PROJECT ABSTRACT
Colorado Plateau Cooperative Ecosystem Studies Unit
(Cooperative Agreement # H1200-09-0005)
Park: Mesa Verde National Park (MEVE)
Project Title: Upgrade Wetherill Trail Guides to Reflect Fire Damage
Funding Amount: $16,000
CPCESU Partner Institution Northern Arizona University (NAU) – Colorado Plateau (CPCESU)
Principal Investigator:
Joelle Clark
Professional Development Coordinator, NAU
PO box 152000
Flagstaff, AZ 86011
928-523-8797 Phone
928-523-9135 Fax
joelle.clark@nau.edu
Co-Investigator: NA
NPS Key Official:
Rosemarie Salazar
Supervisory Park Ranger
PO Box 8
Mesa Verde NP, CO 81330
970-529-4629 (phone)
970-529-5031 (fax)
rosemarie_salazar@nps.gov
Start Date:
September 21, 2009
End Date:
April 30, 2012
Abstract:
Project Description:
Replace/revise 4 outdated and inaccurate trail guides for Wetherill Mesa in Mesa Verde National
Park. Combine the 4 guides into 2 location-specific trail guides. New trail guides will incorporate
current research information, accurate maps, appropriate safety messages, and thematic
sequential presentation of interpretive information. Current guides are sometimes insensitive to
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current “politically correct” terminology, and new research provides opportunity for post-fire
updated information.
Justifications
The park and cooperating association Publications Committee is working towards standard trail
guide design that meet NPS IDP certification. Current trail guides contain inadequate
information, maps, and safety messages. These revised trail guides will provide visitors with
current research information, accurate maps, and appropriate language. This project will help
meet committee goals, and enhance visitor experiences, before, during and after their visit to the
park.
Measurable Results
These guides will provide basic orientation for Wetherill visitors, provide published information
to the public about multi-million dollar research projects conducted post-fire, and reduce the
number of artifacts moved and/or stolen from this area.
Keywords:
Cultural Resources
Native American
Historic Sites
Anthropogenic Issues
Archeology
Social and Economic Issues
Land Use
Fire
Fire History
GIS / Spatial Data / Tabular Data
Inventory / Maps
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