A few aerial views of Bears Ears National Monument in Utah and some of land it included before its recent cuts.

This July, 91% of the monument (and a similar percentage of Escalante) were removed from national monument status.

What is even more alarming to me, is Bears Ears was a collaborative effort with a commission of five native tribes (Hopi, Navajo, Zuni, Ute mountain Ute & Ute Uintah and Ouray) and the federal government to protect sacred sites and cultural and natural resources for future generations. Now, once again, those lands face an uncertain future in years of legal fights and the tribal commission was disbanded and their tribal names have been removed from any remaining monument signs.

I continue to ponder how we can bring conservation concepts back into the Conservative Party, a place it once readily resided. Public opinion strongly supports the monuments at their original size, yet these public lands and more are quickly eroding to private interests.

Chaco Canyon in New Mexico appears to be next on the list.

To learn more: check out @npcapics
For maps and more check out @grandcanyontrust

#monuments #utah #nature #native

📷 #petemcbride

1. 2. 4. 6. San Juan River near Valley of the Gods
3. 5. The “Bears Ears Buttes” remain protected in the 10% but the land to the West and north do not. ...

Hotter and drier: welcome to the new West and wildfire.

Wildfires are running wild across the West - the results of less moisture, a changed climate and in part, less manpower and funding for it all.

These are a few frames when I evacuated my home a few years ago. I recall thinking it wouldn’t happen in my town next to a river. Now it is happening everywhere. Be prepared.

Thanks to all the brave fire fighters across Colorado and beyond risking all for all of us. My town is thankfully still here thanks to the amazing work of a few firefighters.

The tragic loss near Grand Junction is heartbreaking.

#wildfire #firefighter #water

📷 #petemcbride ...

So fun to finally join the club - Happy Father’s Day to all the papa bears out there.

I wasn’t sure I’d ever get the privilege to experience the wonder and worry.

Thanks to my dad for setting such a great hard working, fair, family and community-minded examples for us and bringing having so many “safety third” adventures along the way.

I’m beyond grateful to all the support on this journey - from family, friends, neighbors and more sending everyone from food to traditional baby boards.

@_heidimccabe_ thanks for being the rock behind this Papa.

#happyfathersday #girldad #love
📷 #petemcbride ...