Vice President and NPS Director Visit South Rim

Vice President Joe Biden and NPS Jon Jarvis | Photo by Mike Buchheit

On July 27, Vice President Joe Biden and NPS Director Jon Jarvis paid a visit to Grand Canyon National Park to highlight a variety of park projects being funded by the Recovery Act. The visit followed a similar stop in Yellowstone National Park the day before. Together, the two parks have been allocated $25 million to create jobs and jumpstart “shovel ready” construction and maintenance projects.

With the Grand Canyon as backdrop, the dignitaries addressed a small crowd at Hopi Point under picture perfect skies. Drawing on his experience rafting through the Grand Canyon years ago, the Vice President gave an inspiring speech about the importance of public lands, and underscored the Obama administration’s commitment to preserving these lands for future generations.

About Mike Buchheit

Mike Buchheit was the director of the Grand Canyon Conservancy Field Institute for over 25 years, a professional landscape photographer and instructor, a freelance travel writer, and a popular lecturer on a wide variety of Grand Canyon-related topics. As a long-time resident, 3,000-mile hiker, and frequent river runner, the Iowa native has gained an intimate knowledge of the park that he called home.

As a long-time resident, 3,000-mile hiker, and frequent river runner, the Iowa native has gained an intimate knowledge of the park that he calls home. You can see some of his beautiful work on his Grand Canyon Prints website.