Science & Research
Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument is often referred to as the "Science Monument", because of the emphasis on research in the 1996 enabling Proclamation:
“The Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument's vast and austere landscape embraces a spectacular array of scientific and historic resources… The monument presents exemplary opportunities for geologists, paleontologists, archaeologists, historians, and biologists” (Presidential Proclamation 6920, September 18, 1996).
A 2017 Proclamation about Grand Staircase-Escalante notes:
“Nearly two decades of intense study of the monument has provided a better understanding of the areas with the highest concentrations of fossil resources and the best opportunities to discover previously unknown species” (Presidential Proclamation 9682, December 4, 2017).
The updated Proclamation in 2021 states:
“In the 25 years since its designation, Grand Staircase-Escalante has fulfilled the vision of an outdoor laboratory with great potential for diverse and significant scientific discoveries” and “New scientific discoveries are likely just around the corner” (Presidential Proclamation 10286, October 8, 2021).
This web page highlights some of the science happening at Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument, by researchers, scientists, Tribal communities, and agency staff. More science and history about GSENM can be found at this SUU digital library: https://www.suu.edu/library/special-collections/grand-staircase.html.
Get to know a Monument 'ologist
Prepare to embark on a journey inside Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument, where we continue to explore the world of scientists dedicated to unraveling its mysteries. Discover the latest installment here and browse through the archives listed below.
- Water Quality
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Meet Dr. Hannah Bonner! Hannah is an environmental scientist for the Utah Department of Environmental Quality. Hannah works with Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument Soil Scientist Raven Chavez in monitoring recreational water at Calf Creek Falls in Escalante, Utah.
Hannah is a Utah native who started her career as scientist in 2016, and together she and her team are dedicated to safeguarding public health in Utah's renowned lakes, reservoirs, and rivers.
Her Story: BLM Blog | Facebook Feature | Instagram Feature
- Wildlife
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Lisa helps monitor and document the potential impacts of proposed projects on wildlife and its habitat. As a subject matter expert in fauna for the Kanab Field Office and Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument, Lisa’s main responsibility is to serve as a part of the interdisciplinary team that monitors and documents the potential impacts of proposed projects on a species and its habitat.
Her Story: Facebook Feature | Instagram Feature
- Soils
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Raven started her soils journey in December 2012 at the Oregon State College of Forestry and worked for a few federal agencies before starting her career with the Bureau of Land Management. In addition to her primary duties, Raven can also be found bringing soil science to the classroom, speaking about her work with students, conducting worm races, and stressing the importance of an education in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics, more commonly known as STEM. To learn more about some of Raven’s work as a Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument Soil Scientist, visit: Scientists take AIM at natural resources on BLM land.
Her Story: Facebook Feature
- Paleontology
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Katja Knoll, Paleontologist and Lab Manager for Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument, is a film student- turned-paleontologist. After pursuing an education for documentary filmmaking and rediscovering a passion for science, Katja’s career path and education took an unexpected detour. Katja moved to Kanab, Utah, and began working as a paleontology intern for Dr. Alan Titus at Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument during the summer of 2014. Shortly after, Katja was hired full-time as the paleontology lab manager for the Monument and graduated with a Master of Science in Geology. Katja also helped Dr. Alan Titus expand the Monument’s paleontology volunteer program and continues to manage it today, which she says brings a myriad of diversity and perspective to the program.
Her Story: Facebook Feature
Research Stories
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"Turtle Diversity at the National Monument" - Guest Speaker: Dr. Joshua Lively 
**Under construction**
Water & Weather Data |
• Streamflow data from USGS at https://waterdata.usgs.gov/ut/nwis/rt which reports daily flow data across Utah including a few in Grand Staircase-Escalante.
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