Since 2019, Amorphous Studio has been working with the nonprofit Bears Ears Partnership (formerly Friends of Cedar Mesa) and the Bears Ears Inter-Tribal Coalition (which includes the Hopi, Navajo, Zuni, Ute, and other Tribes and Pueblos) to address the evolving needs of this timeless landscape. In anticipation of the restoration of the original 1.35 million acres designated as a national monument by President Obama in 2016, we began collaborating with our partners to prioritize recreational development in three key areas: Sand Island, Newspaper Rock, and Mule Canyon. This effort represents the first-ever partnership between the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) and the Bears Ears Inter-Tribal Coalition, a governmental and multi-tribal shared collaboration with a goal of creating a sustainable, respectful, and resilient path forward for responsible recreation, focused on cultural preservation and protection as well as visitor engagement and education.

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Phase 1 of Sand Island’s redevelopment plan began in the fall of 2024, with the grand opening of the Upper Petroglyph Trailhead and Accessible Trail expected in spring 2025. Through continued collaboration with the Bears Ears Partnership, BLM, and the Inter-Tribal Coalition, we look forward to further enhancing visitor education and engagement while protecting the cultural and ecological integrity of the Bears Ears region for years to come.

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Newspaper Rock and Mule Canyon will be further developed throughout the remaining phases.