Getting Back To Nature At One Of Utah’s Nature Conservancy Preserves

Presented by KUTV.Com.

With our majestic mountains, stunning red rock deserts and flourishing wetlands, Utah is rich in natural beauty. In fact, the Beehive State is the nation’s fifth most biologically diverse state, according to The Nature Conservancy. And Utahns can get up close and personal with our natural, cultural and historical heritage at one of eight breathtaking preserves across the state.

The Nature Conservancy has been working to protect Utah’s natural heritage in places like Great Salt Lake, Dugout Ranch, Moab and St. George areas. As one of the world’s most successful conservation organizations, the Conservancy works to protect nature, not from people, but for people, and all living things.

In its 25 years in Utah, the Conservancy has worked with partners to protect many places that you can visit and enjoy.

Experience the life-sustaining wetlands along the eastern shore of Great Salt Lake at The Nature Conservancy’s Great Salt Lake Shorelands Preserve, located in Layton.  With over a mile of boardwalk, a wildlife-viewing tower, and interpretive signs along the way, you can easily discover why Great Salt Lake is so important to millions of migratory birds, and to the millions of people who live in our state.  Or, take a guided tour this summer to learn even more.

Explore the last undeveloped canyon along the Wasatch Front, with a trip to Snake Creek.  Now part of Wasatch Mountain State Park, the Conservancy worked to protect 732 acres of this important watershed and alpine habitat from development, instead preserving it as an important source for clean water, recreation and wildlife.  Just outside of Heber, you can enjoy a hike through alpine forest bursting with summer wildflowers, or watch for deer, elk and moose.

In Southern Utah, experience the Colorado River’s most important wetland area at the Scott M. Matheson Wetlands Preserve.  Situated just outside Moab on the banks of the Colorado River, this oasis is home to over 200 species of birds, amphibians and aquatic mammals like beaver, muskrat, and the elusive river otter.  The wetlands also help to improve water quality for people in Moab and downstream.  Bring along binoculars as you follow the one mile trail and search for songbirds, shorebirds and waterfowl from the two-story wildlife viewing blind.

Once you have experienced the natural wonders of our great state, the Conservancy says there are many ways you can help protect it. To learn more about the other preserves in Utah or to help in preservation efforts, visit www.nature.org/utah. Be sure to check out the Carbon Calculator, an interactive tool that calculates your footprint on the environment.

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