On Friday, May 18, 2012, Grand Canyon National Park will celebrate Endangered Species Day in recognition of the national conservation effort to protect our nation’s endangered species and their habitats.  Then, on Saturday, May 19, the celebration will continue as the park hosts its 5th annual Celebrate Wildlife Day.  This event provides opportunities for visitors to learn about the work of wildlife biologists and about the unique wildlife that inhabits Arizona and the Grand Canyon area.

The celebrations begin on Friday (May 18) with a chance to meet park botanists at the Grand Canyon Visitor Center to learn more about ongoing endangered species recovery efforts.  There will also be a free, special program presented by Grand Canyon’s Vegetation Program Manager Lori Makarick that will focus on National Park Service efforts to protect the endangered sentry milk-vetch.  On Saturday (May 19), the park will Celebrate Wildlife Day with free indoor and outdoor programs, children’s activities, exhibits, and live animal demonstrations available throughout the day at the Grand Canyon Visitor Center from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Each day’s activities will conclude with a special evening program.

Friday’s evening program, Stayin’ Alive, will be presented by Ranger Jack Howell and will focus on endangered species found at Grand Canyon; and Saturday‘s evening program, about desert big horn sheep, will be presented by Zen Mocarski of the Arizona Game and Fish Department.  Evening programs take place at 7:30 p.m., at the Shrine of the Ages auditorium, and are also free of charge.  Visitors attending these programs may either park in lot A or ride the Village / Blue Route shuttle.

Celebrate Wildlife Day is made possible through the collaborative efforts of the National Park Service; Grand Canyon Association; Arizona Game and Fish Department,  including Adobe Mountain Wildlife Center; Grand Canyon Unified School District; Xanterra Parks and Resorts; and Delaware North Companies Parks and Resorts.

In addition to Endangered Species Day and Celebrate Wildlife Day festivities, Grand Canyon will also be providing astronomer- and ranger-assisted viewing opportunities during the annular solar eclipse on Sunday, May 20.  To learn more about these opportunities, please go to http://www.nps.gov/grca/planyourvisit/annular201205.htm.

To learn more about Endangered Species Day and Celebrate Wildlife Day in Grand Canyon National Park, and to view special program schedules, please go to http://www.nps.gov/grca/naturescience/wildlife-day.htm; you may also call Supervisory Ranger Stephanie Sutton at 928-638-7783.  To learn more about visiting Grand Canyon National Park, go to www.nps.gov/grca, or call 928-638-7888.