Field Trips

 

 

Aspen Restoration

Wasatch Front July 11

The UEC is teaming up with Mary O'Brien of the Grand Canyon Trust for a field trip in the Wasatch Front to indentify and examine an aspen stand as an ungrazed reference to evaluate the impact of fire, conifers, elk, cattle, and sheep on other areas of the forest. 

What should be the condition of aspen stands on National Forests in Utah? How can a good-condition aspen stand be distinguished from one that is in poor condition? Join UEC Director Kevin Mueller and Membership Coordinator Bob Brister, Grand Canyon Trust botanist Mary O’Brien, and Wild Utah Project Director Jim Catlin at 9 a.m. on Saturday, July 11.  We'll meet at the UTA Park and Ride lot at the bottom of Big Cottonwood Canyon and consolidate into carpools.  From there we'll go to the Butler Fork area.  We’ll talk about aspen management and measure the condition of a “reference” aspen stand. We’ll use a simple, straightforward transect method the Three Forests Coalition used in 2008 to convince Utah national forest supervisors and the Forest Service Regional Office that recruitment (reproduction) within aspen stands is lacking and management must change. You won’t look at an aspen stand the same way after this field trip!  Bring a lunch, and we’ll finish by 2 p.m.  RSVP Bob Brister at (801) 466-4055.

 

Pink Cliff and Peregrines

Dixie National Forest July 17-19

The Utah Environmental Congress and HawkWatch International area teaming up for a field trip to the Pink Cliffs area of Dixie National Forest July 17-19.  This is a good raptor viewing area and we'll inspect the proposed Pockets Timber Sale.  The Pink Cliffs are a series of highly dissected cliffs, approximately 35 miles long and located along the southeast edge of the Paunsaugant Plateau in Southern Utah. The cliffs form the upper riser of the Grand Staircase, which descends south to the Grand Canyon.

Explore threats to this area while enjoying some great bird-watching. You can expect to see Peregrine Falcons, Red-tailed Hawks, Golden Eagles, Turkey Vultures, Common Ravens, owls at night, as well as many species of songbirds.

Details are still being worked out but the cost is expected to be $40 per person which includes campsite meals but does not include transportation.  Registration is through the HawkWatch International office at (801) 484-6808 ext. 107, jhajj@hawkwatch.org, (Jennifer Hajj).  Get ready for fantastic bird watching, great campfire cooking, and friendship!