Announcing Our New Project + Conservation Opportunities
Celebrating Allison & Announcing a New Project
Outgoing Executive Director Allison Jones and Conservation Ecologist Janice Gardner embrace at our event celebrating Allison's years with Wild Utah Project.
Thank you to all who came out to celebrate Allison's 20+ years of conservation work last week. We were moved by your toasts, friendship, and overwhelming support of Allison and Wild Utah Project. Her dedication to conserving Utah's wildlife and wildlands has inspired many, and we certainly felt it throughout the evening.
In 2020, we're building on Allison's legacy, and we want to give our loyal friends and partners a preview of our work. With our successful conservation science projects thriving and new ones on the horizon, we're excited for what the future holds.
A New Project
We're delighted to announce that we're starting a new project on the Great Salt Lake. As vital habitat for migratory birds, the lake and its adjacent wetlands are a priority for conservation.
A black-necked stilt at the Great Salt Lake
Photo by Janice Gardner
While many stakeholders are working to maintain lake levels, we've found potential for increased collaboration between land managers to facilitate better conservation outcomes on the lake. Our project will focus on knowledge sharing and improving 300,000 acres of crucial wetland habitat.
Along with our partners at Utah Division of Wildlife, we're already starting our initial research and are excited to keep you updated on this important project.
Black Rosy-Finch Progress
We've begun our Black Rosy-Finch project, and we're thrilled to see the tagged rosy-finches--with names like Cottontail and Scree--showing up at our feeders!
The project aims to gather information about one of the most mysterious birds in North America. Why? To ensure that the most effective methods are used to conserve the species, particularly as climate change is predicted to impact its sensitive alpine habitat.
It's not too late to get involved. To get caught up, visit our project page to watch the online training presentation, read the Count Guide 2020, and join us in conserving the Black Rosy-Finch!
Early Findings from Wasatch Wildlife Watch
Now entering the third year of our Wasatch Wildlife Watch, we're seeing patterns in wildlife distribution that we're excited to share:
Red Butte Canyon Research Natural Area (and the surrounding canyons without housing including City Creek and Dry Creek) seem to provide habitat where wildlife species are concentrated, despite being largely absent from surrounding areas
1-80 is a major source of habitat fragmentation across species (e.g. see example figure below)
Relative average species abundance as shown by Wasatch Wildlife Watch data. Lighter areas indicate relative increase in habitat usage across the landscape.
The Biodiversity and Conservation Ecology Lab is working to analyze the 2018 and 2019 data, looking closely at topics like core wildlife habitats and potetial movement corridors. This information will keep conservation in the conversation when it comes to development decisions affecting wildlife and habitats.
Volunteer signups will become available in mid-February on our project page.
Looking Ahead
With Allison's energy fueling us forward, we're geared to do great things this year and into the future. We're ever grateful for your loyal dedication as we conserve Utah's wildlife and wildlands together.
To make this work possible in 2020 and through the coming years, please consider becoming a monthly donor. A gift as little as $10 per month makes all the difference for our local wildlife and habitat.