Published by Paul Ivinskas
Thursday, October 22, 2026
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Wildlife & plants guides

Observe, leave room, protect the habitat

Use binoculars or a long lens instead of moving closer.

Use binoculars or a long lens instead of moving closer. Do not feed, chase, corner, touch or pick up wildlife; leave nests, dens and young alone. Keep pets leashed where allowed, or leave them at home, avoid call playback and drones around animals, and use designated parking and established routes. Share broad location descriptions rather than precise nest, den or sighting geotags. These practices follow Utah DWR's viewing guidance.

For plants, the ground between the flowers also matters. Southeast Utah's biological soil crust includes several kinds of living organisms. It helps bind soil, and a footprint can damage it. Young crust can resemble bare earth, so apparent emptiness is not a dependable sign that stepping there is harmless. Stay on designated routes and follow the land manager's instructions.

This is a short observation guide, not emergency medical advice, a collecting permit, a hunting/fishing rulebook or a plant-identification key for eating or medicinal use. Follow current site requirements and leave specimens in place.

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