News Archives

  • Statement on Senators Lee and Romney’s Introduction of Anti-Antiquities “PURE” Act

    January 10th, 2019

    Moab, UT (January 10, 2019) – In response to the introduction by Senator Mike Lee (R-UT) and Senator Mitt Romney (R-UT) of the Protect Utah’s Rural Economy (PURE) Act, which would limit the ability of the president to protect landscapes in Utah through the use of the Antiquities Act, Southern Utah Wilderness Alliance (SUWA) executive director Scott Groene issued the following statement:

    “This bill is just the latest in a long line of extremist anti-conservation bills put forth by some members of the Utah delegation. The short-sightedness of the Act should be expected from Senator Lee, but it is extremely disappointing to see one of Senator Romney’s first acts in Congress be such unconsidered parroting of worn-out anti-environmental talking points.

    “Four out of five of Utah’s national parks started out as national monuments, and two of the crown jewels of our public lands — Bears Ears and Grand Staircase-Escalante national monuments — were protected using the Antiquities Act. All of these protections were opposed by Utah politicians with no vision for the future.

    “SUWA will fight this bill and any attempt by the Utah delegation to undermine the right of Americans to protect their public lands.”

  • From the Ground Up — 2019 Field Volunteer Opportunities

    January 8th, 2019

    A new season is upon us and there is work to be done! Visit our Upcoming Projects listing to preview the year’s first round of service trips. Then check back regularly for new project listings. Planning a visit to Utah in 2019? Join as a crew member and serve with SUWA in the field!

    Wilderness Steward Initiative
    In February, we will host the second annual Wilderness Steward Training in Washington County. In 2019, we will expand the Wilderness Steward Initiative statewide. Join our team of dedicated volunteers monitoring protected lands in communities across southern Utah. Take recreation to the next level — reconnaissance — and work with us to ensure our wild and public lands are in keen and watchful hands. View the flyer below for an overview of 2019 volunteer positions, then visit our Service Program website to learn more and submit your application.

    To discuss scheduling a Wilderness Steward training in your county or community, contact volunteer@suwa.org or call (435) 259-9151.

  • Happy Solstice!

    December 21st, 2018

    The Winter Solstice has always been a time of celebration and reflection.

    Here at SUWA, some of our most meaningful moments have taken place in the redrock. Whether viewing ancient petroglyphs, floating muddy rivers with family and friends, or wandering solo in the canyons, one can’t help but be touched deeply by the beauty of the precious wilderness that belongs to us all.

    And because of the support of thousands of people like you, the canyons are still wild, peaceful, and stirring to the soul.

    Please, consider making a year-end donation to SUWA today.

    Snow Covered Fins, Proposed Behind-the-Rocks BLM Wilderness, Utah La Sal Mountains beyond. Photo (c) Tom Till.

    We at SUWA live to protect the redrock. You know this. We stand up to the greed and scare tactics of Utah’s politicians, and to President Trump’s “Energy Dominance” agenda. We challenge the federal agencies when they seek to lease lands that should be protected as wilderness to oil and gas companies, or when they clearcut pinyon and juniper forests to create more forage for cattle and big game species.

    Defending Utah wilderness is what we do — but we can’t do it without the support of people like you.

    Join thousands of others in protecting Utah wilderness by making a contribution to SUWA today.

    The end of the longest night heralds a shift to brighter days. With your support, we can ensure that those days include the same redrock country and opportunities for solitude we know today, for us and for generations to come.

    Thank you for your support, and Happy Solstice.

  • Expanding Our Wilderness Steward Initiative

    December 20th, 2018

    In 2019, we will increase the capacity of our Wilderness Steward Initiative, training and equipping regional volunteers to monitor, assess and report impacts to natural and cultural resources on your public lands.

    Join us for the year’s first group training in February, then stay connected for additional opportunities to train directly with SUWA staff in the field this Spring. To propose organizing a WS chapter in your region, county or community, contact our Service Program Director.

  • Wild Utah Podcast, Episode 3: A Clearcut by Any Other Name….

    December 17th, 2018

    Welcome to the SUWA podcast, Wild Utah!

    Dave Pacheco speaks with SUWA’s Kya Marienfeld and Wild Utah Project’s Allison Jones about the Utah BLM’s ecologically destructive practice of “chaining” — or, in the BLM’s vernacular, “vegetation treatment.” This practice of mechanically removing trees, shrubs and virtually all vegetation from otherwise healthy pinion-juniper forests — often to benefit domestic livestock — is being challenged by conservationists as an extreme overreaction to a non-existent problem.

    Wild Utah is made possible by the contributing members of SUWA. Our theme music, “What’s Worth?” is written and performed in Moab by Haley Noel Austin. Wild Utah is recorded at the studio of KRCL 90.9 FM, Community Radio of Utah in Salt Lake City. Our producer is Jerry Schmidt. We thank you all for generously donating your time, equipment and talent to Wild Utah.