifacts and text used in the preparation demonstrations and current exhibit, add a more ranger hikes, where part of the interactive component by using hike includes an opportunity to motion control on still images in see the paleontologists working combination with an interpretive and interact with them about narrative that includes soundbites what they are discovering. from primary sources and a compelling music track. These Note: see additional techniques can further the recommendations in the dramatic eff ect and bring the parkwide recommendations for story to life even more. Seek HFC “personal services”. assistance for a cost estimate to pursue this recommendation.

John Day Fossil Beds National Monument Long-Range Interpretive Plan I 69 Recommendations

Clarno Unit • Work with the Chief of Recommendations Interpretation to provide year- round interpretation, trail patrol and visitor assistance at Clarno It will be critical to coordinate any until new funds are received improvements made to facilities to provide a re-occurring unit and/or expanded public access with a specifi c seasonal position. This well thought out operational plan to position requires an individual protect park resources and provide skilled/or willing to learn and eff ective wayfi nding, orientation and perform a combination of information services. interpretation and maintenance skills such as helping with roving Short-term: backcountry trails, litter clean-up and basic site maintenance. This • Work with Sheep Rock Staff to staff member would represent the maintain website accuracy to be interpretive division of the NPS sure that all information is current at OMSI, use temporary housing and important site information at Hancock Field Station and rove provided. backcountry trails, especially the Mammal Quarry trail and the • Check in with the Oregon Hancock Tree trail when opened Museum of Science and Industry to the public. This position could (OMSI) during the month of be fi lled in a variety of ways by: February when they are planning their programs and off er to help: Expanding the job function of a permanent interpretive a. Assistance could be provided staff member; this change with formal education would also enable this Sheep programming introducing Rock staff member to have students to NPS stewardship a broader park specifi c values, and/or scheduling knowledge. informal interpretive mini- program opportunities Rotating seasonals from the while OMSI groups are on Sheep Rock Unit – where backcountry hikes -- a ranger they could be stationed out at could be scheduled to meet Hancock Field Station for a groups at a specifi c spot while week at a time. out on back county patrol. Adding another staff member b. Inform OMSI that the park at the Clarno Unit in a 6 staff is available to provide month seasonal position over interpretation for any group the next three years. that wants a program. If this position is shared between c. Discuss advanced notifi cation units, it is highly recommended requirements/permits needed that the unit ranger participate in for backcountry hikes. the recruitment, selection, and performance evaluation process with the Chief of Interpretation.

70 I National Park Service Recommendations

• Develop an interpretive “bag other resource and visitor of tricks” – a backpack that needs or interpretive issues contains “hands-on” interpretive that develop. materials for informal interpretive contacts. This pack will be Determine where “no especially helpful when rangers hunting signs” should be are available to come down to posted in addition to the help from the Sheep Rock Unit regulations posted on – the interpretive tool is readily bulletin boards. available for them and prepared by the site expert. Address visitor safety needs on the park website and in • Develop an inventory of on-site interpretive media what should be in the pack – developed. (For example: reproduction fossils, photographs appropriate footwear, the of features -- in some instances need to carry food, water images across the seasons, historic and insect repellent, level photos (famous scientist in park of trail diffi culty, etc.) And, or during the period of State of determine what safety Oregon operation), binoculars, messages need to be posted hand lenses, maps, handouts on trails and at what specifi c for visitors, etc. An inventory locations. will guide easy replacement of “give- aways”. Keep all materials Conduct roving ranger looking fresh to project a patrols to monitor current professional NPS image. trail use by park partner OMSI and future trails • Conduct yearly unit specifi c use when the Clarno trail planning endeavors to address short-term facility, visitor services and interpretive media improvements. Discussions should include the following action items and target dates for completion:

Wayfi nding to and within the Unit.

Placement of weed warning signs and boot cleaning stations at all trailheads. Address improvements needed for waysides and bulletin boards including information, orientation, posting of regulations – no The Clarno Unit’s Hancock Field fossil collection, hunting, and Station hosts 18,000 students annually.

John Day Fossil Beds National Monument Long-Range Interpretive Plan I 71 Recommendations

facilities are improved Long term, 4 – 10 years: and advertised as a park visitor use experience. Personal Services Work with Superintendent, Chief Paleontologist and • Seek funding to provide year- Park Resource Manager to round interpretation, trail patrol further defi ne trail/resource and visitor assistance at Clarno. monitoring standards In light of the desired level established during the of subject matter knowledge park’s General Management required and the investment of Planning process. Establish a training, consider recruiting for a uniform standard to record, term/subject to furlough position. collect and report data. • Develop evening programs Note: when the park through partnerships. For approaches opening the example, Rose City Astronomers Clarno trails to the general come to area 3-4 times a year public, discussions should and OMSI runs an astronomy consider: camp. Explore partnership opportunities. If OMSI is already 1. Should all visitors conducting this type of program, including school groups/ they may be willing to partner OPLI/ college groups, with the park on occasion and etc. meet at trail heads provide an astronomy program with a ranger where the for the general public. minimum impact trail talk could be given to the • Team up with Sheep Rock staff group. to provide parkwide curriculum based education programs. 2. Should the park provide Future curriculum would defi ne an on-site check in geology/paleo and botany/ spot where groups can ecology/natural history topics pre-register for hiking; for specifi c grade levels. All and, post registration permanent interpretive staff requirements on the park members would be trained to website. deliver this program; and, at the Clarno Unit, the ranger would The opening of the Clarno trails meet groups at a trail head and to the general public may not lead hikes that emphasized the occur during the life of this plan pre-determined curriculum due to additional funding needs requirements developed in to improve trail facilities. partnership with the local school system.

72 I National Park Service Recommendations

Interpretive Media/Visitor Facilities or, as part of the recommended parkwide wayside replacement • Develop an interpretation display project. case at the any future visitor contact station developed in the • Participate in all future facility future with realistic replicas and planning discussions to address information that is professionally visitor service and interpretive, complementary to the visitor and accessibility needs. center at the Sheep Rock Unit. The current ranger offi ce may be • Work with park management to converted to such a station. review and update trail standards to monitor visitor impact. • Before new trails are formalized discuss the naming of each trail Partnerships facility. Do proposed names have an important history attached to • Work with cooperating the resource? Trail names can association to develop some unit be interpretive paralleling the specifi c interpretive souvenir and visitor experience provided. For educational items – for diff ering example: why is a trail named interests and budgets (school the Geo Loop Trail when it children). Market availability on actually connects the park’s site through internet purchase most signifi cant paleontological through cooperating association resources? and request association to market product to other local retailers. • Utilize artwork and graphics created for the Thomas Condon Paleontology Center in all new interpretive media. This will help to improve visitor understanding regarding the exhibit dioramas depicting fossil assemblages at Clarno and their on-site Clarno experience; and, if Clarno is their fi rst contact with the park, the images may prompt a future visit to the Sheep Rock Unit.

• Develop new trail map designs which include trail distances, degree of diffi culty and trail names.

• Develop new waysides for current and future interpretive trails. A wayside exhibit project could be accomplished as a unit specifi c project in conjunction Scientists at work: view of the Fossil Laboratory from the visitor with formalizing existing trails; center.

John Day Fossil Beds National Monument Long-Range Interpretive Plan I 73 Recommendations

Painted Hills Unit opportunities available. Recommendations Provide resource protection and visitor safety messages Short-term: and include interpretive information about the two Pre-visit and Arrival Experience hiking experiences available from this location – the Carroll • Work with Sheep Rock Staff to Rim Trail and the Overlook maintain website accuracy to be Trail. sure that all information is current and important site information 2. Rent a universally accessible provided. porta-jon and place strategically -- easily viewable • Add to website commercial so frequent park visitors on photography permit requirements their way to either the Painted and need for advanced Cove Trail or the Leaf Hill notifi cation at the Painted Hills Trail are aware of a nearby Unit. facility. Placement of the porta-jon should be sensitive • Overlook Parking Area: to the viewshed. The addition of this much needed facility 1. Establish a new bulletin board will address the problem of at the Overlook Parking Area human waste at the overlook. since this is the fi rst park point Sign location of the picnic area of contact for many visitors. and overlook porta-jon at the Provide unit orientation with Painted Cove and Leaf Hill a map showing park trails, Trailheads. picnic area, restrooms, etc. and include a description Publications of visitor experience • Implement paper color selection coding for each individual brochure produced in-house – to assist with internal need for ease of recognition and replacement.

• Emphasize in new Unigrid park brochure that bicycles are prohibited on trails.

• Eliminate brochures such as Painted Hills Overlook, Painted Hills View North from Carroll Rim, Painted Hills View south from Carroll Rim, Leaf Hill Studies – “The Present is a Key to the Past”. Replace publications with new waysides at appropriate A controlled burn at the Painted Hills Unit. locations.

74 I National Park Service Recommendations

Staffi ng and Programs the recruitment, selection, and performance evaluation process • Expand staffi ng to provide 7- with the Chief of Interpretation. day coverage for interpretation, trail patrol, visitor assistance and • Develop an interpretive “bag special events, during the busy of tricks” – a backpack that season. The Unit Ranger and the contains “hands-on” interpretive Chief of Interpretation need to materials for informal interpretive collaborate how best to utilize contacts. The pack will be existing interpretive positions especially helpful when rangers at the Sheep Rock Unit to assist are available to come down to with operational needs at Painted help from the Sheep Rock Unit Hills, until new funds are received – the interpretive tool is readily to provide a re-occurring unit available for them and prepared specifi c seasonal position. by the site expert. Develop an inventory of what should be in This position is very similar to the pack – reproduction fossils, the Clarno Unit. It requires photographs of features -- in an individual skilled/or some instances images across willing to learn and perform a the seasons, historic photos combination of interpretation (famous scientist in park or and maintenance skills such as during the period of State of helping with roving backcountry Oregon operation), binoculars, trails, litter clean-up and basic site hand lenses, maps, handouts maintenance. This position could for visitors, etc. An inventory be fi lled in a variety of ways by: will guide easy replacement of “give- aways”. Keep all materials Expanding the job function looking fresh to project a of a permanent interpretive professional NPS image. staff member; this change would also enable this Sheep When the ranger is working in the Rock staff member to have kiosk and can greet visitors – if a broader park specifi c the materials are pulled together knowledge. in a pack, then they are easily available – the staff members can Rotating seasonals from the just grab the pack and go. Sheep Rock Unit – where they could be scheduled weekly to • Establish a special event travel to the Painted Hills and promoting a “photo-shoot day assist. Or, for wildfl owers”. Have additional staff on hand to provide Adding another staff member interpretation and accompany at the Painted Hills Unit in a 6 photographers into sensitive month seasonal position over areas. Brainstorm what other the next three years. activities might make this kind of event attractive for a diverse If this position is shared between number of visitors and how units, it is highly recommended partners might assist with this that the unit ranger participate in undertaking. And,

John Day Fossil Beds National Monument Long-Range Interpretive Plan I 75 Recommendations

• Determine if there are other 1. Begin with assessing topics across the seasons that wayfi nding and visitor might be utilized to serve as the assistance needs outside and focus for other special programs within the unit. or events at the unit. Off er new events at times when the 2. Discuss materials, media Painted Hills Unit can draw on or facilities that need to be the strengths of the parkwide replaced due to damage or staff (rangers, scientists and wear maintenance) and park partners. Build these events into a parkwide 3. Address: activity calendar for the general public. An example could be the New information – studies riparian restoration project along completed and how to Bridge Creek. Active work on this integrate into existing project occurs at various times programs and media. throughout the year, especially during the spring when tree Identify “new” resource cuttings are planted. issues/problems, visitor needs, etc. Annual Planning Upcoming projects. • Conduct yearly, an on-site, unit Depending on the year, specifi c planning endeavor with topics could be facility the Chief of Interpretation and driven through the receipt other key staff members. This of project money; or, meeting would address short- might be programmatically term facility, visitor services, driven through partner staffi ng and interpretive opportunities or an in- media improvements needed. house agreement to Discussions should include move forward with the action items and target dates for development of a new completion. Use staff planning interpretive program or meeting to train, update and build event. consensus regarding the direction of interpretation, education and Annual interpretive visitor services based on parkwide program and special goals. Set a time and date for this events, etc meeting that works well for all participants. Conducting unit Staffi ng needs meetings to discuss interpretation and visitor services might be a Security of donations box useful step to prepare for the park’s annual strategic planning Ongoing accessibility meetings. Here are some topics to needs/upcoming guide the process: improvements

Other

76 I National Park Service Recommendations

Long-term recommendations: through cooperating association and request association to market • Seek funding to provide year- product to other local retailers. round interpretation, trail patrol and visitor assistance at Painted • Work with park resource Hills. In light of the desired level manager, superintendent and of subject matter knowledge chief of interpretation on a trail required and the investment of development plan. There is training, consider recruiting for a a new vehicle turn-around at term/subject to furlough position. Red Hill. This is an ideal area for another trail-head and/or • Team up with Sheep Rock overlook for photography. As it and Clarno staff to defi ne and is, this area has no development, establish a parkwide curriculum but lots of potential. A proposed based education program. Future loop trail would help the visitors curriculum would defi ne geology/ understand the ash/paleosol paleo and botany/ecology/natural layers that are in this area. It is history topics for specifi c grade also an area that has potential levels. All permanent interpretive throughout the seasons for staff members would be trained interpretation and photography. to deliver this program; and, at the Painted Hills Unit, the ranger There is also an old 2.5 mile would meet groups at a trail head trail that should be evaluated and lead hikes that emphasized for future visitor use and the pre-determined curriculum development. (This facility is requirements developed in available only by reservation to partnership with the local school groups accompanied by a ranger; system. a policy decision due to potential resource impairment if visitors go • Develop a prioritized list off route.) of Painted Hills Unit media development and/or replacement • Work with partners to plan and projects by fi scal year. develop a camping area to serve Painted Hills Unit visitors. • Develop an interpretation display case at the visitor contact • Place weed warning signs station with realistic replicas and and boot cleaning stations at information that is professionally all trailheads to help protect complementary to the visitor resources. center at the Sheep Rock Unit. • Develop interpretive media such • Develop some unit specifi c as wayside signs explaining the interpretive souvenir and multi-agency riparian restoration educational items – for diff ering project along Bridge Creek. interests and budgets (school children). Market availability on site through internet purchase

John Day Fossil Beds National Monument Long-Range Interpretive Plan I 77 APPENDICES

Appendix A: Enabling Legislation

Legislation (text sections not referring to JODA have been culled out of the Act)

P.L. 93-486, October 26, 1974 P.L. 95-625, November 10, 1978

Public Law 93-486 93rd Congress, H. R. 13157 October 26, 1974

An Act

To provide for the establishment of the Clara Barton 88 STAT. 1461 National Historic Site, Maryland ; John Day Fossil Beds National Monument, Oregon ; Knife River Indian Villages National Historic Site, North Dakota ; Springfi eld Armory National Historic Site, Massachusetts ; Tuskegee Institute National Historic Site, Alabama ; Martin Van Buren National Historic Site, New York ; and Sewall- Belmont House National Historic Site, Washington, District of Columbia ; and for other purposes. Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, Historic sites and national TITLE I monument. Establishment. Sec. 101. (a) Unless otherwise provided hereafter, the Land Secretary of the Interior (hereinafter referred to as the acquisition. “Secretary”) is authorized to acquire by purchase with donated or appropriated funds, donation, exchange, or by transfer from another Federal agency such lands and interests in lands as hereafter provided for establishment as units of the national park system as follows:

78 I National Park Service Appendices

…(2) for establishment as the John Day Fossil Beds John Day National Monument, Oregon, those lands depicted on Fossil Beds the map entitled “Boundary Map, John Day Fossil Beds National National Monument”, numbered NM-JDFB-20,014- Monument, A and dated June 1971: Provided, That the national Oregon. monument shall not be established unless and until the 16 USC 431 State of Oregon donates or agrees to donate the Thomas note. Condon-John Day Fossil Beds, Clarno, and Painted Hills Thomas State Parks : Provided further, That the Secretary shall Condon not acquire a fee title interest to more than one thousand Visitor Center, acres of privately owned lands except by donation or designation. exchange : Provided further, That the Secretary shall designate the principal visitor center as the “Thomas Condon Visitor Center”; … Sec. 104. There are authorized to be appropriated such sums as may be necessary to carry out the provisions of this Act, not to exceed, however, the following: (b) John Day Fossil Beds National Monument, $400,000 for the acquisition of lands and interests in lands and $4,435,200 for development ;

… TITLE II 88 STAT. 1463 … Excerpted from Public Law 95-625 November 10, 1978 (11) John Day Fossil Beds National Monument, Oregon : To add approximately one thousand four hundred and eleven acres, and to delete approximately one thousand six hundred and twenty acres as generally depicted on the map entitled “Boundary Map, John Day Fossil Beds National Monument, Oregon”, numbered 177-30,000-B, and dated May 1978: $3,500,000. The Act of October 26, 1974 (88 Stat. 1461), which designates the John Day Fossil Beds National Monument is amended by deleting the second proviso of section l01(a) (2). Furthermore, not withstanding any other provision of law to the contrary, the Secretary may, if he determines that to do so will not have a substantial adverse eff ect on the preservation of the fossil and other resources within the remainder of the monument, convey approximately sixty acres acquired by the United States for purposes of the monument in exchange for non-Federal lands within the boundaries of the monument, and, eff ective upon such conveyance, the boundaries of the monument are hereby revised to exclude the lands conveyed.

John Day Fossil Beds National Monument Long-Range Interpretive Plan I 79 Appendices

Appendix B: John Day Fossil Beds National Monument - Annual Servicewide Interpretive Report

FY- 2002 FY-2003 FY-2004 FY-2005 FY-2006 FY-2007 FY-2008 New James Cant Ranch Museum Formula VC & Museum Visitation 24,009 18,786 4,123 4,657 6,880 6,577 7,670 TCPC – Thomas Condon Open Dec Visitor Center Visitation N/A N/A 18,090 25,205 25,404 26,995 25,238 TCPC & House Coverage FTE N/A 1.68 2.30 2.80 2.62 2.90

Painted Hills Unit Visitation 32,990 30,365 29,977 28,532 26,123 30,435 23,212 Clarno Unit Visitation (not 13,385 17,057 13,213 17,518 14,565 15,115 14,182 OMSI)

Education Programs Conducted 72 60 70 82 54 75 55 Education Program Contacts 1,578 1,452 1,786 2,044 1,670 2,141 1,306 Education Program FTE .08 .06 .05 .08 .04 .05 .03 Education Kit/Film Loans 67 50 69 63 69 46 48 Education Kit/Film Contacts 3,388 2,036 4,482 3,798 4,359 3,854 3,371 Education Kit/Film Loan FTE .02 .02 .01 .01 .02 .02 .02

Formal Interpretation Programs 126 101 65 55 76 97 96 Formal Interpretation Contacts 1,466 1,042 655 563 882 1,130 1,264 Formal Interpretation FTE .06 .06 .05 .06 .05 .05 .05

Informal Talks Given 2,373 1,871 2,926 3,016 2,851 2,747 3,230 Informal Interpretation 6,802 5,297 8,736 7,857 8,281 12,213 12,111 Contacts Informal Interpretation FTE .21 .19 .30 .14 .23 .26 .28

Demonstrations Offered 14 6 0 0 1 0 0 Demonstration Contacts 273 90 0 0 30 0 0 Demonstration FTE .02 .01 0 0 .00 0 0

Special Events 4 6 0 1 0 0 0 Special Events Contacts 4,200 8,200 0 900 0 0 0 Special Events FTE .03 .04 0 .13 0 0 0

New Junior Park Rangers, etc. 70 99 48 65 87 167 184

Community Programs Done 44 42 56 51 31 23 51 Community Program Contacts 1,183 1,801 2,132 2,603 544 810 906 Community Program FTE .06 .05 .06 .05 .03 .02 .04

Park Website FTE .02 .04 .07 .20 .20 .15 .01

Park AV Contacts (films, etc.) 9,155 6,805 8,865 10,724 10,875 10,834 12,184 Park AV FTE .08 .06 .07 .09 .06 .06 .08

80 I National Park Service Appendices

FY- 2002 FY-2003 FY-2004 FY-2005 FY-2006 FY-2007 FY-2008

Park Publications Contacts 55,885 48,400 36,000 48,150 41,600 47,325 45,900 Park Publications FTE .04 .04 .01 .04 .05 .06 .08

Total Interpretive FTE 3.18 3.98 4.17 3.80 3.45 3.59 3.90 $241,000 Interpretive Budget (ONPS $141,000 $218,000 $218,000 $226,000 $223,416 $231,000 +$ 39,000 only) Centennial 10,200 Interpretive Fee Funds Spent $1,000 0 0 4,000 ECM 1,200 ECM ECM 0 Total ONPS Interp. Staff Cost $69,131 $67,712 $92,966 $127,924 $147,073 $132,507 $128,213 Total Other Staff Cost $13,847 $9,447 $36,172 $53,426 $38,754 $36,551

Note: The fi rst required Servicewide Interpretive Report form (SIR) was submitted FY-1999, NPS- wide. Note: New program development and research, including review and updates of old programs, are generally not included in FTE above. Supervision and management is not included in the FTE above. FTE includes staff other than interpretive division staff .

John Day Fossil Beds National Monument Long-Range Interpretive Plan I 81 Appendices

Appendix C: I&VS Program Breakdown by Park Unit Staff - FY 2005 through 2008

(data taken from the Government Performance Results Act, JODA visitor data sheets)

Number of Programs Given - Broken out by Fiscal Years 2005 - 2008:

Program Type Sheep Rock Staff* Clarno Staff** Painted Hills Staff**

43 (2005) Formal 3 (2005) 9 (2005) 75 (2006) (scheduled – in the 1 (2006) 0 (2006) 97 (2007) park) 0 (2007) 0 (2007) 96 (2008) 1 (2008) 0 (2008)

1 Informal 2,912 (2005) 103 0 (impromptu – 2,720 (2006) 131 70 in the park) 2,506 (2007) 171 77 2,965 (2008) 188

53 (2005) 29 0 Education 46 (2006) 8 0 (on and off site) 51 (2007) 21 3 41 (2008) 14 0

47 (2005) 2 2 28 (2006) Community (offsite) 2 0 23 (2007) 0 0 46 (2008) 5 0

* Data is not kept on the programs given by the paleontology staff .

** Generally staff in these two units were on duty March through October, these four years. These staff members were not part of the I&VS division.

JODA Visitation Statistics:

FY-2005 Visitation = 125,326 (Painted Hills = 28,532 / Clarno = 34,863 ***) FY-2006 Visitation = 119,509 (PHU = 26,123 / CU = 28,119) FY-2007 Visitation = 126,664 (PHU = 30,435 / CU = 27,456) FY-2008 Visitation = 113,180 (PHU = 23,212 / CU = 26,219)

*** includes the OMSI-Hancock Field Station camp data in the Clarno Unit stats

82 I National Park Service Appendices

Appendix D: Natural and Cultural Resource Projects, Studies and Ideas for Potential Interpretive Projects

Please note: in addition to paleontology resources, the park’s 14,000 acres include abundant natural and cultural resources. The park Resource Manager attended the August 2008 Long-Range Interpretive Planning Workshop; however, due to the limited time available, the staff was unable to scope out or defi ne in detail how interpretation might help to get out resource information beyond paleontology.

The park interpretive staff , when at optimum levels, will strive to use 33% of its resources to focus on park topics not related to the park paleontology story, such as natural resources and cultural resources. This appendix summarizes the most important aspects of natural and cultural resource program, and lists the most recent projects and research conducted. The fi nal section of the appendix includes a few brainstorming ideas of potential ways the interpretive staff could share park specifi c information with the general public.

The Upper Columbia Basin Inventory and Monitoring Network is a primary source for these resource studies on the park. The Resource Manager can help in acquiring these documents,

Natural Resources

Species Inventories

• A vertebrate inventory was completed in 2003. • A plant inventory was completed in 1977. • Christmas bird count data has been collected since 2000. • A butterfl y and moth inventory was completed in 2004. • A rare and non-native plant inventory at Painted Hills was completed in 2008. • A wetlands inventory will be completed in 2009.

Monitoring Programs

The Upper Columbia Basin Inventory and Monitoring Network has begun monitoring park ecosystems to better understand their dynamic nature and condition and to provide reference points for comparisons with other, altered environments. The UCBN recognizes the need to raise overall awareness about their program and share results. Eff ective communication and outreach to all audiences is detailed in their Science Communication Plan, including: • Bat monitoring data has been collected over the past 3-4 years. • Sagebrush/steppe monitoring began in 2008. • Future monitoring eff orts will focus on non-native plants, water quality, land cover and use, and riparian vegetation/stream morphology.

Previous Natural Resource Report/Studies

• Fire Eff ects on Vegetation • Coyotes and Mule Deer • Raptors

John Day Fossil Beds National Monument Long-Range Interpretive Plan I 83 Appendices

• Vegetation Management • Ozone Impacts on Vegetation • Water Quality • Rare Plants

Resource Management Projects

• Noxious Weed Control

The control of noxious weeds has occurred within the park for several years. Park staff uses an integrated pest management approach to control noxious weeds by using a combination of herbicides, manual removal, and biological control agents. The project period is April through early September, annually.

• Riparian Restoration

The John Day River and tributaries provide habitat for threatened steelhead trout. In order to increase steelhead populations, native trees have been planted along the John Day River. At the Painted Hills Unit, a multi-agency riparian restoration project began in 2008 to restore riparian (river) habitat and stream dynamics within the Bridge Creek watershed. This is a long-term project that will expand out of the park and into Bureau of Land Management and private land.

• Former Agricultural Fields Restoration

For the past few years, park staff has worked to restore former agricultural fi elds by converting them from nearly 100% weeds to native plant species.

Cultural Resources

Archeological Surveys In the mid 1990s as well as 2005-06, archeological surveys were conducted in all three units by staff from Mt. Rainier and Fort Vancouver. One product of these surveys is a report titled, “Environment, Prehistory and Archaeology of John Day Fossil Beds NM.” A few artifacts were collected and incorporated into the park’s museum collection.

Cant Ranch Landscape Inventory and Report

• The Cant Ranch Cultural Landscape Report was completed in 1996. • The Cant Ranch Cultural Landscape Inventory will be completed in 2009.

Potential Future Interpretive Projects

Exhibits/displays

• Either of the restoration projects or noxious weed control could be interpreted in the temporary display cases or on a fl at wall panel in the lobby of the visitor center. • The archeological survey could be interpreted in a display case in the Cant Ranch house.

84 I National Park Service Appendices

Brochures:

• The Upper Columbia Basin Inventory and Monitoring Network has prepared one-page fact sheets on each of their monitoring programs. The fact sheets were written for public dissemination. • Create species checklists/handouts on park wildlife. Work with Resource Manager to develop; and, determine where distribution within the park and in the local area might work best. Post information on park website too. • Since noxious weeds are such a problem, the Resource Manager could work with the interpretive staff to develop a brochure identifying the most problematic weeds, their impact on the environment, and a “What You Can Do” list of suggestions would be helpful to local residents; and, possibly of interest to other park visitors. There are many examples of weed brochures available from other federal, state, and county agencies. Grant County had one, but it's out of print at this time. Note: any publication developed can also be posted on the park website.

Waysides Topics and Locations

• A wayside on the riparian restoration project at Painted Hills could be placed in the Painted Hills picnic area. • A wayside for the riparian restoration along the John Day River could be placed along the River Trail behind the Cant Ranch house.

Small signs

• Place weed warning signs and boot cleaning stations at all trailheads. • Create plant identifi cation signs along the sidewalk leading to the visitor center from the parking lot.

Posters

Utilize Posters in the Visitor Center and on bulletin boards at all units to raise resource issues with park visitors. The Network monitoring program has the capability of producing posters. The Network’s poster production capability presents a good opportunity for the interpretive staff and the resource manager to collaborate on future projects. Topics might include: Christmas bird count program, the Network’s monitoring program, riparian restoration projects, and the noxious weed control program.

Park Website

Update park website to include current resource management research and project information. Provide a link to the Upper Columbia Basin Network’s website.

Other Ideas

• Create a “Touch Table” in the visitor center - containing antlers, feathers, bird nests and other wildlife indicators, as appropriate, documented, and allowed by law. Develop a companion training/information guide to insure the staff and volunteers convey the desired information the park would like to share with visitors.

John Day Fossil Beds National Monument Long-Range Interpretive Plan I 85 Appendices

• Develop an interactive computer web activity on park species identifi cation for use in the visitor center or by Internet visitors. Future web activities might include

• species identifi cation,

• the bat study to include voice prints and audible recordings,

• a tie in to our weather station

• Education room: there are a lot of possibilities here on any environmental awareness subject. Use coloring sheets, puzzles, animal track ink stamps (kind of messy though), etc.

• Use the park web cameras to give visitors a close-up look at species that are sometimes hard to see. For example: there is one raptor nest located in a tree just down the highway from the visitor center or there are swallow nests at the maintenance facility and the visitor center.

• Joint projects: during the development of future resource management research or fi eld projects collaborate with the Chief of Interpretation to create (as part of the funding request) end products that are part of the contract deliverable. For example: request that at the end of the project the researcher delivers a presentation(s); this program might be developed as an internal training session for interpreters; and/or a program for the general public.

• Another idea would be to pick a topic yearly to interpret; focus staff eff orts and create multiple products. For example since noxious weeds are a high priority problem. The park might consider focusing on this topic for a year – developing a poster, creating a “how to help” brochure, post information on the web and develop a program with the resource manager during the season where the problem is easily observed – or have the Resource Manager be a featured speaker at one of the summer weekly campfi re programs. Then the next year move onto another topic and approach from multiple interpretive angles (personal services, media and partners).

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Appendix E: Maximizing Visitor Experience to Facilitate Visitor Understanding and Appreciation for Fossil Resources and the Park Paleontology Research Program

An important tenet of interpretive excellence deals with scholarship -- whether or not the information conveyed in interpretive programs and media is based on the most current research. This principle is frequently extended to include:

1. Whether or not interested visitors have access to park staff members that are the subject matter specialists; 2. Visitor/scholar access to park research and/or the actual focus of the study (a specimen or artifact); and 3. The role and relationship between the park science/research/resource management program and interpretation – the operation that serves as the park’s primary communications and education branch with the general public.

During the August 2008 workshop, the staff at JODA discussed: in what ways can the park interpretive staff and the park paleontology staff work together to improve the visitor experience, visitor understanding and visitor support for fossil resources and the park paleontology research program.

Concepts and brainstorming ideas to remember for future inter-divisional program planning:

I. Interpreters require in depth resource information and training in order to eff ectively fi ll the role as the park’s primary communications branch. Training is a critical park investment that reaps long term rewards. For park management, personal services/the interpretive staff is the most fl exible and immediate means to address park issues requiring public understanding and support; and, in the instance when a park’s orientation fi lm, exhibit or publication is not easily understood – for whatever reason – the interpretive staff serves as the fi rst responder to a visitor’s question or confusion. They provide an appropriate response that ideally facilitates visitor understanding and support. The following areas are suggestions made by workshop participants to expand and improve training opportunities:

• Establish cross-training opportunities at Thomas Condon Paleontology Center (TCPC): (1) arranged with the paleontology staff , schedule interpreters to have “tours of duty” in lab/collections. Arrange to have the paleo staff to work at the VC desk to see what visitors are interested in, and what kinds of questions they are asking. (2) Conduct formal joint training sessions. For example: invite the paleontology staff to participate in park conducted Interpretive Program Development training modules. This might help to foster an understanding of NPS interpretive approaches used in interpretive media and ranger conducted programs. (3) In some instances inviting partners to join these training opportunities might be very helpful too.

• Assign the interpretive staff to shadow the paleo staff when they are out in the fi eld conducting surveys and fi eld work. This opportunity will provide the interpretive staff with greater understanding and insights. The interpretive staff can better engage the public with their own resource experiences and they can share these experiences in future interpretive programs and informal interpretive conversations with park visitors.

John Day Fossil Beds National Monument Long-Range Interpretive Plan I 87 Appendices

• Work with the Chief Paleontologist to select an interpretive staff member, demonstrating skills and interest, to be trained in fossil preparation skills. A trained interpreter might facilitate programs between the visitor center lobby and paleontologist working in the lab – or even staff the lab for the viewing public during a period they were scheduled to create fossil replicas for interpretive programs and exhibits. (This concept of training an interpreter to assist a subject matter specialist/professional, and then conduct a related interpretive program could also be carried over to other projects and park professions such as fi eld resource management projects.)

• Work with the Chief Paleontologist to select an interpretive staff member, demonstrating skills and interest, to be trained to help with collections management. Insights and experiences gained could be incorporated into future interpretive programs and informal interpretive conversations with park visitors.

• Conduct monthly paleontology/interpretation training brown-bag lunches where the interpretive and paleontology staff gathers together to learn and share informally.

• Train/work with the interpretive staff to develop programs “in the fi eld”, so the interpretive staff can bring groups to where the paleo staff is working at a fossil site as part of a program hike.

II. While interpretation communicates with the public most frequently; other staff also participate in the communications role. In some parks the subject matter expert is also an interpretive park ranger. However, this is become increasingly rare with ongoing park/ occupational work series specialization. Most often the subject matter expert (SME) works behind the scenes. In the latter example, the SME is brought into the interpretive program through scheduling as a featured speaker; or, as a trainer working with staff and volunteers. The following areas are suggestions made by workshop participants to bring the experts into the interpretive program and/or give visitors the opportunity to meet park paleontologists:

• Set up an advertised program schedule: look at the paleontology program schedule for the calendar year and determine where and how the interpretive staff might facilitate public access to meet the paleontologist to learn about park fossil resources. Future programs might include: bringing groups out to a fi eld site; or scheduling a meet/watch/and talk with the paleontologist preparing a specimen at TCPC.

• Interpretation and paleontology staff can create joint programs. For example: the paleo staff can invite visiting scientists to present a program to the public, while the interpretive staff takes the lead in the promotion and production of the event.

• Explore the possibility of conducting paleo staff led museum tours.

• Create an interp-paleo bulletin and news articles for visitors. Have interpretive staff write and consult with a paleo staff member for the science review. And visa versa – pursue a cooperative team approach. Have joint peer reviews of all new materials intended for the visitor so there is internal dialogue fi rst to enhance visitor understanding and connections.

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III. Other opportunities/program needs

• Request the Chief of Interpretation to participate in paleontology operational management document planning sessions when the stated objectives directly relate or aff ect the visitor experience. For example: how best to make the park’s fossil collection available to the public in educational and interpretive ways, so that the (publicly owned) collection is not completely closed, yet the specimens are properly safeguarded.

• Address the education collection – many labels are missing or unreadable (worn out).

• Develop a touch cart.

• Develop a “fossil of the month,” or “featured fossil” exhibit, perhaps media releases.

John Day Fossil Beds National Monument Long-Range Interpretive Plan I 89 Appendices

Appendix F: The Park Implementation Plan

First Steps: Recommended Action Items (years 1 – 3)

• Have the James Cant Ranch trails, including barn trail, open seven days a week during peak visitation seasons.

• Develop a joint agency rackcard of basic regulations available to the public. Develop an area map, rules, and regulations of regional agencies. Promote the “Leave No Trace” program for our region.

• Begin developing ideas for a new park movie to be produced before the NPS centennial (start production process to garner funding).

• Improve training for interpretive staff , for seasonal staff training, and for interdisciplinary staff training; with a summative evaluation.

• Focus on improving exhibits where needed, develop an audio tour of the exhibit area, and re- evaluate the 1st impressions made when people enter the patio, foyer, and lobby of the TCPC.

• Accessibility of exhibits, displays, and programs need to be improved to meet standards set by law; considering such methods as an assistive listening system, large print, audio description, accessibility equipment, auto-door, etc.

• Improve the in-park and local signage directing people to the park, especially in the Clarno Unit area.

• Enhance and develop new Educational Programs for our students. Set up an exploratory group for possible video conferencing for the local Education Service District (ESD).

• Develop a guidebook, a primary document, focusing on JODA (at least) its primary story.

• Conducted by all park staff , have group meetings, brown bagging it, perhaps twice per month. I&VS staff should meet monthly, or more, as a group with supervisors and managers.

• Develop a creative housing solution, so seasonal staff and volunteers have some place to reside in the community when working at JODA. Housing is very scarce locally.

• Provide more visitor service staff at the Painted Hills and Clarno Units, perhaps through hiring, volunteers, partners, and creative scheduling.

• Improve outreach public relations and education program outreach (via news releases, website, webquest, networking, partnerships, etc.).

• Emphasize the natural resources, natural history, story more in our over-all interpretation.

2nd Steps: Recommended Action Items (years 4-7)

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• The actual production of new park movie would be completed before 2016, the NPS centennial, and publically debuted.

• Implement video conferencing for broadcasting education programs

• As new areas in the Clarno Unit are being developed for study and public education, we should develop staffi ng (i.e. partners volunteers, etc) for protection and interpretation of such sites as the Clarno Unit mammal quarry, the Hancock Tree, and other resources. These sites should be made as accessible as possible, in regards to ADAAG standards.

• After a developmental period, institute some new education programs, perhaps 3-4 new, age- specifi c programs (two science, 1 cultural, 1 natural), and curriculum-based.

• Develop an audio tour, even virtual-audio tour, throughout park resources.

• Work to establish a college credit course, or courses, on our park story, and develop an internship programs with area schools of various levels.

• Interpretation and paleontology: produce an exhibit on early paleontologists and their activities, to be displayed at the Cant Ranch, even go on tour.

• Review wayside exhibit needs parkwide. Develop a short-term rehabilitation strategy. Create a PMIS project submittal for planning and replacement of waysides and bulletin boards parkwide.

• Create more virtual paleontology on web, especially on our website, for the public who visits us from afar.

3rd Steps: Recommended Action Items (years 7-10)

• With visitor facilities being developed on newly acquired lands at the Clarno Unit, the Hancock Tree should be made more accessible to the public, meeting ADAAG standards were possible, and adequate interpretation provided at these new sites.

John Day Fossil Beds National Monument Long-Range Interpretive Plan I 91 Appendices

Appendix G: Future Education Program Ideas for John Day Fossil Beds National Monument

This appendix includes program ideas discussed during the August 2008 workshop that could be useful in future planning endeavors.

In what ways can JODA get regional schools and colleges to use park and partner resources more often and more eff ectively, whether through on-site visits or outreach?

• The park has potential future educational/interpretive partners due to established working relationships on other projects. The paleontology staff frequently hosts scientists, university fi eld trips • An Oregon State University fi eld camp is located just east of Mitchell. • There may be a future partner opportunity between USFS through Title III funds to develop programs with partners to use resources and teach about area. • Work with county school system to develop an honors science class – and use OPLI and OMSI as an education partner in this endeavor. • Student Employment ( college students) • STEP program • Develop a Paleo Lab certifi cation course for future staff /volunteers • Consider creating a diff erent type of internship where course is paid for by student to gain training – similar to what colleges do • Expand the successful Jr. Ranger program • Develop a ranger guided tour for student groups timed with a time the Paleo team is typically out in the fi eld. Kids could meet the scientists, see the work area; however, most of the time spent by kids would be with the ranger out in the park. This approach may be more cost- eff ective, and would need to consider site security. • Partner with OMSI school groups, integrate a 1 hr ranger led program @ Hancock • Consider assigning a seasonal ranger to spend the night at Hancock and work with student groups for a longer time period. • Send interpretive staff to schools for outreach programs in Pendleton and Monument • “School to Work Programs” are not just for college kids • JODA received money to create a traveling school exhibit on the fossil rush & gold rush. We will need to develop a good marketing plan. (Consider developing a Vtel companion program that teachers could sign up for – since this is a project already underway. This would provide the park with an opportunity to market test your technology.) • Develop a park or region specifi c weekend course • Eastern Oregon – work with road log and US central Oregon; Central Oregon—(no comments recorded); Western Oregon- Link up with Hancock • Place fossil kits at every ESD offi ce with one teacher that is trained to take around to other schools • Work with regional educators to provide an “advanced placement” high school/college bound course related to the park’s features. The course would have to meet local curriculum standards but does not have to focus exclusively on paleontology -- that way you could draw from the entire professional JODA staff

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Interpretive Opportunities and Challenges

A. How best should the park expand programming, if at all?

• If the park is considering expanding the current program, it is important to connect this region to the broader national perspective – many people come from cities and it’s hard to relate to this region. • As resources and funds are not unlimited, an analysis of cost and educational eff ectiveness on current programs would help determine what programs may need to be dropped in order to allow new programs.

B. The park needs to seek more educational program presentation funds.

• Possibilities here include charging for certain programs given, allowed in some cases, and seeking specifi c grants for one time programs.

C. Bringing people here is a PROBLEM. Why?

• ! No place for large groups to stay! – Gyms • Costs = motels/food

Potential solution: keep students at school and put rangers/scientists on VTEL

D. If we chose to interpret via the Internet and webcasting, how would an interpreter maintain student interest without an actual person in the classroom?

Potential solutions: a. Develop teaching modules on a topic that are one hour in length and broken into four- 15 minute teaching segments when using VTEL b. Teach the teachers and let teachers teach at the schools c. Create kits of fossils that we can replicate and sell d. Use fossil kits an education component with VTEL (with permission from the Smithsonian) encourage students to handle objects during VTEL session e. Prepare interactive game that goes into kit or could be sold/loaned as a product. The on- line game could include measuring fossil “on line,” drawing fossil (interactive-)

E. What are the challenges working with colleges/universities that we need to consider, if we expand our program to reach this student level?

• Some colleges come with own program and do not need ranger/or Paleo professional to talk with them • Other colleges/groups not aware of what we have to off er • Sometimes we need to work to reach out an bridge the academic cultural mindset that : “we do our own thing”

F. What about other age appropriate educational opportunities?

• High School Students = internships, many school districts have community service requirements now

John Day Fossil Beds National Monument Long-Range Interpretive Plan I 93 Appendices

• Oregon Episcopal school has students who would like to work with the park staff • Consider job shadowing for one day • For the past 16 years – several local counties have school to work programs

G. What about using more interns in the Paleo –lab?

• What it takes: more resources • Time to teach in lab [TRAINING] can be an issue – you have to look at costs/benefi ts; how much time will interns give? And, this is actually true for all park disciplines looking at the cost/benefi t ratio • The Paleontology Program has an active internship program; participants are interviewed and selected on a case by case basis • An intern must be 18 to work in the Field Museum in Chicago. (The park’s Chief Paleontologist indicated that for the JODA lab this is a good standard to maintain.)

H. What are the biggest local disconnects?

• Local resources overlooked • Teachers burned out on existing material • Train teachers diff erently • Include Field techniques • Teachers feel threatened by overwhelming resources and science

I. How do we explore the value and eff ectiveness of curriculum based education programs and general ranger-led educational programs for students?

Interpretive challenge: the park staff has a problem with teachers not meeting park program requirements. For example: some teachers do not complete the program evaluation; or worse, they do not use the park provided pre-visit materials with students before arriving in the park.

• Park staff needs to defi ne what’s essential for the teacher to know/do before they come. This information should be conveyed in the cover letter to the teacher. • Consider sending a ranger/staff to classroom before the group comes to the park to build interest and cooperation • Evaluations: if you have not received a teacher evaluation, send the evaluation with the program application during registration for the next school year. Don’t register the school group again before you receive the evaluation. • Provide fun and rewarding workshops for teachers. Show them how to do the activity. • Send tour evaluation with application for next year program. Reward for good behavior – give a small token of appreciation after evaluation is received. • In the end it’s the teacher that has to adapt to the lesson plan. Ask teachers for ideas to improve program when things aren’t working. • Identify your audience (schools/counties) needs and requirements and work to develop new NPS programs with teachers • Lesson learned: improve “hands-on” items used in the program; and, interpret using the “student inquiry approach”: by having students answer their own questions (what do you know, want to know and have learned). • Teachers look to NPS for expertise – remember this is a long-term relationship you’re developing.

94 I National Park Service Appendices

• You have to teach the teacher. Teachers are learning too. It may take them several years to master the pre/post visit teaching program elements. • If the program is and “add-on” for the teacher – it wouldn’t be used. The NPS program needs to be integrated into the classroom and respond to specifi c classroom/teacher curriculum needs. • As an example, at Golden Gate National Recreational Area they: • Teach the teachers… • Promote the park through providing teacher training – including teachers in training (for college credit in education) • Connecting kids/students to land • Always remember – the teacher may be a poor role model – you’re doing the program for the students. So don’t take any personal frustrations out on the kids. Assess student knowledge needs quickly and change level of program accordingly.

J. What are other resources to consider?

• Operation Outreach: a literacy program for kids on the environment, great reading program focused on pre-school through 6th graders. • Leave No Trace training - NPS connections with Pacifi c West Region and lots of free stuff , ties directly with leaving things in place with all the principles • Project Archaeology training - easily translated to park paleontology themes. Includes an educators trunk too • Project WILD, Project WET, Project WILD Aquatic, Project WILD Flying and a host of others training • Partner with Oregon Small Schools Institute off ered in the summer • Partner with OPLI regarding DVD – geological/Paleo history of Oregon. • Ongoing consultation with Servicewide NPS staff involved with developing park education programs. • Continue to work with education specialists from Golden Gate National Recreation Area and Whitman Mission National Historic Site who assisted with the development of this LRIP.

John Day Fossil Beds National Monument Long-Range Interpretive Plan I 95 Appendices

Appendix H: The Early Years of JODA Interpretation (1970s-1980s)

Date: 09/18/2001 Sender: Kim Sikoryak (former JODA Interpretive Specialist) Subject: My recollections of the early years of JODA interpretive programs

During the fi rst few years, interpretive services centered on the visitor center and at trailheads and “Camp Hancock,” with the occasional presentation off site at schools. Contacts were very informal at fi rst. Eventually, the returning seasonal interpreters (myself included), became familiar enough with the actual resources at JODA and the state of knowledge regarding tertiary vertebrate paleontology that informal contact essentially became unscheduled, spontaneous thematic talks. Attempts were made several years in a row to schedule regular short interpretive talks on the back or side lawn of the Cant Ranch, but visitor fl ow was so irregular that such a formalized schedule was not an effi cient way to reach visitors. Interpreters began to stash small fragmentary remains behind the information counter, in vehicles, even in their pockets, so that there were always some tangible resources to display when chance provided the opportunity for a true interpretive event, rather than just a “howdy” informational contact with the visiting public.

When staffi ng allowed, we would “rove” the VC lawn, up to Sheep Rock Overlook via a connecting trail from the south lawn, and the bunkhouse when that was outfi tted as a display room. Dale Schmidt, when he was stationed at Fossil, presented many short programs to the Camp Hancock campers, including evening programs. Some of these were very general in nature, and many focused on the National Park System and Service rather than on JODA specifi cally.

The Fossil-based staff and Sheep Rock-based staff usually got out to Painted Hills once a week or so, to look around and contact any visitors that chance put in their way. This situation changed signifi cantly when the fi rst seasonal quarters trailer went in at Painted Hills. Then, visitor contact became much more frequent there, though that too was almost always unscheduled, informal contacts.

During the earliest years, we contended with school groups that were in the habit of coming out to the fossil deposits and “digging fossils” as a part-science/part-recreational activity. These forays were primarily led by teachers who had a personal interest in fossil collecting. Though collecting was illegal even during the years that JODA lands were state parks, it was a true challenge to change this behavior. Eventually, this situation eased by repeated contact with teachers and principals, and the retirement of some of the most recalcitrant teachers. Off ering guided walks as interpretive activities helped turn this tide. Most teachers without a personal passion for collecting were happy for the services of an interpreter who could provide context to the activity of walking into the beds. These walks averaged about an hour. As time went by, interpreters became more familiar with fl oat remains, and often noted such material when seen as a way to explain the necessity for leaving original material in place.

Off -site visits to schools in Fossil and Grant County (John Day, Canyon City, Monument) were infrequent. Presentations lasted about an hour and included the passing around of fragmentary remains (usually confi scated materials from intercepted unauthorized collecting that could not be associated with locale).

96 I National Park Service Appendices

Around 1980, as I recall, we built an actual trail into Blue Basin and subsequently put the fi rst wayside exhibits and replicas along the route. Many spontaneous public walks and scheduled school walks were built around the graphics, text, and replicas of the trail waysides.

At about the same time, we updated the fi rst set of roadside waysides in the park. A number of them contained errors of scientifi c naming or terminology--as well as some less factually erroneous, but equally unfortunate misleading statements (implying that oreodonts disappeared mysteriously in the middle of the night, etc.--similar to some of the unfortunate statements characteristic of coeval NPS signing regarding ancestral Puebloans, etc.). These corrections made the waysides more helpful as stand-alone media, as well as serving as aids when interpreters contacted visitors on roves.

Also around 1980, I began a couple of seasons of fi rst-person living history presentations on the south lawn of the VC. These were the idea of Pat Milliren, our chief interpreter at the time (and the fi rst chief of interpretation as a separate division). This was a mixed success. Even from the little I knew of this technique, it seemed unwise to impersonate an actual historic person (Loye Miller of UC). Many of the makeshift props available were far from perfect, but the audiences were forgiving and seemed to enjoy the activity. This program really only worked well when there was a uniformed interpreter available on the lawn to clue visitors in to the fi rst person nature of the event. Nonetheless, the service got good press and travelled to several schools as an off -site activity.

It was during this time that the park staff undertook to add to the initial set of exhibit materials developed at the time of the park’s establishment. Those fi rst media were the large photos, initial set of four “paleobiome” art renderings, Toms Bones Nut Beds materials, and UO vertebrate fossil replicas. Alton Albin, Cynthia Tait, and I developed the “Time Spiral” and the idealized stratigraphic column that came to be placed on the west wall of the living room in the Cant House (visitor center). We found these “home-made” exhibits to be quite helpful during interpretive presentations. Additional display materials were also produced in-house for the Princeton expedition display in the bunkhouse.

After the fi rst several years of operation, enough recognizable remains were discovered and recovered to give us plenty to talk about in terms of current activities, specimens, and plans for the future. We had received some special funding to stabilize the log cabin that had been moved from the far side of the river to the back lawn of the VC early on. Following this work, the cabin was set up as a proto-lab for showing fossil preparation work. This was really an interpretive, rather than curatorial activity, at fi rst. We simply used hand tools, an air scribe, and an abrasive blaster to better uncover bone fragments in specimens recovered from poachers. Nevertheless, there was intense visitor interest in this activity--and in the idea that something real and present-day was actually going on at the park. Of course, this became much more powerful and authentic when Ted Fremd (paleontologist) arrived. He quickly professionalized the activities in the lab. This immediately raised the question of whether this was an interpretive activity or a curatorial activity. In fact, it was both. We spent quite a bit of time working to accommodate both of these mandates in one very tiny facility--without driving the staff crazy trying to do essentially two things at the same time. At fi rst, the work counter was open. Conversation with visitors was easy. Then we felt it necessary to erect a plexiglass barrier to protect visitors from fl ying debris and blaster abrasives. This made communication much more diffi cult (especially if the preparator was wearing a respirator!). On occasion, a spare interpreter could be found to station in the visitor area of the lab to explain the

John Day Fossil Beds National Monument Long-Range Interpretive Plan I 97 Appendices

activity to visitors. This sort of turned the preparator into a living display (some said “zoo animal”) but was very eff ective. Unfortunately, the small space and small staff size rendered this approach infrequent and not very cost eff ective.

In a few years, relations with schools interested in recurring visits became much more normalized. Information sheets on group visits became standardized and allowed us to better get to know these groups, including any special considerations regarding educational objectives, quirks of teachers or schools, etc.

When Jim Mack was chief (mid 1980s), we also began to record spontaneous interpretive talks given at the VC or in the fi eld to spontaneously assembled groups. This was an interesting endeavor. Since logistics made scheduled presentations so ineff ective, we were naturally driven in this direction. But we defi nitely moved beyond just informal contacts to spontaneously delivered, semi- formal presentations. Jim wanted the interpretive staff to get credit for that work without claiming a level of formality of presentation that clearly we were not attaining. Log sheets were developed for this activity, and the format was essentially an outgrowth of the sheets used to log roving contacts.

During the time that I was chief (interpretation), I would say that the main focus was to emphasize that the park was a going scientifi c collection and research operation. Specimen mapping was well established by that time and Ted Fremd had instituted a regular schedule for surface collection (primarily by him and me, and any visiting researchers willing to do so). Air photos, curated specimens, and other primary materials and records were increasingly used in interpretive media and presentations to emphasize the active, on-going nature of activities--and the value of the park as a working site rather than a museum of past investigation. Already by the mid-1980s, there was strong consensus among staff that the park’s greatest value would be as an active center of scientifi c discovery and study. Plans for interpretive development (both personal services and media) were defi nitely centered on the twin foci of what the resources tell us about the past, and how we know what we think we know about what the resources tell us about the past. I think that is still valid, and seems to be the continuing justifi cation for the center that I understand is now funded. I certainly hope that comes to pass! It has been in the front of our minds for many years--and I feel no less passionate about it now than I did when I worked there.

That’s a quick sketch of what I remember.

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Appendix I: Bibliography

Park Specifi c Documents

Draft- March 2009 Upper Columbia Basin Network Inventory and Monitoring Program Science Communication Plan

Draft- August 2008 John Day Fossil Beds National Monument General Management Plan

2008 John Day Fossil Beds National Monument Museum Management Plan

2006 John Day Fossil Beds National Monument Business Plan

2005 Park Foundation Document

2004 John Day Fossil Beds National Monument Visitor Study; University of Idaho Park Studies Unit

2004 John Day Fossil Beds National Monument Fire Management Plan

1999 John Day Fossil Beds National Monument Resources Management Plan

Environment, Prehistory and Archaeology of John Day Fossil Beds National Monument Blue Mountain Region, North-Central Oregon; Greg C. Burtchard, 1998.

Cultural Landscape Report: Cant Ranch Historic District; Terri Taylor and Cathy Gilbert, 1996.

Floating in the Stream of Time: An Administrative History of John Day Fossil Beds National Monument; National Park Service; Pacifi c West Field Area – Columbia-Cascades Cluster, 1996

1991 Interpretive Prospectus - John Day Fossil Beds National Monument

October 26, 1974 Park Enabling Legislation

National Park Service Documents

2006 National Park Service Management Policies

2006 Interpretation and Education Renaissance Action Plan

2005 Director’s Order 6 - Interpretation and Education

2005 Intermountain Region Comprehensive Interpretive Planning Guide

2004 PWR & AKR Education Strategy “Inspiring Places - Inspiring People”

Visitor Use and Evaluation of Interpretive Media, September 2003, The National Park Service Visitor Services Project and Harpers Ferry Center

John Day Fossil Beds National Monument Long-Range Interpretive Plan I 99 Appendices

2000 Comprehensive Interpretive Planning; Addendum to NPS 6, National Park Service

Planning for: Interpretation and Visitor Experience; Harpers Ferry Center, 1998

1998 Sourcebook for Director’s Order on Park Planning

100I National Park Service Appendices

Appendix J: Park Planning Team

John Day Fossil Beds National Monument Staff Elena Albright, 2008 Visitor Services Seasonal Matt Becker, 2008 Visitor Services Seasonal Karen Beppler-Dorn, Acting Park Superintendent Randy Bilbeisi, Chief of Maintenance Tom Buce, Maintenance Employee Jennifer Cavin, Paleontology Museum Technician Julie Collins, 2008 Paleontology Seasonal Regan Dunn, NPS-JODA, Paleobotanist (former, transferred) John Fiedor, Chief of Interpretation (retired) Ted Fremd, Chief of Paleontology Jim Hammett, Park Superintendent Sarah Herve, Interpretive Ranger (former, transferred) Shirley Hoh, Chief of Natural Resources Elizabeth Inscore, 2008 Visitor Services Seasonal John Laing, Clarno Unit Ranger Charles Lindberg, 2008 Seasonal Interpretive Ranger Lindsay Mackenzie, 2008 Paleontology Seasonal Audrey Jo Mills, 2008 Seasonal Interpretive Ranger Paul Ollig, Chief of Interpretation Michelle Ordway, Interpretive Ranger Amy Poff , Interpretive Ranger Alicia Ritner, Chief of Administration Scott Ritner, Painted Hills Unit Ranger Dave Sandersfeld, 2008 Seasonal Interpretive Ranger Chris Schierup, Paleontology Collections Manager Matt Smith, Paleontologist (former, transferred) Gwen Valade, Maintenance Employee Lia Vella, Interpretive Ranger (former, transferred)

Partners: Jim Adams, Director, DYNW- Discover Your Northwest (formally NWIA) Ellen Bishop, OPLI-Oregon Public Lands Institute, Program Director Eloise Boron, Grant County Chamber of Commerce, Representative Will Boettner, OPLI-Oregon Paleo Lands Institute, Executive Director Virginia Gibbons, Ochoco National Forest-USFS and Prineville BLM, Public Aff airs Specialist Natascha Guluk, OMSI-Oregon Museum of Science and Industry, Hancock Field Station Director Pattie Hammett, USFS-Malheur National Forest, Public Aff airs Specialist Robert Lillie, Oregon State University, Professor of Geology Sharon Mogg, Grant County Chamber of Commerce, Director Paul Patton, Oregon State Parks, Regional Program Coordinator Robert Waltenburg, Oregon Department of Education, Grant County Education Service District Lisa Yonker, Discover Your Northwest Association, 2007-2008 Sales Clerk John Zancenella, Bureau of Land Management -Prineville District, Ranger

National Park Service (NPS) Staff and Other Consultants: Karen Beppler-Dorn, Superintendent, Klondike Gold Rush National Historical Park

John Day Fossil Beds National Monument Long-Range Interpretive Plan I101 Appendices

Nancy Caplan, NPS-Golden Gate National Recreation Area, Education Program Ranger Mike Dedman, NPS-Whitman Mission National Historic Site, Education Program Ranger Michelle Hartley, NPS-Harpers Ferry Center, Audio-Visual Producer Jason Kenworthy, Oregon State University, student - former seasonal park interpreter Mary Mallen, NPS-Harpers Ferry Center, Park Ranger-Lead Planner for this project Steve Mark, NPS-Crater Lake National Park, Historian

Plan designed by Ecos Environmental Design, Inc. for Harpers Ferry Center.

102I National Park Service National Park Service U.S. Department of the Interior John Day Fossil Beds National Monument

John Day Fossil Beds National Monument 32651 Highway 19 Kimberly, OR 97848-9701

Park Headquarters 541-987-2333 www.nps.gov/joda