As summer begins to wind down, there's still plenty happening across the Colorado Plateau. In this month's newsletter, we're sharing updates on the reopening of Canyonlands National Park's Needles District following the Babylon Fire, CNHA's continued commitment to Bears Ears National Monument, important heat safety reminders for visitors, and a save the date for our annual National Public Lands Day Celebration. You'll also find a message from Executive Director Sam Wainer and a look at upcoming events and opportunities to connect with our public lands. Thanks for being part of the CNHA community, we're glad you're here!

I would like to take a moment to offer my sincere thanks to the National Park Foundation for

the amazing work they do every day in support of our national parks. As the official nonprofit

partner of the National Park Service, the National Park Foundation provides a wide variety of

grants throughout the year to friends groups and cooperating associations, helping strengthen

our ability to fulfill our collective mission and support our park partners.

CNHA is proud to have received a Capacity Building Grant from the National Park Foundation to

help strengthen our organization. This funding will support the continued development of our

Board of Trustees through a series of workshops facilitated by Newline Consulting. This fall, we

will engage in a board “tune-up,” followed by a strategic planning session next spring. These

efforts will help ensure CNHA is well positioned to serve our federal partners and communities

for years to come.

Members of CNHA's Board of Trustees gather during a board development workshop in 2025. This year's National Park Foundation Capacity Building Grant will support continued board development and long-term strategic planning.

Earlier this year, Friends of Arches and Canyonlands Parks and CNHA also received a Project

Development Grant from the National Park Foundation through their Partner Housing Catalyst

Program to assist with an employee housing project at Arches National Park. Together, we were

able to demolish a condemned employee housing unit and contract with an architect to

develop construction documents for its replacement. The new design will replace the existing

three-bedroom home with two two-bedroom apartments and two one-bedroom apartments,

doubling the available housing capacity while remaining on the same footprint as the original

home.

Thank you again to the National Park Foundation for helping make these two important

projects possible. We are grateful for their continued investment in the organizations and

people working to support our national parks.

You can learn more about the National Park Foundation’s Capacity Building Grants here.

Bears Ears National Monument is one of the most remarkable landscapes on the Colorado Plateau.

Home to thousands of cultural sites, breathtaking scenery, diverse ecosystems, and living traditions that continue today, Bears Ears is a place of enduring cultural, historical, and scientific significance. Recent changes to the monument's boundaries mark an important chapter in the story of this extraordinary place.

At Canyonlands Natural History Association, our mission remains unchanged.



We are committed to supporting the Manti-La Sal National Forest and the Bureau of Land Management's Canyon Country District in their stewardship of this landscape, while advancing the education, interpretation, and research that help people discover, understand, and care for Bears Ears and the Colorado Plateau.

We believe that understanding a place is the first step toward caring for it, and we'll continue sharing the stories that make Bears Ears so noteworthy.

After several weeks of temporary closures due to the nearby Babylon Fire, visitors can once again experience the incredible scenery of Canyonlands National Park's Needles District.

Although the fire did not burn within the park's Needles District, closures were put in place to allow firefighters to safely respond to the wildfire and protect both visitors and emergency personnel. With fire activity significantly reduced, all Babylon Fire-related closures within Canyonlands National Park have now been lifted.

While the Needles District is open, recovery efforts continue across the surrounding public lands. Firefighters remain on the Babylon Fire, repairing firelines, restoring roads, reducing post-fire hazards, and removing fire-weakened trees to improve public safety. The U.S. Forest Service's Burned Area Emergency Response (BAER) Team is also continuing to assess soils, trails, and cultural resource sites using field surveys and drone technology to help guide long-term recovery and protect the landscape moving forward.

As recovery efforts continue, visitors may still encounter crews working throughout the surrounding public lands. Canyonlands National Park and Bureau of Land Management lands affected by the fire have reopened, while portions of the Manti-La Sal National Forest remain under an updated closure order as firefighters, BAER specialists, and heavy equipment operators continue restoration work. The revised closure reflects the current fire footprint and has reopened additional areas for public use. Before heading out, be sure to check the latest conditions and respect all posted closure orders.

We're incredibly grateful to the firefighters, incident management teams, scientists, and public land staff who worked tirelessly throughout the Babylon Fire. As recovery continues, CNHA remains committed to supporting our public land partners through education, interpretation, and the programs that help people connect with and care for these extraordinary places.

Helpful Resources

• Manti-La Sal National Forest Alerts
• Bureau of Land Management Fire Restrictions

Photo: Emily Ogden (NPS)

 As high temperatures continue, Arches and Canyonlands national parks urge visitors to prepare for extreme heat during summer visits. So far in 2026, park rangers have responded to 23 heat-related search and rescue incidents — 11 at Arches and 12 at Canyonlands — many of which could have been prevented.

Summer temperatures regularly exceed 100°F/38°C. Combined with intense sunlight, low humidity, high elevation and limited shade, these conditions can quickly lead to dehydration and heat-related illness, even on short hikes. Visitors should plan activities during the cooler morning or evening hours, avoid strenuous activity between 10 a.m. and 5 p.m., and adjust their plans based on weather conditions, personal fitness and the needs of everyone in their group.

To stay safe and make the most of their visit, park rangers strongly encourage visitors to carry two to three liters of water per person for front-country hikes and at least four liters per person for backcountry travel. In Arches, drinking water is available at the visitor center and Devils Garden Campground. In Canyonlands, drinking water is available at Island in the Sky Visitor Center, The Needles Visitor Center, and The Needles Campground. 

• Drink regularly and turn around when half of the group’s water supply is gone.
• Eat salty snacks to replace calories and electrolytes lost through sweating.
• Wear sun protection, including lightweight, loose-fitting clothing, and a hat.
• Choose shorter hikes, scenic drives, ranger programs, or a visit to the visitor center when temperatures are high.
• Rest frequently in shaded areas and avoid overexertion.
• Never leave children or pets unattended in a parked vehicle.

Visitors should watch for signs of heat-related illness; including dizziness, weakness, headache, nausea, muscle cramps, confusion or excessive sweating. Anyone experiencing symptoms should stop activity, move to a cooler location, drink water and seek help. Call 911 if symptoms are severe or worsen.

Ahead of any trip, visitors are urged to check the weather forecast and current park conditions, and to build a flexible itinerary that can change with the day’s heat. Knowing the risks, preparing properly and being willing to turn back can mean the difference between a memorable vacation and a life-threatening emergency. Learn more about staying safe at Arches National Park and Canyonlands National Park.

Photo: Veronica Verdin (NPS)

Join CNHA for an evening celebrating the public lands that inspire us all! Mark your calendars for Thursday, September 24, from 5-7 pm, at the Moab Information Center for our annual National Public Lands Day Celebration.

This free, family-friendly event brings together our public land partners and community organizations for an evening of hands-on activities, educational exhibits, and opportunities to learn more about the landscapes we all love. It's a chance to connect with the people who help care for these incredible places while celebrating the importance of protecting them for future generations.

Whether you're a local, a longtime supporter, or just passing through, we'd love to see you there! More details, including participating organizations and event activities, will be shared in the coming weeks.

Moab Information Center Lecture Series

The Moab Information Center (MIC) Lecture Series continues in August with free, in-person talks exploring the science, history, and culture of canyon country. Speakers include local experts and partner organizations. Lectures are held Thursdays at 6:00 pm at the Moab Information Center.

• August 13 | Desert Nights by Rhodes Smartt
• August 27 | Grandma Joy and Me: A Journey of Healing, One National Park at a Time by Brad Ryan

View the full lineup here.

2026 Community Artist in the Parks

Chrissy Noel Kinslow is a Moab-based community artist whose work weaves together art, nature connection, and shared experience. Rooted in the landscapes of the Colorado Plateau, her practice centers on listening deeply and creating accessible, heart-led spaces for reflection and creative expression. Through guided art experiences, storytelling, and land-based practices, she invites participants to reconnect with themselves, each other, and the natural world.

See how she turns her inspiration into art, or join her (with your own art supplies) for a side-by-side creative endeavor. Bring water, sun protection, and your imagination.

Canyonlands National Park 
Island in the Sky District

Wednesday, August 12

Orange Cliffs Overlook

8 am – 2 pm

Wednesday, August 19

Green River Overlook

8 am – 2 pm

Wednesday, August 26

Upheaval Dome Overlook

8 am – 2 pm

Can't make it but still want to support? Check out her artwork here!

Canyons of the Ancients National Monument Events

89 Leagues from Santa Fe: 250 Years of Study at Escalante Pueblo, a Presentation and Guided Walk

Please join Southwest Colorado Canyons Alliance and Canyons of the Ancients National Monument for a special event on Thursday August 13 at 1 pm!

We hope you will step back in time with us as we commemorate the 250th anniversary of the 1776 Domínguez–Escalante Expedition’s historic arrival at the Dolores River. On August 13th at 1 PM, Monument Archaeologist Vince MacMillan will lead a special presentation and guided walk titled “89 Leagues from Santa Fe: 250 Years of Study at Escalante Pueblo.” Drawing directly from Father Escalante’s journals, we will explore how the expedition documented their camp, examine the Ancestral Puebloan sites on our grounds, and connect more deeply with one of the earliest written accounts of this remarkable landscape.

Date: Thursday, August 13, 2026

Time: 1:00 pm

Event Location: CANM Visitor Center and Museum, 27501 CO-184, Dolores, CO 81323

Register here!

Bears Ears Partnership: Visit With Respect Ambassador Training

Love hiking, meeting new people, and spending time outdoors? Join Bears Ears Partnership for Visit with Respect Ambassador Training on Saturday, September 19 and learn how you can help protect one of the Colorado Plateau's most culturally and ecologically significant landscapes.

As a Visit with Respect Ambassador, you'll serve as a friendly, welcoming presence at some of the most visited trails in the Bears Ears region. Along the way, you'll share simple tips that help visitors explore responsibly while enjoying some of southeastern Utah's most spectacular scenery.

Learn more and register on the Bears Ears Partnership website.

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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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