Hidden Peak Plans Revealed

 Site Plan, Aerial View

West Exterior Facade

 

Snowbird's expansionist dreams have reached new heights.  At 11000ft. in elevation, the Hidden Peak structure will soon mar the Hidden Peak Horizon.  Snowbird has demonstrated the power it has at achieving what they want, when they want it.  From mountain coasters to revolving restaurants, one by one, iconic mountains sides and mountain tops are opened up to some sort of ski area expansion.  Whether the actions are taking place on private or public lands, the measures to control development have to little to no ability to actually stop ridiculous development from happening.   

We fought to prevent this atrocity from ever gracing the Wasatch landscape, exhausting all avenues for action and public comment.  There is not much we can do now, but go out into the Wasatch and enjoy it.  Breath in the fresh air, take in the sublime views, pray for some snow so that we may play in the worlds greatest snow.  The Wasatch as we have all come to know it is becoming a vastly different place, so let’s enjoy it while we can.

Some of the FOIA highlights are.

1.  Construction will begin next year

2. At approx 32,000sqft it will attach to the existing tram docking station

3. It will be constructed primarily out of glass

4. It will contain an observation deck and rotating restaurant on the 4th floor, a coffee bar, cafeteria, ski patrol and restroom facilities.

Check out the full FOIA request.

Stop SkiLink Event! Nov. 2nd

HELP Stop SkiLink: Sign the petition!

Sign on to the following letter by signing the online petition! 

Change.org|Online Petition Template

Greetings,

As a lover of the Wasatch Range, I am asking you to please withdraw and oppose The Wasatch Range Recreation Enhancement Act (HR3452, S1883), a piece of federal legislation mandating the sale of public watershed lands to Talisker, Inc. a global real estate development company and managing corporation of the Canyons Ski Resort in Park City, Utah. Instead we urge you to join and participate in currently ongoing local public processes involving comprehensive transportation and resource planning. Pursuing legislation like HR3452 and S1883 is counterproductive to local efforts that have been taking place since at least 2010. By continuing important public dialogue we can work toward finding solutions that benefit the long term future of the central Wasatch for recreationists, skiers, tourists and the overall health and productiveness of our municipal watershed. While the ski industry is a prominent user of our public lands in the central Wasatch, they should not trump the many other uses that take place in these mountains. Experiences enjoyed by people hiking, climbing, bird watching, hunting, fishing, camping, picnicking, wildlife viewing, mountain biking, snowshoeing are equally important to visitors of these public lands and will be directly impacted by the proposed legislation. The reduction of vehicle miles travelled is a noble cause. However, SkiLink caters to a small minority, yet stands to displace a majority. We need year-round, comprehensive transportation solutions that reduce vehicle miles travelled in the canyons and serves the multiple uses that access these amazing canyons 365 days per year. Solutions need to help the Ski industry as much as they help other recreationists, but the ultimate goal must be protection of the water resources while maintaining the scenic beauty of the canyons which draws over 5 million visits annually. As an elected official, representing the diverse interests of the citizens of Utah, we urge you to participate in civic dialogues, aimed at solving the many issues confronting the sustainment of this resource that is vital to our quality of life, our economy, and most of all that provides high quality water needed both for industry and life in this arid valley. Please represent me and work towards supportable solutions and withdraw and oppose these divisive pieces of legislation. ---------------- Sincerely, [Your name]

THIS PETITION WILL BE SENT TO: 

• 
  
• The U.S. Senate
• The U.S. House of Representatives
• The Governor of UT
• Rep. Rob Bishop (UT-01)
• Rep. Jason Chaffetz (UT-03)
• Sen. Orrin Hatch (UT)
• Sen. Mike Lee (UT)
• Utah Congressional Delegation and Governor Herbert

Summer Support is Needed!

Dear Friend of the Wasatch,

We can’t believe that 2012 is already at its halfway point. The past six months have been some of the busiest months we can remember (and that’s saying a lot, considering we’ve been around for 40 years). One major highlight of the year so far has been working collaboratively with the US Forest Service, Congressman Matheson’s office, and interested stakeholders to address and resolve concerns that led the Wasatch Wilderness and Watershed Protection Act to an impasse in 2010 and to have it reintroduced in March by Representative Jim Matheson! We couldn’t have done it without your support and we can’t thank you enough for allowing us to put our time, energy, and attention toward this important process.

HELP US REACH OUR GOAL: $208,000
Click here NOW to give a tax-deductible gift to Save Our Canyons

While the reintroduction was a huge success in and of itself, ensuring that this important piece of legislation passes is more critical now than ever, especially when proposals such as SkiLink are on the table to develop these sensitive, wilderness quality lands. Our continued efforts in this area, however, can only be made possible with your continued support. By making a tax-deductible contribution today, you can help us see this process through and make expanded Wasatch Wilderness a reality!

In addition to the work that we are doing to designate additional Wilderness in the Wasatch and our continued efforts to address other projects and proposals that threaten the scenic beauty and wildness of our canyons, mountains, and foothills, your financial support will enable us to work with numerous local entities and agencies in a collaborative and proactive manner to plan for the future of the Wasatch. As we face population growth and increased demand on the sensitive ecosystems, resources, and watersheds of our mountains, it is imperative that we look to the future and that we participate in processes to formulate new ways to balance development, transportation, recreation opportunities, and the preservation of our unique and extraordinary canyons, mountains, and foothills. By donating today, you will be supporting our participation and contribution to this effort and helping shape the future of the Wasatch!

YOUR CONTINUED SUPPORT WILL HELP US:

• Participate in the Steering Committee to update the 1989 Salt Lake County Wasatch Canyons Master Plan

• Partner with Salt Lake County, its consultants, and other community organizations to conduct a series of transportation studies within Big Cottonwood Canyon, Little Cottonwood Canyon, and Mill Creek Canyon to create a more environmentally and economically sustainable transportation system in the Canyons.

• Serve on Salt Lake County’s Blue Ribbon Commission to update the Foothills, Canyons Overlay Zone, which regulates building and development in the canyons and foothills.

• Participate in the Wasatch Watershed Legacy Partnership, which is focused on enhancing protection of watershed areas in light of increasing pressures from population growth and increased recreational uses.

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* We have raised just over $60,000 this year so far. We need your help to meet our 2012 budget of $208,000 by the end of the year! Please give a tax-deductible donation today to help support Save Our Canyons and our work to protect the Wasatch!

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Recent News Articles on SkiLink and Interconnect

Concurrent Resolution Supporting Utah’s Interconnected Ski and Snowboard Industry - S.C.R.010

Utah Legislators are pushing for a resolution supporting a system interconnecting seven central Wasatch ski resorts between Salt Lake County and Summit County. It is no coincidence that this resolution is being proposed concurrent to the SkiLink legislation. It is a means to advance support for the idea of SkiLink and interconnecting all of the Wasatch. The resolution was drafted by Sen. Wayne Niederhauser, R-Sandy and urges interconnection as a means to bolster the ski and snowboard industry and enhance Utah’s economy. S.C.R.010 is up for consideration at the Senate Workforce Service Community and Economic Development Standing Committee.

The hearing was held on Monday, February 27, 2012, 8:00AM
215 Senate Building, Utah State Capitol Complex

Here is Save Our Canyons' testimony on SCR 10 that we delivered earlier this morning:

Thank you for the opportunity.

We cannot support the resolution as written, but would like to get it
to a point where we can be supportive. The ski industry is part of our
community, however, S.C.R 10 stops short and fails to include or
recognize the contributions of the other businesses, retailers and
manufacturers that play an integral role in our local vibrant ski
industry. Companies like Black Diamond, Voile USA, Wasatch Touring,
and many others are generally people's first point of contact for the
local ski industry. Ensuring for transportation solutions that
consider these businesses clientele and use of these mountains is
integral to our local recreation economy.

Next, it gives no recognition of the current collaborative process
concerning the construction of a mountain transportation system which
is looking at long range, multiple use, year round transportation
solutions for the benefit of all users, residents and visitors, our
municipal water supply, and environmental integrity. This local
collaborative process could use the support of the legislature and
lending support to only one industry participating in the process
undermines the hard work being put in by all stakeholders who want to
find the best way to move people about these treasured mountains.
Understanding use, patterns of travel through studies and public
dialog is the surest way to invest in good transportation solutions
supported by the many diverse interests who utilize this area for any
number of reasons.

In 2010, Envision Utah completed the Wasatch Canyons Tomorrow report
which found the public was supportive of a variety of transportation
methods and was the impetus for the collaborative mountain
transportation study currently underway today. The study also went on
to say that the public is supportive of our local ski industry, but
that 94% wanted no further infringements on lands that lie outside of
existing resort boundaries. We feel S.CR 10 goes too far by tacitly
supporting controversial expansions which would place infrastructure
in these treasured areas and are not in the interest of the public.

We too have concerns about the economic longevity of the greater ski
industry locally. So to is the National Ski Area Association who has
been lobbying congress to enact measures to curb greenhouse gas
emissions to protect the economic viability of the ski industry. We
feel acknowledgement of this problem of climate change and laying a
foundation to start locally protecting the snow which is integral to
the monies generated by this industry is one of the most important
steps the state can take to protect the ski economy. Failure to act on
this will result in this industry to melt away. Park city mountain
resort recently did a study on the severity if these impacts and found
that nearly $120 million in lost economic revenues by 2030 inclusive
of 1,137 jobs. These numbers will more than double by 2050.

To fully support our community, our local ski economy, and our
environment we ask you today to work with Save Our Canyons, local
governments, the greater ski industry and the public at large to send
a message that we all want to support Local industry but ensure that
we don't kill the goose that lays the golden egg in the process.

We look forward to working with Sen. Neiderhauser on reworking this
resolution to get it to a point where the public and other members of
the ski industry and members of the Wasatch mountain transportation
committee can support this resolution.

Thank you

----------------------------

Here are some recent articles on the subject of interconnect and Skilink:

Viewpoint: Save our Canyons
Deseret News
This number is not supported by a study, merely a conversation between the Canyons and a ski lift salesman. This arbitrary number forms the basis for the ...

Senate resolution pushes ski interconnect
Salt Lake Tribune
Wayne Niederhauser, R-Sandy, SCR10 contends that linking the resorts would ... in local processes," said Save Our Canyons Executive Director Carl Fisher.

Utah Senate panel OKs ski interconnect resolution
Salt Lake Tribune
The conservation group Save Our Canyons testified Monday that it could not support the resolution because its approach to use and care for the central ...

State legislators show support for SkiLink
Park Record
The controversial lift system SkiLink, which would connect Canyons ... Carl Fisher of Save Our Canyons said the resolution undercuts the public process.

Wasatch Interconnect Idea Seeks Political Support
OnTheSnow.com
The resolution drew immediate fire from Save Our Canyons, a conservation group that has battled with commercial interests over various plans to build lifts ...

Utah Officials Want 7 Ski Areas Connected Euro-Style
Boulder Weekly
Late last year a proposal to tie together Solitude and The Canyons ski resorts raised ... Save Our Canyons Executive Director Carl Fisher told the Salt Lake ...

SkiLink proposal divides users over access and environment
Deseret News
s the Canyons resort wants to link its Park City runs with Solitude in Big ... Carl Fisher, director of the nonprofit Save our Canyons, said the Forest ...

Backcountry.com: The Goat » save our canyons
A study on the effects of the lift that would run from Park City to Big Cottonwood Canyon is ongoing. The resolution doesn't specify what kind of interconnect ...
thegoat.backcountry.com/tag/save-our-canyons/

STOP SKILINK!

There is a lot of information out there right now about the proposed SkiLink. If you're interested in learning more about how you can help stop the SkiLink, go to: www.stopskilink.wordpress.com

THANKS!

Save Our Canyons Fall 2011 Newsletter

Open publication - Free publishing - More newsletter

Wasatch Interconnected by Congressional Fiat

Wasatch Interconnected by Congressional Fiat
A Wasatch Environmental Update by John Worlock

Listen to this update by clicking here or read the update below!

We’re having a difficult time adjusting to the week’s shocking news. We already knew that Talisker Mountain, the corporate owners of Canyons Resort on the back side of the Wasatch Range, was planning to build a gondola to carry skiers over the ridge from their resort, connecting with Solitude Resort in Big Cottonwood Canyon. We had reasonably assumed that the usual public process of debate would ensue, and that the folks on the Salt Lake County side would have something to say about the project. The recent Wasatch Canyons Tomorrow survey revealed that the local users of the Cottonwood Canyons are in agreement with the Forest Service’s rule of no further ski area expansion, and further are sympathetic to the efforts of Salt Lake City’s Public Works, which is charged with protecting the precious watershed.

The shocking news is that four members of the Utah Congressional Delegation have secretly prepared and now introduced into Congress a bill specifying that the Forest Service should sell some 30 acres of public land to Talisker. These 30 acres would provide a corridor through the National Forest, on which Talisker could then build its series of towers without consulting the public or the Forest Service. Since the gondola would be on private land, Forest Service rules would not obtain.

It’s a cunning move, and reminiscent of the congressionally-mandated land swap that Snowbasin engineered in preparation for Utah’s Winter Olympics. Cunning, we say, and quite a bit underhanded.

Our congressmen and senators are firm in stating their conviction that the public and local officials must be consulted in any plans to create something like Wilderness on the public land. Such plans should not be dictated by Washington. But when it comes to commercial development, it seems that they think that Congress knows better than we do what we need. Our four wise men in Washington are Congressmen Bishop and Chaffetz, and Senators Hatch and Lee. All seem to have read Talisker’s press releases and thus have glowing things to say about how this project will elevate Utah into prosperity and into the first rank of the snowsport industry.

Please be ready to join Save Our Canyons in opposition to this commercially driven mistake!

An Open Letter to the American Fork City Council in Response to Snowbird CEO, Bob Bonar's Claims

The quote from Bob Bonar, CEO of Snowbird Ski Resort, in Friday Sept. 16, 2011 Provo's Daily Herald (click here for story) stating Save Our Canyons has "not bought into the multi-use concept" is grossly inaccurate and shows the shortsightedness of the resort as they continually fail to see their impacts on other users and the local recreation economy.

As a college student, I worked at Snowbird Resort for a few seasons valet parking cars for mostly out of state patrons at the Snowbird Center. I loved to ski and talk with the many guest who came to the resort, it was a pretty good gig. However, as I grew, so too did my sense for adventure. Riding on chair lifts one starts to drool at the terrain just outside of the ski area boundary. A few short years later, I was given a pair of snowshoes as a Christmas gift, and White Pine Canyon became my go-to destination. Hiking up in my boots with the snowshoes precariously attached and a board on my back, I learned (and still am learning today) the art of powder skiing in an uncontrolled environment. A few years later, I traded the clunky snowshoes for a circular saw, a Voile Split kit, and a pair of climbing skins which allowed me the freedom to easily get further and further in to the now crowded Wasatch Backcountry. Still, I remained a patron of Snowbird as one can never stop honing their skills in a controlled environment.

I am grateful to Snowbird, every time I descend into one of the powder-lined canyons of the Wasatch, they are partially responsible for the love affair that has formed between me and the Wasatch. Of course, the other seasons of the year provide one with endless opportunities to hike, backpack, climb, bike, fish, photography, view wildflowers and wildlife and many other activities at resorts. These are the things we would like to keep, to enjoy, and to share with our friends and family members. Save Our Canyons does not take issue with recreation at the resorts, we take issue when the resorts develop, alter the landscape and our alpine vistas and take away from others the many uses and experiences that millions of visitors each year seek out.

In numerous conversations between us and Bob Bonar he has stated he intends to have resort skiers flood into White Pine Canyon, via his new tram to the American Fork Twin Peaks. White Pine Canyon is the sole public access point for backcountry recreation in Little Cottonwood Canyon during the winter months. Part of alpinism is looking out for other users around you. Snowbird’s expansion to the American Fork Twin Peaks is a blatant disregard for other uses in the area and is a slap in the face to the alpinistic ethic. For them, it is another peak conquered, altered, a few more lift tickets and condos sold. To us, it is the permanent loss of an icon, a destination, and a tradition going back long before Snowbird ever erected its first lifts or building. We wholeheartedly embrace multiple recreational uses of the Wasatch. If history has shown us anything with ski area expansion it is, first come the lifts, followed by the buildings. It is Snowbird’s self-centered definition of multi-use, which is inclusive of condos, restaurants, roads, parking lots, rollercoasters suited for an amusement park, and the never ending creep of resort expansion that comes at a loss to the many other users that we are struggling to buy into.

Sincerely,

Carl Fisher
Executive Director
Save Our Canyons

Pin the Wilderness on the Wasatch!

SNOWBIRD’S AMBITIOUS EXPANSION PLANS

By Save Our Canyons President, Gale Dick

** IMPORTANT UPDATE (5/11/11): Snowbird will be hosting a Master Development Plan Forum on Thursday, May 12th at 6:30pm in the Cottonwood Room at Snowbird Center. We HIGHLY encourage you to attend, participate, and ask questions.

http://www.snowbird.com/masterdevelopmentplan.html

****

Readers of our alerts have doubtless heard of Snowbird’s ambitious proposal to expand their ski terrain on the south side, the American Fork side, of the ridge, into Mineral Basin and Mary Ellen Gulch. The Forest Service has agreed to undertake a study of the environmental consequences of this proposal. We were taken aback, as we have understood that the official Forest Service Plan specifically rules out expanding ski-resort operations onto public land. The agreement to study the proposal under the provisions of the National Environmental Protection act does not imply a formal approval of the plan, as was pointed out by Forest Supervisor Brian Ferebee. But it seems that the proposal could have been rejected summarily (as we stated in a 2/25/11 letter to the Forest Supervior), and that spending the effort on an Environmental Impact Statement signals a strong leaning toward a positive outcome for Snowbird’s proposal. In the past, it has often happened that an EIS proved to be an expensive and circuitous path leading to a Forest Service decision that favors developers and is impervious to appeals according to a doctrine of “deference to the agency”, which counters objections by more or less saying that if the Forest Service says it, it must be true.

The centerpiece of Snowbird’s plan is a new tram, stretching southeastward from the terminus of the present tram on Hidden Peak to bring skiers to American Forks Twin Peak, from which they could access the terrain in Mineral Basin. Details are few and far between, but likely the terminal facility at the top of Hidden Peak would be expanded, as this has also been a long-time dream of the Snowbird folks and they have gained approval for an expansion.

The April 23 edition of the Salt Lake Tribune published an article by Bob Bonar, Snowbird’s General Manager and President. Bonar, of course, depicts his resort’s updated Master Development Plan in a very favorable light. That is his job. His article, however, raises a number of questions that are bound to trouble many friends of the Wasatch. Here are a few:

§ The article is titled “Snowbird Expansion Won’t Effect Water Quality”. First, ski area expansions outside of the SLC watershed aren’t automatically “watershed friendly”. American Fork Canyon is in Utah County’s watershed. Also, access to the newly accessible resort skiing areas will be through Little Cottonwood Canyon. More people in a canyon leads to more human impact on that watershed. Further, stating that Snowbird’s expansion won’t affect water quality is, as yet, just a hopeful assumption, not a statement of fact. It is a question that must be evaluated as rigorously as possible in the upcoming EIS.

§ The article states that Snowbird is not proposing and lifts in White Pine Canyon and that’s true enough. It goes on, however, to state that although there would be a low-capacity tram to the American Fork Twin Peaks, Snowbird would plan to limit access to White Pine Canyon. Elsewhere Bonar has said that this limit would be to an “acceptable number”. Zero is the acceptable number Save Our Canyons would like to see. Zero is also the number of lift skiers that the Forest Service found to be acceptable a decade ago when it denied the resort’s proposal for a lift called “Gad 3” that would have provided such access. Loss of backcountry terrain to resorts can’t be mitigated. It can only be prevented up front.

§ Snowbird’s proposal ignores multiple uses. Mainly other types of users compose “Utah’s Tourism Industry” than just resort patrons. These include hikers, anglers, bikers, and photographers. Resort developments affect the experiences of these other tourists. Muscle-powered backcountry skiers are continuously being marginalized by resort development while at the same time the popularity of backcountry use has exploded.

These are only a few of the impacts that require thorough study in the upcoming Environmental Impact Statement. Save Our Canyons will be following the developments of this expansion. We implore you to do the same and join us in our never ending fight to protect the wildness and beauty of the Wasatch mountains, canyons and foothills!

Stop the Coaster

Help us stop the coaster!

1) Make a sign

2) Attend the Rally against Snowbird's Mountain Coaster on Monday, March 14 at the Salt Lake County Complex (2100 South State Street) starting at 4:30pm (more info here and on facebook)

3) Sign this petition.

4) Go enjoy a coaster free Wasatch!

Guest Blog by Jeff Kiesel

My name is Jeff Kiesel. Currently, I am a student at Westminster College. One of my assignments for my Professional Writing class was to seek out a non-profit organization to work with on a writing campaign. When I heard of the assignment, I was immediately hoping to work with an organization that dealt with my interests as a skier. After looking through a list of possible organizations, Save Our Canyons jumped out at me. I had seen the bumper sticker, and had a basic understanding of what they did, but was not fully aware of their work or influence in the Salt Lake community.

Growing up, my family moved all around New England, and my love for skiing and the mountains grew with each move. Our last location before I came out to Utah had us in the White Mountain National Forest. I thoroughly enjoyed being so close to the wilderness, both for mental relief and recreation. The main issue, however, was being in the middle of nowhere, living in the woods. It took quite a haul to get out of the forest and into a town, and the closest city was almost two hours away. When looking at colleges, Salt Lake City stood out to me. Being able to live in a city, but still have quick and easy access to beautiful landscapes and amazing skiing seemed too good to be true.

When I had first moved here I took the mountains for granted, not realizing the threats that lurked around, threatening the majesty of the Wasatch Mountains. They weren’t too apparent to me; I was just excited to be skiing real mountains. The first major issue I noticed was Alta’s proposed lift up the Flagstaff area. This was around the time that I had invested in avalanche gear, classes, and a touring set up. I thought the idea of putting a lift in this area was crazy, as it (and surrounding areas) is one of the easiest backcountry skiing/snowboarding zones to access, even without a touring set up.

Hearing of this plan triggered me to investigate a bit, which is how I first learned about Save Our Canyons. I learned through Save Our Canyons website (at http://saveourcanyons.org/current_issues/projects/altas_flagstaff_mountain) that there were more reasons to oppose this lift than just the traffic it would bring from Alta, resulting in less fresh turns of “the greatest snow on earth”. The watershed, for instance, could be in jeopardy. I had a limited understanding of the watershed and had no idea that heavy traffic and a development of this nature could have negative effects on it.

Since then, I have wanted to learn more about Save Our Canyons. I had assumed they dealt with issues very similar to this, keeping ski areas from expanding into the wilderness. This project gave me the chance to learn more about S.O.C, and I have come to realize they do much more than I thought. After reviewing the latest bill, the Wasatch Wilderness and Watershed Protection Act, I am excited to know there is an organization and politicians here that are so passionate about keeping these mountains beautiful, yet still allowing room for recreational activities like resort skiing. It’s amazing to be able to enjoy nature’s beauty whether I decide to ride a lift at a resort or skin into the backcountry.

In an age where technology and the expansion of cities seem to be everyone’s priorities, it’s refreshing to know that there are people who still enjoy the earth as it was created. We need to keep these natural areas, so that we can continue to enjoy them for the rest of our lives, but also so future generations can continue to take pleasure in the beauty, serenity, and fun these mountains have to offer.

A Personal Experience with SOC

Why hello there,

My name is Asher Koles and I recently wrapped up a semester long internship with SOC. I also recently graduated from the University of Utah with a BS in Environmental Studies. I am a SLC native, and have grown up at the foot of the Wasatch Mountains. I could go on about how much Utah means to me, but I wanted to talk about my personal experience with SOC.

This is not my first time getting involved with SOC; in fact I was the grassroots intern in the summer of 2007. My duties changed quite drastically between then and now regarding projects and focus.

I was originally introduced to SOC through the bumper stickers that are strewn throughout Subaru's in the Salt Lake Valley. I always wondered what SOC was about, but I was too busy enjoying the mountains and the desert to care.

In 2007 I received an email from a close friend informing me about possible real world experience with a environmentally based non-profit. Low and behold it was SOC. I quickly threw together a decent looking resume, a writing sample and sent it off to the executive director (ED) at that time. Not knowing really anything about SOC, or the issues, or what I was doing, I got a call for an interview. I went into the downtown office and tried to seem as enthusiastic as possible, hoping that maybe my lack of experience and knowledge could be overlooked, and my interest, independence and dedication could shine through. After the interview was over, I decided I had no chance. The ED at the time told me that others had applied and I was the youngest candidate for hire. I thought to myself, "why would they hire a young, inexperienced, snowboard bum?"

Two weeks later I get a call from the ED and she wants me to come into the office and have a second interview. At this point I'm pretty excited, and hoping to seal the deal. I go into the office and she tells me I got the job. I was thrilled, nervous, but mostly thrilled about a new experience and working for something that actually means something to me.

The summer of 2007 was great. I was introduced to the wilderness proposal, networking with community members and tabling. I developed new relationships with members and non-members throughout the valley, who cared about the Wasatch Mountains enough to support SOC. It opened my eyes to the down to earth, grassroots battle that organizations, communities and individuals are fighting to keep the Wasatch Mountains wild.

I always knew I loved the natural world, but I never knew the specific threats to its sustainability. SOC and its members opened my eyes to a new world of activism and organizations dedicated to preserving the health and wildness of places throughout Utah and the world.

After the internship ended in August of 2007, I declared my major: Environmental Studies. It was the closest thing possible to my interests at the time, and seemed to be the right fit for my new outlook on life. I kept in touch with the SOC staff, and volunteered at several events, while enjoying the Wasatch Mountains that much more.

As school was nearing its end I knew an internship was required to graduate. I decided that I would ask Carl and Havilah if I could once again come back and work under their wing. They agreed and a new process begun.

The internship started out with a few tabling opportunities, which are actually quite fun, and can be very beneficial for SOC, interested locals and students. As the semester went on, Carl, Havilah and I began to talk about reorganizing the media side of SOC. We decided on a couple different projects that I could do some research for and get the ball rolling on. How could we get SOC’s message and relay updates more efficiently to our members and concerned local’s? One way is through the integration of Google Earth within the SOC website, and the other is how to efficiently portray SOC’s issues and updates on everything from events, to the politics surrounding HR5009.

As the internship progressed, Carl and I ended up mapping out the wilderness boundaries in Google Earth. Hopefully soon we will have an interactive, up close and personal view of the boundaries proposed in HR5009, and some testimonials from local recreationists on their favorite trails. All of this digital media work is an attempt at engaging our audience and informing the public on what is happening in their backyard.

The semester is over, I have graduated from the University, and SOC is on the road to a comprehensive information system that will keep people in the loop. I am continuing work with SOC on the Google Earth project and anything else they need help with.

SOC has been a great way to channel my energy and guide my focus. The in office work and the work I have done independently has shown me that all it takes is an initial idea. My advice to anyone who is interested in activism and fighting for what they believe in is to volunteer, and get to know the agency and the issues. I still have a lot to learn, but I know that SOC has struck a wild hair within me, and this is not the end of my environmental activism.

Snow and Snowshoeing in the Wasatch.

I had the chance to get out and do some snowshoeing at the end of last week. Well, a lot of snowshoeing, actually. I went out Thursday, Saturday, and Sunday. What can I say? As soon as I discovered snowshoeing as a form of winter recreation, I was hooked and as soon as the first snow of this season fell, I was out playing in it. Believe it or not, last year was the first time I'd ever even been on a pair of snowshoes. Now, I feel like I have a lot of catching up to do! I've already started a list of all the trails I plan to snowshoe this season.

I spent Thursday and Sunday on the Days Fork trail, accessed through The Spruces Campground in Big Cottonwood Canyon. Here are some photos taken of the Day's Fork area where I spent most of my time. Enjoy!

To the Wasatch, I am thankful.

As I was driving into work this morning, I passed by an apartment complex that was built about a year ago and for some reason, I thought, "What was there before?" I remember there was something in that space before, but what was it? When they began construction on the new complex, when they first cleared that space (and whatever was previously on it), I remember passing by it thinking "Oh they've torn down the - - - (???). I wonder what they're going to build there?" I drove by every now and again during the construction of the new building. Each week it got bigger and bigger and taller and taller (much bigger than the original building that was on that lot before) and I remember thinking, "Whatever it is they're building, it's huge!" At that time, I was comparing the new structure to the old one that I was use to seeing in that space and it seemed like such a gigantic building was going into a spot where once there was just a small home or office, library? Bookstore? Day care? Laundromat?  WHAT WAS THERE BEFORE?!? I have no idea. I still don't know. Anyway, I drove by one day and realized they were putting in  an apartment complex and over time, after driving by it regularly, it no longer seemed as out of place as it did before. It didn't seem so intrusive or big or, well, ugly. I just accepted it and accepted that it "belonged" there. Once I did that, I just forgot what was ever there in the first place.

So, what is the point to all of this? Well, it made me think about development. The city is always changing and it seems that there's always something old being replaced by something new (believe me, I know all too well how this works, seeing as the Save Our Canyons office is right in the middle of the new City Creek project in downtown Salt Lake). It made me think about development in a broader sense too though and because of my work, I began to think of it in terms of the Wasatch. Overall, I thought, I don't ever want to look at our foothills, canyons, or mountains, and have to think or remember "What was there before?" (I'm already going to have to explain to future generations what the mouth of Big Cottonwood Canyon looked like before the Tavaci development. Jen just posted a blog about this, actually, if you're interested in reading where that issue currently stands).

I want to be able to always look to the east of the Salt Lake Valley and see those spaces as they are today. I want my children (who don't currently exist, but might someday), to see the same and their children too. I don't ever want to have to try to remember what wilderness looked like or imagine what our beautiful Wasatch once was before it was paved over and developed. Replacing an old building with a new one, inside a city, is one thing. Losing wilderness is an entirely different story. In reading an article written by Collin Daugherty on oil development within the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge, I came across the following paragraph, which holds just as true for the Wasatch as it does for any other wilderness:

"We may be able to split the atom, go to the moon, develop immunizations, and build metal structures that stretch into the sky but our ingenuity is helpless when it comes to producing wilderness. Wilderness cannot be created; once it’s gone, it’s gone forever. Second chances don’t exist when dealing with such fragile environments virgin to exploitative practices which irreparably compromise an environment’s serenity first and foremost. No invention of our civilization will ever change that. It’s that which we cannot create, therefore, which should be given the deepest consideration before making decisions which threaten the serenity of the Earth’s few remaining wildernesses."

The Wasatch Mountains as they exist today are priceless. They provide solitude, escape, beauty, a multitude of recreation opportunities, clean, pure water, and an abundance of plant and wildlife. All of the natural elements contained within are absolutely essential to the quality of life that I enjoy as a Salt Lake Valley resident. I can't count the number of times I have been in those canyons, stood completely still, listened to the sound of nature (or the sound of nothing at all), taken a deep breath, and felt a pure sense of gratitude and awe for the peace and quiet and beauty. I could go on and on, but the point of this is that I am so thankful for everything the Wasatch has to offer. I hope you are too.

A moose in Big Cottonwood Canyon.
Photo taken November 2010 by Havilah, Director of Operations for Save Our Canyons

The Staff Speaks on Staff Retreat

The Staff of Save Our Canyons talk about their latest Staff Retreat.

Havilah Speaks:

The word "retreat" according to the Merriam Webster dictionary can mean:

1: a place of privacy or safety
2: a period of group withdrawal for study or instruction under a director

Our Staff Retreat was a bit of both, combined with planning (: the act or process of making or carrying out plans; specifically : the establishment of goals, policies, and procedures), strategizing (: to devise a strategy), and snacking (: to eat a snack) - okay, a lot of snacking.

Each year, the staff of Save Our Canyons takes one to two days (usually in the month of October) to reflect on the previous twelve months and to look ahead to the next year. We take time to review our work in areas such as communication, outreach, fundraising, campaigns and issues work, and development. It’s not all note taking and brain cramps though. We allowed ourselves an afternoon in the Wasatch to kick off our retreat (this is the 1: a place of privacy or safety part of the definition of “retreat”). We do, after all, work to protect the beauty and wildness of the Wasatch canyons, mountains, and foothills, so it only made sense that we spend some time out of the office to reconnect with the beautiful, unique, and extraordinary Wasatch.

Day One - A hike to Silver Fork: Reconnecting with the Wasatch

The first day of Staff Retreat this year was a "Walk and Talk" session (more accurately, a "Hike and Talk") in the Silver Fork area of the Wasatch. We couldn't help but stop in awe every now and again and snap some photos of the amazing fall colors. I've posted some photos below. Take a look!

Day Two - Getting Down to Business

The second day of our Staff Retreat focused on the “2: a period of group withdrawal for study or instruction under a director” definition. We spent the second day of our retreat talking about what worked well the previous year and what didn't work quite as well, we reviewed the goals we had set the previous year and we plotted out the work we'd done to accomplish those goals, we reviewed our current campaigns and projects work, and we brainstorm ways to become more efficient. We discussed events, volunteer work, communication strategies, finances and fundraising, membership, and so much more. Every now and again, we would take a step back, take a deep breath, grab a snack (and yet another refill on coffee), and we would tilt our heads curiously at the gigantic white paperboard with all of our multi-colored notes on it. Then, we jumped right back in again.

Overall, we focused on discovering our strengths and weaknesses and putting a plan of action in place to capitalize on those strengths and improve on those weaknesses. Then, we tied it all back to our mission of “protecting the beauty and wildness of the Wasatch canyons, mountains, and foothills”. We feel good about the work we did over those two days and we’ve already implemented a few of the tools and ideas we discussed (this Blog, for instance - what do you think?).

We will spend this next year referring back to the notes we took and we will continue to reevaluate our methods and continue to improve upon them. You’d think after almost 39 years that Save Our Canyons would have one solid system in place, but the truth is, just as the threats and issues and campaigns are constantly changing, so are we and so are our methods. While we have an established history in place, we are a proactive organization and we are committed to remaining current and vigilant in our efforts. Here’s to one more great year as the only organization dedicated exclusively to the protection of the Wasatch!  

Closing Note: At the end of it all, we had the chance to reconnect with the Wasatch, reconnect with each other as staff and as friends, and reconnect to our mission and what it really means. 

 

 PHOTOS FROM OUR HIKE

 

Silver Fork Aspens. Photo by Carl Fisher, Executive Director of Save Our Canyons

 

Silver Fork Aspens. Photo by Carl Fisher, Executive Director of Save Our Canyons

 

 

 

Fallen Aspen Leaf. Photo by Carl Fisher, Executive Director of Save Our Canyons

 

Fall Colors. Photo by Havilah, Director of Operations for Save Our Canyons

Holding On. Photo by Havilah, Director of Operations for Save Our Canyons

 

 

My Co-Workers, My Friends. Photo by Havilah, Director of Operations for Save Our Canyons

Jen Speaks

 

Last week on Tuesday, the Save Our Canyons staff ventured into Big Cottonwood Canyon to wander up the Silver Fork drainage.  We decided a fall hike would be an amazing idea, a chance to soak in the last of this beautiful weather, an opportunity to "staff retreat".  

We hiked and talked with our cameras in hand.  All pausing to capture fall in its splendid color.  As we continued to walk up the drainage we occasionally stopped to rest and to hydrate.  After lunch we literally scrambled up Davenport Hill followed by a brief traverse on Emma's Ridge. Up on Emma’s Ridge we surveyed the surrounding peaks and ridges, noticing the ski resorts below.    After that we came down a slope that required you to hang onto certain tree limbs for dear life.  What followed was a steep decent down a deer trail.  Yup, that's right, a deer trail.  Let's just say there was some bush-wacking involved.  Thankfully, we made it down safely.  There were moments when I had my doubts.  However, our day was not just an adventure in Silver Fork.

The purpose of a our staff retreat is to reflect on our work, so during our hike we took some time to ponder the previous years work and discuss the year ahead.   We spent the day connecting with the place we work to protect and preserve, the Wasatch. Definitely an appropriate way to conduct staff retreat in my opinion.  Save Our Canyons is a great organization, fortunate enough to have such a dedicated staff.  I feel very grateful to work with Carl and Havilah, who feel more like friends than co-workers.  I couldn't think of any other team of individuals I would rather work with on a day to day basis.  We work hard for the Wasatch, and occasionally we play hard in the Wasatch. 

 

Carl Speaks

 

If actions speak louder than words, then we here at Save Our Canyons are yodelling from the high peaks of the Wasatch. Before the snow flew, the Save Our Canyons staff took advantage of the Indian Summer we were having to look at the splendor of the Wasatch. As people who are committed to “protecting the beauty and wildness of the Wasatch canyons, mountains and foothills,” it is on rare occasion that we find ourselves immersed in its grandeur. Rather, we find ourselves composing newsletters, updating our website, typing responses to Forest Service scoping notices, meeting with elected officials, attending planning meetings, collaborating with our governmental agencies and other interest groups, working with interns and volunteers, etc, etc.

This break from our dreary offices, surrounded by the incessant CRASH, BOOM, BANG of the downtown City Creek Project -- which we called “Staff Retreat” -- was long-overdue. It was time for us collectively, to reconnect with the Wasatch, but also, evaluate our progress as an organization. We couldn’t have picked a better place to do this. Silver Fork Canyon, recently protected from developments proposed by Solitude Mountain Resort, the easternmost boundary of the Wasatch Wilderness and Watershed Protection Act’s Twin Peaks Addition, adjacent to the Flagstaff Mountain expansion proposed by Alta Ski Resort, an area where SOC has recently acquired property, not to mention it has some of the most stunning views in the Wasatch. As we wandered up the trail, it really struck a chord deep inside of me, how someplace so heavily used, so close to so many homes and cabins, within spitting distance of Solitude Resort, is still accessible to the public. I think I can speak for the other two on staff, every time I venture out into the Wasatch, I am grateful to Save Our Canyons and couldn’t be more proud to be part of this family, this organization of friends and stewards, which has fought so hard for nearly 40 years to keep this area as it has been for generations.

I won’t bore you with the details of the events of these two days but to sum it up, we had great fun, extraordinary company, and worked until we our voices were hoarse and could barely keep our eyes open. The take home message: we need to do a better job of incorporating everyone into this family and our organization. We hope you’ll come join in the fun, the frustration, to protect the Wasatch so it can be here for others to enjoy as we all have been so lucky to. We hope you’ll take us up on the offer.