Celebrate Bears Ears 2026

Join us March 6-8, 2026 for Celebrate Bears Ears, our signature biennial event. Registration is open for this special weekend of educational panels and discussions, celebration, and partnership to deepen your connection with the landscape we are all working to protect.

Student Discount: Students can use coupon STUDENT to get $20 tickets for Saturday's program.

Our theme for Celebrate 2026 is The Land Can’t Wait. Today, as we face increased uncertainty around the future of the Bears Ears region, we’re steadfast in our commitment to increase our efforts to implement vital on-the-ground education and conservation programs to protect this sacred landscape. Learn more about The Land Can’t Wait campaign on our website.

We are thrilled to welcome Joy Harjo as our keynote speaker at the main event on Saturday. In addition, our Friday Night Fundraiser Dinner will provide an opportunity to visit with her in a small, intimate setting.

Joy Harjo, the 23rd U.S. Poet Laureate and member of the Muscogee Nation, is the author of ten books of poetry, several plays, children’s books, two memoirs, and seven music albums. Her honors include Yale’s 2023 Bollingen Prize for American Poetry, National Book Critics Circle Ivan Sandrof Lifetime Achievement Award, the Ruth Lily Prize from the Poetry Foundation, a Guggenheim Fellowship, and a Tulsa Artist Fellowship. She is a chancellor of the Academy of American Poets and Chair of the Native Arts & Cultures Foundation, and is the inaugural Artist-in-Residence for the Bob Dylan Center in Tulsa, Oklahoma, where she lives.

Celebrate Bears Ears Events

Friday, March 6

On the evening of Friday, March 6, we will be hosting a VIP Fundraiser Dinner at Twin Rocks Cafe. This memorable evening will provide a special opportunity to visit with fellow supporters as well as our keynote in a small, intimate setting. Enjoy delicious food, and bid on unique travel experiences in a silent auction. Visit the event page to learn more – space is limited, so REGISTER NOW.

Saturday, March 7

Join us at the Bluff Community Center (3rd East & Mulberry) for an inspiring day of educational panels, discussions, and presentations, featuring Tribal, agency, community, and other partners alongside BEP staff. Light breakfast and lunch are both included in your registration fee.

Please note this schedule is subject to change.

Morning Program:

8:00am Doors open, light refreshments, registration

9:00 Welcome remarks, opening prayer, State of Bears Ears address

9:20 Panel discussion by Indigenous Leaders

10:10 Beyond the Glittering World authors in conversation

11:00 BREAK (15 minutes)

11:15 Low-tech processed-based restoration presentation and panel discussion

Afternoon Program: 

12:05pm LUNCH (~1 hour)

1:15 Visit With Respect 10-year anniversary presentation and volunteer award

1:35 Keynote speaker: Joy Harjo

2:25 Canyon Country Youth Corp crew member film presentation

2:35 Canyon Country Discovery Center past, present, and future presentation

3:05 BREAK (15 minutes)

3:20 Reading from A Cowgirl’s Conservation Journey by Heidi Redd

3:50 Growing roots in local land stewardship presentation by Reagan Wytasalucy 

4:30 Joe Pachak memorial and closing reading by Vaughn Hadenfeldt, outgoing board acknowledgements by Dave Nimkin

4:55 Farewell, further instructions

7:00 Bears Ears Education Center opens for BEEC After Dark (open to public)

7:15 Dark Skies presentation by Michael Rymer

8:00 Remarks by and conversation with R.E. Burrillo

Sunday, March 8

Guided Tours of CCDC

You are invited to join guided tours our new shared Canyon Country Discovery Center campus – a great opportunity to explore the grounds, meet with staff members, and mingle with fellow BEP supporters.

Guided tours will start at 10 AM and 12 PM and last about an hour. Meet at the foyer at 1117 N Main St, Monticello, UT 84535. 

We can't wait to Celebrate with you!

Art by Kate Aitchison