Call the Gila Cliff Dwellings for information/times & locations of programs. Some program times have not been established yet.

Reservations may have to be made for some programs. Please check the individual programs. If reservation are necessary, please call the Monument.

All programs are FREE!

SATURDAY, JUNE 4

LEAVE NO TRACE demonstration with Regina Mueller. Leave No Trace land ethics are techniques for traveling, camping, packing, and more that assist keeping the back-country areas in their wild and pristine state. Participants will learn these simple, but important, back-country skills. Meet at the Lower Scorpion Campground @ 10 am.

Regina Mueller is an Interpretive Tour Guide at the Monument.

SATURDAY, JUNE 11

ANCIENT MOTIFS OF THE MOGOLLON-Rock Art slide presentation with Anthony Howell and a ROCK ART PAINTING demonstration by Marilyn Markel.

ANCIENT MOTIFS OF THE MOGOLLON- This presentation centers around the transition of commonly recurring symbols found within these rare southern New Mexican rock art sites. Some of these petroglyph and pictographs sites have been in existence for 10,000 years. Howell’s photographic documentation of this fragile prehistoric art work may outlive the prehistoric art work itself due to the human impact upon these sites. This slide presentation will be given in the visitor center’s museum. Call the Monument for the time. Howell’s prints will be available for sale.

Anthony Howell has devoted much of his energies to photographing, documenting, and lecturing on the motifs of the prehistoric Mogollon. He received a MFA from Pratt Institute in New York City, in 1989. He taught in the Expressive Arts Department at Western New Mexico University and resides in Silver City, New Mexico.

ROCK ART PAINTING-is a “hands-on” Rock Art Education program. This outreach program, developed by Marilyn Markel for the Silver City Museum, features information about rock art, when, how, and who made it, preservation information, and “hands-on” activities. Children of all ages can learn about the paint/pigments used to make pictographs and help create a pictograph panel. This demonstration will be held at the visitor center picnic tables. Call the Monument for the time. Marilyn Markel, an educator with a background in archaeology and history, lives on the upper Mimbres River, surrounded by the Gila National Forest. The Gila country, rich in history and prehistory, provides Marilyn ample research opportunities. She has participated in numerous research and excavation projects at Mimbres/Mogollon sites. Marilyn teaches children about preservation and local history through Silver City Museum and USFS educational outreach programs. In collaboration with her twin sister, a special education teacher and behavior consultant with the Albuquerque schools, Marilyn is working on a series of children’s books, the first of which, Old Grandfather Teaches A Lesson, is now available for readers of all ages.

SUNDAY, JUNE 12

PRE-HISTORIC PEOPLES OF THE GILA RIVER-talk near the headwaters of the Gila River with Regina Mueller. Regina will be discussing the importance of the Gila River and its tributaries to the ancient cultures that developed along them. Meet at the Gila Cliff Dwellings trailhead @ 10 am.

Regina Mueller is an Interpretive Tour Guide at the Monument with a special interest in the pre-history of the southwestern Native American Cultures.

SATURDAY, JUNE 18

A WALK WITH THE LLAMAS with Rinda Metz. There will be a short presentation on the following topics: Llamas as new world camels, living with llamas out in the wilderness (You duck when they spit!), how the llama panniers are weighed and packed up for the trip, Leave No Trace back-country ethics, etc. “At 10 am we will take a short hike up the trail from Woody’s corral. It will be a steep and rocky trail gaining altitude for most of the way with a broad view of the Gila River and Gila Wilderness. Each llama can be led separately so that everyone can have a chance to get acquainted! At the end of the hour, there will be a small break for lunch. Return time to Woody’s Corral will be between noon and 1 pm. Meet at Woody’s Corral at 9 am. Bring water, snacks and a lunch, good hiking shoes, a hat, sunscreen, binoculars, and camera. The llamas can carry everything so a backpack is not necessary. However, items that you want to use along the trail during the walking time should be carried by each person individually.”

Rinda Metz has a BA in Zoology from Indiana University, 1968 and a MFA from Tulane University, 1978. She was a professor of Fine Arts at Ohio Wesleyen University for 20 years. Now retired, she lives in Silver City, New Mexico and volunteers for environmental organizations, such as Sky Island Alliance, Upper Gila Watershed Alliance and the Center for Biological Diversity. She is also exploring the Gila National Forest and Wilderness with her 4 llamas. .

SUNDAY, JUNE 19

GEOLOGY WALK IN CLIFF DWELLER CANYON with Jim Ransom. Jim will discuss of the Gila River drainage, hot springs, minerals, caves, and rock formations of the Gila Cliff Dwellings and surrounding area plus the importance of these to the various Native American groups who settled along the Gila River. “The secret of the mysterious short-term occupations of all Gila Mogollon cliff dwellers will be revealed!” Walk will begin at the Gila Cliff Dwelling trailhead @ 10 am.

James Ransom is an Interpretive Guide at the Gila Cliff Dwellings for the past 4 years. These tours include geology, botany, animal life and the history of the Gila Cliff Dwellings. He is a life-long naturalist and is responsible for our small nature museum in the building at the Gila Cliff Dwelling trailhead. He has been interpreting for the U.S. Park Service at the Gila Cliff Dwellings National Monument for the past 4 years.

SATURDAY, JULY 9

CHIRICAUHUAN APACHE CULTURE DAY-This is a very special day with many events-performances by Mountain Spirit Dancers, cultural talks, Apache artisans, and more! Recording artist Yolanda Martinez, the Nammy winner (Native American Music Awards) for the 2005 “Best Female Artist”, will start the day’s programs. Come prepared to spend the whole day-morning into evening. Apache arts & crafts will be available for sale. Call the Monument for location and time.

SATURDAY, JULY 16

GILA WILDLIFE RESCUE presentation with WNMU biologist Dennis Miller, “OUR WILDERNESS, OURSELVES, OUR STORIES”-an all-day writing workshop with essayist and independent journalist Renee Despres (Please call park to reserve space!), and a BIRD WALK with wildlife biologist Tricia Hurley, co-sponsored by the Southwestern NM Audubon Society and the Gila Cliff Dwellings National Monument.

GILA WILDLIFE RESCUE-Dennis Miller will discuss the Gila Wildlife Rescue program including the variety of wildlife they care for, the laws concerning wildlife care, and what the public can legally do to help. Dennis will bring one of his rescued animals (“if one is available”). Gila Wildlife Rescue is a non-profit wildlife rehabilitation organization that is licensed by the New Mexico Game & Fish Department and the U. S. Fish & Wildlife Service to care for all species of wildlife. They specialize in raptors and mammal rehabilitation, but care for everything from hummingbirds to eagles, and mice to elk, and even reptiles and amphibians. Their web page at www.wnmu.edu/gilawildliferescue shows photos of the wide variety of wildlife they have cared for. Donations are accepted through paypal on the website. Presentation will be given at the visitor center museum. Call Monument for time.

Dennis Miller is a Professor of Biology at Western New Mexico University and has been running Gila Wildlife Rescue for 25 years. He taught Biology at Silver High School for 12 years and has been at WNMU for 15 years. Besides wildlife rehabilitation, he is deeply involved in research on native fish populations in the Gila River system. Born in New Mexico and raised in Silver City, he is married to Denise Miller and has five children.

“OUR WILDERNESS, OUSELVES, OUR STORIES”-an all-day writing workshop-“During this full-day writing workshop, we will explore the intersection of the natural world and the narratives of our lives. How can we use the power that lies in nature-in trees, birds, rivers, grasses, rocks, pebbles, wind, rain, sun-to write our stories? How can the act of writing our stories help us to make meaning of the world we live in? We will learn to dis-cover inspiration and ideas in the natural world and to craft those ideas into a finished writing project. Writers working in all genres are welcome!” Please call the Monument to reserve your place in the workshop! Workshop will be held at the Wildwood Retreat & Hot Springs Center (www.gilanet.com/wildwood) in Gila Hot Springs, NM (2 miles from the park!) Time for workshop is 8 am to 4:30 pm. If you are staying in Silver City, please allow 2 hours drive time to get to Gila Hot Springs. You will be encountering mountain travel. Please pack a lunch and all-weather clothing. Evening accommodations can be found in the Gila Hot Springs area. If you would like to camp at the retreat center or use the hot spring pools, please contact Greg @ 505/536-3600 or wildwood@gilanet.com . Workshop does not include hot spring privileges.

Renee Despres (Renée) is an essayist and independent journalist who lives and works in Gila Hot Springs, New Mexico, near the heart of the Gila Wilderness. Her essays and articles have appeared in many publications including Salon.com, Runner’s World, Mademoiselle, Delicious Living, Troika, Women’s Sports & Fitness, and National Public Radio. In her essays, Renee focuses on using personal experiences to understand the natural world, including the natural humans who inhabit that world. She received her Phd. from Indiana University, in 1996 in English Literature with a focus on women’s autobiography. She has taught writing at Indiana University, Western New Mexico University, and at various workshops, including “Writing Women’s Lives” hosted by Rescursos de Santa Fe. Her special interest is in crafting the memoir or autobiography.

BIRD WALK-This is the monthly bird walk for the Southwestern NM Audubon Society guided by Tricia Hurley. Walk will be along the West Fork of the Gila River. This walk is open to experienced bird watchers as well as to novice bird watchers. In July, watchers should be able to view birds in juvenile plumage. Please be prepared to use your eyes and ears! Bring binoculars, bird books, sunscreen, sun hat, snacks and water. Wear hiking shoes and seasonal clothing (rain & shine!) Please do not wear bright-colored or loud-sounding (no crinkly or scratchy sounding materials!) clothing! LOCATION: Walk will start at the Gila Cliff Dwellings trailhead at 8:00 am.

Tricia Hurley is a wildlife biologist and environmental educator. She is the Education Chair for the Southwest New Mexico Audubon Society.

SATURDAY, AUGUST 6

Native Seeds/SEARCH presentation with Kevin Dahl, NSS Executive Director and a NATIVE PLANT WALK with Loretta McSween and Jim Ransom. Native Seeds/SEARCH presentation-“NS/S is a 21 year-old nonprofit organization based in Tucson, AZ. It works to conserve, distribute and document the adapted and diverse varieties of agricultural seed, their wild relatives and the role these seeds play in cultures of the American Southwest and northwest Mexico. The organization’s seed bank safeguards 2000 varieties of arid-land adapted agricultural crops. Some, like watermelons, were adapted from seeds brought by early Europeans. Most of the collection consists of varieties of indigenous crops developed over centuries to suit the needs of their human partners. We promote the use of these ancient crops and their wild relatives by distributing seeds to traditional communities and to gardeners world wide. Currently we offer 404 varieties from our collection, grown out at our Conservation Farm in Patagonia, AZ. We also work to preserve knowledge about the traditional uses of the crop we steward. Through research, seed distribution and community outreach NS/S seeks to protect biodiversity and to celebrate cultural diversity.” Presentation will be given at the visitor center museum. Call Monument for time.

Kevin Dahl has served as executive director for Native Seeds/SEARCH since February 2003, and worked for the organization in various roles, including education director, from 1986-1997. He was executive director of the Tucson Audubon Society and Natural Resources Superintendent for Pima County’s Parks and Recreation Department. An alumni of both the University of Arizona and Arizona State University (where he was student body vice president), his interest in plants led him to obtain his degree in ethnobotany from Prescott College. Author of Wild Plants of the Sonoran Desert, published by the Arizona-Sonoran Desert Museum, he is working on a book tentatively titled Authentic Southwestern Gardening. Presentation will be given at the visitor center museum. Call the Monument for the time.

NATIVE PLANT WALK-The native plant walk will identify and discuss the various plant species along the Monument trail, their uses by the ancient cultures of the Gila Forks area, and will discuss the many micro-ecosystems encountered along this one mile hike. Meet at the Monument’s trailhead @ 1:30 pm. Wear good walking shoes, sunscreen, sun hat and seasonal clothing. Please bring water.

Loretta McSween started gardening at the age of 3 and was a professional gardener for 21 years. She is a watercolorist who paints native wildflowers and is a member of the Gila New Mexico Native Plant Society.

James Ransom is an Interpretive Guide at the Gila Cliff Dwellings National Monument. A life-long naturalist, he began conducting tours on the geology, botany, animal life and history of the Gila Cliff Dwellings Monument for the U.S. Park Service for the past 4 years. He is responsible for the creation of a nature exhibit in the Monument’s trailhead building.

SATURDAY, AUGUST 20

TRACKING WALK with Jeremiah Stephan. Jeremiah’s Tracks and Scats workshop/walk provides an easy to follow guide to tracking, which will suit beginners and the more experienced alike. You will learn how to make a plaster cast of a track, how to determine the gait at which the animal was moving and how recently the tracks were made, amongst other skills. You will also learn about the animals that you are tracking, their habitat, diet and characteristics. Meet at the Cliff Dwellings trail head at 10:00 am for this two hour walk. Jeremiah Stephan has lived in the Gila National Forest for the past 4 years, working for a local hunting and guiding outfitter. His skill at tracking animals over the rugged Gila terrain has proven to be indispensable to hunters and outfitters alike. He is currently packing for the U. S. Forest Service, which continues to allow him the lengthy periods of time living in the Wilderness, and the first hand experience with nature that he craves.

SUNDAY, AUGUST 21

BUTTERFLY/PLANT WALK with Cynthia Hunter. “During our walk we will discover the area using the theme of butterfly watching and identification. We will identify as many butterflies as we can during our outing, but most importantly we will explore the relationship between the butterflies, ourselves and our environment. Plants that butterflies use and the importance of butterflies to the ecology of the area will be discussed in an effort to better understand some of the important underlying interconnections of life forms that often go unnoticed in the beautiful Gila Cliff Dwellings National Monument. This walk is about noticing and exploration.” Call the Monument for time and location.

Cynthia Hunter is a local garden designer who incorporates the native flora of the area into her designs. She has lived in the Gila Wilderness for the past 9 years and is currently studying the botany and butterflies or the region and their relationship to one another. At present, she is coordinating the installation of her butterfly garden design for The Nature Conservancy’s Bear Mountain Lodge in Silver City, New Mexico.

SATURDAY, AUGUST 27 & SUNDAY, AUGUST 28

ADVENTURES WITH ED (ABBEY)-Writer, aural historian and radio producer, Jack Loeffler gives a biographical memoir of his late best friend, co-sponsored by the NM Humanities Council and the Gila Cliff Dwellings National Monument. A MUSICAL PERFORMANCE by singer/song writer/poet George Page will begin both evenings. This event will be held at Spirit Canyon Lodge in Lake Roberts @7pm. FREE. Please call the park to reserve your seats! 505/536-9461 Earlier in the day at the park: August 27-WATERSHED TALK with Van Clothier and a RIPARIAN/WATERSHED WALK with Van Clothier and Donna Stevens, August 28-WATERSHED THINKING: DEFENSE OF THE SACRED- presentation by Jack Loeffler. ADVENTURES WITH ED (ABBEY)-“This talk addresses the life of environmental anarchist Edward Abbey and includes readings from Loeffler’s biographical memoir of his late best friend. Together, Abbey and Loeffler ranged the American Southwest engaged in a conversation that lasted for decades. Loeffler recalls some adventures and speaks of the complex points of view that led Abbey to launch the radical environmental movement.” A MUSICAL PERFORMANCE with singer/songwriter/poet George Page will precede this event. This presentation will be given on both Saturday and Sunday evenings @ Spirit Canyon Lodge in Lake Roberts, New Mexico. Evenings start @ 7 pm. Reservations are necessary! Please call the Monument at 505/536-9461 to reserve your seat!

Jack Loeffler is a writer, aural historian and radio producer whose books and radio programs focus on traditional culture and environmental activism west of the west 100th meridian and in Mexico.

George Page has a degree in Special Education with a double minor in philosophy and art from New Mexico Highlands University. He has taught for 15 years in the public school systems. George is an Interpretive Guide for the Gila Cliff Dwellings National Monument. His passions revolve around the arts, that is, song writing, guitar playing, and painting. You can see his work on view at his recently opened gallery-Keepers of the Willow Gallery in Gila Hot Springs, New Mexico.

RIPARIAN/WATERSHED PRESENTATION-Van Clothier will be giving a power point presentation about his ongoing work to protect and to restore springs and watercourses. Natural watershed restoration is a blend of hydrology, geomorphology and ecology. This talk will outline the problems with degraded watercourses and highlight some of the latest natural methods for returning these systems to proper functioning condition with an upward trend. This presentation will be held in the visitor center’s museum on Saturday-August 27. Call for time. Van Clothier is a watershed restoration hydrologist. His company, Stream Dynamics, works with the Malpai Borderland Group, the San Francisco River Association, and private landowners.

RIPARIAN/WATERSHED WALK-Van Clothier and Donna Stevens-They will discuss what constitutes a healthy watershed. Donna will focus on the plants that make up our riparian ecosystem. This will be on Saturday. Call Monument for location and time.

Donna Stevens is with the president of the Gila Native Plant Society and runs the Adopt-a-Springs program for UGWA-Upper Gila Watershed Alliance.

WATERSHED THINKING:DEFENSE OF THE SACRED-August 28, Sunday with Jack Loeffler. In this presentation Jack will utilizes his recorded interviews from various sources including the Hopi. He will discuss where our water comes from-the land and the watershed as a natural ecosystem versus a commodity. Loeffler has produced many radio programs investigating the history of watersheds focusing upon the Colorado and Rio Grande rivers. He will discuss how watershed is conceived concerning dams versus the Native American perception of regarding the watershed as something sacred, not to be exploited! Jack’s produces his own radio programs that have been aired on NPR. This presentation will be held at the visitor center’s museum. Call Monument for time.

SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 10

HOW TO PACK A MULE-demonstration with Mike Carr. Mike will discuss the history of packing, human/equine communication-a philosophy, about equipment, travels and hazards, and will demonstrate saddling, loading gear and tying hitches. Meet at Woody’s Corral. Call the Monument for the time.

Mike Carr has been a U. S. Forest Service Packer for 12 years and has instructed packing of 6 of those years. Prior to working for the Forest Service he was a ranch hand and later manager of a 200 square mile mountain ranch for a total of 14 years. Eventually he became owner of an all but road less public lands permit ranch for 10 years where any equipment or feed had to be packed on horses and mules.

SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 24

“FORT BAYARD DAYS” with the Fort Bayard Days living history interpreters and THE STORY OF FORT BAYARD FROM 1866-2005 presentation with historian Dale Giese. FORT BAYARD HISTORICAL SOCIETY LIVING HISTORY INTERPRETERS, in period dress, will perform the lives and demonstrate the skills and crafts of the soldiers, soldier wives, mountain men, etc. from the historical days of Fort Bayard-late 1800’s, the time of the Apache Wars. Come witness their impersonations of these early settlers and soldiers from New Mexico’s history! Call the Monument for location and time.

THE STORY OF FORT BAYARD 1866-2005-Historian, Dale Giese will discuss the duties and the life of the soldiers at this military post and their role in helping to settle southwestern New Mexico. Presentation will be held at the visitor center’s museum. Call for time.

Dale Giese-Received his Phd. in history from the University of New Mexico in 1969. His dissertation was titled, “ A Social History of Fort Union”. He was a historian and Supervisory Historian for the U. S. National Park Service from 1958-1966. Professor Giese most recently taught at Western New Mexico University from 1980-2000. He is the author of: My Life with the Army in the West, Echoes of the Bugle-Forts of New Mexico, and is a co-author of Boots and Saddles Study: The Historic Significance of Seven Military Forts in New Mexico to name but a few publications that he has authored. He has also been, or is, involved with the New Mexico Humanities Council, the National Historical Publications and Records Commission, the Council on America’s Military Past, the New Mexico Council for the Promotion of History and the Fort Bayard Historic Preservation Society as a Board Member from 1999 to the present.

SATURDAY, OCTOBER 1

FALL MIGRATION BIRD WALK with David Beatty and KID’S BIRD WALK with Tricia Hurley. FALL MIGRATION BIRD WALK-for adults only. He will lead a short bird-sighting trip along the West Fork of the Gila River and the adjacent trail into drier terrain. “We can expect to see National Monument winter residents, migrating bird species from points farther north, and perhaps some lingering species who have yet to fly south for the winter. We will meet at the Gila Cliff Dwellings National Monument trailhead. This trip should take no more than one and a half hours. Bring bottled water or juice for refresh yourself.” Please wear good walking shoes, sun hat, sunscreen, etc. Call the Monument for the time.

David Beatty is a Southwestern New Mexico Audubon Society board member and a trip leader for Audubon hikes and tours.

BEGINNING BIRDWATCHING FOR KIDS-Tricia Hurley will talk about what makes a bird a bird, demonstrating their unique adaptations with feathers, nests, feet and beaks. Books, photographs and a fun activity will accompany the talk. We will then discuss the techniques of bird watching and will conclude with a bird walk in which the children will learn to use their eyes and ears. Children should dress in layers as it will be cold in the morning and will warm up for the walk--bring sunscreen, a hat and walking shoes. Clothing should not be bright colored and please wear "quiet" outfits. If possible bring binoculars and a bird book. Children must have water and a snack for this event. We will meet at 9:00 am at the Gila Cliff Dwellings picnic table area near the bridge at the trailhead to the cliff dwellings. Parents who wish to join David Beatty's bird watcing walk may drop their children off here and pick them up at 10:30 as well (we will wait with children at the picnic tables until parents return from David's bird walk). Children under 5 must be accompanied by an adult.

Please call Monument for time and the particular requirements of this activity.

Tricia Hurley is the Education Chair for the Southwest New Mexico Audubon Society, a mother of two toddlers, an avid birdwatcher, wildlife biologist and an environmental educator.

SATURDAY, OCTOBER 15

SPOOKY DAYS (afternoon presentation) & SPOOKY NIGHTS (full moon campfire presentation) with NM ghost story writer, Antonio Garcez. Come join us to listen to the extraordinary firsthand accounts of New Mexico’s very own distinctive ghost stories that Antonio has collected in the villages, towns and Native American pueblos. There will be two readings-the first will be held on the Gila Cliff Dwellings’ porch at noon and the second one will be at a campfire @ Forks campground starting at dusk. Wear appropriate warm clothing for this October evening event, bring a thermos of a hot beverage and bring a lawn chair. Campfire storytelling starts at dusk. This event will be held at the time of the “almost” full moon. (One day shy!) Be prepared to be spooked!

Antonio Garcez graduated with a B.A. degree from California State University at Northridge, attended Graduate school at the University of Wisconsin. Antonio resides, and continues to write from, his home in New Mexico.

SUNDAY, OCTOBER 16

WOLVES! Wolf Awareness Week begins. Wolf presentation with Melissa Woolf (US Fish & Wildlife biologist) and a MUSICAL PERFORMANCE with singer/songwriter/poet George Page. WOLVES!-This power-point presentation will discuss an overview of the Mexican Wolf Recovery Program, which will include some basic biology of the Mexican Wolf, history of its eradication in the southwest, history and current status of the captive breeding program, the reintroduction program-challenges, release techniques, field techniques, and its current status. Presentation will be held at the visitor center’s museum. Call Monument for time.

Melissa Woolf was born and raised in Truth or Consequences, New Mexico. She has a degree in biology from Northland College in Ashland, Wisconsin. She volunteered during the construction phase with the Ladder Ranch Wolf Management facility in fall of 1997 and was hired by Turner Endangered Species Fund shortly afterward. Melissa’s primary duty is the management of the facility and caretaker of the wolves. She also assists with the program’s field activities, assists with the recovery work at the Sevilleta Wolf Management Facility, and assists with other various recovery tasks.

MUSICAL PERFORMANCE-Come join us to hear singer/songwriter/poet George Pages songs to the wildness! This performance will be give at the Monument’s visitor center preceding the Mexican Wolf presentation.

George Page-Please refer to August 27 & 28 events.

SATURDAY, OCTOBER 29

IT’S ALL ABOUT STARS! Astronomy evening with NMSU Astronomy Department. The Gila Wilderness is one of the best places to view stars! “Clear sky” is one of the definitions given to our October evenings. New Mexico Sate University’s Graduate students will treat us to a very special chance to observe our beautiful universe. A slide presentation will begin the evening, followed by telescope viewing. Slide presentation will be held in the museum about an hour before dark. Telescope viewing starts at dusk. Dress warmly and bring your binoculars! Call the Monument for actual start time.

SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 6

OPEN HOUSE-book signing (author TBA) and a musical performance with George Page. This will be held at the Monument’s visitor center and visitor center parking lot. Call Monument for time.

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