Arrowhead • Fall 2008 1 Arrowhead Fall 2008 • Vol
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Arrowhead • Fall 2008 1 Arrowhead Fall 2008 • Vol. 15 • No. 4 The Newsletter of the Employees & Alumni Association of the National Park Service Published By Eastern National FROM THE DIRECTOR National Parks Second Century or more than Fa half-century, Commission Established folk singers have been repeating the Old Testament PS Director Mary A. Bomar has experts, park managers and the general conservationists, academics, business lead- advice: “To every Nhailed the establishment of the public over the course of their 12-month ers, policy experts and retired NPS execu- thing there is a National Parks Second Century Commis- effort, culminating in a report with rec- tives. The commission is led by former season.” This is a sion, a nonpartisan citizens group that will ommendations in the fall of 2009. senators Baker and Johnston. season of change provide recommendations for the future Former United States senators Howard “As the National Park Service looks and a season of celebration. of the National Park System. The com- H. Baker, Jr. (R-Tenn.) and J. Bennett ahead to our centennial in 2016,” said Most of the world’s religions rec- mission first met in August at Santa Johnston, Jr. (D-La.) announced the for- Director Bomar, “we appreciate that ognize the lengthening days that Monica Mountains NRA and will meet in mation of the National Parks Second public-spirited citizens step forward to follow the winter solstice as a time four additional national parks by June of Century Commission on Aug. 12. The help chart the course of our parks for of hope and possibility. For us in next year, including Yellowstone NP, Get- commission is made up of close to 30 another century.” the northern hemisphere, that time tysburg NMP, Lowell NHP and Great national leaders, experts and thinkers In a letter thanking the commission is now. Smoky Mountains NP. The commission drawn from a broad range of back- members for their service, Director With an election just past and will hear from a range of subject-matter grounds, including scientists, historians, continued on page 11 a presidential inauguration just ahead, we know that change will be part of the future of government, including the future of the National Park Service. It has been my privi- lege for the last two years to help Denali NP & PRES Holds Dedication lay a foundation for what I believe will be a better, stronger Service in the years ahead. Our challenges Ceremony for New Visitor Center are great—and growing. We have made progress. We enali NP & PRES’s new Eielson have set in motion a process to DVisitor Center was officially dedi- supplement our tax-supported cated during a ceremony on Aug. 12. budget in a sustained way through Park staff hosted the dedication event at the Centennial Challenge program, which holds promise for a sound the visitor center, which is located at Mile second century of parks. We 66 of the Denali Park Road. The cere- have begun rebuilding our human mony included addresses by invited dig- resources, especially through ex- nitaries, with DOI Assistant Secretary for panded seasonal employment. Fish, Wildlife and Parks Lyle Laverty as We have begun rebuilding our the keynote speaker. A ribbon cutting infrastructure, with a series of visi- was immediately followed by an open tor centers and other facilities house. The event was open to the public, designed to meet, even exceed, who reached the remote facility via the rising standards of energy efficien- cy and environmental compatibility. park’s shuttle-bus system. The new 7,400-square-foot visitor cen- There is much yet to be done. ter features large indoor and outdoor We worry about tomorrow. Anyone who has been paying attention has viewing areas, an indoor dining area and seen the decline in youth engage- an alcove for indoor ranger presentations. ment with nature and history—and The total cost of the building and its a related slide in physical fitness. NPS photo by Kent Miller exhibits was $9.2 million. We manage America’s touch- VISITORS TO THE DEDICATION CEREMONY for the new Eielson Visitor Center at Throughout the six-year design and stones of inspiration and informa- Denali NP & PRES listen to keynote speaker DOI Assistant Secretary for Fish, Wildlife and tion. Our first job, always, is the Parks Lyle Laverty at the podium. continued on page 10 protection of the parks. We must assure that these special places are maintained so that future gen- erations can know and understand Laurance S. Rockefeller Preserve Center what we valued enough to keep and pass on. Our next job, only marginally less Opens at Grand Teton NP needed than the first, is as educa- tors who must compete effectively for the minds and hearts of Ameri- By Jackie Skaggs, Public Affairs Officer, restore and sustain the human spirit. It Rockefeller, stated that Laurance was the ca’s youth. As the keepers of a Grand Teton NP was his hope that, by experiencing this “intellectual father” of the preserve, and great nation’s legacy, we must spiritual and emotional renewal, visitors to that he prioritized “removing the hand of teach the next generation how to rand Teton NP Supt. Mary Gibson the preserve would become aware of the man” to return the preserve to its natural share the values and to appreciate GScott and the staff of Grand Teton importance of nature in their own lives condition. John Turner told of floating on the symbols of that legacy. NP, the family and associates of Laurance and acknowledge their roles in acting as the Snake River with Laurance and Mary There are real challenges to con- S. Rockefeller, former Assistant Secretary good stewards of the land. The new inter- Rockefeller “on a beautiful fall day with vincing the insulated and the iso- of State John Turner and approximately pretive center, a Platinum-level Leader- blazing colors,” and having Rockefeller lated that we have something 175 guests joined together on June 21 ship in Energy and Environmental Design hint at his desire to return the JY Ranch to better. That goal is the central gift for a dedication ceremony to mark (LEED) certified building, offers visitors a its natural state and make it available to our parks and programs offer in our the grand opening of the Laurance S. distinctive opportunity to learn about the the general public. Turner went on to say, next hundred years. Rockefeller Preserve Center. NBC News natural world. The center and restroom “Laurance hoped people would restore This is the season to look back Correspondent Pete Williams served as buildings were designed and constructed their spirits in the wilderness setting.” with pride and ahead with hope. emcee for the special event. to be a model NPS facility by using the Intermountain Regional Director Mike Best wishes to the entire National The Laurance S. Rockefeller Preserve— latest environmental technologies and Snyder commented, “Seeing this amazing Park Service family for a wonderful the former JY Ranch, which served as sustainable techniques. place in person, I have to say that the val- holiday season and many new a longtime summer retreat for the During the ceremony, Lucy Rockefeller ue of this gift is absolutely priceless.” years of happiness. Rockefeller family—is a reflection of Mr. Waletzky said her father thought of The Laurance S. Rockefeller Preserve Rockefeller’s lifelong commitment to “mind-body-spirit as one word,” because Center is situated to capture views of —Mary Bomar making areas of natural scenic beauty people would be “physically and emotion- the Teton Range, and the interpretive accessible to the public. Laurance strong- ally renewed at the same time.” Clayton ly believed that nature has the power to W. Frye, longtime senior associate of continued on page 2 2 A rrowhead • Fall 2008 Focus on the Parks • In September, over 21 tons of old tires 2000 and the second in Buddha Gaya, were removed from Hurricane Ridge in India in 2005, where the Buddha Laurance S. Rockefeller Olympic NP thanks to a creative part- attained enlightenment. Devils Tower is nership between the U.S. Coast Guard, the location where the White Buffalo the Washington State Department of Calf Woman delivered the sacred bundle Preserve Center Ecology (DOE) and Olympic NP. The to the Lakota, Nakota and Dakota tires were placed at the lower end of the nations. Along with the sacred bundle, ski area Poma lift in the early 1980s to she taught the people how to perform help contour the slope for skiers trying the seven sacred ceremonies and to live to get onto the lift. Tires are known to in a good and humble way. generate hazardous byproducts that can The crowd was entertained by various leach into surrounding soil and water. dance, drum, storytelling and music Ten Coast Guard crewmembers and 10 performances, including several enter- NPS employees helped with the tire tainers who traveled from Japan to cele- removal. The 500-plus tires were loaded brate the unveiling of the world peace into a DOE-supplied truck for transport sculpture. Chief Arvol Looking Horse, to a recycling facility. 19th generation keeper of the sacred bundle delivered by the White Buffalo • On Sept. 6, about 250 people gathered Calf Woman, spoke of his world peace at Devils Tower NM to enjoy the open- and prayer day efforts, and the consul ing of the new interpretive site—Tribal general for Japan in Denver, Kazuaki Connections. The centerpiece of the Kubo, spoke of the importance of the David Swift new site is Wind Circle, a world peace day’s activities. sculpture donated to the NPS by Japan- GRAND TETON NP SUPT.