Volunteer Cleanup Day slated for Tusayan this Saturday

While the recent flooding in Tusayan was short-lived, residents are still cleaning up the aftermath.  But Tusayan is not just a town – it’s a community.  And members of a community take care of each other.  So on Saturday, September 2, the town is planning a Volunteer Day.

If you’re willing and able to help neighbors and residents rebuild and repair their property, come to the Tusayan Sports Complex at 8 a.m. on Saturday, September 2.  If you need help with a project, contact the Town of Tusayan.

You can also apply for emergency assistance through Coconino County online.  Please apply before Friday September 1. 

There is still food and clothing available until Tuesday, September 4 at Tusayan Townhall.

Phantom Ranch and North Kaibab Trail water status

Last Friday, E. coli bacteria were found in the water supply in the Phantom Ranch area due to a pipeline break along the North Kaibab Trail. As a result, a boil water advisory was put into effect for Phantom Ranch and water was shut off at Manzanita Rest Area and Cottonwood Campground. Phantom Ranch, operated by Xanterra, will remain closed through Friday, September 1. The boil water order does not extend to the South Rim or anywhere outside the Phantom Ranch area. 

As of today, no one has been reported sick. Crews were successful in repairing the pipeline this week and are currently awaiting sampling results. For the most up to date information on inner canyon water status, please see our Critical Backcountry Updates website.

Volunteers needed for PSAR video production project

PSAR, or Preventive Search And Rescue, is an integral and crucial part of visitor safety in Grand Canyon National Park.  Much of PSAR is focused on education, and video is an effective teaching tool. Our PSAR team is working with Flagstaff-based Sandcast Media in a project funded by Grand Canyon Conservancy to create and update video content for safety messaging.

Crews will be filming in the park September 18-October 5. We are asking for participants who would be willing to be filmed and interviewed about how they stay safe while working and playing in the Grand Canyon. We are looking for a wide range of participants, including NPS, concessions, and partner groups.

If you are interested in being a part of this project, please send a 90-120 second video to Meghan Smith (meghan_smith@nps.gov) introducing yourself and explaining how you use PSAR, Hike Smart practices, or similar concepts in your work and life and how you share that with others.

Grand Canyon Music Festival begins this weekend

The Grand Canyon Music Festival returns to the park this weekend. Grand Canyon Music Festival is a nonprofit organization that has been bringing the arts to our schools and Tribal communities since 1983, making this year its 40th anniversary!

In 2001, the organization created the Native American Composer Apprentice Project(NACAP), which reaches out to students on our underserved Navajo and Hopi Reservations, teaching the art of musical composition.

Throughout the month of September, there are performances scheduled at the Shrine of the Ages.  The Catalyst String Quartet will perform September 1 and 2, and NACAP will be here on September 3.

In honor of the Grand Canyon Music Festival’s 40^th anniversary and the impact it has had on our youth and our communities, Governor Katie Hobbs issued a proclamation declaring September as Grand Canyon Music Festival Month in the state of Arizona.

Thank you, Dr. Fleish!

Thank you to Dr. Daniel Fleisch, who was our Astronomer in Residence in the fall of 2022. Dan returned to the park for a two-week “alumni visit” in August, along with two post-doctoral students, Dr. Julia Kregenow and Dr. Kat Volk. They connected with an astonishing 3,122 visitors with their daily solar telescope sessions, which included live images of the Sun from his telescopes projected onto the theater screen! Additionally, over 1,300 visitors attended one of their 10 evening presentations!

The park strives to continue our relationships with our Astronomer in Residence alumni—if you missed Dan’s programs, don’t worry! Astronomer Dean Regas will be returning to the park in September to provide his own set of night sky programs! Check our brand-new Upcoming Night Sky Events webpage for details.

Hawk Watch International returns to Grand Canyon National Park

Every year around this time, hundreds of migratory birds make their way through the park as they fly south for the winter.

Grand Canyon is part of what’s known as the “Central Flyway,” so for several weeks from late summer to early winter, you can spot hawks, condors, and many other birds from the rim of the canyon. 

Since 1991, Hawk Watch International has been counting raptors, condors, and other birds in Grand Canyon as they pass through on their annual migration.

If you want to see this phenomenon for yourself, you can stop at Yaki Point every day from now until November 5 to join Hawk Watch International.

You can learn more about the Hawk Watch Site on the NPS website, and you can learn more about the birds of Grand Canyon on our website.

Former Grand Canyon employees recognized at national level

Three former Grand Canyon National Park interpretation employees, Johanna Lombard, Jen Kolm and Ian Ferris, working at Joshua Tree National Park have won the 2022 Freeman Tilden Award, which recognizes outstanding interpretation and education projects. They helped to design a new museum exhibit titled, “Universal Threads”, that captures and communicates the voices and stories of the Native American communities that call Joshua Tree home.

Another former Grand Canyon Science and Resource Management employee, Jane Rodgers, has received the 2022 Excellence in Wilderness Stewardship Award. Jane developed a long-term strategy to protect Joshua Tree’s wilderness areas from off-road vehicle use by implementing educational campaigns, effective signage, boundary demarcation, and immediate and expedited mitigation efforts to clean up illegal off-highway vehicle (OHV) trespass.

Labor Day Hiker’s Express shuttle bus schedule

Over the holiday weekend, and through September 8, 2023, Paul Revere will continue to run the Hiker’s Express bus on the summer schedule, departing the village for South Kaibab Trailhead at 4 a.m., 5 a.m., 6 a.m. and 7 a.m. Beginning September 9, the Hikers’ Express will then run three trips at 5 a.m., 6 a.m. and 7 a.m., through the end of September.

The shuttle bus schedule for the entire year can be found here > https://go.nps.gov/X

Grand Canyon Clinic transitions to winter hours beginning September 5

Beginning Tuesday, September 5, North Country Healthcare (Grand Canyon Clinic) will be transitioning to their winter hours.

New hours will be Monday-Friday from 8 a.m.-5 p.m. 

APS Substation trenching continues

Trenching work for the substation transitioned from the north end of Clinic Road to Havasupai Street August 28. Trenching will occur for approximately four weeks along Havasupai Street to about 200 feet after the Havasupai and Barry Hance Circle intersection.

Grand Canyon Rec Center announces September Calendar of Events

See what fun activities and trips are planned for September at the Grand Canyon Rec Center! Day hikes, craft nights, karaoke, galore!

A full flyer for all September activities can be found here.

Canyon Closet reopens September 9

You may not be thinking about the cold now, but fall will be here soon.

The Canyon Closet will open its doors this year with a grand opening event on Saturday, September 9 from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. at the new temporary library location in the old Chase Bank building by the Market. A full flyer on the event can be found here.

Starting September 13, they will be open on Wednesdays from 12 p.m. to 2 p.m.

For more information contact canyon_closet@grandcanyonschoolpta.org.