Excavation and Discovery along the Colorado River in Grand Canyon National Park at the historic Kolb Studio on the South Rim. Open daily 8:00 am to 7:00 pm. Grand Canyon is a cultural homeland for many Native American people. Only five percent of the park’s 1.2 million acres has been surveyed for archaeological sites, and very few have been excavated. These ancient sites hold deep significance for present-day indigenous people. Between 2006 and 2009, Grand Canyon National Park joined with the Museum of Northern Arizona for the park’s largest excavation project in nearly 40 years. During that time, teams of archeologists excavated nine sites along the Colorado River. Their findings revealed important new stories about the lives of the people who made the Grand Canyon their home. In this exhibit, you will experience the stories the archeologists uncovered. This exhibit is sponsored by Grand Canyon National Park, the Museum of Northern Arizona, and Grand Canyon Association. Take a virtual tour of the excavations in progress here: www.nps.gov/features/grca/001/archeology/index.html Watch a 16 minute video about the project here: www.nps.gov

PROPOSED MINERAL WITHDRAWAL NEAR GRAND CANYON NATIONAL PARK What was announced on June 20, 2011? Secretary of the Interior Ken Salazar announced his decision to make an emergency withdrawal for six months of approximately 1 million acres of federal lands near Grand Canyon National Park…

PROPOSED MINERAL WITHDRAWAL NEAR GRAND CANYON NATIONAL PARK On June 20, 2011, Secretary of the Interior Ken Salazar was joined at the Mather Point Amphitheater in Grand Canyon National Park by BLM Director Bob Abbey, National Park Service Director Jon Jarvis, and US Geological Survey Director Marcia McNutt. In this video, the three directors, in turn, address the audience, then, Secretary Salazar answers questions posed by the media. In remarks regarding the potential withdrawal of certain federal lands near the Grand Canyon from new mining claims, Secretary of the Interior Ken Salazar said that management of the Grand Canyon area must be guided by “caution, wisdom, and science,” so as to protect the World Heritage Site, tribal interests, drinking water supplies, and the tourism economy that the area’s natural resources support. In his remarks, Secretary Salazar stated that he will take action to prevent the opening of one million acres of public and National Forest System lands surrounding the Grand Canyon to new uranium mining claims while the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) completes a final Environmental Impact Statement that evaluates a preferred alternative of a 20 year mineral withdrawal on those same lands. To find out more information please visit: www.blm.gov

The rim trail along the South Rim of Grand Canyon National Park provides a great way to get out and experience the park. Use the Rim Trail to get some exercise while out exploring 3 miles of multi-use pathway. Whether walking, hiking, running or strolling, the rim trail is a must during your visit to Grand Canyon — get out of the car and go Explore! Only part of the rim trail is open to bicycles. What many folks do is ride the 7.5 mile scenic Hermit Road (west of the village area.) The Hermit Road is closed to cars and has only shuttle bus traffic during the spring, summer and fall. The Hermit Road also has a 3 mile Greenway along the canyon rim were bicycles may share the road with pedestrians. NPS video by Brandon Torres

Elk are frequently seen in and around Grand Canyon Village on the South Rim of Grand Canyon National Park. In this Ranger Minute, Park Ranger Haley Bercot shares some interesting facts about this majestic animal. What should one do if they sight an Elk? How close should one get? Can elk be dangerous? Many visitors see large wild animals that seem tame and therefore approach far closer than they should. For safety’s sake stay at least 50 feet away from the elk! Never approach wild animals. Photograph all wildlife from the safety of your vehicle. Use telephoto lenses and observe quietly. It is dangerous, and illegal, to feed wild animals in a national park. Violators will be fined. Wildlife can become dependent upon handouts and lose their ability to hunt and forage. Such animals lose their fear of humans. They can become aggressive and bite, kick, or gore. Many are struck by cars while searching for handouts. Help us keep wildlife wild. Never feed or approach wildlife. For more videos about wildlife safety please visit: www.nps.gov

WATER is the lifeblood of Grand Canyon — a force of erosion, a sustainer of scarce riparian habitat in a desert environment, a spiritual element for native peoples, a provider of recreation, and a central factor in the exploration, development, and politics of the American West. This video was recorded on April 17, 2011 at Pipe Creek, which is along the Tonto Trail and east of Indian Garden. The condor in the video is #87, a male, hatched in captivity on 4/22/1998. In 2008: sired 476M/H6 w/ 133F/33 in Redwall cave below Grandeur Point. Learn more about CA Condors in Grand Canyon National Park here: www.nps.gov Learn more about hiking and camping within the Grand Canyon here: www.nps.gov