Messengers: A Running Story of Endangered National Monuments

Outdoor advocates, athletes, tribal members, and more ran 250 miles to unite Bears Ears and Grand Staircase-Escalante and remind their worth

Field Mag Editors

Insight and inspiration from the Field Mag editorial team, sharing decades of hard-earned experience and knowhow.

*After sitting on this one for a week or so, letting our friends at other outlets spread the word, this morning we felt compelled to join in and share too. After all, the more attention our public lands issues get the better

As we all know, on On December 4, 2017, President Trump declared a drastic reduction of Utah’s Bears Ears and Grand Staircase Escalante National Monuments. The move marked the largest elimination of protected land in American history—a decision made without the President having ever even stepping foot on this hallowed ground.

To raise further awareness of the situation and encourage others to help stand up and fight the decision, a group of outdoor industry friends, athletes, tribal members, and more gathered to run a 250 mile relay and physically connect the two endangered national monuments in a single weekend.

The short documentary-style film, produced by our pal and TF Contributor Andy Cochrane along with Johnie Gall (aka Dirtbag Darling) and Greg Balkin, sheds light on the issues at hand, showcases the incredible natural beauty of the two monuments, and reminds of the importance of simply respecting and protecting Mother Earth.

Learn more about Messengers here, and how to help support the Native American Rights Fund (NARF) in their lawsuit against President Trump and other worthy causes here.

Published 02-05-2018

Updated 10-03-2018