Last year, with support from donors like you, we were able to get the Search and Rescue Rangers in Zion new tools and training for them to better meet the needs of the parks and visitors. We were able to purchase the Lucas Mechanical Device which makes for hands free CPR as well as provide ropes training which is critical to climbing related responses in the park. Additional training will be held in November to ensure our Rangers are ready to respond with a moment's notice.
Also ongoing is the installation of food storage lockers in Watchman Campground. This project was funded through the support of donors and through the Utah Office of Outdoor Recreation’s grant program. With the food storage lockers ordered and installation dates later this fall, we look forward to ensuring that the wildlife that call the park home cannot access campers' food. We are so grateful for the support of the state and of donors to help ensure that we limit human wildlife interactions and we provide safe and responsible ways for campers to store their food.
Project updates at Cedar Breaks:
We continue to see visitors every weekend to participate in Cedar Breaks night sky programming. With programs back up and running at Point Supreme Overlook, (just out back of the newly opened Visitor Center) seasonal astronomy interns have been providing programs averaging 150 visitors a night. These interns are not just busy with astronomy at night, they also share some great day time programming featuring solar viewings, sunsetting programming, and then full dark sky programs on Friday and Saturday evenings. To check out some of this great programming in action make sure to put the Southwest Astronomy Festival at Cedar Breaks on your calendars, September 12th- 14th. To learn more visit: https://www.nps.gov/cebr/planyourvisit/calendar.htm
Project updates at Pipe Spring:
At Pipe Spring we have a few projects underway, with the relocation of the orchard and the garden to a more historically accurate (and more water wise) location. Earlier this summer we had two youth crews out preparing the landscape for the replanting, replacing water lines, and installing fence posts. NPS interpretive staff have also been planning programming around next spring's planting and looking into historic gardening practices so that visitors can get their hands in the dirt on the process.
And project updates at the Dixie National Forest:
Work will begin with Historic Corps in earnest this fall up at the BrianHead Overlook Fire tower. This project brings together grant support from Visit Cedar City/BrianHead and Zion Forever donors to rebuild this historic CCC-era fire tower. If you are interested in volunteering to help with the work visit: https://historicorps.org/brian-head-overlook-ut-2025/
We are so grateful for the support of purchasers in our store, donors to our efforts, and the grant programs which help make this great work possible. To check out some of the projects we are currently fundraising for visit: https://www.zionpark.org/fieldguide
