The Landscape

Just outside of Moab and within sight of Canyonlands National Park, the red rock desert unfolds in a mesmerizing maze. Vast sandstone buttes stand out on the horizon above winding rivers, complex canyon systems, and distant mountain ranges. Sunlit Navajo sandstone domes, fins, and arches create a landscape that feels almost unreal. Desert bighorn sheep navigate sheer cliffs, and ancient pinyon-juniper forests cling to plateaus and mesas. At night, visitors can fall asleep under star-struck dark skies and wake up to some of the most incredible views on the Colorado Plateau.

With world-class hiking, climbing, mountain biking, and off-road routes nearby, it’s no surprise this landscape draws adventurers from around the globe. But heavy recreation can take a toll on fragile desert soils and vegetation that recover slowly. Protective management and ecosystem restoration are necessary to keep this incredible landscape wild for future generations.

The Work

This project works with the Bureau of Land Management to clean up dispersed campsites and protect unique desert vegetation and soils from off-route travel. As a volunteer, your efforts will focus on restoring disturbed areas and guiding recreation in ways that keep the land healthy and accessible for the long term. We will clean up fire rings, delineate campsites, and ensure that visitors to this area can experience solitude, clear access to camping areas, and the incredible wildness that makes canyon country unique.

Volunteers will be:

• Using tools such as rakes, shovels, and wheelbarrows
• Cleaning out fire rings
• Moving natural materials
• Installing educational signage

All tools and safety equipment will be provided, including gloves, eye protection, and ear protection. Volunteers will be trained on tool use and naturalization techniques.

Expect rewarding days of hands-on work followed by unforgettable evenings at camp—swapping stories, watching the stars come out, and knowing you played a part in protecting one of Utah’s most iconic landscapes.

Volunteers Needed: (8)
Project Lead: TBD 
Contact: volunteer@suwa.org

Itinerary
A general itinerary will be provided to registered volunteers in a Welcome Letter, which volunteers receive upon acceptance into the project.

• Wednesday, March 18 – Friday, March 20

Project Rating 

Moderate – Expect walking or hiking on uneven terrain; work vehicles will likely be nearby or a short walk away. Project work may include mid- to heavy-lifting, various tool use such as raking and shoveling, and the potential to carry fencing, signage, or natural materials. 

All projects take place outdoors: Please consider your comfortability working in remote landscapes at varying elevations and under variable weather conditions. Our team strives to ensure that all projects provide meaningful work for volunteers of all abilities. Please reach out to the Project Lead if you have questions or concerns.

Camping & Meals

Specific camping details and locations will be shared with participants. On this project, expect to camp at an established campground close to the work site. Picnic tables and pit toilets will be available.

SUWA provides dinners during the project dates as well as snacks and drinks during workdays. Volunteers are responsible for all additional meals (breakfast, lunch) 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 packlist will be sent along with the project Welcome Letter (4) weeks prior to the start date. If camping gear is a barrier to your attendance, please reach out to the Project Lead to discuss options.

Registration & Acceptance Timeline

A 2026 General Volunteer Application is required for this project.

• Once we have received your application, you will receive a confirmation email within (5) working days of submission.
• We log all applications until (8) weeks prior to the project. At this point, you will first receive an email confirming whether you have been placed on the“project roster” or a “waitlist.” If you are selected for the project roster, you will then complete a Volunteer Agreement.
• At (4) 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 any additional information pertinent to the project.
• Within (2) weeks of the project you will receive a direct call from the Project Lead to answer any additional questions you may have.
• Individuals on the waitlist will be contacted if space opens due to cancellation within (2) weeks of the project start date.

If you have any questions at any point throughout the process, please do not hesitate to contact us here.

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