INTERPRETIVE TALKS

Discussing the incredible natural world that surrounds us in Grand Canyon is our passion. On any given day during your trip, you will receive information in a variety of formats:

Group Interpretive Talks – a presentation for the whole group, sometimes in the morning after the boats are loaded but before breaking camp and sometimes on-site at an attraction site

On-river – during the day while you are riding on-river, your guide will be covering a variety of information including animal life, geology, hydrology, archeology, etc.

On side canyon explorations – Our hikes take us through geological formations, climatic and vegetation zones of interest or to archeological sites. These are great opportunities to learn from your guides about what you are seeing.

Night time is a good time for stories of human interest such as early river runners and settlers, myths and legends of pre-historic peoples and modern day native Americans, star talks, and points of interests along the river that we saw that day or will see the next day.

"We learned a lot about geology, flora and fauna." - Madeline Malovany

"Everyone was very intelligent about the canyon and nature." - Kristen Thomas

A short list of the canyon’s interpretive topics includes: Geology and climate, Botany, Human History, Birds and other Wildlife, Water and Resource Management Issues, etc.

Botany
Canyon plant communities are surprisingly diverse, varying from the high desert assemblages found in the upper canyon, through upper Sonoran, to lower Sonoran/Mojave Desert assemblages seen near the end of a trip. Life zones dependent on elevation and exposure reveal much of interest as one climbs in or out. Identification of "exotic" species illustrates how man has changed the canyon environment over the last 120 years or so.

Identifying uses of native plants by pre-historic inhabitants greatly enhances our understanding and appreciation of these people's lives.

Geology and climate in concert, are the two fundamental influences in creation of the Grand Canyon. The canyon reveals one of the most complete geologic records covering the entire second half of Earth's history. This illustrates the processes evident in the canyon’s formation. At a minimum, discussion will include identification of major geologic formations, their rock types, their environments of deposition or mechanism of formation, and their significance in the story of Grand Canyon.

Human History in Grand Canyon
The Canyon was occupied by prehistoric peoples beginning with Paleo-Indian use (split-twig figurines, (4 K yr. to 3 K yr. B.P.), Basket Maker Periods "I", II, and III, Hisatsinom (Anasazi Pueblo) periods P-I through P-III, and the ancestral Pai groups of the western canyon.

When visiting archeological sites in Grand Canyon, your guides will be familiar with evidence indicating which group(s), the time(s) of occupation and abandonment, and plausible reasons for abandonment. Also of interest are diet, farming methods, physical stature, life expectancy, architectural styles, ceramic and lithic characteristics, etc. of these prehistoric groups.

Relationships of prehistoric groups to contemporary peoples of the region (Hopi, Zuni, Paiute, Hualapai, Havasupai, and Navajo) may be discussed with legends, myths, and religious beliefs of these modern groups tying these to the ancients of the canyon.

The story of discovery by and influence of early European contact (Spanish explorers, missionaries to the pueblos, etc.) is also an interesting chapter.

The modern history of river running in Grand Canyon includes the initial exploration by Powell through the early expeditions (Stanton, Stone/Galloway, Holstrom, Nevills, etc.) to the advent of inflatable craft and modern boats. Characters such as Jacob Hamblin, Bert Loper, Capt. John T. Hance, W.W. Bass, etc made history into great stories!

Wildlife
Herons and birds of prey (including osprey, red tail hawks, kestrels) may be sighted flying up and down river over the boats; ravens can be seen overhead, reflected against the canyon walls, or in camp trying to make mischief. The canyon wren’s melodious song can be heard as you float through quiet stretches of calm water. Sharp eyes may spot beaver working along the shoreline or making trips across the river in narrow places.

Wild turkey and deer may be seen eating grasses along the shoreline as we float by. A group of bighorn sheep, whether they are jumping from rock to rock as they move downstream or sleeping in the shade, is among the most exciting of animal sitings. Signs of ringtail cats are often spotted in camp.

Multi-colored reptiles are commonly sited in camp or on hikes.

Habitat and ecology information greatly enhances discussions and sightings (e.g. concentration of bald eagles at Nankoweap Creek due to spawning trout introduced into river below Glen Canyon dam; rebound in population of bighorn sheep after removal of exotic burros, etc).

BOOKS & WEBSITES TO REVIEW PRE-TRIP

BOOKS (listed below) --- WEBSITES - CLICK HERE

The Anasazi - Ambler, J. Richard 1977. Museum of Northern Arizona, Flagstaff, Arizona.

Hiking the Grand Canyon - Annerino, John. 1986. Sierra Club Books, San Francisco.

A Sketch of Grand Canyon Prehistory - Jones, A. Trinkle and Euler, Robert C. 1979. Grand Canyon Natural History Association.

There's This River: Grand Canyon Boatman Stories Sadler, Christa (editor). 1994. Red Lake Books, Flagstaff, Arizona

The Colorado River in Grand Canyon; a Comprehensive Guide to Its Natural and Human History - Stevens, Larry. 1983. Red Lake Books, Flagstaff, Arizona.
NOTE: This is very good, water-resistant, guide. Each passenger will receive a complimentary copy of this guide at the orientation before the trip.

Breaking Into The Current: Boatwomen of the Grand Canyon - Teal, Louise. 1994. The University of Arizona Press, Tucson, Arizona and London.

Exploration of the Colorado River and Its Canyons - Powell, J.W. 1873. Dover Publications Inc. New York

A Field Guide to the Grand Canyon - Whitney, Stephen. 1982. Quill, New York.

MINIMUM IMPACT PRACTICES

We practice no trace camping being careful to leave beaches, camping sites, and other places we visit cleaner than we found them and to protect the environment in other ways by avoiding multiple-trailing. We meet or exceed all NPS backcountry rules:

• All trash is carried out of the Canyon
• We survey our campsites and cook areas carefully for microtrash and foodscraps
• Camping, cooking, and eating practices minimize the amount of food scraps or liquid food waste that enters the sandy beach system (e.g., we place tarps under the food prep table and under the “can smasher” and recycling bags)
• Side stream habitats are protected, and backcountry rules are followed on all hikes. No soap is allowed in, or near the confluence of, side streams.
• All fires are contained in a raised fire pan, so as not to scorch the beach sand.
• Our experienced guides lead all group hikes to minimize multiple trailing and make sure people do not set up sleeping areas in the fragile desert zones to minimize human impacts to the environment.
• Guides also educate clients about the federal laws and regulations prohibiting disturbance or removal of archaeological remains on federal lands and other archaeological site etiquette.
  

"Very attentive to details of cleanliness, protecting environment, archeology site and explained the reasons why." - Michael Bentzien

RECYCLING

It is our goal to consciously manage our waste following the most environmentally sound practices feasible. We seek to reduce the overall amount of waste we produce and to ensure that all recyclables are properly processed. All employees are made aware of this waste management plan and receive training in its implementation. The following processes are used on and off river to ensure proper waste management.

Reduction: Washable mugs, plates and utensils are used on-river as well as in the office/warehouse kitchen negating paper use/trash. We buy food and supplies “in bulk” whenever possible to minimize packaging waste. When packing the food for our trips, our food coordinator packs only the quantities necessary and removes as much outer packaging as possible. In the office we reuse paper until it has printed material on both sides then it is recycled.

Recycling: Paper recycling containers are located near each office workstation. The office commissary is equipped with separate containers for trash and for recycling aluminum, tin, plastic and paper. The warehouse is equipped with a multi-container recycling system. On-river, recyclable materials are separated from our other solid waste, transported back to the warehouse, and then deposited in the large recycling bin in our back parking lot.

THE GRAND CANYON CONSERVATION FUND

The Grand Canyon Conservation Fund is a 501(c)(3) non-profit public charity established in 1988 and managed by a group of the Grand CanyonÕs licensed river outfitters. Each year, roughly seventy percent of all professionally outfitted river trip passengers donate $1 per each day of their river trip to the Grand Canyon Conservation Fund. In turn, this money is awarded in the form of grants to other non-profit conservation groups and those working to provide access to backcountry outdoor experiences for those with physical and socioeconomic challenges. The Grand Canyon Conservation Fund does not award grants to individuals or for-profit corporations. The Grand Canyon Conservation Fund is managed wholly by volunteers. Administrative costs are less than two-tenths of one percent per year. That means over 99.8% of all donations go directly to protecting and conserving the Grand Canyon and providing access to those who would not otherwise have the opportunity to share in the Grand Canyon river experience. All donations made to the Grand Canyon Conservation Fund are fully tax deductible as chartable giving. Internal Revenue Service documents granting the Grand Canyon Conservation Fund its tax exempt status as a non-profit public charity are available for public inspection at 119 E. Terrace Avenue, Suite A, Flagstaff, Arizona during normal business hours.

OUR GREENING PROGRAM

From owners down to our guides, we are dedicated to the thorough implementation, review/improvement, and careful management of our Greening Program. Our goal of “protect Grand Canyon, buy green, minimize consumption, reuse, and recycle” is built into every decision we make. We "put our money where our mouth is," and our long-range plans and budgets reflect our desire to minimize the impact to our environment and the depletion of our natural resources. We meet, exceed, and continue to improve upon the environmental requirements for our on river operations.

We research areas where we can improve our Greening Program on an on-going basis. Areas of possible improvement include: advancements in recycled paper options for our brochure including non-tree “papers” made from Kenuf or Hemp; installation and use of solar panels and an inverter; green cleaning products for the river toilet cleaning; and working with our vendors and outside service providers to review and encourage their “green” practices.

Canyon Explorations/Expeditions prioritizes buying and using environmentally responsible products, fixtures, appliances, and systems in all areas of our operations (office, warehouse and on-river). We also pay attention to packaging and seek to minimize waste in this area. Area managers are asked to conduct ongoing research to improve and grow the list of green items procured. The current list of green items procured is as follows:

• Natural beef/chicken (no hormones or antibiotics)
• Preservative-free GORP (trail mix)
• Shade grown coffee (consumed in office and promoted to our customers—available for purchase—as well)
• Recycled toilet paper and paper towels (office/warehouse and on-river)
• Green dishwasher soap (office only)
• Green cleaning products (office only)
• Cleaning service has been told to use non-toxic, environmentally friendly products in our facility
• Retread tires are used for the rear set on company trucks, and when front tires are replaced (with new), the old casings are sold to be reused.
• Recycled paper for photocopier and printers
• Energy efficient light fixtures and light bulbs
• Washable mugs, plates and utensils negating paper use/trash
• Brochure always printed on recycled paper
• Recycled copy machine paper
• Energy efficient copy machine and other office machines and computers (most are ENERGY STAR rated)
• Reusable coffee machine filters

Here are a few of the more specific ways we minimize our impact to the environment:

Energy & Water Use Audits: We conduct recurrent in-house audits of our energy and water use in conjunction with outside contractor/specialists such as the local utility company, Architectural and Environmental Associates, and Northern AZ Wind and Sun.

Energy Conservation Measures: Our recent assessments have identified a number of areas where we could make our facility more energy efficient, and we have installed: thermal pane windows, programmable thermostats, additional insulation in walls and crawl space, new insulated steel doors, downdraft fans in the warehouse for use in winter months, newer, more efficient fluorescent lights, new environmentally sensitive energy efficient freezer, energy efficient office machines, and more.

Water Conservation Measures: We are very aware that reducing water consumption also reduces wastewater/graywater. We improved our pressure washing system (new machine and concrete slab and washing table) for a 33% reduction in washing time. In the office, we recently replaced the toilets with new 1.6 gallons-per-flush (low-volume) ones; and we had the hot water system re-plumbed in order to get hot water to higher demand areas faster to reduce faucet running-time. We also purchased dishwashers for our office and warehouse kitchens to cut down on dish washing water consumption as well as wastewater over the old hand-washing process.

Green Procurement: We prioritize buying and using environmentally responsible products, fixtures, appliances, and systems in all areas of our operations (office, warehouse and on-river). We also pay attention to packaging and seek to minimize waste in this area and buy in bulk if at all possible. Area managers are asked to conduct ongoing research to improve and grow the list of green items procured. Funds have been set aside to meet company goals, and long range planning and budgeting also reflects our commitment to the environment. Our current procurement list includes: natural beef/chicken (no hormones or antibiotics); preservative-free GORP (trail mix); shade-grown coffee (consumed on-river, in office, and promoted to our customers.

Waste Management: Our #1 priority in this area is to reduce the overall amount of waste we produce and to ensure that all possible recyclable materials are properly processed. All of us (management, office staff, on-river employees, and volunteers) are aware of our waste management plan and receive training in its implementation. To that end, washable mugs, plates and utensils are used in the office/warehouse and on-river; we use up both sides of our office paper before recycling it; recycling containers are within easy access in office, kitchen, and warehouse; and on-river waste is separated into trash and recyclable materials and brought back to town for proper disposal.

PLEASE LEAVE YOUR TECHNOLOGY AT HOME

Please leave your technology at home. Your trip in Grand Canyon presents a unique opportunity to be in a wilderness setting, away from the distractions of phones, cars, traffic, and work stresses. The opportunity and time to think differently about ourselves and our life issues is created. In our efforts to preserve a technology free environment on these wilderness trips, Canyon Explorations/Expeditions prohibits the use of satellite phones, radios and laptops on our trips.

ABOUT MOTORS

A few Canyon Explorations/Expeditions guests have questioned the appropriateness of motorized rafts in the Grand Canyon. We respond that for every two motorized rafts that pass their CanX oar trip in a matter of minutes (usually never to be seen again), were motorized rafts banned, those same folks could be accommodated only by using eight oar rafts, which our oar trip would bump into off and on for several days, or even for the entire remainder of our trip. We believe that motorized rafts actually enhance the quality of our oar trips by reducing the incident of group contact. Today, three out of four professionally outfitted Grand Canyon river visitors choose a motorized raft trip. Motor outfitters have converted to quiet four stroke motors. Motor trips are selected as a preference for a majority of the public for reasons including very young family members, concerns about or fear of the white water, and time/trip length. Despite this preference by much of the public for the shorter motor trips and the actual reduction in visitor contact that the motorized rafts allow, some people want to ban all motorized trips through the Grand Canyon, replacing them with significantly fewer and longer oar trips in order to keep the attendant increase in group contact manageable. This would result in a severe cut back in public access and would limit your ability own ability to visit the canyon on an oar trip with Canyon Explorations/Expeditions.

THE NATIONAL PARK SERVICE

Coming Soon

WATER LEVELS & DAM OPERATIONS

Coming Soon