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Summer is in full swing across the Colorado Plateau, bringing busy trails, star-filled nights, community gatherings, and plenty of opportunities to connect with our public lands.
This month, we're sharing a message from Executive Director Sam Wainer, looking back at our first-ever Community Geology Hike, and getting ready for AstroFest 2026 this weekend. You'll also find the return of Manti-La Sal Happenings, important updates for climbers and summer travelers, and a full lineup of upcoming events.
Thanks for being part of the CNHA community. We hope you enjoy this month's stories and find a few reasons to get outside and explore.
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CANYONLANDS NATURAL HISTORY ASSOCIATION
From the Desk of Sam
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The Great American Outdoors Act (GAOA) was signed into law in 2020. GAOA is bipartisan legislation that established permanent funding for the Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF) and the National Parks and Public Land Legacy Restoration Fund, (LFR). The primary purpose of the Legacy Restoration Fund is to address deferred maintenance and infrastructure needs in national parks and other public lands facilities.
The Great American Outdoors Act’s Legacy Restoration Fund represents the largest single investment in public lands in U.S. history. Its five years of success demonstrate that reauthorizing this transformational program is one of the most effective ways to support our national parks. Continued investment will help ensure that park infrastructure remains accessible, resilient, and protected for generations.
Where the LWCF was permanently funded through GAOA, funding for the Legacy Restoration Fund expired in September of 2025. The National Park Foundation is leading an effort to encourage Congress to reauthorize the fund. Securing Congressional support was a major goal of the NPF Hill Day, which I mentioned in last month’s newsletter. Since April 29, ten new bipartisan cosponsors have joined the Senate’s America the Beautiful Act (S.1547) bringing the total number of cosponsors to more than 60.
Please contact your senators and urge them to support S-1547, America the Beautiful Act. A list of cosponsors is available at Congress.gov. There is no companion reauthorization bill pending in the House of Representatives.
The Legacy Restoration Fund has helped address critical infrastructure needs in parks and public lands across the country. Continued support will help ensure that future generations can safely access and enjoy the places we all value. Members of Congress pay attention when constituents reach out and your voice can help build momentum for reauthorizing this import program.
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CANYONLANDS NATURAL HISTORY ASSOCIATION
A Day that Rocked: CNHA Host's 1st Ever Community Geology Hike
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On May 12, CNHA hosted a community geology hike in the Island in the Sky District of Canyonlands National Park led by Ranger Rhodes Smart. Participants spent the day exploring the landscape, learning about the incredible geologic history of canyon country, and asking plenty of great questions along the way.
With a small group and an enthusiastic ranger, the hike offered a unique opportunity to connect with both the landscape and fellow public lands enthusiasts. Attendees enjoyed fascinating geology discussions, spectacular views, snacks, and a few CNHA goodies to take home.
A huge thank you to Ranger Rhodes Smart and Canyonlands National Park for helping make this event possible. Judging by the positive feedback we received afterward, this event was a rock-solid success and a memorable day of learning, exploration, and appreciation for the incredible public lands we all love!
We can’t wait to host more opportunities for people to explore, learn, and connect with the landscapes of southeastern Utah. Keep an eye out for future CNHA programs, and remember, members receive early access registration for select events!
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NATIONAL PARK SERVICE | SOUTHEAST UTAH GROUP
AstroFest 2026
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The fifth annual Southeast Utah AstroFest returns June 4–7 with astronomy programs, telescope viewing, constellation tours, cultural presentations, and family-friendly activities across southeastern Utah.
The festival kicks off on June 4 at 6pm at the Moab Information Center with a special presentation by Park Ranger Kale Wernsing, exploring why darkness matters to people, wildlife, plants, and public lands.
Additional events will take place at Arches National Park, Canyonlands National Park, Dead Horse Point State Park, Natural Bridges National Monument, Hovenweep National Monument, and Utahraptor State Park.
View the full schedule and event details on the AstroFest webpage.
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U.S. FOREST SERVICE
Manti-La Sal Happenings Returns
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The Manti-La Sal National Forest has revived its official newsletter, Manti-La Sal Happenings, with the release of the Spring 2026 edition!
The newsletter provides updates on forest projects, recreation opportunities, firewood permits, conservation education programs, and seasonal information from across the forest. The Forest Service plans to publish the newsletter every other month, giving visitors and local communities a new way to stay connected with what's happening on the forest.
As a partner of the Manti-La Sal National Forest, Canyonlands Natural History Association is excited to see the return of this valuable resource and encourages visitors to explore the latest edition for updates on stewardship efforts, recreation, and public land management.
Read the Spring 2026 edition on the Manti-La Sal National Forest website.
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BUREAU OF LAND MANAGEMENT | CANYON COUNTRY
Climbing Access Guidance Update
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Original Meat, Tenderloins, Broken Tooth, Sacred Cow, and Critic's Choice are back on the menu for climbing in Indian Creek!
Following spring raptor monitoring, BLM biologists have updated climbing access guidance in the Indian Creek area. These five walls have been removed from the raptor nesting avoidance list and are now available to recreation for the remainder of the year. Thank you to all the climbers who have and continue to respect avoidance areas for the benefit of our feathered, wild friends. We hope this year yields many successful offspring!
Read the announcement here.
Source: Bureau of Land Management social media update, May 2026.
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CANYON COUNTRY
Summer Travel Updates
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Visitors planning trips to Canyonlands National Park or along Potash Road should be aware of two upcoming construction and improvement projects.
From July 27 through October 1, the Grand View Point area in Island in the Sky District of Canyonlands National Park will be closed from Monday mornings through Thursday afternoons each week as crews complete the next phase of parking lot and safety improvements. The area will remain open on weekends.
Along Potash Road (SR-279), UDOT will begin a road preservation project on June 8. Visitors can expect reduced speeds, delays of up to 15 minutes, and restricted roadside parking. Recreation users should also be aware that shoulder closures and temporary access restrictions will occur throughout the project. This includes the popular Wall Street climbing area, where roadside parking and access may be temporarily closed while crews are actively working in the area.
Click the links below for complete project details and the latest visitor information.
Read about Grand View Point improvements.
Check out the Potash Road construction notice.
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Moab Information Center Lecture Series
The Moab Information Center (MIC) Lecture Series continues in June 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.
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June 4 | Night Skies and National Parks: Shedding Light on the Dark by Kale Wernsing
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June 18 | Founding Fathers: The Creation of Canyonlands National Park by Robert Anderson
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June 25 | Our Time in the Parks by Rhodes Smartt
View the full lineup here.
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Natural Bridges Visitng Poet Series: Lauren Camp at AstroFest
Join award-winning poet Lauren Camp for a series of programs exploring poetry, place, and the night sky during AstroFest at Natural Bridges National Monument. Camp is the author of nine books and served as New Mexico Poet Laureate from 2022–2025.
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June 6, 3:30 pm - Poetry and Darkness (Visitor Center)
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June 6, 9:30 pm - Poetry Under the Stars (Visitor Center)
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June 7, 3:30 pm - Writing into Place (location TBD)
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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.
Hovenweep National Monument
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Friday, June 12
Square Tower Group
9 am – 12 pm
1 pm – 4 pm
Saturday, June 13
Cajon Site
9 am – 12 pm
1 pm – 4 pm
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Saturday, June 20
Horseshoe/Hackberry Site
9 am – 12 pm
1 pm – 4 pm
Sunday, June 21
Little Ruin Canyon Overlook
9 am – 12 pm
1 pm – 4 pm
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Canyons of the Ancients National Monument Events
June 6 at 2pm | Seeds of Survival: Desert Archaic Lifeways of the Great Basin and Colorado Plateau
Join the Southwest Colorado Canyons Alliance and Montezuma Land Conservancy June 6 at 2 pm at the Canyons of the Ancients Visitor Center for a special lecture about early traditions and lifeways on the Colorado Plateau!
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June 27 from 9am - 4:30pm | Indigenous Art Market
Join us at the Canyons of the Ancients Visitor Center and Museum as we celebrate Native Artists and Culture from throughout the Four Corners.
This free community event is sponsored by the Southwest Colorado Canyons Alliance and Canyons of the Ancients National Monument — and it’s the perfect way to support Indigenous artists while enjoying a day filled with creativity, tradition, and connection.
Canyons of the Ancients Visitor Center
27501 CO-184, Dolores, CO 81323
See more Canyons of the Ancients events here!
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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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