Provide Tribal leaders and members, along with conservation partners the aerial perspective of the recently restored Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument.

The Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument (GSENM) was originally signed into existence September, 1996 by President Bill Clinton, creating protections for countless cultural and archeological sites. In 2017, President Trump removed nearly a million acres from the GSENM. This proclamation significantly increased the threat of mining within the original GSENM boundary, with re-filing of expired mineral claims and a mining company's acquisition of the Colt Mesa area for hard mineral extraction.

But, with new administration came restored protection! On October 8, President Biden restored protection for GSE. Abundant cultural resources, sacred lands, and areas deeply valued by the Hopi, Zuni, Dine/Navajo, San Juan Southern Paiute, Kaibab Paiute, Ute, Ute Mountain Ute, Jemez Pueblo, and Acoma nations are once again protected. The restoration also safeguards the delicate desert ecosystem and wildlife. EcoFlight and our partners will continue working to ensure that these values will be protected and managed for future generations.