Minutes for Meeting of 02-07-2001

Hello Ramblers!

GENERAL ANNOUNCEMENTS:

1.) Important: Unless otherwise announced, the meeting place for departures for all hikes is behind the Park Student Center, in the parking lot.

2.) Future hiking club meetings, for the spring semester, will continue to be held in the Forbes building, Room 307.

3.) For information about the club, hikes, and meeting places, check out our website: http://www.biocom.arizona.edu/ramblers

4.) Andy Flach's awesome Tucson Hiking Guide website is going to be moved from AZStarNet (which is shutting down) to the Sierra Club's site. It may take several weeks before it's fully operational. His site consists of detailed descriptions (directions, miles, difficulty, pictures) of many popular hikes in the ranges surrounding Tucson.

5.) FYI: The Tucson Gem Show (probably one of the year's biggest events, and the biggest gem show in the world) going on from Feb 8th-11th, $5.50 for admission. Check out all the pretty rocks at the TCC. Also, Loretta is interested in going to the show on Saturday, and if anyone else is interested in going to the show with her, contact her at llp2877@yahoo.com or (520)-977-3442.

PAST HIKES:

1.) Liz went on a hike up Agua Caliente Peak.

2.) Steve Nicolosi hiked up Ragged Top Peak on Robbie's Trip on Saturday.

3.) Steve Nicolosi hiked up Bear Canyon in the Santa Catalinas on Sunday.

4.) Steve Nicolosi went on Steve Newcomb's hike on the Dave Yetman Trail in the Tucson Mountains.

5.) Loretta went on a hike on the Soldier Trail in the Santa Catalinas on Sunday.

6.) Hanna went on Steve Newcomb's ski trip on Saturday to Hanagan Meadows. They spent the night at the hot well near Thatcher and also went to Roper Lake, where there are good birding spots.

7.) Wolfgang attended a film-photo-shoot in Saguaro National Park West on Saturday and went to the Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum on Sunday.

FUTURE HIKES:

1.) Liz is planning a trip to the Superstition Mountains for this weekend (February 10/11). The plan is flexible, depending upon the interest, if it would be an over night car camping trip or just involve day hiking. It is important to RSVP Liz at enc40@hotmail.com

2.) Loretta is planning a day hike in the Pinaleno Mountains on Sunday (2/11/2001) @ 7:00AM. The hike will be in Grant Creek Canyon in the Pinaleno Mountains and is rated "B". Contact Loretta at llp2877@yahoo.com or (520)-977-3442.

3.) Loretta is seeking volunteers to help out in the Saguaro NP East for half a day. The date for the volunteer work is Sunday, February 18, 2001. The Ramblers did this in the past and found it very rewarding. Possible tasks include:

a) Exotic Plant Removal

b) Trail Brushing (basically giving the trail a haircut), some trails that need this are the Douglas Spring Trail, The Three Tanks Trail, and the Bajada Vista Trail (some might be in Saguaro West too.)

c) Fence removal.

Contact Loretta at llp2877@yahoo.com or (520)-977-3442.

4.) Liz is organizing a trip to northern Arizona and the Grand Canyon, which is during the spring break. Updates are presented here:

The Grand Canyon portion of my Spring Break trip (March 15th, 16th, and 17th on the Bright Angel and South Kaibab trails) is currently full. However, if you are interested, I can start a waiting list in the event of a cancellation. Additionally, you are welcome to join me for the rest of my trip, which will include an overnight in the Painted Desert area of the Petrified Forest National Park and other sites (specifics TBD and I'll consider suggestions) in Northern Arizona and possibly Eastern New Mexico. Just make sure you have a way to get back to Tucson before the Grand Canyon trip.

Liz

If interested, contact Liz at enc40@hotmail.com

5.) Kevin Harper is planning a Spring Break Trip:

Anyone interested in hiking, backpacking, and canoeing Big Bend NP over Spring Break???? I have a few vacancies to be filled. We'll be leaving on Saturday, March 10th (AM) and returning Sunday, March 18th (PM). I have room for one (with gear) in my car. Any others will have to provide transportation. Looking forward to hearing back from you.

Thanks,

Kevin Harper

If interested, contact Kevin at keeve@aol.com or (520)-417-2632.

6.) Steve Newcomb's trip to Paria Canyon in May is full, but send him your name to get on a waiting list if interested (see Jan 24th minutes for details). Trips planned this far in advance often have several cancellations. sanewcomb@yahoo.com

ANNOUNCEMENT: BACKPACK FOR SALE

Loretta is selling a new external frame backpack for $50.00. Contact Loretta at llp2877@yahoo.com or (520)-977-3442, if you are interested in buying a backpack.

ANNOUNCEMENT CONCERNING RAMBLERS T-SHIRTS

Ramblers T-shirts are still available! The shirts look great! They are made with Hanes preshrunk cotton. They are natural (a light tan) with dark brown print. The design on the back is an accurate drawing of a hiker's boots with cholla cactus segments stuck to it. On the front upper left, it has printed: RAMBLERS HIKING CLUB, with a list of seven important uses for the shirt in case of an emergency. There are 3 sizes available: 6 mediums, 12 Large, and 6 Extra Large. They are only $7 a shirt. Place your order to reserve you shirt by making payment to our Treasurer Eric: shiers@ag.arizona.edu Phone: 791-0232. NOTE: Old T-shirts are also available at a discounted price of $5.00 OBO.

ANNOUNCEMENT: PAID SUMMER INTERN POSITION

Anyone want to apply for a *dream* job for over the summer? (Note: it is limited to graduate students and u/grads going into their senior year.)

Cheers,

Matt.

*** *** *** *** *** *** ***
Grand Canyon National Park Foundation
Eugene Polk Science Fellowship Program
Position Announcement: Summer 2001

The Grand Canyon National park foundation is please to announce the
establishment of a new science fellowship program at the Grand Canyon
national park in recognition of the contributions and leadership of Eugene
P. Polk, Chair Emeritus of the Foundation.

Interns selected for this years' fellowship program will spend ten weeks on
the North Rim of the Grand Canyon working with NPS staff under the
supervision of Dr. Jeffery Cross, Director, Grand Canyon National Park.

Two projects have been initially deigned as part of this year's science
fellowship program: Mountain Lion/Human Interactions and Non-Native Plant
Monitoring and Control. The Grand Canyon National Park Foundation is
currently seeking applicants to fill the summer staff position for these
two assignments.

Internship Award Amount: $4000.00
Internship Dates: June 4th- August 12th, 2001

Free "dorm style" housing will be provided to interns at the Grand Canyon
North Rim.

Application Procedure:

Deadline: All applications must be received by March 1, 2001.
Candidates should be graduate student or students about to enter their
senior year as an undergraduate. Candidates should submit a detailed letter
with information regarding their experience, interests, educational
background, and suitability for this special internship. This should be
accompanied by two letters of recommendation from university faculty
advisors or mentors who have in-depth familiarity with the candidate's
work.

Applications should be mailed to:
The Eugene Polk Science Fellowship Committee
C/O The Grand Canyon National Park Foundation
23 East Fine Avenue
Flagstaff, AZ 86001

Initial selection decisions will be made no later than April 1, 2001. Final
decisions will be announced by May 15, 2001. All candidates will receive
notification of the outcome of their application. Please stop by The Honors
College for more information.

ANNOUNCEMENT CONCERNING JOBS IN THE GIS/GPS FIELD:

If you have questions about these jobs, see the contact info at the bottom.

Colorado State Parks
Summer Position Announcement
November 21, 2000

Colorado State Parks is hiring several term positions for the Resource
Inventory and Stewardship project and the Metro Region Weed Initiative. The
overall goal of the Resource Inventory project is to inventory the natural
resources at eight Colorado state parks per year, map all resources using
GPS and GIS, train park staff in GIS as a planning tool, and write detailed
natural resource stewardship plans for each park. All positions are
temporary or appropriate as internships.  More qualified applicants may
also be eligible for longer term contract work.  Positions are open until
filled.

GIS technician - Applicant should be skilled in Arcview and have some
experience with ARCINFO. Work will be 100% in the office and would involve
gathering and setting up base data for our next round of park inventories
(orthos, topos, trails, infrastructure, boundaries). An interest in natural
resources or trail experience would be a plus. Desired start date: ASAP
(open until filled). Term: 6 month temporary. Pay rate: 12.00/hr or
commensurate with experience.

GIS/boundary surveying technician - Applicant should be skilled in AutoCAD
and/or Arcview. Working knowledge of ArcInfo and MS Access Database
helpful.   Experience with surveying or classes in surveying highly
desirable. This position may involve field trips to beautiful state parks
throughout Colorado to GPS property corners. A valid driver's license is
required and experience with 4x4 vehicles would be helpful. This position
involves compiling deed information on park boundaries, COGOing boundary
information in AutoCAD, performing adjustment to fit GPS data and GCDB land
grid information, then exporting to Arcview and working in Arcview tables
and MS Access to fill out other parceling information. An interest in
natural resources would be a plus. Desired start date: ASAP (open until
filled). Term: 6 month temporary. Pay rate: 12.50/hr or commensurate with
experience.

Field assessment team - Soils, Geology and Hydrology. Applicants should
have experience in the field preferably in Colorado with soils, geology and
hydrology. Bachelor's or Master's degree in physical science preferred.
This position would involve working with a team to assess the natural
resource conditions on the parks and make recommendations for maintaining
resources.  Ability to recognize problems in terms of erosion, flooding,
some knowledge of geologic instability and ability to recognize Colorado's
geologic formations and soil types. Some understanding of water quality
issues and reservoirs water rights also helpful. Field work will involve
data collection (using GPS units) of wetlands, erosive areas on trails and
shorelines with observation and reporting of conditions and resource
degradation issues. Working knowledge of Arcview GIS also a plus. Preferred
start date: Jan 15, 2000. Term: 6 months.  Pay rate: 11.50/hr or
commensurate with experience.

Weed management plan writing - Applicants should have experience
identifying plants and managing weeds or writing weed plans, preferably in
Colorado or at least the West. Bachelor's degree in biology required,
Master's in botany or natural resource management preferred. This position
will involve writing plans for several Metro region parks where
combinations of mechanical means, biocontrols and revegetation will be used
to control weeds. Complete GIS inventories exist for these parks so
applicant must be willing and able to learn Arcview GIS in order to obtain
information and create maps for the weed plans.  Some field work to map
state noxious weeds and some significant plant communities on state park
lands (using GPS units) may be possible. Plant ID experience required.
Start date: ASAP (open until filled), Term: 6 months as employee or
possible longer term contract work. Pay rate commensurate with experience.

Weed mapping/GIS seasonal - Position mapping noxious weeds in the metro
area and assisting with control efforts. This would involve working with at
several state parks in the Denver Metro area, collecting information on
weeds using a Trimble GPS unit, and assisting staff with tracking control
efforts in Arcview GIS. Experience with Arcview GIS or at least very good
experience with MS Excel and MS access required. Plant ID skills required.
Experience with Colorado's exotic and native flora is highly recommended.
Start date: Between April 1 and May 8, 2001. Term: 6 months. Pay rate:
11.00/hr or commensurate with experience.

For all positions, please email a cover letter (state which position,
availability date to start, hourly pay rate desired), and a  resume, as
well as references - 3 minimum, previous supervisor, academic reference and
personal (co-worker or previous employee). Send email with attachments (MS
word docs that have been VIRUS SCANNED if possible) to
. If absolutely necessary, you could also fax
information to 303-866-3206 marked Attn: Rob Billerbeck, but email is
preferred. Positions open until filled - interviewing between December,
2000 and May 2001.

If anyone wants to post additional announcements for any hikes, etc., please feel free to use the listserve. Meanwhile, keep Rambling!

Wolfgang