FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
January 16, 2001

JACOBSON NAMED CANYONS OF THE ANCIENTS NATIONAL MONUMENT MANAGER


DOLORES – Anasazi Heritage Center (AHC) Director LouAnn Jacobson has been named Manager of the Canyons of the Ancients National Monument.  Jacobson, who has served as Interim Monument Manager for the past six months, will also continue her responsibilities as AHC Director.  The AHC will serve as a visitor contact site for the newly designated BLM monument west of Cortez.

“I’ve spent 25 years dedicating my career to protection of cultural resources,” Jacobson says.  “Canyons of the Ancients is one of the most significant areas in the country, and I’m quite pleased to be able to move forward with management of the area.”

The monument consits of 164,000 acres of rugged backcountry with only one developed recreation facility at Lowry Pueblo, west of Pleasant View.  New interpretive and directional signs will be posted at entrance points, and at popular locations such as Lowry and Sand Canyon. Current uses in the area will continue with an added emphasis on protection of cultural and
historic resources.

Jacobson came to the AHC seven years ago from Santa Fe, where she was BLM Assistant New Mexico State Archeologist.  Before then, she was a BLM Compliance Archeologist for the Farmington Resource Area. Prior to that, acobson worked for the National Park Service in Denver, at Chaco Culture National Historical Park, and Mesa Verde National Park.  She holds degrees in anthropology from Macalester College in Minnesota and the University of New Mexico.  Her new position as Canyons of the Ancients National Monument Manager is effective immediately.

The BLM is also currently advertising openings for a law enforcement officer and supervisory lead archeologist for the Canyons of the Ancients National Monument.  For more information, contact the BLM Colorado State Human Resources Office at 303 329-3935.   The Department of the Interior is an equal opportunity employer.

Ann Bond
Public Affairs Specialist
San Juan Public Lands Center
15 Burnett Court
Durango, CO 81301
970 385-1219
abond@fs.fed.us