SAN JUAN PUBLIC LANDS PEOPLE 1

San Juan Public Lands People

Winter-Spring 2011

News for San Juan Public Lands

employees, retirees & partners
Eaton Named New Canyons of the Ancients Manager
DOLORES - Marietta Eaton, who is currently the National Landscape Conservation
System (NLCS) Science Coordinator in the BLM Washington Office, will report to the
Anasazi Heritage Center this spring as the new Canyons of the Ancients National
Monument Manager.
In Washington, Marietta has been responsible for building the NLCS foundational
science program, which initiated funding for more than 100 diverse science projects
across the country. She has worked on several national initiatives, including climate
change, landscape conservation cooperatives, healthy lands assessments, inventory
and monitoring strategy, and served as liaison to the Recreation Visitor Services Team.
Marietta holds a Bachelor’s degree in Anthropology from Northern Arizona University,
where she also completed course work on a Master’s in Anthropology/Archaeology.
She enjoys hiking, camping, gardening and reading. Her daughter, Savanna Davenport,
25, lives in Portland, Oregon.
Marietta is excited to move back west and to work on meeting the challenges of
protecting the cultural resources of Canyons of the Ancients and working closely with
partners and the local community.
“I look forward to working with local governments and embracing opportunities to
continue the success of existing partnerships while creating new and novel ones, she
says.
Marietta’s career spans both the BLM and USFS. She has been in her NLCS position
since 2008. From 1997 to 2008, she worked in several capacities at the BLM Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument,
including Science Program Administrator, Assistant Monument Manager for Cultural & Earth Sciences, Acting Science
Program Administrator, Acting Public Affairs Officer and Planning Team Lead for Cultural & Earth Sciences. From 1979 to
1997, Marietta worked as Archaeologist on the Coconino, Kaibab and Sequoia NFs.
“I am delighted to be coming to Canyons of the Ancients and the Anasazi Heritage Center,” Marietta says. “The release of
the Resource Management Plan last year makes this an opportune time to join in the work of its implementation with the
outstanding staff, volunteers and partners.” - Ann Bond

San Juan National Forest,

BLM San Juan Center, and
Canyons of the Ancients National Monument
2 SAN JUAN PUBLIC LANDS PEOPLE

PUBLIC LANDS CENTER NEWS

Brian to Head Recreation
DURANGO - Brian White is the San Juan’s new Recreation and Wilderness
Program Lead overseeing USFS and BLM recreation programs. Most recently he
was the BLM Coeur d’Alene Field Office Outdoor Recreation Planner.
Brian started his federal career in 1997 on the Wenatchee NF as a Forestry
Technician. He later worked as a Park Ranger for the BLM Yuma Field Office in
Arizona and Dillon Field Office in Montana. He was an Outdoor Recreation Planner
for the BLM Hollister Field Office before moving to Coeur d’Alene in 2006.
Brian holds a Bachelor’s degree in Physical and Environmental Science from
California State University, Chico, and a Master’s degree in Natural Resource
Management from Central Washington University. He is a certified “Leave No Trace”
Trainer.
He and wife, Cortney, have a 20-month-old daughter, Sophia. They enjoy family
outdoor activities together, while Brian also indulges in more extreme outdoor sports.
In addition to gardening, landscaping and home improvement, he has worked as a
personal fitness trainer.
“I’m excited about the diversity, complexity, and high level of public interest and
participation in the recreational resources on the San Juan,” Brian says.
- Ann Bond

Laurie Y. Leaving
DURANGO - Laurie Yeager, San Juan NF Facilities Engineer since 2000, is leaving
to become the Facilities Engineer on the Arapaho-Roosevelt NFs and Pawnee Na-
tional Grassland. Laurie started on the San Juan in 1990 working on entry-level
engineering projects and joined the Capital Improvement Program Design Team in
1992. In 1995 she moved to Facilities, which has continued to be her area of focus.
Laurie has also spearheaded the San Juan’s work on integrating sustainable prod-
ucts and practices into its administrative facilities.
“I am especially proud of the utility bill cleanup work I did on the San Juan, which
resulted in an annual savings of $32,000, and which is now taking place within the
agency on a national scale,” she says.
Laurie’s federal career over the past 23 years began with an assignment under
the Student Career Experience Program on the Routt NF in 1988. During this time,
she also worked as a BLM Fire Dispatcher and Firefighter in Wyoming and as a For-
estry Tech on a Timber Thinning Crew on the Shoshone NF.
Laurie holds two Bachelor’s degrees; one in Civil Engineering from the University
of Wyoming, and one in Biological Sciences from the University of Nebraska. She
and teenage daughters, Ally and Emma, look forward to living in Fort Collins.
“I value the friendships I have made and the adventures I have experienced on the San Juan,” Laurie says. “Leaving is
bittersweet after 20 years, but I’m looking forward to the challenges ahead.”
- Ann Bond
SAN JUAN PUBLIC LANDS PEOPLE 3

PUBLIC LANDS CENTER NEWS

Laurie B. Lands New Position
DURANGO - Laurie Ball, former San Juan Administrative Support Clerk, is now
Administrative Operations Assistant working in Human Resources, Safety and other
Administrative projects.
“I’m excited to start something new,” she says. “I think it will be challenging.”
Laurie started her USFS career in 1985 at the Rocky Mountain Research Station in
Fort Collins as a Forms and Supply Clerk. She worked on the Arapaho and Roosevelt
NFs first as Visitor Information Technician, then as the Forest Supervisor’s Secre-
tary for 11 years. Laurie later worked part time while raising her daughter.
She and husband, Mark Ball, San Juan Wildlife Program Manager, moved to Durango
in 2002. Since then Laurie has worked in Budget and Finance and as Human Re-
sources Assistant. In 2007, she became Administrative Support Clerk.
Laurie holds a Bachelor’s degree in Art Education from the University of Florida.
She and Mark have a daughter, Lindsay, 20, who was recently engaged to be mar-
ried, and a dachshund, Gracie, who “runs the house,” Laurie says. - Ann Bond

Meet the Trujillos

DURANGO - Gabe and Jenn Trujillo are new in the San Juan PLC Fluid Minerals
Department. Gabe is working as a Petroleum Engineer Tech (PET), and his wife,
Jenn, is working as a Production Accountability Technician (PAT).
Jenn is responsible for conducting production accountability audits of federal
and Indian oil and gas leases, agreements, and units. Gabe’s job is to ensure that
oil and gas operations are in compliance and that surface and subsurface resources
are protected, as well as public health and safety. He also makes sure production
is properly handled, and accurately measured and reported.
Gabe began his BLM career in 2002 at the BLM Farmington Field Office, where he
was certified as a PET in 2004. He transferred to the BLM Buffalo Field Office in
Wyoming in 2006, where Jenn worked as Legal Assistant and Office Automation
Clerk.
The Trujillos have family in the Four Corners and enjoy outdoor activities with
their three dogs: Turbo, a shih tzu; Bart, a yellow lab, and Shady, a black lab.
- Ann Bond

Elysia Hired as Student Trainee

DURANGO - Elysia Retzlaff is working in Planning and Public Services in the PLC
as a Student Trainee under the Student Career Experience Program. Prior to now,
she has worked with Kelly Palmer as a Mountain Studies Institute intern on the San
Juan’s Hydrology Crew, and for the San Juan under contract as a Planning Assistant.
Elysia’s new duties include assisting with the Plan Revision, compiling the quar-
terly Schedule of Proposed Actions (SOPA), managing the NEPA library, posting Legal
Notices, assisting with the Secure Rural Schools Resource Advisory Committee, and
helping with Freedom of Information Act requests. She’ll also be performing mine
site surveys and water sampling for the Abandoned Mined Lands Program.
“I am absolutely thrilled,” Elysia says. “It’s a great feeling to find a job doing
something you find interesting and enjoyable.”
Elysia moved to Durango in 2009 from Salt Lake City, where she studied at the
University of Utah and worked as a GIS technician for the Energy and Geoscience
Institute.
Elysia holds a Bachelor’s degree from the University of Utah in Geography and GIS and is working towards a Masters
degree in Natural Resources, with an emphasis in NEPA, through Utah State University. She enjoys traveling (that’s Mount
Everest in the picture behind her), backpacking, mountain biking, snowboarding and croquet. - Ann Bond
4 SAN JUAN PUBLIC LANDS PEOPLE

PUBLIC LANDS CENTER NEWS

Ivan Hired in Hydrology
DURANGO - Ivan Geroy, who worked on the San Juan under the Student Career
Experience Program, has been hired as a hydrologist assisting Kelly Palmer, San
Juan Air and Water Program Lead. Ivan recently received his Masters in Civil Engi-
neering with a water resources emphasis from Boise State University.
Last summer, Ivan helped engineering staff with the South Mineral Creek culvert
project. Now he’s helping with data collection and preparation related to water
rights cases. He’s also working for the districts on various NEPA projects.
Ivan worked as a seasonal hydrological technician for the Natural Resources Con-
servation Service on snowpack telemetry during the summer of 2008. He enjoys
rafting, skiing, backpacking and hunting.
“Since moving to Durango I’ve also taken up mountain biking and purchased a
motorcycle,” he says. “I’m excited to be starting my career on the San Juan and
look forward to learning from all of the staff.” - Ann Bond

COLUMBINE NEWS
Tae New in Wildlife
BAYFIELD - Tae Hillyes has joined Columbine as a Wildlife Biology Technician.
He is a 2010 graduate of Fort Lewis College with a Bachelor’s degree in
Environmental Biology. Tae served eight years in the U.S. Army as a ground
surveillance system operator and worked as a data processor for Uranium One
while working on his degree.
His duties will include work on various wildlife-related projects, with an emphasis
on studying the impacts of oil and gas winter operations on the mule deer population
in the Northern San Juan Basin. During his free time Tae enjoys climbing, mountain
biking and snowboarding. - Stan Sparks

Neil Heads to Mesa Verde

BAYFIELD - Neil Perry, former Columbine term BLM Wildlife Biologist, has ac-
cepted a biologist position at Mesa Verde National Park. He will be holding down
both GIS and wildlife duties, and writing a new wildlife management plan for the
park.
Neil holds a Master’s degree in Wildlife Science from Texas A & M University and
a Bachelor’s degree in Wildlife Biology from the University of Massachusetts.
Neil’s career has included work for the USFS, Fish and Wildlife Service, National
Park Service, USDA Wildlife Services and Utah Division of Wildlife Resources.
- Stan Sparks
SAN JUAN PUBLIC LANDS PEOPLE 5

FIRE NEWS
Vera Heading South
DURANGO - Vera Pena, Assistant Center Manager for the Durango Interagency
Dispatch Center for the past nine years, is leaving to become Center Manager of the
Show Low, Arizona Interagency Dispatch Center. She’ll be supervising eight employ-
ees with the help of two assistant center managers.
Vera worked on the San Juan as a seasonal employee in range from 1977 to 1980.
She also worked in timber from 1988-2002, then moved into dispatch in 2002.
Vera is most proud of her work in the field building fences, carrying fence posts
up mountains, conducting stand exams and timber stand inventories, as well as
working on initial attack crews fighting fires.
“I have been proud to work on the San Juan for all these years,” Vera says. “I
have learned so much about our land through the interaction with everyone in their
respective areas. It has been my pleasure to serve the public and internal person-
nel.” - Ann Bond

Craig New Air Tanker Base Manager

DURANGO - Craig French is the San Juan’s new Air Tanker Base Manager. He comes
to us from the Sequoia NF, where he was Assistant Airbase Manager of the Porterville
Airtanker Base.
Craig’s first season with the USFS was in 1979 on the Los Padres NF, where he
trained under the Young Adult Conservation Corps. He went on to work for the Los
Prietos Hot Shots and several Engine Modules on the Los Padres, then moved to the
Sequoia NF as Fire Engine Operator. In 1988 Craig transferred into timber while
continuing to work as an Engine Captain, as needed. In 1999 he returned to fire duty
at the Porterville Airtanker Base until now.
Craig was born on a farm in Cortez where his family raised alfalfa and dairy cows.
He enjoys fly fishing, hunting and sail boating. He also owns four guitars, which he
uses, “for therapy and stress relief.” He has two sons Jacob, 22, and Jon, 17, and a
granddaughter, Sydnie, 2.
“I look forward to the challenges this position has to offer and the knowledge and
perspectives to be gained from the San Juan,” Craig says. – Ann Bond

Dennis Supervising Helitack

DURANGO - Dennis Fogel is the San Juan’s new Helitack Supervisor
at the Airtanker Base at La Plata Field. This year marks his 22nd season
in fire and aviation.
Dennis started his USFS career in 1990 on the Bitterroot NF, where
he spent 10 seasons working with engines, helicopters and the Hotshot
crew. In 2000 he became an engine captain on the Manti La Sal NF.
Since then he has worked as helitack captain for the Indianola Heli-
Rappel Crew, helitack supervisor for the National Helitack/Salmon Heli-
Rappel Program, and Rappel Base manager, providing oversight for
four aircraft and 45 rappellers.
Dennis is currently pursuing certification as a Federal Aviation safety
officer through the University of California Davis and the System Safety
Leadership for Aviation Managers Program.
He and wife, Janet, have three daughters: Emily, 14; Kirsten, 11;
and Macie, 6. The family enjoys biking, skiing, camping, fishing and hunting.
“I’m eager to get involved with the other program areas on the San Juan, and learn about the successes and challenges
of land and fire management in the Four Corners,” Dennis says. - Ann Bond
6 SAN JUAN PUBLIC LANDS PEOPLE

FIRE NEWS
Green Vets Hired for Fire Crews
DURANGO – Five of the military veterans, who worked on
the San Juan last season through the Veterans Green Corps,
have been hired as San Juan Public Lands firefighters. Three
have been hired by Columbine; the other two will work for
Dolores and Pagosa, beginning this season.
Lew Sovocool of Madison, Alabama, who served as a combat
engineer in the US Army on deployments to Iraq and Afghani-
stan, has been hired as a member of the Columbine Handcrew.
Joining Lew on the Columbine Handcrew will be Sarah
Castaneda of Page, Arizona, who served as a combat medic in
the US Army on a deployment to Iraq, and who is currently in
the New Mexico National Guard.
Ross Schumaker, of Cambridge, Illinois, who served as a light-
wheel mechanic and combat water survival instructor in the
US Marine Corps on two deployments to Iraq, will work on the
Columbine Engine Crew. Ross Schumaker with the Veterans Green Corps , lights a burn
Mike Bremer of Minneapolis, Minnesota, who served as an pile on BLM lands near Durango this winter. Over the past
infantryman in the US Army on a deployment to Iraq, will work three months, fire crews have burned about 5,000 slash piles
on the Dolores Engine Crew. on the Columbine District. All units, as well as the Veterans
Albert Bassett, of Farmington, New Mexico, who served two Green Corps, pitched in to help. Columbine Burn Boss Hon
tours in Iraq as an Army Infantryman and is currently in the Schlapfer estimates another 3,000 piles remain to be torched.
New Mexico National Guard, will work on the Pagosa Engine
Crew.
The veterans were originally hired and trained in 2009 by the Southwest Conservation Corps under the Veterans Green
Corps to conduct hand thinning and pile burning on San Juan Public Lands. They have also received additiona fire training
from the San Juan Public Lands Center. - Ann Bond

Rowdy W. Retires
DURANGO - Jeff “Rowdy” Welsh, Helicopter
Manager for Durango Helitack for 14 years, retired this
winter after 34 years with the USFS.
Rowdy started his USFS career working on a hand
crew with the Willamette NF in 1978. In the 1980s, he
worked as a Rigdon rappeller, on the Redmond
Interagency Hot Shot Crew, and as foreman with the
Wolf Creek Hot Shots.
In the 1990s, he served details as a helicopter
manager in La Grande, Oregon and with the John Day
rappellers. He went on to work for 10 years as a field
coordinator and prescribed burn boss with the
Prescribed Fire Training Center.
“I love the forests, adventure, and travel, so this was
Pictured with the Durango Helitack Crew is the now retired Rowdy
the perfect career choice for me,” he says.
Welsh, fifth from left in the back row (in a tank top).
His retirement plans include moving back to his home
in Oakridge, Oregon, travel and visiting family in the
Northwest. He also plans to partake in all the hunting, fishing and camping he didn’t have time to do while working.
“I will miss fire fighting and all the wonderful people I’ve had the pleasure to work with,” Rowdy says. “Very few careers
offer the opportunity to work with people who have a real passion for what they do.”
Rowdy says he is most proud during his career for helping build Durango Helitack into “one of the best helitack programs
in the country.”
- Ann Bond
SAN JUAN PUBLIC LANDS PEOPLE 7

PAGOSA NEWS
Seasonals John Bosma and Ben McCary practice efficient
digging techniques for rescuing avalanche victims.
District Hosts Avalanche Training
PAGOSA – The Pagosa Ranger District hosted a course in basic
avalanche safety and awareness in January for about a dozen of its
field-going employees and volunteers. The course was led by Casey
Bristow, who teaches for the Wolf Creek Avalanche School.
A classroom session covered tools for avalanche safety, such as
forecast websites, safety equipment and procedures to follow when
in the backcountry.
The participants then headed to a high-elevation area near the
Lobo parking lot off US Highway 160 north of Wolf Creek Pass to
practice hands-on training in winter search and rescue, including
the use of avalanche beacons, shovels and probes.
The area near the Lobo parking lot has been designated as an
avalanche beacon training park and is open to the public.
- Brandy Richardson

Volunteers Adopt Forest Roads

PAGOSA SPRINGS – The San Juan Public Lands “Adopt a Road” Program puts
volunteer ambassadors on National Forest roads performing trash pickup, partial
culvert maintenance, road condition surveys, fire pit maintenance and removal,
and service as monitors.
Coordinator Patti Brady started the program 10 years ago under a partnership
between the San Juan Mountains Association and the USFS/BLM. “I’m so proud
of our volunteers who put in many hours monitoring public lands roads and trails,”
she says. Volunteer Jim Lesch of Pagosa Springs, a retired military and commer-
cial airlines pilot, added
“Adopt a Road” to a long list
of volunteer positions he holds Jim Lesch patrols forest roads on Eight
in the community. Mile Mesa with Rocky.
“Since I was already spend-
ing time on Eight Mile Mesa, I jumped at the opportunity to help with
the Adopt-A-Road Program, while enjoying the great outdoors,” he says.
Roger Amyx, a Durango native who now lives in Farmington, patrols
forest roads with his wife, Terry, and their friends in the Kenney Flats
area, where his father once owned a ranch. ”We really enjoy cleaning
campsites, roads, and watching what goes on,” Roger says. “It makes us
Roger Amyx and friends patrol the Kenney Flats feel like we are giving a little back for using the forest.” - Ann Bond
and Valle Seco roads.

Britton Leaves for Columbine

BAYFIELD - Britton Quinlan, Pagosa Fuels Crew Supervisor, is moving to Columbine as the
Initial Attack Handcrew Supervisor, where he’ll supervise the hand crew and help with fuels
reduction.
Britton began his USFS career in 2001 in his hometown of Payson, Arizona, with the Tonto
NF Hotshots. He also worked with the Tonto NF Heli-rappellers, on the Bridgeport Rappel
Crew, for the Kaibab Helitack-Rappel and as a North Cascades Smokejumper.
Britton holds a Bachelor’s degree from Northern Arizona University in Parks and Recreation
Management. He and his wife, Cheri, an Assistant Engine Captain for Pagosa, love outdoor
activities and visiting family in Arizona and New Mexico.
“I’m excited to learn a new district and have the opportunity to teach and train new
wildland firefighters,” Britton says. - Brandy Richardson
8 SAN JUAN PUBLIC LANDS PEOPLE

DOLORES NEWS
End of an Era - Lloyd Retires
MANCOS - Lloyd McNeil was paid tribute this winter at a surprise retirement
party to honor a remarkable career spanning six decades. About 150 people
showed up to recognize Lloyd, with more than half the attendees representing
community-based organizations.
Lloyd spent his entire career on the San Juan NF, starting first on the old
Mancos RD in 1969 in Developed Recreation and finishing up as Trail Foreman
for the Dolores Public Lands Office. Over the years, he also served in law en-
forcement, visitor Information services and as a para-professional archeologist
for both offices.
Lloyd also served special details as a para-professional archeologist survey-
ing beetle kill on the Stanislaus NF and helping with reconstruction of the Tony
Grove Guard Station on the Wasatch NF.
Lloyd graduated from Fort Lewis College with a Bachelor’s degree in Psychol-
ogy with a minor in Anthropology. In the late 1980s, he was instrumental in the
‘Save Jersey Jim Fire Lookout Tower ‘movement and has served on the Jersey
Jim Foundation board since its conception.
Lloyd is proud of helping to rename the San Juan’s former Thompson Park
Campground to reflect its cultural heritage. Based on information from the Ute
Tribe and his own observations of scarred pines, he learned that the Utes called
the area Ivikukuch, which means Target Tree.
The campground was formally renamed in 1988, and an interpretive sign installed in recognition of its history. Members
of the Ute Mountain Ute and Southern Ute tribes took part in a dedication ceremony held at the campground. Lloyd
continued to hold annual picnics for tribal elders and their families for several years.
Lloyd’s love of conservation and hard work was a perfect match for his relationship with the Southwest Conservation
Corps, where he is remembered for his love of natural resources, instilling a work ethic in young people, and playing his
ukulele and award-winning whistling.
This also holds true of the hundreds of scouts Lloyd instructed over his 40-year span as a Wood Badge Instructor, along
with his conservation education work with local school groups for the USFS.
Other proud moments in Lloyd’s career include the Glade Guard Station fence reconstruction project, and his working
relationship with the Mesa Verde Backcountry Horsemen and other agency partners. Lloyd and wife Clara plan to build a
new house and spend time traveling to visit their 10 kids and 23 grandchildren. - Toni Kelly

SAN JUAN PUBLIC LANDS PEOPLE is published by the San Juan’s Public Affairs Office
with the help of Visitor Information Specialists in Bayfield, Dolores and Pagosa Springs.
Professional proofreading provided by Elizabeth Haydon, San Juan Executive Assistant.
Read this and past issues online on the ‘About Us’ page of our Web site:
www.fs.usda.gov/sanjuan
SAN JUAN PUBLIC LANDS PEOPLE 9

DOLORES NEWS
Tom Named Associate
DOLORES - Tom Rice, who has been serving a detail as the Dolores Public
Lands Office Associate Field Manager/Deputy District Ranger since last year, has
been named permanently to that position. He’ll be working with staff on several
issues and projects, including abandoned mined lands, fluid and solid minerals,
renewable energy, realty and lands, wild horses and cultural resources.
Tom came to the DPLO in 2007 as a Natural Resource Specialist in the oil and
gas program. Prior to that, he was the Director of the Ute Mountain Ute Tribal
Environmental Protection Program and Natural Resource Division Head for the
Tribe.
Tom has lived and worked in the Four Corners Region since 1986 and is a
graduate of Fort Lewis College. He and wife, Kelly McAndrews, an archaeologist
for Woods Canyon Archaeological Consultants, have a young son and daughter,
Blair and Willa.
“I look forward to my continued work with the top-notch staff here, as well as
the challenges that are part of this position,” Tom says. - Ann Bond

Kevin New in Timber

DOLORES - Kevin McAlpin is the newest member of the DPLO timber shop.
Kevin will be leading the seasonal marking crew in laying out timber sales
and fuels projects, as well as working on thinning projects.
Originally from Myrtle Point, Oregon, Kevin graduated from Oregon State
University in 2007 with a degree in Natural Resources. He most recently worked
as a fire module leader for two seasons for the Manti-LaSal NF in Ferron,
Utah. Prior to his experience in Utah, Kevin worked on the Dolores Public
Lands seasonal timber marking crew.
In his spare time, Kevin’s enjoys hiking, mountain biking, rafting, playing
guitar, watching movies, and spending time with his dog, Whiskey.
- Toni Kelly

Bob Retires
DOLORES - Bob Ball, BLM Rangeland and Wild Horse Manager
for the Dolores Public Lands Office, has retired after 32 years
of federal service.
For the past six years, Bob has worked with the Spring Creek
Wild Horse Management Area. Prior to that, he worked in range
for 13 years.
Bob started with the BLM’s San Juan Field Office in Durango
in 1995, working initially in wildlife, handling plant and animal
Threatened and Endangered Species clearances and invento-
ries.
Prior to his work on the San Juan, Bob was a BLM Rangeland
Management Specialist in Taos and Farmington, New Mexico.
He also worked as a BLM Natural Resource Specialist in
Farmington early in his career.
Bob holds a Bachelor’s degree in Range Science from Texas
A&M.
- Ann Bond
10 SAN JUAN PUBLIC LANDS PEOPLE

DOLORES NEWS
Cara Studying Seeds for Success
DOLORES – Cara MacMillan, Dolores Public Lands Office Ecologist, was the
recipient this winter of the U.S. Department of Interior Partners in Conservation
Award. Cara was recognized for her work through the BLM Seeds of Success
Partnership, which coordinates banking of native seeds and restoration of na-
tive plant communities.
Cara is working to solve an ecological challenge through the creation of a new
commercial market. With funding from the American Reinvestment and Recov-
ery Act, she and her crew have established 30 sites to monitor life cycles of 14
hardy early- to mid-successional native plants. Seeds collected are being sent to
the USFS Bend Seed Extractory, where they are cleaned, counted and treated.
Plans are to use these species to revegetate arid public lands following dis-
turbance, because past reclamation efforts with later successional native plants
have met with mixed success. Some of the native plants under study are purple
three-awn, yellow owl-clover, bulbous spring parsley, Louisiana sagewort, wild
tobacco and wooly plantain.
Although Cara’s research indicates some reclaimed sites may only be capable
of sustaining the pioneer species, she believes this would be preferable to dis-
turbed sites remaining barren or being invaded by noxious weeds. She also hopes
the pioneer plants will retain and improve soils enough to eventually be able to
accommodate later successional plants.
Cara is also working on an economic analysis to test whether the native pioneer seeds can be produced as a commercial
product for reclamation purposes by both the public and private sectors. With the help of Southwest Seed, Inc. of Dolores,
the first test plantings have been sown. Seed yields will be evaluated for the next three years to determine the profitabil-
ity of harvesting and marketing. If there is a sufficient seed yield next year, the native seed source will be tested in a
reclamation project in Canyons of the Ancients National Monument.
This spring, Cara will establish a native plant showcase garden at the Dolores Public Lands Office to showcase the native
plants under study. The garden will serve as a pilot project and learning tool for researchers, land managers and the local
community. - Ann Bond

Jenn Honored for Service

DOLORES - Jennifer Jardine (formerly Rowe), Dolores Public Lands
Office Range Conservationist, was honored this winter for serving on
the Colorado Section Board of Directors of the Society for Range Man-
agement (SRM) from 2008 to 2010. Jenn has been a member of SRM
since 1998, and has also served as its Range Rider newsletter editor
and webmaster.
SRM is a professional society dedicated to supporting those who work
with rangelands and have a commitment to their sustainable use. Its
mission is to promote the professional development and continuing
education of members and the public and the stewardship of range-
land resources. - Mark Tucker

Jennifer Jardine (at far right) breceiving an award

plaque with other outgoing SRM Officers for the
Society of Range Management

SAN JUAN PUBLIC LANDS PEOPLE welcomes story ideas!

Let us know about awards, special projects, or employee comings and goings that you hear about.
Just send an email to abond@fs.fed.us with the basic information.
SAN JUAN PUBLIC LANDS PEOPLE 11

AHC/CANM NEWS
Linda Retires
DOLORES – Linda Farnsworth retired this winter after serv-
ing as BLM Canyons of the Ancient National Monument Archae-
ologist since 2005. Prior to that, Linda had been the San Juan
Public Lands Heritage Program Lead since 2001.
To cap off her career, Linda coordinated a project last year
to save an important archaeological site in the western portion of the National
Monument.
The Fortress Spur site is above the
cliffs of a high and narrow mesa. De-
spite the precipitous location, unper-
mitted horses from the neighboring
Navajo Reservation, seeking water in
the bedrock basins of the mesa, had
found their way up and were damag-
ing the site.
As a mitigation measure in a grazing assessment permit renewal, Linda
proposed solving the problem by fencing off the site. She managed the entire
project, which included carrying all materials and equipment up the steep
mesa by hand. The result is a 200-foot-long fence which appears to be acting
as an effective barrier.
Linda’s work on this project will be added to her legacy of helping the
agencies and the public learn from and protect the unique and sensitive cultural sites of southwestern Colorado.
- Ann Bond

AHC Upgrades Energy System

Solar panels near the parking lot can provide
100 kilowatts of power, while rooftop panels
can supply 30 kilowatts.
DOLORES - The BLM Anasazi Heritage Center is now getting 18 percent of
its total electric power from the sun. This has been made possible by the
installation of a new photovoltaic electrical supply system funded through
the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act.
More than 400 panels can supply 130 kW at peak power on sunny days. The
system does not store reserve power in batteries, so its output will vary with
available sunshine.
The project was contracted out to the private sector. Principal contractor,
Johnson Controls of Denver, hired subcontractors Nice Electric of Cortez,
PINNT Roofing of Grand Junction, Front Range Wireless of Centennial, Lancaster
Enterprises of Montezuma County, and four local stonemasons. - David Kill

Boyd is New Park Ranger

DOLORES - Boyd Logan is the new Park Ranger for Canyons of the Ancients Na-
tional Monument working out of the Anasazi Heritage Center. His new duties will
include management of recreation and travel management.
Boyd worked previously as a Florida State Park Ranger in St. Petersburg. He also
was a range technician working in weed management for the BLM White River Field
Office. He studied archaeology at the University of West Georgia.
“This is exactly the job I’ve been wanting for a long time,” he says. “I look
forward to performing all of the duties of this position.”
- David Kill