Just north of Arches National Park, the Dalton Wells area is internationally known as a place of incredible significance when it comes to paleontological resources. In recent years however, elected officials have grown concerned about its protection. As Moab’s tourism boom draws more people to dispersed camping in the area, vandalism and waste increase. In recent years, state agencies and stakeholders have looked for simple and consistent solutions to protect these natural resources. With a bit of buzz surrounding a soon-to-be introduced proposal for a new Utah state park in the area, we speak with state paleontologist Dr. Jim Kirkland to provide more context on the significance of Dalton Wells.