Arizona Strip: Free Interagency Brown Bag Lecture Series features tales of four wheel drive adventures, holiday music and more
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ST. GEORGE, Utah - Every Friday, from October through April, the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) and its partners host the popular Brown Bag Lecture series which provides unique opportunities for members of the public to learn more about the area’s natural resources and public lands. Speakers include geologists, range specialists, biologists, archaeologists, rangers and other specialists who cover subjects tied to the Arizona Strip and surrounding public lands. For those who want to learn more before venturing out or are curious about these remote and rugged landscapes, the lectures are an excellent way to bring the resources and related issues to the community’s doorstep.
The lectures, which begin at noon and last one hour, are held at the Interagency Information Center, located at 345 E. Riverside Drive in St. George, Utah. Admission is free, but space is limited for this popular lecture series. Attendees are advised to reserve their free seating early; tickets are available one week prior to each program. To obtain tickets visit the Interagency Information Center or call (435)688-3200 for more information.
The lecture series is sponsored by the Dixie/Arizona Strip Interpretive Association, BLM, National Park Service and U.S. Forest Service.
Dec. 1 — Ann McLuckie — Utah Division of Wildlife Resources — Habitat Restoration in the Red Cliffs Desert Reserve
The Red Cliffs Desert Reserve is administered by Washington County in coordination with the Bureau of Land Management (BLM), United States Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS), Utah Department of Natural Resources (DNR), and State of Utah School and Institutional Trust Lands Administration (SITLA). This collaborative partnership has the primary goal of recovering the threatened desert tortoise while carefully managing recreational activities and utility projects in an extraordinarily unique environment that will benefit future generations.
Dec. 8 – Tara Thompson — Dixie Four Wheel Drive
Southwest Utah’s popularity as a highly-sought, off-road vehicle destination continues to grow. Tara Thompson with one of the regions’ off road clubs, Dixie 4 Wheel Drive, will share a wide variety of exciting off-road routes available to explore in Utah and on the Arizona Strip.
Dec. 15 — Diana Hawks and Gloria Bullets Benson —Visit with Respect
Retired BLM Archaeologist Diana Hawks and BLM Tribal Liaison Gloria Bullets Benson will discuss the simple practices visitors can observe to visit cultural and scientific sites including cliff dwellings, rock art sites, dinosaur fossils and historic structures respectfully. Join us to learn more about Leave No Trace ethics that when practiced, help to preserve these sites for present and future generations to continue to enjoy observing them.
Dec. 22—Keith Behunin and the Fertile Dirt Band
Don’t miss this wonderful holiday event! Behunin’s interactive bluegrass band employs the use of old time musical instruments making this event one of the most entertaining ways to ring in the holidays and share a lot of cheer. Audiences are encouraged to take part in recreating “pioneer music” by strumming washboards and a washtub bass, ringing spoons and cow bells, tooting jugs, and bending saws—the sounds of which have not been heard for 150 years. Fun takes precedence over aural (of the ear) sensuousness!
Dec. 29—No lecture. Happy Holidays!
-BLM-
The BLM manages more than 245 million acres of public land located primarily in 12 western states, including Alaska, on behalf of the American people. The BLM also administers 700 million acres of sub-surface mineral estate throughout the nation. Our mission is to sustain the health, diversity, and productivity of America’s public lands for the use and enjoyment of present and future generations.