COTTONWOOD WASH

While the tribal-led effort to protect the Bears Ears cultural landscape is widely recognized, the vital role private lands play is less understood. Federal laws like the 1906 Antiquities Act, the 1966 National Historic Preservations Act, the 1979 Archaeological Resources Protection Act and the 1990 Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act, as well as state legislation, safeguard archaeological sites on public lands, but do not extend to private property. This makes protecting places like Cottonwood Wash through private acquisition absolutely critical.

Wildlands Conservancy is committed to upholding the ancestral and natural significance of Cottonwood Wash. The property remains open daily to the public free of charge, but responsible visitation is paramount. We ask all guests to follow Leave No Trace principles and stay on designated, durable trails to preserve these fragile resources for future generations. As visitors to the broader Bears Ears region, it is our shared responsibility to Visit With Respect by adhering to the principles established by the Bears Ears Partnership out of courtesy to Indigenous peoples.

In preserving treasures like Cottonwood Wash through private land protection, we honor the intricate tapestries connecting scientific understanding, conservation, and humanity's enduring reverence for sustaining landscapes. This ancient canyon humbles us with its magnitude while elevating our commitment to thoughtful stewardship ensuring its cultural and natural wonders can be experienced and appreciated for ages to come.