BLM Arizona Strip District volunteer immerses visitors in stories of the West

In honor of National Volunteer Week, we are honored to highlight Milt Hokanson, who as a volunteer of 15 years has dedicated hundreds of hours to serving the public in providing visitor information on the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Arizona Strip District. As a volunteer, Milt provides information to visitors at our interagency public lands visitor center, located at 4001 East Aviator Drive in St. George, Utah. 

Not only is Milt a knowledgeable source of info on the Arizona Strip, including the Grand Canyon-Parashant National Monument and the Vermilion Cliffs National Monument, but his colorful descriptions and vivid imagery of the region’s people and history of the Arizona Strip quickly wraps his audiences’ attention, bringing the stories to life. He creates more of an experience for audiences than a history lesson. 

His deep love and appreciation for the outdoors is as hearty and robust as the stories he shares about the rugged, remote landscapes of the desert Southwest. Listeners come away feeling more connected to the people and the area while marveling that anyone could survive living on such harsh and gritty terrain. His stories range from the grueling days of 1800s cooper mining at the Grand Gulch copper mine to the life and times of modern ranchers who continue to care for and work these lands today. 

Milt’s intimate knowledge about the area makes him the go-to guy for those who want to learn about any road, trail, ranch, early explorer or resident of the Arizona Strip. He has a special “old-timey” flair that truly transports the listener back through time. In a recent retelling, Milt described the skill and technique Grand Gulch miners used with a team of horses to haul loads of copper up Grand Gulch canyon called, “stepping the chain,” a method to negotiate tight turns on the toughest passages on the Arizona Strip. A route Milt describes as “rougher than a cobb.” 

Milt is an incredible source for information for anyone who wishes to get a good glimpse and feel for the harsh realities facing the resilient people of the Arizona Strip. Visitors to the Arizona Strip District office public room come away with a profound understanding for the place that no one else comes close to conveying. 

Volunteers like Milt ensure a great visitor experience on public lands as well as help the BLM fulfill our multiple-use mission. In Arizona, more than 1,100 volunteers contributed over 100,000 hours last year — equivalent to nearly $3.5 million in service. We are deeply grateful for volunteers like Milt, whose dedication and hard work make a last impact on our public lands and local communities.  

Want to get involved? At BLM Arizona, volunteer opportunities are available in various roles and settings — there’s something for everyone. Join our dedicated volunteer community by contacting your local Bureau of Land Management office or by visiting volunteer.gov to learn how you can help shape the future of public lands.