Empire Canyon: 1,093 Acres Forever Protected | Photo Eric Erlenbusch
Summit Land Conservancy // Winter Newsletter
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UPCOMING...

Moon Shine Adventures 
Tue 2/19, Wed 3/20 
@  7:00 p.m.

Osguthorpe Farm Fundraising Deadline
March 2019

Fly Fishing Film Tour  (F3T) @ Jupiter Bowl
Thur 3/7 @ 7:00 p.m.

Summer Camp Registration
Wed 3/27 @ 9:00 a.m.

Blue Sky Bash
Sat 8/24

 
Save the Green Heart of the Basin-- Time is Running Out!
We enjoy views of the 'Green Heart' when we're biking in Round Valley, skiing at Park City Mountain, and hiking on Rob's Trail.  Watch the video to learn more about this critical piece of property in the Snyderville Basin.  The fate is in YOUR hands.  Donate TODAY .

 
Join our Summit Society!
Members of the Summit Society give $1,000+ annually and receive invitations to special receptions and private Summit Society events. To learn more about how you can become a Member, contact [email protected].  


Join our Monthly Donor Club!
Monthly donations help us by providing a stable, year-round source of funds that allow us to save land. Spread out your gift over the course of a year, AND save paper by donating online! To learn more click HERE.

 
Get Your Copy of Witness Today!
Park City Witness is a collection of essays and artwork by local writers and artists celebrating open space. It's the PERFECT gift for locals and visitors and can be purchased for $16.95 at the following locations: Dolly's Bookstore, Swaner EcoCenter Gift Shop, Atticus Coffee Books and Teahouse, Cahoots Cards Gifts & Cigars, Park City Museum, and White Pine Touring. You can also come visit us at our office and pick up your copy today!
 
Shop at Smith's and AmazonSmile and SAVE LAND!
Did you know that you can register your rewards programs at both Smith's Food & Drug stores (CODE 30245) and AmazonSmile to benefit the Summit Land Conservancy? Register today, and help save land.

 
 
Thank you to all our Living for Open Space program participants:

Our Living for Open Space program allows businesses to contribute to saving land by adding small donations to their customers' purchases or by donating a set amount per transaction or a percentage of their profits.
And thank you to all our partners and members like YOU!
 
Summit Land Conservancy
1650 Park Avenue
Park City, Utah 84060
435-649-9884
 

Oh, the weather outside is frightful!
 
So far 2019 has been nothing short of impressive! Besides enjoying one of those deep winters we all moved here for, Summit Land Conservancy recently closed on two easements on the Weber River that will protect our watershed for future generations. Our Conservation Team is on fire! And guess what? They have even MORE projects coming down the pipeline. Stay tuned!

On another note, YES, we are still busy  trying to save the 158-acre Osguthorpe Farm on Old Ranch Road from development - we have less than 50 days to secure $1.5 million! Tell your neighbors, tell your friends: now is the time to save our heritage and this farm. Steve Osguthorpe said it best: "Houses are the last crop. Once you plant those houses there's no turning back."

Our winter Moon Shine Adventures program is in full swing. From hiking Stevens Grove along the Weber to skinning to the top of the local ski hill, thank you to all the folks who continue to show up -- we hope to see you at our next two ski tours at Park City Mountain! See below for more details.

Over the month of January, we took more than 90 local children out to open spaces for unstructured free play through our Kids Outdoors program. Our youth outreach programs strive to make future generations happier, healthier, and connected to nature one trip at a time!

We hope you enjoy our Winter Newsletter!

Cheers,
Your Donations at Work.
 
126 Acres Forever Protected Within the Weber River Watershed
Last week, the Summit Land Conservancy closed on two heritage ranch conservation projects as part of the Conservancy's Weber River Watershed Initiative. Each conservation easement will preserve water quality, wetland and riparian values, and safeguard the irrigation and drinking water for roughly 600,000 people who live in the Wasatch Front. In addition, the preservation of these properties will permanently save wildlife habitat for several protected bird species, small mammals, fish species such as the Bonneville Cutthroat trout (a state species of concern), and wild game species such as mule deer and elk.
Both the conserved properties lie within the Weber River Corridor which has supported agriculture since the 1800s. Each property is comprised of soils recognized for "statewide importance" which commonly support crop production, sheep and cattle ranching, and other sustainable agricultural practices. The two ranches qualified for NRCS (Natural Resources Conservation Service) ALE (Agricultural Land Easement) program funding, and ESAP (Eastern Summit County Ag Preservation Open Space Advisory Committee) funds to protect the agricultural values. They are heritage farms that have been passed down through five generations, and each are successful cattle and hay operations today.

" Our property has been in the family for five generations and is a place for us that represents all that is good with our agricultural roots and lifestyle. It also serves as a reminder, and tribute to the early settlers that sacrificed and worked hard for us to enjoy the open space and rural farming lifestyle we have as a family over the years," stated landowner, Kenneth Stephens.

The 44-acre Stephens Ranch property located in Henefer, can be seen from Interstate Highway 84. It joins two other ranches previously protected by the Conservancy creating a 138-acre span of open space along the Weber River. It is situated within a State Watershed Restoration Focal Area, and has received additional funding from the Utah DWR (Division of Wildlife Resources) to grant angling access on the property.

"For us, this is an important opportunity to help future generations have the same opportunities and benefits. This conservation easement provides for the preservation of open space, agricultural land, watershed and wildlife habitat protection, which are such an important part of the quality of life in our area. We are very pleased to be able to set aside and preserve this property for the future," said Stephens.

Summit Land Conservancy also closed on an 82-acre easement located in Wanship that is highly visible from Interstate 80, offering views of irrigated pastureland and the river. The property is adjacent to the Rail Trail which runs from Park City to Echo Reservoir, and the open lands enhance the recreational experiences of walkers, cyclists and equestrians who frequent the trail.

"All I want is to protect our ground and to have no houses and no changes. We want to keep it the way it is," stated the landowner.

The preservation of agricultural land prevents development and associated storm water runoff which diminishes the water quality of the Weber River. Agricultural land conservation also meets local land policy goals to maintain Eastern Summit County's rural, natural, and agricultural heritage.

"We are so honored when a long time farming family wants to save their heritage," said Executive Director of Summit Land Conservancy, Cheryl Fox. "They are giving an amazing gift of green fields, running water and wildlife habitat to the future."


Community Engagement.

Moon Shine Adventures with Mountain Trails Foundation
Do you love to earn your turns? Join us for our next Moon Shine Adventure under the 'Full Snow Moon' on Tuesday, February 19! Once again we'll be teaming up with Mountain Trails Foundation because trails and land go hand in hand. Grab your crazy, adventurous crew and come learn about trails and open space from your favorite local non-profits! Please bring your own gear (touring set-up, headlamp, water, layers and snacks), and we will provide the hot cider for your thermos. (YUM!) 

Participants should plan to meet in the Park City Mountain First Time lot at 7:00 PM. The tour will travel up Homerun to the Angle Station. This event is FREE and fun for everyone - you won't want to miss it! Can't make it on the 19th? We'll be hosting another one March 20. Same time, same place. See ya'll out there. Oh, and don't forget to sign the waiver before you show up! 

Fly Fishing Film Tour
The tug is the drug and we can't wait to check out this year's Fly Fishing Film Tour at Jupiter Bowl, Park City on March 7. With an emphasis on the people, places and fisheries that help make up the vast world of fly fishing, the 2019 F3T will take you from Alaska to Florida, South Dakota to French Polynesia, British Columbia to the coast of Australia and more! 

All proceeds from this event will benefit the Utah Stream Access Coalition. Discount tickets ($15) will be available in advance so please visit your local fly fishing shops [ Fish Heads Fly Shop  in Heber City and  Trout Bum 2  in Park City] to get 'em while they last! Tickets can also be purchased at the door the night of the event for $18. The show starts promptly at 7::00 PM but feel free to come early to share fishy stories and win prizes. Did we mention we'll be there too?!

For more information please contact Jarrod Kear. Grab your fishiest friends and we'll see you at the show! Fly fishing...It's better with open space.

Summer Camp Registration
You've been asking and we've heard you! We know it seems crazy to be thinking about summer fun when we're experiencing an unbelievable winter, but summer camp season is also one of our favorite times of the year! Sign your kiddos up for a camp they'll never forget this summer. Our one-of-a-kind Outdoor Explorers Summer Camps offer a unique combination of structured outdoor recreation activities such as mountain biking, hiking, rafting, and sailing, and free "nature play" in local open spaces. Your little nature enthusiast will be crawling back for more! 

Registration opens to the public Wednesday, March 27 at 9:00 am. Be sure to visit our summer camp page or email [email protected] for more information.

Member Highlight.
 
Charlie Sturgis 
Charlie Sturgis is a 40 year veteran of the outdoor industry, 20 year store owner, ski and climbing guide, and 30 year resident of Park City. Charlie is currently the Executive Director of Mountain Trails Foundation, the organization is responsible for much of Park City's trail system both summer and winter operations.

Charlie helped start the organization in 1992 and came back as Executive Director in 2010.
During his time, the organization has grown and thrived on all fronts. Mountain Trails currently enjoys high community praise, a strong sustainable financial position and is involved in many partnerships both regionally and locally.  Park City was the first recipient of the Gold Ride Center award from IMBA (International Mountain Bike Association). In 2018, Charlie received the Park City Rotary award for Professional Citizen of the Year (joining the likes of our very own Miss Cheryl Fox). The organization continues it's mission to provide and advocate for non-motorized trails which enhance the Park City community's active and healthy lifestyle.   

"Mountain Trails is proud to work side by side with SLC (Summit Land Conservancy)-- Trails and land go hand in hand. SLC is the unsung hero in the PC trails world. SLC's efforts are significantly under appreciated.  Mountain Trails Foundation and the local trail user are the direct beneficiaries of all the behind the scenes energy that  SLC brings to the table. So much goes into land preservation; legal issues, accounting issues, and working with landowners to achieve the best outcome. It is truly a balancing act!" 

Thanks Charlie! We love working with you and the wonderful folks at Mountain Trails! Trails and land (really do) go hand in hand!
Opportunities.

JOB OPPORTUNITIES

AmeriCorps Summer Internship
Summit Land Conservancy is looking for an enthusiastic person to join our team as the Ameri-Corps Summer Intern. The AmeriCorps Intern will be responsible for assisting the Education and Outreach Director with spring and summer outreach programs. The AmeriCorps internship runs for 450 hours, to be completed by the end of 2019, and pays a bi-monthly living allowance along with an education award after completion of service. Please email [email protected] for the full job description.

VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES

Kids Outdoors
Our Kids Outdoors program restores nature play and connects local youth to the land. As kids begin to lose touch with their natural surroundings we aim to create memories outdoors that will foster environmental ethics, and make our children happier and healthier! Volunteer as a Play Naturalist, and inspire the future guardians of this beautiful planet! For more info, email [email protected] .
 
Adopt an Easement 
YOU can help us protect  our properties while you enjoy Park City's open spaces. Use your daily, weekly, or monthly outdoor adventures to tread lightly on one of our easements and tell us what you see! It's simple but the impact is great. Please  email Caitlin for more information on this important program.


Make sure to visit our Sign Up Genius listings for new volunteer opportunities! You can find them by entering [email protected] on the Find a Sign Up page. We also welcome other ideas and suggestions of ways you feel you can help and would like to contribute.