Bryce Canyon Natural History Association

Bryce Canyon Natural History Association (BCNHA) is a non-profit organization created to aid the interpretive, educational and scientific activities of the National Park Service, at Bryce Canyon National Park and the USDA Forest Service on the Dixie National Forest. A portion of the profits from all bookstore sales are donated to these public land units. Since BCNHA's inception in 1961, donations have exceeded $3.5 million.

BCNHA Role

BCNHA is a diverse organization. It has an educational institution that functions as part of the interpretive arm of Bryce Canyon National Park. Donated funds are requested by the agencies to support educational, interpretive and scientific activities or projects. These can include production and printing of free publications, construction of information kiosks, or the financing of roadside displays, trail guides and maps. BCNHA's goal is enhance every visitor's understanding and appreciation of our public lands by providing a through selection of quality educational materials, both free and for sale in our outlets, and through our on-line catalog.

BCNHA offers a variety of publications dealing with the resources of its partner agencies, including geology, archeology, plants, wildlife and more. All items offered for sale are carefully reviewed by subject matter experts, and must be found to be educational in nature and of excellent interpretive value.

History

Our organization was originally part of the Zion-Bryce Natural History Association founded in 1930. Bryce Canyon Natural history Association was formally separated from Zion in 1961. In 2002 BCNHA expanded beyond our cooperative relationship with the National Park Service to begin serving the Forest Service on the Dixie National Forest and along Scenic Highway 12.

High Plateaus Institute

The BCNHA is also in the process of implementing the High Plateaus Institute. The High Plateau Institute is a nonprofit field institute operated in partnership with Bryce Canyon National Park and Dixie National Forest. The institute will offer field courses and a research facility for the high plateau region of southern Utah. Institute courses will appeal to students of all backgrounds, from teachers in search of new information for their classes to researchers needing a base to analyze data. Courses will be located in various areas of southern Utah and taught by college professors, field biologists and other experts.

Board of Trustees

The BCNHA is a non-profit, tax exempt 501(c)(3) organization governed by a Board of Trustees who serve without remuneration. The board is comprised of community and professional leaders who have a special interest in Bryce Canyon and southern Utah. The Superintendent of Bryce Canyon National Park and the Chief of Interpretation as well as a Forest Service representatives attend all board meetings to maintain a high level of coordination between the Association and its partners. People protect what they understand and appreciate. With visitor use demands escalating and agency funding declining, the role of cooperating associations to assist in the educational process will continue to expand. BCNHA greatly accepts tax-deductible contributions to support educational and interpretive programs, scientific research and development of new publications.

External links

* [http://www.brycecanyon.org Bryce Canyon Natural History Association]
* [http://www.nps.gov/brca/ Bryce Canyon National Park Service]