Lecture Series on Changes Affecting GTNP

The Mormon Row Cultural Landscape

August 17, 2010
10-71

Grand Teton National Park will host a series of lectures titled, Our Changing Park, beginning Thursday, August 19. The lecture series will offer a glimpse into some of the current issues facing the park. Lectures will be presented by specialists in a variety of subject areas; these experts will share their observations, their collected data, and their perspectives on challenging issues. The speakers will also lead discussions about the various changes affecting the park’s natural and cultural resources. All talks will take place at 7 p.m. in the Director’s Room at the Craig Thomas Discovery and Visitor Center in Moose.

The lecture subjects cover a wide range of topics, such as: what is challenging the survival of whitebark pine in the Great Yellowstone Ecosystem; how is climate change affecting Wyoming and the Intermountain West; how will rising environmental temperatures in alpine and mountain ecosystems affect the America pika; and what are the challenges for preservation of historic park properties.

The scheduled lectures are:
August 19
Whitebark Pine: The Story of a Giant Prey, a Tiny Predator, and a Strangling Fungus
Join Grand Teton National Park Ecologist Nancy Bockino as she discusses the ecology of whitebark pine, a keystone species of high mountain ecosystems in western North America. Learn about the threats to its survival and the outlook for its future.

September 2

Climate Change: Observed Trends and Future Impacts on North American Climate and Weather

National Weather Service Meteorologist Arthur Meunier will talk about observed climate trends and discuss the likelihood of climate change impacts on the weather and climate of Wyoming and the Intermountain West. A discussion of climate change mitigation strategies, costs, and effectiveness will follow.

September 9

Beyond Buildings: Preserving a Sense of Place at Historic Sites in Grand Teton National Park

Join Kathryn Longfield, Grand Teton’s cultural resource specialist, in a discussion of current issues facing historic properties and the methods to preserve human history, cultural landscapes, and the historic sense of place that reflect social history and its patterns of development.

September 23

Perils Facing the American Pika

Join Grand Teton National Park Biologist Sue Wolff as she discusses the American pika, a talus-dwelling relative of the rabbit family, and possibly one of the first mammals in North America to be affected by climate change. Discover how pikas are influenced by rising temperatures and learn about their current population.

For more information about the lecture series, call the Colter Bay Visitor Center at 307.739.3594, or the Craig Thomas Discovery and Visitor Center at 307.739.3399.

American pika, a member of the rabbit family

Third Annual John Colter Day Observed

Colter Stone artifact

August 16, 2010
10-70
The third annual John Colter Day will be held Wednesday, August 18, at the Colter Bay Visitor Center and Indian Arts Museum. Colter explored the greater Yellowstone area during the winter of 1807-08, and was likely the first European to travel the region. Colter Bay, on the northeast shore of Jackson Lake, is named in his honor. To highlight this historical figure, Grand Teton National Park will offer programs during the week, including demonstrations of the lives of mountain men of the 1800’s, discussions on John Colter’s contributions to the exploration of the American West, and tipi demonstrations.

John Colter Day Highlights include:
Colter Stone on Display
The Colter Stone will be displayed at the Colter Bay Visitor Center from August 15 through August 20. The stone—which is on loan from the Teton Valley Historical Museum in Driggs, Idaho— is a piece of rhyolite lava rock carved in the shape of a human head and engraved with the name John Colter, and the year 1808. Discovered in Tetonia, Idaho in 1933, the stone, if authentic, represents the only solid proof of the route followed by trapper and explorer John Colter. The Colter Stone remains a fascinating piece of the puzzle of Colter’s pioneering sojourn through this region. As member of the famed Lewis and Clark expedition from 1804 to 1806, Colter was given an early discharge from the Corps of Discovery. He set out on his own from a fur trapping fort in present-day southern Montana and headed south to present-day Cody, Wyoming. On his return, he passed through what is now Yellowstone National Park. The middle section of his journey is a matter of speculation; one theory indicates he traveled via Togwotee Pass, while the other commonly held view traces Colter’s route through Jackson Hole, over Teton Pass and along the west side of the Teton Range. No evidence exists to substantiate either route, and the only sources of information are vague accounts and maps from interviews with Colter after his return.

Wednesday August 18
9 a.m. – Tipi Demonstration
Join Ranger Laine Thom behind the Colter Bay Visitor Center for a 45-minute program demonstrating the basic structure that the Plains Indians called home.
10 a.m. – The Story of the Colter Stone
Ranger Naturalist Dan Greenblatt will detail the legend and history of this fascinating artifact in the Colter Bay Auditorium.
2:30 p.m. – John Colter: Mountain Man Superhero
Dr. Barbara Mueller, professor of anthropology at Casper College, will discuss the life of John Colter, widely considered to be the first mountain man of the American West. Presentation in the Colter Bay Auditorium.
7 p.m. – The Life of a Mountain Man
Join Ranger Andrew Langford as he re-creates the rugged life of a mountain man, enduring brutal winters and physical dangers in unmapped West during the 1800s. Presentation at the Colter Bay Amphitheatre.

For more information about John Colter Day events, please call the Colter Bay Visitor Center at 739.3594.

Grand Teton to Welcome Shelton Johnson & Host Special Public Events

Shelton Johnson, Yosemite National Park Ranger

August 13, 2010
10-68
Superintendent Mary Gibson Scott is pleased to announce that
Grand Teton National Park, in collaboration with the Grand Teton Association, will host Yosemite Park Ranger Shelton Johnson for
two public programs and book signings scheduled for Saturday,
August 21, and Monday, August 23. Johnson was featured in the 2009 Ken Burns documentary film, The National Parks: America’s Best Idea, and has gained national recognition for his part in the popular PBS television series.

Johnson collaborated with Ken Burns during the filming of the landmark documentary and told a compelling story about his early experiences as a National Park Service ranger. In addition, he worked on a companion project that reveals the untold stories of diverse people in national parks.

During his programs, Johnson often focuses his masterful story-telling on personal experiences, and usually unveils the story of the buffalo soldiers—a group of African-American soldiers who patrolled Yosemite at the turn of the 20th century. In fact, Johnson presents a dramatic portrayal of the buffalo soldiers through a character he developed, named Elizy Boman. Through his presentations, Johnson tries to both enlighten listeners and create lasting connections between African-Americans and their national parks.

Johnson has also authored a book called Gloryland—a fictional memoir of an African-American, born in 1863, who became a buffalo soldier stationed in Yosemite in 1903. Today, Johnson travels throughout America to speak with school children and share the story about the buffalo soldiers: a tale he has recounted in print, on camera, and in person.

“We are delighted to be able to bring Shelton Johnson to Grand Teton,” said Superintendent Scott. “This will be a great opportunity for park visitors and area residents to listen to stories about his life, his career and his outreach programs. Shelton has a captivating way of telling a story and his presentations promise to be both entertaining and inspiring.”

The schedule of events is as follows:
Saturday, Aug. 21
2:00 - 3:00 p.m. Book signing at the Colter Bay Visitor Center & Indian Arts Museum
7:00 p.m. Public presentation in the Explorers Room at Jackson Lake Lodge. Ranger Johnson introduces the film, This is America, (Ken Burns’ companion video to his documentary film, The National Parks: America’s Best Idea) and leads a discussion with the audience after the screening.

Monday, Aug. 23
2:00 - 3:00 p.m. Book signing at the Craig Thomas Discovery & Visitor Center
7:00 p.m. Public presentation at the Gros Ventre Campground. Ranger Johnson provides a traditional campfire program, The Road to Wonderland, and talks about the path he took from the urban landscape of Detroit's inner city to the wilderness of Yellowstone and Yosemite.

Celebrate Astronomy Day with Grand Teton & JH Astronomy Club

Lagoon Nebula

August 6, 2010
10-64
Grand Teton National Park will join with the Jackson Hole Astronomy Club to celebrate Grand Teton Astronomy Day on Sunday, August 15. Several family-oriented activities are planned, offering park visitors and local residents an opportunity to learn about star gazing, meteor showers, sunspots, star clusters, galaxies and much more. The special “Astronomy under the Tetons” day will begin at 2 p.m. at the Colter Bay Visitor Center in Grand Teton and end with late-night star gazing session on the shore of Jackson Lake.

To highlight Grand Teton Astronomy Day, solar-filtered telescopes will be available to view sunspots and other solar features from 2 p.m. until 5 p.m. near the Colter Bay Visitor Center. Throughout the afternoon, exhibits and information tables will also be set up, providing fun and interesting information to children and adults alike.

At 3 p.m., Bob Hoyle, former professor of astronomy and park ranger naturalist, will present a one-hour program at the Colter Bay Amphitheater titled, “Why is the Sky Blue: the physics of color in the natural world.” At 9 p.m., Ranger Hoyle will present a PowerPoint program at the Colter Bay Amphitheater titled, “Watchers of the Sky.” This educational program focuses on the cultural history of star-gazing and brings this field of study into the modern-day science of astronomy; the program also includes incredible images of stars and other astronomical objects.

As a finale, several large telescopes will be set up at 10 p.m. along the shore of Colter Bay for participants to view stars, galaxies, nebulae and other celestial objects. Anyone planning to attend the evening program and telescope observation session should dress warmly as evening temperatures at Colter Bay can be quite chilly, even in August.

For those who would like to learn more about “Astronomy under the Tetons,” call either the Colter Bay Visitor Center at 307.739.3594 or Jackson Hole Astronomy Club Program Coordinator Walt Farmer at 307.733.2173. Information is also available on the Astronomy Club’s website at http://www.jhastronomy.com/ or Walt Farmer’s website at www.theastrocowboy.com/Astro/astro.htm.

Grand Teton to Host Astronomy Lecture & Book Signing

July 25, 2010
10-59
Grand Teton National Park, in cooperation with the Grand Teton Association and Center of Wonder, will welcome Tyler Nordgren to the Craig Thomas Discovery and Visitor Center on Thursday, July 29 at 1 p.m. for a lecture and author signing of his new book Stars Above, Earth Below: A guide to astronomy in the national parks.

Nordgren, an associate professor of physics at University of the Redlands in California, is an astronomer and writer. He recently took a journey across the American landscape to explore connections between national parks and the wonders of the night sky. Nordgren visited 12 parks in 12 months, exploring the icy realms of Denali National Park in Alaska, the red rock cliffs and canyons of Bryce Canyon National Park in Utah and the serrated pinnacles of Grand Teton National Park in Wyoming. As he met with park experts and visitors, Nordgren examined the astrophysical features that link national parks to other elements of the solar system.

Through his journey, Nordgren studied the uniquely dark skies visible at national parks across the West: a resource that is quickly vanishing from the rest of America. For a vast majority of national park visitors, a star-filled sky is as extraordinary and magical as glaciers, geysers, or grizzly bears. A night spent camping under the stars in places like Grand Teton affords a view of the cosmos not found in many other places. National parks preserve the last best window into the great universe beyond, offering a rare glimpse of the bright band of the Milky Way with its great family of stars, planets, and other astral bodies.

Nordgren’s lecture begins at 1 p.m. with a book signing to follow at 2 p.m. For further information, please contact the Discovery Center at 307.739.3399. For information on the Center of Wonder, contact Carrie Geraci at 307.734.0570.

LSR Preserve to Host Book Club Discussion

July 9, 2010
10-46
The staff at the Laurance S. Rockefeller (LSR) Preserve extends an invitation to local residents and visitors to join an upcoming LSR book club discussion of American Primitive, a collection of poems by Mary Oliver and the 1984 winner of the Pulitzer Prize for Poetry. The book club discussion will take place on Thursday, July 15, from 4:30–5:30 p.m. at the LSR Preserve Center on the Moose-Wilson Road in Grand Teton National Park. The book discussion will be followed by a short hike on the Preserve.

In an effort to inspire a spirit of conversation stewardship, the LSR Preserve book club was created in the summer of 2009 and designed to explore literature that examines our connection to the natural world. This will be the sixth LSR Preserve book club discussion.

Mary Oliver’s poetry has won numerous awards, including the Pulitzer Prize, the National Book Award, and a Lannan Literary Award. Her first collection of poems, No Voyage, and Other Poems, was published in 1963. Since then, Oliver has published numerous books, including Why I Wake Early: New Poems, Thirst: Poems, West Wind: Poems and Prose Poems, and House of Light. Her books of prose include Long Life: Essays and Other Writings, Rules for the Dance: A Handbook for Writing and Reading Metrical Verse, and A Poetry Handbook.

Oliver’s writing is well known for its clear and poignant observations where her central themes focus on place and the intersection between the human and natural worlds. Literary critics have compared her work to that of great American lyric poets and celebrators of nature such as Walt Whitman, John Muir, and Edna St. Vincent Millay.

Space is limited and participants are required to sign up in advance. To sign up for the book club discussion or learn more about this event, please call the LSR Preserve at 307.739.3654.

Grand Teton Music Festival Concerts in the Park

June 21, 2010

10-40

Grand Teton National Park and the Grand Teton Music Festival are pleased to announce that a special concert series called “Music in Nature” will be offered again this summer at various park locations. A Grand Teton Music Festival resident string quartet will perform
30-minute musical recitals inspired by nature. The inaugural performance of the string quartet will take place on the terrace at the Craig Thomas Discovery and Visitor Center on Monday, June 28 at 12:30 p.m. The free public concerts will run June 28 through
July 23.

The String Quartet was established by the Grand Teton Music Festival as a way to showcase promising young musicians with the festival orchestra that plays each summer at Walk Festival Hall in Teton Village. These musicians will delight listeners through their recitals, continuing a musical tradition inspired by the beauty of Grand Teton National Park and its majestic scenery.

“The ‘Music in Nature’ concerts create a relaxing atmosphere that allows visitors to enjoy the beauty of the Teton landscape in an inspiring and moving way,” said Grand Teton National Park Deputy Superintendent Bob Vogel. “We are delighted to partner with the Grand Teton Music Festival again this summer to bring a special musical experience to our park visitors.”

Several park locations will host these concerts: Colter Bay Visitor Center, Jackson Lake Lodge and the Craig Thomas Discovery and Visitor Center. The times and locations are:

Tuesdays & Thursdays
11:30 a.m., Colter Bay Amphitheater
12:30 p.m., Colter Bay Amphitheater

Wednesdays & Fridays
2 p.m., Craig Thomas Discovery & Visitor Center Terrace
3 p.m., Craig Thomas Discovery & Visitor Center Terrace

5 p.m., Jackson Lake Lodge Lobby

6 p.m., Jackson Lake Lodge Lobby

American Indian Guest Artists Program for 2010

Colter Bay Visitor Center & Indian Art Museum on Jackson Lake

May 21, 2010
10-29
Each year, Grand Teton National Park sponsors a program for visiting American Indian artists at the Colter Bay Visitor Center and Indian Arts Museum. For the past 35 years, artists from diverse tribes have demonstrated their traditional and contemporary art forms, providing visitors an opportunity to gain a greater appreciation for, and understanding of Indian art and culture.

Artists participating in the program represent tribes from across the United States. Among the art forms demonstrated are painting, weaving, pottery, beadwork, and musical instruments. Guest artists exhibit daily, Monday through Sunday, from approximately 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. in the lower level of the Colter Bay Indian Arts Museum. Artists also offer their finished items for purchase. The dates and guest artists scheduled for the 2010 season are:

May 10-30:  Willie & Debbie LaMere (Shoshone) Beadwork & Flint Knapping
May 31-June 6:  Warren Yellow Hair (Lakota Sioux) Ledger Art, Drums, Bead & Quillwork
June 7-13:  Dallin Maybee (Northern Arapaho/Seneca) Ledger Art
June 14-20:  Guillermo Martinez (Tarascan-Apache) Drums, Flutes
June 21-27:  Andrea Two Bulls (Ogalala Sioux) Beadwork, Painting
June 28-July 4:  Charlotte Tendoy (Shoshone) Beadwork
July 5-11:  Ted Moran (S’Klallan) Northwest Coastal Carving
July 12-18:  Eddie Two Bulls (Ogalala Sioux) Painting
July 19-25:  Maynard White Owl (Nez Perce-Cayuse) Beadwork, Jewelry
July 26-Aug. 1:  Dolly & Bonnie Woodie (Navajo) Weaving, Clothing, Beadwork
August 2-8:  Willie & Debbie LaMere (Shoshone) Beadwork, Flint Knapping
August 9-15:  Jola LeBeau (Eastern Shoshone) Beadwork
August 16-22:  DG House (Cherokee) Painting
August 23-29:  Paul Hacker (Choctaw) Flutes, Knives, Pottery
August 30-Sept 5:  Josie Bronco (Paiute) Beadwork
September 6-12:  Clyde Hall & Nancy Nacki (Shoshone) Bead & Quillwork
September 13-19:  Patricia Two Bulls (Ogalala Sioux) Beadwork
September 20-26:  DG House (Cherokee) Painting

Sept. 27-Oct 4:  Andrea Two Bulls (Ogalala Sioux) Beadwork, Painting

Public Closure in Effect to Protect Sage Grouse

March 16, 2010

10-13
A temporary public closure is in effect to protect breeding sage grouse at the Moulton Ranch lek (a seasonal mating arena) off the Antelope Flats Road in Grand Teton National Park. A quarter-mile radius around the lek site will be posted as closed to all public entry from March 15 to May 15, to minimize human disturbance and reduce stress on grouse that traditionally use this site during their annual mating season. Violations of the wildlife protection closure may result in a citation.

Sage grouse are highly sensitive to human disturbance. Human activity near a lek can trigger birds to flush or leave the area, and continual disturbances can cause birds to permanently abandon or re-locate a lek site. To minimize disturbance to grouse, yet allow for bird watching, an adjacent viewing area has been established at the southwest side of the closure perimeter. Visitors may reach the viewing area by parking at a small pullout near one of the Moulton cabins and walking along a gated dirt road that heads north from the junction with Antelope Flats Road; the viewing spot is located just east of this dirt road. Visitors must observe the wildlife closure signs, stay within the viewing area, and not approach grouse at any time. Visitors should arrive well before sunrise and not leave until after the birds have completed their morning display, remain as quiet as possible, and refrain from talking loudly or making unnecessary noise while at the viewing area.

Grand Teton National Park rangers will be leading early-morning trips to observe the strutting sage grouse as they perform their springtime mating dance on this traditional lek. Strutting grouse tours are currently scheduled for Saturdays and Sundays during the weekends of April 10-11, April 17-18, and April 24-25. Trips begin at 5:30 a.m. from the Craig Thomas Discovery and Visitor Center, and reservations are required. Call the Discovery Center at 739.3399 to make reservations and obtain information about what to wear and bring along on these ranger-led excursions. The April ranger-led tours offer local residents and park visitors an excellent opportunity to see the unique antics of sage grouse as they perform their seasonal mating dance.

Sage grouse populations have been declining over several years throughout much of the West, in part due to habitat loss. Recently, Department of the Interior Secretary Ken Salazar announced that the population of sage grouse has declined by 90 percent and their habitat has been reduced by 50 percent across the western states. Consequently, the birds were named a “candidate species” by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) for protection under the Endangered Species Act (ESA). The FWS has plans to annually review the status of sage grouse and work with western states, such as Wyoming, on conservation programs as part of the recent decision on listing sage grouse under the ESA.

Grand Teton to Host Presentation on Red Crossbill Research by Dr.Jamie Cornelius

Red crossbills received their descriptive name
because of their color and the configuration of their beaks.

March 12, 2010

10-11
Grand Teton National Park, in collaboration with The Murie Center, will host a special presentation by Dr. Jamie Cornelius on the behavior of red crossbills on Thursday March 18, 2010 at 1 p.m. in the Director’s Room of the Craig Thomas Discovery and Visitor Center at Moose, Wyoming. Cornelius will discuss her research on red crossbills and describe how they face an increasingly unpredictable food supply due to habitat disturbance and a changing climate. This presentation is a free and open to the public.

Cornelius’ talk is titled "Tracking a Nomadic Songbird in Grand Teton National Park: Behavior and Physiology of the Red Crossbill." Red crossbills are irregular residents of the Jackson Hole valley and Grand Teton National Park. However, their presence in Jackson Hole—as well as their breeding activity—is dependent on the annual crop of confer cones. Cornelius’ research is designed to define the behavior and physiology of red crossbills in the winter versus the summer, and determine the differences in years with variable food availability. Her study of red crossbills uses cutting-edge technology and addresses contemporary conservation issues. Red crossbills are tracked using innovative radio-transmitter technology that measures the heart rate of free-living birds, and allows for determining the energy it takes to survive and reproduce under different environmental conditions. Cornelius’ work will further the understanding of how a species adapts to habitat changes and will help in predicting how other species might cope with increasingly unpredictable food supplies in the face of habitat disturbance and changing climate.

Dr. Cornelius is currently serving as a biologist in residence at The Murie Center in Moose. She is a post-doctoral researcher at the Max Planck Institute for Ornithology in Germany. Her project is a collaboration between the Max Planck Institute for Ornithology and the University of California at Davis.

LSR Preserve to Host Fifth Book Club Discussion

March 2, 2010
10-08
Superintendent Mary Gibson Scott extends an invitation to local residents to join an upcoming Laurance S. Rockefeller (LSR) Preserve book club discussion on A Sand County Almanac, a non-fiction book containing conservation essays by forester, ecologist and author Aldo Leopold. The book club discussion will take place on Thursday, March 11, from 4 - 6 p.m. at the historic Murie Ranch in Grand Teton National Park.

Established in the summer of 2009 to inspire a spirit of conversation stewardship, the LSR Preserve book club is designed to explore literature that examines our human connection to the natural world. This will be the fifth LSR Preserve book club discussion, and the third one to take place in collaboration with The Murie Center.

Aldo Leopold, forester American ecologist, and environmentalist. A Sand County Almanac is considered to be a quintessential collection of essays about the American conservation movement. In his book, Aldo Leopold describes the land around his home in Sauk County, Wisconsin, which had been logged, repeatedly burned by fires, overgrazed by dairy cows, and left barren. Leopold provides his thoughts, philosophy and theories about our American land ethic and our responsibility to the natural world. A Sand County Almanac was edited and published by Leopold’s son, Luna, after his father’s death in 1948. Another son, A. Starker Leopold, was also an author, as well as a wildlife biologist, and professor at the University of California at Berkeley. In tribute to his thoughtful conservation work and writings, Aldo Leopold’s landmark book will be used as a springboard for discussions about wilderness and conservation ethics.

Please RSVP to attend the book discussion, as space is limited. To sign up for the discussion, or learn more about the book club and the upcoming meeting, please call Grand Teton National Park at 307.739.3656.

Park Offers Ranger-led “Snow Moon” Walk

February's mantle of snow creates a "grand" winter wonderland

February 19, 2010
10-06
Grand Teton National Park ranger naturalists once again invite visitors and local residents to join them for a snowshoe walk in the park by full moon. This winter excursion will begin at 7 p.m. on Saturday evening, February 27, from the Taggart Lake trailhead located three miles north of the Moose entrance station. The full moon walk offers a chance to experience the winter wonderland of Grand Teton and learn about the unique characteristics that make this season so incredible.

Throughout history, native peoples have used descriptive names for full moon cycles in order to keep track of the seasons of the year. Since the heaviest snow usually falls in February, American Indian tribes—from what is now the northern and eastern United States—called February’s moon, the “full snow moon.” Some tribes also referred to the February moon as the “full hunger moon” since harsh weather conditions made hunting difficult and food scarce. In recognition of this ancient tradition, rangers have dubbed this snowshoe activity, the “snow moon” walk.

For thousands of years, people have used snowshoes as a means of winter travel. Ranger-led snowshoe excursions are designed to introduce beginning and casual snowshoe walkers to the experience of a winter trek in the park in the company of others. The snowshoe walk traverses a level, three-mile roundtrip distance along the snow-covered Teton Park Road. The two-hour-long activity does not require previous snowshoeing experience, and snowshoes are provided for anyone without their own. Please arrive 15 minutes early in order to select and don a pair of snowshoes.

Those attending should wear warm layered clothing, sturdy insulated boots, and a face scarf or ski mask, plus bring along an energy snack and water, or hot beverage in a thermos. Although headlamps and flashlights will not be needed, these items are recommended as essential safety equipment for any outdoor trek. Reservations are required; call 307.739.3399 to reserve a spot.

For a complete list of ranger-led activities and programs, please refer to the park’s newspaper, Teewinot, online at www.nps.gov/grte, or call the Craig Thomas Discovery and Visitor Center at 307.739.3399.

Ranger-led Snowshoe Hike by Full Moon

Big Dipper over the Tetons by Full Moon

(Photo by Bob Hoyle)

January 22, 2010

10-03
Grand Teton National Park ranger naturalists invite visitors and local residents to experience a special activity: a moonlit snowshoe walk in the park. The ranger-led excursion will begin at 6 p.m. on Saturday evening, January 30, from the Taggart Lake trailhead, three miles north of the Moose entrance station. Join park rangers to experience winter in a new light—the light of a full moon—and learn about the natural wonders and distinctive characteristics that make this season remarkable.

For thousands of years, people have used snowshoes as a means of winter travel. This activity is an excellent opportunity for beginning and casual snowshoe walkers to experience the pleasure of a winter trek in the company of others. The snowshoe walk will traverse a level, three-mile roundtrip distance along the snow-covered Teton Park Road. The two-hour-long excursion does not require previous snowshoeing experience, and snowshoes are provided for anyone without their own. Reservations are required; call 307.739.3399 to reserve a spot.

Those attending should wear warm layered clothing and sturdy insulated boots, and bring along an energy snack and water. Although headlamps or flashlights will not be needed, these items are recommended as essential safety equipment for any outdoor trek.

The snowshoe walk begins at twilight, a special time of day because of the exceptional quality of light. As the full moon rises on the eastern horizon, the open sagebrush meadows and towering Teton peaks will be bathed in a soft glow, creating a magical scene.

For a complete list of ranger-led activities and programs, please refer to the park’s newspaper, Teewinot, online at www.nps.gov/grte, or call the Craig Thomas Discovery and Visitor Center at 307.739.3399.

LSR Preserve Hosts Third Book Club Discussion

November 2, 2009

09-103
Superintendent Mary Gibson Scott extends an invitation to local residents to join an upcoming Laurance S. Rockefeller (LSR) Preserve book club discussion on Vintage Lopez, a book containing essays and short stories by author Barry Lopez. The book club discussion will take place Thursday, November 19, from 4 - 6 p.m. on the historic Murie Ranch in Grand Teton National Park. This event is being co-hosted by The Murie Center; the Teton County Library Foundation has offered to provide complimentary copies of Vintage Lopez to the first ten people that R.S.V.P. to attend the discussion.

In an effort to inspire a spirit of conversation stewardship, the LSR Preserve book club was created this past summer and designed to explore literature that examines our connection to the natural world. This will be the third LSR Preserve book club discussion. This session coincides with the Teton County Library and Library Foundation's “Page to Podium” speaker series—featuring Barry Lopez—which is scheduled for December 3, 2009 in Jackson, Wyoming.

Barry Lopez is an essayist, author, and short-story writer. He is the author of Arctic Dreams, Of Wolves and Men, Field Notes, Resistance, and Home Ground: Language for an American Landscape. His essays are collected in Crossing Open Ground, About This Life, and Vintage Lopez—a collection of five essays, an excerpt from Arctic Dreams and six short stories published in 2004. In his nonfiction, Lopez writes often about the relationship between the physical landscape and human culture. In his fiction, he frequently addresses issues of intimacy, ethics, and identity.

To sign up for the book club discussion, or learn more about this event and how to obtain a copy of the book, please call Grand Teton National Park at 307.739.3656.

Celebrate America’s Best Idea: National Parks

Oxbow Bend Fall Splendor

photo by Heather Voster, NPS

September 21, 2009
09-93
In celebration of the premiere broadcast of the new Ken Burns film, The National Parks: America’s Best Idea, Grand Teton National Park, Grand Teton Lodge Company, WyomingPBS and WETA Television, and the Jackson Hole Wildlife Film Festival are pleased to announce a co-sponsored community event to be held on Sunday evening, September 27. Please join family, friends, neighbors and other national park fans for a viewing of Episode One of the 12-hour, 6-part series about national parks created by documentary filmmaker Ken Burns and his partner Dayton Duncan.

This public event will be held in the Explorer Room at Jackson Lake Lodge. Festivities begin at 5:30 p.m. with a pre-reception cash bar and Jackson Lake Lodge’s signature treats for purchase. Grand Teton Lodge Company will also provide popcorn during the movie. The premiere viewing will follow at 7 p.m. with a Blu-ray high-definition disc played on a large-format television screen, offering viewers an unprecedented visual experience. Seating will be limited, and will be filled on a first-come, first-served basis. Doors will open to the Explorer Room at 6:30 p.m.; those planning to attend should come early.

Burns and Duncan, co-producer and script writer, began work on their documentary film over six years ago. The filmmakers wanted to capture what they believe to be a story of an idea as uniquely American, and just as radical, as the Declaration of Independence. This new series follows in the tradition of Burns’ exploration of other American inventions, such as baseball and jazz, and it weaves together a fascinating tale of how the most exceptional places in our Nation were preserved for everyone—not for just royalty or the rich—to experience and enjoy.

Wallace Stegner called our national parks “the best idea we ever had,” and it was this sentiment that inspired the title for the series. The filmmakers and their production company, Florentine Films, visited both Grand Teton and Yellowstone national parks several times in order to capture stories and scenic footage during the making of their documentary. The fruits of their labor have grown into an inspiring and educational journey into the history of the making of our National Park System.

Celebrate Nat'l Public Lands Day & Volunteer

Teton Range framed by fall colors

September 15, 2009
09-90
In recognition of the 16th annual National Public Lands Day, Grand Teton National Park will waive entrance fees (including commercial tour fees) on Saturday, September 26. National Public Lands Day also serves as the nation’s largest volunteer undertaking: an opportunity for individuals and communities to improve the natural and cultural treasures that Americans enjoy and value. As part of the 2009 event, Grand Teton is calling for a “Grand Day of Public Service for America’s Best Idea: the National Parks” by inviting volunteers to join park staff in accomplishing several hands-on projects.

Anyone volunteering at Grand Teton on September 26 will be invited to begin their day of service by viewing a 45-minute video by documentary filmmaker Ken Burns, titled This is America, at 8 a.m. in the Craig Thomas Discovery and Visitor Center. After the film, volunteers will help with projects such as the rehabilitation and revegetation of Schwabacher’s Landing on the Snake River, replacement of wooden benches at the Jenny Lake campground circle, exhibit cleaning at the Discovery Center, and various fence removal projects across the park. The day of service culminates with a picnic lunch at 1 p.m. sponsored by the Grand Teton Association—the park’s non-profit partner of 72 years. To sign up for this community volunteer day, please call the Craig Thomas Discovery Center at 307.739.3391.

Superintendent Mary Gibson Scott invites members of the Jackson Hole community to join park staff in making the 2009 National Public Lands Day especially memorable. “September is such a wonderful time to enjoy the beauty of Grand Teton and its wildlife,” said Superintendent Scott. “Thanks to the new Ken Burns documentary film highlighting national parks, this year promises to be an even more compelling time to visit any one of the 391 national park units, to get involved, and show your personal appreciation through volunteering.”

Episode one of Ken Burns’ 6-part documentary series—titled The National Parks: America’s Best Idea— is scheduled to air on WyomingPBS on Sunday evening, September 27.

National Public Lands Day began in 1994 with a purpose to increase awareness of the value of all public lands, to foster shared stewardship of America’s national resources, and to encourage people to volunteer their time. Federal land agencies have created partnerships with private individuals and citizen groups in an effort to improve, restore or enhance public lands and to provide opportunities for education, outdoor recreation, and enjoyment. Eight federal agencies and many state and local partners, plus dozens of non-profit organizations, several national sponsors, and tens of thousands of individuals are expected to participate in this annual day of caring for our shared lands. Last year, 120,000 volunteers participated in projects across the country; many dedicated individuals and organizations are expected to help this year.

National Public Lands Day is the only time that entrance fees are systematically waived on public lands across America. In addition to national park units, fees will be waived at other land management sites, including the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Bureau of Land Management, Bureau of Reclamation, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, and U.S. Forest Service areas. In addition to National Public Lands Day, United States veterans are admitted free to national parks each year on Veteran’s Day in November.

Grand Teton to Host America’s Best Idea Events

September 10, 2009
09-88
Over the next several weeks, Grand Teton National Park will highlight the significance of national parks and their importance to our Nation’s rich heritage by offering several special programs in advance of the television broadcast on WyomingPBS of Ken Burns’ new documentary titled, National Parks: America’s Best Idea. These programs are free and open to the public.

September 12: Old Bill’s Fun Run. Join park ranger naturalists for fun, educational activities at Grand Teton Association’s booth during the community event on the Jackson Town Square. For more information, phone the Jenny Lake Visitor Center at 307.739.3392.

September 14-18: Untold Stories Film Festival. Watch selections from Ken Burns’ Florentine Films that highlight diverse groups who have been instrumental in the creation of America’s national parks. Viewings occur daily in the Craig Thomas Discovery Center at
10 a.m. and in Colter Bay Visitor Center at 4 p.m. For details on these films, call the Colter Bay VC at 307.739.3594 or the Craig Thomas Center at 307.739.3399. Films include:
· City Kids in National Parks
· Manzanar: “Never Again”
· Mount Rushmore: Telling America’s Stories
· San Antonio Missions: Keeping History Alive
· Yosemite’s Buffalo Soldiers

September 17: Nature Journaling and Sketching. Join rangers at the Laurance Rockefeller Preserve to learn about journaling techniques and how to make sketches of natural objects. All experience levels are welcome, but space is limited; to reserve a spot, call the LSR Preserve Center at 307.739.3654.

September 24: Book Club Discussion. Attend a fireside conversation on "Creating the National Parks: the Missing Years" by Horace Albright & Marion Albright Schenk at the Laurance Rockefeller Preserve Center’s Resource Room from 4-6 p.m. For more information, phone the LSR Preserve Center at 307.739.3654.

September 26: A Grand Day of Public Service for America's Best Idea: the National Parks Join park staff for a public viewing of This is America, a 45-minute film by Ken Burns, followed by volunteer projects (fence removal on Antelope Flats, reduction of social trails on LSR Preserve & other trails rehab projects, painting projects, etc.) The day of service culminates with a picnic sponsored by the Grand Teton Association. The film debut starts at 8 a.m. at the Craig Thomas Discovery and Visitor Center in Moose, and the picnic will conclude about 2 p.m. To sign up for this community volunteer day event, please call the Craig Thomas Discovery Center at 307.739.3399.

Ranger-led Programs during September

Autumn foliage adds a splash of color to the park's landscape

September 2, 2009
09-83
To celebrate the special nature of autumn in Grand Teton National Park, a variety of programs will be offered beginning Tuesday, September 8. These ranger-led activities provide visitors with opportunities to learn about geology, history, and wildlife while enjoying fall colors and the seasonal antics of park animals. The 2009 fall schedule includes:

• Inspiration Point Hike, a 2.5-hour hike to Hidden Falls and a scenic overlook above Jenny Lake, 9:30 a.m. daily. Check in at the Jenny Lake Visitor Center. Boat ride costs $10.00 for adults (roundtrip).
• Explore the Preserve Hike, a 2.5-hour hike to Phelps Lake to experience the pristine setting of the Laurance S. Rockefeller Preserve, 9:30 a.m. daily. Reservations recommended. Call 307.739.3654.
• Map Chat, a 30-minute talk about geology, park wildlife, and the stories behind the scenery, 11:30 a.m. daily at the Craig Thomas Discovery and Visitor Center fireplace. Wheelchair accessible.
• Teton Highlights, a 30-minute travel planner, 11 a.m. daily in Colter Bay Visitor Center auditorium. Wheelchair accessible.
• Autumn at the Preserve, a chat about fall changes for wildlife and plants, 11:30 a.m. and 1 p.m. daily on the porch of the Laurance S. Rockefeller Preserve Center. Wheelchair accessible.
• Walk into the Past, a 45-minute stroll around Menor's Ferry historic district near park headquarters at Moose, 1:30 p.m. daily through September 15 from Menor’s Ferry General Store. Wheelchair accessible.
• Building Green, a 30-minute talk about the innovative design and sustainable features of the Laurance S. Rockefeller Preserve Center, 3 p.m. daily at the LSR Preserve Center. Wheelchair accessible.
• Museum Grand Tour, a 45-minute tour of the David T. Vernon Indian Arts collection, 3 p.m. daily in the Colter Bay Visitor Center and Indian Arts Museum.
• Wildlife Caravan, a 3-hour wildlife auto-tour, 5-8 p.m. daily from the Craig Thomas Discovery and Visitor Center. Limited to 10 vehicles. Reservations are required; call 739.3399 or stop by a visitor center to secure a spot. Dress warmly and bring binoculars and/or spotting scopes.
• Wildlife Watch at Oxbow Bend, a 90-minute wildlife watch offered at 6 p.m. daily through September 25 at Oxbow Bend Scenic Turnout. Bring binoculars, cameras and questions. Wheelchair accessible.
• Jenny Lake Twilight Talk, 45-minute ranger talk, 6:30 p.m., Sunday, Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday at Jenny Lake Campground Circle.
• Signal Mountain Campfire Program, 45-minute ranger talk, 6:30 p.m., Monday, Wednesday and Friday at Signal Mountain Campground Amphitheater.

Most of the fall programs will be offered through September 27; however, the schedule is subject to change. For weekly updates on programs, or further information on any of the listed activities—as well as information on special programs being offered throughout September—please call the Craig Thomas Discovery Center at 307.739.3399, the Colter Bay Visitor Center at 307.739.3594 or the LSR Preserve Center at 307.739.3654.

The Craig Thomas, Colter Bay, Jenny Lake and Laurance S. Rockefeller Preserve visitor centers are open daily during the month of September. The Jenny Lake and Rockefeller Preserve visitor centers both close for the 2009 season on September 27, and the Colter Bay Visitor Center closes on October 12. The Craig Thomas Discovery and Visitor Center is open year-round.

Shoshonean Cultural Celebration at Colter Bay

August 11, 2009
09-76
A Shoshonean Cultural Celebration will take place at the Colter Bay Visitor Center on August 12 and 13. Cultural speakers and exhibits of traditional and modern Shoshonean arts will interpret the rich history and the present-day influence of the Shoshone peoples. Programs, times, and locations for special events are listed below.

August 12

• 9:00 a.m., Tipi Demonstration, by Laine Thom, behind the Colter Bay Visitor Center
  
• 12:00 p.m., We Shall Remain: Goshute, a video playing in the Colter Bay Visitor Center auditorium
  
• 3:00 p.m., The Eastern Shoshone Tribe of the Wind River Reservation: Yesterday and Today, by speaker Gloria St. Clair, Colter Bay Visitor Center back deck. The Eastern Shoshone people migrated from the Great Basin to the High Plain to present-day Wyoming during the last 600 years. They became a buffalo hunting culture in the high plains. In the 1800s they were settled on the Wind River Indian Reservation and were later joined by the Northern Arapahoe tribe who now share the reservation.
  
• 7:00 p.m., Sacajawea, by speaker Ken Thomasma, Colter Bay Visitor Center amphitheater

August 13

• 9:00 a.m., Flint Knapping Demonstration, by artist Willie LaMere, Indian Arts Museum guest artist area
  
• 12:00 p.m., We Shall Remain: Northwestern Shoshone, a video playing in the Colter Bay VC auditorium
  
• 3:00 p.m., The Language and Culture of the Shoshone People of the Fort Hall Indian Reservation of Southeastern Idaho, by speaker Drusilla Gould, Colter Bay Visitor Center back deck. The Shoshone and Bannock are two different tribes with two different languages. Historically, they traveled in small groups and mixed with each other on hunting trips. Today they share the same reservation in southeastern Idaho. The lifestyles of both tribes were influenced by Plains cultures as evidenced by the introduction of the horse for transportation and hunting. The horse allowed them to range farther and hunt more effectively, leading to material riches.
  
• 7:00 p.m., Archaeology of Grand Teton NP, by speaker Jacquelin St. Clair, Colter Bay VC amphitheater

Speaker Gloria St. Clair was born in 1954 and raised by her maternal grandparents, Richard and Lydia Engavo of the Eastern Shoshone tribe of Fort Washakie, Wyoming. She attended Central Wyoming College and received her degree in Native American Studies. She was a Shoshonean language instructor at Fort Washakie elementary school and is now the cultural interpretation specialist at the Eastern Shoshone Cultural Center.

Speaker Drusilla Gould is a native speaker of the Lemhi and Fort Washakie Shoshonean dialects and an enrolled member of the Shoshone-Bannock tribes of Fort Hall, Idaho. She has been involved in teaching, preserving, and promoting her native language for more than 25 years.

The Shoshonean peoples of the Eastern Great Basin and Western Plains hunted seasonally in what is now Grand Teton National Park and left behind a rich archeological record. Their modern-day descendants still live in the region and have maintained their languages and cultural practices.

Final Fee-Free Weekend in Grand Teton

August 10, 2009
09-75

Grand Teton National Park will once again waive entry fees this Saturday and Sunday, August 15 and 16, in keeping with Interior Secretary Salazar’s decree to allow free entry into national parks on three weekends during the 2009 summer season; the program was designed to provide an extra incentive for visitors to travel to America’s national parks for a cost effective family vacation. As with the previous fee-free weekends, Grand Teton will offer special ranger-led activities to encourage visitors to explore interesting features of the park.

Ranger-led activities scheduled for the coming weekend include:

Lake Solitude Hike
Join a ranger on an all day hike to Lake Solitude in Cascade Canyon for a chance to explore the spectacular Teton backcountry. Visitors will be hike beside Cascade Creek while learning about park wildflowers, wildlife, and the expansive mountain scenery and geology. This is a moderate to strenuous hike that includes an elevation gain of 2,950 feet and a roundtrip distance of 14.7 miles. Approximate time for the hike is eight hours. Due to the length, this hike is recommended for experienced hikers. While the ranger will set a steady pace up to Lake Solitude, visitors can return at their own speed. The hike begins with a shuttle boat ride across Jenny Lake at 7:30 a.m. Boat fares are: $10 for adults (roundtrip); and $5 for children (age 2-11). No reservations are required. Participants are required to bring water, sunscreen, raingear, hiking boots, and a lunch/snacks. For more information please call the Jenny Lake Visitor Center at 307.739.3392.

Astronomy Day
As part of the International Year of Astronomy, Grand Teton National Park and the Jackson Hole Astronomy Club are partnering to provide two “Astronomy Day” programs on Sunday, August 16, at the Colter Bay Visitor Center. Telescope demonstrations will be available throughout the day on the back deck of the visitor center. In addition, there will be an evening ranger program at 9 p.m. at the Colter Bay Amphitheater, followed by a stargazing session on the shore of Jackson Lake. For information on Astronomy Day activities, please call the Colter Bay Visitor Center at 307.739.3594.

Living Simply
Take a deep breath, unwind, and reflect on the simple things in life. Meet on the porch at the Laurance S. Rockefeller Preserve at 10 a.m. on Saturday, August 15 to enjoy a relaxing hike with a ranger to discover simpler ways of living in harmony with the environment. The ranger-led stroll is 1.5 miles roundtrip and lasts for 2 hours. For more information contact the Laurance S. Rockefeller Preserve at 307.739.3654

Special ranger-led activities are being offered in addition to the regularly scheduled programs that are listed in the park's newspaper, the Teewinot. Please visit online at http://www.nps.gov/ to see a complete list of ranger-led activities for the 2009 summer season.