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Hackberry Canyon Stewardship Project
April 15, 2021 - April 16, 2021
The Land
The 1.7 million-acre Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument is an extraordinary landscape. The monument is world renowned for its remarkable paleontological discoveries, stunning scenery, and outstanding recreational opportunities. Local communities have benefited with significant increases in tourism, new businesses, population growth, and higher per capita income.
Since its designation in 1996, Grand Staircase-Escalante has come to be known as the “Science Monument”—yielding several new species of dinosaur and other paleontological finds and providing habitat for 650 bee species, many that are endemic to the area. The area has incredible camping, hiking and other recreational opportunities. Places like Calf Creek, Peekaboo and Spooky Canyon, Coyote Gulch, and the Hole in the Rock Road are well-known.
The Work
Our work will focus on earthen building in the backcountry. We will restore the earthen roof and earthen chinking on the historic Watson Cabin. This will involve extensive “dirt work” – digging, loading, lifting, dumping, repeating. Due to the hiking distance and the nature of the heavy labor, this is considered a Level 3 project. See below.
Our Objective: To restore aspects of an historic cabin while building new relationships with monument staff.
Itinerary
A comprehensive itinerary will be provided to registered volunteers.
- Thursday, Apr 15th: Day 1
- Friday, Apr 16th : Day 2
Project Rating
Level 3 – Heavy lifting, high-elevation, remote travel, and extended durations away from common conveniences. Leave No Trace principles are essential during all of our trips but require the most thought and planning at Level 3. These trips may involve on-site training for technical skills and tool use. Excellent physical fitness is a must at this level.
Camping & Meals
Volunteers will camp on site at a location TBD. There are no amenities in the area.
Due to the COVID-19 Pandemic, SUWA is temporarily suspending its provision of food. Volunteers are responsible for all food and water 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 two 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.”
Three weeks before the start of the trip, you will receive an RSVP to confirm your participation. Individuals on the Waitlist will be contacted if spaces open due to cancellation.
Two 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), a notification about carpools and/or caravans, and additional information in a Pre-Departure email.
If you have any questions at any point throughout the process, please don’t hesitate to contact our program coordinator: volunteer@suwa.org or (435) 259-9151.