Nature Conservancy Celebrates New Visitor Center at
Great Salt Lake Shorelands Preserve
Grand Opening Festivities Feature Civic Leaders and an Afternoon Festival for All Ages
Layton, Utah—19 July 2004—Today, Saturday, June 19, The Nature Conservancy of Utah will dedicate its new visitor center at the Great Salt Lake Shorelands Preserve. The morning ceremony will feature remarks from notable guests such as U.S. Senator Bob Bennett, Governor Olene Walker, Former U.S. Senator Jake Garn, Elder Alexander Morrison, and Terry Tempest Williams. In the afternoon, from 2 pm to 7 pm, the general public will be treated to an open-house festival, with live bird displays, special guests, theme tents and hands-on activities for all ages.
“This spectacular preserve and its new visitor center is a wonderful gift to the people of Utah and provides us with unique opportunities to learn more about the Great Salt Lake," said Governor Olene Walker. "This investment in preserving Utah's natural heritage will pay dividends for generations to come. Utah thanks the Conservancy and those who contributed to this effort.”
Governor Walker is among the guests who will speak at the morning dedication ceremony for the visitor center. Nearly 300 special friends of the Conservancy are expected for the ceremony, which will take place under a tent near the center’s open-air pavilion. The civic leaders will acknowledge the importance of the Great Salt Lake as one of Utah’s most unique natural treasures, and honor the new visitor center as a valuable resource for teaching more Utahns about the Lake and the millions of birds that depend on its habitats.
“In creating this Preserve, The Conservancy and its partners have given a valuable legacy to all Utahns,” said Senator Bob Bennett. “In addition, this beautiful new visitor center will help educate all of us about the global significance of the Great Salt Lake, which hosts millions of shorebirds and waterfowl each year. I can’t thank you enough for your generosity and foresight. Generations to come will be grateful for your efforts.”
At the close of the morning ceremony, Utah Wildlife Rehabilitation will release a rehabilitated red-tailed hawk into the Preserve. The hawk had been injured near the Great Salt Lake several months ago and is ready for re-entry into its native habitat.
In the afternoon, from 2 pm to 7 pm, the general public will join in to celebrate the new visitor center. Festivities include special theme tents centered on bird migration, Lake habitats and Lake dynamics, light refreshments and music. Attendees of all ages can enjoy hands-on educational activities such as dissecting owl pellets, viewing brine shrimp and oolitic sand under microscopes, and tracing migratory bird paths from various countries and continents. In addition, Tracy Aviary will host a live bird show, while noted avian biologist Don Paul will give a presentation on the Lake’s importance as an international bird habitat, and veteran wildlife photographer Gary Crandall will offer a talk on capturing birdlife on film.
Guests will also enjoy the visitor center itself—strolling its one-mile boardwalk loop through prime bird-watching habitat, learning about the Lake and birds through the many artistic and educational exhibits, and enjoying stunning vistas from the 30-foot-high observation tower.
“The Great Salt Lake, at our doorstep, is one of the most significant natural areas in the world – but it’s also one of Utah’s best kept secrets,” said Dave Livermore, the Conservancy’s Utah State Director. “Today, as we celebrate 20 years of conservation at this site, we’re also inviting all Utahns to stop by our new visitor center to learn what they're missing! As more people come to know and love the abundant birdlife and diverse habitats of this special place, there’s a greater chance we can protect it for future generations.”
In association with the visitor center’s opening, the Conservancy is also introducing a suite of educational programs. Teachers will be encouraged to use the new visitor center as an outdoor classroom to engage students in studying the wetlands ecosystem. Naturalist-guided tours of the new center will also be offered to elementary schools periodically through the year, and in-class presentations on wetlands will be provided to many 4th graders.
In addition, guided tours of the visitor center will be offered to the general public during peak birding seasons and periodically throughout this summer. For more information or to sign up for a public tour, call (801) 531-0999 or visit www.nature.org/utah.
The completion of the new visitor center is the crowning achievement in the Conservancy’s 20-year effort to work with partners in creating the Great Salt Lake Shorelands Preserve—which now totals 4,026 acres and spans nearly 11 miles of shoreline. The Conservancy is also working on smart growth planning efforts and outreach programs with various communities in Davis County. By providing all Utahns with a new and easy way to experience the Great Salt Lake habitats and wildlife, the Conservancy hopes its new visitor center will build public awareness about the Lake’s ecological importance.
“If people don’t understand how unique the Lake is and how much wildlife it supports, how can they be expected to voice their concerns for its protection?” asked Chris Montague, the Conservancy’s Utah Director of Conservation Programs. “We hope this center and our other outreach efforts will start to make a difference.”
The visitor center is now open every day and is free of charge. Hours: April – September: 7am to 8pm, and October – March: 8am to 5pm. For directions or more information, call (801) 531-0999 or visit www.nature.org/utah. Groups of more than 10 who plan to visit the preserve should call The Nature Conservancy to make a reservation.
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