As we reflect on the past year, we are proud to celebrate several significant milestones and accomplishments in our collective effort to protect the Bears Ears National Monument. Among these achievements was the development of the Resource Management Plan, a critical component in safeguarding this sacred landscape and advancing Indigenous-informed stewardship.

This monumental progress was made possible through extensive collaboration between the five Tribes of the Bears Ears Commission, the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) and the U.S. Forest Service (USFS). Equally vital has been the passionate support of the public, whose advocacy, engagement, and action helped garner over 20,000 submitted comments, all of which have profoundly shaped the future of this sacred and cultural treasure.

We extend our heartfelt gratitude to everyone who has contributed to ensuring that Bears Ears remains protected for generations to come.

Finalization of the Resource Management Plan (RMP)

This year marked a pivotal moment in the efforts to protect the Bears Ears National Monument, as the RMP entered its final stages. This comprehensive plan reflects the collective vision of local communities including Tribal Nations, the BLM and the USFS, and key stakeholders, prioritizing cultural preservation, environmental protection, and responsible recreational use. It is a commitment to honoring the sacredness of this landscape while addressing the diverse needs of those who visit and care for it.

A groundbreaking aspect of this process was the release of the draft plan in March, which, for the first time in NEPA history, included a Tribally proposed Alternative, Alternative E. This proposal, developed through the leadership and expertise of Tribal Nations, represents a transformative shift toward Indigenous-informed conservation within federal land management. It underscores the power of shared responsibility and the critical role of Indigenous stewardship in shaping the future of public lands.

The RMP not only establishes a plan for safeguarding and celebrating Bears Ears but also serves as a testament to the strength of collaboration. Most recently, Utah Governor Spencer Cox shared a consistency review reflecting his perspective on the final RMP, a key step in finalizing the RMP.

The agencies are still working to incorporate the Governor’s comments, however, as we await the final publication of the RMP, we celebrate the profound achievement of meaningful inclusion of Tribal perspectives in the management plan of a national monument for the first time in U.S. history. Together, these developments signal significant progress in preserving Bears Ears and speak to the collective power of collaborative, Indigenous-informed conservation for generations to come.

Meeting with Secretary Haaland

A few weeks ago, Bears Ears Commissioners (BEC) convened with officials from the BLM and the USFS in Washington D.C., to discuss the final version of the Bears Ears RMP. This meeting marked another significant step forward in the shared mission to protect and collaboratively manage this sacred landscape.

We were especially honored to meet with Secretary of the Interior Deb Haaland, who shared inspiring words of hope and solidarity with the Tribal Nations of the Bears Ears Commission and all Indigenous communities working to protect their ancestral homelands sharing these words with the group, “We have a charge from our ancestors to protect our ancestral homelands." Her vision aligns deeply with that of the five Tribes, who are guided by the belief that we are entrusted by our ancestors to protect these sacred lands, the non-human relatives that inhabit them, and the delicate ecosystems they sustain.

The Tribes remain steadfast in fulfilling the responsibilities outlined in the Obama and Biden Proclamations, leveraging Tribal expertise and Traditional Indigenous Knowledge to ensure the Bears Ears National Monument receives the care and stewardship it deserves. The Bears Ears Commissioners are committed to safeguarding this landscape and continuing the collaborative management relationship that has flourished over the past three years.

We extend our deepest gratitude to the National Parks Conservation Association for graciously hosting us during this important gathering. Together, we are making strides toward a future where Bears Ears remains a place of cultural, ecological, and spiritual significance for generations to come.

What’s next?

The future of Bears Ears National Monument under a new Trump administration raises significant concerns, given the actions taken during his previous term. During that time, the monument was downsized by over 85%, stripping protections from vast areas of sacred and ecologically significant land. Additionally, the composition of the Bears Ears Commission was altered, disrupting its intended purpose as a body solely representing the five Tribes who advocated for the establishment of the Monument. These changes undermined Tribal stewardship and the protection of sacred places, posing a direct threat to the cultural and ecological integrity of Bears Ears.

Despite these challenges, the Tribes of the BEC remain steadfast in their commitment to Bears Ears and the principles of collaborative management. They recognize that the protection of this landscape is bigger than any single administration, and is grounded in a shared responsibility to safeguard sacred lands for generations to come.

The Tribes are ready to engage with the new administration to ensure the integrity of the Resource Management Plan and continue the important work of protecting Bears Ears. Grounded in resilience and guided by hope, the Tribes have expressed a willingness to work with the incoming administration to advocate for a future where the cultural heritage, spiritual sanctity, and ecological integrity of Bears Ears are not only honored but actively protected and celebrated.

Conclusion

This past year has been a testament to the power of collective action, and we want to thank you—our supporters—for standing with us every step of the way. Your unwavering dedication made a difference, including the submission of over 20,000 public comments during the public comment period for the Draft Resource Management Plan. Your voices amplified the importance of preserving Bears Ears and sent a clear message that this sacred landscape matters deeply to people across the country and around the world.

Thank you for being part of this incredible effort. Together, we are creating a future that honors Bears Ears and the communities who hold it close to their hearts. Your support ensures that the stories, traditions, and ecosystems of this extraordinary place endure for generations to come.

We look forward to continuing this journey with you as we protect, celebrate, and steward Bears Ears for all who cherish it.