The Landscape

Deep within Bears Ears National Monument sits Dark Canyon Wilderness, an incredible and massive remote canyon system. Forming off of the forests of Elk Ridge, Dark Canyon’s high canyon walls, streams, springs, cottonwood groves, and cultural sites make it unique and awe-inspiring. While the head of this large drainage is full of Ponderosa Pines and meadows, it descends down to the Colorado River where pinyon-juniper trees give way to sharp stone, cactus, and bighorn sheep grazing grounds.

The riparian zones high up in Dark Canyon feed into the Colorado River watershed. Unfortunately, human impacts such as roads, grazing, and invasive species have contributed to erosion, incision, and the loss of native vegetation in the springs and streams of Dark Canyon. When these systems are damaged, water moves too quickly through the landscape, reducing habitat quality and resilience. Restoring ecological function to these waterways is essential not only for wildlife, but for the long-term health of the land itself. Managers of this landscape have prioritized focusing on these hydrologic systems and finding solutions to support their recovery.

The Work

Volunteers will participate in restoring small waterways so springs and creeks can once again store water in pools, meander through canyon bottoms, and sink into the soil. This work creates conditions needed for diverse plant and animal communities to thrive and offers a unique opportunity to learn riparian restoration strategies in a high desert environment while contributing to meaningful, long-lasting ecological recovery. Specific project work will focus on installing Beaver Dam Analogs (BDAs). BDAs are human-built structures that mimic the form and function of natural beaver dams. By slowing flowing water, BDAs help prevent channel incision and erosion, improve water retention, and create ideal conditions for fish, amphibians, and other aquatic life. Over time, these structures support the natural regeneration of native riparian vegetation such as cottonwoods, coyote willow, and other bank-stabilizing plants—while also encouraging the return of beaver and the many species that depend on them. Built from natural materials like wood and stone, BDAs are strong yet permeable, designed to restore ecological processes where both natural and human-caused disturbances have disrupted the system. Volunteers will work together to install these structures directly within creek channels and along streambanks, contributing to the long-term resilience of these fragile waterways.

Volunteers will:

• Hike on uneven terrain
• Move and carry natural materials
• Create BDAs
• Remove upland plants from riparian zones
• Learn about hydrology and riparian restoration alongside agency staff

All work tools will be provided, including gloves, eye protection, and ear-protection. Volunteers will be trained on tool use and riparian restoration techniques. Note that on this project, we will be working in and around water.

Project Rating

Strenuous – Expect to hike four miles per day and to carry heavy materials in uneven, potentially muddy conditions. Project work may include mid- to heavy-lifting, and various tool. Due to the habitat and time of year, expect heat and some insects.

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.

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

Itinerary
A general itinerary will be provided to registered volunteers in a Welcome Letter.

• Monday, June 22nd – Thursday, June 25th

Camping & Meals

Specific location of camping site(s) will be provided in the Welcome Letter sent to registered volunteers. Campsites are often remote dispersed sites with no running water or pit toilets.

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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