However, recent CNHA Discovery pool-funded research, led by Dr. Steve Leavitt (Brigham Young University, Provo, Utah), revealed that the La Sals harbor the most diverse alpine lichen community known to date from the southern Rocky Mountains, with up to 240 distinct species – more than the known number of plants. Strikingly, some of these lichens were previously known only from the high Arctic and Antarctica. These results highlight how lichens were able to successfully disperse, establish, and persist in the isolated alpine habitat on the Colorado Plateau. The steep-sloped ridgelines and conical, eroded peaks in the La Sals may have existed as nunataks (an isolated peak of rock projecting above a surface of inland ice or snow), allowing lichens to persist even throughout Pleistocene glacial cycles.  

Contemporary or recent dispersal events likely also play roles in driving alpine lichen community structure on the Colorado Plateau. Climate change and other contemporary disturbances are now having cascading effects on vulnerable alpine ecosystems, including those in the La Sals. How the lichens in the La Sals will respond to climate change, disturbances from recently introduced mountain goats, and other changes is yet to be known. The data generated for this study provide an important resource for subsequent research in the ecology and evolution of lichens alpine habitats, including DNA barcodes for lichens species occurring in the La Sal Mountains and vouchered collections representing potentially undescribed species. (Article and Photos by Dr. Steve Leavitt)

PRICE, Utah — The Bureau of Land Management will hold an online meeting of the San Rafael Swell Recreation Area Advisory Council (Council) on Aug. 10-11, 2021. The meeting will take place from 12:30 p.m. to 5 p.m. on Aug. 10 and from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. on August 11. 

The John D. Dingell, Jr. Conservation, Management, and Recreation Act of 2019 (Public Law 116-9) established the Council to provide advice and information for the BLM to consider in planning for and managing the San Rafael Swell Recreation Area. The seven-member Council represents a wide range of interests including local government, recreational users, grazing allotment permittees, conservation organizations, expertise in historical uses of the recreation area, and Tribes. Advisory councils provide advice and recommendations to the Secretary of the Interior on public land resource and management issues.

“The BLM looks forward to continuing our coordination with the advisory council” said Lance Porter, Green River District Manager. “We have already learned a great deal about the recreation area by conducting resource inventories and speaking with our council members.”

Agenda topics will include an overview of special status species, visitor use patterns, campground implementation, virtual maps, land use plan amendments, land conveyances, and the Utah School and Institutional Trust Lands Administration parcel land exchange process. The agenda and meeting registration information are available on the Council webpage at https://www.blm.gov/get-involved/resource-advisory-council/near-you/utah/San-Rafael-Swell-RAC. 

The public is welcome to attend the meeting and will be given an opportunity to address the Council each day. The scheduled times for the public to address the Council are Aug. 10 from 3:30 p.m. to 4 p.m., and Aug. 11 from 11 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. Depending on the number of people wishing to comment, the amount of time for an individual’s oral comments may be limited. Written statements to address the Council may be sent to the BLM Green River District, Attn: Lance Porter, 170 South 500 West, Vernal, Utah 84078 or via email with the subject line “San Rafael Swell Advisory Council meeting” to utprmail@blm.gov. 

Hovenweep’s campground, roads, trails and restrooms are currently open. The visitor center and bookstore remain closed at this time.

Look for staff at tables outside the visitor center Thursday through Monday, 9:00am - 12:00pm and 2:00pm - 4:00pm (dependent on weather and staff availability), to answer questions and provide additional information about the area. Trail guides and park brochures can also be found at the start of the trail, alongside a large interpretive sign with more information about hiking in the park. A water bottle filling station is located in the breezeway near the bathrooms.

The campground currently has twenty-three spaces open on a first-come, first-served basis to help maintain safe distance between spaces. Please pay at the self-serve kiosk as you enter the campground. Check the kiosk bulletin boards for other important information.

The health and safety of our visitors, employees, volunteers, and park partners continues to be our top priority. When visiting, please follow local health orders, Leave-No-Trace principles, avoid crowding and high-risk outdoor activities. Activities that may result in injury would also put emergency response teams in danger due to the necessity of close contact during a rescue or evacuation. We will continue to monitor all park functions to ensure that visitors adhere to CDC guidance for mitigating risks associated with the transmission of COVID-19 and take any additional steps necessary to protect public health. For more information, visit our website at www.nps.gov/hove. Updates about the NPS response to the coronavirus will be posted on www.nps.gov/coronavirus.

To purchase items that would usually be available in our gift shop, please visit www.cnha.org and search for Hovenweep.

Julia Buckwalter, the 2021 Community Artist in the Park will be in the following locations in August.

Arches National Park, Lower Courthouse Wash

Wednesday, August 18:   12 pm — 6 pm

Friday, August 20:    10 am — 4 pm

Hovenweep National Monument

Monday, August 30:   Sunrise — Sunset

Tuesday, August 31:   Sunrise — Sunset

Check the Hovenweep Visitor Center for times and locations.

Julia's work can be found on our website