The Landscape

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 years since designation, on-the-ground management is still needed to implement the designated wilderness. The San Rafael River and its remote, labyrinthine tributaries cut a gorge through one such Wilderness unit, but human impacts can threaten cultural and historic sites as well as the unique ecology of the region.

The Work

This project supports the Bureau of Land Management in managing the Wilderness areas in the Swell. Volunteers install a post-and-cable fence, gabion baskets, and signage along a Wilderness boundary. This fence will protect the Wilderness and encourage vehicles to remain on designated routes while still allowing for foot, horse, and wildlife to pass through. As a volunteer, you will get to actively participate in habitat protection!

Volunteers will be:

• Digging post-holes in sandy washes and on hillsides
• Lifting and moving lumber
• Installing educational signage
• Working in teams to assemble fencing

All work tools will be provided, including gloves, eye protection, and ear-protection. Volunteers will be trained on tool use and fence assembly.

Project Rating

Moderate – Expect walking or hiking on uneven terrain; work vehicles will likely be nearby or a short walk away. Project work may include mid- to heavy-lifting, various tool use such as raking and shoveling, and the potential to carry fencing, signage or natural materials.  

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)
Project Lead: TBD
Contact: volunteer@suwa.org

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

•  Monday, April 20 – Friday, April 24th

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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