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After reading the editorials the last couple of weeks in the Herald Journal, I feel compelled to write how I feel about this proposition we get to vote on next week. Our Cache Valley has changed drastically since John and I moved here 8 years ago. I am not anti-development (although I hate the new WalMart), I am for carefully planned development of land. That includes saving and conserving open space. That was our whole motive for starting this project…in trying to restore our wetland. We have lived all over the world, usually in large cities, including Tokyo, Seattle, San Antonio and Los Angeles, and I never want to feel that way again. I don’t think the people here want our valley to look like those metropolitan areas. They just don’t realize the steps they are taking to get there. Indiscriminate building, pollution of water and air, high traffic and congestion, noise, etc. It is all what we moved away from. We are trying to leave a legacy for the next generation. If I thought people would put their money where their mouth was and preserve areas on their own, then fine. But they won’t. We need larger sums of money and assistance from organizations with the experience in conservation (ex. The Nature Conservancy). I think that $16/year added to my property tax is worth the sacrifice. We need to start somewhere and I am voting for Prop.1.
This project would not be possible without the inspiration of 2 very special places. The Great Salt Lake Shorelands Preserve in Layton, UT, and the Swaner Eco Center, located in Park City, UT.
Great Salt Lake Shorelands Preserve Visitor Center
Our idea to construct a boardwalk that is accessible to the public comes directly from the beautiful preserve in Layton, UT owned by the Nature Conservancy. The boardwalk at the G.S.L.S. Preserve is over a mile long and has dozens of interpretative signs. Some of the signs are placed on the boardwalk itself that are “eye catchers” to visitors. There are also free standing signs next to the boardwalk that explain the importance of the Great Salt Lake wetlands as an ecosystem. The signs also describe how important that habitat is to the nesting birds who migrate thousands of miles to the preserve.
The Nature Conservancy’s G.S.L.S.P. also has a sign for contributors that we will eventually use as a model for our sign to honor those organizations that are helping with this project. Another future goal is to construct a roadside kiosk, similar to what the Swaner Eco Center has in place. Along with the kiosk, we hope to be able to provide adequate parking for people in the community who want to visit our project site.
It is noteworthy to mention that this project was awarded the Conservation Project of the Year by the Utah branch of the Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR).
John and Ann were presented with an award from the president of the Bear River chapter of the DAR, Rena Fornasch late this summer. This meeting was the first time that I have personally ever seen a United States flag retired in due and proper form by a troop of Boy Scouts. You couldn’t help but feel patriotic after attending this meeting.
These fine ladies made us feel that we are doing a service to our nation by conserving its beautiful land. I guess it had never occurred to me that land conservation IS very patriotic!! One of the greatest things done by a president was to create the National Park system, which began the conservation of our beautiful spaces. I guess that’s why Teddy Roosevelt’s face is on Mount Rushmore 
Friday, October 17th was a very special day for me and for this project. Ann Ribera, the land owner, Chandler Poulsen, an Eagle Scout Candidate, and my wife Shelley and her family were all there to see the poster presentation for our project at the Utah Bioneers conference. To see so many people interested in this project, while Ann was there to watch, was very satisfying for me.
Hi! This is Ann and I just wanted to say a huge Thank-you to Rob and Shelley Johnson for setting up this so very cool website for our project. They have put in a huge amount of time and we so appreciate their efforts in our behalf!
This is the new website for our family’s restoration project…..
7:00 p.m. FRIDAY NIGHT AT THE TABERNACLE
Utah Bioneers Program at the Tabernacle. Free & open to the public. LDS Students and Elders in a panel discussion
“Rediscovering our Heritage: Frugality & Stewardship in the LDS Faith”.
Sparks should fly when two very different generations discuss what sustainable living and envirionmentalism means to them, and how these ideas apply to the LDS church.
The poster presentation portion of the Bioneers conference will be held in the Eccles Conference Center on Utah State’s campus, from 12PM – 4PM. The land owners, project manager, and other project supporters will be present to answer questions from the conference audience.
The Spring Creek Community Wetlands Restoration Project will be featured in the Utah Bioneers Conference beginning on Friday October 17th until Sunday 19th. The time and date of our poster presentation is yet to be determined, but the time will be posted ASAP!!
We happily announce the Spring Creek Wetlands community site. Check back as the site continues to grow including upcoming events and Ann’s observations of the flora and fauna that have begun returning to her backyard!
