Volunteers Needed

Sixth Annual Amazing Earthfest May 13th – May 19th

Approximately 4.55 billion years ago, the Earth formed within a solar system located along the vast, outer reaches of a spiral galaxy known as the Milky Way. Our sun-centric solar system, its spinning Earth gravitationally in tow, takes approximately 200 to 250 million years to complete just one orbit around the Milky Way. In other words, the sun and our entire solar system travel through space at a staggering rate of 500 thousand miles per hour. Within 90 seconds, we on Earth all move 12,500 miles in orbit around the center of the galaxy. Mind-boggling facts to comprehend sitting down!

And, as we examine our local environs more closely, we can appreciate firsthand the boundless phenomena of nature. Our Colorado Plateau holds answers to some of the world’s most fascinating ecological and biodiversity questions, both past and present. This place of magnificent natural beauty and rugged wilderness boasts more national parks than any other region in the United States. Ancient people dwelled upon this unique landscape long ago, leaving evidence of their existence that dates back as far as 10,500 years.

These astonishing realities alone describe a planet worthy of revere. Therefore, Kanab, Utah is proud to host the Sixth Annual Amazing Earthfest celebration which will be held from May 13th through May 19th. Attendance has increased substantially every year since the event was launched in 2007, and is considered one of the Colorado Plateau’s foremost festivals. All area residents and visitors are invited to join in the fun and excitement, free of charge.

Amazing Earthfest activities provide family entertainment, educational opportunities and hands-on discovery adventures. Events are designed to enhance public awareness in areas of environmental scientific discovery, ecological understanding, responsible recreation, and appreciation for cultural heritage and the arts. Sharing facts rich in detail about the endless wonders of Utah’s national and state parks, national forests and regional monuments ranks high on the list of festival goals.

Past Amazing Earthfest presentations have included dinosaur track and rock art exploration, performance art production, guided hikes through the plateau’s remote backcountry, astronomical studies, and colorful lessons in Native American culture and pioneer history. Award-winning documentary films, shown in a comfortable theater setting, offer beautifully presented information about significant planetary, national and regional issues.

In order to make this year’s Amazing Earthfest another resounding success, volunteers are needed at various levels of commitment. The three volunteer levels are as follow: general volunteer, presenter and organizational volunteer. The first volunteer opportunity is vital in setting the stage for the festival. This basic volunteer level includes duties such as distributing flyers and schedules prior to the event, helping to set up events before and during the festival, and handing out and collecting event sign-in sheets.

The second volunteer opportunity is at the presentation level. This level stands at the heart of the festival. Anyone who wishes to share their enthusiasm, knowledge and skills about the environment and the miracles of this Earth is invited to participate as a presenter in this year’s Amazing Earthfest.

The third level of volunteer service involves the festival’s organizational stages during the months that precede the event, and during a short follow-up period after the event has closed. The outcome of volunteering at this level is highly rewarding, knowing that so many residents and visitors will leave the festival invigorated by this beautiful land and enlightened about issues that affect the Colorado Plateau and our planet. Amazing Earthfest would like to invite organizational volunteers who are willing to lend their imagination, vision, time, talents and service to participate on the following seven teams; Communications and Messaging, Events, Finance and Accounting, Fundraising, Secretarial and Web Development, Volunteer Coordinating and finally Strategic Planning.

To learn more about the Amazing Earthfest and to offer service at a basic, presentation or organizational volunteer level, please call our toll-free number before February 1st, 2012, at 888-588-8970. Or, contact us via email at volunteer@amazingearthfest.com. Thank you, in advance, for helping to make the Sixth Annual Amazing Earthfest celebration a grand event.

From personal habits to industrial processes, advancing ecological wisdom at
the local level must be a central guiding principle in human society’s
transformation toward an all-inclusive sustainability. At the events of
Amazing Earthfest, families and individuals expand personal relationships
with each other and with nature, while increasing their understanding of the
natural systems and resources surrounding them on cherished public lands.

The uplifting experience and magnificent grandeur of treasured and protected
landscapes inspires curiosity to learn in both visitors and community
residents and a growing determination to conserve. This expansion of human
awareness is needed on a grand scale if we are to sustain Earth’s livability
in the 21st Century.

With over 50 events held free of charge during seven days in May, Amazing
Earthfest contributes to the local economy by creating a destination for
adventure and discovery. Festivals to boost local economic development by
providing venues for expressing regional talent, heritage and traditions are
ubiquitous. As a public festival conceived from a spiritual perception of
the Divinity within Nature itself, Amazing Earthfest is uncommon in its
focus on facilitating discovery and learning about the natural world.

Now entering its sixth year, Amazing Earthfest may be unique among the
nation’s community festivals, as the first such event celebrating the very
existence of our nation’s National and State Parks, National Forests,
Monuments and Public Lands; specifically, the land and life of the Colorado
Plateau in Utah. Its success derives from people’s aspiration to re-connect
with nature. The volunteer-driven festival is supported by local
governments and business owners, Federal land management agencies, regional
non-profits, educational institutions, and individuals sharing a recognition
that abundant natural beauty enlivens people, and where protected, is a
perpetual engine for rural regional economies.

Protecting natural beauty is an expression of the Green principle of
future-focus, and depends upon the collective understanding of its
importance to the human psyche and to overall community health. Kanab, Utah
is a small city amidst a land of immensity surrounded by Zion, Bryce Canyon,
and Grand Canyon National Parks, and Grand Staircase-Escalante National
Monument. Amazing Earthfest builds upon the strengths that the many nearby
National Parks, Forests, Monuments, and Public Lands provide to the region.
Remarkably, there are 18 of them within a half-day’s drive!

America’s spectacular Western public lands are administered by three
agencies of the Department of the Interior: National Park Service, US Forest
Service, and Bureau of Land Management. Specialists from these Federal
agencies as well as numerous national and regional non-profits with
interests on the Colorado Plateau in Utah provide the expertise for learning
events at Amazing Earthfest. This core of trained naturalists forms the
basis for attracting artists, musicians and performers to Earthfest, who
provide experiences for the public that engage our emotions, skillfully
expressing a deep love for their special place, and by extension also for
our planet.

Please visit Rocking V’s Rafters Gallery to see this incredible work of art and place your bid!

Ron Henderson cannot create sculptures fast enough to keep pace with orders. Each piece is individually inspired by the rock itself, which comes from a private quarry in Arizona. Ron rides through the sandstone country on horseback, looking at the rock and imagining the force of wind….”Where are the weak spots, where would an arch, or an overhang form?” The unique Sandstone and Juniper-wood sculpture he has donated to support the 5th Amazing Earthfest, is the first in which the artist has put a tree through an arch. “My work is Mother Nature, reduced to art and movement.”

This year the 5th Annual Amazing Earthfest begins May 15th and continues thru May 21st offering 60 highly diverse free events celebrating the National and State Parks, National Forests, National Monuments and public lands of this spectacular region. Specialists in botany, geology, forestry, paleontology, astronomy, archaeology, wildlife and outdoor sports lead events both indoors and outside. Attendees are invited to be part of hiking, biking, lectures, performances, a mini-film festival and many other vibrant events meant to appeal to all ages and all interests. To learn more about the Dinosaur Extravaganza, the sunset photography event, Gala Folklife Concert, a night under the stars viewing “Gems of the Cosmos”, a special performance of the Symphony of the Canyons and other events go online to www.amazingearthfest.com or pick up schedules at the Kane County Office of Tourism, 78 South 100 East in Kanab. Enjoy the world-class splendors and scenic wonders of Kane County.

Come learn all about the “terrible lizards” (dinosaurs) that used to live in our back yard, as Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument Park Ranger Merle Graffam and Interpretive Specialist Mary Dewitz present two extraordinary events with assistance from Grand Staircase Escalante Partners (GSEP).

Dinosaur Extravaganza!….(read more)

CASTO CANYON TRAILHEAD TO PETERSON POINT ATV RIDE

Date: Friday, May 20, 2011
Time: 1:00 PM
Location: Go directly on your own to the Casto Canyon Trailhead, 3 miles North along a graded gravel road off US HWY 12, Two miles East of the junction of US Highways 12 & 89, a distance of 61 miles from Kanab (on the way to Bryce Canyon National Park).

Description: Guided ATV Ride of approximately 8.2 miles. NOTE: THE CASTO CANYON TRAIL ONLY ALLOWS FOR VEHICLES 50” OR LESS, MAXIMUM OF 20 VEHICLES PER GROUP. Starting at the Casto Canyon Trailhead, participants will travel northeast up the motorized portion of the Casto Canyon Trail [3.6 miles], then north up the Barney Cove Trail [1.9 miles], then west on Road 697 to Peterson Point [2.7 miles] overlooking Red Canyon to the south and Panguitch to the west and north. There will be stops along the course to provide information to participants. The return trip will be guided for those returning to the Casto Canyon Trailhead. Participants who desire to access other areas may depart the group from Peterson Point. Maps will be provided. Restrooms are available at the Casto Canyon Trailhead and water is available at the Red Canyon Visitor Center. Foot, horse, and bicycle traffic can also utilize the Casto Canyon and Barney Cove Trails. Please RSVP to the contact name and telephone or email listed.

RED CANYON VISITOR CENTER TOUR AND PINK LEDGES TRAIL HIKE
Date: Friday, May 20, 2011
Time: Gather at 8:30 AM in Kanab. Carpool to Red Canyon. Tour and Hike begins at 10:00 AM
Location: Gather at the Earthfest Information Table, Kane County Office of Tourism, 78 South 100 East, Kanab at 8:30AM to carpool, or go directly on your own to the Red Canyon Visitor Center on US HWY 12, 3.2 miles East of the junction of US Highways 12 & 89, a distance of 62 miles from Kanab (on the way to Bryce Canyon National Park).

Description: This event will be divided into 3 parts. 1) Meet at and begin the event with a tour of the Red Canyon Visitor Center, emphasizing the center’s interpretive displays and the local artisan display area [under 30 minutes]. 2) A geology walk and talk will be presented just outside the Red Canyon Visitor Center [10-15 minutes]. 3) An interpretive hike on the Pink Ledges Trail, a 0.8-mile loop. Enjoy a self-guided hike through the fantastically colorful formations of Red Canyon with a map of the trail and numbered interpretive signs, ending back at the Red Canyon Visitor Center. Restrooms and water are available.

PARELLI NATURAL HORSEMANSHIP DEMONSTRATIONS

**CANCELLED**

Date: Tuesday, May 17, and Friday, May 20
Time: 10:30 AM
Location: Best Friends Sanctuary, Horse Haven Arena
(first left before the Welcome Center)

Description: Learn more about the Parelli program, a natural approach to communicating with horses, that helps people to better understand the way a horse thinks.