**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

The 1.7 million-acre Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument is celebrated around the world for its sweeping scenery, world-class recreation, and groundbreaking scientific discoveries. Since its designation in 1996, the Monument has earned the nickname the “Science Monument,” yielding multiple new dinosaur species and supporting more than 650 species of native bees—many found nowhere else on Earth. In the southern part of the Monument, the Paria River flows from the forested heights of the Paunsaugunt Plateau, winding through remote canyons, Wilderness Study Areas, and designated Wilderness before joining the Colorado River near the Vermilion Cliffs. Along the way, towering sandstone walls, sculpted slickrock, and quiet desert campsites create an experience that can inspire awe.

As word has spread, visitation has surged—especially at popular access points along the Utah side of the ‘Arizona Strip,’ an area of land north of the Grand Canyon bordering Utah. This is especially true of iconic sites such as ‘The Wave’ and Wire Pass, which is home to stunning narrows. Cultural and historic sites nearby have been impacted by visitation, leading to the need for proactive management that stewards these amazing corners of our public lands.

The Work

Volunteers will backpack through the Northern Paria River Corridor to support the Bureau of Land Management in cleaning up fire rings and monitoring cultural sites. 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.

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.

•  Thursday, October 22nd – Sunday, October 25th

Camping & Meals

Specific location of camping site(s) will be provided in the Welcome Letter sent to registered volunteers. Backpacking projects involve camping in remote locations and using wag bags for solid human waste.

On backpacking projects, volunteers will need to bring all their own backpacking gear and food. Volunteers are responsible for all meals (breakfast, lunch, dinner) during 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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