Bears Ears Partnership’s Education Program works to connect people of all ages and backgrounds to the unique cultural and natural landscape of the Four Corners Region. Our place-based education in the field helps inspire a lasting sense of stewardship for this region.
Our Campuses
The Bears Ears Education Center (BEEC) in Bluff, Utah, serves as a hub for visitor information and education for the entire Bears Ears region. Learn More about the BEEC.
The Canyon Country Discovery Center (CCDC) in Monticello, Utah, supports our Education and Conservation Programs. It offers a range of place-based, experiential learning opportunities on a 15,000-square-foot campus. Learners can explore interactive exhibits related to science, nature, and local culture in our Colorado Plateau Education Center, trails accessing 48 acres of juniper, piñon pine, and sagebrush woodlands, and an observatory.
Our Educational Programs
Dark Sky Program
Our Dark Sky Program promotes the wonders of the night sky and the importance of preserving it as a cultural and ecological resource, combining astronomy and storytelling to illustrate our place in the universe. Our educators collaborate with local astronomers, agencies, and Cultural Knowledge Holders to provide all-ages dark sky programming across the region, including monthly Star Parties and an annual Dark Sky Festival. The Dark Sky Ambassador program trains volunteers to operate telescopes and give constellation tours. Learn more about the Dark Sky program or find out how to become a Dark Sky Ambassador here.
Group Presentations and Workshops
We also offer special presentations and workshops for all education levels, as well as for special interest groups, covering different topics related to the cultural and ecological significance of the Bears Ears region. Past partners have included Project Archaeology, the Sierra Club, Arizona Hiking Club, and Grand Circle Tours.
If you are interested in scheduling a presentation or workshop, please contact Senior Education Director Sarah Burak:
Youth Field Trips
BEP partners with regional schools across San Juan County to offer field trips for students during the spring and fall semesters, making the landscape of Bears Ears accessible to elementary school students during a day out with our educators and partners from local land management agencies. Students gain valuable knowledge and skills with an introduction to our Visit With Respect guidelines, by participating in earth science learning activities that meet Utah SEED Standards, and deepening their appreciation of and relationship to the natural world.
San Juan River Youth Camps
BEP offers Spring, Summer and Fall river expeditions free-of-cost for Indigenous and local youth from San Juan County, providing access to river recreation for students who are often restricted by financial and transportation barriers. These overnight and multi-day trips combine boating, camping, and place-based environmental education to foster lifelong stewardship. The program is created in collaboration with Indigenous Elders and community partners to integrate Traditional Indigenous and Ecological Knowledge, enriching the students' experience with intergenerational learning. Learn More about our River Program.
Help BEP fund this key program to ensure protections of the region for generations to come. Your donation helps to ensure our educational programming remains free-of-cost to participants and supports maintenance of the necessary staffing and equipment required for these programs. Thank you for supporting our Education Program.