Southwest Colorado Canyons Alliance fosters awareness and appreciation of the landscape and cultural heritage of Canyons of the Ancients National Monument through collaboration with the Bureau of Land Management.
Dear Friends,
As we enter this season of giving and gratitude, I want to thank you for being part of the Southwest Colorado Canyons Alliance community. Whether you volunteered, joined us for a program, or supported our work in other meaningful ways this year, your generosity and commitment continue to strengthen everything we do.
I’m writing today with a difficult update regarding our Luminaria Night event. After thoughtful discussions with CANM staff and partners, due to logistical challenges and the short time frame available, we have collectively decided not to hold the event this year. While we’re disappointed to share this news, we also know this is the right decision.
As we look ahead to 2026, your support will make an immediate and lasting impact. In the coming year, SCCA plans to:
Strengthen our Cultural Site Stewardship Program, supporting volunteers who help protect archaeological sites across the monument.
Offer more educational programs, cultural demonstrations, and public lectures that build understanding and respect for the region’s deep cultural heritage.
Continue our work toward International Dark Sky Park certification through accessible night sky programming and community outreach.
Lead volunteer community stewardship projects, helping maintain trails, reduce impacts, and support land managers as they care for this extraordinary landscape.
Deepen partnerships with the BLM, affiliated tribes, and local organizations to ensure collaborative stewardship of the lands we all love.
Your generosity makes all of this possible. As we approach the end of the year, I hope you’ll consider supporting SCCA, on Giving Tuesday, Colorado Gives Day, or anytime you feel inspired to help protect the places and stories that matter.
Thank you again for being part of this work. Even in moments of challenge or change, our community remains strong, committed, and full of heart. I’m grateful to be on this path with you.
With gratitude,
Markleigh Swanson Executive Director Southwest Colorado Canyons Alliance
P.S. Even though we can’t gather for Luminaria Night this year, your support can still shine brightly. A year-end gift today helps protect cultural sites, expand educational programs, and keep stewardship thriving in the year ahead. Thank you for standing with us.
I am Thankful for the System of National Conservation Lands
Last month I wrote about the Department of Interior’s National Conservation Lands System (NCLS). As a reminder, this system of protected public lands has been overseen by the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) for 25 years.
This November, with all that I have to be thankful for, one of the things is that these incredible lands are available for our use and enjoyment. On a trip last month, I was able to travel to three neighboring monuments that are part of the NCLS, partially to compare them with “our own” Canyons of the Ancients National Monument.
Each area has unique features and different purposes for designation. I provide a quick Wikipedia summary for you, and also provide links to each of the original Proclamations.
The Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument in Utah, was established on September 18, 1996. The purpose of designation was to protect the area's exceptional geological formations, biological diversity, and archaeological significance. The monument's purpose includes preserving the unique natural features and ensuring the protection of these resources for future generations. The designation also aims to balance conservation with local interests, addressing concerns over the potential economic impact on the community and the preservation of the land's unique characteristics.
The designation of Vermilion Cliffs National Monument in Arizona, on November 9, 2000, serves to protect the unique geological formations and cultural heritage of the area. The monument's purpose includes preservation of Geology, Wildlife and Biodiversity, Historical Significance, Environmental Protection and promotes Tourism and Recreation. The designation of Vermilion Cliffs National Monument ensures that the natural beauty and cultural heritage of the area are preserved for future generations, making it a vital part of Arizona's natural and cultural landscape.
The Bears Ears National Monument, in Utah, designated on December 28, 2016, serves to protect a significant cultural landscape and the ancestral lands of Native American tribes. It aims to preserve the rich history and heritage of the region, including rock art, dwellings, ceremonial sites, and other cultural resources. The monument also ensures that the land remains accessible for traditional uses such as plant and firewood gathering, off-highway recreation, and other activities that are integral to the cultural practices of the tribes. The monument's management is a collaborative effort involving the Bureau of Land Management, the United States Forest Service, and the five local Native American tribes, ensuring that the monument's purpose is honored while providing opportunities for public enjoyment and recreation.
And of course, the designation of the Canyons of the Ancients National Monument on June 9, 2000, was made to preserve the largest concentration of archaeological sites in the United States, primarily Ancestral Puebloan ruins. The monument's purpose is to protect and preserve these uniquely rich and irreplaceable objects of the Monument for the benefit of present and future generations of Americans. The intent of the proclamation is to ensure that the full significance and enduring value of these objects are considered in their context, best when viewed in the context of the National Landscape Conservation System.
The CANM's designation is part of a broader effort to protect and manage public lands for the benefit of all Americans, setting aside spectacular untouched lands for the benefit of all. The Canyons of the Ancients National Monument is a testament to the cultural legacy of the 26 traditionally associated Tribes and Pueblos and their modern descendants, and it serves as a reminder of the importance of preserving and protecting the archaeological and cultural heritage of the Southwest.
This month is also a time to express that I am so thankful for all of you as members of Southwest Colorado Canyons Alliance, and for the existence and members of the Friends Groups for the other monuments. The Bureau of Land Management does an incredible job of managing these vast public lands with limited budgets. Contributions of your time and your financial support are invaluable to establishing and managing programs to support the mission of the agency and the purposes of designation.
My trip to these neighboring monuments was planned prior to the very unfortunate government shutdown that started October 1. It is disheartening to know the stress that all the employees were subjected to. Like you, the employees are very dedicated to the management of the monuments, and share a similar passion for the landscapes. Please continue to find ways to support the BLM, SCCA (and other Friends Groups), and the monuments designated in part for your use and enjoyment. Our work is very valuable, and typically continues even during interruptions in service.
After thoughtful discussions with CANM staff and partners, due to logistical challenges and the short time frame available, we have collectively decided not to hold the Luminaria Night event this year.
Holiday Shopping that Gives Back!
This season, you can support SCCA simply by choosing gifts that make a difference. Whether you're looking for meaningful presents or doing your everyday shopping, here are a few easy ways to give back:
Looking for a meaningful gift or a way to support SCCA? Check out our online store, where you’ll find unique items that celebrate the beauty and heritage of CANM, including the 25th Anniversary T-shirt. Proceeds from your purchases directly support our programs.
Help Southwest Colorado Canyons Alliance Raise Much-Needed Funds for free!
Every time you shop at any of the 1,800+ online stores in the iGive network, a portion of the money you spend benefits Southwest Colorado Canyons Alliance. It’s a free service, and you’ll never pay more when you reach a store through iGive. To get started, just create your free iGive account.
Looking for another way to give? Southwest Colorado Canyons Alliance is proud to partner with ShopRaise. From groceries and apparel to technology and travel – a percentage of almost everything you buy using the ShopRaise app goes to support our cause. Click to download and start supporting us with every purchase: https://ShopRaise.com/support/swcocanyons
This holiday season, your gifts can stretch even further—supporting meaningful conservation, education, and community programs across Canyons of the Ancients National Monument. Let your shopping bring joy and make an impact!
More ways to help!
Bequests
Leave a Lasting Legacy
Consider making a lasting impact on the preservation of the Canyons of the Ancients by including Southwest Colorado Canyons Alliance in your will or estate planning. Your bequest, whether large or small, will help protect these treasured landscapes and their cultural heritage for future generations.
If you haven’t created a will or are thinking of updating it, now is a great time to consult with your attorney or financial advisor to ensure your wishes are clearly expressed.
If you have any questions or need more information, please feel free to reach out.
Follow the directions on the page and select Southwest Colorado Canyons Alliance either by name or use this code, WM546;
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Thank you for your support!*
Thank you to our members and supporters who donated between September 1 and September 30, 2025.
We appreciate your support!
Hubert Allen Caroline Brown & Tom Ferrell Cynthia Campbell Peg Rose Goddard Stefanie Haining Amanda Heck Terri Helm Kathy Hettick Emily Knickerbocker Stacie Korroch Susan Lowry Kara McMullen Anna Moore Karen Ordemann Wayne Rice Brian Russell Allen Russell Jeff Sambur Julia Smit Mark & Shari Walker Dan Whittle Emily Wilker
Deep Gratitude to our Sustaining Members
Thank you for providing SCCA with a steady stream of support!
Steve Barker Melissa Blackwell Ken Boucher Caroline Brown & Tom Ferrell Chris & Lou Burkett Tris & Bruce Downer Erik Hendrickson Don & Nancy Hoffheins Diane McBride Dan Miller Vincent Miller Gregory Munson Carolyn Roan Marcie Ryan Cynthia Sadler Susan Stein Michael Stillman Markleigh Swanson Carol Taylor & Cliff Giffen John Thyfault David & KD Umbarger
*SCCA processed contributions from new and renewing annual and sustaining members and donors named in this newsletter between September 1, 2025 and September 30, 2025. Corporate support and grants listed in this newsletter were given between September 1, 2024 and September 1, 2025. Please accept our sincerest apologies if your name or company is not listed here or if we have not yet processed your donation.
Visit Canyons of the Ancients National Monument For more information about visiting CANM go to this link.
