Join us on Sunday, July 13 at 7:00 p.m. in the Morefield Amphitheater for a free outdoor concert! Composer and musician Jill Haley, a 2013 Mesa Verde National Park Artist in Residence, is returning to the park for one night to share with us the stirring music she composed during her residency. Jill plays the oboe and English horn. She will be accompanied by guitarist David Cullen and pianist (and long-time Mesa Verde National Park volunteer) Lillian Wakeley. Jill will also perform at the Cortez Cultural Center's plaza on Saturday, July 12, at 7:00 p.m.

Jill Haley, a pianist, oboist, and composer, recently released "Mesa Verde Soundscapes," a recording of music that was written while she was an Artist in Residence at Mesa Verde National Park. In May 2013 Jill was invited to stay in the park for two weeks while working on her project--in this case writing music. She would visit various sites such as Spruce Tree House and Cliff Palace and then compose music that was inspired by these historic and spiritual sites. The "Mesa Verde Soundscapes" recording also includes a 14-page photo booklet of images that inspired the 14 pieces of music. "Mesa Verde Soundscapes" is the third recording in a series of music Jill has written about the national parks in the United States. Her previous recordings in this series are "Glacier Soundscapes" and "Zion and Bryce Canyon Soundscapes." Copies of these recordings will be available for purchase at Jill's concerts.

The National Park Service (NPS) is in the initial stages of developing a visitor distribution and transportation management plan for Mesa Verde National Park. The purpose of the plan is to reduce visitor congestion at key locations within the park, to protect the cultural and natural resources in the park, to enhance the visitor experience, and to develop a comprehensive and sustainable strategy for how visitors access and experience the park.

Over the years, a system of narrow and winding roadways has developed in the park primarily for visitors in private motor vehicles. In recent years, increasing visitation, along with the changing demographics of park visitors, has resulted in a constrained and outdated circulation system. This system currently lends itself to high concentrations of visitors in some locations during certain times of the year, while leaving other sites and areas of the park virtually unvisited. Also, opportunities for visitors to access the park via any means other than their own vehicles are limited. Visitors coming to the park during the summer months may face long waits, disappointment, and frustration instead of the experience they had expected.

Less obvious, but equally important, is the fact that as visitors drive throughout the park, tailpipe emissions from their cars turn into haze and air pollution which can diminish views and harm plants, animals, and archeological sites across the landscape - the very landscape the NPS is charged with protecting.

The proposed plan goals are to: 1) offer multi-modal visitor experiences, 2) provide visitors an experience that limits the number of times they need to park their vehicle, 3) clearly define trails for pedestrian and bike connections, 4) limit resource impacts to previously disturbed areas, 5) enhance visitor education on natural resources found in the park, and 6) use the park's shuttle system to provide the greatest benefit to the most visitors. Management alternatives may include a variety of methods to enhance the visitor experience, provide multi-modal transportation opportunities within the park, and limit or reduce impacts on park resources.

The Mesa Verde Visitor Distribution and Transportation Plan will be prepared in compliance with the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) to provide the decision-making framework that 1) analyzes a reasonable range of alternatives to meet project objectives, 2) evaluates potential issues and impacts to park resources and values, and 3) identifies best management practices and mitigation measures to lessen the degree or extent of these impacts.

The NPS encourages public participation throughout the planning process and has identified two opportunities for you to comment on the project; this is the first opportunity. The NPS is currently in the public scoping phase of this project, and invites you to submit your written comments online at the NPS Planning, Environment, and Public Comment (PEPC) website at parkplanning.nps.gov/meve If you are not able to submit comments electronically through this website, then you may submit written comments to:

National Park Service

Denver Service Center

c/o Treff Alexander

PO Box 25287

Denver, CO 80225

Please provide comments by July 14, 2014. These comments will be considered during preparation of the Visitor Distribution and Transportation Plan for Mesa Verde National Park.

Ben Duke, Executive Director of Mesa Verde Foundation (MVF), is retiring at the end of 2014, and MVF is seeking candidates for his successor. The position location is in Castle Rock, Colorado; however, there is potential to relocate elsewhere in Colorado.

The Executive Director reports to the MVF Board of Directors. Candidates must be experienced in and be responsible for Fundraising, Event Coordination/Oversight, Communications (written and oral), and Organizational Operations. Candidates must have a proven record in all aspects of non-profit fiscal business. The physical setting for the Executive Director includes desk work and on-the-road locations when attending MVF meetings, conferences, events, and making presentations.

Please visit www.mesaverdefoundation.org for additional information.

THE APPLICATION DEADLINE IS JULY 31, 2014. If you have questions or need more information, you may contact: 

H. Benjamin Duke III, Mesa Verde Foundation

823 S. Perry Street, Suite #120

Castle Rock, CO 80104

Mesa Verde National Park and the Mesa Verde Foundation welcomed 20 nationally acclaimed artists to the park for the kick-off of the 2014 Rims to Ruins Art Event. The artists arrived on May 14, and enjoyed a special reception at the historic Superintendent's Residence on Chapin Mesa. Over the next two days, the artists worked throughout the park, including a very special opportunity to work within Cliff Palace.

On Saturday, May 17, ticketed guests were able to watch the artists work in various park locations in the morning, and this was followed by a lovely luncheon and auction in a tent adjacent to the Visitor and Research Center. Each artist had completed one or more plein air works that were auctioned off, with proceeds benefiting MVF and its work on behalf of the park.

The next phase of the event will take place in Denver on November 5, 2014, when 31 artists will exhibit and have for sale two or three finished works inspired by the grandeur of Mesa Verde. This special Exhibition and Sale will take place at the Wildlife Experience Museum, just south of Denver. It promises to be a very special evening, with works of art from some of America's most accomplished artists will be available. For additional information on the November 5 Sale and Reception, please call either Ben Duke at 303-321-3120 or Jamie Bade at 970-533-1177.

Under clear skies, with perfect early summer temperatures, 22 riders joined MVF Executive Director Ben Duke and noted horse trainer Pat Parelli and his wife Linda on June 12 for a spectacular ride through the park. Starting at the Morefield horse barn, near the tunnel along the entrance road to the park, and under the guidance of rangers Marcia Leastman and Janis Buckreus, the group rode down Morefield Canyon, over the ridge into Waters Canyon and Whites Canyon to the historic Whites Mesa Fire Tower. Along the way the group saw one of the park's black bears, had incredible views in every direction, and heard engaging interpretive talks from Janis Buckreus. The group enjoyed a gourmet barbecue lunch at the fire tower before returning to the Morefield barn.

The ride was a benefit for Mesa Verde Foundation and the Parelli Education Institute, with over $20,000 being raised for the two organizations. It was a treat for everyone to have the opportunity to ride with Pat and Linda Parelli in such a spectacular setting. Many thanks go to MVF board member Art Glenn for arranging the ride. Many thanks also go to Park Superintendent Cliff Spencer and Chief Ranger Jessie Farias for coordinating all aspects of the day.  

The Four Corners Lecture continues this summer. We hope you'll join us for these free programs occurring in a variety of locations across the Four Corners. Here at Mesa Verde National Park, we look forward to the Lomayestewa Family of Shungopovi Village, Second Mesa, AZ, who will be performing their Hopi dances for the 25th year! The full lecture series schedule can be found here. Here's what's right around the corner:

When:June 28, 2:00 p.m., Edge of the Cedars State Park Museum, Blanding, UT

Who: Jonathan Till

What: Results of the Hovenweep Pottery Analysis Project, Year 2

When:Wednesdays, July 2 through August 27, 8:00 p.m., Cortez Cultural Center

Who: Sam Sandoval

What: Navajo Code Talkers

When: July 2, 1:30 p.m.,Room #120, Center of Southwest Studies, Fort Lewis College

Who: Barbara Klema

What: The Taos Arts Society

When: July 5 and 6, 11:00 a.m., 12:00 p.m., 2:00 p.m., 4:00 p.m., Visitor and Research Center, Mesa Verde National Park

Who: The Lomayestewa Family of Shungopovi Village, Second Mesa, AZ

What: Traditional Hopi Dances

When: July 6, 7:00 p.m.,Cortez Cultural Center

Who: The Lomayestewa Family of Shungopovi Village, Second Mesa, AZ

What: Traditional Hopi Dances

When: July 9, 1:30 p.m.,Room #120, Center of Southwest Studies, Fort Lewis College

Who: Judith Reynolds

What: Mabel Dodge Luhan and American Utopian Societies

When: July 10, 7:00 p.m., Room #120, Center of Southwest Studies, Fort Lewis College; co-hosted by the San Juan Basin Archaeological Society

Who: Eric Blinman

What: 2000 Years of Climate Change and Human Response in the Southwest

When: July 17, 7:00 p. m., Far View Lodge Library, Mesa Verde National Park

Who: John Ware

What: Chaco Roads Less Traveled:  New Perspectives on the Chaco Phenomenon

When: July 19, 2:00 p.m., Edge of the Cedars State Park Museum, Blanding, UT

Who: Ben Bellorado, M.A.

What: Building Murals and Tree-Ring Dating: New Methods of Reconstructing Ancient Social Networks and Community Identities in the Western Mesa Verde Area

When: July 24, 7:00 p.m., Crow Canyon Archaeological Center

Who: Steve Wolverton

What: Wildlife Conservation and Zooarchaeology

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