The Arizona Strip Interpretive Association (ASIA) is a non-profit corporation formed in 1994. Its mission is primarily to enhance the understanding of the Arizona Strip and Southern Utah region including its history and resources. ASIA is a cooperating association partnering with the BLM, USDA Forest Service, National Park Service, Dinosaur Ah!torium Foundation, and the City of St. George to provide interpretation, education, and customer service related materials to area visitors while assisting, where possible, with project funding.
The greatest benefit ASIA provides to its clients is in the role of partner and liaison with local, state, federal and private agencies. As a non-government partner, ASIA can solicit grants and funding not available to their partner entities. With additional funding and the support of interagency partners such as ASIA, the BLM and Forest Service can provide more interpretive and educational programs and reach out to a larger segment of the public. This, in turn, helps teach visitors how to be good stewards of the land, and, at the same time, creates a favorable impression for its partners.
ASIA Board of Trustees and Activities
The ASIA Board of Trustees consists of people dedicated to the Public Lands of Southern Utah and the Arizona Strip and to assisting ASIA clients in their missions. The Board includes members from St. George, Kanab, Pine Valley, and the Arizona Strip with background in business, law, politics, retail, education, geology, history, tourism, and accounting. Board members volunteer their time for the benefit of ASIA and its partners.
ASIA operates sales and information areas for the Interagency Information Center in St. George, Kanab BLM Field Office, Paria Contact Station, Pine Valley Heritage Center and St. George Dinosaur Discovery Site at Johnson Farm. ASIA sponsors the annual Evening on the Arizona Strip at the Dixie Convention Center each Fall.
ASIA has published posters of the Strip and the Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument, postcards and several books including Far from Catctus Flat: The 20th Century Story of a Harsh Land, a Proud Family, and a Lost Son by Lyman Hafen and a dinosaur activity book based on the character Arthur McArthur by Mark Swan. ASIA has produced two documentaries on the history of the Arizona Strip, High, Wild, and Lonesome – Parashant National Monument and Sandstone and Silence – Vermilion Cliffs National Monument and has several additional PBS quality documentaries in the works. They have also produced an audio CD road log for the Vermilion Cliffs Highways interpretive project.
ASIA has adopted a section of U.S. Highway 389 between Colorado City and Pipe Spring National Monument. ASIA also sponsors the popular educational Brown Bag programs at the Interagency Information Center in St. George on Fridays and programs at the Virgin River Gorge Recreation Area on Mondays during the spring and fall. Additionally, ASIA sponsors summer programs for the Forest Service in Pine Valley. These sponsorships create good public relations between the BLM, Forest Service and the community.
PARIA CANYON FEE DEMO PROJECT. The growth of the Arizona Strip Interpretive Association has allowed the hiring of 2 full-time and 2 part-time employees. Two employees were hired to work with the Paria Canyon Fee Demo Project. We were given the duties from the Northern Arizona University after they helped ASIA and Arizona Strip BLM put the Fee Demo Project together. ASIA now takes reservations, sends out the permits, handles all monies, and answers all inquiries about the Paria Canyon Fee Demo area.
BROWN BAG SERIES. The Brown Bag Lecture Programs (see schedule at the Visitor Information tab)have been increasingly popular. When first started, and for many years, attendees filled the conference room (100 people). In this past year, each Friday, up to 90 guests are expected for each lecture. Our Education Series Coordinator invites presenters from all parts of Utah and Arizona. Professors, Teachers, and Rangers enjoy our group of Brown Bag attendees and the attendees enjoy receiving the knowledge about our beautiful area.
INTERAGENCY INFORMATION CENTER. Please visit the Interagency Information Center located at 345 East Riverside Drive in St. George to enjoy a family oriented atmosphere, with a couch for watching national park videos, a listening center to hear Native American music, and more educational displays about our local history and wildlife. We have expanded our book inventory to accommodate the increase in visitors. Hiking areas are expanding as is the population of St. George. More locals are coming in asking for recreation ideas. We pride ourselves on the information and customer service we provide.
Current Projects:
Bring the Youth Back to the Parks Project. ASIA is cooperating with the National Parks Service to raise funds and produce several PBS quality documentary films, cartoons features, activity books, and story books for National Monuments and Parks on the Arizona Strip. ASIA is working with Swan Animation to produce the product line and will work with the Zion's Natural History Association in raising the funds.
Virgin River Scenic Gateway Project. ASIA will assist the BLM Arizona Strip Field Office and Grand Canyon Parashant National Monument in their efforts to enlarge and restore the Cedar Pockets recreation area and establish and manage campground, visitor center, and scenic area. This project will provide a gateway to Northern Arizona's and Southern Utah's Grand Circle and will have a positive impact on the local economy.
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