During their time living in the park, the selected artist will present two programs to the public, one for Southern Utah University’s Art Insights speaker series and another at Zion Lodge.

“The works completed during this program contribute to the public understanding and appreciation of Zion National Park and reflect the National Park Service’s commitment to the preservation of cultural and natural resources,” reads the park’s website.

Artists are chosen by a jury of representatives from the Southern Utah University Department of Art and Design. Finalists are interviewed and selected based on their fit with the National Park Service’s mission.

At the end of the artist’s stay, the NPS chooses one piece of artwork representative of the opportunity. NPS takes over the piece’s copyright and rights to reproduce the work and use it in exhibits and for educational purposes. The artist keeps a royalty-free, non-exclusive use license.

For more information, email Zion_Artist_in_Residence@nps.gov or call 435-772-0184. The application can be found here.

Calling all people who can draw/paint/sculpt more than a stick figure. Zion National Park is now accepting applications for its Artist-in-Residence Program. The selected individual gets the chance to live in a remote, historic house situated on the Zion Canyon Scenic Drive for four weeks. Self-sufficient individuals who like working alone are the best candidates for this program. Artists are required to adhere to all park rules and regulations.

During their time living in the park, the selected artist will present two programs to the public, one for Southern Utah University’s Art Insights speaker series and another at Zion Lodge.

“The works completed during this program contribute to the public understanding and appreciation of Zion National Park and reflect the National Park Service’s commitment to the preservation of cultural and natural resources,” reads the park’s website.

Artists are chosen by a jury of representatives from the Southern Utah University Department of Art and Design. Finalists are interviewed and selected based on their fit with the National Park Service’s mission.

The Fine Print: At the end of the artist’s stay, the NPS chooses one piece of artwork representative of the opportunity. NPS takes over the piece’s copyright and rights to reproduce the work and use it in exhibits and for educational purposes. The artist keeps a royalty-free, non-exclusive use license.

For more information, email Zion_Artist_in_Residence@nps.gov or call 435-772-0184. The application can be found here.

More:

http://www.thespectrum.com

Snapping pictures of free-ranging cows in Utah could land you in jail. For up to a year!

According to a recent blog post from the Salt Lake Tribune, statute HB187 makes photographing livestock, orchards, and crops without the owner’s permission a Class A misdemeanor upon a first offense. Video and audio recordings are illegal as well. A committee in the Utah legislature has approved the bill, and it now awaits appraisal from the state’s House of Representatives.

What does this mean for hikers and nature lovers like you? Probably nothing. But many trails in Utah, including throughout the multiple national parks that dot the state, crisscross through public grazing land that farmers’ have leased. While the bill is focused on photos taken on private property, not public, there is some concern among outdoorspeople that the bill is too wide-reaching and might cause trouble when errant Bessie ambles into your sweeping landscape shot.

The Herald Journal website reported that the bill ultimately aims to render it more difficult to catch animal abuse allegations on video or in photographs. Animal welfare advocates dislike the bill because it will make proving their cases more difficult.  ”If an individual steps on someone else’s property and takes a picture of a horse that appears to be starving, and then provides that photograph to the authorities, that person would be in violation of this proposed law,” said a written statement from Gene Baierschmidt, executive director of the Humane Society of Utah.

Courtesy Photo

Explore Canyonlands National Park.  Examine the ruins of ancient structures at Hovenweep National Monument.  Hike to three of the world’s largest natural stone bridges at Natural Bridges National Monument.  Wonder at the size of the world’s largest natural stone bridge at Rainbow Bridge National Monument.  Play in the sparkling blue water of Glen Canyon National Recreation Area.  Learn of the Navajo culture at Monument Valley Navajo Tribal Park.  Examine ancient culture at Edge of the Cedars State Park Museum.

San Juan County is virtually an outdoor museum of ancient ruins and rock art as well as one of the last surviving locales where cowboys and girls work cattle from horseback.  Our outdoor museum is a place to discover, to excite, to enjoy, to imagine; a place to explore, stimulate, and inspire!

Courtesy Photo

Moab, the gateway Arches and Canyonlands National Parks, will surround you with the warmth and hospitality of a small resort town at the center of some of the most stunning red rock landscapes on Earth.  The town’s unique combination of beautiful red rock scenery, two national parks, and the cool waters of the Colorado River has made it one of the most sought after destinations in the American Southwest. Let Moab be your base camp for world famous mountain biking, hiking, canyoneering, four wheel driving, or river trips of any length and experience level.  For a more relaxing visit grab your camera and enjoy the scenery along Moab’s three Scenic Byways and in the nearby national and state parks.

Yes. The US Congress has designated Zion National Park as a US Fee Area. During the months of April through October travel through Zion can take up to 1-2 hours, so driving around Zion can often be quicker. Fee Exemptions are made for locals in surrounding communities who must meet certain criteria.

Why do I have to pay a tunnel escort fee?
Zion National Park charges $15 for oversized vehicles to be escorted through the Zion-Mount Carmel Highway Tunnel on Highway-9. The purpose of the fee is to offset the cost of ensuring safe passage for oversized vehicles. The Zion Tunnel has been the site of several minor and some serious and fatal vehicle accidents through the years. With the tunnel escort system in place, safety for all vehicles has improved greatly.

How many times can I go through the tunnel in my oversized vehicle for the $15 fee?
The fee is good for two trips through the tunnel with the same vehicle in a seven day period.
Do I get a discount on the tunnel fee if I have a Golden-Age/Access Passport?
No. There is no discount for Golden Age or Golden Eagle Passport holders.

What are the size limits for an oversized vehicle?
Any vehicle that is 11 feet 4 inches high or higher and 7 feet 10 inches wide or wider needs an escort. Any vehicle 13 feet high or higher cannot pass through the tunnel.
Length restrictions are 40 feet for a single vehicle and 50 feet for any vehicle combination.
This information is also listed on the back page of the 2009 Zion Summer Map and Guide. Visitors must pay for the escort at the entrance stations – not at the tunnel.

Will I be following an “escort vehicle” through the tunnel
No. Park rangers are stationed at both ends of the tunnel and will convert traffic flow to a one way direction. When it is safe for you to drive your oversize vehicles down the middle of the tunnel, rangers will allow you to proceed.
How long is the tunnel?
1.1-miles. It was completed in 1930 by the Nevada Construction Co. The project took 3-years to complete and cost $1,896,000.

What is the elevation gain up to the tunnel and how far is it from the visitor center?
The elevation gain is 800 ft. and approximately 6-miles from the visitor center.

Why are the trails paved?
To prevent erosion.

Who built the trails in the park? Was it the CCC?
The Watchman Trail and Canyon Overlook Trail were the only trails constructed by the CCC (Civilian Conservation Corps). The Watchman was completed in 1934, and Canyon Overlook in the early 1930s. Most other trails in the park were started by early settlers of the area and improved by the NPS or were built by the NPS in the 1920s.

How did they get the concrete on the trails?
The East and West Rim Trails were constructed by the NPS in the early 1920s. The trails were paved with gallons of oil (East Rim = 760 gal., West Rim = 1240 gal.) mixed with natural sand and rock chips available along the trail. The oil, tools, other materials and equipment were hauled onto the various sites by packhorse.

In 1985 extensive repair was done on the West Rim Trail from 4900 ft. through Refrigerator Canyon to the top of Angel’s Landing. The concrete for this job was hauled in by maintenance and mules from the Grotto. Walters Wiggles was resurfaced with 88 cubic yards of concrete, and the concrete for this job was hauled onto the site by helicopter. This took 258 flights. WHEW!