Grace Tyler
Save Our Canyons X Beehive Distilling Presents: Elevated Spirits
Raise a glass to the Wasatch Mountains at the Elevated Spirits Gin Launch Party! Hosted by Save Our Canyons and Beehive Distilling on Saturday March 29th. Come for the gin, stay for the cause, and let's celebrate the future of the Wasatch—because these mountains need us now more than ever.
Central Wasatch Symposium Recap - Wilderness In The Central Wasatch
Huge Thank You to the Central Wasatch Commission for an Incredible Symposium!
We at Save Our Canyons want to extend our deepest gratitude to the Central Wasatch Commission for hosting an incredible first symposium! Thank you to everyone who joined us and showed their support. Your presence, engagement, and passion for the Wasatch Range make events like this so impactful.
The symposium brought together community members, policymakers, conservationists, and recreation enthusiasts to discuss the future of the Wasatch. It was inspiring to see so many panelists sharing their purpose and projects.
A special highlight was Save Our Canyons Executive Director, Spencer Shaver, who presented on the History of Wasatch Wilderness Areas. If you missed it or would like to revisit the discussion, you can access the slideshow and audio recording below:
If you were inspired by the conversations at the symposium and want to get more involved, we invite you to stay connected with the Central Wasatch Commission and Save Our Canyons. Your continued engagement helps ensure the protection and preservation of these remarkable landscapes for generations to come.
Thank you again for being a part of this important conversation!
Update: Save Our Canyons' Lawsuit Against UDOT Over the Proposed Gondola
Update: Save Our Canyons' Lawsuit Against UDOT Over the Proposed Gondola
Save Our Canyons has entered the next phase in its lawsuit with the Utah Department of Transportation (UDOT) over construction of a gondola in Little Cottonwood Canyon (LCC). Before embarking on a project of this magnitude, UDOT is required to conduct a thorough environmental review. Instead, UDOT overlooked important environmental impacts, conducted a flawed analysis of project alternatives and conveniently reached an outcome that only benefits ski resorts and politically connected developers.
Background of the Lawsuit
In late 2023, SOC filed a lawsuit against UDOT challenging the Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) that it prepared to support its decision to move forward with the gondola project in LCC. Our primary concerns center around UDOT’s process for identifying and evaluating the alternatives it would analyze to address the transportation problems of the canyon. SOC believes that this process put a heavy thumb on the scale in favor of the gondola, and our lawsuit claims that UDOT’s effort to look at alternatives was both inadequate and defective, failing to adequately address several key issues vital to the long-term health of the canyon's ecosystem.
LCC is a unique and sensitive area, home to diverse wildlife, and providing invaluable opportunities for outdoor recreation. UDOT's decision to prioritize the gondola would increase congestion, disregarding the canyon's ecological significance and the concerns of many thousands of community members who have voiced opposition throughout the EIS process.
Key Allegations In The Lawsuit
- Inadequate Environmental Review: We contend that UDOT's EIS did not comprehensively evaluate the environmental consequences of the gondola. This includes foreseeable impacts on recreation and visitor use, as well as the adjacent Wilderness areas. Moreover, the EIS failed to account for the cumulative effects of increased traffic and tourism on the canyon's fragile environment.
- Ignoring Viable Alternatives: UDOT's decision-making process overlooked more sustainable and less intrusive alternatives to the gondola. Options such as improving existing transportation infrastructure, implementing shuttle systems, or enhancing public transit were not given sufficient consideration. These alternatives could effectively address transportation challenges while minimizing environmental harm.
- Gondola arbitrarily adopted after being rejected: At first, UDOT wisely rejected alternatives that included large parking structures, including one for a gondola, right where it now wants to put the gondola and its parking structure. And for good reason—this is already an area that UDOT itself identified as the “main bottleneck” contributing to traffic jams, so it made no sense to add to the problem with vehicles turning and merging to get in and out of the gondola base facility. But, shortly after politically connected businessmen who stood to financially benefit asked UDOT to change its mind, UDOT reversed itself and put the gondola on the short list of alternatives it would consider.
Administrative Record Review
A significant development in our case is the forthcoming receipt of the administrative record from UDOT, expected in September, 2024. This administrative record contains all documents, communications, and materials generated by UDOT during its decision-making process for the gondola project. Because our case is built solely on this record, rather than the witness and exhibits involved in a more typical trial, the receipt of this voluminous set of documents will begin a careful review process by our attorneys.
We are confident that a meticulous examination of these documents will strengthen our case. Our ultimate goal is to ensure that UDOT reconsiders its decision, taking into account more sustainable alternatives that align with the long-term preservation of the canyon's natural beauty. Thank you for your ongoing support of our litigation, and stay tuned, online and in upcoming newsletters, for updates and opportunities to take action to keep LCC gondola free.
20th Annual Lone Peak Celebration
We're excited to unite around the Wasatch Mountains during our 20th Annual Lone Peak Celebration presented by KÜHL. All revenue that Save Our Canyons makes during this event will be used to continue our efforts in protecting the wildness and beauty of the Wasatch Mountains.
YOUR TICKET INCLUDES:
- Heavy hors d’oeuvres
- Your choice of craft cocktails provided by Beehive Distilling, wine provided by KÜHL, beer provided by RoHa Brewing Project, coffee/decaf/tea, and other non-alcoholic drinks
- Live music from Lapdog Band (Instagram @lapdogband)
- Access to an incredible silent auction
- All proceeds supporting the protection of the Wasatch Mountains
Sponsored By KÜHL
Although things have changed since the beginning, we are proud to be one of the few remaining privately owned and independent companies in the outdoor space. This has allowed us to stay true to our number one priority; provide our customers with the highest quality products.
Remaining independently owned in such a competitive landscape is not just a choice, it is the core value of the entire business. It is a promise to everyone involved: customers, employees and the surrounding community that KÜHL will continue to forge our own path and follow our hearts. We will always choose the path of freedom and independence.
Live Music From Lapdog Band
A band that dabbles in modern psychedelic bossa nova, indie songwriting, and unpredictable improvisational excursions;no two shows are ever the same.
Emerging from the shallow depths of Salt Lake City comes Lapdog; a band combining the thing jingle jangle of indie rock with the deep dark depths of psychedelic space jazz. With a mixture of influences transforming into a thunderous improvisational live experience, you'll never know what you'll get at a show.
Band highlights include opening for bands such as Good Morning, Paul Cauthen, and Winona Forever, a month long residency at local venue 'the Garage,' and a boastful 4 hour set comprised of originals and covers.
Whether the show you see is a more composed music showcase, a chill journey through purple space, or a raging psychedelic meltdown, Lapdog is sure to impress as a fresh breath of creative air.
Website: lapdogband.com
Beer Provided By RoHa Brewing Project
At the beginning, RoHa started as a list of wishful dreams in a notebook accumulated by our founders. This notebook turned into a taproom and brewery in 2017 when we finally found our home on Kensington Ave in Salt Lake City.
RoHa Brewing Project is now a unique collection of engineers, ski bums, outdoor enthusiasts, and misfits that came together through the love of craft beer.
We are extremely satisfied with our beer, but even more satisfied with the family we have unknowingly created. Thank you for enjoying our beer, and welcome to the Family.
Craft Cocktails Provided By Beehive Distilling
Beehive Distilling started with the notion that gin wasn’t being given the love it deserved. Real gin—a blast of juniper followed by the complex intrigue of all the other botanicals—was being challenged by pretenders. Gin shouldn’t taste like a citrus drink, and it shouldn’t taste like cleaning fluid. We give gin some well deserved attention. Small batches on a small still. Botanicals measured and macerated by hand, vapor infused, bottled and labeled in our Salt Lake City distillery. Utah, say hello to Jack Rabbit Gin. It’s been a long time coming.
During the 20th Annual Lone Peak Celebration you'll get to enjoy Beehive Distilling's:
- Jack Rabbit Gin
- Organic Sugarcane Vodka
- Rye Whiskey
Event Photography Provided By Chris Monte
I was born and raised in Minnesota, where I learned to snowboard on the tow-ropes and hills of the Midwest. After high school, I spent five years in Eau Claire, Wisconsin obtaining my undergraduate degrees in biochemistry and molecular biology.
Ever since I was a kid I knew I wanted to move West. The summer after I graduated I decided to pack up and skip town, passing through Utah initially as a pit stop to visit my family. That pit stop has lasted almost a decade, and I feel like I've barely scratched the surface.
Flowers Provided By honey Floral Design
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Created from her passion and love for unique floral design. Chlo, the founder of honey floral design has a modern eye for refined-natural floral design. Sustainability is at the forefront of all that honey floral creates by utilizing local flower farms and sustainable ideology. Design concepts are curated through attention to nature and minimalistic detail. Chlo aims to create timeless and unique florals that are as unique as her clients. Primarily focused on weddings + events. honey floral is currently taking on new clients, please reach out with inquiries to create together.
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Instagram: honey.floraldesign
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Website: https://honeyfloral.design
Silent Auction
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A better way to sleep outside. The idea for Haven Tents came about when our founder Derek found himself struggling to get comfortable in a traditional camping hammock (again). As an avid outdoorsman, it was hard to reconcile the fact that every amazing day spent in the woods would be punctuated by a miserable night’s sleep. While fighting to get comfortable, he envisioned his head and feet lowering to a single plane. Just like his mattress at home. With this spark of an idea, the first Haven Tent was born. The original Haven Tent launched on Kickstarter in September 2019 and the campaign quickly received more than enough funding to move forward. A lot of campaign backers expressed their excitement about the ability to sleep in a hammock while laying flat instead of folding like a banana. It wasn’t long after the first shipment went out that Haven Tents began popping up on social media, in hammock forums, and in Google reviews. To our delight, people loved our innovative design. During our second year, we launched Haven XL, a hammock with a little more room than its predecessor, along with a great lineup of hammock camping accessories. Then, in year three Haven Tents introduced another Kickstarter campaign for a glamping hammock called Haven Safari. The same lay flat design made from robust materials.
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We—the folks who make up Gregory Mountain Products in Salt Lake City, Utah—are just like you. We’re balancing hours at the office and making time for the outdoors, managing teams and families, sending lots of emails, searching for new trails to get on, making sure our pooches get enough exercise and wondering what’s for dinner. We know what it’s like to find our way between the daily and the dream. We understand it takes exploration, spirit, and drive every day to make your life what you want. We’re dedicated to building gear you can trust to take you there because we’re on our way, too.
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Founded in 2018, Party Shirt International was built on a simple principle: make quality and fun shirts that make people happy. But happiness doesn't just come from having an excellent shirt. We also want to give a shirt or two about the places we live and the people in our communities and abroad. Since our founding we have done thousands of dollars worth of in-kind donations to non profits like Save Our Canyons, Wasatch Backcountry Alliance, High Fives Foundation, and the Utah Avalanche Center.
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Week in Glacier National Park
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Kristen is a self-taught watercolor artist based in Salt Lake City. She is constantly inspired by the fantastic shapes of the Wasatch and other western landscape. She aims to create art that captures the wonder of these places that we all feel collectively when we visit them, as well as to honor that which is worth protecting in the West. She produces original artwork as well as giclée prints, stickers, and other merchandise featuring her art.
- Website: https://kristenandcolor.square.site
- Coalatree designs eco-minded gear and apparel for the adventurer in everyone, from athletes and photographers to your average city folks and weekend warriors. It’s our passion to bring elements of the outdoors and the city life together. Whether you’re summiting the tallest peaks or lounging around town with friends, our products are practical, stylish, and functional. Being ready for anything is what we’re all about.
- Cascade Physical Therapy is located in Holladay, UT and run by Dr. Kara Delfanti, PT, DPT. Her mission is to get you better through one-on-one patient centered care. Kara believes in a whole body approach and employs a wide variety of manual techniques and movement optimization to get to the root cause of your symptoms. Her passion is to help keep people moving to the best of their ability. If you’re experiencing pain, have an injury, need help with athletic endeavors, or you just want to move better, Kara would love to help you!
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Born in the backcountry of the Wasatch Mountains, Klymit has been challenging the conventional approach to outdoor gear since 2007. Based in Kaysville, Utah, our passion is spending time outdoors with the people you care about.
We know nothing ruins a camping trip like a poor night’s sleep, which is why we work hard every day to create gear that is comfortable, easy-to-use, and engineered for every adventure. Our team designs and tests all of our gear in the illustrious deserts and mountains of Utah to ensure everything is durable, high-quality, value driven and most importantly, comfortable.
We believe life is better when you are outdoors with those you love. It doesn’t matter where you are, it matters who you’re with.
We’re here to make your outdoor experience the best one yet.
https://klymit.com/
Welcome Our New Executive Director
Save Our Canyons would like to welcome our new Executive Director Spencer Shaver!
My name is Spencer Shaver, and I am the new Executive Director of Save Our Canyons. I have had the good pleasure of meeting a handful of you in person, but I look forward to meeting every one of you, and the work we’ll do together on behalf of the beauty and wildness of the Wasatch Mountains.
Since I first arrived in Utah, I’ve felt the pull of the Wasatch, propelling me toward opportunities, experiences, and slope angles that this Minnesota-born backcountry enthusiast did not know were possible before I got here. The people, the places and the community that make the canyons of the Wasatch some of the best public land in the world have kept me coming back, driving toward trailheads at all hours of the night and early morning to chase new adventures, wild failures and everything in between. I’ve made the Wasatch and public lands here my home. In our home, I see the smiling faces at our trailheads as signs of both changes to come and a reminder that the integrity of the ecosystem, which draws us all together in the first place, is a priority that we all must organize around if we’re to preserve it.
Understanding the traditions and principles that have protected the Wasatch since the founding of Save Our Canyons in 1972 is my first priority. I have immense respect for those who have advocated on behalf of the public lands, watersheds, flora and fauna of the Wasatch. One of the principles I hold is that public lands should remain in public hands, managed in trust by federal and state governments to both protect and preserve natural resources for current and future generations.
I’ve worked to find common ground in uncommon places in order to protect landscapes my community considers non-negotiables; places we will work to protect for future generations with everything we have. I look forward to learning more about our community’s non-negotiables and adding my voice to a community of advocates who have provided their time, resources and knowledge, and then passed lessons from one generation of Save Our Canyons’ community to the next. If there are traditions, principles or values that I need to understand so that we can pass them on to our generation, then the next, I invite you to help me understand them.
Change is a challenge. Challenges create opportunities. When I think of the future of the Wasatch, I see our community turning those challenges into better opportunities to protect our public lands. I have a friend and mentor that reminds me that in conservation, victories are temporary and losses are forever.
I hope to apply lessons learned over the first 52 years of our organization’s history to launch us toward new victories, to learn more lessons, upholding our values, legacy and principles, while adding our own experiences in the Wasatch to the story of the next 50 years. With your help, and the support of a growing community of advocates for the Wasatch, I’m confident that our voices will be heard. Another friend reminds me that with public lands, if our community isn’t at the table, we’re on the menu. We’ll need more voices to be at more tables and your help to welcome new members to our community for what’s to come.
I’ve felt a strong sense of relief when speaking to each and every donor, advocate and supporter of Save our Canyons, who are all here for our own reasons but show up to stand united under a common cause. In the conversations I’ve had with you so far, I can feel the passion our community has for our mountains, canyons, rivers, forests, fauna and favorite trails. Some of the trails, public lands and wild places where my brother and friends taught me to backcountry ski, across the Wasatch, would not be accessible to me, or many others, without the hard work and dedication the members of this organization have demonstrated. For all of the passion I see, and the work you have done so far on behalf of the Wasatch, I am grateful.
What are my reasons for wanting to protect the Wasatch for the next generation? That passion for a place is rare, and even rarer for some of the best, most accessible public lands anywhere to be only minutes away from you and I, instead of hours or days. We can access Wilderness, these public lands, and the world-class beauty of the Wasatch every day. This is one of the best places in the world to do what I love to do, and I advocate for what I love. Your reasons, my reasons and the public land itself are all worth advocating for, in whatever ways that it takes, to protect for the next generation. I’ve seen the cost of not engaging, and I’m committed to being a part of what it takes to protect the places I call home however I can.
From my time advocating on behalf of Wilderness and public lands, I’ve learned passion for a place is the single most important thing that people can bring to the table when we advocate to protect the places we love. Check a farmers market’s art table in Salt Lake, your maps app on a Saturday morning or look at any park and ride on a powder day - the people in our community have passion pouring out of our ears for the Wasatch. I’m excited to see what we can do with it, what we can accomplish together with a shared vision for future generations here and a shared passion for the beauty and wildness of the Wasatch.
Yours For The Wasatch,
Spencer Shaver
