From the Amistad National Recreation Area
Special to the 830 Times
Jack Johnson, Amistad National Recreation Area archeologist, has received the Shumla Archeological Research and Education Center’s “Steward of the Year” award.
The Shumla Archeological Research and Education Center is dedicated to the preservation and study of the narrative murals of the Lower Pecos Canyonlands, which are considered to be the “oldest books in North America.”
Each year Shumla holds an event called the Rancher Steward BBQ. The event includes landowners and agencies with whom Shumla collaborates in its research, education and preservation mission.
typically,, Shumla selects a “Steward of the Year” to be honored during the event, typically an individual who has gone above and beyond in helping the center achieve its mission. At this year’s event, the Steward of the Year was Johnson, a National Park Service archeologist currently working at the Amistad National Recreation Area.
Shumla Executive Director Jessica Hamlin praised Johnson as “incomparable, indomitable and irreplaceable.”
In presenting him with the award, she thanked Johnson for his “treasured partnership and unwavering stewardship of the rock art of the Lower Pecos Canyonlands.”
Johnson worked at Shumla in 2008 and was instrumental in conducting Shumla’s education and research programs. He was pivotal to the success of Shumla’s Ninos del Rio Bravo program, which focused on working with children on both sides of the Rio Grande.
Johnson began working for the National Park Service as the Amistad National Recreation Area’s archeologist in 2009, and as Hamlin stated, continued “to be an incredible partner and friend to Shumla.”
In his NPS role, Johnson has worked tirelessly to help Shumla gain access to sites inside and outside of the park, working with the center on the preservation, documentation and impact mitigation of these ancient places.
Johnson received the Steward of the Year award on the 25th anniversary of the founding of Shumla.
Amistad National Recreation Area Superintendent Chris Ryan stated, “Jack does an outstanding job working with partner agencies, and he is an excellent ambassador for the NPS.”
Ryan said Johnson is very deserving of this award and recognition.
