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Cedar Mountain Wilderness Stewardship Project
September 19, 2020
The Land
The Cedar Mountain Wilderness is located in northwestern Utah. The vegetation on the upper elevations is dominated by junipers, hence the name. The Cedar Mountain Wilderness includes more than half of the 180,000 acres (730 km2) Cedar Mountain Herd Management Area, where feral horses have grazed since they were introduced in the late 19th century. A survey conducted in December 1991 counted 444 horses, and parts of the herd can often be seen on the wilderness where their impacts on native vegetation communities are apparent and widespread.
Congress designated the Cedar Mountain Wilderness primarily in response to an effort by members of the Utah congressional delegation and governor to block rail access to a proposed high-level nuclear waste storage facility on the nearby Skull Valley Indian Reservation. The project was sponsored by a consortium of nuclear power companies known as Private Fuel Storage. The project was killed in 2012 amid legal obstacles and substantial local opposition. Since that time, the Cedar Mountain Wilderness has continued to see tremendous ORV impacts – especially during fall hunting season – due to the profligate presence of roads effectively intersecting and dividing the wilderness parcels.
The Work
We will post and restore wilderness boundary signage across the range. We will remediate travel impacts where illegal routes have been created by user activity.
Tasks will include: track raking, rock and natural materials gathering, vertical mulching, sifting and cleaning nonpermitted campsites, and sign installation. All tools will be provided, including gloves.
Itinerary
A comprehensive itinerary will be provided to registered volunteers.
- Saturday, September 19th: Project, Day 1 of 1
Project Rating
Level 2 – Our most common trip incorporates mid- to heavy-lifting, work in remote landscapes at varying elevations, an increased diversity of tool use, and an emphasis on physical fitness and hiking competency.
Provisions
Due to the COVID-19 Pandemic, SUWA has suspended our provision of food and water during projects. Volunteers are responsible for all of their water and meal needs through the duration of the project.
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 two 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.”
Three weeks before the start of the trip, you will receive an RSVP to confirm your participation. Individuals on the Waitlist will be contacted if spaces open due to cancellation.
Two 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), a notification about carpools and/or caravans, and additional information in a Pre-Departure email.
If you have any questions at any point throughout the process, please don’t hesitate to contact our program coordinator: volunteer@suwa.org or (435) 259-9151.
