As 2023 draws to a close, Canyonlands Natural History Association has much to celebrate. Many of these achievements were made possible through your generous support, which is greatly appreciated. 

2024 will see a change in leadership at CNHA as Roxanne Bierman retires as Executive Director. Roxanne will definitely be missed. Her passion for supporting public lands and the work that we do is admirable. CNHA has grown the financial support we offer to our federal land partners by nearly half a million dollars since Roxanne's tenure began in 2016. We celebrate Roxanne for her service and all she has accomplished for CNHA, and we wish her all the best as she begins the next segment of her life. 

In 2023, we provided a record amount of financial aid to our partners, over $2 million, which supported some amazing projects. One of the more unique funding requests came from the National Park Service to purchase two E-Bikes to be used in patrolling the four-wheel-drive roads in Arches and Canyonlands. Some benefits of using E-Bikes are zero exhaust emissions, limited disturbance of road dust, a quieter mode of transportation, and reduced emergency response time. 

CNHA also funded eclipse glasses celebrating the Ring of Fire annular solar eclipse on October 14 for all three agencies. The glasses featured custom artwork by Tyler Nordgren, representing Canyon Country parks and monuments. We funded tribal consultation for Bears Ears National Monument on behalf of the Manti-La Sal National Forest. CNHA also assisted the Forest Service with installing information kiosks at three trailheads in the La Sal mountains and continued our support with the Forest Service avalanche awareness programs, including Know-Before-You-Go and winter rescue training. 

The BLM requested and received funds to conduct a focus group study through the Public Lands Recreation Research Partnership to learn about the perspectives of the Five Tribes and Pueblos of the Bears Ears Commission regarding how the BLM manages recreation in Bears Ears National Monument. The BLM also received funding to host a Natural Resources Field Day Competition for local San Juan County High School students. CNHA purchased a solar scope for the BLM, which converts to a telescope to engage visitors in star programs.  

CNHA continues to support Canyon Country Outdoor Education in Grand and San Juan Counties, Utah. It's a wonderful program that gets local students out on public lands and helps teachers meet the state core curriculum with hands-on science teaching. We also fund the Junior Ranger Programs for Arches and Canyonlands national parks and Natural Bridges and Hovenweep national monuments and provide funding for free publications for all three federal partners. 

This is just a small piece of what we accomplished this year. None of it would be possible without your support and enthusiasm for what we do. 

Wishing you all the best in the new year,

Sam Wainer

Executive Director

The National Park Service Southeast Utah Group is pleased to announce Annie Dalton as the 2024 Community Artist in the Parks (CAIP).

Annie Dalton was born in Moab but lived all around the southwest as a child. She studied Fine Art and Biochemistry in college, graduating with a BA from Arizona State. Raised by an artist and miner/driller, her art and a love of this landscape and its elements are interwoven.

Annie strives to create art that encourages people to slow down, savor the moment, and reconnect with nature. About her upcoming tenure as Community Artist, Annie says, "I'm so honored to serve as the Artist in the Parks! I can't wait to see how this body of art shapes itself in the wild, and am looking forward to the connections I'll get to make along the journey."

Created in 2009, the CAIP program highlights the connection between a local artist and the surrounding landscapes, particularly Arches and Canyonlands national parks and Hovenweep and Natural Bridges national monuments. Participating artists must reside in Grand, San Juan, or Montezuma counties.

As the Community Artist for 2024, Annie Dalton will create original work within the parks for a minimum of 24 hours per month, April through October, and share her inspiration and creative process with visitors.

Her work will be sold in the Canyonlands Natural History Association stores at Arches and Canyonlands national parks, and CNHA's online store during her tenure. Check back in April to view Annie's work.

Read the full news release here.

Mark your calendars! The free entrance days for National Parks are:

• January 15: Birthday of Martin Luther King, Jr.
• April 20: First day of National Park Week
• June 19: Juneteenth National Independence Day
• August 4: Anniversary of the Great American Outdoors Act
• September 28: National Public Lands Day
• November 11: Veterans Day

If you plan to visit Arches National Park between April 1st and October 31st, you will still need a Timed Entry Ticket to enter the park between 7am and 4pm. Learn more here.

The entrance fee waiver for fee-free days does not cover amenity or user fees for activities such as camping, boat launches, transportation, or special tours.

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, 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.