BLM-CO Archaeological and Heritage Education Partnership

Description

The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Colorado's 8.3 million acres of public lands, along with 27 million acres of mineral estate, are concentrated primarily in the western portion of the State. The lands range from alpine tundra, colorful canyons, and mesas in the southwest, to rolling sage-covered hills in the northwest. These public lands play a vital role in providing open space and contribute to Colorado's quality of life. The public lands and resources administered by the BLM are among Colorado's greatest assets, benefitting local communities and our nation. Every year, BLM-managed public lands support thousands of jobs in Colorado and draw millions of visitors. Colorado's public lands support diverse lifestyles and livelihoods on healthy and working landscapes in Colorado's backyard. BLM Colorado's National Conservation Lands encompass approximately one million acres, or one-eighth of all BLM land in the state. In addition, BLM Colorado manages the following: 1) Three national conservation areas; 2) 53 wilderness study areas; 3) Five wilderness areas; 4) One national historic trail; 5) One national scenic trail; and 6) Two national monuments. The Tres Rios Field Office (TRFO), as part of BLM Colorado, administers 679,645 acres of public land in southwest Colorado. There is also more than 300,000 acres of federal mineral estate underlying private lands (known as split estate) and mineral management on 800,000 acres of trust responsibility for tribal lands. Included in the TRFO is the archaeologically significant landscape of Canyons of the Ancients National Monument (CANM) that retains one of the densest concentration of archeological remains of any region in the United States. Archaeological and historic resources, or cultural resources, located on public lands across the TRFO are increasingly subject to damage from high rates of visitation, poor visitor ethics, vandalism, and looting. Canyons of the Ancients National Monument and Anasazi Heritage Center (CANM/AHC) protect and interpret the prehistory and heritage of Canyons of the Ancients National Monument and the Four Corners region of the United States, which encompasses New Mexico, Utah, Colorado, and Arizona. CANM seeks to collaborate with a cooperator to develop and implement an education and interpretation program based on the rich, diverse, and unique cultural resources of BLMâ¿¿s Canyons of the Ancients National Monument and the Four Corners region. The audiences for education and interpretation programs include youth, visitors to the region, and residents in the area. The programs should be adaptable to a variety of settings, including small groups, classroom and field settings, community centers, and other facilities, including the Anasazi Heritage Center. Through this funding opportunity, CANM/AHC seeks to provide archaeological opportunities through partnerships with regional educators to engage youth, visitors to public lands, residents, landowners, businesses, tribal nations, and land management agencies to preserve and protect our cultural resources.

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