Imagine an isolated ancient floodplain on the Colorado Plateau, surrounded by towering redrock cliffs. The sound of the river, carving its age-old course through solid rock, dominates the canyon. Birds and wind occasionally join the chorus. Here, mule deer browse the bottomlands, wild turkeys roost in the cottonwood trees, and lizards dart about the leaf litter. Among the desert scrub, original homestead structures and paleolithic sites bear traces of a rich human history, stretched over five millenia. On the walls above, layers of ancient sedimentary rock expose deeper histories–more than 200 million years of environmental change on Earth. In this place, you can immerse yourself in the cultural, ecological, and geologic wonders of southern Utah. 

Bonderman Field Station at Rio Mesa is a multi-disciplinary, modern outdoor laboratory for research, education, and retreat. Students and scholars of science, art, engineering, architecture, and the humanities gather here to pose important questions about what it means to live on the Colorado Plateau. Together, they help us build a more sustainable future for the region's many inhabitants. Get a taste of the field station by exploring the sights, sounds, and histories below.

 

	Human History
	Natural History
	Geology
	Hydrology
	Sounds of Rio Mesa
	Species of the Week
	Blog: Field Reflections