Art in the Parks and Public Lands Near Moab

CNHA Welcomes Jess Hough,

2023 Community Artist in the Parks

Jess Hough is a local carpenter/handyman and artist based in Moab, Utah. Primarily an illustrator, she’s recently been working on developing cheap and accessible methods for at-home printmaking with DIY art supplies and tools made from reclaimed/recycled materials. Jess enjoys working on landscapes and environments inspired by red rock canyons and all the amazing natural features of Utah's deserts.

During her tenure as 2023 Community Artist in Parks, visitors could see Jess perform any step of the printmaking process: sketching a scene, finalizing designs, making plates, and even printing from her plates using her homemade printing press.

Turret Arch

Original Numbered Print

Untitled Landscape Print

Desert Sunrise Print

The scenery within the national parks in southeast Utah inspired the creation of the Community Artist in the Parks program. The series began in 2009 as a way to highlight the connection between local artists and the landscapes contained within the parks of the National Park Service's Southeast Utah Group: Arches National Park, Canyonlands National Park, Hovenweep National Monument, and Natural Bridges National Monument.

The program gives visitors from across the globe an opportunity to see first-hand the results of artistic inspiration from wild nature. It provides local artists an ability to teach and demonstrate their medium and passion for creative expression.

Community artists host events throughout the summer where you can watch them in action, and even try your hand at some artwork. Click this link to see a schedule of upcoming park visits.

Check out the Community Artist page on the CNHA website to see more of Jess's art

The BLM announces final work from the 2022 Canyon Country District Artist in Residence

The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) is pleased to share the work produced by the first Canyon Country District Artist in Residence, H. Walck, and announce the availability of applications for a residency in the fall of 2023.

“Canyon Country is an inspiring and magical place. As a result of this residency program, the public can experience these areas through an artists’ eyes,” said District Manager Nicollee Gaddis-Wyatt. “We are thrilled with last years’ artist in residency program and look forward to hosting another artist in the fall.”

Walck completed their three-week residency in October of 2022. During the residency, they explored public lands in the Moab area, visited with BLM subject matter experts and sought inspiration for new work. Halck's piece developed during their residency will be on display. The location and date of availability will be announced on the BLM Moab and Canyon Country Facebook page at a later date.

“It was our pleasure to be involved with the first Canyon Country District Artist in Residence program,” said Canyonlands Natural History Association Operations Manager Sam Wainer. “Walck’s body of work presents a unique perspective to the landscape and wildlife of the Moab area. The Canyonlands Natural History Association is excited to support the 2023 program and is seeking ways to help the BLM grow this residency.”

The 2023 BLM Canyon Country Artist in Residence will be hosted by the Monticello Field Office in Bears Ears National Monument. This residency, open to writers and visual artists, will last two to four-weeks between Sept. 10 and Oct. 21. To apply, artists should submit samples of their work along with a project proposal, resume, and answers to additional questions, as outlined on the application form. Applications are being accepted from now through May 27, 2023. For detailed information about the residency, please visit the BLM Canyon Country District Artist in Residence webpage. The BLM would like to thank CNHA for their continued support of this program.

Lecture Series Resumes at the MIC With Full Slate

Moab Information Center

2023 Lecture Series

Canyonlands Natural History Association (CNHA)

Thursday’s @ 5:00 p.m.

April 13 ~ Rhodes Smartt ~ Geology of Canyonlands ~ Have you ever wondered how Canyonlands was formed? National Park Ranger/Geologist Rhodes Smartt will discuss the geology of the greater Colorado Plateau area and the Island in the Sky district of Canyonlands, and how its unique geology led to uranium mining. Join us for an evening of geologic exploration!

April 27 ~ Joel Tuhy ~ Wildflowers and Other Features of Hanging Gardens ~ Scattered throughout the semi-arid Canyon Country are small wet areas known as Hanging Gardens. They support a host of water-loving plants that cannot grow in the expansive dry desert all around. What causes these local wet sites to occur in the desert? What are some of the plants that survive and thrive only in these sites? Come and see for yourself!

May 4 ~ Robert Anderson ~ Founding Fathers: The Creation of Canyonlands National Park ~ The vision of Charlie Steen, Bates Wilson and Stewart Udall paved the way for the creation of Canyonlands National Park. Charlie Steen represents the Atomic Energy Commission who provided access to the White Rim Sandstone via the White Rim Road. Bates Wilson represents the vision of having a National Park that would protect the confluence of the Green and Colorado rivers. Stewart Udall provided the political support needed in order to push the idea of a National Park through Congress. Join Park Ranger, Robert Anderson, as he discusses each of these men and their vision for Canyonlands National Park.

Find out more information on the Moab Information Center here.

Don't Forget Your Reservation

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:

April reservations (April 1–30) opened January 10.
May reservations (May 1–31) opened February 1.
June reservations (June 1–30) opened March 1.
July reservations (July 1–31) open April 1.
August reservations (August 1–31) open May 1.
September reservations (Sept. 1–30) open June 1.
October reservations (October 1–31) open July 1.

After booking a reservation, visitors will receive a timed entry ticket. Timed entry tickets will be required to enter the park from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. daily and will allow visitors to enter during a one-hour specified window of availability. After entering, visitors may stay in the park for the remainder of the day. Ticket holders may exit and re-enter the park on the same day with a correctly validated ticket.

For those without early reservations, a limited number of additional tickets will be available for purchase at 6 p.m. MDT on the day before entry through Recreation.gov. Tickets must be purchased online or by calling Recreation.gov before entering the park and will not be available at the park entrance. Timed entry tickets will not be required for those with camping permits, backcountry permits, Fiery Furnace permits, special use permits, concessions contracts, or commercial use authorizations. Tickets may sell out quickly, and visitors are encouraged to plan ahead.

Winter Conditions Persist in Local Mountain Ranges

Winter isn't done with us yet!

As of the middle of March, areas in the Manti La Sal National Forest had 245% of normal snowpack. The La Sal Mountains are currently 198% of normal with 70" of snow on the ground near the Geyser Pass Winter Trailhead and 100" at the end of the Gold Basin Road. Recreation program managers are anticipating late openings for all campgrounds and trails.

If you are heading into the mountains, remember to get the latest Avalanche Forecast. Steady snows have provided increased opportunities for winter recreation on the Manti-La Sal National Forest. This means there are a lot of "behind the scenes" activities that must be done to keep areas open. Forest recreation personnel have been working with partners and volunteers to keep Nordic trails groomed, and parking lots open. Trail grooming updates can be found on our Facebook page and the Utah Avalanche Center website.

BLM Seeks Input on Fee Increases at Sand Flats Recreation Area

The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) and Grand County, Utah, cooperatively manage the Sand Flats Recreation Area and are seeking input on a proposal to implement changes to recreation fees. Located just two miles from Moab, Utah, the Sand Flats Recreation Area is home to many iconic mountain biking and off-highway vehicle trails, as well as to nine popular campgrounds. Well-known trails include the Slickrock Trail, Hell’s Revenge, and Fins and Things.

The publicly available draft Sand Flats Recreation Area Business Plan outlines information related to the recreation fee sites, proposed fee changes, operation and maintenance costs, planned expenditures, financial analyses and potential impacts of fee changes. The business plan includes the following modifications:

Changing the fee for day use to $10 for four-wheeled vehicles and $5 for bicycles or motorcycles. The day-use pass would be valid for seven days. This would remove the single-day option to pay $5 for four-wheeled vehicles and $2 for bicycles or motorcycles.
Eliminate the $5 per-vehicle-towed vehicle fee.
Increasing the fee for a day-use annual pass from $25 to $50.
Increasing the fee for camping in developed campsites within Sand Flats Recreation Area from $15 per vehicle to $30 per vehicle.
Increasing the fee for camping in group sites from $60 to $100.

Check out the full Press Release. The proposal and detailed business plan are available at: www.blm.gov/programs/recreation/permits-and-fees/business-plans. Comments on the proposal must be submitted or emailed by April 16, 2023.

National Park Week April 22-30

Love national parks? National Park Week is happening April 22 to April 30 this year. Entrance fees will be waived on April 22, 2023, to kick off the celebration and to encourage everyone to enjoy their national parks in person. National Park Service parks, programs, and partners will host events and activities all week! Follow National Park Week on social media and join the fun all week using #NationalParkWeek.

It's not just about more than 400 national parks nationwide of different shapes, sizes, and types. Also discover what the National Park Service does through programs and partners to preserve natural and cultural heritage and provide recreational opportunities in places across the country—and even the world! This year's National Park Week theme is "Your Park Story". What park place is very special to you?

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