"This plan will forever transform the management of our public lands for the better. By placing Tribal collaboration at the forefront, we all benefit along with our national parks and public lands." - Theresa Pierno, NPCA's President and CEO
Washington, DC – The Biden administration in collaboration with five Native American Tribes finalized a first-of-its-kind resource management plan for Bears Ears National Monument in Utah that incorporates Traditional Ecological and Indigenous Knowledge, along with ensuring Tribal leadership and shared stewardship of the monument.
The historic resource management plan establishes a framework for the monument’s 1.36 million acres of public lands and ensures the protection of sacred places, cultural heritage and ecological systems. It is the result of a multi-year collaboration between the Bears Ears Commission – the Ute Indian Tribe, Ute Mountain Ute Tribe, Zuni Tribe, Hopi Tribe and the Navajo Nation – and federal partners at the Bureau of Land Management and the U.S. Forest Service.
Statement by Theresa Pierno, President and CEO for the National Parks Conservation Association (NPCA):
“All of us who cherish the stories, history and culture of Bears Ears can celebrate another historic milestone for this sacred place. This thoughtful and inclusive management plan represents decades of effort and reflects the vision and leadership of the Ute Indian, Ute Mountain Ute, Zuni, and Hopi Tribes and the Navajo Nation. NPCA is honored to stand with them and all who have fought to protect Bears Ears.
“Bears Ears has long been a place of healing and refuge, nurturing a profound connection between Tribal communities and their ancestors for centuries. It also connects and protects adjacent parklands of Canyonlands, Natural Bridges and Glen Canyon. This iconic national park landscape remains a beloved destination for millions who visit Utah’s public lands each year.
“When Bears Ears was threatened, hundreds of thousands of advocates stood up and spoke out to ensure its protection. And NPCA, along with Tribal nations and partner groups, committed to using every tool available to defend this place. After years of determination and hard work, these cherished lands can be safeguarded for generations and done so with a commitment to Tribal knowledge, wisdom and collaborative stewardship.
“This plan will forever transform the management of our public lands for the better. By placing Tribal collaboration at the forefront, we all benefit along with our national parks and public lands. NPCA will continue to carry this momentum forward and strive to ensure that Bears Ears remains protected as it was meant to be.”
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About the National Parks Conservation Association: Since 1919, the nonpartisan National Parks Conservation Association has been the leading voice in safeguarding our national parks. NPCA and its more than 1.6 million members and supporters work together to protect and preserve our nation’s most iconic and inspirational places for future generations. For more information, visit www.npca.org.
