UTAH OPEN LANDS CONSERVATION ASSOCIATION INC

Utah Open Lands works with willing landowners to preserve their open land in perpetuity in order to preserve the conservation values of that landscape, including recreational opportunities, wildlife habitat, watershed, scenic viewshed, historic values, etc. Many of these lands have been in the hands of the landowning family for generation after generation, and they are now feeling pressure from developers to sell their land. Utah Open Lands gives these landowners with an ethic of conservation an option to preserve their open spaces forever. Utilizing the tool of a conservation easement, Utah Open Lands' goal is to protect developable open space throughout the state from development, and preserve the conservation values present.

Utah Open Lands works with willing landowners and municipalities to conserve land utilizing conservation easements. As a nonprofit, in order to do the good work that we do, we must utilize many areas of fundraising and outreach. In terms of fundraising, our staff focuses time on grant-writing, campaigning, and fundraising. We hold a Fundraising Gala each year that helps raise a substantial amount of our general operations funds for the year. On top of that, we will hold project-based fundraisers for individual land campaigns throughout the state. In addition, we apply for private, and government grants and funding sources to help with project costs. Finally, in order to monitor each of our conserved lands in perpetuity, we have a Stewardship Endowment for each property that is allocated before the project is finalized.

Utah Open Lands has developed a protocol for determining appropriate projects for our organization. This includes evaluation of the conservation values, a site visit, and an intensive analysis of a project before Utah Open Lands will commit.
In terms of securing funding, Utah Open Lands has been a leader in land conservation since its inception in 1990 and has been able to secure funding from the beginning. From internal fundraising campaigns to a dedicated membership base to year-after-year grant awards from government and private organizations, Utah oPen Lands has developed a sustainable system for protecting the lands Utahns love throughout the state. With tenured staff, including the Executive Director who has remained since the organization's inception, there is a wealth of institutional knowledge internally, and experience that help drive these practices.

Since 1990, Utah Open Lands has protected over 62,000 acres, protecting critical wildlife species from the sandhill crane, to the Columbia spotted frog, to the flammulated owl. We have protected watershed properties throughout the state. We have preserved recreational opportunities for the millions of residents and visitors lucky enough to experience Utah's landscapes each and every year. We continue moving forward, protecting these loved lands, and on the horizon, we have countless properties to preserve in the Midway Area, the Cottonwood Canyons, and a cherished Dairy Operation in Heber Valley.