Arrowhead • Spring 2007 1 Arrowhead Spring 2007 • Vol. 14 • No. 2 The Newsletter of the Employees & Alumni Association of the National Park Service Published By Eastern National FROM THE DIRECTOR NPS Announces 391st Unit: Sand recently attend- I ed both the Creek Massacre National Historic Site Midwest Region’s Superintendents’ n April 28, 2007, National Park across its valley onto the surrounding the congressional legislation authorizing Conference and OService Director Mary Bomar, plains and bluffs, I reflected on how them, or by the president, who proclaims the biennial George along with Tribal leaders and massacre necessary this dedication was,” said “national monuments” under the Antiq- Wright Society Con- uities Act of 1906. Many names are ference. With a descendents, federal, state and local Director Bomar. “The National Park shared theme of officials, Tribal drummers and ceremo- Service is proud to announce Sand descriptive—lakeshores, seashores, battle- “Rethinking Protected Areas in a nial flag color guards, dedicated Sand Creek Massacre National Historic Site fields—but not all are easily categorized Changing World,” the concurrent Creek Massacre National Historic Site as the 391st unit of the National Park because of the diversity of resources with- meetings were held in St. Paul, in southeastern Colorado as the newest Service. The history of this great nation in them. The NPS preserves stunning nat- Minn., affording an excellent oppor- unit of the NPS. Director Bomar for- is not complete without an understand- ural areas such as Yellowstone and Grand tunity for the two groups to engage mally dedicated this new site, where ing and respect for the tragedies that Canyon, national significant historic areas in spirited off-session discussions, 143 years ago a force of some 700 sol- affect our national consciousness. We like Independence Hall or Aztec Ruins, as well as formal connections. diers, the majority 100 day volunteers, hope that when people visit this impor- battlefields such as Gettysburg or Anti- Members of the two organiza- attacked a village of Cheyenne and Ara- tant national park site, they will learn etam, seashores at Cape Cod and Padre tions and their respective partners paho Indians camped along Sand Creek about and remember the Northern and Island, lakeshores and rivers at Sleeping had stimulating debate on a variety in Colorado Territory. The new site Southern Cheyenne and Arapaho vic- Bear Dunes and Upper Delaware River, of topics ranging from Native Peo- monuments and memorials like the Wash- ple and Protected Lands to the memorializes that massacre of nearly tims of Sand Creek.” Renaissance for Interpretation and 160 Cheyenne and Arapaho on Novem- The diversity of the units within the ington Monument or the World War II Education and the National Park ber 29, 1864. National Park System is reflected in the Memorial, parkways such as the Natchez Service Centennial Initiative. “As I looked out at Sand Creek and variety of classifications they are given in continued on page 10 I was particularly pleased with the frank give-and-take between presenters and the Midwest Region superintendents and management staff. I was even pleased to find I Interior Secretary and NPS Director Attend was not spared tough and thought- ful questions after I spoke. I hope Frederick Douglass NHS Ceremonial Reopening that this sort of dialogue will be a continuing part of my tenure as director. I believe I get my best integrity and humanity we should emu- advice when there is a free and late. Visitors can once again tour this frank exchange of ideas. house and see it as it was in the days At George Wright, I was able to when he lived here. Even more so, they reinforce my commitment to careful can learn how Frederick Douglass research and thoughtful analysis. became the conscience of a nation when The entire conference underscored it was struggling with issues of racial the essential message that effective injustice and equality.” natural and cultural resource Frederick Douglass was born into management is integral to sound slavery on the Eastern Shore of Mary- park operations. land in 1818. During the course of his The opportunity to share the remarkable life, he escaped from slavery, microphone with my colleagues, became internationally renowned for Ernesto Enkerlin of Mexico and Alan his eloquence in the cause of liberty and Latourelle of Canada, was a special went on to serve the national govern- privilege. We all enjoyed the give- ment in several official capacities. and-take with conference partici- First opened to the public in 1972, pants on a wide range of topics. NPS photo by Terry Adams Frederick Douglass NHS celebrates SECRETARY OF THE INTERIOR DIRK KEMPTHORNE looks on as NPS Director Speaking of colleagues, I was Douglass’ life and work. The Douglass thrilled that we were joined by five Mary Bomar speaks during the ceremonial reopening of the historic home at home was reopened to the public in former NPS directors at our Frederick Douglass NHS on April 23. National Leadership Council (NLC) February 2007, following a three-year, ecretary of the Interior Dirk Interior to officially commemorate the $2.7 million preservation project. meeting in May: Bob Stanton, SKempthorne kicked off National reopening of the Frederick Douglass Roger Kennedy, Jim Ridenour, Gary “The National Park Service is proud Park Week at a ceremonial reopening of house,” Kempthorne said. “Frederick Everhardt and George Hartzog. to manage, conserve and interpret this the historic home at Frederick Douglass Douglass is truly one of our nation’s very important national historical site,” The NLC discussed many topics, NHS in Washington, D.C., on April 23. great heroes; a man whose life we but spent a great deal of time on “It is my honor as Secretary of the should study and whose courage, continued on page 3 the people programs. For this to be a true “time of the people” we must prepare the next generation of park leaders with training and develop- ment opportunities. President’s National Park Service Budget Just as our former directors con- tinue to contribute, I hope we can also draw on the immense experi- Proposes Record Increases for Park Operations ence of our NPS alumni to help mentor and counsel the future gen- resident Bush’s $2.4 billion NPS increase in park operations funding over budget,” Bomar said. “It includes $100 eration of leaders for our parks. Pbudget for fiscal year 2008 calls for his fiscal year 2007 budget request,” million of discretionary funds for parks People will always be the essen- the largest increase in park operations said NPS Director Mary Bomar. “That each year and up to $200 million a tial ingredient of our Service and I funding ever proposed and leveraged is the largest increase ever for park oper- year within the Centennial Initiative, know we can depend on both our public-private investments that could ations and programs that directly bene- which would provide $100 million a employees and alumni to help move generate as much as $3 billion to help fit national parks.” The FY 2008 budget year to match donations for signature us forward. And I know we can the parks prepare for their 100th birth- proposal is the first financial infusion for projects and programs.” Bomar said the always depend on the Employees day in 2016. The proposed budget the President’s Initiative to ready Amer- Centennial Initiative emphasizes three and Alumni Association to support includes 3,000 new seasonal employees, ica’s parks for the 2016 Centennial of key goals: us as members of the National Park continues increases for park maintenance the National Park Service. Service family—you’re the best! • Engage all Americans in preserving our and targets specific cultural and natural The “National Parks Centennial Ini- heritage, history and natural resources resource improvements. tiative” is a potential $3 billion invest- through philanthropy and partnerships. —Mary Bomar “All of this is possible because the ment in the coming 10 years. “This is president recommends a $230 million money above and beyond our regular continued on page 3 2 A rrowhead • Spring 2007 Focus on the Parks • The special regulations for D ry Tortu- no-anchor ecological preserve that pro- gas NP, published in the Federal Regis- vides a sanctuary for species affected by ter Dec. 19, 2006, became effective Jan. fishing and loss of habitat. Fifty-four Connecting with the Cosmos 19. Among other things, the regulations percent of the park remains open to fish- establish a Research Natural Area (RNA) ing. “The RNA allows for a better visitor at Carlsbad Caverns NP that adds a new layer of protection for experience, while protecting the unique the marine resources of the park by not natural treasures above and below the By Shannan Marcak, Park Ranger, the sun, it looked like a tiny, perfect- allowing fishing or anchoring. sea. Future generations will be able to Carlsbad Caverns NP ly round droplet of jet-black ink. The “The RNA complements the adjacent experience the remoteness, tranquility Tortugas Ecological Reserve in the Flori- visual size comparison was often and the abundance and diversity of coral n November 8, 2006, employees shocking and even humbling. Real- da Keys National Marine Sanctuary, cre- and marine and bird species that were Oat Carlsbad Caverns NP knew ating the largest no-take marine reserve ization that this diminutive “speck” once common in this part of America, they had found the perfect time to test was actually another world was often in the continental United States,” said but are found in only a few very special their new telescope when Mercury Dry Tortugas NP Supt. Dan Kimball. accompanied by whispered “Wows!” places today.