Showing posts with label Murie Science and Learning Center. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Murie Science and Learning Center. Show all posts

Saturday, March 22, 2014

Denali Winter Artists-in-Residence Arrive

Denali Landscape
Denali Landscape (Photo credit: blmiers2)
DENALI PARK, Alaska: The National Park Service has expanded the Artist-in-Residence (AIR) program to include winter residencies on an ongoing basis, and the first two participants in this winter's program will begin their residencies this week.

Beau Carey, a landscape painter currently living in Albuquerque, New Mexico, arrives on Tuesday, March 18.He will spend four nights in the Savage River Cabin, located at Mile 13 on the Denali Park Road, and afterwards will lead an outdoor painting workshop (already full by pre-registration). Carey recently returned from an international residency above Norway's Arctic Circle.

Nicole Stellon O'Donnell, a poet and essayist from Fairbanks, Alaska, arrives on Friday, March 21. She will be housed at park headquarters until heading out to the Savage Cabin the following week.Writers and poets (and those interested in writing and poetry) are invited to a free workshop and reading with Nicole taking place on Saturday, March 29 at the Murie Science and Learning Center, beginning at 6:00 pm. No prior registration is required to take part.Her winter residency at Denali follows scheduled readings in New York City and Los Angeles.

The winter residencies will help raise public awareness of the winter experience in Denali and increase the number of winter pieces represented in the park's permanent collection. The first winter residency was done in 2010 by University of Alaska Fairbanks Professor Emeritus Kesler Woodward. With some support provided by the park's sled dog teams, he and Frank Soos skied to the East Fork Cabin at Mile 43 on the park road, and back. You can read more about the trip, and view an image of the painting he donated to park, in his blog at: http://keslerwoodward.typepad.com/painting_in_the_north/2010/11/denali-park-in-winter.html.Woodward was instrumental in the development of the park's AIR program, and continues to serve on the AIR selection committee.

Each artist-in-residence will each donate a work inspired by their time in Denali to the park's collection.Pieces created by artists-in-residence from previous years will be on display in the Denali Visitor Center, Eielson Visitor Center, and the Murie Science and Learning Center during the 2014 visitor season. As of this week, some of the pieces will be on public display in a gallery at the Anchorage Public Lands Information Center on Fourth Street. In September other pieces will be on display at the Fairbanks Public Lands Information Center located in the Morris Thompson Visitors Center. An online gallery of artist-in-residence artwork is available at http://www.nps.gov/dena/historyculture/arts-program.htm.

Since 2002 the Artist-in-Residence program at Denali National Park and Preserve has hosted more than 45 artists and writers, and two invited composers.Four visual artists and two writers will participate in this summer's program.

Artists interested in applying for the 2015 season are encouraged to visit www.nps.gov/dena/historyculture/arts-program.htm for information and to apply. The call for applications will be open from May 1 - September 30, 2014.

Saturday, May 11, 2013

Visitor Facilities and Services at Denali National Park Opening for Summer Season

English: Willow ptarmigan chicks in Denali Nat...


DENALI PARK, Alaska: Lengthening days, milder overnight temperatures, sightings of migrant bird species, and the arrival of summer employees are all signs that the seasonal facilities and services that enhance the park experience for Denali National Park and Preserve visitors will open soon.
The Denali Bookstore, operated by park partner Alaska Geographic, has kicked off the season, as it opened on Monday, May 6. Most facilities will open the following week on Wednesday, May 15, including the Wilderness Access Center, Morino Grill, Backcountry Information Center, and the Denali Visitor Center, the park's main visitor center. This environmentally sustainable facility features stunning exhibits on Denali's natural history and cultural heritage, screenings of the award winning, high definition feature film, "Heartbeats of Denali", and friendly rangers who answer questions and help visitors plan how to spend their time in the park. It is open daily from 8:00 am - 6:00 pm.
The season's first interpretive offering, the daily 2:00 pm sled dog demonstration, commences on May 15. Free buses to the park kennels depart from the Denali Visitor Center shuttle stop at 1:20 p.m. Campground programs will be offered on a limited basis beginning Saturday, May 18, and the 10:00 am sled dog demonstration begins on Monday, May 20. The full range of interpretive programs will be available in June.
Denali Natural History Tours start on Tuesday, May 14, and the shoulder season Tundra Wilderness Tour (TWT) to the Teklanika Rest Area will be available May 14 - 19. The regular TWT begins on May 20.
The park road is open for travel by private vehicles to the Teklanika River Rest Area (Mile 30) through Sunday, May 19. Weather and road conditions permitting, on Monday, May 20 the park's shuttle bus system starts providing visitor access beyond the Savage River (Mile 15) as far west as the Toklat River (Mile 53). Buses will begin running to the Eielson Visitor Center (Mile 66) on Saturday, June 1. The entire 92-mile length of the park road will open for buses on Saturday, June 8.
The first fifteen miles of the park road will remain open for travel by private vehicles throughout the summer season. This year's road-related construction projects, which include the replacement of the Rock Creek Bridge near park headquarters, are expected to cause only minor (up to five minutes) traffic delays and lane closures.
Camping is free at the Riley Creek Campground until fee collection begins on May 15. Water and sewer services may be available by that date, depending on weather conditions. The Savage River Campground will open on Sunday, May 19 and the Sanctuary River, Teklanika River, and Igloo Creek Campgrounds all open on Monday, May 20. The Wonder Lake Campground opens on Saturday, June 8.
Denali National Park and Preserve collects an entrance fee year-round. The entrance fee of $10 per person (for visitors age 16 and older) is good for seven days. Visitors can pay the entrance fee at the Murie Science and Learning Center (MSLC) through May 14, and at the Denali Visitor Center (DVC) beginning May 15. The majority of the money collected remains in the park to be used for projects to improve visitor services and facilities. Interagency Federal Recreation Passes such as the Annual, Senior, and Access Pass, and the Denali Annual Pass are also valid for entry into the park and can be purchased at the MSLC or DVC.

Thursday, May 9, 2013

Denali Park Road Open to Mile 30

The single road within Denali National Park


Extra effort by the spring road opening crew and other maintenance employees to clear the snow from recent storms has made it possible for the National Park Service to provide access farther west into the park. Park visitors can now drive as far as the Teklanika River Rest Area at Mile 30.
Snow conditions are still good for cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, and other winter recreational activities, but with warming temperatures conditions will change rapidly. The spring road opening crew has reported sightings of moose, caribou, coyote, lynx, golden eagles, ptarmigan, and a single arctic ground squirrel. There have been no sightings of bears yet this season.
Vault toilets are available for visitor use at the Teklanika Rest Area, parking areas on both sides of the Savage River and the Mountain Vista Trailhead (rest area) east of the Savage River Campground. Other park facilities west of headquarters, including the campgrounds, remain closed until later in May.
Visitors should expect to encounter snow, ice, and mud on some portions of the road, particularly in shaded sections. Motorists are also advised to be alert for National Park Service personnel steaming culverts along the side of the road, and for heavy equipment being used in the road opening operations.
Weather conditions can change rapidly at this time of the year, and the road may open and close several times. Visitors are encouraged to contact the park for updated road and weather information. For those interested in following the progress of the Denali road crew as they plow westward along the 92 mile park road to Kantishna, timely updates are posted on the park website at http://www.nps.gov/dena/spring-road-opening.htm. Photos are posted on the park's Facebook page at www.facebook.com/DenaliNPS.
The Riley Creek Campground at Mile 0.2 is open, and camping is free until May 15. A vault toilet is provided in the loop that remains open year-round, and campers can obtain water at the Murie Science and Learning Center. Water and sewer services will not be available until mid to late May.
The Murie Science and Learning Center (MSLC) at Mile 1.3 is open daily from 9:00 am to 4:00 pm for visitor information and backcountry permits.
Denali National Park and Preserve collects an entrance fee year-round. The entrance fee of $10 per person (for visitors age 16 and older) is good for seven days. You can pay the entrance fee at the MSLC. The majority of the money collected remains in the park to be used for projects to improve visitor services and facilities. Interagency Federal Recreation Passes such as the Annual, Senior, and Access Pass, and the Denali Annual Pass are also valid for entry into the park and can be purchased at the MSLC.
Additional park information is available on the web at www.nps.gov/dena or by calling (907) 683-9532 from 9:00 am to 4:00 pm daily. Stay connected with "DenaliNPS" on Twitter, Facebook, YouTube, Flickr, and iTunes - links to these social media sites are available at www.nps.gov/dena.

Monday, April 15, 2013

Denali Road to open to Mile 12 on March 31, 2013

Down the valley towards Denali on this beautif...
Down the valley towards Denali on this beautiful day, with the (one) park road wending its way.  (Photo credit: Wikipedia)
A sure sign of spring in Denali National Park and Preserve is the opening of the park road beyond park headquarters. Park visitors will be able to drive as far as the Mountain Vista Trailhead, a rest area east of the Savage River Campground, beginning at noon on Sunday, March 31, weather permitting. Early spring offers enjoyable conditions for visiting the park, as there is good snow coverage for mushing, cross-country skiing and snowshoeing, coupled with milder temperatures and long days. Mount McKinley, or Denali, is visible from the park road at approximately Mile 10 when it is not shrouded in clouds. Vault toilets at the Mountain Vista Trailhead are open for use.

Picnic tables and other rest area amenities may still be under snow. Other facilities west of park headquarters, including the Savage River Campground, remain closed until later this spring. Visitors should expect to encounter snow and ice on shaded sections of the park road until overnight temperatures remain above freezing. Motorists are also advised to be alert for National Park Service personnel steaming culverts along the side of the road, and for heavy equipment being used in the road opening operations.

Weather conditions can change rapidly at this time of the year, and the road may open and close several times. Visitors are encouraged to call ahead for updated road and weather information. The National Park Service expects to open the road to the Savage River (Mile 15) in early April.

For those interested in following the progress of the Denali road crew as they plow westward along the 92 mile park road to Kantishna, updates and a photo gallery are posted on the park website.

The Riley Creek Campground at Mile 0.2 is open, and camping is free until May 15. A vault toilet is provided in the loop that remains open year-round, and campers can obtain water at the Murie Science and Learning Center. Water and sewer services will not be available until mid to late May. The Murie Science and Learning Center (MSLC) at Mile 1.3 is open daily from 9:00 am to 4:00 pm for visitor information and backcountry permits. Denali National Park and Preserve collects an entrance fee year-round. The entrance fee of $10 per person (for visitors age 16 and older) is good for seven days. The majority of the money collected remains in the park to be used for projects to improve visitor services and facilities. Interagency Federal Recreation Passes such as the Annual, Senior, and Access Pass, and the Denali Annual Pass are also valid for entry into the park and can be purchased at the MSLC.

Tuesday, May 22, 2012

Denali National Park Seeking Artists and Writers for 2013 Artists-in-Residence Program

Toklat River, East Fork, Polychrome overlook, ...
 (Photo credit: Wikipedia)
Denali National Park and Preserve is seeking applications from visual artists and writers for the 2013 Artist-in-Residence Program. This program provides the opportunity for established artists and writers to use an historic roadside cabin as a base to explore the park and seek inspiration from it. Many of the works created by previous artists-in-residence are displayed in the Denali Visitor Center and the Eielson Visitor Center. "These interpretations of the park's landscape, wildlife, and cultural history, as portrayed through the skills of professional artists and writers, provide a superlative means to connect our visitors to the beauty and complexity of this great national treasure," said Superintendent Paul Anderson.

A link to the online application and more information about the program is available here. Applications for the 2013 season must be submitted by September 30, 2012. Notification letters will be sent out by December 15, 2012.

Selected artists reside in the East Fork cabin, located at Mile 43 on the park road, for a ten day period between June and mid-September. In return for their residency, each artist donates a piece of artwork or written piece inspired by their time in the park to the park's collection. Artists also offer a public presentation for visitors at the end of their residency.

The Artist-in-Residence program is a national program. Artists have played a significant role in raising public awareness of the natural wonders preserved within the National Park System and the need for their protection since the creation of Yellowstone, the first national park. This is the 12th year of Denali's program.

Sunday, May 20, 2012

Denali Facilities Opening for Summer 2012 Season

Male willow ptarmigan in Denali National Park ...
 (Photo credit: Wikipedia)
The lengthening days, milder overnight temperatures, return of migrant birds, and arrival of summer employees are all signs that the seasonal facilities and services that enhance the park experience for Denali National Park and Preserve visitors are opening soon! 

The Denali Bookstore, operated by park partner Alaska Geographic, opens Monday, May 7 to kick off the season. Many other park entrance area facilities will open on Tuesday, May 15, including the Morino Grill, Wilderness Access Center, Backcountry Information Center, and the Denali Visitor Center. The visitor center features stunning exhibits on Denali's natural history and cultural heritage, screenings of the award winning, high definition feature film, "Heartbeats of Denali", and friendly rangers who can answer questions and help visitors plan how to spend their time in the park. It is open daily from 8:00 am - 6:00 pm.

The season's first interpretive offering, the 2:00 pm sled dog demonstration, commences on May 15. Free buses to the park kennels depart from the Denali Visitor Center shuttle stop at 1:20 p.m. The 10:00 am sled dog demonstrations begin on Sunday, May 20.

Denali Natural History Tours start on Monday, May 14, and the shoulder season Tundra Wilderness Tour (TWT) to the Teklanika Rest Area will be available May 15 - 19. The regular TWT begins Sunday, May 20.

The park road is open for travel by private vehicles to the Teklanika River Rest Area (Mile 30) through Saturday, May 19. Beginning Sunday, May 20, the park's shuttle bus system starts providing visitor access beyond the Savage River (Mile 15) as far west as the Toklat River (Mile 53). Buses will start running to the Eielson Visitor Center (Mile 66) on Friday, June 1. The entire 92-mile length of the park road will open for buses on Friday, June 8, conditions permitting.

The first fifteen miles of the park road will remain open for travel by private vehicles throughout the summer season. This year a project to replace over 100 aging culverts is taking place on the paved portion of the road in preparation for future repaving. Drivers should expect to encounter minor traffic delays (5-10 minutes) between 5:00 am - 11:00 pm.

Work will also take place at night. Beginning Monday, May 7 through Friday, May 18, the road may be closed between Mile 3.4 (just west of park headquarters) and Mile 15 from 11:00 pm to 4:59 am, Monday - Thursday. From May 18 -September 13 the road may be closed seven nights of the week between 11:00 pm and 12:00 midnight and from 2:00 am - 3:00 am.

Camping is free at the Riley Creek Campground until fee collection begins on May 15. Water and sewer services may be available by that date, depending on weather conditions. The Savage River Campground will open on Saturday, May 19 and the Sanctuary River, Teklanika River, and Igloo Creek Campgrounds all open on Sunday, May 20. The Wonder Lake Campground opens on Friday, June 8.

Denali National Park and Preserve collects an entrance fee year-round. The entrance fee of $10 per person (for visitors age 16 and older) is good for seven days. You can pay the entrance fee at the Murie Science and Learning Center (MSLC) through May 14, and the Denali Visitor Center (DVC) beginning May 15. The majority of the money collected remains in the park to be used for projects to improve visitor services and facilities. Interagency Federal Recreation Passes such as the Annual, Senior, and Access Pass, and the Denali Annual Pass are also valid for entry into the park and can be purchased at the MSLC or DVC. 

Thursday, March 29, 2012

Denali Road Open

The single road within Denali National Park
The single road within Denali National Park (Photo credit: Wikipedia)
A sure sign of spring in Denali National Park and Preserve is the opening of the park road beyond park headquarters. Park visitors will be able to drive as far as the Mountain Vista Trailhead, a rest area east of the Savage River Campground, beginning at noon on Friday, March 23. Early spring offers enjoyable conditions for visiting the park, as there is good snow coverage for mushing, cross-country skiing and snowshoeing, coupled with milder temperatures and long days. Mount McKinley, or Denali, becomes visible from the park road at approximately Mile 10, weather permitting.

Vault toilets at the Mountain Vista Trailhead are open for use. Picnic tables and other rest area amenities may still be under snow. Other facilities west of park headquarters, including the Savage River Campground, remain closed until later this spring.

Visitors should expect to encounter snow and ice on shaded sections of the park road until overnight temperatures remain above freezing. Motorists are also advised to be alert for National Park Service personnel steaming culverts along the side of the road, and for heavy equipment being used in the road opening operations.

Weather conditions can change rapidly at this time of the year, and the road may open and close several times. Visitors are encouraged to call ahead for updated road and weather information. The National Park Service expects to open the road to the Savage River (Mile 15) by early April. For those interested in following the progress of the Denali road crew as they plow westward along the 92 mile park road to Kantishna, timely updates and a photo gallery are posted on the park website athttp://www.nps.gov/dena/spring-road-opening.htm

The Riley Creek Campground at Mile 0.2 is open, and camping is free until May 15. A vault toilet is provided in the loop that remains open year-round, and campers can obtain water at the Murie Science and Learning Center. Water and sewer services will not be available until mid to late May.

The Murie Science and Learning Center (MSLC) at Mile 1.3 is open daily from 9:00 am to 4:00 pm for visitor information and backcountry permits. The weekend ranger-led snowshoe walks will continue into April as long as snow conditions are favorable.

Denali National Park and Preserve collects an entrance fee year-round. The entrance fee of $10 per person (for visitors age 16 and older) is good for seven days. The majority of the money collected remains in the park to be used for projects to improve visitor services and facilities. Interagency Federal Recreation Passes such as the Annual, Senior, and Access Pass, and the Denali Annual Pass are also valid for entry into the park and can be purchased at the MSLC.  

Friday, February 24, 2012

National Park Service Seeking Comments on Horseshoe LakeTrail Project

Rafting on the Nenana River, near Denali Natio...
Image via Wikipedia
DENALI PARK, Alaska: The National Park Service (NPS) intends to evaluate the impacts of making improvements and additions to the Horseshoe Lake Trail.The current trail to the picturesque Horseshoe Lake is approximately 1.5 miles long, and is very popular with park visitors.The lake provides habitat for a variety of wildlife, and visitors walking on the trail have opportunities to see moose, beaver, and several bird species. The footpath was constructed in 1940 as the park's first established trail. The trailhead is located at the railroad crossing on the Denali Park road (Mile 1).

Sections of the trail are in poor condition. There are steep sections that are difficult for many visitors, and portions are eroding due to inadequate drainage.A network of social trails has developed around the lake and throughout the area, creating additional erosion and damage to sensitive wildlife habitat, including beaver dams and lodges.

Proposed changes may include:

·rehabilitation of social trails

·reconstruction of the existing Horseshoe Lake Trail to improve trail surface and drainage

·construction of a new loop trail to the Nenana River and around Horseshoe Lake

Extending the trail to the Nenana River and around Horseshoe Lake would provide increased hiking opportunities for visitors and consolidate use, allowing the web of social trails to be rehabilitated.Maps showing proposed routes are available at the website below.

The NPS invites the public to submit written comments by Monday, March 19, 2012. Comments may be submitted online at http://parkplanning.nps.gov/dena, faxed to 907-683-9612, or mailed to:

Superintendent

Denali National Park and Preserve

ATTN:Horseshoe Lake Trail

P.O. Box 9

Denali Park, AK99755

For additional information about the proposal please contact Dan Ostrowski, Project Lead at 907-683-9557 or e-mail us; or Paula Homan, Project Planning Lead, at 907-683-6223 or e-mail us.

Thursday, February 23, 2012

11th Overflights Advisory Council Meeting

The single road within Denali National Park
Image via Wikipedia
The eleventh meeting of the Denali National Park Aircraft Overflights Advisory Council is taking place on Monday, February 27 and Tuesday, February 28, from 9:00 am - 5:00 pm at the Marriott Residence Inn Midtown, located on 1025 E. 35th Avenue, Anchorage, Alaska.

On February 27th, the public is invited to participate with council members in a work session to map out air traffic patterns over Denali National Park. The council will hold a more formal meeting with presentations from members and agency staff the following day.

The Denali National Park Aircraft Overflights Advisory Council advises the Superintendent, through the Secretary of the Interior, on mitigation efforts that should be made to reduce the impacts from aircraft overflights at Denali National Park and Preserve. The group is developing voluntary measures for assuring the safety of passengers, pilots, and mountaineers and for achieving desired future resource conditions at Denali that were outlined in the 2006 Backcountry Management Plan. Council membership contains broad representation of interested stakeholders and has a balance of local, state, and national interests.

Information on the Advisory Council can be found athttp://www.nps.gov/dena/parkmgmt/currentprojects.htm.

Information on Denali's 2006 Backcountry Management Plan is located athttp://www.nps.gov/dena/parkmgmt/gmp.htm.

For additional information on the meeting, please contact Miriam Valentine at 907- 733-9102 or via email.

Wednesday, February 22, 2012

National Park Service Seeking Input on Plowing Denali Park Road Beyond Headquarters in Winter

Denali National Park
Image via Wikipedia
DENALI PARK, Alaska: The National Park Service (NPS) intends to evaluate the impacts of plowing the Denali Park Road between park headquarters (Mile 3) and the Mountain Vista Rest Area (Mile 12) during the winter season.The NPS is interested in providing additional opportunities for winter visitors to the park, while protecting park resources and values. Plowing the road beyond park headquarters would allow private and commercial vehicles to travel further into the park to provide mountain viewing and increased recreational opportunities.

An informational meeting will be held on Wednesday, February 22, from 6:00 to 8:00 pm at the Murie Science and Learning Center in Denali National Park.Members of the public are invited to share their ideas and concerns about the proposal with park staff.

Currently the park road is closed to vehicular traffic beyond park headquarters after the first significant snowfall occurs (usually in October).During the winter one lane of the road is maintained so the road crew can manage the overflow ice that occurs between Mile 4-7.The other lane is not plowed. Both lanes are available for use by dog teams, cross country skiers, snowshoers, and other winter recreationalists. Spring road opening begins in mid-March, and the road is generally open to the public as far as the Savage River (Mile 15) by early April, and to the Teklanika River Rest Area (Mile 30) by mid to late April.

The NPS invites the public to submit written comments by Friday, March 9, 2012. Comments may be submitted online at http://parkplanning.nps.gov/dena, faxed to 907-683-9612, or mailed to:

Superintendent

Denali National Park and Preserve

ATTN:Winter Road Plowing

P.O. Box 9

Denali Park, AK99755

For additional information about the proposal please contact Paula Homan, Project Planning Lead, at 907-683-6223 or paula_homan@nps.gov.

Tuesday, February 21, 2012

Special Denali Subsistence Meeting on February 23

Grizzly bear in Denali National Park
Image via Wikipedia
DENALI PARK, Alaska: The Denali National Park Subsistence Resource Commission (SRC) will hold a special meeting via teleconference on Thursday, February 23, beginning at 1:00 pm.The purpose of the meeting is to develop SRC comments on the Environmental Assessment (EA) on "Subsistence Collections and Uses of Shed or Discarded Animal Parts and Plants from NPS Areas in Alaska." This document evaluates alternatives for managing subsistence collecting of shed or discarded animal parts and plants to make handicrafts for personal or family uses, for barter, or to sell.

The meeting is open to the public and opportunities for public testimony will be provided. Teleconferencing into the meeting can be arranged by calling the National Park Service (NPS) at 907-683-9544 at least 48 hours prior to the meeting. Written comments may also be submitted to Amy Craver by Wednesday, February 22 for presentation at the meeting.

The EA is out for public review through April 7, 2012. The EA is posted on the NPS Planning site athttp://parkplanning.nps.gov/document.cfm?parkID=1&projectID=35955&documentID=45478.

Saturday, February 18, 2012

Celebrate Winterfest 2012

Map of Alaska highlighting Denali Borough
Image via Wikipedia
Denali National Park and Preserve and the Denali Borough communities are celebrating Alaska's longest season during Winterfest 2012 on Friday, February 24 - Sunday, February 26. This long-running community-wide event features an array of activities, with something for all ages, interests, and abilities! View the schedule.

Festivities kick off on Friday, February 24 at the McKinley Park Community Center with a dessert potluck at 6:30 pm, followed by a square dancing extravaganza with the Lost Dog String Band from Fairbanks at 7:30 pm. Instruction will be provided, so there's no excuse not to dance! The Community Center is located on the "Old Parks Highway" spur road at Mile 230 Parks Highway.

The National Park Service hosts a wide variety of activities on Saturday, February 25 from 11:00 am - 4:00 pm at or near the Murie Science and Learning Center. The day's offerings include sled dog rides, ice carving demonstration, presentation by story teller Jack Dalton, ranger-guided snowshoe walk, snow sculpting contest, and a 5K family fun run/walk/ski/bike. Hot drinks and light refreshments are provided and a selection of park-related publications will be available for sale.

Saturday events continue in Healy, with chili cookoff at 4:00 pm, a free community chili feed beginning at 5:00 pm and a hockey game with the Healy Coal Queens at 6:00 pm. The evening will culminate with the second annual "Denali's Got Talent!" competition beginning at 6:30 pm. These activities are taking place at the Tri-Valley Community Center at Mile 0.5 on the Healy Spur Road (Mile 248.8 Parks Highway).

Meals, lodging and other services are available year-round in the communities of Healy and Cantwell. The park's Riley Creek Campground is open for free camping. A vault toilet is provided for winter campers and water can be obtained at the Murie Science and Learning Center.

Winterfest is made possible with the assistance of Alaska Geographic, Denali Borough, Denali Borough School District, Denali Education Center, Doyon/ARAMARK Joint Venture, National Park Service, and Princess Tours. Winterfest information is available on the park website orwww.denaliborough.com or by calling Denali National Park at 907- 683-9532 from 9:00 am - 4:00 pm daily.

National Park Service to Burn Debris Piles in Denali

English: Lower Windy Creek Shelter Cabin in De...
Image via Wikipedia
DENALI PARK, Alaska: Fire Management staff at Denali National Park and Preserve will burn piles of debris consisting of trees and brush when weather conditions permit beginning Saturday, February 18 through May 31, 2012. The piles are situated at four locations, including sites near the Denali Park Road and in the backcountry. Smoke may be visible in areas near the debris piles, and from the Denali Park Road, Parks Highway, and aircraft.

Burn pile site locations:

Admin Road - ¼ mile east of the McKinley Park landing strip (Mile 1 on the park road),approximately ½ mile northwest of the park road entrance.

Toklat Road Camp - Mile 53 on the park road, on the Toklat River approximately ½ mile north of the road.

Lower Windy Creek Patrol Cabin - Approximately 2.5 miles north of the Cantwell Airport, west of the Jack River and the Denali Park boundary.

Parker Cabin - On Moose Creek approximately 7.5 miles east of Kantishna and 5 miles north of the park road.

NPS Fire Management staff will be monitoring the burning on site. Each pile is expected burn for 3-4 days. The material being burned is debris from hazard fuel reduction treatment (fire protection) around structures, brushing along the park road, and maintenance projects in the park.

Wednesday, January 25, 2012

Applications Open for 2012-2013 Researcher-in-Residence Program

Down the valley towards Denali on this beautif...
Image via Wikipedia

DENALI PARK, Alaska: The National Park Service and the Murie Science and Learning Center (MSLC) are seeking applicants for two accomplished scientists to conduct research in Denali National Park and Preserve. Each Researcher-in-Residence will spend a month or more in the park, conducting self-directed fieldwork and sharing their expertise with park staff and visitors.

The Researcher-in-Residence program facilitates the sharing of knowledge and resources between academic scientists and Denali resources staff, interpreters, and visitors. The program is designed to provide funding for tenure-track faculty, but may also be appropriate for state and federal agency scientists or private-sector researchers. Up to $10,000 is available per recipient for research, and an additional $8,000 may be available for the subsequent creation of educational outreach products. Fieldwork must take place in 2012, 2013, or over both years.

The application deadline is March 10, 2012. A decision is expected to be made by March 20, or soon thereafter.

Information about the Researcher-in-Residence program, including specifics on how to apply and other information helpful to the application process, may be downloaded fromwww.nps.gov/dena/naturescience/research.htm. For more information, please contact Murie Science and Learning Center coordinator Sierra McLane at 907-683-6436 or sierra_mclane@nps.gov.

Sunday, January 22, 2012

2012 Artists-in-Residence Announced

Grizzly bear in Denali National Park
Image via Wikipedia
Three visual artists and three writers were selected from over 300 applicants to participate in this year's Artist-in-Residence program at Denali National Park and Preserve. Deborah Bouchette, Trine Bumiller, Kim Heacox, Marybeth Holleman, Rika Mouw, and Linda Schandelmeir will each have the opportunity to experience and be inspired by the park during summer 2012. They will stay at the historic East Fork cabin, where they can look out onto the braided channels of the East Fork River, multi-colored rock formations of Polychrome Mountain, and the snow-capped peaks of the Alaska Range.

Deborah Bouchette is a painter from Hillsboro, Oregon. Her drawings and paintings appear abstract, but they incorporate sound, beat, wave, and reverberation as metaphors for experiencing life. During her residence at the park, Deborah plans to create map-like seismographic records to recall the ordered chaos of animal tracks and the flock-and-flight patterns of birds. She also will make an audio journal of the park's unique natural chatter.

Inspired by the environment, Trine Bumiller of Denver, Colorado creates multi-paneled oil paintings of abstracted and recombined images by using layers of transparent glazes. She draws inspiration from the environment, and while in Denali she plans to record the landscape, weather and plant life with sketches, watercolors and photographs to develop into a series of paintings.

Kim Heacox of Gustavus, Alaska is a writer, photographer, musician and conservationist. He is the author of eight books, and numerous articles that have appeared in a wide range of publications. His most recent title, "The Only Kayak", a memoir about finding home in Alaska, was a 2006 PEN SA Literary Award finalist in creative non-fiction. His writing often focuses on the interplay between mankind and the natural world, the power of place and community, and the importance of critical thinking.

Marybeth Holleman from Anchorage, Alaska is the author of The Heart of the Sound and co-editor of Crosscurrents North. Her essays, poems, and articles have appeared in dozens of journals and anthologies and been heard on National Public Radio. She writes, "I like to work at the edges of nature and culture. I'm endlessly inspired by the intricate relationships of the natural world, and seek to illuminate what I find there, to see what hasn't been seen, to awaken wonder."

Rika Mouw, from Homer, Alaska has been a studio artist and jewelry designer for over 30 years. She has recently transitioned from working with metal to almost exclusively using organic materials such as wood, shell, stone, bone or fibers. As a passionate environmental advocate, her work mostly speaks about issues relating to human dependency on, reverence for or disregard of the natural environment. 

Writer Linda Schandelmeier has lived in the Fairbanks, Alaska area for over 40 years. She is the author of Listening Hard Among the Birches, a book of poetry published in 2002. Her poems have appeared in many journals and anthologies, and she received a Rasmuson award to work on her second book, Homestead, about the 160-acre homestead near Anchorage, Alaska, where she was raised. "I write because it compels me to see the world around me more clearly, and because it helps me make sense of both the exterior and interior landscape," she states.

"We are pleased to offer these talented individuals the opportunity to immerse themselves in Denali," said Superintendent Paul Anderson. "The work they will create from their intensive experience in the park will be a source of inspiration to all who view or read their work."

Each artist will offer a public presentation for visitors during their residency. They will also each donate a work inspired by their time in Denali to the park's collection. Pieces created by artists-in-residence from previous years will be on display in the Denali Visitor Center, Eielson Visitor Center, and the Murie Science and Learning Center during the 2012 visitor season. Information about the public presentation schedule as well as an online gallery of artist-in-residence artwork is available atwww.nps.gov/dena/historyculture/artist-in-residence.htm.

The Artist-in-Residence program is a national program that enables established artists to reside in a park while they create park-related art. Artists have played a significant role in raising public awareness of the natural wonders preserved within the National Park System and the need for their protection since the creation of Yellowstone, the first national park.

This is the 11th year of the Artist-in-Residence program at Denali National Park and Preserve. A total of 35 artists, including 21 from Alaska, have participated in previous summers.

Artists interested in applying for the 2013 season are encouraged to visitwww.nps.gov/dena/historyculture/arts-program.htm for information and to apply. The call opens on May 1, 2012.

Sunday, January 8, 2012

Northern 1980 Additions to Denali National Park and Preserve Now Open to Snowmobiling for Traditional Activities

Deutsch: Mount McKinley, Denali-Nationalpark E...
Image via Wikipedia

DENALI PARK, Alaska: Recent storms have brought additional snow to the park, and the Superintendent has determined that there is now adequate snow cover for the use of snowmobiles for traditional activities in all of the 1980 additions to Denali National Park and Preserve. The open areas include the park and preserve additions north and south of the crest of the Alaska Range.

Riders are reminded that all lands within the former Mount McKinley National Park on both the north and the south sides of the crest of the Alaska Range are closed to all snowmobile use by federal regulation. Maps with GPS coordinates for the park and preserve boundary are available on the park website at www.nps.gov/dena/parkmgmt/park-boundary-info.htm.

Overall, riding conditions are variable. It is the rider's responsibility to avoid locations where wind or topographic conditions may have reduced snow depth and created situations where damage to vegetation or soils could occur, or where vegetation is taller than the protective snow cover.
Riding conditions are potentially very dangerous due to recent snowfall and high winds. Avalanche hazard is high due to wind crusts and layers in the snow pack. It is important to avoid steep slopes, narrow valleys, and ravines. There are many areas of thin ice or open water on rivers.
Winter weather in the Alaska Range can change very quickly and become severe, with high winds and temperatures well below zero. Park rangers stress the importance of bringing survival gear on all trips into the backcountry and informing friends or relatives of your travel plans. Remember to assess local conditions before venturing into the backcountry.

Regulations and information regarding snowmobiling in Denali National Park and Preserve is available on the web at www.nps.gov/dena/planyourvisit/snowmobiling.htm.

The Murie Science and Learning Center is open daily from 9:00 am - 4:00 pm as the winter visitor center, providing visitor information and backcountry permits. Additional information is available on the park website at www.nps.gov/dena or by calling (907) 683-9532 between 9:00 am - 4:00 pm daily.