Cultural Site Preservation & Indigenous Engagement
The conservation program works to reimagine cultural preservation as an opportunity to reconnect Indigenous communities to cultural sites within the Bears Ears region. Our goal is to enrich the living connection to the land while mitigating potential impacts as recreation and visitation in Bears Ears increases.
This work begins through engagement and discussion with Indigenous partners to understand the significance of a site. When one of our partner Tribes or Pueblos have a unique connection to a site - based on history, cultural knowledge, or sacred practices - we help bring elders and leaders to the site for a visit. Ethnographic research developed only for the visiting Tribe or Pueblo helps document the experience. Archaeologists and conservation staff discuss the site construction plans with the visiting Tribe or Pueblo. Once plans are approved, Indigenous youth (from the respective Tribe or Pueblo) work on the cultural site to ensure it can withstand visitation or other use impacts.
Since 2017, much of this work has been done in partnership with Ancestral Lands Conservation Corps (ALCC). Together, we continue to bring young folks from the region’s Tribes and Pueblos onto the landscape to engage in cultural site preservation and work alongside Woods Canyon Archaeological Consultants to complete surveys and assessments.
BEP’s conservation program ultimately aims to create Indigenous-led cultural site integrity. By continuing to engage our Indigenous partners throughout the entire process of cultural site preservation, we aim to meet that goal.
Interested in volunteering with our CONSERVATION program?
There are many opportunities to volunteer with BEP’s conservation program! There are opportunities for labor such as fencing and trail-building projects, as well as survey and recording projects under the supervision of permitted archaeologists. We have opportunities available for both individuals and groups (from schools, colleges, NGOs, businesses, etc).
The Partnership is always looking for both individuals and groups to go into the field. Contact our Conservation Director Britt Hornsby at