New Park Superintendent Named
 Clifford "Cliff" Spencer, a 25-year National Park Service veteran, has been named the new superintendent of Mesa Verde National Park, Intermountain Regional Director John Wessels announced recently. Spencer will assume his new responsibilities on September 26. He succeeds William Nelligan, who served in an interim capacity after the retirement of Superintendent Larry Wiese. Nelligan will return to his full-time, permanent position as deputy superintendent at Mesa Verde.
Spencer is currently the superintendent of Petrified Forest National Park in Arizona, where he took innovative steps to protect park resources. He led a planning effort to evaluate the effects of climate change on the park. In addition, he sought to reduce the park's energy consumption with steps that included equipping a new restroom at Puerco Pueblo with a solar panel that cut consumption by half. He also oversaw the completion of more than $3 million of repairs to visitor facilities, roads, and park residences.
"I am honored to be chosen as superintendent of Mesa Verde National Park and look forward to working with park staff, volunteers, park partners and the surrounding communities in promoting and protecting a truly special place," Spencer said.
Prior to his assignment at Petrified Forest, Spencer served as superintendent of White Sands National Monument in New Mexico. He also held various ranger posts at Point Reyes National Seashore in California, Shenandoah National Park in Virginia, Santa Monica Mountains National Recreational Area in California, Lake Mead National Recreational Area in Nevada, and Grand Canyon National Park in Arizona.
A native of Los Angeles, Spencer holds a bachelor of science degree in recreation administration from California State University Northridge, and an associate of arts degree in psychology from Pierce College in Los Angeles. Spencer and his wife of 18 years, Beth, have a 15-year old daughter.
"Cliff brings a wealth of experience to this important position," Wessels said. "He has an outstanding ability to communicate with diverse audiences and years of experience building relationships with gateway communities, other government agencies, and strategic partners. These qualities make him an excellent choice to manage the challenging and complex natural and cultural resources at one of the most notable and best preserved cliff dwellings in the United States."
As superintendent at Mesa Verde, Spencer will manage 52,485 acres, an annual operating budget of more than $5.8 million, and a staff of about 114 employees. The Mesa Verde Museum Association extends a warm welcome to Superintendent Spencer and his family, and we look forward to working with him as we fulfill our mission of education and stewardship at Mesa Verde National Park. |
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Welcome
to "Verde Views," the e-newsletter for Mesa Verde Association members
and friends. This periodic publication will keep you informed about
Association news and events, park happenings, new products and special
sales. |
September is Our Prime Hiking Time
Double House by Michelle Hansen
Locals and Mesa Verde-philes know that September is the best month for hiking in these parts. Monsoons have largely dissipated, and cool mornings give way to sunny and warm -but not too hot- afternoons. Now is the perfect time to get outdoors and discover something new in Mesa Verde! Spaces are available for our two-hour Mug House and six-hour Wetherill Mesa Experience hikes, offered through Labor Day, September 6, 2010. Eight-hour Spring House hikes will continue through September 30, 2010. These special ranger-led backcountry hikes allow you to see for yourself parts of the park and cliff dwellings not normally open to the public. We think these hikes are pretty neat, but don't just take our word for it. Read what others have written about their experiences:
"Southwest Road Trip Part 3: Mesa Verde National Park Backcountry Hike" by Michelle Hansen, California Junket: Travel and Food, August 20, 2010
"Trails to History" by Kimberly Benedict, Cortez Journal, July 13, 2010
"Trip Back in Time" by Andrew Gulliford, Durango Herald, July 11, 2010
Kodak House by Michelle Hansen
More information about these backcountry hikes is available at www.mesaverdeinstitute.org or by calling 970-529-4445 or 1-800-305-6053. All Mesa Verde Institute and Mesa Verde Museum Association proceeds support Mesa Verde National Park. Plan your fall hiking adventure today!.
Kodak House by Michelle Hansen
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Fall Photography Workshop-
The Best Deal in Town
 Every year thousands of visitors snap photos of the spectacular, world-famous cliff dwellings at Mesa Verde National Park. To help you capture the best light and perspective of these remarkable structures, the Mesa Verde Institute is offering its popular fall photography workshop led by Dr. Gene Balzer, Professor of Photography and Senior Faculty Member at Northern Arizona University.
The workshop is scheduled for October 15-17, 2010, and is limited to 13 participants to ensure everyone receives plenty of personalized coaching. The workshop begins at noon on Friday and ends on Sunday afternoon. For more information and to register, please visit the Mesa Verde Institute website at www.mesaverdeinstitute.org
Mesa Verde National Park is a photographer's paradise. During the workshop, participants will visit cliff dwelling sites during soft light and work on compositions of the Ancestral Puebloan architecture. The group will be in archeological sites at off hours and photographing at a leisurely pace. The workshops are open to both amateur and professional photographers using either digital or film cameras. From Friday lunch to Sunday lunch, the ARAMARK Mesa Verde Company will provide exceptional meals spotlighting sustainable foods and southwestern cuisine. These meals include two decadent dinners at the acclaimed Metate Room Restaurant. Workshop tuition also includes two nights' lodging at Far View Lodge, perched high atop Mesa Verde's majestic landscape.
The Mesa Verde Institute is administered by the nonprofit Mesa Verde Museum Association. Proceeds from the Institute as well as all Museum Association programs support Mesa Verde National Park. Mesa Verde Association members receive a 20% discount on workshop tuition and lodging. |
About Us
The Mesa Verde Association is a joint
membership program of the Mesa Verde Museum Association and the Mesa
Verde Foundation. Your MVA membership supports both of these 501(c)(3)
nonprofit organizations.
The Mesa Verde Museum Association (tax
ID 84-1404606) provides educational and interpretive material to
visitors of Mesa Verde National Park through an active publishing
program and the operation of retail bookstores online, in the park, and
in Cortez, CO. Our services enhance the visitor experience and promote
stewardship of Mesa Verde's world-renowned archeological resources and
natural landscapes. Proceeds from all Association operations are donated
to the park's interpretive, research, and education programs.
The
Mesa Verde Foundation (tax ID 84-046967) funds capital improvements,
projects, and educational endeavors for Mesa Verde National Park. Our
projects include construction of a new Visitor and Research Center near
the park's entrance and remodeling the existing Far View Visitor Center
into a Tribal Cultures Center to enhance understanding of the connection
between the Ancestral Puebloans and contemporary Native American
tribes.
You are receiving this email because you are a member of
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Mesa Verde Museum Association. To ensure that you continue to receive
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