Club Spotlight
With more than 100 active members, the Desert Archaeology Society (DAS) is one of ICL's longest-standing clubs. Believing that education is essential to preserving rock art and our valuable archaeological sites, the club hosts monthly meetings led by subject-matter experts and field trips where members can view petroglyphs firsthand. For more than 10 years, the club was led by Feather Robinson , whose father was of Blackfeet heritage. As a researcher and teacher of archaeoastronomy, archaeology, Native plant uses, and Native American traditions, Feather shared her knowledge of these subjects. During her tenure, she brought DAS outstanding monthly speakers—including archaeologists, historians, and members who shared petroglyph photographs from across the Southwest and beyond. Feather's dedication and energy grew and sustained the club for many years.
Gary Smith, Desert Archaeology Society leader.
This fall, Feather passed the torch to Gary Smith , an active DAS member since 2016, who led the monthly field trips until two years ago. After retiring from a Salt Lake City company in 2014, Gary moved to St. George, having fallen in love with the area while visiting friends. He jokes that the real reason was that “he didn't want to shovel snow anymore.” An amateur archaeologist and avid scenic photographer, Gary learned about the Desert Archaeology Society from a friend in his photography club. An educator at heart, Gary embraced the DAS mission of “Preservation through Education” and became an integral member of the club. His goal is to help the Desert Archaeology Society thrive and continue sharing knowledge with the community. At the September DAS meeting, members heard a presentation from Krystal Glass, lead ranger for the National Park Service at Grand Canyon-Parashant National Monument. At the time of this writing, DAS is scheduled for a club picnic and field trip to Little Black Mountain on September 26. The site was used by Native Americans for ceremonial purposes over 8,000 years and is home to a wide variety of petroglyphs. To join, visit our website at icl.utahtech.edu and look for “Clubs.” ICL membership is not required, but annual club dues are $10.
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