Grand Staircase Escalante Partners
Honor the past and safeguard the future of Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument through science, conservation, and education.
Work with Us
Work with Us
What we Do
Our Focus
Grand Staircase Escalante Partners is a nonprofit 501 (c)(3) founded in 2004 to protect and preserve Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument.
We are committed to:
- Promoting science, conservation, and education on the Monument.
- Increasing public awareness and understanding of the Monument.
- Providing resources to support the Monument’s scientific, interpretive and educational programs.
- Expanding our membership so we represent a diverse constituency that supports the Monument.
For Science
This natural area remains a frontier, a quality that greatly enhances Grand Staircase’s value for scientific study and presents unique opportunities for geologists, paleontologists, archaeologists, historians, and biologists.
For History
The Monument is home to countless Native American cultural sites, western pioneer history, and the greatest diversity of dinosaur fossils found anywhere on Earth. Since time immemorial, Native American people have inhabited, crossed, lived on, and been stewards of the lands that make up what we now know as Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument.
The following Tribes have deep connections to the Grand Staircase-Escalante region:
Science
Expanding knowledge and understanding of the natural wonders, biodiversity, and unique ecosystems with which this landscape is endowed by participating in scientific inquiry and historical investigation, as well as advocating for the inclusion of Indigenous knowledge in land management decision-making.
Conservation
Ensuring Grand Staircase-Escalante’s culture, ecology, history, recreation, and science are recognized, sustained, and enhanced. Work on the ground with organizations, government agencies, and volunteers to repair and restore the Escalante River watershed, as well as prevent and mitigate damage at cultural and ecological sites.
Education
Providing in-person and virtual learning environments in which people can engage with Monument topics, and practice critical thinking, as well as exchange ideas, and learn from one another, thereby fostering the connection and understanding needed to support the Monument’s long term well-being and respect ancestral lands.
For All
Grand Staircase Escalante Partners is committed to fostering an equitable and inclusive environment in our workplace and across the Monument. We recognize the complex and difficult histories that have shaped American public lands, from dispossession of Native lands and forced removal of indigenous communities to create public lands and parks, to the ongoing exclusion of people of color from conservation and preservation movements.
We acknowledge that the area known as Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument and its surrounding areas are the ancestral land and historical territory of the Hopi, Zuni, Dine/Navajo, San Juan Southern Paiute, Kaibab Paiute, Ute, Ute Mountain Ute, Jemez Pueblo, and Acoma nations.
We are on a journey to transform our work–to foster diversity through equitable actions that create a just and inclusive environment, within and beyond our organization. Learn more about how we are integrating justice, equity, and inclusion into our work.
Volunteer Opportunities
Join us in the field or online.
Support
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Latest News
May 2025 Newsletter
When you think of natural stone arches in Utah, you probably think of Arches National Park. But, did you know that the Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument is home to 2,517 natural stone arches? That’s 517 more than Arches National Park! You can learn more about arches in the Monument, including how to report and name a new arch from archesoftheescalante.com.
ACTION: The Monument Needs Us Now
The Monument needs your help! Below is a message from Marietta Eaton, former Bureau of Land Management Science Advisor for Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument, expressing a practical way YOU can help protect GSENM.
Biocrust restoration and nutrient cycling
Three new studies shed investigate restoration of degraded biological soil crusts, and their nutrient content amid climate change.
April 2025 Newsletter
Let’s start with some good news: about half of our frozen Federal funding has been restored! This means that our Russian olive removal program can move forward this year along with components of our stewardship and native plant programs.
Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument Inter-Tribal Coalition forms to Protect and Preserve Aboriginal Lands and Advocate for Monument
The formation of the Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument (GSENM) Inter-Tribal Coalition marks a key point in the history of the Monument because it shows how intimately connected GSENM is to the multiple communities that inhabit the surrounding region.
March 2025 Newsletter
As you can imagine, 2025 has been off to a rocky start. Our organization was one of many that felt the effects of the Federal funding freeze. We have been working very hard to keep our staff in place and continue to make progress on our work that supports the Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument and its connected watersheds and landscapes.
