The Land

The 1.7 million-acre Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument is an extraordinary landscape. Over the last 20 years, Grand Staircase-Escalante has claimed its place as a crown jewel equal to Utah’s national parks. The monument is world renowned for its remarkable paleontological discoveries, stunning scenery, and outstanding recreational opportunities. Local communities have benefited with significant increases in tourism, new businesses, population growth, and higher per capita income. And polls consistently demonstrate strong support for the monument.

Since its designation in 1996, Grand Staircase-Escalante has come to be known as the “Science Monument”—yielding several new species of dinosaur and other paleontological finds and providing habitat for 650 bee species, many that are endemic to the area. The area has incredible camping, hiking and other recreational opportunities. Places like Calf Creek, Peekaboo and Spooky Canyon, Coyote Gulch, and the Hole in the Rock Road are known the world over.

The Work

Our emphasis is Calf Creek Falls and the nearby landscape. Our work will focus on managing for foot travel impacts and camping compliance. As one of the Monuments highest-use areas, we will work to bolster the integrity of the trail corridor, preventing the expansion of user impacts. Tasks will include: track raking, rock and natural materials gathering, vertical mulching, sifting and cleaning nonpermitted travel and campsites. All tools will be provided, including gloves.

Our Objective: To remediate the impacts of off-trail travel and dispersed camping at locations within Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument in order to protect natural resources and preserve protected area boundaries.

Itinerary
A comprehensive itinerary will be provided to registered volunteers.

• Sunday, April 5th: Optional Early Arrival + Campout.
• Monday, April 6th: Day 1. Orientation + Project Begins.
• Tuesday, April 7th: Day 2.
• Wednesday, April 8th: Day 3. Project Completion.

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.

Camping & Meals

Volunteers will camp on site. Specific location will be indicated in the Welcome Letter provided to registered volunteers.

SUWA will provide a dinner on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday – and snacks throughout the project. Volunteers are responsible for all additional meals 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 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.

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