Statement: HECHO Celebrates Restoration of Bears Ears and Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monuments

Today, President Biden  restored Bears Ears and the Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monuments, carrying out a campaign promise to protect more than 2 million acres of national public lands, and making good on his America the Beautiful initiative. 

For time immemorial, Bears Ears National Monument has been stewarded by the Navajo Nation, Hopi Tribe, Ute Mountain Ute Tribe, Ute Indian Tribe, and Pueblo of Zuni, who have been advocating for the protection of this culturally and archeologically significant landscape. Together, they are the Bears Ears Inter-Tribal Coalition, and they recently published a letter to the White House urging protection for the sacred site where religious ceremonies continue to take place. President Biden’s announcement comes on the eve of Indigenous People’s Day and evokes the importance of prioritizing Indigenous perspectives in the management of our public lands.  

We rely on public lands to understand the rich history of those who came before us. As an organization dedicated to fortifying our deep connection to our nation’s diverse landscapes and fostering strong, culturally-rich communities connected to nature and each other, HECHO applauds President Biden’s pledge to conserve our public lands, protecting them for generations to come, and inspiring a legacy of conservation. 

“Bears Ears is home to many sacred sites, with some dating as far back as 11,000 BCE. The Grand Staircase-Escalante is named after Silvestre Vélez de Escalante, one of the first Hispanics to roam the territory. The profound historical significance of these national monuments illustrates the bonds we have to these special landscapes and demonstrates why they must be protected. I strongly support President Biden’s restoration of these monuments so that they may be safeguarded for generations to come.” - Mark A. Wheatley, Utah State Representative and member of the Advisory Board for HECHO. 

“Today is an historic day for our public lands, and all of the communities whose cultures are reflected in Bears Ears and Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monuments. We are feeling grateful for the Biden-Harris administration for taking action to protect public lands, preserve archaeologic history, and recognize the significance of land-based cultural traditions.” - Camilla Simon, Executive Director of Hispanics Enjoying Camping, Hunting, and the Outdoors (HECHO). 

According to a report by Colorado College, 74% of Utahns support restoring national monument protections, and research has corroborated that national monuments are a boon to local economies, increasing job opportunities and business creation.  

HECHO proudly supports and celebrates this momentous occasion.