The Land

On March 12, 2019, the Emery County Public Land Management Act was signed into law as the John D. Dingell Jr. Conservation, Management, and Recreation Act. As part of that act, the Emery County Public Land Management Act protected 663,000 acres of public lands as designated wilderness, including acreage in Muddy Creek, Desolation Canyon, Labyrinth Canyon, and beyond. However, in the two years since designation nearly no on-the-ground management has taken place. Standing signs (where they still stand) read “wilderness study area” – having not been updated to identify the true wilderness designation. SUWA staff have worked consistently to move in the direction of proper management and we are pleased to have reached an initial agreement to perform the first of what will be many needed stewardship projects designed to protect and define wilderness boundaries and interiors in the Swell. Join us in our effort!

The Work

Our work will focus on boundary delineation and protection along the northeastern boundary of the San Rafael Reef Wilderness. Multiple illegal routes and washes are currently experiencing ORV use, expanding travel and camping into the now-protected wilderness areas. We will install proper wilderness boundary signage, build natural and constructed barriers to travel, and otherwise clearly delineate protected landscapes from open route travel areas. Strategies may include vertical mulching with large boulders and downed trees/logs, the building of rock cairn baskets (wired baskets filled with rock to define a border or edge), and extensive raking and naturalization of ORV tracks.

Our Objective: To address the first slate of high priority wilderness incursion issues into the San Rafael Reef Wilderness.

Itinerary
A comprehensive itinerary will be provided to registered volunteers.

• Saturday, September 25th: Day 1
• Sunday, September 26th : 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. The nature of Level 2 projects vary. Read specific project descriptions thoroughly for comprehensive expectations.

Camping & Meals

Volunteers will camp on site at a location TBD. There are no amenities in the area.

An optional communal dinner will be provided on Day 1 of the project. Please bring your own utensils and dish.

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