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MEMBER NEWSLETTER
MEMBER NEWSLETTER | UTAH OPEN LANDS | NOVEMBER 2023
Twin Moose Calves Find Sanctuary at Utah Open Lands Property: A Tale of Survival and Hope.
One can never underestimate the priceless resource of conservation work. Wasatch County remains one of the fastest-growing counties in the nation, and landscapes are being devoured by asphalt and concrete at an alarming rate. However, a conservation easement placed on the property over two decades ago became a new refuge for orphaned brother and sister moose. This fall, when their mother fell victim to a traffic accident in Park City, the calves were left to fend for themselves suddenly. That's when a Utah Open Lands property became their sanctuary. The DNR relocated the calves to this forever-protected Utah Open Lands landscape. We're delighted to share that these twins were recently spotted in good health, steadily growing. Distinguished by red tags—one in the left ear and the other in the right—the male and female were observed breaking through the ice to sip water, highlighting their adaptability and unwavering determination. As we witness the inspiring journey of these twin moose calves, we are reminded that the landscapes we conserve are more than the conservation values encompassed—they are vital habitats that support life. The commitment to conservation is a commitment to ensuring that stories like these continue to unfold for generations to come, embodying the spirit of determination and hope in the face of adversity. Utah Open Lands' successes are foundational reserves for communities and continue to be the backdrop for countless stories of survival and renewal. The story of these twin moose calves underscores the importance of the land-saving work that you, as a member, empower. Sometimes, we find ourselves in a struggle against all odds, and it is the coming together to protect the lands we love that results in a happier ending.
Winter Transit to Trails Returns
Transit to Trails – a partnership with the Central Wasatch Commission, Mountain Trails Foundation, and Park City Municipal – will return this weekend, December 7-10 and the following weekend, December 14-17. This winter's program was made possible in part through an anonymous gift to Utah Open Lands.
Castleton Tower Campground Tent Platforms Refurbished
On November 5th, Utah Open Lands collaborated with the Grand County Trail Crew and Trail Ambassador (GCATT), the American Alpine Club, and the Moab Craggin Classic to coordinate a volunteer initiative dedicated to the rehabilitation of tent platforms at the Castleton Tower Baselands Campground. Widely recognized as a world-renowned climbing location, Castleton Tower is prominently featured in the book "Fifty Classic Climbs of North America." Less publicized is the narrative of its protection—a result of an early Utah Open Lands land-saving campaign. Local advocates, conservationists, and climbers alike helped Utah Open Lands raise the $640,000 needed when Utah’s School and Institutional Trust Lands Administration (SITLA) proposed a 15-lot gated subdivision on 221 acres of red rock desert surrounding the 400-foot tower. Utah Open Lands stepped in with a different solution to development, a market value purchase of the baselands, and a promise to forever protect it as an open space reserve. Part of Utah Open Lands’ commitment when the organization purchased the baselands was to ensure the continued use of the land as access to the tower and as a place to camp. That commitment, in many respects, has proved more challenging than the original 3-year campaign. As a popular destination, this property, like other popular properties across Utah, has faced a notable surge in recreational use since 2020. Utah Open Lands, as the stewards of this property, have continually updated our adopted management plan and are seeking best practices to balance the needs for public access and use with those of ecological protection. The old adage of ‘a few bad apples can spoil the barrel’ is the challenge we face at the Castleton Tower Preserve. Instances of campers encroaching on the Preserve’s protected hillside, engaged in unauthorized camping, along with improper waste disposal, necessitated an all-hands-on-deck effort to safeguard the landscape and necessarily improve the user experience. The recent volunteer event constituted a crucial facet of this effort. Volunteers diligently undertook the rehabilitation of tent platforms—enhancing and refurbishing the designated campsites to deter campers from straying into unauthorized areas. The campground refurbishing is just one tangible measure that the organization has undertaken to preserve the fragile desert ecosystem in the area. Mitigating the adverse impact of unauthorized use in the area will be up to peer-to-peer nudges and the willingness of each of us to treat these vital resources as a gift that we have the obligation to pass on in good shape to the next generation. Fundamentally, ‘Leaving it Loved’ challenges us to increase our stewardship awareness and pass that awareness along to friends and fellow recreational users. Utah Open Lands is grateful to the volunteers and partner organizations for their collective efforts in executing this undertaking. This collaborative initiative underscores a commitment to the preservation of Castleton Tower, not unlike the collaboration that came together to save it from the imminent threat of development.
Yampa River Trip: A Celebration of Land & Water
Wendy Fisher, Executive Director of Utah Open Lands, and Zachary Frankel, Executive Director of Utah Rivers Council, will join Holiday River Expeditions guides on a 5-day Yampa River expedition. Throughout the trip, Wendy and Zach will facilitate discussions, answer questions, and share insights about conservation work in Utah, as well as the ongoing critical efforts of their respective organizations. Unwind and unplug as you descend the Colorado Plateau’s last truly wild river, accompanied by like-minded individuals and in the capable hands of Holiday River Expeditions’ professional guides. In addition to enjoying breathtaking scenery and thrilling whitewater, you will learn from the experts about historic efforts aimed specifically at conservation for the Colorado River, gain an inside view of conservation in Utah, and explore the different outcomes of current conservation strategies and legislative agendas. Adventures abound on the Yampa River, with hikes to awe-inspiring overlooks and historical sites, opportunities to paddle inflatable kayaks, picturesque camping on gorgeous sandy beaches, and gourmet meals prepared right before your eyes. For night owls, take in the Milky Way and count the constellations in this designated Dark Skies region. Dinosaur National Monument is one of the best-kept secrets of the west, and this unique opportunity is an ideal way to explore the park while gaining important context about the lands we love.
Utah Open Lands asked to speak to Utah County Landowners about Conservation Easements
For several months, Utah Open Lands worked diligently to ensure the permanent protection of Bridal Veil Falls from an imminent threat of development. The conservation easement that Utah Open Lands collaborated on with Utah County counsel came before the public, and the Zoom room was packed, partly due to the efforts of a newly formed Conserve Utah Valley. Its members spoke in favor of the Utah Open Lands conservation easement to protect Bridal Veil Falls. This joint effort sparked broader interest in land conservation from numerous Utah County communities. On January 10th, the Utah County Conference on Open and Green Space will feature a presentation by Utah Open Lands' executive director, Wendy Fisher, and a panel discussion on community efforts to pass open space bonds. The panel discussion will include representatives from Utah Open Lands and Midway City Mayor Celeste Johnson. The event takes place from 6-8 pm at the Spanish Fork Library (80 S Main St, Spanish Fork, UT). With decades of experience, Utah Open Lands has been a key player in educating landowners about their private property right to preserve a land legacy for their family through a conservation easement. From the ins and outs of gaining partial funding for a conservation easement to the income and estate tax benefits available, Utah Open Lands has been working with landowners and communities for over three decades, accomplishing meaningful conservation. Notable conservation easements within its trust in Utah County include the Redford Family Nature and Wildlife Preserve, the Redford Family Elk Meadows Preserve, and Bridal Veil Falls. The conference will cover crucial topics, including the varied purposes of conservation, the community benefits derived from open space preservation, the significance of greenbelt status, the rights of landowners in the conservation process, and potential funding sources for these endeavors. Utah Open Lands will provide insights into easements and the permanent protection of land with conservation value. Utah County Commissioners Brandon Gordon and Tom Sakievitch will address the urgent need for open and green spaces in Utah County. Additionally, a panel of city officials from around the state will share their experiences issuing bonds to support and preserve open lands. This event serves as an opportunity for landowners, community members, and environmental enthusiasts to engage in meaningful discussions about the conservation landscape. Whether you attend as a stakeholder or an interested observer, the conference promises to offer valuable insights into the intricate process of preserving Utah's open and green spaces.
LightHawk Elevates Conservation Monitoring for Utah Open Lands: Aerial Perspectives Enhance Stewardship of Moab Properties
On November 27, LightHawk, an international non-profit leveraging the power of flight for conservation success, generously donated a monitoring flight to Utah Open Lands. This collaboration allowed Conservation Ambassadors from Utah Open Lands to monitor several properties in the Moab area, providing a unique aerial perspective. The monitoring flight was made possible through the support of a local volunteer pilot who donated his time, expertise, and equipment. This survey offered a comprehensive aerial view of the conservation easements, complementing essential on-the-ground monitoring efforts. Aerial monitoring represents a significant advancement in conservation strategies. While on-the-ground monitoring remains crucial, the addition of aerial perspectives allows for a more comprehensive assessment of ecological health and potential threats to the properties and their ecological dynamics. Utah Open Lands expresses sincere gratitude to LightHawk for their coordination and dedication to conservation. As a leader in conservation, Utah Open Lands is committed to leveraging technology to its fullest extent. Embracing innovative techniques such as aerial monitoring ensures more accurate and detailed recording of ecological changes over time. Partnerships like these underscore the importance of embracing new strategies to safeguard our precious natural landscapes.
LightHawk Elevates Conservation Monitoring for Utah Open Lands: Aerial Perspectives Enhance Stewardship of Moab Properties
On November 27, LightHawk, an international non-profit leveraging the power of flight for conservation success, generously donated a monitoring flight to Utah Open Lands. This collaboration allowed Conservation Ambassadors from Utah Open Lands to monitor several properties in the Moab area, providing a unique aerial perspective. The monitoring flight was made possible through the support of a local volunteer pilot who donated his time, expertise, and equipment. This survey offered a comprehensive aerial view of the conservation easements, complementing essential on-the-ground monitoring efforts. Aerial monitoring represents a significant advancement in conservation strategies. While on-the-ground monitoring remains crucial, the addition of aerial perspectives allows for a more comprehensive assessment of ecological health and potential threats to the properties and their ecological dynamics. Utah Open Lands expresses sincere gratitude to LightHawk for their coordination and dedication to conservation. As a leader in conservation, Utah Open Lands is committed to leveraging technology to its fullest extent. Embracing innovative techniques such as aerial monitoring ensures more accurate and detailed recording of ecological changes over time. Partnerships like these underscore the importance of embracing new strategies to safeguard our precious natural landscapes.