Our Vision

We work toward a region where generations of people and all of nature can thrive in harmony. Our vision for the Colorado Plateau 100 years from now is:

A region still characterized by vast open spaces with restored, healthy natural areas and habitat for all native plants and animals.

A sustaining relationship between human communities and the natural environment.

People living and visiting here who are willing and enthusiastic stewards of the region's natural resources and beauty.

Our Approach

As a regional, non-profit conservation organization, Grand Canyon Trust works for common sense, balanced solutions to significant problems affecting the region’s natural resources. Guided by a continually updated strategic plan, our work is focused in the greater Grand Canyon region of northern Arizona, and in central and southern Utah.

The special status of the 130,000 square mile Colorado Plateau is recognized through the designation of 29 National Parks and Monuments and 26 Wilderness Areas, the world’s largest concentration of protected landscapes. In addition, the unprotected wilderness resource of the region is the largest remaining in the contiguous states.

The Plateau is currently undergoing an economic and demographic transformation. Demands associated with enormous population growth have created a scenario where the “old economy” based in resource extraction competes with a “new economy” centered in recreation and tourism. A new boom in natural resource extraction has resulted in more commercial logging and massive new oil and gas development on public lands, dramatically increasing the pressure on the region’s rapidly diminishing wild places.

New roads, real estate development, power generation, surging recreation, and other indicators of unbridled growth cause the region’s large tracts of undisturbed land to be fragmented into ever-smaller bits of disturbed land. The long-term effects are disastrous for native plants, animals and natural processes. Springs, creeks, and rivers are drying up from diversions and groundwater over-draughts, all made worse by deepening drought.

In an area facing so many challenges, we believe enduring conservation can only take place when ecology, economy and community come together to support balanced conservation goals. We work with many partners to create lasting conservation solutions. We emphasize collaboration, but also bring a full range of tools --including advocacy and litigation -- to bear on critical conservation issues. While this approach is complex and demanding, it helps increase our standing on regional and national issues. It requires a thorough understanding of ecosystems and conservation needs as well as strong, long-term relationships with communities, institutions, and tribes. We believe this unique approach is essential to achieving our mission and vision.

We currently concentrate our work in seven major issue arenas: air quality and energy; forests; landscape protection; rangelands; species conservation; water; and Native America. The Trust’s 2005 purchase (with our partner, The Conservation Fund) of the Kane and Two-Mile Ranches on the Grand Canyon’s north rim has put the spotlight on our rangelands program. We will be expending significant time and resources on long-term, large scale, on-the-ground restoration activities on these magnificent ranches over the next several years.

Using the highest degree of expertise and professionalism, we seek to make a true, lasting difference through our efforts.