Estimated read time: 4-5 minutes
Utah, known worldwide for its stunning national parks, forests and conservation areas, is home to a diverse range of public lands. The federal government controls nearly 70% of total state land. These lands provide food, water, energy, minerals and other essential services to Utahns and sustain the lifestyle and landscapes Utah residents cherish, underscoring the need for thoughtful conservation and management to preserve Utah's natural beauty and resources for current and future generations.
Envision these iconic Utah landscapes and wildlife: aspen forests, sage grouse, the Great Salt Lake and state parks – all thriving due to a blend of active and passive management efforts. Conservation's goal is to strike a balance between these two approaches, ensuring the sustainability and resiliency of our landscapes. It's all about responsibly using and managing our natural resources to keep them healthy and productive now and into the future. This balance reassures us that we are not overusing or underutilizing our natural resources.
In some parts of Utah, passive management – letting nature take its course – is the best management practice. However, in many cases, the state prioritizes actively managing its landscapes and taking a hands-on approach. Through proactive measures and direct interventions, this approach benefits the environment, wildlife and local communities by addressing specific environmental issues and promoting the health of ecosystems.
Consider prescribed fire. Though seemingly destructive, trained professionals use fire to carefully clear out brush and overgrown forests to reduce the impacts of naturally occurring wildfires and maintain the health of our forests. These planned low-intensity fires are an active tool to help make our landscapes more resilient to wildfires.
Now, think about the vital role of watersheds in our state. Watersheds are the lifeblood of a landscape, sustaining the animals and people who depend on them. A common challenge is the devastating impact wildfires can have on watersheds. Without restoration efforts to control the spread of invasive species or aggressive rehabilitation efforts immediately following a wildfire, watersheds can quickly become overrun with invasive weeds and become more prone to erosion, contributing to increased sedimentation downstream.
This is where Utah's active management comes into play, with initiatives such as the Grazing Improvement Program (GIP) and the Watershed Restoration Initiative (WRI). These programs are dedicated to improving the health and sustainability of our public and private lands.
Grazing best management practices benefit not only livestock but also the land's ecological health. For example, using livestock to help mitigate invasive species by putting molasses on thistles to train the cows to eat them helps prevent thistles from spreading, and allowing cattle to graze on invasive phragmites around the Great Salt Lake improves wildlife habitat.
For another project, livestock grazed near communities to provide a fuel break to protect them in the event of a wildfire. The GIP program also helps ranchers develop water in strategic places so they can use their water rights wisely. Over 12 million acres of rangeland have benefitted from this program.
The WRI is a partnership-based program that reduces invasive plant species, limits destructive fires, reverses aspen forest decline, and restores degraded streams to benefit wildlife populations and enhance natural resources. It is a prime example of how active management can make entire ecosystems more resilient to disturbances like wildfire and drought. Over 2.5 million acres have been enhanced through this program.
For years, Utah has been committed to conserving millions of acres of public lands through active management and work accomplished by on-the-ground programs like the GIP and WRI. However, in May, the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) released its Public Lands Rule that raises concerns about various land uses crucial to Utah. In the rule, the BLM aims to redefine conservation, risking a "just look, don't touch" management approach. This conflates conservation with preservation.
Unlike conservation, preservation is typically a passive, hands-off approach, restricting human activity to protect nature in an untouched state. Preservation is needed in some areas and situations. However, equating it with conservation across all public lands will hinder essential management practices that promote ecosystem health and resilience, including wildfire mitigation and watershed restoration. This mischaracterization can undermine efforts to balance sustainable land use with environmental protection.
Humans have already made a significant impact on landscapes. Utah's population is growing rapidly, and it is vital that the state take responsibility for maintaining the land for present and future generations. Utah officials must be good stewards of the natural resources Utah residents depend on to ensure the lands are resilient for years to come.
The state of Utah understands the responsibilities and demands of actively managing our land. State officials are committed to implementing coordinated efforts between state and federal agencies, local communities, tribal leaders, conservation groups and private citizens. It is essential to "Stand for Our Land" and enhance conservation efforts.
