Moab Landowner Donates Easement on Key Property to The Nature Conservancy

Scenic Land and Critical Habitat in the La Sals Will Now Remain Protected from Development

Moab, UT — Jan 08, 2007 — Local landowner and businessman, Colin Fryer, has donated an easement to The Nature Conservancy preserving his 180-acre property in Grand County, located on the north flank of the La Sal Mountains. Thanks to the donated easement, the property and its critical animal habitat will now be protected from large-scale development. Colin Fryer will continue to own the land and manage it in a manner that does not impact its habitat.

“We live in one of the most amazing natural areas in the country,” said Colin Fryer. “As a community member and a landowner, I’m proud to help the Conservancy ensure that these special lands, and the unique ecosystems they support, remain healthy and viable.”

The newly protected property encompasses a key section of Castle Creek, and lies in the Castle Valley watershed—an area local officials have deemed important to protect from development in order to ensure long-term water quality and quantity for the Castle Valley community.

In addition to helping to protect the watershed, the easement will also safeguard the property’s wildlife habitat. Rich riparian areas, aspen forests, and oakbrush scrub communities on the property support a diversity of native animals including large mammals such as black bear and elk. The property also provides important habitat for mule deer fawning.

“Colin Fryer has made a generous and significant contribution to conservation in the La Sal Mountains,” aid Sue Bellagamba, the Conservancy’s Canyonlands Program Director. “This property’s prime location made it a likely target for development. Now this key component of the watershed—and important wildlife habitat—will remain intact for future generations to enjoy.”

The property’s location, surrounded by existing protected areas, also contributes to its conservation value. The property is actually adjacent to another ecologically significant 158-acre parcel on which Colin Fryer donated an easement to the Conservancy in 1994, and it also borders the Manti-La Sal National Forest.

“Because the land lies next to other protected areas,” explains Bellagamba, “the easement on this property will create an uninterrupted corridor of protected habitat for our native plants and animals to thrive.”

Owner of the Red Cliffs Adventure Lodge on the banks of the Colorado River, Fryer has lived in Moab for 14 years, and now serves as Vice Chairman of the Utah Board of Tourism Development.

“People come to Utah to experience a taste of our unique quality of life, which is directly tied to our spectacular lands, waters and wildlife,” said Fryer. “If we want to bolster our economy and ensure our future, we must protect and nurture our natural assets.”

The Conservancy has been working to protect key habitat in the La Sal Mountains since 1988, when it assisted the Forest Service with designation of the 2,380-acre Mount Peale Research Natural Area. In 1998 the Conservancy also supported the designation of the 680-acre Mill Creek Gorge Research Natural Area. In addition, the Conservancy has built a 10-year conservation legacy in the Colorado River Corridor—protecting more than 4,000 acres and establishing the Scott M. Matheson Wetlands Preserve.

Colin Fryer will continue to own and manage his property. He will work with the Conservancy to ensure the protective terms of the easement are honored, and the ecological values remain viable.