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Presidential proclamation by President Barack Obama designating Bears Ears National Monument on December 28, 2016.

Map of Bears Ears National Monument as designated by President Barack Obama on December 28, 2016. Final version of the Bears Ears National Monument Map with the monument borders defined by a fine green line. Scale 1:760,000.

Utah State Treasurer David Damschen's statement in response to President Barack Obama's designation of the Bears Ears National Monument.

Map of Bears Ears National Monument as designated by President Barack Obama on December 28, 2016. Final version of the Bears Ears National Monument Map with the monument borders defined by a fine green line. Scale 1:760,000.

Statement by President Barack Obama on the Designation of Bears Ears National Monument in San Juan County, Utah and Gold Butte National Monument in Clark County, Nevada.

Bears Ears National Monument was created by presidential proclamation on December 28, 2016. The boundaries of the monument encompass approximately 1.06 million acres managed by the Bureau of Land Management, and 280,000 acres of the Manti-La Sal National Forest managed by the USFS. The total acreage under federal management is 1,351,849 acres. The Bears Ears National Monument is the 12th national monument managed by the Forest Service; it is the fifth to be managed jointly by the Forest Service and BLM. Monuments generally preserve current uses of the land, including tribal access for traditional plant and firewood gathering and for ceremonial purposes, off-highway recreation on existing routes, grazing, hunting and fishing and water and utility infrastructure. Co-management is nothing new. The Forest Service and the BLM have shared management of the Santa Rosa and San Jacinto Mountains National Monument in Southern California since 2000, as well as the Browns Canyon National Monument in Colorado and the Berryessa Snow Mountain National Monument in northern California. The Forest Service and BLM will jointly prepare a national monument management plan that will address the actions necessary to protect the resources identified in the monument. The plan will be developed with maximum public involvement, including tribal, local and State governments, permit holders, and other stakeholders. To ensure management decisions reflect tribal expertise and traditional and historical knowledge, a Bears Ears Commission comprised of one elected officer from each of the five tribes that formed the Inter-Tribal Coalition to support permanent protection of the BearsEars will be established. In addition, the Forest Service and BLM will establish a Federal Advisory Committee to provide advice and information regarding the development of the management plan.

Utah House Speaker Greg Hughes' statement in response to President Barack Obama's designation of the Bears Ears National Monument.

News release from Governor Gary R. Herbert's Office on President BarackObama's national monument designation of the Bears Ears National Monument.

Proclamation by President Barack Obama designating Bears Ears National Monument.

Since the early 20th century, Utah has had a long and well-documented history of archaeological and paleontological resources being looted and vandalized on federal, state, and tribal lands. Despite passing the Antiquities Act of 1906, Archaeological Resources Protection Act (ARPA) of 1979, and the Paleontological Resources Preservation Act (PRPA) of 2009, looting and vandalism has continued into present day. Numerous incidents on public lands have received national and international media attention over the past ten years. In order educate the public about the consequences of these behaviors and promote responsible outdoor ethics, the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Utah State Office and Tread Lightly! have initiated a partnership to develop and implement a public awareness campaign called Respect and Protect to engage the public in the stewardship of our nation's priceless heritage. The Respect and Protect campaign aims to eliminate the looting and vandalism of archaeological and paleontological resources from public lands in Utah.

This list of U.S. National Monuments is numbered in roughly chronological order. Other tabs provide a national map of monuments, a map of monuments in Alaska, a map of national monuments in the Southwest (including Utah), and a map of island national monuments as of 2006. See the separate Antiquities Act Frequently Asked Questions publication lists of national monuments designated by Congress, name and designation changes, abolished sites, and the acreages presidents proclaimed into national monuments.

The natural splendor of the region so struck the surveyors, that they encouraged President Taft to protect this unique locale. In 1909, Taft set aside approximately 16,000 acres for Mukuntuweap National Monument to preserve its “many natural features of unusual archaeologic, geologic, and geographic interest” (Proc No. 877). In his proclamation, the President notes the “labyrinth of remarkable canyons with highly ornate and beautifully colored walls, in which are plainly recorded the geological events of past ages.” In 1918 Munkutuweap National Monument became Zion National Monument and in 1919 the named changed again to Zion National Park. On January 22, 1937 President Roosevelt established a second Zion National Monument, preserving over 36,000 acres (Proc. No. 2221). The second Zion National Monument was incorporated with Zion National Park in 1956.

Soon after their discovery, the stunning dinosaur fossils of northeastern Utah attracted national attention. The majority of the fossils excavated from the quarry by Earl Douglass were sent to the Carnegie Museum of Pittsburgh, offering the general public a glimpse of these fantastic creatures. Soon after, on February 11, 1916 Woodrow Wilson established Dinosaur National Monument to protect “an extraordinary deposit of Dinosaurian and other gigantic reptilian remains (Proc. No. 1313).”

The Antiquities Act of 1906 is the first law to establish that archeological sites on public lands are important public resources. This brief guide links to additional online historical resources for further reading.

Map of Bears Ears National Monument as designated by President Barack Obama on December 28, 2016. Final version of the Bears Ears National Monument Map with the monument borders defined by a fine green line. Scale 1:760,000.

Since the early 20th century, Utah has had a long and well-documented history of archaeological and paleontological resources being looted and vandalized on federal, state, and tribal lands. Despite passing the Antiquities Act of 1906, Archaeological Resources Protection Act (ARPA) of 1979, and the Paleontological Resources Preservation Act (PRPA) of 2009, looting and vandalism has continued into present day. Numerous incidents on public lands have received national and international media attention over the past ten years. In order educate the public about the consequences of these behaviors and promote responsible outdoor ethics, the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Utah State Office and Tread Lightly! have initiated a partnership to develop and implement a public awareness campaign called Respect and Protect to engage the public in the stewardship of our nation's priceless heritage. The Respect and Protect campaign aims to eliminate the looting and vandalism of archaeological and paleontological resources from public lands in Utah.

Cedar Mesa is a network of canyons that are home to numerous prehistoric ruins and rock art panels. Excellent exploration opportunities exist for those seeking beautiful scenery and fascinating cultural remnants. Cedar Mesa is a very special and fragile place. Your hike can be a wondrous experience; a glimpse of past inhabitants. Cedar Mesa is managed by the U.S. Department of Interior Bureau of Land Management. This guide provides information about the hikes, hiking rules and a map showing popular hiking trails in Cedar Mesa and Grand Gulch.

Ancient ruins of early Indian pit house, Zion Park. Photo courtesy of anthropologist Elmer R. Smith. After serving as Archeological Technician in Zion National Park during 1934, Smith became instructor in Social Science at Snow College, Ephraim, Utah. He joined the staff of the University of Utah in 1937, where he continued until 1959. At the time of his death, May 1, 1960, he was visiting professor of Anthropology at Montana State University. From the document display, click on the "permanent link" to view and download a higher-resolution version of the postcard.

This fun and informative paved trail is .4 miles long and starts at the flagpole near the visitor center. Stop at the numbered posts and read the trail message with the corresponding number. Wheelchairs and strollers may be used on this trail.

This 1.5 mile loop will take you to a different ecosystem away from the canyon floor. It is a nature trail with no rock art panels. The first part of the trail is steep, but once you get on top it will be worth it.

Afler having their curiosity piqued by seeing and hearing about Five Finger Ridge in the museum and video, many want to climb it themselves. This will be your chance! To get there, turn right on the frontage road and then immediately turn left on the first road and go under 1-70 and over Clear Creek. The parking area is up the hill to the left by the shade structures. Walk up the dirt road going south to the trail (which takes off from the right). The trail winds its way to the top of Five Finger Ridge. Please stay on the trail. You are on an archaeological site where research is still taking place. Do not pick up artifacts or other material.

This unnamed canyon, like other parts of the park, is sacred because of the moving legend believed to be told by the rock formations and then reiterated by the rock art.

The Rim Trail includes the heaviest concentration and some of the best quality of rock art in Fremont Indian State Park and Museum. On or near the Rim Trail there are 191 rock art panels that include 1164 prehistoric elements. Of these elements there are 81 pictographs, 1083 petroglyphs and 3 pictoglyphs. It is one of the most significant clusters of rock art in Utah.

Cedar Mesa is a network of canyons that are home to numerous prehistoric ruins and rock art panels. Excellent exploration opportunities exist for those seeking beautiful scenery and fascinating cultural remnants. Cedar Mesa is a very special and fragile place. Your hike can be a wondrous experience; a glimpse of past inhabitants. Cedar Mesa is managed by the U.S. Department of Interior Bureau of Land Management. This guide provides information about the hikes, hiking rules and a map showing popular hiking trails in Cedar Mesa and Grand Gulch.

Map showing rock art sites in Utah.

Index map to travel maps for quadrangles managed by the U.S. BLM Monticello Office. Routes on the map are designated in the 2008 Resource Management Plan. All routes not on this map are not designated for motorized travel. Motorized travel on non-designated routes will be subject to fines. Most of the quadrangles are within the Bears Ears National Monument created by presidential proclamation on December 28, 2016. .

This five-year strategy prepared by BLM Utah for Utah’s National Conservation Lands lays out how BLM Utah plans to achieve its legally mandated mission to conserve, protect, and restore these nationally significant lands in BLM’s care. In 2000, under the Clinton Administration, a new national land conservation system was created by order of the Secretary of the Interior, and the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) was given the honor of managing this new system of public lands. Codified into federal law in the 2009 Omnibus Public Land Management Act enacted by President Barack Obama, it is officially called the National Landscape Conservation System and includes a wide range of special areas, called National Conservation Lands, on the BLM administered public lands throughout the country, mostly in the West. As defined by the Omnibus Public Land Management Act of 2009, National Conservation Lands include the following areas administered by the BLM: National Monuments, National Conservation Areas, Wilderness, Wilderness Study Areas, Wild and Scenic Rivers, National Scenic or Historic Trails, and any area designated by Congress to be administered for conservation purposes. Utah has a unique mix of National Conservation Land units including two national monuments, two national conservation areas, 18 designated wilderness areas, 86 wilderness study areas, 19 miles of designated wild and scenic rivers and three national historic trails (see map on page 8). Utah’s National Conservation Lands include unique landscapes which range from red rock deserts to folded and swirling geologic cliffs, to deep river canyons. Native Americans inhabited much of the state and left behind ruins, images on canyon walls and other artifacts. Dinosaur bones continue to be discovered around the state. Every Utah field office includes National Conservation Lands. Management of National Conservation Lands is a critical component of Utah BLM public lands now and into the future.

Travel map of land managed by the U.S. BLM Monticello Office. Routes on the map are designated in the 2008 Resource Management Plan. All routes not on this map are not designated for motorized travel. Motorized travel on non-designated routes will be subject to fines. Ths quadrangle area is within the Bears Ears National Monument created by presidential proclamation on December 28, 2016.

Travel map of land managed by the U.S. BLM Monticello Office. Routes on the map are designated in the 2008 Resource Management Plan. All routes not on this map are not designated for motorized travel. Motorized travel on non-designated routes will be subject to fines. Ths quadrangle area is within the Bears Ears National Monument created by presidential proclamation on December 28, 2016.

Travel map of land managed by the U.S. BLM Monticello Office. Routes on the map are designated in the 2008 Resource Management Plan. All routes not on this map are not designated for motorized travel. Motorized travel on non-designated routes will be subject to fines. Ths quadrangle area is within the Bears Ears National Monument created by presidential proclamation on December 28, 2016.

Travel map of land managed by the U.S. BLM Monticello Office. Routes on the map are designated in the 2008 Resource Management Plan. All routes not on this map are not designated for motorized travel. Motorized travel on non-designated routes will be subject to fines. Ths quadrangle area is within the Bears Ears National Monument created by presidential proclamation on December 28, 2016.

Travel map of land managed by the U.S. BLM Monticello Office. Routes on the map are designated in the 2008 Resource Management Plan. All routes not on this map are not designated for motorized travel. Motorized travel on non-designated routes will be subject to fines. Ths quadrangle area is within the Bears Ears National Monument created by presidential proclamation on December 28, 2016.

Map showing rock art sites in Utah.

Travel map of land managed by the U.S. BLM Monticello Office. Routes on the map are designated in the 2008 Resource Management Plan. All routes not on this map are not designated for motorized travel. Motorized travel on non-designated routes will be subject to fines. Ths quadrangle area is within the Bears Ears National Monument created by presidential proclamation on December 28, 2016.

This five-year strategy prepared by BLM Utah for Utah’s National Conservation Lands lays out how BLM Utah plans to achieve its legally mandated mission to conserve, protect, and restore these nationally significant lands in BLM’s care. In 2000, under the Clinton Administration, a new national land conservation system was created by order of the Secretary of the Interior, and the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) was given the honor of managing this new system of public lands. Codified into federal law in the 2009 Omnibus Public Land Management Act enacted by President Barack Obama, it is officially called the National Landscape Conservation System and includes a wide range of special areas, called National Conservation Lands, on the BLM administered public lands throughout the country, mostly in the West. As defined by the Omnibus Public Land Management Act of 2009, National Conservation Lands include the following areas administered by the BLM: National Monuments, National Conservation Areas, Wilderness, Wilderness Study Areas, Wild and Scenic Rivers, National Scenic or Historic Trails, and any area designated by Congress to be administered for conservation purposes. Utah has a unique mix of National Conservation Land units including two national monuments, two national conservation areas, 18 designated wilderness areas, 86 wilderness study areas, 19 miles of designated wild and scenic rivers and three national historic trails (see map on page 8). Utah’s National Conservation Lands include unique landscapes which range from red rock deserts to folded and swirling geologic cliffs, to deep river canyons. Native Americans inhabited much of the state and left behind ruins, images on canyon walls and other artifacts. Dinosaur bones continue to be discovered around the state. Every Utah field office includes National Conservation Lands. Management of National Conservation Lands is a critical component of Utah BLM public lands now and into the future.

In this episode of A History of Central Florida we spoke with Dr. Jerald Milanich, Richard Craig Morris with the The Timucuan Preserve, Donna Ruhl, and Dr. Neill Wallis about the Hontoon Island Owl Totem which can be seen along with other items at The Fort Caroline Timucuan Ecological and Historical Preserve.

People have visited what is now Canyonlands National Park for over 10,000 years. Join ranger Karen Henker for a look at one of the earliest groups: hunter-gatherers.

The ancestral Puebloans were some of the first farmers in the American Southwest. Join ranger Karen Henker for a brief look at their lifestyle, as well as the art and architecture they left behind.

In this episode of A History of Central Florida we spoke with Dr. Jerald Milanich, Richard Craig Morris with the The Timucuan Preserve, Donna Ruhl, and Dr. Neill Wallis about the Hontoon Island Owl Totem which can be seen along with other items at The Fort Caroline Timucuan Ecological and Historical Preserve.

Glen Canyon and Rainbow Bridge contain a rich human history spanning back thousands of years. This history belongs to many groups of people and is in danger of being lost. Learn why, and what you can do to help preserve the cultural history of Glen Canyon and Rainbow Bridge.

Passport In Time volunteers help the Manti-La Sal National Forest and the Edge of the Cedars Museum in Blanding, Utah to catalogue artifacts. The artifacts are from hundreds of Ancestral Puebloan sites that were occupied between about AD 500 and 1300 on the flanks of Elk Ridge and the Abajo Mountains in Southeastern Utah. The information captured in the artifacts brings to life a complex story of migration during Ancestral Puebloan times.