Happy February!

This month, we're thrilled to announce the 2025 Discovery Pool grant recipients - supporting new research on the Colorado Plateau! The U.S. Forest Service reflects on their achievements in 2024, along with the new Bears Ears Resource Management Plan! Plus, meet the new 2025 Community Artist in the Parks!

We hope you have a great February! Thank you for your continued support.

The Discovery Pool research grant program was established by CNHA to encourage and provide funding for research partnerships between qualified scientists and our federal National Park Service, Bureau of Land Management, and US Forest Service partners in southeastern Utah.

The projects listed below will receive research grants totaling $111,290.60! Since its inception in 2007, CNHA’s Discovery Pool has awarded over one million dollars in grants!

Bears Ears Digital Cultural Heritage Initiative Phase II

Principal Investigator: Benjamin A. Bellorado and Eric J Heller

Arizona State Museum and University of Southern California

Agency Affiliation: US Forest Service and Bureau of Land Management

Uncovering and Understanding Earth’s Last Dinosaur Ecosystem

Principal Investigator: Natalie Toth and Dr. Tyler Lyson

Denver Museum of Nature and Science

Agency Affiliation: US Forest Service

Microbial Associations of Native Species and their Restoration Cultivars

Principal Investigator: Carla Roybal

United States Geological Survey (USGS)

Agency Affiliation: Bureau of Land Management

Lichen Diversity - An Overlooked Treasure in the Nationally Significant Sand Flats Recreation Area

Principal Investigator: Dr. Steve Leavitt

Brigham Young University

Agency Affiliation: Bureau of Land Management

Last Ice of the La Sal Range

Principal Investigator: Leif Anderson

University of Utah

Agency Affiliation: US Forest Service

Congratulations to the principal investigators and their teams! We look forward to the valuable insights and discoveries that will emerge from their dedicated efforts.

To learn more about Discovery Pool, see previous projects, and see how to apply for 2026, click here. If you would like to help support our Discovery Pool research grant, you can donate or become a member at the Discovery level or above!

The U.S. Forest Service’s Manti-La Sal National Forest had an impactful 2024, and their recently released two-part update dives into the diverse and important work accomplished throughout the year. From wildlife conservation to fire management, these updates showcase a strong commitment to preserving and enhancing the forest’s natural and cultural resources!

Additionally, the Fire Training Program received the Federal Government Distance Learning Association’s Five-Star Award for 2024. This honor highlights success in using distance learning to deliver ICS-300 and ICS-400 training courses over the past 18 months. The award recognizes leadership and best practices in distance learning—a testament to the program’s innovation and impact. Congratulations!

Check out part one and part two to see all of the Manti-La Sal National Forest achievements and milestones of 2024!

Bears Ears National Monument is more than a place, it is a culturally significant landscape, with deep historical, traditional and spiritual ties that continue to this day. 

The BLM, U.S. Forest Service, associated Tribal Nations and other partners have been working on the development of a management plan to protect the monument — happily, that process is now complete, and available to view here.  

There are some key updates from this new plan — which includes opportunities to play, explore, subside, practice, celebrate, connect and enjoy the monument. 

Charlotte Quigley has a deep well of experience with both art and national parks. A life-long watercolorist, she also works in pastels and, more recently, oil paints. She has a master’s degree in art history and experience as a youth arts teacher, arts council director, and member of the Gallery Moab cooperative.

After living at several national parks in New Mexico, Quigley moved to Moab 18 years ago. "I feel so fortunate to be in such a beautiful place, where there are so many amazing subjects so close at hand." About her upcoming tenure as Community Artist in the Parks, Quigley says, "I'm excited to have this opportunity to paint in the parks and encourage others in their creative endeavors. This is a chance to really focus on our beautiful landscape and share its unique characteristics with others."

This year, Charlotte Quigley will create original work within the parks for a minimum of 24 hours per month, April through October, and share her inspiration and creative process with visitors. Her works will be sold in the Canyonlands Natural History Association stores and online at shop.cnha.org during her tenure.

For more information about the program and a schedule of the community artist’s park activities, visit go.nps.gov/CAIP.

Science Moab on Tap

This year, the science is XTREME! Join Science Moab TONIGHT at Woody's Tavern from 6pm - 7pm for the final Science on Tap of the season!

February 12 | Kirt Cundick

Rebellion, adrenaline and the psychology of extreme sports!

On Tap sponsors are all about that XTREME generosity: Thank you Canyonlands Natural History Association, Moab City RAP Tax Grant, and Grand County Recreation Special Service District #1!

Learn more about Science Moab here.

Arch Madness 2025 is Coming!

Get ready for the ultimate showdown of southeastern Utah’s most iconic arches! This March, vote daily to crown the champion arch of Canyon Country. Follow us on social media to cast your votes, score exclusive promotions, and join the fun!

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Canyonlands Natural History Association (CNHA) is a non-profit organization, which exists solely to assist the National Park Service, the U.S. Forest Service, and the Bureau of Land Management in their education and visitor efforts. Proceeds from sales support these agencies’ educational, interpretive, and scientific programs on the Colorado Plateau.

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