The Nature Conservancy. Protecting nature. Preserving life.™

Matheson Preserve © Neil Herbert

Open to the Public

Yes

Things To Do

What to See View All

Plan Your Visit

Conditions & What to Bring View All

Get Directions

Why You Should Visit
The Scott M. Matheson Wetlands Preserve is an oasis in the desert - a stark contrast to the surrounding redrock cliffs and arid desert. To this lush oasis flock over 200 species of birds, amphibians, including the northern leopard frog, and aquatic mammals such as the beaver, muskrat and elusive river otter.

Location
This preserve is located in Moab, Utah along the banks of the Colorado River. Historically the area was, and still often is, referred to as the Moab Sloughs.

Hours
Open year-round, dawn to dusk.

Size
894 acres

Why the Conservancy Selected This Site  
The rarity of the wetland ecosystem in an arid environment, the area’s diversity that attracts a wide variety of wildlife species and the utilization of the wetlands by migratory birds, were the main reasons The Nature Conservancy became involved with the Moab Sloughs.

What the Conservancy Has Done/Is Doing
The Nature Conservancy and the Utah Division of Wildlife Resources purchased the wetlands starting in 1990, with the agreement that The Nature Conservancy would manage the preserve. Though many people visit the preserve to bird watch, others come to enjoy the sounds and sights of nature. School groups also visit the preserve to study wetlands and the creatures that inhabit these wetlands. The Utah Division of Wildlife Resources has conducted a mist-netting program to analyze bird usage in the preserve. Other studies have looked at population trends of northern leopard frogs, waterfowl and breeding birds.

The Conservancy is also battling the invasive species, tamarisk, at Matheson Wetlands Preserve.  Learn more about the ongoing battle.

Things To Do

Plants
There are large expanses of bulrush and cattail, black willow and Fremont’s cottonwood.

Animals
There are more than 200 species of birds occur in the preserve, including spring migrants: songbirds, shorebirds, waterfowl, summer nesters: yellow warblers, common yellowthroat, black-headed grosbeaks, lazuli buntings, song sparrows, great blue herons, fall migrants and winter waterfowl. You can also see beavers, muskrat, mule deer, northern leopard frog and raccoon.

Plan Your Visit

Conditions
A well-defined, handicapped-accessible, mile-long loop trail exists in the southern portion of the preserve. A boardwalk, made from recycled train trestles, spans the trail’s wet areas and leads to a wildlife viewing blind. Additionally, there is a wetlands teaching circle and map station where several brochures are available including bird and wildlife lists.

What to Bring
Bring water, your binoculars and bird guides to identify a wide variety of birds - especially during spring and fall!  Pick up a brochure and follow the marked trails on a self-guided tour and call the Moab Project Office at (435) 259-4629 with any questions.  Mosquito repellent is advised in the late spring and summer.

Directions

From Moab:

• Travel south on State Highway 191 (Main Street)
• Turn west onto Kane Creek Boulevard, located between McDonalds and Burger King.
• Travel ¾ of mile to the Y in the road.
• Bear left (west) and travel ½ mile to the preserve entrance (934 W. Kane Creek Boulevard).
• Follow the footpath over the Mill Creek bridge to an information kiosk and then into the preserve.
   

Discussion

Have you been to this preserve? Are you thinking of visiting? See what others are saying about their experiences and add your comments below.

Add Your Comments

Time for you to join the discussion. Tell us about your experience at this preserve. What plants and animals did you see? When did you go? You can help others plan their visit when you share your thoughts. And thank you for visiting one of our nature preserves!

* Required Fields

Read our guidelines on posting comments