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 wilderness boundary delineation and protection. Nonpermitted travel and camping in protected wilderness areas requires strategic management. 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.

Volunteers Needed: (8)
Project Lead: Jack Hanley

Itinerary
A comprehensive itinerary will be provided to registered volunteers.

• Dates TBD – between Monday, October 9th to Friday, October 13th
  

Please Note: Specific dates for this project will be released as soon as they are available. Applicants should only apply if available for the entire window noted above. Thank you!

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

Specific location of camping site(s) will be provided in the Welcome Letter sent to registered volunteers.

SUWA provides elect meals and snacks during the project. Volunteers are responsible for all additional meals not specified in the Welcome Letter 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 at least (2) 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.” Individuals on the Waitlist will be contacted if spaces open due to cancellation within (2) weeks of the project start date.

At least (2) 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 additional information in a Pre-Departure email. You will also receive a direct call from our Project Coordinator to answer any questions you may have.

If you have any questions at any point throughout the process, please do not hesitate to contact us here or by calling  (435) 259-9151.

APPLY NOW