Bear River Land Conservancy

TO CONSERVE PRIVATE LANDS THAT PROVIDE PUBLIC VALUES SUCH AS WILDLIFE HABITAT, OPEN SPACE, PUBLIC RECREATION OPPORTUNITIES, HISTORICAL SIGNIFICANCE, WATERSHED PROTECTION, AND CRITICAL VISTAS, USING CONSERVATION EASEMENTS AND SOUND MANAGEMENT, FOR THE PEOPLE IN NORTHERN UTAH.

"LAND PROTECTION" INCLUDES: 1) WORKING WITH PRIVATE LANDOWNERS TO APPLY FOR EASEMENT FUNDING TO PROTECT PRIVATE LANDS THAT PROVIDE PUBLIC VALUES; 2) APPLYING FOR FUNDING FROM VARIOUS GRANT PROGRAMS TO PROTECT AND STEWARD OTHER PRIVATE LANDS; AND 3) IMPLEMENTING A STRATEGIC CONSERVATION PLAN TO GUIDE THE ORGANIZATION TOWARD THE MOST IMPORTANT LANDS FOR CONSERVATION. THIS YEAR, SPECIFIC ACCOMPLISHMENTS INCLUDED: CONTINUED APPLICATION FOR FEDERAL AND STATE FUNDING TO PROTECT CRITICAL LANDS THROUGH CONSERVATION EASEMENTS.

"STEWARDSHIP" INCLUDED 1) MANAGING THE 455 ACRE BEAR RIVER BOTTOMS CONSERVATION EASEMENT, MONITORING THIS PROPERTY AND ADJACENT PROPERTIES FOR WEED INFESTATIONS, MONITORING FOR COMPLIANCE WITH RESTRICTIONS OUTLINED IN THE EASEMENT DOCUMENT, MANAGING GRAZING LEASES USED TO CONTROL WEEDS AND WEEDY NATIVE VEGETATION, RESTORATION OF ERODING BANKS, PLANNING FOR FUTURE MANAGEMENT; 2) MONITORING THE 3 ACRE LAKOTA CONSERVATION EASEMENT FOR COMPLIANCE WITH RESTRICTIONS OUTLINED IN THE EASEMENT DOCUMENT; 3) MANAGING A 30 ACRE FEE PROPERTY THAT IS OWNED AND MANAGED TO PROTECT A THREATENED SPECIES OF ORCHID AND FOR ITS OPEN SPACE VALUES. REVENUE CAME FROM GRAZING LEASES USED TO MANAGE VEGETATION AT BEAR RIVER BOTTOMS AND SUPPORT OPEN SPACE VALUES ASSOCIATED WITH AGRICULTURE.

"OUTREACH" IS PRIMARILY EDUCATION EFFORTS DIRECTED AT THE PUBLIC AND ELECTED OFFICIALS TO INCREASE THEIR UNDERSTANDING OF THE VALUE OF CONSERVATION. THIS YEAR'S ACTIVITIES INCLUDED PRODUCTION AND DISTRIBUTION OF A NEWSLETTER TO 1500+ CONSTITUENTS, AND ENGAGING VOLUNTEERS IN ORCHID MONITORING AT THE PROPERTY OWNED BY THE LAND CONSERVANCY.