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UTAH OPEN LANDS | FALL NEWSLETTER | October 2024
Stewardship Spotlight: Serve Park City
UOL Hosts Two Impactful Events for Serve Park City's Volunteer Day. Serve Park City, part of the annual 9/11 National Day of Service and Remembrance, brought nearly 900 volunteers together from across the community for a day of giving back. Organized by Park City Humanitarians and Just Serve, this event exemplifies the power of collective action. Utah Open Lands had the privilege of leading two impactful service projects. Volunteers joined us at Willow Ranch Reserve to plant pollinator habitats, contributing to the health of our ecosystems. Meanwhile, at North Round Valley, volunteers helped remove barbed wire, creating safer pathways for wildlife to roam freely. These efforts not only protect and restore vital landscapes, but also strengthen the bond between our community and the land. We are deeply grateful to everyone who participated, and events like these remind us of the incredible power of working together to preserve the natural beauty and wildlife that make Utah so special.
Discover the Newly Opened Bonanza Loop Trail in Park City!
Courtesy: The Landmark Project
Explore five miles of breathtaking scenery and outdoor adventure on the newly opened Bonanza Loop Trail, where recreation meets conservation. The official opening of the Bonanza Loop Trail took place in late August. Thanks to our partnership with Park City Municipal and Mountain Trails Foundation, this new multi-use trail offers beautiful views, hiking, and directional mountain biking in the heart of Park City’s Bonanza Flat. This trail is a nod to the balance between recreation and protection of land by providing a sustainable outdoor experience. The Bonanza Loop Trail spans five miles, offering pristine views, crisp mountain air, and well-maintained paths that encourage responsible exploration of this treasured landscape. More than just a recreational space, the Bonanza Loop Trail represents the community’s commitment to preserving the integrity of Bonanza Flat. While visitors enjoy the scenic trails, they are also helping safeguard vital wildlife habitats and ensuring the land remains protected for future generations. This trail was designed with sustainability in mind, minimizing the impact on the surrounding environment while maximizing the opportunity for outdoor enjoyment. While the Bonanza Loop Trail is now closed for the season (starting October 1st), we encourage everyone to plan their visit for spring! Mark your calendars for next year, as the trail will reopen to offer another season of hiking and biking in this stunning landscape. So, whether you're hiking or biking, we invite you to come out and experience this new addition firsthand when it reopens!
Bands for the Lands: A Successful Evening at Fisher Brewing Co.!
UOL hosted its first ever Bands for the Lands event, where community spirit thrived amidst great music and important conversations about land conservation. The Bands for the Lands event held at Fisher Brewing Co. was a wonderful opportunity to learn more about Utah Open Lands (UOL) and our mission while enjoying the sounds of local bands. With a remarkable display of community engagement, this event attracted over 250 attendees. Tabling events at local businesses proved to be a fantastic way to unite the community around the importance of land conservation. A special thank you goes to Fisher Brewing Co. for graciously hosting UOL’s event. We also extend our gratitude to Pingora Gear, Patagonia SLC, Tulie Bakery, Maven Strong, Backcountry, and Party Shirt International for generously donating raffle items that added excitement to the evening. Together, we celebrated our shared commitment to preserving Utah’s open spaces and inspired one another to continue advocating for our natural heritage. Thank you to everyone who participated!
UOL Celebrates Community and Conservation at the Midway Volksmarch
The recent Midway Volksmarch united community members in support of open space preservation while raising critical funds for Utah Open Lands’ conservation efforts. The Midway Volksmarch Fall Festival and Fundraiser, organized by Preserve Midway, provided a fantastic opportunity for Utah Open Lands (UOL) to connect with the community and advocate for land conservation. Held in the picturesque town of Midway, the event drew hundreds of supporters, all eager to celebrate the area’s rich heritage and engage in meaningful discussions about preserving its natural beauty. Dressed in traditional German and Swiss attire, attendees enjoyed live music, delicious offerings from local food trucks, and a delightful showcase of farm animals that highlighted Midway’s rural charm. Education booths, including those from UOL, informed community members about the importance of voting YES on Midway’s 2024 Open Space Bond, which will be on the ballot this November. This bond is essential for continuing local conservation efforts that have already protected over 400 acres in the area in recent years. The highlight of the day was the Volksmarch, meaning “the people’s walk” in German. Participants, guided by a majestic Friesian horse named Ely, traversed The Kem Gardner Family Preserve, currently on its path to being held under conservation easement with Utah Open Lands. This walk not only connected the community to its historical roots but also showcased the natural landscape that UOL is dedicated to preserving. Thanks to the generosity of attendees, the event successfully raised $5,000 for the Christian Michel property, another project in the entry corridor to Midway that Utah Open Lands is working to protect. UOL remains committed to ensuring that additional donations are raised to support this landscape's protection.
UOL’s Annual Portraits of Preservation Gala and Online Auction Propel Our Land Conservation Efforts
September's Portraits of Preservation Gala and Online Auction brought vital support for UOL’s mission to protect Utah’s landscapes, but our work is far from done! Last month, Utah Open Lands hosted its annual Portraits of Preservation Gala at the scenic River Bottoms Ranch. The evening was a powerful testament to the dedication of our community, as passionate supporters gathered to champion the preservation of Utah's cherished open spaces. The energy in the room was undeniable, and together, we made meaningful strides toward safeguarding the lands that define our state. The funds raised through ticket sales, paddle raises, and post-event contributions play a critical role in supporting UOL’s daily operations. These contributions enable us to continue the hands-on conservation work that protects vital habitats, recreational areas, and the scenic beauty of Utah. Our promise to Utah’s communities, members, and landowners is clear: we are committed to protecting these landscapes for generations to come. Achieving this takes rigorous stewardship—monitoring, defending, and maintaining the health of the lands within our trust. The donations we receive don’t just sustain UOL; they drive our mission forward. Your support fuels our efforts to leverage additional funding from county, state, and federal sources. By supporting our operational needs, you make it possible for us to access larger grants and resources that amplify the impact of every dollar given. We are incredibly grateful for the local businesses, artists and community members who gave to our Online Auction. While we didn’t quite reach our $500,000 year-end goal during the Gala and Online Auction, we’re well on our way, and each donation brings us closer. Throughout the evening, we shared an inspiring vision of what the future could hold: thousands of acres protected from the threat of unchecked development, ensuring clean water and air, enhanced recreational opportunities, preserved wildlife habitats, and strengthened climate resilience. To realize this vision, we need your help. If you couldn’t attend the Gala or participate in the Online Auction, there’s still time to make a difference. Every gift, no matter the size, moves us closer to our year-end goal of $500,000. Your support is more than just a donation—it’s a commitment to ensuring that future generations will experience the beauty and vitality of Utah’s open spaces.
UPCOMING EVENTS
Live Park City Give Park City (Live PC Give PC OR LPCGPC) DATE/TIME: November 15th. All day. Every November, Live PC Give PC brings Park City & Summit County together for 24 hours of extreme generosity. This giving day has raised millions of dollars for local nonprofits over the past 14 years. Whether you live, work, stay, or play here, you benefit from our nonprofits. Show your love for our community on November 15th!