{"id":15,"date":"2018-08-18T22:31:39","date_gmt":"2018-08-19T05:31:39","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/in.nau.edu\/cpcesu\/spotlights\/"},"modified":"2020-03-18T17:45:15","modified_gmt":"2020-03-18T17:45:15","slug":"spotlights","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/in.nau.edu\/cpcesu\/spotlights\/","title":{"rendered":"Spotlights"},"content":{"rendered":"

Spotlights<\/h1>\n

These spotlights feature completed and in-progress CPCESU projects to showcase some of the great work that has been accomplished by our partners.
\nIf you would like to submit a project to spotlight, please view the Project_Spotlight_Instructions<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Ethnographic Overview and Assessment of African American Homesteading in Lanfair Valley, California<\/strong><\/h2>\n

Number:\u00a0 <\/strong>P16AC01804
\nNon-federal Partner:<\/strong>\u00a0 Fort Lewis College
\nFederal Partner:<\/strong>\u00a0 National Park Service
\nLocation of Project:<\/strong>\u00a0 Lanfair Valley, California
\nPrincipal Investigator:<\/strong>\u00a0 Dr. Rebecca Austin<\/p>\n

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\"At
At the reunion: homesteader descendants look at documents about their ancestors<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

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\"Interview
Interview with community consultants, Dr. La Theia Black and Judy Gomez, holding photo of homesteaders in Lanfair in Lanfair, early 1900’s<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

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Description of Project:
\n<\/strong>This project, in conjunction with applied anthropologist Ginny Bengston, of Applied Cultural Ecology, LLC in Arizona, looks at turn-of-the 20th<\/sup> century African American homesteaders in the Mojave Desert, (now the Mojave National Preserve), and the broader African American westward migration. The project is part of the National Park Service Cultural Anthropology program and Obama-era Civil Rights initiatives. As stated by the NPS: \u201cThe Cultural Anthropology Program of the National Park Service harnesses the power of research and communication to connect cultural communities with places that are considered essential to their identity.\u201d It is common for minorities\u2019 stories to be missing from public history and this study is one attempt to remedy perceptions about homesteading in general, westward migration, and the stories of post emancipation life for African Americans.
\nProject Start and End Date:<\/strong>\u00a0 09\/30\/2016 to 06\/20\/2020
\nTotal Project Funding:<\/strong>\u00a0 $214,328.00
\nProject Outcome:<\/strong>\u00a0 Interviews with homesteader descendants were conducted in 2018 and a reunion with descendants was held in March 2019 in Ontario California. More than 65 people attended the reunion
\nStudents Support<\/strong>: \u00a0Yes<\/p>\n

Mitigate Endangered Bird Habitat Prior to Tamarisk Defoliation by the Northern Tamarisk Beetle\u00a0Project Award<\/h2>\n

Number:<\/strong>\u00a0\u00a0P17AC00904-0001-B001
\nNon-federal partner:<\/strong>\u00a0 The Arboretum at Flagstaff
\nFederal partner:<\/strong>\u00a0National Park Service
\nLocation of project:<\/strong>\u00a0Grand Canyon National Park
\nPrincipal investigator:<\/strong>\u00a0Dr. Kristin E. Haskins<\/p>\n

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\"Project
Project site clearing<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

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\"Transportation
Transportation project site<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

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\"Planting
Planting crew<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

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\"Project
Project site clearing<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

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\"Native
Native Cottonwoods and Willows<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

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Description of project:<\/strong>\u00a0The Arboretum at Flagstaff, in partnership with Grand Canyon National Park and Mariposa Consulting, is conducting restoration work at two sites along the Colorado River, Cardenas and the Grand Canyon Youth (GCY) Camp. The goals at Cardenas are to remove invasive tamarisk, also known as salt cedar, (Tamarix spp.) and replace the removed vegetation with native cottonwoods and willows. Additionally, the project will support the removal of another invasive, pepperweed (Lepidium latifolium). Post-planting monitoring and the implementation of repeat photography from established photopoints will provide important feedback on restoration methods and success. These activities will improve both the natural environment and the habitat for the Southwestern Willow Flycatcher (Empidonax traillii extimus), an endangered species.
\nProject start\/end dates:<\/strong>\u00a0July 18, 2017 – December 21, 2019
\nProject cost:<\/strong>\u00a0$83,785.
\nProject successes:<\/strong> \u00a0Work along the Colorado River can be difficult due to logistics, but rewarding beyond belief! Without the help of many volunteers and National Park Service staff, this project would not be possible.
\nStudent support:<\/strong>\u00a0Coreen Walsh, an NAU graduate student, went down with the crew in January as a volunteer to video document the project.<\/p>\n

Large Mammal Responses to Wildfire and Landscape-scale Forest Restoration in the Jemez Mountains, New Mexico<\/h2>\n

Non-federal partner:<\/strong> New Mexico State University
\nFederal partner:<\/strong> National Park Service and US Forest Service
\nLocation of project<\/strong>: Jemez Mountains, New Mexico
\nPrincipal investigator:<\/strong> Gary Roemer and James W. Cain<\/p>\n

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\"Elk
Elk herd on the Valles Caldera National Preserve<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

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PhD student, Sharon Smythe conducting telemetry for radio-collared elk and mule deer on the Valles Caldera National Preserve, New Mexico<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

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\"Hallie
Hallie Walker measuring woody plant density in the Jemez Mountains, New Mexico<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

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\"Former
Former MS student, Sarah Kindschuh with a black bear fitted with a GPS collar to monitor movements and habitat selection in the Jemez Mountains, New Mexico<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

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\"Rachael
Rachael Wiedmeier collecting vegetation monitoring data in the Jemez Mountains, New Mexico<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

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Description of project:<\/strong>\u00a0 Decades of fire suppression, logging, and overgrazing have altered the conditions of Southwestern forests resulting in increased densities of small diameter trees and an overall increase in fuel loads. The increase in tree densities has been associated with decreases in biodiversity, reduced habitat quality for many wildlife species, and more frequent and severe wildfires. Catastrophic wildfires in the western U.S. over the past two decades have resulted in an increased need for forest restoration projects designed to restore historic forest structure, plant species composition, and fire regimes. Both wildfires and forest restoration treatments can result in profound changes to habitat conditions for many wildlife species.\u00a0 Therefore, forest restoration plans should be well-designed, based on the best scientific information, and include monitoring and research programs in an adaptive management framework.\u00a0 Numerous large-scale forest restoration projects are underway across the western U.S. and more are likely to be initiated over the next 10-30 years. Given the large landscapes likely to be subjected to restoration treatments in the future, it is critical for state and federal management agencies to understand how wildlife respond to these treatments in order for them to develop effective management plans and to make informed contributions to the design and implementation planning for restoration projects. Our specific objectives are to: 1) assess changes in abundance of key forage species (including mast producing species) for black bears, mule deer, and elk in response to forest restoration treatments and recent wildfires; and 2) determine habitat selection and space use patterns of black bears, mule deer, and elk in relation to forest restoration treatments and wildfires.
\nProject start\/end dates:<\/strong>\u00a0 This project was initiated in 2012 and is scheduled for completion in 2020.
\nStudent support<\/strong>:\u00a0 To date, the project has involved 2 PhD students and 5 M.S. students from New Mexico State University, New Mexico Highlands University, and Texas Tech University.<\/p>\n

Colorado Plateau Dark Sky Cooperative<\/h2>\n

Non-federal partner:<\/strong> The University of Utah
\nFederal partner:<\/strong> National Park Service
\nLocation of project:<\/strong> The Colorado Plateau: Utah, Colorado, Arizona, New Mexico
\nPrincipal investigator:<\/strong> Stephen Goldsmith<\/p>\n

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\"Bettymaya
Bettymaya Foott (Center), University of Utah, and Nate Ament (Right), National Park Service, accepting the Public Lands Partner Award from the Public Lands Alliance at their annual conference and trade show in Palm Springs, CA in 2018<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

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\"Dark
Dark sky viewing with telescope at Cedar Breaks National Monument in Cedar City, UT<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

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\"\u201cStar
\u201cStar Party\u201d at Dead Horse State Park in Cottonwood, AZ<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

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\"Dark
Dark skies at Aztec Ruins National Monument, New Mexico<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

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\"The
The Colorado Plateau Dark Sky Cooperative Logo<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

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Description of project:<\/strong> The Colorado Dark Sky Cooperative began in 2013 and is still in progress today. The main goal of this project was to preserve the few sights in America where there is unpolluted darkness. They are hoping to limit the amount of light that shines over the Colorado Plateaus\u2019 National Parks, Monuments, and surrounding communities. The night skies over the Colorado Plateau are among the clearest and most visible in the country and this project is working to keep it that way. The formal mission statement is: \u201cThe Colorado Plateau Dark Sky Cooperative aims to voluntarily link communities, tribes, businesses, state agencies, federal agencies, and citizens in a collaborative effort to celebrate the view of the cosmos, minimize the impact of outdoor lighting, and ultimately restore natural darkness to the area.\u201d\u00a0 The project is leading the way in protecting natural darkness as a precious resource.
\nThis award recognizes \u201can exemplary partnership for its stunning achievements to protect and preserve public lands and enhance the experience of visitors.\u201d
\nProject start\/end dates:<\/strong>\u00a0 December 30, 2016 to Present
\nProject cost:<\/strong>\u00a0$91,199 to date.
\nProject successes:<\/strong>\u00a0 The Colorado Plateau Dark Sky Cooperative project hosted a number of events to gain awareness for the fight against polluted skies. Some of these events included community lighting walks, informative dark sky workshops, and community \u201cstar parties\u201d. Some of these parties were hosted in conjunction with a series of outdoor concerts by the Utah Symphony for their Great American Road Trip tour in a number of parks around the Colorado Plateau, all of which were either certified by the International Dark-Sky Association, or on their way. The Colorado Plateau Dark Sky Cooperative also trained two graduate students in City and Metropolitan Planning at the University of Utah to complete an exterior lighting inventory for Moab City and Grand County. The Colorado Plateau Dark Sky Cooperative project was also just awarded the 2018 Public Lands Partner Award through the Public Lands Alliance. This award recognizes \u201can exemplary partnership for its stunning achievements to protect and preserve public lands and enhance the experience of visitors.\u201d
\nHow project met the needs of the federal partner:<\/strong> \u00a0\u00a0 This project has helped to increase awareness of the value of dark skies and associated threats in and surrounding units of the National Park System on the Colorado Plateau and has fostered a community-based approach for the preservation and enhancement of dark skies amongst a broad range of stakeholders.
\nStudent support:<\/strong>\u00a0 This project trained 2 graduate students to work in Moab on the Lighting Inventory project. The students also completed exterior lighting inventories for the communities of Helper, Bluff, and Torrey, Utah. Helper was the first community in the world to have a detailed lighting inventory using the ArcGIS method.\u00a0 The Colorado Plateau Dark Sky Cooperative serves as an advisor to an undergraduate student participating in the Helper Revitalization Committee- working to enact a dark sky friendly lighting ordinance for Helper and integrate dark sky friendly design into their community master plan.<\/p>\n

Historic Structure Report, Mission San Jos\u00e9 Convento<\/h2>\n

Non-federal partner:<\/strong> University of Texas at San Antonio, Center for Cultural Sustainability
\nFederal partner:<\/strong>\u00a0 United States Department of the Interior, National Park Service (NPS)
\nLocation of project: <\/strong>San Antonio, TX
\nPrincipal investigator:\u00a0 <\/strong>Professor William Dupont, FAIA, NCARB<\/p>\n

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\"Sample
Sample of ICOMOS color-coded mapping protocols applied to an image of Mission San Jos\u00e9\u2019s convento. Image by Sara Rodr\u00edguez Jimeno and Alejandra Rodriguez Guajardo<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

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\"Photogrammetry
Photogrammetry and mapping of mortars present in the walls of the convento at Mission San Jos\u00e9. Image by Sara Rodr\u00edguez Jimeno and Alejandra Rodriguez Guajardo<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

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Description of project:<\/strong>
\nThe report offers condition assessment and treatment recommendations for the NPS-managed convento structures of Mission San Jos\u00e9, one of five 18th century Spanish colonial missions located in San Antonio, TX. Mission San Jos\u00e9 has numerous historic designations at the local, state and federal levels. Additionally, it is part of a UNESCO World Heritage Cultural Site\u2014the only one in Texas and one of just 23 in the U.S.
\nEmploying both state-of-the-art photogrammetry software and color-coded mapping protocols established by the International Council on Monuments and Sites (ICOMOS), UTSA researchers are crafting the most detailed survey to-date of the structure. The location of every visible crack, every patch of deteriorating brick and biogrowth, etc., is being recorded. Additionally, laboratory analysis of samples taken from the site is under way to determine geological composition of stone and other materials present in the convento. Finally, per NPS standards, UTSA\u2019s report will trace the evolution of the structure\u2019s construction, evaluate is historic significance, and establish preservation objectives to guide future treatment decisions.
\nProject start\/end date<\/strong>s:\u00a0 The project began August 15, 2017, and is expected to finish October 8, 2018.
\nProject cost:<\/strong> $99,932
\nProject goals:<\/strong>\u00a0 Any changes made to a historic property, such as the convento of Mission San Jos\u00e9, are guided by the results of a Historic Structure Report (HSR). An HSR provides information crucial to maintaining historic fabric, authenticity and integrity.
\nProject success:\u00a0<\/strong> The project\u2019s primary success has been the level of detail to be found in UTSA\u2019s documentation, a result of photogrammetry software. Researchers 100 years from now will know exactly how the structure appeared in 2018 and won\u2019t encounter as much guesswork as they currently do when examining photos from the 19th and early 20th centuries.
\nAdditionally, results of the Historic Structure Report are contributing to the long-term stability of Mission San Jos\u00e9: a Park Service engineer has been recruited to assess the structural integrity of the convento, per UTSA\u2019s recommendation.
\nHow Project Met the Needs of the Federal Partner:\u00a0 The project is helping Park Service staff prioritize treatment projects and determine the\u00a0\u00a0 most cost-effective allocation of maintenance funds
\nStudent support:<\/strong>\u00a0 Yes
\nUTSA has hired two graduate students and one undergraduate to contribute to the project. Their tasks have included archival research, some writing\/editing, production of graphics using Auto CAD software, and participating in presentations to the client.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Spotlights These spotlights feature completed and in-progress CPCESU projects to showcase some of the great work that has been accomplished by our partners. If you would like to submit a project to spotlight, please view the Project_Spotlight_Instructions. Ethnographic Overview and Assessment of African American Homesteading in Lanfair Valley, California Number:\u00a0 P16AC01804 Non-federal Partner:\u00a0 Fort Lewis […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":2029,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"_relevanssi_hide_post":"","_relevanssi_hide_content":"","_relevanssi_pin_for_all":"","_relevanssi_pin_keywords":"","_relevanssi_unpin_keywords":"","_relevanssi_related_keywords":"","_relevanssi_related_include_ids":"","_relevanssi_related_exclude_ids":"","_relevanssi_related_no_append":"","_relevanssi_related_not_related":"","_relevanssi_related_posts":"","_relevanssi_noindex_reason":"","ring_central_script_selection":"","footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-15","page","type-page","status-publish","has-post-thumbnail","hentry"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/in.nau.edu\/cpcesu\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/15","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/in.nau.edu\/cpcesu\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/in.nau.edu\/cpcesu\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/in.nau.edu\/cpcesu\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/in.nau.edu\/cpcesu\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=15"}],"version-history":[{"count":41,"href":"https:\/\/in.nau.edu\/cpcesu\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/15\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":3205,"href":"https:\/\/in.nau.edu\/cpcesu\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/15\/revisions\/3205"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/in.nau.edu\/cpcesu\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/2029"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/in.nau.edu\/cpcesu\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=15"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}