Brad Ilg
boatman, geologist

   Educational Use in the Grand Canyon

   The popular debate between user groups on the Colorado River in the Grand Canyon focuses primarily on private vs. commercial trips (science trips not withstanding), yet there is another much smaller user group that has a stake in the discussion: the educational user group. The Grand Canyon National Park provides opportunity for such trips in the Lower Gorge via the Special Use Permit (SUP).

   Educational trips run on the "lower end" generally meet with great success. Further, the SUP application process is rigorous enough that the trips are limited to accredited public and private education facilities and other non-profits such as museums. The rigorous permitting process greatly limits abuse of the SUP. However, most of the interesting archeology, geology, and much of the biology occur upstream. Educational users would like access to the upper canyons yet the cost of a commercial trip is beyond the reach of most students and educators. Further, because most academic institutions lack the personnel to run a river trip, the private permit system is untenable. What is the foundation upon which park management is based and how would educational trips fit into the framework of park operations? Park management is based on legislation dating from as early as 1908. That body of legislation guides the park to its management goal: "to protect the natural and cultural resources of the park, while providing for the benefit and enjoyment of the people through resource-based interpretive programs …". Compliance with this statement requires the park to facilitate educational programs within the park for the public. Since interpretive staff are primarily limited to the rim, the park must rely on the river community to provide interpretive services to river trip passengers. While we recognize the hard work of individual guides who labor to advance their understanding of the natural systems of the Grand Canyon, these guides are not usually experts in Grand Canyon natural science. While interpretive programs may be the goal of the park, the river trip is generally about "fun" not education. Educational access to the river corridor would ensure that the goal of better interpretation is met. The park should designate several full canyon launches per year via the SUP. Some of the launches could even be during non-peak season so use would be spread out and no one would be losing user days. Many Grand Canyon natural science experts would enjoy the opportunity to teach their expertise on the river. A SUP for river trips in the eastern Grand Canyon would provide a direct link between the public and scientists working in the Grand Canyon. President Theodore Roosevelt recognized the Grand Canyon as "an object of unusual scientific interest". Educational access to the Colorado River in the Eastern Grand Canyon would ensure better public understanding of that "scientific interest".