Valles Caldera

https://www.nps.gov/vall/index.htm https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Valles_Caldera_National_Preserve The Valles Caldera National Preserve is located in northeastern Sandoval County and southern Rio Arriba County, just west of Los Alamos. It protects a large portion of the Valles Caldera, an area of significant geological, ecological and cultural interest. About 1.2 million years ago, a spectacular volcanic eruption created a 14-mile-wide circular depression in the earth now known as Valles Caldera. The preserve is known for its huge mountain meadows, abundant wildlife, and meandering streams. The area also preserves the homeland of ancestral native peoples and embraces a rich ranching history. From Jemez Springs, NM: Follow NM-4 north. The Preserve is about 22 miles from Jemez Springs. Look for the Main Gate and signs at Mile Marker 39.2. From Los Alamos, NM: Take Trinity Drive to Diamond. Take a left on Diamond, then a right on West Jemez Road to the intersection with NM-4. Take a right [away from Bandelier National Monument], following the highway up and into the Jemez Mountains. The Preserve is 18 miles up NM-4 from Los Alamos. Look for the Main Gate and signs at Mile Marker 39.2. Volcano Discovery Center Located on the edge of the historic Cabin District, this log cabin contains interactive exhibits and a sales area offering park-related clothing, gifts, books, and a few snacks and beverages. An accessible ramp is available at the building's rear entrance. The building does not have public restrooms, but there are two portable toilets near the parking lot. One of these is wheelchair accessible. From Jemez Springs: Follow NM State Route 4 north for 22 miles. The entrance has a gate and signs on your left. Follow the dirt road 4 miles to the Volcano Discovery Center. From Los Alamos: Follow NM State Route 4 west for 18 miles. The entrance has a gate and signs on your right. Follow the dirt road 4 miles to the Volcano Discovery Center. Welcome Station The Welcome Station is your first stop at Valles Caldera National Preserve. Rangers and volunteers are available to answer questions, provide park information, and sell park souvenirs and merchandise. Two accessible, unisex, vault-toilet restrooms are available across the parking lot. From Jemez Springs: Take NM State Route 4 north for about 22 miles. Main entrance is just past mile marker 39. Travel two miles down dirt road to the Welcome Station. From Los Alamos: Take West Jemez Road to NM State Route 4. Take a right [away from Bandelier National Monument] and follow the highway up and into the Jemez Mountains. The Preserve is 18 miles up NM-4 from Los Alamos. Main entrance is just before mile marker 39. Travel two miles down dirt road to the Welcome Station. Wide Open Views of Valles Caldera Scattered clouds over landscape view of winding river and brown grasslands The views of Valles Caldera are some of nature's best Coyote on Thin Ice A coyote walks across a frozen stream in a snowy valley. A coyote crossing the frozen East Fork Jemez River San Antonio Cabin San Antonio cabin under a mostly cloudy sky San Antonio Cabin often housed cowboys when the preserve was privately-owned and operating as a ranch. Elk Bulls Fighting Two bull elk fighting. The fall elk rut is a big attraction for visitors to see bull elk sparing and to hear the bulls bugle. East Fork A narrow stream meanders through a montane grassland. The East Fork Jemez River overlook is one of the first places that visitors stop for photos. National Park Getaway: Valles Caldera National Preserve Among the newest additions to the National Park System, the 88,900-acre Valles Caldera National Preserve is a surprising gem at the top of the Jemez Mountains in north-central New Mexico that helps earn the state its motto—“The Land of Enchantment.” Horseback riders NPS Geodiversity Atlas—Valles Caldera National Preserve, New Mexico Each park-specific page in the NPS Geodiversity Atlas provides basic information on the significant geologic features and processes occurring in the park. valley and fall trees Prescribed Burns Planned on Valles Caldera National Preserve Fire managers are planning to take advantage of favorable conditions, including fuel moisture levels, air quality and forecasted weather, to conduct prescribed burns within Valles Caldera National Preserve during October 1 through December 31. The exact dates will depend on conditions on the ground. Prescribed Burns to Begin on Valles Caldera National Preserve Given favorable conditions, fire managers will begin prescribed burn operations within Valles Caldera National Preserve starting October 17. Burn operations are expected to last a few days, but smoke may be visible through next week. Map depicting prescribed burn area for Fall of 2019 in Valles Caldera National Preserve. Wildland Fire in Douglas Fir: Western United States Douglas fir is widely distributed throughout the western United States, as well as southern British Columbia and northern Mexico. Douglas fir is able to survive without fire, its abundantly-produced seeds are lightweight and winged, allowing the wind to carry them to new locations where seedlings can be established. Close-up of Douglas fir bark and needles. Valles Caldera National Preserve Acquires Property with Unique Volcanic Features Valles Caldera National Preserve Acquires Property with Unique Volcanic Features Volcanic features surrounded in forest. Wildland Fire in Ponderosa Pine: Western United States This forest community generally exists in areas with annual rainfall of 25 inches or less. Extensive pure stands of this forest type are found in the southwestern U.S., central Washington and Oregon, southern Idaho and the Black Hills of South Dakota. Recently burned ponderosa pine forest. 'Mantén Viva la Llama' - 'Keep the Flame Alive!' Mantén Viva la Llama' --'Keep the Flame Alive!’ describes the theme of the Spanish Language Training Exchange (TREX) held near Santa Fe, New Mexico in October of 2019. The two week TREX program brings diverse fire practitioners from many Spanish speaking countries, including Argentina, Bolivia, Costa Rica, Ecuador, Guatemala, Honduras, Mexico, and Spain, together to build skills in prescribed fire, fire management, and fire ecology. monitoring surface vegetation Valle Grande Prescribed Fire An Ecological Success On May 11 & 12, 2016 the National Park Service (NPS) fire staff, along with many interagency partners, was able to successfully implement a prescribed fire in the Valle Grande of the Valles Caldera National Preserve. The blackened Valle Grande will turn a rich green with the late spring moisture and will attract wildlife, especially elk. Firefighter ignites prescribed burn with a driptorch Valles Caldera National Preserve Plans Fall Prescribed Burns to Reduce Fuels Loads, Improve Forest Resilience The National Park Service is planning to initiate prescribed fires in the southwest corner of Valles Caldera National Preserve later this fall to reduce hazardous fuels, improve wildlife habitat, and create healthier, more resilient forest and watershed ecosystems. Fire creeping at along the ground through a thinned ponderosa pine forest. Series: Geologic Time Periods in the Cenozoic Era The Cenozoic Era (66 million years ago [MYA] through today) is the "Age of Mammals." North America’s characteristic landscapes began to develop during the Cenozoic. Birds and mammals rose in prominence after the extinction of giant reptiles. Common Cenozoic fossils include cat-like carnivores and early horses, as well as ice age woolly mammoths. fossils on display at a visitor center Quaternary Period—2.58 MYA to Today Massive ice sheets advanced and retreated across North America during much of the Quaternary, carving landscapes in many parks. Bering Land Bridge National Preserve contains geologic evidence of lower sea level during glacial periods, facilitating the prehistoric peopling of the Americas. The youngest rocks in the NPS include the lava of Hawaii Volcanoes National Park and the travertine at Yellowstone National Park, which can be just a few hours old. fossil bone bed and murals of mammoths Cenozoic Era The Cenozoic Era (66 million years ago [MYA] through today) is the "Age of Mammals." North America’s characteristic landscapes began to develop during the Cenozoic. Birds and mammals rose in prominence after the extinction of giant reptiles. Common Cenozoic fossils include cat-like carnivores and early horses, as well as ice age woolly mammoths. fossils on display in a visitor center Find Your Park on Route 66 Route 66 and the National Park Service have always had an important historical connection. Route 66 was known as the great road west and after World War II families on vacation took to the road in great numbers to visit the many National Park Service sites in the Southwest and beyond. That connection remains very alive and present today. Take a trip down Route 66 and Find Your Park today! A paved road with fields in the distance. On the road is a white Oklahoma Route 66 emblem. Crater Lakes Water lakes may exist in craters and calderas (large collapse features) as these depressions can become filled by rainwater or melting snow or ice, or be places where groundwater can accumulate at the surface. Crater lakes can be long-lived or ephemeral, and may contain fresh or acidic waters. crater lake and snowy rim An Endangered Amphibian on an Active Volcano:  the Jemez Mountains Salamander at Valles Caldera Valles Caldera National Preserve is a very important place for the Jemez Mountains salamander. The preserve is one of the largest, fully protected areas throughout the species’ historical range. The Natural Resource Condition Assessment Program recently partnered with Utah State University to determine what we know about the salamander in the preserve and how it is doing. Find out more about this secretive creature and what we learned. brown salamander in vegetation debris Fumaroles Fumaroles are places where steam and volcanic gases are emitted. They are present on most active volcanoes. The occurrence of fumaroles and other geothermal features such as hot springs, geysers, and mud pots are important signs that a volcano is active. steam vents on the crater rim Ultra-Plinian Eruptions These caldera-forming eruptions are the largest of all volcanic eruptions. These eruptions have higher eruption rates that form higher eruption columns and produce widespread pyroclastic flows. View overlooking extensive flat ground covered with trees and meadows Changing Patterns of Water Availability May Change Vegetation Composition in US National Parks Across the US, changes in water availability are altering which plants grow where. These changes are evident at a broad scale. But not all areas experience the same climate in the same way, even within the boundaries of a single national park. A new dataset gives park managers a valuable tool for understanding why vegetation has changed and how it might change in the future under different climate-change scenarios. Green, orange, and dead grey junipers in red soil, mountains in background Volcanic Domes Lava domes are steep-sided rounded accumulations of highly viscous silicic lava over a vent. Some domes are part of composite volcanoes, but large ones can make up their own volcanoes. Lassen Peak is a dome. photo of a rounded hill of blocky rock Life on Redondo Peak: Plant and Arthropod Diversity at Valles Caldera’s Highest Elevations Valles Caldera National Preserve: Redondo Peak is the highest point in the preserve (11,260 feet in elevation). A comprehensive inventory of plants and animals was conducted there in 2014. A recent condition assessment for the preserve focused on inventory results for plants and arthropods, and, among other things, found 101 plant species on Redondo Peak (98 of them native), 60 moth species (including four newly recorded for the park), and at least 75 species of spiders. Steep slop covered in rocky grey talus. Spruce fir in the distance Series: NRCA 2022: Condition of Valles Caldera’s Natural Resources and Scenic Views Valles Caldera National Preserve, in the Jemez Mountains in north-central New Mexico, is a high elevation ecosystem at elevations ranging from 8,000 to 11,254 feet. A recent Natural Resource Condition Assessment evaluated seven resources at the preserve: landscape connectivity, visual resources (or scenic views), Redondo Peak diversity, wetlands, New Mexico meadow jumping mouse habitat, the Jemez Mountains salamander, and songbirds. Dark sky with stars reflected in a wetland pond What’s furry, has big back feet, and lives by a stream? Answer: The New Mexico Meadow Jumping Mouse! Valles Caldera National Preserve: One of 22 known populations (in New Mexico) of the endangered New Mexico meadow jumping mouse lives in stream-side wetlands in Valles Caldera National Preserve. As part of a recent study, the NPS and its partners summarized the occurrence of the mouse in the park and surrounding area, identified potential jumping mouse habitat in the park, and identified two indicators of habitat condition that could be used for a future condition assessment. A brown furry mouse amongst green grass. Songbirds at Valles Caldera National Preserve Valles Caldera National Preserve: Do you have a favorite songbird species that visits your feeder or nests in your yard or local park? With its variety of habitats, Valles Caldera has nearly 200 species of birds on its checklist, with 117 species known or suspected to breed there. A recent condition assessment at the preserve used existing data to assess songbird species richness and abundance, and to see if key indicator species of each habitat type were present. Small grey and yellow bird with a tiny beak perched on a branch. Photo by Robert Shantz. Restoring Wetlands at Valles Caldera Valles Caldera National Preserve: Wetlands are some of the most valuable ecosystems on Earth. Among their many values are providing fish and wildlife habitat, improving water quality, and easing damage from floods and storms. As in many other places, wetlands in Valles Caldera have been impacted by human activities of the past. However, wetlands in the preserve are being restored, and according to a recent condition assessment, restoration efforts are working. Stream slowing and pooling behind some rocks placed in the channel, surrounded by green grass. How’s the View? We’ve Been Looking at that at Valles Caldera Valles Caldera National Preserve: Scenic views in national park units contribute to a visitor’s ability to connect with nature and experience the values of a park, but views can be affected by human-related development and activities. A recent Natural Resource Condition Assessment at Valles Caldera “looked at” the condition of views at seven locations within the preserve and found they were in good condition overall. large white moon rising in a pink sunset above a cabin in the grassy caldera Condition of Valles Caldera’s Natural Resources and Scenic Views: 2022 Assessment NRCA Overview: Valles Caldera National Preserve, in the Jemez Mountains in north-central New Mexico, is a high elevation ecosystem at elevations ranging from 8,000 to 11,254 feet. A recent Natural Resource Condition Assessment evaluated seven resources at the preserve: landscape connectivity, visual resources (or scenic views), Redondo Peak diversity, wetlands, New Mexico meadow jumping mouse habitat, the Jemez Mountains salamander, and songbirds. Pine forest with snow. Series: Volcanic Features Volcanoes vary greatly in size and shape. Volcanoes also may have a variety of other features, which in turn, have a great range in diversity of form, size, shape, and permanence. Many volcanoes have craters at their summits and/or at the location of other vents. Some craters contain water lakes. Lakes of molten or solidified lava may exist on some volcanoes. Fumaroles and other geothermal features are a product of heat from magma reservoirs and volcanic gases. photo of a lava lake in a summit crater How Connected is the Landscape at Valles Caldera? Valles Caldera National Preserve: Connected, intact landscapes are vital for movements and survival of animal and plant populations. A loss of connectivity, such as from highways and other human developments, can effectively reduce the size and quality of available habitats and disrupt needed movements. The Natural Resource Condition Assessment Program and its partners evaluated the condition of landscape connectivity at the preserve. Find out what we learned. Scenic view across the caldera including dark green spruce, yellow aspen, and brown grassland Series: Volcano Types Volcanoes vary in size from small cinder cones that stand only a few hundred feet tall to the most massive mountains on earth. photo of a volcanic mountain with snow and ice Calderas Calderas are large collapse features that can be many miles in diameter. They form during especially large eruptions when the magma chamber is partially emptied, and the ground above it collapses into the momentary void. Crater Lake and Aniakchak Crater are calderas. photo of oblique aerial view of a volcanic caldera with snow and ice Explosive Calderas Explosive calderas result from violent eruptions of great quantities of silicic magmas. These eruptions produce massive eruption columns that extend into the stratosphere, and voluminous pyroclastic flows. Eruptions that produce explosive calderas generally range from 6 (Colossal) on the Volcanic Explosivity Index (VEI) to 8 super eruptions (Apocalyptic). digital oblique aerial image of a volcanic caldera Resurgent Calderas Resurgent calderas are substantially larger than summit calderas with diameters of many tens of miles (kms). Although they form in areas that have previously experienced volcanism, they do not form on any preexisting volcanic edifice. VEI 7-8 eruptions lead to caldera formation. a shaded relief of a volcanic caldera with rim outlined, and domes and cones colored Series: Volcanic Eruption Styles Categories in this traditional classification are based on the eruption styles of particular volcanoes. These magmatic eruption styles are listed in the order of increasing explosivity. volcanic eruption with glowing lava Pyroclastic Flows and Ignimbrites, and Pyroclastic Surges Pyroclastic flows and surges are among the most awesome and most destructive of all volcanic phenomena. Pyroclastic flow deposits are found in at least 21 units of the National Park System. photo of a cloud of ash and dust moving down a mountain side. Volcanic Ash, Tephra Fall, and Fallout Deposits Volcanic ash, pumice, and tephra ejected in volcanic eruptions ultimately falls back to Earth where it covers the ground. These deposits may be the thin dustings or may be many tens of feet (meters) thick near an eruptive vent. Volcanic ash and tephra can present geohazards that are present great distances from the erupting volcano. photo of a bluff with exposed fine-grained volcanic ash and pumice. Aspen Dendroglyphs as Historic Records At Valles Caldera, more than 2,700 dendroglyphs have been recorded by archeologists and volunteers since the 1970s. Based on census records, most of these glyphs were carved by Hispanic and Native American sheepherders in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. By documenting dendroglyphs as a unique historic record, we can become better acquainted with the history of this landscape and its visitors. Historic carvings in the trunk of an aspen tree “Super Volcanoes” "Supervolcanoes" are very large calderas that have had eruptions at magnitude 8 on the Volcanic Explosivity Index (VEI), meaning that they erupted more than 240 cubic miles (1,000 cubic km) of magma. Yellowstone has had two "supervolcano" eruptions. photo of volcanic landscape of yellowstone caldera Hunters & Huggers: On a Quest for Valles Caldera's Treasure Trunks The biggest trees at Valles Caldera National Preserve are of great scientific and cultural significance, containing hundreds of years’ worth of environmental history. Volunteers help the National Park Service find these trees in far-flung corners of the park. A volunteer wearing a red shirt stands at the base of an enormous spruce tree, holding a clipboard. Research Spotlight: Jemez Mountains Salamander Valles Caldera National Preserve and Bandelier National Monument are home to one of the rarest species on the planet, the Jemez Mountains salamander. Plethodon neomexicanus is only found in the Jemez Mountains of north-central New Mexico, and it was listed in 2013 as an endangered species by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. A brown salamander on a log twists its body toward us Research Spotlight: Large Mammal Monitoring Project The Large Mammal Monitoring Project is a collaborative effort to monitor the responses of mule deer, elk, black bear, and mountain lion to ecosystem disturbances like wildfires in the Jemez Mountains of New Mexico. A park biologist wearing protective gloves holds a mountain lion cub. Research Spotlight: Post-Wildfire Vegetation Recovery Since the Las Conchas Fire in 2011, scientists have monitored burned areas to evaluate post-fire vegetation change in order to find out the rate of conversion from forest to montane meadow and the rate of mixed-conifer and ponderosa pine forest regeneration. A burned area with bright green vegetation growing on the forest floor Population Monitoring of Fisheries in the SW Jemez Mountains Valles Caldera National Preserve is an important fishery and watershed protection area. Fish population surveys help scientists monitor the recovery of streams and wetlands in the Jemez Mountains after 150 years of commercial grazing, timber harvesting, mining, and road construction. A narrow stream meanders through a grassy valley surrounded by evergreen trees and rock spires. Series: Geologic Time—Major Divisions and NPS Fossils The National Park System contains a magnificent record of geologic time because rocks from each period of the geologic time scale are preserved in park landscapes. The geologic time scale is divided into four large periods of time—the Cenozoic Era, Mesozoic Era, Paleozoic Era, and The Precambrian. photo of desert landscape with a petrified wood log on the surface Wildfire and Archeology in the Jemez Mountains The Jemez Mountains area is a rich cultural landscape comprised of thousands of archeological sites and their related artifacts, rock art, trails, habitations, and countless other features that are vulnerable to wildland fire. Understanding the effects of high fuel loads and the resultant high heat exposure to archeological resources during fire is one necessary step towards developing a range of climate change responses for land managers to implement on the ground. A wildfire burns near a historic cabin at Valles Caldera National Preserve. 2022 Annual Report: Pueblo Parks Fire 2022 highlights and accomplishments for Pueblo Parks Fire. Fire managers conduct a prescribed burn in a grassy meadow. 2022 Annual Report: Visitor & Resource Protection Achievements of Valles Caldera's Visitor & Resource Protection team in 2022. A park ranger smiles at us from his patrol vehicle. 2022 Annual Report: Interpretation, Education, & Volunteers Highlights and accomplishments for Valles Caldera's Interpretation, Education, & Volunteers team in 2022. A park ranger conducts an outdoor activity with a group of children. 2022 Annual Report: Administration 2022 accomplishments and highlights for the Administration team at Valles Caldera National Preserve. A park employee installs an ink cartridge in a large printer system in an office setting. Series: 2022 Annual Report: Valles Caldera National Preserve The 2022 annual report of highlights and accomplishments from each park program and division. A stream meanders through a narrow valley with rock spires and fir/spruce trees. 2022 Annual Report: Moving Forward Together How we pledge to move together in 2023 and beyond. The Valles Caldera National Preserve entrance sign. 2022 Annual Report: A Look Back with Superintendent Jorge Silva-Bañuelos Valles Caldera National Preserve Superintendent Jorge Silva-Bañuelos highlights the park's greatest accomplishments of 2022. A wave of fog spills over a hill into a grassy valley. 2022 Annual Report: Compliance & Planning Park planning and compliance accomplishments at Valles Caldera in 2022. A park planner points to a map of Valles Caldera. 2022 Annual Report: Facilities Management Achievements of Valles Caldera's Facilities Management team in 2022. Two maintenance workers move a picnic table in a grassy, open area. 2022 Annual Report: Science & Resource Stewardship A review of accomplishments for Valles Caldera's Science & Resource Stewardship team in 2022. Two field scientists look at data on a tablet. Bipartisan Infrastructure Law Funding to Restore Sulphur Springs In 2019, the National Park Service purchased Sulphur Springs, adding 40 acres to Valles Caldera National Preserve. Sulphur Springs is currently open to hikers and cross-country skiers for visitation, but the site still retains the structure of an abandoned mine from the early 20th century. The Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL) funds allocated to an ecosystem restoration project will change that, returning the site to its pre-disturbed landscape. Entrance signs at Valles Caldera Preserve Deaf History Month Spotlight: Mallory Hawk People with disabilities—permanent or temporary, visible or invisible, are the largest minority in the United States. But their stories and histories often remain untold, or their disabilities are hidden. April is Deaf History Month, and to celebrate the successes of our colleagues who are deaf or hard of hearing, we are sharing their stories and experiences this month. Meet Mallory Hawk, Archaeological Technician at Valles Caldera National Preserve. An archeologist stands in a forest. A Changing Bimodal Climate Zone Means Changing Vegetation in Western National Parks When the climate changes enough, the vegetation communities growing in any given place will also change. Under an expanded bimodal climate zone, some plant communities in western national parks are more likely to change than others. National Park Service ecologists and partners investigated the future conditions that may force some of this change. Having this information can help park managers decide whether to resist, direct, or accept the change. Dark storm clouds and rainbow over mountains and saguaros. 2022 George and Helen Hartzog Awards for Outstanding Volunteer Service The National Park Service is pleased to congratulate the recipients of the 2022 George and Helen Hartzog Awards for Outstanding Volunteer Service. A montage of photos of volunteers working in a national park. Survey for the Federally Threatened Mexican Spotted Owl in Post-Burn Critical Habitat Historically, Mexican spotted owls, a federally threatened species, were known to inhabit and breed within the steep-walled canyons of Bandelier National Monument. In 2011, the Las Conchas wildfire burned through 58% of the Mexican spotted owl's critical habitat within the park, of which 23% burned at high and moderate intensities. Mexican spotted owl surveys have become essential for proper management of their remaining habitat. Two scientists look into the distance from the canyon rim. Project Profile: Develop Plan to Restore Abandoned Mine at Valles Caldera National Preserve The National Park Service will develop a reclamation plan for an abandoned sulfur mine site at Valles Caldera National Preserve, with the ultimate goal of restoring the site. rusted vehicles and abandoned buildings at an abandoned mine site Project Profile: Mitigate Risks at Abandoned Sulfur Mine at Valles Caldera National Preserve The National Park Service will mitigate safety risks to visitors by removing abandoned equipment and debris at abandoned sulfur mine at the Valles Caldera National Preserve. The work will also support the restoration of natural conditions within the Preserve. An abandoned cabin and wood debris at an abandoned mine site in the forest Project Profile: Expand Southwest Seed Partnership for Intermountain Region Parks The National Park Service and organizations of the Southwest Seed Partnership will implement the National Seed Strategy and associated revegetation and ecosystem restoration efforts. The project focuses on native plant development and involves collecting, producing, cleaning, testing, tracking, and storing seeds from native species. grasses and shrubs on a hillside Climate Change and Fire Ecology of Valles Caldera - Preparing for the Future Human-caused climate warming and 20th-century forest management policies have led to dramatic changes in wildfire frequency and size, which in turn has impacted our forests’ ecosystem structure and functioning. Climate change drives wildfire frequency by raising temperatures, lowering relative humidity and increasing vapor pressure deficits, all of which contribute to lower forest fuel moisture, increased combustibility, and subsequent expansion of areas burned. Firefighters monitor a large wildfire in the distance. National Park Service project to build up 'workhorse' native seed stocks for major restoration and revegetation efforts The National Park Service, with funds from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, will be able to build up stocks of the native workhorse plant species that can out compete invasive plant species so that native grasses and forbs can grow in previously disturbed areas.  a man kneels next to a bucket collecting seeds in a field You Go Over, I Go Under: A Study of the Coyote-Badger Hunting Relationship Coyotes and American badgers sometimes hunt prairie dogs or ground squirrels together using their complementary hunting skills – the badger can dig below ground and the coyote can chase prey aboveground. Although this relationship is described by Indigenous people and early European settlers dating back to at least the 19th century, little research has been done to understand the circumstances in which these two carnivore species work together...until now. A badger walks through a prairie. Winter Trail Etiquette With proper preparation and know-how, winter can be a magical time to visit parks. Many National Park Service sites groom ski and snowshoe trails to provide high-quality recreational opportunities during the winter months. Here's what every visitor should know about etiquette on groomed trails. Two people ski single-file along the base of a forested lava dome in a snowy landscape. Dr. Ana Steffen: A Legacy of Science Leadership Dr. Ana Steffen has worked at Valles Caldera National Preserve since its establishment, building an incredible legacy of science leadership and resource stewardship. A woman kneels in a lush grassland with a map at her side. The Plateau Postcard: Winter 2024 The Plateau Postcard is the official newsletter of the Southern Colorado Plateau Inventory and Monitoring Network. In this issue, we learn about how we are trying to predict pinyon-juniper die-offs, as well as a new tool we developed to help make us all better field scientists, and we hear from Bob Parmenter about his remarkable career at Valles Caldera National Preserve. A pile of postcards. Volunteer Story: Dr. Bill Sayre Dr. Bill Sayre from Valles Caldera National Preserve is a retired educator and geologist with a profound gift for inspiring the hearts and minds of park visitors, volunteers, and staff. He was the recipient of the 2022 National Park Service Volunteer Impact Award - Adult Category. A man wearing a NPS volunteer uniform smiles at us from the edge of a montane grassland. Updated Species Database Will Help Boost Amphibian Conservation Across the National Park System To steward amphibians effectively, managers need basic information about which species live in parks. But species lists need constant maintenance to remain accurate. Due to recent efforts, the National Park Service now has an up-to-date amphibian species checklist for almost 300 parks. This information can serve as the basis for innumerable conservation efforts across the nation. A toad sits on red sand, looking into the camera. Valles Caldera Announces 2024 Artists in Residence Valles Caldera National Preserve has selected five artists to take part in its inaugural Artist in Residence (AiR) program during the 2024 summer season. Through the AiR program, selected artists will immerse themselves in the park’s natural and cultural landscapes to create original artistic works inspired by the setting. During their residencies, they will also share their work with the public through presentations and interactive workshops. An artist paints a small canvas of the montane grassland and pond in front of them. Dragonfly mercury studies uncover unexpected atmospheric delivery pathways Read the abstract and get the link to a published paper on how dragonfly mercury studies uncover unexpected atmospheric delivery pathways: Janssen, S.E., C.J. Kotalik, J.J. Willacker, M.T. Tate, C. Flanagan Pritz, S.J. Nelson, D.P. Krabbenhoft, D. Walters, and C. Eagles-Smith. 2024. Geographic Drivers of Mercury Entry into Aquatic Foods Webs Revealed by Mercury Stable Isotopes in Dragonfly Larvae. Environmental Science & Technology. DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.4c02436 close up of dragonfly larvae on white spoon "Arrival" by Melissa Fu It is astonishing to be here. Although I now live in Cambridge, England, I was born and raised 15 miles down the road in Los Alamos. Growing up, Valles Caldera, or The Valle as we called it, was always a place of seductive mystery. We loved it from afar, from the top of Pajarito Ski Hill, from the edges of New Mexico Highway 4, but never from inside its forbidden boundaries. A woman stands in front of a colorful park entrance sign that says Valles Caldera National Preserve "A Stewardship of Storytelling" by Melissa Fu Ahead of my residency at Valles Caldera, I thought a lot about the fact that the reason I’m able to be here is that this land is now no longer privately owned. Like all of the properties under the aegis of the National Park Service, it is public land. We, the public, own the land in the sense that is it no longer in the hands of private individuals. But what does this kind of ownership mean? What is our relationship, as private individuals, to public lands? Six pencil sketches of park rangers. "Valles Caldera - Setting the Scene" by Melissa Fu What you have to understand is that we’re sitting in the middle of a volcano. Not an active one, mind you; we won’t be fleeing ash clouds and lava flow without warning. But not an extinct one, either. So don’t get too complacent. This volcano is dormant. It’s only sleeping. Activity is still very much possible. A view of a 14-mile-wide, circular caldera from space. Series: A Stewardship of Storytelling "Growing up, Valles Caldera, or The Valle as we called it, was always a place of seductive mystery. We loved it from afar, from the top of Pajarito Ski Hill, from the edges of New Mexico Highway 4, but never from inside its forbidden boundaries." In this series, artist-in-residence Melissa Fu shares place-based memories and ponderings that weave together her upbringing in the Jemez Mountains and her recent residency at Valles Caldera National Preserve. A woman stands in front of a colorful sign that says Valles Caldera National Preserve "The History Grove" by Melissa Fu On the first morning of my residency, I stroll half a mile along an old dirt logging road towards History Grove, a 125-acre stand of ponderosa pine and Douglas fir. These are some of the oldest living trees in Valles Caldera, ranging from 250-400 years. To visit History Grove is to start to understand the many layers of story in Valles Caldera. Dappled morning light in a pine forest. "Nurturing a Land Ethic - In the Footsteps of Aldo Leopold" by Melissa Fu I have a not-so-secret agenda nestled in my stewardship of storytelling. I’d even call it a mission. My hope is that this work contributes to people articulating and nurturing their own personal versions of the land ethic. What is the land ethic? A group of writers stands next to six handwritten posters. "Benediction" by Melissa Fu I’ve had the extended, focused time in the mountains I have missed and dreamed of for years. But the time has also shown me who I am away from the mountains. I am of the mountains but not always in them. Like obsidian from Cerro del Medio, I bear the fingerprint of the Jemez in all that I do. But, like the much of the obsidian, I, too, have travelled far from my point of origin. A color painting of a dirt path climbing the grassy slope of a lava dome. Acknowledgements and Resources Spending three weeks as an Artist-In-Residence living, hiking, and writing in Valles Caldera was an incredible gift. The writing I’ve included here is just the beginning, there are so many more stories to write and tell. I hope to return and to continue. But for now, I’d like to thank all the staff who did so much to make me feel at home. A narrow stream meanders through a lush, montane grassland. "Obsidian Valley" by Melissa Fu Morning e-bike ride to Obsidian Valley. I had forgotten how thrilling it is to ride a bike in the mountains. Nothing compares with the pure joy of coasting through patches of sun and shade, the scents of ponderosas, warm dust, and mountain sage in the air. A two-track trail through a montane grassland. "Cerro La Jara" by Melissa Fu On my first walk around Cerro La Jara, when rounding the north side of the dome, I see two coyotes hunting and loping along. Their tawny browns, blacks and grays blend in with the grasses. I hold my phone camera up, recording a video while tracking them with my bare eyes. Transfixed, I watch until they dissolve into the landscape. When I look at the video later, they aren’t there. Of course they aren’t. A lone coyote sits among tall grasses in a montane prairie. "In the Eye of the Beholder" by Melissa Fu Every time I venture on a new trail, I scan the mountains, looking for burn scars, trying to gauge the extent of the Las Conchas (2011) and Thompson Ridge (2013) fires. It’s one thing to study a color-coded map that shows severity and extent of the burns, it’s another to stand on a hillside among acres and acres of downed trees, then see similar damage miles away caused by the same fire. Charred, standing dead trees on the slope of a burned mountainside "Departure" by Melissa Fu My UK life is knocking at the door, emails are leaking in: dentist appointment reminders, tutoring to arrange for my daughter, my own teaching and mentoring jobs resurfacing. A small but perceptible shift in my heart, time to go home. Home to the life I’ve built and nourished in England over the past 18 years. Morning light and fog in a montane grassland. Drought, Fire, and Archeology in the Jemez Mountains, New Mexico In the Jemez Mountains, drought is one key variable causing forest fires that result in a wide range of effects to archeological sites, historic structures, cultural landscapes, and traditional cultural places. This article presents guidelines developed from the ArcBurn project, an interdisciplinary effort to quantify archeological fire effects and the fuels and fire environments that cause them. Intermountain Park Science, 2024 A fire burns in a pine forest. Series: Intermountain Park Science: Drought in the Southwest In this issue of Intermountain Park Science, authors examine the consequences of drought and their impacts to both natural and cultural resources in some interesting and often overlooked ways. An arid grassland with yellow flowers. “Cracking the code” on mercury bioaccumulation Read the abstract and get the link to a published paper on a model to predict mercury risk park waterbodies: Kotalik, C.J. et al. 2025. Ecosystem drivers of freshwater mercury bioaccumulation are context-dependent: insights from continental-scale modeling. Environmental Science & Technology. DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.4c07280 A person stands in a field looking at a bug through a magnifying lens.