Valles Caldera/NPS Photo
VALLES CALDERA PRESS RELEASE
The Valles Caldera National Reserve is initiating the development of a General Management Plan, which will establish a master plan for future operations, visitor use, and the protection of park resources and values.
“We are excited to embark on this major and long overdue planning effort as it will help us achieve our vision of making Valles Caldera a premier national park destination that is welcoming to all,” the park superintendent said. , Jorge Silva-Bañuelos.
The general management plan will address the four statutory requirements for national park units, including resource conservation measures, types and levels of development, carrying capacity and potential boundary changes. In addition, the plan will assess visitor circulation and access (including key trail connections), define key visitor experiences, proactively address visitor use management and site improvements. accessibility, and will produce a development concept for the district of Valle Grande.
All actions will be developed and assessed in accordance with National Park Service planning standards and legal requirements and will build on previous planning undertaken in the park, including a management zoning effort that took place from 2019 to 2021. The park will also incorporate climate change adaptation planning throughout the process.
The park intends to emphasize consultation with Native American tribes and pueblos that have ancestral and contemporary ties to Valles Caldera, while seeking public input and feedback at various stages of the process. To facilitate this goal, the park is launching a Park Planning page on its website (nps.gov/vall/getinvolved/planning.htm) to highlight key planning efforts and how the public can stay involved in the process. .
Valles Caldera National Reserve | About 1.25 million years ago, a dramatic volcanic eruption created the 21 km wide circular depression now known as Valles Caldera. The reserve is known for its huge mountain meadows, abundant wildlife and meandering streams. The region also preserves the homeland of ancestral indigenous peoples and embraces a rich ranching history. Visit us at nps.gov/vall.
National Park Service | More than 20,000 National Park Service employees care for more than 420 U.S. national parks and work with communities across the country to help preserve local history and create nearby recreational opportunities. Visit us at nps.gov.
