Glen Canyon National Recreation Area

30 May Glen Canyon National Recreation Area

Glen Canyon National Recreation Area is located at the center of the Colorado Plateau in the most southern part of Utah and northern part of Arizona. The Colorado River has had a significant influence in the formation of the landscape. Canyons, buttes, mesas, seeps, springs, rivers, and Lake Powell provide a wide array of habitats where different species of flora and fauna can flourish.

Lake Powell is enjoyed by visitors from all over the world. This man-made reservoir formed after the creation of the Glen Canyon Dam in 1963. Now, visitors enjoy many water-based recreational activities which provide relief from the triple digit temperatures of the area. In addition to this scenic lake, visitors enjoy iconic natural formations such as Horseshoe Bend and Rainbow Bridge.

The area is filled with rich history, prominent figures such as Edward Abbey, David Brower, and John Wesley Powell have been moved by the beauty of Glen Canyon. The area had a great influence in their views, values, and work. Furthermore, Native Americans have called this place home for thousands of years and their history remains carved on the walls of the canyon in the form of petroglyphs.

I will be spending my summer in the backcountry of the 1.5 million acres managed by Glen Canyon NRA. While some of my survey sites require a multi-day backpacking trip, others will be closer to home and to a shower! Glen Canyon supports three major vegetation zones, desert scrub, semidesert scrublands, and piñon-juniper woodlands. While my project is focused on bats, I am excited to learn more about the local flora!