Cottonwood Wash Expansion
A Profound Gift to Expand Protection Near Bears Ears National Monument
Cottonwood Wash
The Cottonwood Wash property is a two-mile stretch of land at the bottom of a beautiful red-rock canyon, providing protection for the precious cultural and natural landscape and critical access to public land. Acquired in July 2023, The Wildlands Conservancy’s goals for preserving this treasured place include guaranteeing Indigenous and public access, protecting and restoring riparian wildlife habitat, and providing educational and passive recreational opportunities for people of all ages and walks of life.
A Profound Gift to Expand Protection
Inspired by the successful acquisition of the 320-acre Preserve and plans for its protection, a private landowner reached out to The Wildlands Conservancy about the conservation of their adjacent 95-acre parcel. A testament to the role of committed individuals in land conservation efforts, the land was purchased nearly 30 years ago and held until the right party could be identified to permanently protect and care for the property. To this end, the landowner has generously donated their 95-acre property to be part of the Preserve at a significantly discounted price. This brings the Preserve to a total of 415 acres which now reaches from one canyon wall to the other, increasing the protection for the canyon and the surrounding landscape. Support for this acquisition was made possible by a private donor who also gave significantly to the initial acquisition. The Wildlands Conservancy is honored to have been chosen to accept these significant gifts.
A Shared Vision and Co-Management Approach
The Wildlands Conservancy intends the preserve to be managed in a way that will support the ideals and principles of the Five Tribes of the Bears Ears Inter-Tribal Coalition. Given the importance of the surrounding cultural landscape, the education and management we provide on this property can play a significant role in advancing these ideals and principles.
On Monday, March 11, Wildlands staff met with the Inter-Tribal Coalition to tour the property and discuss the co-management and creation of a cultural conservation easement. Through a cultural conservation easement, tribes will gain a real interest in the property. This type of easement will enshrine the interests of the tribes in these lands, restoring access and cultural rights.
“We’re creating a new pathway in Utah by having a cultural conservation easement on private land in favor of the region’s tribes and I think it speaks to the moment of time that we are in. We hope that this can be a model that is useful across more of the Western United States and in other parts of the country.” — Frazier Haney, Executive Director
photos of Cottonwood Wash property by Gary Peplow