Weekly Employee and Community Call

We will start the New Year with a new weekly call format beginning on January 11, 2023. There will be just one call each week, on Wednesday at 11 a.m. for both NPS employees and community members. 

Wednesday all employee and community call from the Superintendent’s Office:

TIME: 11 a.m. Arizona Time 

CALL IN: 877-491-6221  

PARTICIPANT CODE: 7074828# 

If you would like a calendar invite sent by email with this information, please email the public affairs office at grca_public_affairs@nps.gov.

Total new COVID cases in Arizona for the week of December 22-28 was 4,973, which is a substantial decrease from the week before. There were two new COVID-19 casesreported in the park this week. 

As a reminder, be sure to promptly report any illness, to include possible COVID-19 symptoms, COVID exposure, or a positive COVID test to your supervisor and our Public Health Consultant, Ronan King. Ronan can be reached at: 202-891-8599 or Ronan_King@nps.gov.

Now through January 4, 2023, please include Grand Canyon’s Manager of Employee and Organizational Development, AJ Lapre in the contacts. AJ can be reached at 928-707-3485 or aj_lapre@nps.gov. AJ will respond to all reports and provide information on reporting of possible COVID-19 symptoms, COVID exposure, or a positive COVID tests.  

Winter Preparedness at Grand Canyon

Severe winter weather has returned, and it’s time to offer a few reminders on winter preparedness!

🚗When Driving—Slow down and increase following distances. Be sure to turn on your lights during periods of reduced visibility and clear all your car windows before driving anywhere. During times of inclement weather, rangers are proactively making traffic stops for driving too fast for conditions, following too closely, and having an obstructed view. Did you know you can be ticketed for driving too fast for conditions even if you’re going slower than the posted speed limit?

⚠️Have the essentials for your vehicle—Try to keep a nearly full tank of gas in your personal vehicle throughout the winter as well as an emergency kit. Suggested items are a portable snow shovel, extra blankets, food and water, gloves, hat, snow pants, traction devices, jumper cables, flashlight, first aid kit, plastic sheeting, and a phone charger. Be prepared for any type of emergency.

🏠At Home—Keep extra food, water, light sources, and blankets available in case of a power outage.

👟When Walking—Always have the appropriate gear, clothing, and footwear. The potential for slips, trips, and falls increases dramatically in winter. It is highly recommended that shoe traction devices be worn while walking in icy conditions.

Leadership Spotlight!

Nick Myers, South Rim Village District Interpreter

I grew up in Minnesota and my family spent every possible second outdoors and planning trips out west to explore national parks. When I was 8 years old, I went on a ranger-guided cave tour at Wind Cave National Park in South Dakota – that’s the moment I decided I wanted to become a ranger! My first NPS job coincidentally ended up being at Wind Cave in 1999 and that began a long seasonal interpretive career taking me to Yellowstone, Everglades, Carlsbad Caverns, Jewel Cave, Mount Rushmore, Bryce Canyon, Zion, and Curecanti. I landed my first permanent position at Carlsbad in 2010 and moved on to Grand Teton, Colorado National Monument, Black Canyon, Mesa Verde, and Devils Tower where I was the Chief of Interpretation.

My permanent career has been focused on night sky interpretation, management, and training, along with developing exhibit projects, and interpretive curriculum. I’m currently serving on the regional Interpretation and Education Advisory Council and am the lead trainer for the WASO NPS Night Sky Academy. My partner Lauren Ohlson has been a PSAR ranger on the North Rim the last 2 summer seasons and is busy working on becoming a paramedic – we were quite excited to get to work in the same park again even if it was on opposite rims. We have an awesome Border Collie named, June.

How long have you worked at GRCA? I arrived in late May of 2022

What have you enjoyed the most about working at GRCA so far? The variety! There’s so much to do here and so many places to explore in and outside of the park. I also love the small community here on the South Rim and the connecting bike trails that make getting around so easy and fun.

What’s your favorite winter activity or sport? Winter is easily my favorite time of the year. I love cross country skiing but when the snow is lacking, I enjoy running and biking long distances. Lauren and I also enjoy cribbage and hauling our 17-foot canoe around the country.

Grand Canyon Community Rec Center announces January 2023 Calendar of Events

The Rec Center has scheduled an event EVERY DAY in support of Dry January! If your up for the 31 day challenge, let the Rec Center help you keep busy.

For the complete schedule, see the attached flyer here.

Othello to premier at this year’s Shakespeare Festival 

The Utah Shakespeare Festival has announced its 2023 production of Shakespeare in the Schools, an annual touring production. A team of 10 members will travel to Grand Canyon for a performance at Shrine of the Ages on February 14, 2023. More details will be provided in the coming weeks.

A general poster of the tour can be found here.