Southwest
The Southwest office, covering Arizona, Colorado, New Mexico, and Utah, includes an astounding wealth of 73 National Parks, Monuments, Historic Sites and Trails. This vast region is a tribute to nature’s ability to sculpt the desert landscape: rivers, caves, canyons, and dunes are some of the dazzling features in our parks. From the majesty of Rocky Mountain National Park to the ancient ruins of Chaco Canyon, the Southwest Region offers countless opportunities to hike, raft, explore and contemplate.
The priceless resources of the National Parks, however, are threatened. Proposed coal mines, oil refineries and coal burning power plants threaten Bryce, Arches and Canyonlands National Parks. Development pressures impact many parks including Walnut Canyon National Monument. Chronic funding shortages have a devastating impact, like the closure of the Visitors Center at Dinosaur National Monument.
Coal-fired Power Plants threaten the Southwest's National Parks
The proposed coal-fired power plants in Nevada, New Mexico and Utah would spew into the atmosphere tons of mercury and CO2, the main contributor to climate change. This air pollution and greenhouse gases will affect the health and visibility of our national parks including Mesa Verde, Zion and Great Basin. Plant and animal habitat as well as cultural resource damage and visitor and park staff health are all at risk.
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Uranium mining incompatible with Grand Canyon
Since 2003, 2251 mining claims have been staked within 10 miles of the Grand Canyon. Many if not most of these claims are being filed in environmentally sensitive areas, including areas in close proximity to most of the Plateau’s wilderness areas and National Parks.
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Featured Regional Parks
See a list of national parks in the Southwest Region >>
Volunteer for the Parks
Interested in volunteering? Contact Karen Hevel-Mingo: khevel-mingo@npca.org.
