As the dust settles and we reflect upon the Secretary of Interior’s historic visit to southeast Utah, FCM is grateful to have had the opportunity to share our knowledge with a listening and interested leader who deeply understands how important protections are for this sacred and living cultural landscape.
Secretary Haaland’s Utah visit began with a stop at Sand Island Petroglyph Panel, an extensive rock writing site removed from Bears Ears by President Trump’s attempted reduction.
Secretary Haaland meets with FCM staff member Wanda Raschkow and Board Member Vaughn Hadenfeldt at the Bears Ears Education Center.
Following Sand Island, the Secretary visited the Bears Ears Education Center, where she met with members of the FCM team. Our brief time with the Secretary proved to be deeply moving as she expressed immeasurable reverence for public lands and gratitude for our work to educate visitors on ways to protect this fragile cultural landscape, and the hard work of our Visit with Respect Ambassadors and volunteers.
Later that evening, she met with Tribal leaders in Bluff. Many remarked upon how moving it was to see an Indigenous woman at the head of the table, leading the Department of Interior, respecting and honoring the government-to-government relationship with Tribal nations—indisputably essential, but a practice not common during the previous administration.
Secretary Haaland also hiked and explored the landscape, joined by Tribal and state elected officials including Hopi Vice Chairman Clark Tenakhongva, Pueblo of Zuni Lieutenant Governor Carleton Bowekaty, Governor Spencer Cox, Lieutenant Governor Deidre Henderson, Senator Mitt Romney, and Representative Blake Moore. FCM Executive Director Josh Ewing was honored to participate as well.The Secretary visited a number of sites, including Cave Towers where FCM has completed extensive site conservation efforts.
FCM Board member Vaughn Hadenfeldt and other scientists and other conservation leaders speak with Secretary Haaland. Photo credit: Tim Peterson
The Secretary also met with county and community leaders and other stakeholders interested in the region’s natural and cultural
resources. Friends of Cedar Mesa Board President Vaughn Hadenfeldt participated in a roundtable with scientists and other conservation leaders with robust knowledge of on-the-ground issues and management challenges in Bears Ears.
During her time in the region, Secretary Haaland also met with others from the Utah delegation, including Rep. John Curtis whose district encompasses Bears Ears.
The Secretary then traveled to Kane County to meet with stakeholders in the Grand Staircase-Escalante region, including Grand Staircase-
Escalante Partners, a fellow member of the Friends Grassroots Network. President Trump similarly attempted to reduce Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument by 50%–an irreplaceable landscape known for its outstanding scientific values.
Thank you, Secretary Haaland, for all of your time and thoughtful listening. We are grateful to have had the opportunity to speak with you, and it was a great honor to have met you.
Secretary Haaland joined by staff at Friends of Cedar Mesa at the Bears Ears Education Center.
In case you missed it, here are several articles to bring you up-to-date on the Secretary’s visit and what’s happening on the ground in Bears Ears:
1. Interior Secretary Haaland visits Utah monument amid controversy over whether to restore boundaries shrunk by Trump. Read more from the Washington Post.
2. Biden is poised to expand Bears Ears and Grand Staircase monuments. The real question is by how much? Navajo-led San Juan County Commission now favors enlargement, but Utah’s state and federal lawmakers want a congressional solution. Read more from the Salt Lake Tribune.
3. Biden has to ‘get this right,’ Deb Haaland says of monument decision after Bears Ears tour. Interior secretary is greeted by prayers, dueling protests and conflicting policy pushes in San Juan County. Next stop: Grand Staircase. Read more from the Salt Lake Tribune.
4. President Nez calls for the protection of 1.9 million acres of land under the Bears Ears National Monument in meeting with Interior Secretary Haaland. Read the President’s Press Release.
5. Department of Interior Press Statement: “Secretary Haaland Wraps Three-Day Visit to Utah.” Read the Press Statement.