Goals & Projects
Building Community Relationships and Partnerships
The Friends of Arches and Canyonlands Parks recognize the importance of the National Park Service's need to build community relationships and partnership. The Friends offer several programs that will engage the public in caring for and connecting to the land, as well as raise awareness of the importance of protecting these sensitive places.
Southeast Utah Group (SEUG) Site Stewardship Program
The SEUG Site Stewardship program assists the National Park Service in protecting and preserving the vast cultural resources in the parks of southeast Utah. The stewards provide an extension to the parks "boots on ground" philosophy by monitoring archeology sites located within the national parks. The stewards monitor their assigned sites for impacts and provide important data that will allow the cultural resource staff to maintain an on-going log of natural or human caused changes and to intervene as necessary to prevent further long lasting impacts.
Locals to the Parks Programs
The Friends organization supports local non-profits through scholarship programs that encourage locals to visit and care for their surrounding parks. [Bates Wilson believed that national parks have a responsibility to engage the community in its mission. The communities surrounding national parks are important partners in the management of public lands.]
Maintain and Further Bates Wilson's Legacy
The Friends is in the process of publishing Bates Wilson's story to ensure his legacy is integrated into the park's message to the visitor through interpretative displays and ranger presentations. Bates Wilson steadfastly championed core values that reflect the National Park Service's mission of preservation, enjoyment, education and inspiration.
Night Sky Initiative
The Friends organization supports the preservation of the night skies. Natural Bridges National Monument was designated the first International Dark Sky Park for its exceptional commitment to dark sky preservation. During the summer months, the Park provides an Astronomy Ranger Program under the spectacular starry skies. The Friends works with local groups in sponsoring night sky programs geared towards educating the residents and visitors of the importance of maintaining the dark skies. The Friends also work with local civic leaders to adopt outdoor lighting policies and protect the night skies surrounding the national parks in Southeast Utah.
Arches Transportation Alternative Planning
The Friends is assisting the National Park Service in its efforts to engage the local community in planning for a workable transportation solution to the parking congestion in Arches National Park. The sheer visitation numbers at Arches directly impact each visitor experience and a workable transportation solution is required. Successfully helping Arches National Park develop and implement an alternative transportation plan will reduce the impact of traffic, noise and pollution in the Park, as well as improve the visitor's experience.
