Discover the story behind the scenery, The creation of Mojave’s magnificent landscape is a story of ancient seas, vocanic eruptions, and the clash of tectonic plates.

Geology of the Mojave at Mojave National Preserve
Starts on April 6, 2008 at 9:30AM
Ends on May 25, 2008 at 11:00AM
Reoccurs weekly on Sunday

Where: Meet at Hole-in-the-Wall Information Center.
Difficulty: easy.

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Rule will allow continuation of vital energy production in Alaska

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Secretary of the Interior Dirk Kempthorne announced May 4 that he is accepting the recommendation of U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Director Dale Hall to list the polar bear as a threatened species under the Endangered Species Act (ESA).  The listing is based on the best available science, which shows that loss of sea ice threatens and will likely continue to threaten polar bear habitat.  This loss of habitat puts polar bears at risk of becoming endangered in the foreseeable future, the standard established by the ESA for designating a threatened species.

In making the announcement, Kempthorne said, “I am also announcing that this listing decision will be accompanied by administrative guidance and a rule that defines the scope of impact my decision will have, in order to protect the polar bear while limiting the unintended harm to the society and economy of the United States.”

Kempthorne further stated, “While the legal standards under the ESA compel me to list the polar bear as threatened, I want to make clear that this listing will not stop global climate change or prevent any sea ice from melting.  Any real solution requires action by all major economies for it to be effective.  That is why I am taking administrative and regulatory action to make certain the ESA isn’t abused to make global warming policies.”

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The Monument Valley 1/2 Marathon, 10K Relay and 5K Fun Run is a two day event scheduled to start from the Totem Poles, Rain God Mesa and end at the Monument Valley Navajo Tribal Park. Runners from throughout the United States are invited to participate.

The Navajo Nation site reports: “We are still accepting registrations and will continue to take entries until the day of the event. We will also take on-site registrations, the day of the event. All registrations will be accepted at all Navajo Tribal Parks.”

Monument Valley Marathon 5/17/08 - 5/18/08

FEES
• $80.00 Monument Valley Half-Marathon Deadline May 5,2008
• $60.00 Monument Valley 10K Relay Team (per applicant) Deadline May 5,2008
• $20.00 Monument Valley 5K Fun Run/Walk Deadline May 5, 2008.

Monument Valley Half-Marathon EXPO
• Monument Valley Primitive Campground will be the location for the EXPO
• Expo hours: Saturday, May 17, 2008 9:00 am - 5:00 pm; Sunday, May 18, 2008 9:00 am - 5:00 pm
• All participants & volunteers MUST attend the EXPO to retrieve bib numbers & T-shirts, Marathon merchandise and goody bag.
• No promotional items will be mailed to volunteers or contestants.

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Fire activity remains centered in Florida and Texas. There are no NPS fires today on the National Incident Management Situation Report.

In Florida, dry weather will continue today with low humidity and light winds, except for gusty winds along the coast. Dry, gusty winds to continue over far west Texas, otherwise it will be cooler with higher humidity across most of the Southwest. Showers are expected in New Mexico. California will be hotter and drier today with gusty winds over portions of the north half of the state.

Texas Winter Fires 2008, Texas Forest Service. IMT 2 (Hannemann). IMT is managing and supporting fires
throughout western Texas.

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Park dispatch received several reports of an accident near Twin Overlooks on Desert View Drive on the South Rim around 3:30 p.m. on Monday afternoon. Witnesses stopped to offer assistance to the two men who were in the car, but both refused and left on foot, carrying large backpacks. Rangers responded and began an investigation. Around 7:15 p.m. that evening, a man called dispatch from a market within Grand Canyon Village and reported that the car he and his passenger had been driving in – a 2008 Dodge Caliber four-door hatchback – had been carjacked at gunpoint near Lipan Point on Desert View Drive. He said that two men had taken it and headed west toward the village. The men matched descriptions of the two who’d left the scene of the accident. The two men have been identified as Travis “T-Bo” Twiggs, 36, and Willard Twiggs, 38. Travis Twiggs is 5’8” tall, weighs about 200 pounds, has brown hair, blue eyes and facial hair, and has tattoos on his arms and legs. Willard Twiggs is 6’2” tall, weighs about 180 pounds, has shoulder-length blonde hair, blue eyes and facial  hair, and also has tattoos on his arms and legs. The two men are considered armed and dangerous.

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Investigations continue into the cause of a mysterious illness that has resulted in the deaths of thousands of bats since March 2008. At more than 25 caves and mines in the northeastern U.S, bats exhibiting a condition now referred to as “white-nosed syndrome” have been dying.

The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) recently issued a Wildlife Health Bulletin, advising wildlife and conservation officials throughout the U.S. to be on the lookout for the condition known as “white-nose syndrome” and to report suspected cases of the disease.

USGS wildlife disease specialist Dr. Kimberli Miller advises that “anyone finding sick or dead bats should avoid handling them and should contact their state wildlife conservation agency or the nearest U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service field office to report their observation.”

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