The 2025  Pecos Conference – Bears Ears National Monument and the Lands Between, Utah.

Nibbled on a bear’s ear. Now I must go back to Cedar Mesa for another taste.  

See how it looks? That bear has been in some fights. That bear has seen some things. 

Dogs and archeologists of every variety and age. Friendly and social every single one.  It felt that way. Hot hike from parking. Every variety of camp: RV. Pop-up, little trailer, big trailer, simple tents, high tech tents, and hammocks. I chose a motel in Blanding. There’s a distant view of the ears from one of Blanding’s wide wide empty streets.

Vastly simplified, the Pecos Conference is three days of archaeologists reading papers in the woods. The ten minute talks are enough to intrigue but not enough to bore. There are no slides or computers or cell service. There are posters and interesting people. And did I mention the dogs?

I could have used a burro ride to get from distant day parking. 

The Bears Ears Partnership BearsEarsPartnership.org hosted the conference this year with many sponsorships and broad participation.  The setting was a forested 130 acres in the Manti-La Sal National Forest and Bears Ears National Monument in Utah, north of Blanding.   

Action to reduce the size of the monument has united and strengthened proponents, including archeologists, Tribes, and agencies – a broad range of scholars, professionals, and interested individuals. Many of them were there and I learned so much.

Like about the berm and swale landscapes and the extent of land cultivation by Ancient Pueblo people and how the regional population grew and fell and how Bears Ears was home to “millions of people for thousands of years.” Like how 24 Tribes claim cultural affiliation with the area. Like just how much archeology there is and how much has been lost to looting and vandalism.

In 2009 Blanding was ground zero for a federal sting that resulted in dozens of arrests and a couple of suicides. The Edge of the Cedars State Park Museum includes a collection of recovered artifacts and is also located adjacent to a partially excavated Ancient Pueblo village. With so many sites within easy reach and strong markets for antiquities, pot hunting became a tradition in the last 19th century and continues today, in spite of the busts. This came up in  most presentations. It is a primary fact of the profession.

Lowry Pueblo layout may illustrate summer and winter people.

Iwas privileged to listen to the foremost land stewards and archaeologists in the Southwest present their work, memorialize fallen colleagues, and discuss issues and challenges. My interest was refreshed and my head was stuffed with new ideas and questions about the Bears Ears National Monument and threats to public land.  The energy at the Pecos Conference was infectious and inspirational.