The Land

With the designation of Bears Ears National Monument on December 28th, 2016, a new layer of protection was granted to some of the most spectacular places in southern Utah. There is Cedar Mesa, with its incredible canyons running toward the San Juan River. There is White Canyon to the west of Natural Bridges. There are the Bears Ears themselves and the high ponderosa forests of Elk Ridge. To the north there’s Beef Basin and Indian Creek. Nearly 100,000 archaeological and cultural sites were covered by the proclamation, with protections afforded to a historied landscape long-neglected and actively undermined by private interests.

The Work

We are returning to Elk Ridge for our seventh consecutive year working with the Manti-La Sal Forest Service on a series of natural resource protection projects.

This year’s project will be a strenuous backpacking trip with an emphasis on fencing construction and repair, as well as trail management in the Dark Canyon Wilderness Area. Work tasks will vary by need and may include sign installation and surface remediation.

Anticipate heat. Anticipate remote travel. Anticipate heavy labor. Expect a unique experience on a storied and magnificent landscape.

Volunteers Needed: (8)
Project Lead: Jack Hanley

Itinerary
A comprehensive itinerary will be provided to registered volunteers.

• Thursday, July 13th through Sunday, July 16th

Project Rating 

Level 3 – Heavy lifting, high-elevation, remote travel, and extended durations away from common conveniences. Leave No Trace principles are essential during all of our trips but require the most thought and planning at Level 3. These trips may involve on-site training for technical skills and tool use. Excellent physical fitness is a must at this level.

Camping & Meals

Specific location of camping site(s) will be provided in the Welcome Letter sent to registered volunteers.

SUWA provides select meals and snacks during the project. Volunteers are responsible for all additional meals not specified in the Welcome Letter during their stay.

Volunteer Responsibilities

Participants are responsible for their own food, water and camping gear as well as transportation to and from the project site(s). Volunteers should plan to be away from camp all day each of the work days. A recommended pack list will be sent along with the project Welcome Letter at least (2) weeks prior to the start date.

Registration

A Volunteer Agreement is required for this project. 

When we have received your form, you will receive a confirmation e-mail within 5 working days of submission. The confirmation e-mail will indicate whether you have been placed on the “project roster” or a “waiting list.” Individuals on the Waitlist will be contacted if spaces open due to cancellation within (2) weeks of the project start date.

At least (2) weeks before the project start date, registered and confirmed participants will receive a Welcome Letter, with a comprehensive itinerary, including: driving instructions, a Project Map for mobile devices (when applicable(, a notification about carpools and/or caravans, and additional information in a Pre-Departure email. You will also receive a direct call from our Project Coordinator to answer any questions you may have.

If you have any questions at any point throughout the process, please do not hesitate to contact us here or by calling  (435) 259-9151.

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