Invasive species Musk Thistle (Carduus nutans)

The National Park Service (NPS) is proposing a new management plan for controlling invasive nonnative plants throughout Mesa Verde National Park and Yucca House National Monument. Currently the park and monument have known populations of dozens of nonnative plants, many of which are highly aggressive competitors with native species. The continued spread of nonnative plants puts at risk the ecological and historical integrity of park landscapes.

The purpose of the plan is to enhance the current strategy at the park and monument for preventing and managing invasive plant occurrences in order to protect natural communities, ecological processes, cultural resources, visitor enjoyment, and other park values. The plan focuses on two broad goals: 1) Detecting and preventing the establishment of new invasive plant species or occurrences, and 2) Controlling new and existing priority occurrences of invasive plants.

Management alternatives incorporate an integrated pest management approach and consist of a variety of methods including mechanical, chemical, biological, manual and cultural control techniques.

The environmental assessment (EA) was prepared in compliance with the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) to provide a decision-making framework that analyzes a reasonable range of alternatives to meet project objectives, evaluate potential issues and impacts to park resources and values, and identify mitigation measures to reduce the degree or extent of these impacts.

The NPS concluded public scoping on the new plan on February 14, 2014; however, the public has an additional opportunity to formally comment on the project now with the release of the EA. You are invited to submit your written comments online at the NPS Planning, Environment, and Public Comment website at http://parkplanning.nps.gov/meve. If you are not able to submit comments electronically through this website, then you may submit written comments to the National Park Service at the address below. Comments must be received by April 5, 2015 in order to be considered during the finalization of the plan.

Before including your address, phone number, email address, or other personal identifying information in your comment, you should be aware that your entire comment, including your personal identifying information, may be made publicly available at any time. While you can ask the NPS in your comment to withhold this information from public review, the NPS cannot guarantee that it will be able to do so.

Please address written comments to:

Mesa Verde National Park
Attn: Invasive Plant Management Plan
PO Box 8
Mesa Verde National Park, CO 81330 

Oak Tree House

Mesa Verde National Park is offering a series of unique ranger-guided educational experiences in 2015. Tickets for these special hikes are limited and must be purchased online at www.recreation.gov. These special programs often sell out, so sign up now to avoid disappointment.

Ranger-guided hikes and programs include a 2-hour hike to Oak Tree House offered weekly during the summer, a 2-hour hike to Square Tower House offered in spring and fall, and a half-day hike on Wetherill Mesa. In addition, tickets for Twilight Tours of Cliff Palace, which feature a historical figure from the past, and the Photography Tour at Cliff Palace will be offered on-line. Check the website for more detailed descriptions of each program. For reservations or more information, visit www.recreation.gov or call 1-877-444-6777. 

Last Light, Square Tower by Robert Peters

Sure signs that spring has arrived in Mesa Verde include expanding hours of operation for the park's Visitor Center and Chapin Mesa Archeological Museum, the conversion of Spruce Tree House from ranger-guided tours to self-guided touring, and our personal favorite: the Turning On of the Grill and French-Fryer at Spruce Tree Terrace Cafe. :) We are pleased to report that all these seasonal conversions have occurred!

Here are some more dates to look forward to:
April 12: Ranger-guided tours of Balcony House start for the season; Chapin Mesa Archeological Museum and Spruce Tree House visiting hours extend to 6:30 p.m.
April 16: Far View Lodge and the Metate Room open for the season
April 18 - 19: Park entrance fees waived in observance of National Parks Week opening weekend
April 30: Morefield Campground opens for the season
May 2: Far View Terrace opens for the season
May 3: Square Tower House hikes begin; purchase tickets now at www.recreation.gov
Early May: Wetherill Mesa Road opens for the season, weather permitting
May 22: Cliff Palace and Long House ranger-guided tours start for the season
May 26: Oak Tree House hikes begin; purchase tickets now at www.recreation.gov

A reminder that ranger-guided tours of Cliff Palace will begin a few weeks later than in past years so that park archeologists can complete the first phase of extensive preservation work this spring on this internationally recognized treasure. Learn more about this multi-year project at http://www.nps.gov/meve/learn/news/

"Geotourism" is tourism that sustains or enhances the geographic character of a place--its environment, culture, aesthetics, heritage, and the well-being of its residents. You can learn more about the amazing diversity of the Four Corners region by attending the fourth annual Trails of the Ancients Geotourism Fair on April 10 and 11, 2015, at Sky City Cultural Center & Haak'u Museum at Acoma Pueblo "Sky City" in New Mexico. Roam through information exhibitor and arts and crafts booths, listen to speakers, and enjoy Native American dances and delicious traditional foods at this two-day event. For more information, visit www.acomaskycity.org or call 505-552-7869.