GSEP August Newsletter

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The Deer Springs Fire burned over 11,700 acres on the Monument in July.

Photo provided by Jackie Grant, 2024.

Dear Grand Staircase,

The Deer Springs Fire began on July 7, 2024, and at one point was so intense that it burned at a rate of 1,000 acres per hour. This fire was one of the largest on the Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument in decades. Although the landscape looks scorched, signs of life are already appearing in the form of re-sprouting Gambel's oak, penstemon, evening primrose, globemallow, and scurfpea.

The next few weeks are critical to how the land is treated post-fire. As you can imagine, there are competing thoughts as to how the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) should proceed. GSEP advocates for the maximum use of seeds from native plant species, but other groups are pushing for the use of non-native plant species because of their value to grazing animals. However, the Monument is not a farm and shouldn't be managed like one.

The BLM will release its emergency stabilization and rehabilitation plan next week. When it does, there will only be five days for public comment. We will email a reminder to comment next week, along with details related to the proposed plan.

Read on to see photos from my trip to the Deer Springs Fire site this week, learn about lichen monitoring, the relationship between your well being and volunteering, and our 20th anniversary swag!

-Jackie

P.S. Don't forget to answer our poll at the end of the newsletter!

Your donations enable our stewardship, education, and conservation work.

GSEP Newsletter for August, 2024

In this month's SCIENCE FROM THE STEPS, our Conservation Program Manager, Kevin Berend, discusses a recent study surveying lichens at Bryce Canyon National Park. Lichens are important markers of air quality, as well as components of healthy soil communities. Lichen diversity is understudied on the Monument and surrounding parks. We are hopeful that the Bryce Canyon National Park Study can be leveraged for studies on the Monument.

Photos from the 2024 Deer Springs Fire on Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument

Visit our Flickr page for more Deer Springs Fire photos.

Burned pinyon pines and junipers appear as skeletal versions of themselves at the Red Breaks area in the 11,700+ acre Deer Spring Fire. However, islands of living trees remain and will act as nurseries and seed sources if we let them. The area encompassed by the Deer Springs Fire would be an excellent candidate for a Restoration Lease as described by the new Public Lands Rule. Your support will be needed to take us down this path.

Photo provided by Jackie Grant, 2024.

Above: A view to the north where the fire began. Islands of plants that escaped the fire will provide sources of seed and harbor perennials that re-sprout from the unburned roots.

Photo provided by Jackie Grant, 2024.

Soil-binding mosses and biocrusts also burned during the fire. An important research question is, "to what extent will these critical soil organisms regenerate post-burn?"

Photo provided by Jackie Grant, 2024.

Above: Although burned, there is still life in the remains of the forest. The pair above are male and female robber flies. Robber fly communities sometimes show more diversity in burned than unburned habitats. Will this happen on the Deer Springs Fire? Your donation can help us bring insect researchers to the Monument to answer this question.

Photo provided by Jackie Grant, 2024.

Burned yuccas looked like toasted pineapples after the fire. However, their underground parts may still live and re-sprout in a few weeks or even next season. Your donation will help us monitor how the plants and their pollinators respond to being burned. Contact Jason Pulver if you would like to sponsor a project related to the fire (jason@gsenm.org).

Photo provided by Jackie Grant, 2024.

Gambel's oak is among the species that regenerate with almost unbelievable speed. This growth is only a month old. Your donation could help us fence out small experimental areas that would allow us to keep track of how grazing affects plant regeneration. Other species that have already greened up include lupines, scurfpeas, and globemallows.

Photo provided by Jackie Grant, 2024.

Did You Know That Volunteering Can Improve Your Well-Being?

In a recent study, Eric S. Kim, a psychology professor at the University of British Columbia Vancouver, said his research has found a connection between volunteering and more positive emotions, less loneliness, and more social support.

If this piqued your interest, you're in luck! GSEP still has a few openings for our fall volunteer trips .

A volunteer remediating graffiti in GSENM.

Photo provided by Barry Williams of Hiking My Feelings, 2024.

As we celebrate our 20th anniversary as Grand Staircase Escalante Partners, you can support our mission by getting our limited edition 20th Anniversary shirt today! The shirt proceeds raise money for our ongoing efforts to honor the past and safeguard the future of Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument through science, conservation, and education.

National Make-A-Will Month

August is National Make-A-Will Month! We invite you to consider leaving your legacy at GSENM by writing us in your will or making a planned gift.

Photo courtesy 2024 GSEP volunteer.

July poll results:

You wanted to visit the Peekaboo-Spooky slot canyon complex!

Peekaboo, Spooky, and Brimstone are three popular slot canyons on the Monument because of their relative ease of access and narrow width. As you might expect, our Stewardship team spends a lot of time in this area cleaning up after visitors. It's a fantastic area in which to "have" to work!

We want to hear from you!

How concerned are you about the BLM's Stabilization plan for the Monument's Deer Springs Fire?

1 - not concerned at all

2 - mildly interested, but not really concerned

3 - somewhat concerned

4 - concerned enough to have a look at the plan

5 - really concerned! enough to submit a public comment next week

Thank you for your ongoing support.

We couldn't do it without you!

Jackie Grant (she/her/hers)

Executive Director

Donate Today!

Grand Staircase Escalante Partners | gsenm.org