Sebastian Canyon has always been more than a backdrop to campus life at UWC-USA. For generations of students, it has been a living classroom and refuge—a place to learn wilderness skills, to get quiet perspective, and to make memories with classmates under New Mexico’s big sky. From map-and-compass drills to early-morning runs and informal hikes, the canyon has shaped the culture of our Wilderness Program and become part of the school’s shared story.
In recent years, that story took a difficult turn when access to the canyon was suddenly cut off. An ownership change in 2022 meant that students, staff, and even alumni returning for reunions were no longer welcome on the land. For a community so deeply connected to its surroundings, losing Sebastian Canyon was painful—and it underscored how fragile access to beloved wild places can be.
Behind the scenes, school leaders worked quietly to change that. UWC-USA was eventually able to purchase the land, ensuring that Sebastian Canyon would continue to serve as a training ground for outdoor education and a place of reflection for the community. This year, that effort came full circle when the school transferred the property to the Los Vigiles Land Grant, a historic community landholding, and secured a formal easement guaranteeing access.
As Associate Head for Finance and Operations Kimi Jackson ’92 explains, a land grant—or merced—is governed by local heirs and families who work together to steward common lands. The Los Vigiles Land Grant is made up of UWC-USA’s neighbors and other friends of the school who care deeply about this place. Thanks to a new agreement, UWC-USA students and employees once again have access to Sebastian Canyon for personal recreation and enjoyment, and alumni may hike there when they are on campus for reunions or school-sponsored programs.
This renewed access comes with shared responsibility. The canyon is not open to the general public, and our ability to continue using it depends entirely on our relationship with the Los Vigiles community. That means no fires or smoking, strict adherence to seasonal closures during hunting periods, and a “leave no trace” ethic—packing out trash, respecting wildlife, and remembering that we are guests.
For alumni, the reopening of Sebastian Canyon is an invitation to reconnect with the landscape that helped shape them. It’s also a chance to connect with local neighbors who are now our partners in stewardship. Honoring the agreement with Los Vigiles aligns naturally with UWC values of respect, responsibility, and care for the earth. If we live those values on the trail, Sebastian Canyon will remain what it has been for decades—a place of learning, adventure, and belonging that links generations of UWC-USA students and alumni.