The Economic Impacts of National Parks

Casa Grande National Monument Announces Significant Economic Impact
A new National Park Service (NPS) report shows that 63,698 visitors to Casa Grande Ruins National Monument in 2014 spent $3.6 million in communities near the park. That spending supported 55 jobs in the local area and had a cumulative benefit to the local economy of $5.1 million. “Casa Grande Ruins National Monument welcomes visitors from across the country and around the world,” said Superintendent Karl Pierce. “We are delighted to share the story of this place and the experiences it provides. We also feature the park as a way to introduce our visitors to this part of the country and all that it offers. National park tourism is a significant driver in the national economy, returning $10 for every $1 invested in the National Park Service, and it’s a big factor in our local economy as well. We appreciate the partnership and support of our neighbors and are glad to be able to give back by helping to sustain local communities.”  http://1.usa.gov/1GwM1Jx – National Park Service

Gila Cliff Dwellings Add $1.6 Million to the Economy of Southern New Mexico
A new National Park Service (NPS) report shows that 31,136 visitors to Gila Cliff Dwellings National Monument in 2014 spent $1,746,000 in communities near the park. That spending supported 24 jobs in the local area and had a cumulative benefit to the local economy of $1,753,000. “Gila Cliff Dwellings National Monument welcomes visitors from across the country and around the world,” said Superintendent Hugh Hawthorne.  “We are delighted to share the story of this place and the experiences it provides. We also feature the park as a way to introduce our visitors to this part of the country and all that it offers. http://bit.ly/1buIGwI – The Grant County Beat

Editor’s Note:  The National Park Service has created an interactive website for the public to explore peer-reviewed economic impacts for all National Parks.  The website is available at http://bit.ly/1A271A6 – National Park Service

New News on Agave Species that May Have Been Domesticated in the Ancient Southwest at Archaeology Southwest’s Next Tucson Archaeology Café
On May 5, 2015, at 6:00 p.m., Archaeology Southwest will host Wendy Hodgson and Dr. Andrew Salywon (Desert Botanical Garden) who will describe several newly named species of agave. Evidence shows that ancient peoples may have domesticated these plants here in the Southwest. The program is free, but participants are encouraged to order their own refreshments. The Tucson Archaeology Cafés are informal forums held at Casa Vicente (375 S. Stone Avenue). At Archaeology Café, we break down the static, jargon-laden dynamic of traditional lectures, and have an expert share some ideas with the group in ways that get discussion going. http://bit.ly/1HIxwRm – Archaeology Southwest

Navajo Election Throws Possible Kink in Grand Canyon Development
Some tribal members characterize the project as just another corporate attempt at turning ancestral land into a mini-Vegas, but the way Shelly told it, the Escalade project was practically a done deal.  Then an election worthy of a Hollywood screenplay put a kink in Shelly’s plans. Last year, Shelly came in seventh out of 17 candidates in the presidential primary. http://bit.ly/1DAfagM – High Country News

Fascinating Cache of Liquid Mercury under Teotihuacan Pyramid
An archaeologist has discovered liquid mercury at the end of a tunnel beneath a Mexican pyramid, a finding that could suggest the existence of a king’s tomb or a ritual chamber far below one of the most ancient cities of the Americas.  Mexican researcher Sergio Gómez told Reuters on Friday that he had discovered “large quantities” of liquid mercury in a chamber below the Pyramid of the Feathered Serpent, the third largest pyramid of Teotihuacan, the ruined city in central Mexico. http://bit.ly/1HJpnxF – The Guardian

Ancient Alaskans Probably Had Contact with Asia around A.D. 1000
Researchers at the Bering Land Bridge National Preserve have confirmed a second piece of evidence in four years that points to Northwest Alaska’s trade with Asia dating back 1,000 years. The Alaska Dispatch news reports (http://bit.ly/1OBS4eI) University of Colorado researchers have spent the last year tracing a flake of obsidian found at the site to the Chukotka peninsula in Russia. http://dpo.st/1FofRhN – Denver Post

Genetic Sequencing Leads to New Data on Demise of Mammoths
An international team of researchers has sequenced the nearly complete genome of two Siberian woolly mammoths — revealing the most complete picture to date — including new information about the species’ evolutionary history and the conditions that led to its mass extinction at the end of the Ice Age. http://bit.ly/1Gvx3R5 – Science Daily

Lecture Opportunity – Cortez
The Hisatsinom Chapter of the Colorado Archaeology Society is pleased to present William Reitze on Tuesday, May 5th at 7:00 PM at the Methodist Church, 515 Park Street, Cortez, CO to discuss “The Petrified Forest National Park Boundary Expansion Project: Re-assessing Occupation and Land use in El Desierto Pintado.” William will discuss archaeological research on the newly expanded Petrified Forest National Park, including preliminary results on several recently discovered, large Basketmaker sites. Contact Kari Schleher at 505-269-4475 with questions.

Lecture Opportunity – Santa Fe
Southwest Seminars Presents Thomas C. Windes, Southwest Seminars Presents Dr. Stephen H. Lekson who will present a lecture Aztlan in the Southwest: History and Archaeology on May 4 at 6pm at Hotel Santa Fe as part of the annual Ancient Sites Ancient Stories II Lecture Series held to honor the work of The Archaeological Conservancy. Admission is by subscription or $12 at the door. No reservations are necessary. Seating is limited. Please come early to get a seat. Refreshments are served. Contact Connie Eichstaedt tel: 505 466-2775 email: southwest seminar@aol.com http://bit.ly/YhJddr – Southwest Seminars

Lecture Opportunity – Winslow AZ
The Homolovi Chapter of AAS (Arizona Archaeological Society) is pleased to present Linda Wheelbarger of San Juan College in NM, speaking on the field school she runs at Point Pueblo, a P-III site in northern New Mexico. She will be sharing the work and discoveries made there over the past few years. The meeting is Wednesday, May 13, at 7 p.m. at the Winslow Chamber of Commerce Visitor Center (Historic Lorenzo Hubbell Trading Post), 523 W. Second St, in Winslow. For question or further information, call Sky Roshay at 928-536-3307, though she will be out of town 23 April-7 May.  You can also join us for dinner at 5 p.m. at the Historic La Posada Turquoise Room (on your own tab).

Thanks to Adrienne Rankin for contributing to this week’s newsletter.