Utah, Greater Canyonlands

Located near Moab and Arches National Park in Utah, Canyonlands National Park is like no other place on the planet.  Outdoor enthusiasts come to hike, climb, mountain bike and camp among the red-rocks and canyons.  Most people who visit Moab are familiar with Canyonlands and Arches, but many do not realize that the geological formation that makes this place unique, extends beyond the park, covering over 1.4 million acres.  This land is managed by the BLM and contains more than just scenic getaways for tourists but also 12,000 year old archeological sites and a rich history of Native American culture.  Many of our partner organization are fighting for extended protection of the larger Canyonlands region called "Greater Canyonlands."  This area is under threat by constant off-road vehicle abuse, oil and gas development and proposed uranium and tar sand mining.  Organizations like the Southern Utah Wilderness Alliance petitioning the president to designate the Greater Canyonlands as a national monument under the authority of the Antiquities Act, protecting it as a national place of historic and scientific importance.

The area couldn’t be a better candidate for this designation, as it is largely untrammeled by humans. It serves as a key migration corridor for birds, mountain lions, pronghorn antelope and desert bighorn sheep. It is an oasis of riparian habitat in a dry desert. It is a place for the largely urbanized West to find solitude, and a look into the past. It’s a tourism resource for Utah, providing a boost to its economy. It is a place worth protecting for future generations to enjoy.