She's not setting up a tent, digging a latrine or collecting firewood. Instead, Foti, who teaches park recreation management at Northern Arizona University, gathers information on how campers are impacting the site.

Since 1989, Foti has been under contract with the Bureau of Land Management to visit up to 122 campsites a year on the Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument.

Her experience and trained eye can tell how many people use the site and what attributes, like water, draw them to the spot. She notes what types of soil, trees and shrubs are present and how they have been impacted by campers.

She's always picking up the ubiquitous litter left behind.

"A lot of it is micro litter like pieces of paper from someone opening a granola bar," she said.

Foti shared her insights Friday in Escalante with commercial outfitters preparing for another season of guiding clients through the wild ruggedness of the monument.

The outfitters have been granted special recreation permits from the BLM, which manages the 1.9 million-acre monument. They gather annually at a meeting sponsored by the agency to update outfitters on the latest research projects on the monument.

Monument manager Brad Exton told the group of guides and outfitters the park is a world-class laboratory where scientists can study everything from dinosaurs to archaeology to more than 600 species of bees.

"The monument management plan directs us to provide training on an annual basis to keep outfitters and guides current on appropriate research studies on the monument," Exton said.

The number of special recreation permit holders has jumped from 19 in 2001 to 67 this year, he said. Outfitters and guides provide clients with a variety of opportunities, from hunting, fishing and backpacking to ATV and bus tours.

Other opportunities are offered for therapeutic and educational experiences.

"Outfitters and guides are considered key partners on the monument," Exton told the group. "We rely heavily on your help to educate the public."

Marty Ormond, a program supervisor for Escalante-based Turn-about Ranch, said the school for troubled young people uses the monument in its 19-day course to teach them about the land and its history.

"They're more connected to the land here than in a city, where many of them come from," he said. "Here the land is three-dimensional."

Sue Ferron, who runs Escalante Outfitters with her husband, takes clients into the monument for five-day hiking excursions while packhorses haul the supplies. She also spoke at the meeting about the importance of adhering to a "leave no trace," etiquette when venturing into the monument's pristine areas.

"Always remember there is somebody in front of you and somebody in back of you," Ferron said.

B.J. Orozco, who works for Red Rocks and Lamas in Boulder, also offers hiking excursions in the monument, using lamas to bear supplies rather than horses. The BLM meetings are a good primer for the upcoming season, he said.

"The talks are great, especially about paleontology and archaeology," said Orozco. "It's good to hear fresh views and about new things."

Taking people into the monument involves talking about wildlife and interpreting the area in terms of science and history with the clients.

"People also love the llamas, too," he said. "They're a great pack animal that causes minimum impact."

Wally Thompson, a permit holder who runs Canyon Country Out-Back Tours in Kanab, said his trips primarily take customers to the curvy sandstone location on the monument called The Wave.

He has seen a change in the interests of his clients in the seven years he has had his permit.

"We used to lecture on archaeology, biology, paleontology and history, but not anymore," said Thompson. "Now they all have cameras and just want to take pictures."

mhavnes@sltrib.com