A Love Note to Grand Canyon National Park
Mandela Leola van Eeden directs communications for NWF Outdoors & Artemis Sportswomen. Previously, she worked fulltime as an international adventure guide from age 18–35. She continues to guide one Grand Canyon expedition each year to encourage visitors to advocate on its behalf.
The walls of the Grand Canyon are forever my home. For half my life, I’ve lived and worked on the Colorado River as it slices through layers of time dating back 1.6 billion years. During the height of my career as a Grand Canyon river guide, I lead six expeditions each season — each trip lasting between 13–18 days. At this point, I’ve spent a total of two years of my life living on the Colorado River, sheltered by mile high layers of sandstone, limestone, shale, shist and granite. My connection and love for these public lands and waters was deepened in early 2020 when I swam 225 miles of the Colorado River from Lee’s Ferry to Diamond Creek.
I do not believe in the concept of conquering rivers, mountains, or nature. I was not the first, nor the fastest, to riverboard the Grand Canyon. Furthermore, I am leaving the last 50 miles incomplete out of respect for the Canyon. My intention was to cultivate a deeper relationship with the thalweg and complex currents below the water’s surface. My love for the Canyon expanded beyond comprehension during this swim. Similar to how we feel most ourselves when we are with a loved one, no place on earth makes me feel as safe and connected with my spirit as the Grand Canyon. It is my home.
I discovered you could get paid to guide whitewater when I was seventeen. This work took me all over the world from Africa to New Zealand, alas, the reason I spent half my life in the Grand Canyon is because I truly believe people who spend time in wild places are more likely to walk away and advocate on their behalf. It is an honor to share the Grand Canyon with my clients and I am forever in debt to these public lands and waters for shaping me into the advocate I am today.
According to a recent report from the Arizona Department of Water Resources, we are about a year away from not being able to move water past the Hoover Dam and Glen Canyon Dam. If you can’t move water past Glen Canyon Dam, you would have no water in the Grand Canyon. Furthermore, 40 million people depend on the Colorado River & 75-percent of the water is used for agriculture.
I thought I’d never do it again — but I’m considering attempting the first solo riverboard descent of the Grand Canyon in order to bring national awareness to the climate crisis. According to Bill Nye “The Science Guy” — the main thing you can do about climate change isn’t recycling — it’s voting! During this midterm election year — as we approach the tipping point for climate change — the consequences of inaction could be severe. Please vote on November 8th.
Also, speak up for the lands you love! Right now, we have the opportunity to pass the Grand Canyon Protection Act, which would permanently ban uranium and other mining on a million acres surrounding the Grand Canyon. Please join me by urging our lawmakers to support the Grand Canyon Protection Act on behalf of future generations, wildlife, Indigenous communities, cultural treasures and the 40 million users downstream. Conservation is not a spectator sport — speak up.
Most people who visit the Grand Canyon quickly take a selfie and spend less than five minutes soaking in its indescribable awe. When you visit the Canyon, take time to observe the light as it dances across the abyss. Return multiple times and experience every season. The Grand Canyon is more than a check mark on your bucket list, it is a natural wonder with the potential to forever shift your perspective on life, love and time.
I will close with a quote from John Wesley Powell, a man credited with being the first to explore the Colorado River in Grand Canyon.
“You cannot see the Grand Canyon in one view, as if it were a changeless spectacle from which a curtain might be lifted, but to see it you have to toil from month to month through its labyrinths.” — John Wesley Powell, 1869
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We’d love to hear about the public lands you love. If you’re interested in writing a love note, please email us at OurPublicLands@nwf.org for guidelines.
