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This year marks Summit Land Conservancy’s 20th Anniversary as Park City’s local land trust–- 20 years of saving the landscapes that are the heart of our community. The first 20 years of forever…
To honor the places we have protected, we will highlight and share some of the stories about these precious lands and how the Conservancy has grown over the years.
Nestled between Coalville and Wanship, the beautiful, scenic, rolling hills of Dog Holler Organic Farm can be seen by passersby as they travel across Interstate 80. The agricultural and charming character of the farm insures and protects the small town, rural lifestyle that Summit County residents value and treasure. A small oasis amongst the desert landscape, Dog Holler Organic Farm is home to Cottonwood Creek, a tributary to the Weber River, and provides viable habitat for wildlife who graze the mountainsides and beyond.
"The biggest sunflowers I’ve ever seen grow in Dog Holler. Nurtured by Gaye and Dick Stoner who’ve farmed flowers and organic vegetables for over 50 years. Dick was one of the first people I met when I moved to Park City in 1987. He was one of the senior instructors at the Deer Valley Ski School, and I was one of the very most junior. A bunch of us young-uns went out to his house in the far-away village of Hoytsville to take a First Aid Certification course, that was then required for ski instructors. That course came in handy many years later when one of my ski clients had a bad moment with a pizza and I remembered how do the Heimlich.
When Dick and Gaye had the opportunity to buy about 86 acres that surrounded their garden, they jumped at it, with the hope of preserving it forever. This was an important save because Cottonwood Creek, a tributary to the Weber River flows through the property, which had been proposed for a subdivision.
The Summit Land Conservancy got a grant from the federal Natural Resources Conservation Service and support from private foundations and individuals as well. We did not, however, convince the County’s Eastern Summit County Agricultural Preservation Committee to fund the project. That shortfall was covered by a surprise grant from Vail EpicPromise.
The Stoners expanded their organic and regenerative practices to the larger property. In a happy coincidence the cattle that graze on our near-by Judd conservation easement, move through the Stoner’s property aerating, fertilizing, and removing weeds before heading higher into their summer range."
Learn more about the Conservancy’s work and how you can save the lands and waters you cherish at www.wesaveland.org.
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