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Catch up on the latest LightHawk news 
September 2023 Featured mission: Documenting newest National Monument
The Grand Canyon seen here during a recent flight with conservation partner Trout Unlimited. Photo by Nathan Rees. On August 12, 2023, LightHawk pilot Will Worthington flew two partner organizations over America's newest national monument - just four days after its formal presidential designation. After a considerable effort from a coalition of Native American tribes and environmental organizations, Baaj Nwaavjo I'tah Kukveni - Ancestral Footprints of the Grand Canyon National Monument, became reality. These nearly 1 million acre tribal homeland areas around the Grand Canyon are now permanently protected from future potential uranium mining and other development threats. The lands contain sacred sites, archeological sites, and important ecological areas. Baaj nwaavjo (BAAHJ – NUH-WAAHV-JOH) means "where Indigenous peoples roam" in the Havasupai language, and i'tah kukveni (EE-TAH – KOOK-VENNY) means "our ancestral footprints" in the Hopi language. The name reflects the significance of the Grand Canyon area, not just to one, but to many Tribal Nations. 
Grand Canyon and the Colorado River. Photo Nathan Rees. LightHawk partners, Trout Unlimited and Natives Outdoors, were on board the flight to observe first-hand the lands they had helped advocate for protection. Their photographs from the air will help document the boundaries from the sky and the importance of the region. During this LightHawk flight, many of the area's natural wonders were clearly visible - the sweeping plateaus and deep canyons, the meandering creeks and streams making their way to the Colorado River. The area supports a rich array of life: bighorn sheep, mule deer, bison, peregrine falcons, bald eagles, and many species of songbirds. It includes sagebrush and savanna habitats and over 3,000 known cultural and historic sites. The designation also preserves the area for a range of recreational activities.
Trout Unlimited and Natives Outdoors will use the photographs to share indigenous and conservation stories and the value of the areas around the Grand Canyon. 
Volunteer Pilot Will Worthington at the controls. Photo Nathan Rees. 
Photos by Nathan Rees Last Day to Save with Early Bird Discount! 
On October 27-29, 2023, LightHawk volunteer pilots, conservation partners, staff and guests will gather for our Annual Meeting & Fly-In. We're excited to get together once again to reconnect with friends and colleagues in a beautiful location. Join us in Bend, Oregon to celebrate our accomplishments, learn from each other and look ahead to the future. We'll have presentations from aviation experts, conservation partners and more over the course of the weekend along with the usual Volunteer Pilot Awards and dinner featuring a special keynote speaker. Early Bird Discount ends today! Don't miss your chance to save! Location Riverhouse on the Deschutes 
LightHawk in the News
LightHawk Photo of the Month
Photo by Eric Lee A LightHawk flight earlier this year provided a freelance photojournalist working on behalf of Bloomberg News the opportunity to photograph the Colorado River and its tributaries in Colorado and eastern Utah to document the state of the watershed for both current news stories and archival purposes. LightHawk volunteer pilot Stephanie Wells provided the flight. Support LightHawk and make conservation fly! 
LightHawk's mission is as important today as it has ever been. Working with partners across the country, we're bringing the gift of aviation to conservation issues. Thanks to LightHawk and its community of volunteer pilots, our conservation partners are able to accomplish more, in less time - preserving important resources. Your gift lifts our wings and brings success to projects sooner. You can make conservation fly! |
