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Preserving the Future since 1990
Remembering Steve Clyde
With heavy hearts and profound sadness, we mourn the passing of one of Utah Open Lands’ esteemed Board Chairs, Steven E. Clyde. Our grief is softened only by the enduring legacy he helped secure here at Utah Open Lands. Steve was a mentor to a young land trust—the first local land trust in the state—and a steadfast champion of open space and conservation easements, lending his wisdom and dedication to Utah Open Lands and The Nature Conservancy of Utah in countless land conservation efforts. We are deeply honored to have known Steve not only as a leader and advocate, but also as a cherished friend. Just last year, Steve was honored with our Stewardship Leadership Legacy Award, a recognition that now feels even more meaningful. The award celebrated his service as Chair of this organization from 2003 to 2008 and honored the many projects he helped bring to life on behalf of Utah Open Lands.
Those who love the Armstrong Trail in Park City can pause for a quiet moment of gratitude the next time they set foot on the trail, knowing Steve was chair of the organization when the Armstrong Family Thaynes Canyon Nature and Wildlife Preserve was protected. Steve understood, deeply and instinctively, the sacred importance of protecting land—not only for its beauty, but for the heritage, wildlife, solitude, and sense of belonging it holds for a community. The Charles Jewell and Erma S. Richins Ranch came together under Steve’s leadership, protecting one of the most active Sage Grouse leks in Northern Utah and reminding us that his care for the land reached far beyond any single project.
Steve served on the board of Utah Open Lands for 12 years, and during his tenure the organization protected more than 15,000 acres of scenic, ecological, recreational, and working landscapes forever. That word—forever—was never abstract to Steve. He understood the promise and responsibility carried by conservation easements, and he defended the permanent protection they provide for the treasured landscapes that shape our lives and communities. Even after his formal service had ended, Steve never hesitated to answer the call. Whether helping Utah Open Lands navigate a water rights question or offering thoughtful guidance on a complicated easement issue, he gave his time, his intellect, and his care generously and without fanfare.
As Executive Director, I had the great privilege of sharing many horseback rides with Steve—whether on the “pony club” rides he hosted on his ranch or on quiet rides up into the Uintas. Those moments revealed so much of who Steve was: grounded, generous, deeply connected to the land, and happiest when surrounded by the landscapes he loved. His presence will remain with us in the open ridgelines, wildlife habitat, working lands, trails, and quiet places he worked so diligently to protect.
We will miss Steve deeply. He was undeniably a beloved and irreplaceable part of the Utah Open Lands family, and his loss will be felt in our hearts and across the lands that bear the mark of his vision and devotion. We extend our deepest sympathies, love, and care to his family, and we hold them close as we honor a life of extraordinary service, friendship, and enduring legacy.