CNHA Sponsors Leave No Trace Art Project with the National Park Service and Local High School

The National Park Service recently concluded a yearlong art contest at Grand County High School funded by Canyonlands Natural History Association. In May, a panel selected sixteen incredible winning art pieces created by local high school students. The artwork will be used in a Leave No Trace poster campaign along the White Rim Road in Canyonlands National Park. Throughout the school year, park ranger Sofia Nicholson visited Catherine Moore’s and Christa Green’s art classes to explain the importance of Leave No Trace Outdoor Ethics in protecting public lands. Students picked one of the seven Leave No Trace principles as a topic for their designs. Visitors who see the art will be educated and inspired to help take care of Canyonlands’ delicate desert landscape.

CNHA funds covered the cash prizes for the winners and the printing costs of the posters.

Pictured above from left to right. Dennis Cervantes, Michael Johnston, Kailee Meador, Khloey Frandsen, Magdalena Wilkowske, Sofia Nicholson (park ranger), Makenzie Johnston, Chloe Skowbo, Tanisha VanWinkle, Ari Jacobs (Winners not pictured: Bralyn Scow, Kayden Hill, Mackenzie Mayer, Kaelynn Wareham, and Stella McGowan)

“Untitled” by Mackenzie Johnston

Principle #3: Dispose of Waste Properly

How does your piece communicate a Leave No Trace Principle?

“My piece was created in an attempt to demonstrate the destruction of the park that can, and will, occur if we don’t take care of the parks.”

What lesson do you hope visitors will learn from your piece?

“I hope viewers of this piece will realize how much just a singular piece of trash matters in park conservation.”

“The Sound of the Wild” by Ari Jacobs Principle #6: Respect Wildlife

What lesson do you hope visitors will learn from your piece?

“To care more for our natural world and care more for the plants and animals in our world.”

How does your piece communicate a Leave No Trace Principle?

“I feel it shows that when you’re out in nature you should let the music of nature prevail.”

Mountain Recreation Beginning to Ramp Up

While spring is a beautiful time of year to get outdoors and visit the Manti-La Sal National Forest, the Forest Service is concerned that snow melt from this year’s record snowfall may bring about landslides and flooding in low lying areas. This winter, southeast Utah received well over 200% of their average snowfall. This is great news for drought recovery, but water from melting snow can accumulate in the ground resulting in unstable terrain or flooding. Landslides can appear as debris flows, slides and rockfalls. Overflow of water in ponds/lakes or excessive flow in rivers/streams can quickly accumulate, flooding nearby recreational areas.

“Landslides are common natural hazards in Utah. They often occur without warning and can result in destructive, costly outcomes. Your safety is important. If you see a landslide, stay away as the slope may experience additional failures for hours or days afterwards.” said Forest Supervisor Andrew Orlemann. “If flooding occurs, relocate to higher ground and report it. Beware of fast-moving streams/rivers as humans and animals can be quickly swept downstream.”

The public is asked to report any road/trail damage and flood concerns to their closest Ranger District Office.

If calling about road/facilities damage, please provide this helpful information:

Ranger District (Moab, Monticello, Ferron/Price or Sanpete)
County
Forest Service road or trail number
Location or directions (e.g. mileage from the start of the road/trail or intersection)
If possible, map or GPS coordinates
Description of damage (culvert out, flooding, ruts, slide, washout, etc.)
Name, telephone number, and email of person reporting damage (in case Ranger District has additional questions.)
Provide any cell phone photos (if possible one photo showing scale of the damage)

Forest visitors should also use defensive driving techniques while on dry Forest Service roads during this time of year. This includes adjusting speed to current weather and road conditions. Also, staying alert for the unexpected hazards, including other vehicles, livestock, as well as rocks, fallen trees, flood waters, road washouts, etc.

For current road conditions on the Manti-La Sal National Forest visit www.fs.usda.gov/detail/mantilasal/home/?cid=fseprd620617

BLM CALLS FOR NOMINATIONS FOR

UTAH ADVISORY COUNCILS

The Bureau of Land Management published in the Federal Register Notice calls for nominations for three advisory committees in Utah - the Utah Resource Advisory Council, San Rafael Swell Recreation Advisory Council, and Bears Ears National Monument Advisory Committee.

Nominations are being sought for individuals who represent a broad range of interests, including conservation and environmental organizations, outdoor recreation groups, state and local government officials, tribal officials, and the public at large. BLM Utah State Director Greg Sheehan emphasized the importance of diverse representation on the advisory committees, stating, "We are looking for individuals who are passionate about our public lands and who can bring diverse perspectives and experiences to the table. We believe that a broad range of input will help us make the best decisions for the long-term health and sustainability of these important areas."

The San Rafael Swell Recreation Advisory Council is a group that focuses specifically on the San Rafael Swell Recreation Area, providing advice on issues such as trails, visitor services, and resource protection and is seeking nominations in the following categories:

(1) A representative of grazing allotment permittees within the Recreation Area or designated Wilderness areas;

(2) A representative with expertise in the historical uses of the Recreation Area; and

(3) A representative of conservation organizations.

The Bears Ears National Monument Advisory Committee provides recommendations to the BLM on the management and protection of the Bears Ears National Monument and is seeking nominations in the following categories:

(1) An elected official from local government within San Juan County

(2) A representative with paleontological expertise;

(3) A representative of private landowners;

(4) A representative of local business owners; and

(5) A representative of the public at large.

Nomination packages must include a nomination form, letters of reference, and a resume or biography of the nominee. Nomination forms and instructions can be found here: https://www.blm.gov/get-involved/resource-advisory-council/apply. Nominations will be accepted until June 23, 2023.

For the full press release and information on how to submit a nomination package click here

June Free Lecture Schedule at the MIC

Moab Information Center

2023 Lecture Series

Canyonlands Natural History Association (CNHA)

Thursday’s @ 5:00 p.m.

June 8 ~ Rhodes Smartt ~ Light Pollution Effects on the Colorado Plateau ~ Southeastern Utah is home to some of the darkest skies in the country with some incredible nocturnal night life thriving under its stars. However, with urbanization and population growth there are threats on the horizon. Join Ranger Rhodes as we explore what makes the night skies of Canyonlands and Arches special, how we can continue to protect them, and what differences we can make at home to save our night skies for future generations.

June 15 ~ Cris White ~ NASA’s Heliophysics Big Year ~ On October 14th, 2023, an annular solar eclipse will cross the Western United States, beginning in Oregon and leaving the US on the shore of Texas. Many sites in Southern Utah will be in the path of annularity, including the four corners area. On April 8th, 2024, a total solar eclipse will cross from Texas through the Eastern United States. Join Cris White, Earth to Sky Interagency Partnership's Eclipse Coordinator based out of NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center and learn more about NASA's Heliophysics Big Year.

June 22 ~ Kat Connelly ~ Focusing the Lens on Parks ~ Photography, in many instances, helped shape political and social opinions for the protection of natural and culturally significant places. National Park backcountry ranger Kat Connelly will discuss photography’s role in influencing the designation of Arches and Canyonlands as national parks and how the proliferation of sharing photos has both positively and negatively affected use of public lands.

Find out more information on the Moab Information Center here.

Reservation Required to Enter Arches

From April 1 to October 31, 2023, between 7 a.m. and 4 p.m. daily, visitors will need to purchase a timed entry reservation in advance to enter Arches National Park. Visitors can purchase reservations on a first-come first-served basis on Recreation.gov. Reservations are released three months in advance in monthly blocks according to the following schedule:

May reservations (May 1–31) opened February 1.
June reservations (June 1–30) opened March 1.
July reservations (July 1–31) opened April 1.
August reservations (August 1–31) opened May 1.
September reservations (Sept. 1–30) open June 1.
October reservations (October 1–31) open July 1.

For more information on Timed Entry at Arches National Park, click here.

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Arches and Canyonlands Reversible Koozie

While Supplies Last

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