**THIS PROJECT INVOLVES MULTI-DAY BACKPACKING**

If you choose to apply for this project, please include your previous backpacking experience in your application. Don’t hesitate to reach out to volunteer@suwa.org to learn more about the details of this trip, including mileage, strenuous terrain, and water availability.

The Landscape

Spanning an astonishing 1.7 million acres, Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument is one of the most extraordinary landscapes on the Colorado Plateau. At its heart flows the Escalante River—one of the last free-flowing rivers in the region—carving a sinuous path through slickrock plateaus, narrow canyons, and towering sandstone walls before joining the Colorado River. Along its banks, the desert gives way to cottonwood groves, hanging gardens, and lush riparian corridors that support a diversity of life in an otherwise arid landscape.

The Escalante River corridor is an ecological lifeline. Its perennial and seasonal waters sustain native fish, amphibians, migratory birds, and mammals, while its shaded canyon bottoms provide refuge for plants and wildlife during extreme heat. These riparian zones have also supported human presence for thousands of years, with cultural sites woven throughout the canyon system. Above the river, layers of exposed rock reveal an unparalleled geological record and the discovery of a number of new dinosaur species, earning the monument its global reputation as the “Science Monument.” As visitation grows due to the area’s iconic scenery and proximity to Capitol Reef National Park, the Escalante River corridor and surrounding desert landscapes face mounting pressure. Protecting fragile soils like cryptobiotic crusts, riparian vegetation, and watersheds as a whole is crucial.

The Work

Volunteers will backpack through the Escalante River Corridor to support the Bureau of Land Management in cleaning up fire rings and removing trash that has washed into the canyon. This work supports a healthy riparian system and leaves behind a wild landscape that visitors can continue to enjoy for its beauty and solitude.

Volunteers will:

• Hike in uneven terrain and in watercourses
• Remove trash
• Clean up fire rings
• Install educational signage as needed

All work tools will be provided, including gloves, eye protection, and ear-protection. Volunteers will be trained on tool use. Expect to be working in and around water.

Project Rating

Strenuous – Expect hiking over uneven terrain. Project work may include lots of lifting and tool use. Strenuous trips often involve large fencing projects in which materials need to be carried into work sites, or backpacking trips in which participants are responsible for hiking in tools and personal overnight gear to work and campsites.

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: (6)
Contact: volunteer@suwa.org

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

•  Friday, September 4th – Monday, September 7th

Camping & Meals

Specific location of camping site(s) will be provided in the Welcome Letter sent to registered volunteers. On backpacking trips, expect to camp in remote locations and utilize wag bags for solid human waste.

Volunteers on backpacking trips will need to provide their own backpacking gear and meals (breakfast, lunch, and dinner) for the extent of the project.

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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