Utah’s newest National Monument, Bears Ears, is under immense political pressure. Both state and federal governments are campaigning for Bears Ears to be reduced in size or rescinded entirely. Thankfully, there are counter-efforts aimed at protecting Bears Ears, one of which is from Chaco. The company has launched a collection of limited-edition products that directly benefits the defense of Bears Ears National Monument. One hundred percent of net proceeds from the collection will go to two non-profits dedicated to protecting the monument and the 1.3 million acres of cultural and ecologically significant public land it includes.
The latest news about Bears Ears National Monument is President Trump directed Interior Secretary Ryan Zinke to review Bears Ears National Monument within 45 days, and to make a recommendations on all other monuments designated since 1996. A delegation of politicians from Utah has repeatedly requested that the President rescind the Bears Ears designation, part of a larger strategy to transfer federal-owned public lands to state control, where they could be potentially auctioned off to the highest bidder.
The two non-profits that Chaco will donate their Bears Ears collection proceeds to are Diné Bikéyah and Friends of Cedar Mesa. Diné Bikéyah is a nonprofit organization that supports indigenous communities by protecting their culturally significant, ancestral lands. Utah Diné Bikéyah was instrumental in proposing national monument designation for the Bears Ears area, which includes thousands of Native American archaeological sites.
In a press release from Chaco, Willie Grayeyes, Board Chairman of Utah Diné Bikéyah, said, “I believe Bears Ears National Monument to be the most qualified area designated in the past 21 years, and also the most thoroughly studied, researched, and vetted by all sides. This monument enjoys wide support in Utah, is an economic driver for our reservation communities here in San Juan County, and it enables more local control and stewardship of the region by local Tribes and Utahns.”
Friends of Cedar Mesa is a conservation-focused nonprofit working to ensure that the public lands in San Juan County, with all their cultural and natural values, are respected and protected for future generations. Josh Ewing, executive director of Friends of Cedar Mesa said, “With more archaeological sites than any other national monument or national park, Bears Ears National Monument protects American history while providing us all the opportunity to be inspired by those who came before us.”
“We recognize the immense value of our country’s public lands and are committed to their permanent protection.” said Seth Cobb, Chaco’s president. “Bears Ears is under attack from politicians in Utah and Washington, D.C., and we are proud to support two non-profit organizations, Diné Bikéyah and Friends of Cedar Mesa, in their tireless efforts to defend this spectacular landscape. The threat is imminent and immediate action is required.”
The Chaco Bears Ears collection is highlighted by made in the USA, limited-edition Z sandals, featuring a unique webbing design inspired by the twin buttes of the Bears Ears. The sandals, as well as a graphic print Bears Ears T-shirt and wrist wrap are available exclusively at chacos.com, where people can learn more about Bears Ears, Chaco’s advocacy efforts, and how they can get involved. Explore the collection at www.chacos.com/bearsears
In addition, Chaco is encouraging everyone who supports America’s National Monuments to leave a comment telling the Department of Interior that you think Bears Ears needs to be preserved. As of this writing, the comment period for Bears Ears ends this week, so it is vital that we all let our voices be heard right now. You can find a link to leave your comment here.