BLM Arizona Hosts National Conservation Lands Showcase and Guided Hikes
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The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) will have a presence in this year's Super Bowl XLIX activities with an opportunity for the public to engage and learn about America's National Conservation Lands. BLM will host an interactive showcase, from Jan. 28 to Feb. 1, at One North Central Avenue in downtown Phoenix (See Map). In addition, the BLM will offer two guided hikes on Jan. 30 and 31 to the Agua Fria National Monument located off Interstate 17 (I-17).The showcase is free to the public and will feature photo exhibits and information on the spectacular western landscapes available for the public to visit and enjoy. In addition, Seymour Antelope, BLM's mascot, will be on hand to greet children and adults, and pose for pictures. The showcase will be open from noon to 10 p.m. on Jan. 28 to Jan. 31, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Feb. 1.Perhaps you'd prefer to slow things down and take a leisurely hike on the BLM Agua Fria National Monument and see the remnants of a prehistoric Native American pueblo or meander along the Agua Fria River riparian area. The hikes to the Agua Fria National Monument are also free to the public, but due to limited space, require a reservation to 602-580-5568. The 1.5 mile hike to Badger Springs will begin at 10 a.m. from I-17, Exit 256 --near parking lot kiosk; and the Riverbend bird watching hike will begin at 9:00 a.m. from I-17, Exit 262 at the Shell Travel Center. The public can also enjoy a self-guided hike to Pueblo La Plata, which is also located on the monument on I-17, Exit 259.Super Bowl visitors looking to enjoy self-guided hiking, mountain biking and equestrian riding on a world-class trail can also visit the Black Canyon National Recreation Trail located off I-17. The closest access to the trail from downtown Phoenix is I-17 to Exit 232 at New River Road. Once there, go west about two miles on New River Road and turn right at the developed area. A newly released YouTube video on the Black Canyon National Recreation Trail highlights the trail's exceptional attributes for outdoor enthusiasts. The public can also book a tour with BLM Special Recreation Permit holders. A list can be found at https://www.blm.gov/arizonaIn addition, BLM will engage the public through social media during the week-long Super Bowl activities and invite the public to follow BLM on Facebook, Twitter and YouTube. Keywords to follow BLM highlights and conversation include: #PlayOutside#SeeBLM; #TackleTheWild#SeeBLM; #ScoreWild#SeeBLM; #GetOutside#SeeBLM.Due to the traffic congestion in the downtown Phoenix, the BLM will temporarily handle all One North Central, Suite 800, BLM Public Room services, i.e., mining claim recordation and permits, out of the BLM Phoenix District Office located at 21605 North 7th Avenue. This temporary action will allow the BLM to provide customer service from a location outside of the busy Super Bowl Central activities. The public can call 602-417-9528 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. for service. Normal Public Room services and hours will resume at the Arizona State Office on Feb. 2.For more information on BLM's Super Bowl Showcase, Agua Fria National Monument and the Black Canyon National Recreation Trail visit www.blm.gov.
The BLM manages more than 245 million acres of public land located primarily in 12 western states, including Alaska, on behalf of the American people. The BLM also administers 700 million acres of sub-surface mineral estate throughout the nation. Our mission is to sustain the health, diversity, and productivity of America’s public lands for the use and enjoyment of present and future generations.