As a way to help the fight to protect Bears Ears National Monument, Chaco introduces a collection of limited-edition products that will directly benefit its defense. One hundred percent of net proceeds from the collection will go to two non-profits dedicated to protecting the monument and the 1.3 million acres of cultural and ecologically significant public land it includes.
The two non-profit organizations are Diné Bikéyah and Friends of Cedar Mesa. Diné Bikéyah is a nonprofit organization that supports indigenous communities by protecting their culturally significant, ancestral lands. Utah Diné Bikéyah was instrumental in proposing national monument designation for the Bears Ears area, which includes thousands of Native American archeological sites.
Willie Grayeyes, Board Chairman of Utah Diné Bikéyah, said, “I believe Bears Ears National Monument to be the most qualified area designated in the past 21 years, and also the most thoroughly studied, researched, and vetted by all sides. This monument enjoys wide support in Utah, is an economic driver for our reservation communities here in San Juan County, and it enables more local control and stewardship of the region by local Tribes and Utahns.”
Friends of Cedar Mesa is a conservation-focused nonprofit working to ensure that the public lands in San Juan County, with all their cultural and natural values, are respected and protected for future generations. Josh Ewing, executive director of Friends of Cedar Mesa said, “With more archaeological sites than any other national monument or national park, Bears Ears National Monument protects American history while providing us all the opportunity to be inspired by those who came before us.”
The Chaco Bears Ears collection includes limited-edition Z sandals with a unique webbing design inspired by the twin buttes of the Bears Ears. The sandals, as well as a graphic print Bears Ears T-shirt and wrist wrap are available exclusively from the Chaco website.