Mesa VerdStew aFrdso ofu ann Andcieantt Tireoasun re SPRING NEWSLETTER 2018

LETTER FROM THE MESA VERDE NATIONAL PARK SUPERINTENDENT As I walked to my office this from a $1 per night optional charge to guests morning, I noticed a slate gray staying at the Far View Lodge. Funds collected by sky and felt a cold wind blow - our concessioner, Aramark, were sent to the ing from the southwest. National Park Foundation and then to the Mesa Another blustery spring day. Verde Foundation (MVF) under the Guest Donation I’ve seen more staff in the park Program. The program allows us to use these funds than visitors over the winter, to improve the visitor experience. This upgrade has but that’s starting to change. resulted in high definition video and multi-channel stereo sound. Improvements to the system at the Spring break is upon us. Daylight Savings Time is Morefield Amphitheater will be completed later here, along with longer days. Both will bring warm this year. weather and more visitors to Mesa Verde and soon the ratio of staff to visitors will change dramati - These improvements will enhance the enjoyment of cally. We’re looking forward to another year full of our visitors watching the orientation video, and tours, special events and a few changes. We’ve other videos currently in production. I’ll talk more moved our off site tour ticket sales outlet to the about those in a future column. For now, it’s time Durango Welcome Center on Main Ave. We feel it to turn off my computer, put on my jacket and will provide convenient access to purchase tickets brave the fierce spring winds on my way home. and park information for visitors in, and residents Thank you for your support of a wonderful park, of Durango.

A new audio-visual system was installed in the Chapin Cliff Spencer Mesa Museum. Funding for the improvements came Mesa Verde Superintendent

MESA VERDE FOUNDATION BREAKFAST IN DENVER May 10, 2018, 7:30-9 am, History Colorado Center, 1200 Broadway, Denver Colorado The MVF Board of Directors invites you to enjoy collection will be in view. Attendees will have the a complimentary gourmet breakfast, a viewing of opportunity to meet the MVF Board members and Mesa Verde artifacts from History Colorado’s learn about how you can help us in our work to sup - collection, and a short film about the creation and port the treasure that is Mesa Verde National Park. development of the park. Please make your reservation by contacting Superintendent Cliff Spencer from Mesa Verde Janet McFarland Burlile at (303) 321-3120 or National Park will be the keynote speaker and [email protected]. select artifacts from History Colorado’s Wetherill

1 Mesa Verde Foundation Provides Funding for Cliff Palace Restoration

s the largest and most famous cliff dwelling has begun to slide, causing structural damage to the in Mesa Verde National Park, Cliff Palace prehistoric structures. After conducting numerous is as iconic as the Park itself. Each year, studies and examinations, a team of archaeologists Athousands of visitors view Cliff Palace in awe from and stabilization experts began stabilization work in one of the nearby overlooks or take a ranger-led 2015. Since work began, Cliff Palace has been guided tour of this magnificent Ancestral Puebloan closed each fall to allow for this critical work to be ruin. In 2011, during a tour, a ranger noticed that a completed. wall in Kiva F, the 13th-century structure located on the southern part of the cliff alcove, was leaning The Mesa Verde Foundation is proud to support into the structure. Although after initial examina - these efforts by providing funding for the stabiliza - tions National Park Service archaeologists thought tion work. We recently transferred $70,000—the the issue was localized in Kiva F, further examina - result of donations from a number of donors—to tion revealed a much larger problem. After months support the work during fall 2018. To learn more of careful study, archaeologists found that the south about Cliff Palace and the work of the National half of Cliff Palace was suffering from localized Park Service to preserve and stabilize it, visit deterioration of individual structures and features, nps.gov/meve/learn/historyculture/cp_ as well as systemic structural issues. Cliff Palace preservation_currentneeds.htm. If you are was built on a combination of bedrock on the north interested in supporting this important work with a side and loose soil and rubble on the southside. As a gift, please contact the Mesa Verde Foundation at result, the structures built on the sandy substrates [email protected] or (303) 321-3120.

2 2018 Tours Announced Mesa Verde Foundation is happy to announce its 2018 tour schedule. We strive to provide exciting and educa - tional tours for those interested in experiencing more of Mesa Verde National Park and the greater Ancestral Puebloan region. This year, we will once again hold a fall tour of Mesa Verde and, back by popular demand, we will offer an exclusive horseback tour of the park.

Mesa Verde National Park on Horseback Spring House September 6-8, 2018

Join the Mesa Verde Foundation on an exclusive horseback tour of Mesa Verde National Park, one of 12 original UNESCO World Heritage sites, which is home to thousands of ancient artifacts and remnants of Ancestral Puebloan tribes. Guests will arrive on September 6 to enjoy a wine and cheese reception in Durango. At the reception, participants will have the opportunity to get acquainted with other riders and to prepare for this riding adventure. On September 7, participants will ride eight miles roundtrip into Navajo Canyon with its stunning views of cliff dwellings. Riders will enjoy a gourmet lunch at Spring House and the opportunity to view this archaeological site before the return ride. The trip will conclude with a tour of Skyhorse Saddlemakers on September 8. Participants should be experienced and may either bring their own horse or lease one for the tour. Hotel accommodations, horse boarding or rentals and some meals are the responsibility of individual participants. Cost: $500 members/$550 non-members

Fall Tour of Mesa Verde National Park September 28-October 1, 2018 Join Dr. Andrew Gulliford, Professor of History and Environmental Studies at Fort Lewis College, for a three-day tour of Mesa Verde National Park, one of 12 original UNESCO World Heritage sites, home to thousands of ancient artifacts and remnants of Ancestral Puebloan tribes. During this three-day tour, you will visit cliff dwellings and learn about the history of Ancestral Puebloans, who lived at Mesa Verde. The tour will include tours of some of Mesa Verde’s most iconic sites with Dr. Gulliford, lodging (based on double-occupancy), six meals and an exclusive reception at the Superintendent’s House in the park. The tour includes moderate to more challenging hikes with options for those wanting a less rigorous experience. Transportation to the park, park entrance fees, and select meals will be the responsibility of tour participants. Cost: $995 members/$1,075 non-members

Space is limited, so make your reservation today. For more information or to join a tour, please visit mesaverdefoundation.org or contact Janet McFarland Burlile at [email protected].

3 More Bear Lockers Needed for Morefield Campground

ast summer, Mesa Verde National Park staff habituation of bears to human food. Currently, and visitors reported an increased number Morefield Campground has only 17 food storage of bear sightings in the park. More sightings lockers for its 329 campsites. Providing additional Lno doubt mean an increased risk of interactions food storage lockers will reduce access to food between people and bears. for bears and other wildlife, Morefield Campground, the park’s resulting in safer camping conditions only campground, is in the middle for visitors, less property damage to of prime black bear habitat due to camper equipment, and a reduced the abundance of vegetation that chance that a bear will have to be provides forage for bears through - removed and relocated, or worse, out the summer. In the past 25 euthanized. years, there have been numerous occasions where bears have frequented the More - The Mesa Verde Foundation is launching a cam - field Campground and put campers, staff and the paign to purchase additional bear-proof food storage bears themselves at risk. When campers leave their lockers for Morefield Campground. You can help by coolers and food containers unattended in campsites making a gift of any amount. Gifts of a $100 or while visiting the park, they may be cited for more will receive all the benefits of being a Friend leaving unsecured food available to bears. of Mesa Verde Foundation. Those who contribute $1,500 will receive their name or group’s name Food storage using approved bear-proof lockers has engraved on a 2”x3” plaque affixed to one of the been proven to be highly effective in reducing the new bear-proof storage lockers.

Help us protect the bears and become a Friend of Mesa Verde Foundation! For more information on the bear-proof storage locker campaign, contact Janet McFarland Burlile at (303) 331-3120 or [email protected] Black bears at Mesa Verde National Park. or visit www.mesaverdefoundation.org All photos © NPS.

4 Mesa Verde Foundation Assists with Upgrading Exclusive Audio Visual Concert! Presentations at the Park

At City Winery by Kim Thompson MICHAEL MARTIN MURPHEY ~IN THE PARK~ As mentioned in the Superintendent’s column, n June 23, 2018, forty guests of the Mesa audio visual presentations at the Chapin Mesa Archaeological Museum and Morefield Camp - Verde Foundation will enjoy an exclusive ground are being upgraded to give guests a Oconcert by the original Cosmic Cowboy— much-improved experience. The Mesa Verde Michael Martin Murphey. Before the concert, Foundation has worked closely with project guests will enjoy dinner at the Superintend - managers and vendors to help see these projects ent’s House while chatting with Mr. Murphey come to fruition. and taking in stunning panoramic views of Chapin Mesa. The Superintendent’s House is Funds were provided through the Guest Donation a private residence that originally housed the Program, which comes from guests who stay at Park’s Superintendent and today is used for Far View Lodge and opt to contribute $1 per night’s stay. Improvements are completed at private events and use by park service staff. Chapin Mesa Archaeological Museum and guests Following dinner, guests will be treated to an are already raving about the new experience. The campground project will commence later this intimate concert with Michael Martin Murphey spring in time for the summer camping season. at the Chapin Mesa Amphitheater. Transporta - tion from Durango to the park will be avail - able. Tickets to this exclusive event are $1,000/person and proceeds will support the The Mesa Verde Foundation Mesa Verde Foundation’s mission to provide is working to go green and support for improvements, projects and educa - will be converting its tional endeavors at Mesa Verde National Park. newsletter to an electronic version in For more information or 2018. Please be sure your email to make your reservation, contact address is on file by emailing Janet McFarland Burlile [email protected]. [email protected] or (303) 321-3120

5 WELACt Oits MmoEst MrecEenSt ABo aVrEd mReDetiEng Fs iOn NUoNveDmbAeTr 2IO017N ’aSnd N FEebWru aBryO 20A1R8, DMV MF EeleMctBedE RS six new Board members. We are pleased to welcome Marilyn Alkire, Doug Bacon, Jerry Burk, Mark Epstein, Elaine Gunnell and Marion Swett Robinson.

Marilyn Alkire returns to the Mesa Jerry Burk is a tax and estate Verde Foundation board having attorney at Burk & Burk, Attorneys served from 2006-2016. Marilyn is at Law in Centennial, Colorado. a native Minnesotan, who moved to Jerry received her CPA from the Colorado in 1974 where she at - State of Colorado in 1976 and gradu - tended law school at the University ated from the University of Denver of Denver College of Law. Marilyn Law School in 1982. Jerry’s passions practiced environmental and natural resource law for are her family, travel, her horses and a number of years, as an associate, and then partner, dogs, and of course, Mesa Verde National Park. Jerry at Holme Roberts & Owen. After retiring, she focused lives in Parker, Colorado with her husband Gene. her passion for the environment through support for national parks. She has served on the boards of the Mark Epstein was co-founder and Yellowstone Association and the Western National principal consultant of the Conver - Parks Association, which represents over 60 national gent Group, where he served in a parks and monuments, as well as the Mesa Verde variety of roles from Principal Con - Foundation. She served as board chair for both the sultant, President, and to President Mesa Verde Foundation (2009-2012) and the Yellow - and CEO of Graphic Data Systems, stone Association. Marilyn and her husband Alan a Convergent Group member com - Shaw are avid outdoor enthusiasts. They live in both pany. Mark resides in Durango, Castle Rock, Colorado and Big Sky, Montana and Colorado, where he is an active member of the com - spend a substantial amount of time every summer fly munity and volunteer for a variety of organizations. fishing at their fishing homes in Craig, Colorado and Mark has been a member and mentor for the SCAPE Ft. Smith, Montana. (Southwest Colorado Accelerator Program for Entre - preneurs) since 2011. From 2013 to 2014 he was a Doug Bacon is the CEO of TGI member of the Board of Directors of Character.Org, a Direct, a marketing support services non-profit dedicated to improving our society by firm based in Flint, Michigan that teaching what it means to be a person of moral and provides consulting, project man - performance character. In 2013, Mark retired as Vice- agement, manufacturing and distri - President of the Board of Directors and co-founder of butions services. Doug earned a BS Mountain Middle School, a start-up charter middle from the University of Colorado in school in Durango that opened in August 2011. Mark Boulder, Colorado. He was formerly a professional is married to Alison and has three children. In his mountaineer working for the largest college accred - spare time, he plays banjo in a semi-professional ited non-profit, private outdoor school in the country– bluegrass band—The Badly Bent. The National Outdoor Leadership School (NOLS). Doug also enjoyed a brief stint as a national park Elaine Gunnell , a graduate of ranger. He has and does serve on several boards, and Clarion State College and native of committees. Doug lives in Hartland Michigan with Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, relocated his wife Indy. They have two grown children, two to Denver in 2001. Her career his - grandkids, a wonderful daughter-in-law, and a tory spans academia and the private beautiful chocolate lab. sector. A Deanship at Carnegie Mel - lon University and twenty years in the rail transportation industry, managing international

6 and domestic system integration projects, prepared her for her latest career—that of a community volunteer. Become a Friend of Mesa Since relocating to Colorado, she has served on boards of various nonprofits. Elaine is passionate about her Verde Foundation Today! adopted state, the national parks, all things western, and her family. Friends of Mesa Verde Foundation Levels Marion Swett Robinson grew up in Rochester, New York and currently All levels receive a MVF decal, discounts on lives in Darien, Connecticut and MVF Programs, invitations to MVF events, Durango, Colorado. Marion Quarterly MVF Newsletter, listing in MVF received a BA from Wellesley Annual Report College, an MBA from Stanford Business School and MA from Stan - Mesa Verde Contributer $100 - $249 ford University. Marion’s business Mesa Verde Sustainer $250 - $499 career spans a variety of financial institutions, Mesa Verde Partner $500 - $999 including Bankers Trust Company, Nomura Securities and, currently, Atrevida Partners (investment advisor Fellow level memberships receive the Basic and hedge fund manager). She has served on a number member benefit plus discounts on MVF Tours, of non-profit boards and industry associations. Her Annual Mesa Verde Wall Calendar, Mesa Verde: interests include travel (including in an RV), classical The First 100 Years book (one-time gift), invita - music (especially opera) and western landscape and tions to special MVF Fellows tours, exclusive plein air art. She first visited Mesa Verde National events and receptions in Denver, the Four Cor - Park in the 1950s on a family camping trip in a station ners Region, Phoenix, Santa Fe and the Park. wagon and is delighted to have the opportunity to serve its interests. Spruce Tree Fellow $1,000 - $2,499

Balcony House Fellow $2,500 - $4,999 Spruce Tree and Balcony House Fellows Mesa Verde Foundation receive Basic member benefits and Fellow level benefits plus a Mesa Verde National Park Annual Board of Directors Pass. Mary Willis, Chair Cliff Palace Fellow $5,000 - $9,999 Jim Wilkins, Immediate Past Chair Cliff Palace Fellows receive basic member bene - David Nagler, Vice-Chair fits and Fellow level benefits plus an Annual Tom Sickler, Vice-Chair America the Beautiful pass to all National Parks. Mary Beth West, Secretary Colin Waldon, Treasurer Mesa Verde Society $10,000 and Up Marilyn Alkire • Doug Bacon Mesa Verde Society members receive Basic Jerry Burk • Jim Dulin member and Fellow level benefits plus an Troy Eid • Mark Epstein Annual America the Beautiful pass to all Andrew Gulliford • Elaine Gunnell National Parks and complimentary behind-the- Ernest House, Jr. • Peter Pino scenes tours/programs at Mesa Verde National Marion Swett Robinson Park and other venues (museums, archaeological Barbara Sutteer sites, etc.), and special, one-on-one tours/recep - tions with Park Superintendent and other Park Executive Director personnel or archaeologists. Janet McFarland-Burlile

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