Now's the chance for anyone interested in becoming a SiteWatch volunteer to step up!

SiteWatch coordinator Jessica Badner would like to come to our area on Feb. 4-5 for site steward training. If you know someone that wants to be a site steward please have them call Marilyn Markel as soon as possible at 575-536-9337. Marilyn advises that we need  about 12 people to sign up to have the training. If those dates do not work SiteWatch may schedule the training for mid February or try to do a ZOOM training.

Marilyn Markel advises us that the annual SiteWatch conference is to be held on March 2, 2024, at the Los Luceros Historic Site near Santa Fe. Watch the GCAS website for details as they develop, or check with the web page for SiteWatch New Mexico.

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During 2024, the Jornada Research Institute is offering three separate archaeologically-flavored international tours. In February, it's an 11-day tour of Mayan sites of the Yucatan peninsula in Mexico. In late July, begin a tour of ancient sites in Scotland. In October, enjoy an 11-day tour of Greece and Ephesus, Turkey. Sign up early for one tour (or all three!) while space is still available.

OF SPECIAL INTEREST TO GCAS MEMBERS, JRI's President, Dave Greenwald, reports that JRI has developed a policy that allows them to donate to other nonprofit organizations whose member participates in one or more of their Overseas Journeys Programs. So, for example, JRI will donate $125.00 to the Grant County Archaeological Society for each tour participant who specifies that the GCAS should receive JRI's donation. Join a JRI tour, and you can support two nonprofits at once!

The JRI's President, Dave Greenwald, further describes the tours:

Gila National Forest Supervisor, Camille Howes, reports that her agency is working to find and hire additional staff. She explains,

The National Forests are suffering from the same ‘great resignation’ as other local businesses and government agencies over the past several years. We are looking to fill vacancies with local talent. If you or someone you know is looking for work and loves public land, reach out to learn about opportunities to make a difference in your community and enjoy a lifelong career with the Gila National Forest.

If you or someone you know loves our outdoors and wants to preserve and protect them, please contact the Gila National Forest. Start by calling or visiting the Silver City Ranger District at 575-388-8201, located at 3005 Camino del Bosque in Silver City, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday. For more information contact Maribeth Pecotte at 575-388-8211 or via email; or go directly to the Forest Service's Careers web page.

Our public lands need you!

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The GCAS is starting 2024 the right way, with three new board members and six returning board members. Please welcome Eduardo Arguello, Valerie McCaffrey, and Dena Pinson, who will join Gary Barnett, Marilyn Gendron, William Hudson, Marilyn Markel, Kathryn McCarroll, and Marianne Smith in making the policy and day to day business decisions that keep the GCAS going.

Board projects for 2024 include updating our GCAS Bylaws to better comply with current state and federal law; organizing a calendar of program speakers, field trips, and special events; and assessing how we might help other local preservation-oriented groups with their own projects. We hope 2024 is as auspicious for all our readers as it promises to be for our members. Join us as we move forward!

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