COLORADO & UTAH

Wolf Sanctuary & Conservation Center

Considered one of the most misunderstood animals in North America, wolves are often thought to be a threat to humans and livestock and therefore have been hunted and eliminated from many of their natural habitats. During our Canyons and Conservation spotlight project, we have the chance to immerse ourselves in a working wolf sanctuary to learn about gray wolves first-hand to gain a better understanding of these magnificent creatures. We spend time with biologists learning about the wolves’ behavior, their complicated history with humans, and about the efforts to reintroduce wolves to many parts of the American West. While at the sanctuary we also have the chance to give back by lending a hand building fencing, maintaining facilities, and processing meat for the wolves. Our time at the sanctuary is one of the most unique and intimate wildlife experiences that you are sure never to forget.

Arrive Salt Lake City

Arriving into Salt Lake City, we meet our trip leaders and make our way to our campsite in a nearby national forest for our first taste of canyon country. Here we have a thorough orientation where we set personal and group goals for our journey and set the foundation for our unbelievable adventure.

Wolf Conservation Project

We immerse ourselves in an extremely unique wildlife conservation opportunity working with rescued wolves in the rural mountains of Colorado. Our home is a working wolf sanctuary and environmental conservation center. The center provides a home for rescued wolves and we learn in detail from biologists about the often-misunderstood gray wolf, their behaviors, and how to care for these magnificent creatures. We also learn about the controversies surrounding their reintroduction into many parts of the American West. As this is a working sanctuary and ranch, we don our gloves and break a sweat while building important fencing, updating facilities, and feeding the pack of hungry wolves and their young pups.

Explore Arches and Canyonlands National Parks & Environmental Service

We make our way to the wildly beautiful Moab, an ancient crossroad for many Native American tribes and a modern outdoor playground. Here the snow-dusted La Sal Mountains tower over a golden fantasyland of mesas, buttes, and giant arches. We take several magical days to explore the labyrinth of canyons, red-rock spires, and unbelievable natural arches of two of America’s most famous National Parks, Arches and Canyonlands. Time slips away as we discover whimsical, sun-blasted rock features such as The Windows, Upheaval Dome, and Devil’s Garden. During this time we hike to one of America’s most famous natural landmarks, the famed Delicate Arch. If we time it just right, we can watch the sun slowly fade behind the arch and the beautiful La Sal Mountains.

After two days of unforgettable adventure and learning about the unique landscape of canyon country, it’s time to give back to these special places. Rolling up our sleeves we volunteer with a local conservation organization helping build, maintain, and upgrade trails and public facilities. We learn about the issues revolving around increased use of public lands, the importance of Leave No Trace Principles, and how we, as everyday citizens, can make an impact on vital conservation efforts on our public lands.

Rafting the Arkansas River

Meeting our professional river guides we learn about water safety, don our helmets and lifejackets, and prepare for the rafting adventure of a lifetime. Over the course of two days we float through the beautiful twisting canyon landscape where we discover ancient petroglyphs, learn about important western water rights issues, and marvel at the 300 million-year-old sculpted rock walls. At night we set up camp on secluded beaches at the base of a thousand-foot canyon with only each other and our echoes for company.

Discover Mesa Verde

Both a National Park and UNESCO heritage site, Mesa Verde is the largest archaeological preserve in the U.S. and protects some of the best-preserved Ancestral Puebloan structures found anywhere in the world. Teaming up with Park Rangers, we have a chance to explore fascinating ancient ruins such as Balcony House and Cliff Place to learn about the native cultures that called this area home for hundreds of years. With over 600 cliff dwellings and 5,000 archaeological sites, our experience allows us to gain a deeper understanding of the long history of these lands and those who came before us.