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The Nature Conservancy Makes Major Donation to Washington County Growth Planning Process

Utah Conservation Group Donates $100,000 to Vision Dixie

St. George, Utah—16 October 2006—Today The Nature Conservancy announced its donation of $100,000 to support the Washington County growth planning process known as Vision Dixie. 

“The Conservancy is thrilled to support Vision Dixie,” said Dave Livermore, the Conservancy’s Utah State Director. “We are investing in this process because we believe it is key to creating a sustainable future for both the people of Washington County and for its many ecological treasures.”

Washington County is home to world-class scenery and a wealth of rare and unique plants and animals, including 12 federally listed species. As the fifth fastest growing county in the United States, Washington County continues to face increasing growth opportunities and pressures. The Vision Dixie process is designed to proactively address issues surrounding the county’s booming expansion. 

“The Conservancy’s financial contribution and support provide a major boost to this process,” said Scott Hirschi, a member of the Vision Dixie fundraising committee and director of the local economic and development council. “Thanks to supporters like the Conservancy, this county will have the chance to determine its future and preserve its wonderfully unique quality of life through a comprehensive, citizen-driven, collaborative planning process.”

Initiated by the Washington County Commission, the Utah State Office of Planning and Budget, Envision Utah, the Conservancy and the Oquirrh Institute, Vision Dixie is a comprehensive land-use planning process designed to help Washington County citizens come together to plan where and how they want their cities to grow.

Vision Dixie will help ensure the positive effects of economic growth while at the same time preserving the natural beauty, scenic features, wildlife, unique species, water resources, agricultural heritage and the neighborhoods and communities that make Washington County a wonderful place to live.

“This is the type of thorough planning that can have a major positive effect on the future of a community,” said Alan Matheson, Executive Director of Envision Utah. “This project is designed to openly highlight and discuss differing points of view, and it’s inspiring to see the Washington County Commission, civic leaders, diverse groups of citizens and stakeholders like the Conservancy come together to make this process work.”

Over the next two years, Vision Dixie will conduct community research, convene working groups and hold public meetings, using maps and analytical tools to help citizens plot out the future of their county, and tackling topics such as traffic, air quality, land and water use, and housing.

When complete, Vision Dixie will work with key stakeholders and community leaders to share the results of the process with the public, and ensure the implementation of the new community-driven Quality Growth Vision.

“We hope the Conservancy’s contribution helps Vision Dixie achieve its admirable goals,” said Amanda Smith, the Conservancy’s Director of Government Relations. “This process is about public participation, proactive planning and balanced growth that protects Washington County’s unique natural assets and its residents’ quality of life.”

The Nature Conservancy has been active in the balanced preservation of important natural areas in Washington County—and has been a private landowner and taxpayer in the County—for nearly 20 years.  Key projects have included working with Brigham Young University and Dixie College to establish the Lytle Ranch on the Beaver Dam Slope, the acquisition of the Red Cliff Preserve northeast of St. George and active participation in the Habitat Conservation Planning (HCP) process, which established the Red Cliffs Desert Tortoise Reserve. Currently, the Conservancy is working with SITLA, UDOT and the County to help protect the endangered dwarf bearclaw poppy and other rare plants near White Dome, and with the Kanarra Mountain Landowners Association to conserve 11,000 acres of critical forest and watershed lands at Virgin River Headwaters in the Kolob Plateau region above Zion National Park.