URARA
	Utah Rock Art Research Association

P.O. Box 511324, Salt Lake City, UT 84151-1324     Email Us

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Membership

Please mail the completed form, along with a check, to address shown at the top of this page.

PLEASE READ AND UNDERSTAND THE FOLLOWING RELEASE OF LIABILITY

Ethics Statements

Introduction

The URARA board has developed the following general ethics statement and field trip guidelines. The discussion process has been long, intense and sometimes very emotional but will go a long way toward turning URARA into an organization of greater standing. This is not a perfect document and will change over time as we mature as a group. It is also not complete, we need to work on a policy about disclosure of rock art information. Please comment to the Board and let us know how you feel about it.

Layne Miller

General Guidelines

1. The preservation of rock art is one of URARA's primary purposes. We encourage rock art appreciation and research, but recognize that site visits and the sharing of information about site locations may negatively impact rock art. Members should seriously consider the consequences of identifying site locations, particularly in forms readily available to the public such as the Internet and publications. Field trips, research reports, and sharing site information should prioritize rock art protection.
2. Members shall act in compliance with all federal, state, tribal and local laws concerning antiquities, archaeological structures, and artifacts in the field. We will respect the natural environment and aim to "Leave No Trace." Members are encouraged to become familiar with these laws, rules, and principles, see our website www.utahrockart.org.
3. URARA seeks to create an atmosphere conducive to original research. We encourage the debate of ideas, a respect for the opinions of all members, and equal opportunities for members to express their views. Members agree to cooperate in sincere friendship with other members to accomplish URARA's goals.
4. URARA maintains professional research standards. Members must honor the intellectual property of others. Research sources shall be credited in publications, quotations identified, and permission obtained for all previously published works used, from or in any media.
5. The name Utah Rock Art Research Association, the initials URARA, or logos adopted by URARA may not be used for commercial purposes without the permission of the Board of Directors. Members may use their affiliation with URARA for identification purposes, but research, artistic, or other projects may not be represented as having the sponsorship of URARA without approval of the Board of Directors.
6. Membership in good standing in URARA is contingent upon observation of these ethical guidelines.

Rock Art Site Visitation Etiquette

1. Don't touch in any way the rock art or surfaces around it. The oils in your skin may cause damage to rock art. Don't apply any substance to the rock art surface, including water or any other fluids. Don't trace images with sticks, stones, chalk, or other substances.
2. Don't attempt to remove graffiti, chalking, lichen, bird droppings, or anything else from rock art.
3. Don't collect or disturb artifacts or features at a rock art site. It is acceptable to pick up surface artifacts, examine and enjoy them, or make sketches or take photos of them, as long as they're returned to the place where found, and no damage is done to the artifact.
4. Don't remove soil to expose subsurface rock art or archeology.
5. Minimize the number of vehicles going to a site. Stay on existing roads and trails. Do not "pioneer" vehicle trails or parking areas. Avoid disturbing rocks, vegetation, or macrobiotic soil crusts.
6. Don't camp or build fires within one-quarter mile of a rock art site, even if the landowner or public land manager permits camping.
7. Don't allow children, pets, or inattentive people to behave carelessly around rock art sites. Kicking up dust or dislodging rocks can cause damage to the site.
8. Speak out when needed to prevent damage to rock art. Report new rock art destruction, charcoal near the site, or site vandalism.
9. Please remember that living people may consider these sites sacred.

Field Trip Guidelines

1. Field trips are a primary means that URARA uses to accomplish our mission, to foster appreciation of rock art, strive for its preservation, provide research opportunities, and educate our members. Field trips also provide an important opportunity for members to socialize and share what we enjoy-rock art.

2. Field trip leaders must obtain permission from owners of private land or mangers of public lands to visit sites not managed for public visitation. We will observe rules established by both private landowners and public land managers.
3. Field trip leaders will limit the number of participants as appropriate to each site to minimize potential negative impact to field trip sites.
4. Field trips should seek to fulfill URARA goals, such as site cleanup, site restoration, or stabilization, preparation of site condition reports, introduce new members to Utah's rich cultural history, site research or exploration, IMACS documentation of sites, or other special educational or public policy purposes. We seek to assist landowners and managers in site surveillance and maintenance.
5. When proposing field trip destinations, the URARA Board, Field Trip Coordinator and Field Trip Leaders will carefully consider the following issues:

   • Has the site been formally recorded or documented? How extensively?
   • Public awareness: is the site publicized in pamphlets, books, or on the Internet? Are local people aware of the site? Do roads or trails lead to the site?
   • Site fragility; is there important or portable cultural information at the site? Is the rock art on an unstable surface? Are there walls, cists, etc., on the site subject to damage? Could the field trip lead to subsequent damage through the creation or usage of roads or trails?
   • Are there other sites in the region with fewer issues regarding documentation, awareness, or fragility?
   • URARA recognizes that in some cases the best and only site protection may be anonymity; the location of the site should not become public.
   • Field trip leaders should consider special individual needs of members; whenever possible, URARA encourages participation of handicapped or elderly members on appropriate trips. Field trip leaders may permit guests of members, or pets. Members should closely supervise children and pets on field trips.
   • Field trip participation is a privilege of URARA membership

Board of Directors and Contacts