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As we step into the festive month of December, we are thrilled to bring you another exciting edition of our newsletter. Read about timed entry at Arches National Park for 2024, Bureau of Land Management Monticello Field Office updates, and more!
In the spirit of the holidays, we extend warm wishes to you and your loved ones for a joyful December filled with exploration, connection, and the magic of the great outdoors. Thank you for being part of our community, and we hope you enjoy this month's newsletter!
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NATIONAL PARK SERVICE
News Release: Arches Announces a Pilot Vehicle Reservation System Using Timed Entry in 2024
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Arches National Park will implement another pilot vehicle reservation system using timed entry in 2024, beginning April 1.
"We received many positive comments from people who enjoyed the guaranteed arrival time and reduced congestion they experienced during the 2023 vehicle reservation pilot,” said Arches National Park Acting Superintendent Brendan Bray. “A repeat pilot program in 2024 will help us learn more about how such systems can provide visitors with the opportunity for enjoyable experiences while protecting the extraordinary landscapes they come to see.”
Program parameters will be the same as the 2023 pilot. Visitors can book reservations on a first-come first-served basis through Recreation.gov beginning at 8 a.m. MST on January 2, 2024. Reservations will be released three months in advance in monthly blocks. For example, on January 2, reservations will open for the month of April. On February 1, reservations will open for the month of May and unreserved times in April will remain open. Additional months will continue the same pattern according to the following schedule:
- April reservations (April 1–30) open January 2 at 8 a.m. MST.
- May reservations (May 1–31) open February 1 at 8 a.m. MST.
- June reservations (June 1–30) open March 1 at 8 a.m. MST.
- July reservations (July 1–31) open April 1 at 8 a.m. MDT.
- August reservations (August 1–31) open May 1 at 8 a.m. MDT.
- September reservations (September 1–30) open June 1 at 8 a.m. MDT.
- October reservations (October 1–31) open July 1 at 8 a.m. MDT.
Read the full news release here.
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BUREAU OF LAND MANAGEMENT
Monticello Field Office Updates
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Students from Four High Schools in the San Juan School District Compete and Learn at Natural Resources Field Day
On Thursday, October 19, ten teams of 45 students from across San Juan County participated in a natural resources management and science field day at the BLM’s Sand Island Campground outside of Bluff, Utah. Throughout the day, students learned resource management principles and techniques at five unique stations. Professionals from the Bureau of Land Management and USDA Forest Service in wildlife, water, fire, grazing, and recreation led each station.
At each station, the students learned about careers in land management and sciences and how science is used to make decisions on public lands. Following the presentations, students completed a challenge, giving them some hands-on experience. After each team had visited all five stations, the students were given a written test to assess what they had learned throughout the day. The cumulative average score from each team was how the winner of the scholarships were determined.
“This is the second time we have been able to put together this event for our students, and we were excited by the increase in the number of students that participated,” said Jamie Carling, Monticello High School Science Teacher. “Our students took this competition seriously, and each station did a great job teaching them new skills and how to think critically about challenges that are part of public land management.”
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“Much of this event was made possible through funding we were able to secure through the Canyonland Natural History Association, as we were able to cover travel costs and provide some substantial scholarship awards,” said Tina Marian, Bureau of Land Management Assistant Field Manager for Resources. “This event is a great way for our local public land management employees to connect with the local youth and hopefully spark an interest in learning more about natural resource management as a career choice.”
While all the students left the event with more knowledge about natural resources, teams from San Juan High School won 1st ($500 each student) and 2nd place ($300 each student), and a team from Monticello High School took 3rd place ($200 each student).
1st place team members: Anthony Done, Elise Dalley, Everett Nielson, Magenta Crane, RJ Dalley
2nd place team members: Jessica Black, Noah Begay, Rose Kartchner, Wyatt Keith
3rd place team members: Ayla Carling, Curtis Bunker, Jesse Pettit, Kaden Pehrson, Marah Long
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Solar Eclipse
On Saturday morning of October 14th, 2023, from approximately 9:30 AM to 11:30 AM, there was an annular eclipse of the sun. Public lands within the Canyon Country region and the communities in the area received an increase in visitation during this time. The Bureau of Land Management and our partners planned for a long time in advance to protect resources and provide a good experience to visitors to the area. We are grateful to all our partners who helped support the eclipse response, including CNHA, who provided a solar telescope to help with outreach at events and eclipse glasses to provide to visitors. Thank you!
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US FOREST SERVICE
Christmas Tree Permits for the Manti-La Sal National Forest Available
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Christmas Tree permits are available now online through Recreation.gov and at the Moab Information Center (MIC). This permit allows you to cut a Christmas Tree within designated areas of the Manti-La Sal National Forest. Get your permit here.
Where to Cut Your Tree
- Do not cut on private land, in wilderness areas, designated campgrounds, or existing tree plantations
- Do not cut in active timber sales or areas that have been planted with new trees
- Do not cut trees within 100 feet of roads, streams or reservoirs or within 500 feet of a Ranger Station, campground or picnic area
- Christmas tree cutting is prohibited in Straight Canyon on Highway 29 and Huntington Canyon on Highway 31
- Do not cut ponderosa pine
- Tree topping is not allowed. Cut the entire tree and leave a stump height of 12 inches or less (measured from the ground)
- Remove all live branches from the stump
- Cut and scatter waste branches and stems
Selecting Your Tree
Each forest has limitations on the size of the tree you can cut and the species of trees that are permitted. See below to help you measure and choose a tree that meets your permits guidelines
- Tree Height: 20 feet maximum
- Stump height: 12 inches maximum
- Stump diameter: 5 inches maximum
- If snow is on the ground, remove it from around the stump so you can accurately measure the stump and tree height
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SCIENCE MOAB
Science Moab on Tap
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It's time for another year of science and beer with Science Moab On Tap at Woody's Tavern! Doors open at 5:30 pm, talks from 6-7pm.
Wednesday, Dec 13: "Dear Rats, Thank You for our Drinking Water" Tara Scott, Ecologist
Wednesday, Jan 17: "Snakes: Zero Legs, Two Hemipenes, One (Mobile) Hear" Scott Gibson, Wildlife Biologist
Wednesday, Feb 7: "So Salty! Paradox Basin, Past & Present" Evey Gannaway Dalton, Geologist
This year's science is sponsored by Canyonlands Natural History Association & the Moab City RAP Tax Grant.
Learn more about Science Moab here.
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Your Purchases Support Education and Research on the
Public Lands of Southeastern Utah.
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Our Mission
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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