The Land

The Mill Creek Canyon wilderness study area [WSA] is Moab’s periurban wilderness – magnificent in its scope despite an onslaught of pressures from the nearby community’s thriving recreation industry. The proposed wilderness features a series of canyons cut by perennial streams and ephemeral washes, lush with riparian vegetation. Pinyon-juniper forest fills out the higher elevations, above an expanse of Navajo sandstone domes, fins and arches.

Off-road vehicle use, mountain biking, and popular hiking routes flank the wilderness study area, putting pressure on boundaries and jeopardizing the integrity of the resource. There is continual need to monitor and address these impacts.

The Work

We will work to manage off-road vehicle travel through barrier reinforcement and the installation of educational signing. The specifics of the defensive work will be determined in the lead-up to the project. Suffice it to say for now that work tasks will vary by need and are slated to include:

• The building of a barrier to appropriately direct ORV travel away from the Mill Creek Canyon WSA;
• Remediation of existing impacts through raking, vertical mulching, and other naturalization techniques;
• Installation of education signage to prevent future incursions.

Our Objective: To manage off-road vehicle travel where it illegally occurs within the Mill Creek Canyon WSA.

Itinerary
A comprehensive itinerary will be provided to registered volunteers.

• Saturday, March 20th: Day 1
• Sunday, March 21st: Day 2

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.

Meals

Due to the COVID-19 Pandemic, SUWA is temporarily suspending its provision of food. Volunteers are responsible for all food and water 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.

APPLY NOW