Early findings from our water values study

In April's newsletter, we discussed Utah’s significant challenge as one of the driest and fastest-growing states in the nation. With communities dependent on agriculture and industries reliant on robust snowpacks and full reservoirs, the recent record lows of the Great Salt Lake and Colorado River have raised concerns. As we seek solutions, understanding Utahns’ values and priorities is crucial.

This month, we are excited to share preliminary findings from Envision Utah’s ongoing water-focused values and priorities study. During the first week of June, we facilitated an asynchronous online platform called "BrightBoard" to gather insights. Forty-three participants shared over 4,401 words about their priorities, concerns, and hopes for water in Utah.

Key takeaways include:

• Most participants are at least somewhat concerned about water in the state and are motivated to save water due to a sense of ethical responsibility, environmental stewardship, and cost savings. 
• Participants are concerned about water levels in Great Salt Lake, Utah Lake, Lake Powell, and the Colorado River. 
• Agriculture and food production, indoor residential, and lakes and rivers are rated as the most important uses of water. 
• Participants are interested in conserving water in their yards as long as they remain comfortable and attractive, but many don't know what changes to make or what rebates are available. 

Over the next few weeks, we’ll take what we’ve learned to develop a statewide scientific survey. We should have final results in early fall!

A busy summer for our Early Learning team

We're happy to share a recent initiative by our Early Learning team at Envision Utah for The Sammy Center preschool in Salt Lake City. We've adapted Vroom tips, typically used by parents to foster brain development in children, to be staff-facing for early childhood educators. Our design team seamlessly integrated these tips into the preschool's environment, creating subtle yet effective reminders for staff. These cues encourage enriching activities and conversations with the children throughout their day, promoting brain-building naturally and engagingly. We're proud to support early learning programs in enhancing the learning experience for their young students.

From on-site visits to conferences, Envision Utah's Early Learning team continues to work diligently with partners throughout the state to share resources that promote brain-building in young learners.

Try this out on the grass or playing on the floor with your little loved one!

Vroom Tip: Rolie Polie

Grab a ball or anything that rolls and is soft and play a game of catch. Roll the ball back and forth and talk to your child about what is happening.

Brainy Background

Brain building can be just this simple. This game helps your child learn to pay attention and remember the rules. Chatting while you do it adds new words to their vocabulary too.

Envision Utah's Early Learning team offers helpful tips to parents, grandparents, and caregivers on how everyday interactions can become intentional teaching moments to help build and develop children's brains. Check out this month's Vroom Tip™.

Staff spotlight ✨

Meet Heidi Martini, a dedicated member of our Envision Utah family!

A piece of the puzzle: Heidi Martini joined Envision Utah 5 years ago, bringing with her 30 years of experience in Accounting and HR. Heidi's passion for the Non-Profit sector and her admiration for the impactful work of Envision Utah has made her a perfect fit.

Most Rewarding Part of the Job: For Heidi, the most rewarding aspect of her job is collaborating with individuals who share the same interests and goals of making a positive difference in Utah.

Hobbies and Interests: Outside of work, Heidi enjoys spending time with her family camping and fishing. She also has a green thumb and loves gardening.

Love for Utah: Heidi is passionate about living in Utah, a state she finds full of opportunities for both outdoor and indoor activities. From exploring State and National Parks, biking, hiking, fishing, camping, and skiing, to enjoying theater and festivals, Heidi appreciates the four distinct seasons and the diverse experiences Utah offers.

Vision for Envision Utah: Heidi is proud of the significant accomplishments Envision Utah has achieved over the years and is excited about the organization's future goals. She believes many Utahns may not fully realize the positive impact Envision Utah has had on their lives and hopes the organization continues its vital work for many years to come.

Thank you, Heidi, for your dedication and passion. We're grateful to have you on the Envision Utah team!

In the News

For 26 years, Envision Utah has brought Utahns together to tackle some of the biggest challenges related to growth — and you have made that happen. But whether we’re talking about air quality, water use, transportation, education, disaster resilience, or a host of other issues, there’s more work to be done. When you support Envision Utah, you’re helping to create a bright future for our state.

Thank you for your support!