Landowner And Conservation Groups Protect Nearly 5,000 Acres Of Elk Habitat In Utah

March 11, 2021

Nearly 5,000 acres of prime elk habitat in northcentral Utah is now forever protected thanks to a conservation-minded landowner, the USDA Forest Service, Utah Division of Forestry, Fire and State Lands (FFSL), and the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation.

Photo credit: Louis Arevalo

"This action by the Simonsen family to place a conservation easement on their land to protect its wildlife values speaks volumes to their understanding of and dedication to elk and other wildlife," said Kyle Weaver, RMEF president and CEO. "We appreciate and salute them as well as our partners at FFSL who will manage the easement."

The property, divided up into two separate nearby tracts, is roughly 40 miles east of Spanish Fork in the Wasatch Mountain Range. Bordered on three sides by the Uinta-Wasatch-Cache National Forest, it provides spring, summer and winter range for elk and is also a crucial calving area. Additionally, it is an important migration corridor for elk and mule deer alike.

While the acreage features four different types of forest stands including aspen, it also consists of several miles of the Left Fork and Middle Fork of the White River plus miles of perennial and intermittent streams, meadows and riparian areas with ponds benefiting many bird, animal and fish species.

"We appreciate the Simonsen family, FFSL, and RMEF for their support and commitment to private forest resources in the state of Utah. The conservation easement provides important habitat for a variety of fish and wildlife species," said Janet Valle, USDA Forest Service, Forest Legacy and Forest Stewardship Program manager. "We are thrilled that the USDA Forest Service, Forest Legacy Program could help with this conservation effort."

Founded more than 36 years ago, RMEF has conserved more than 8.1 million acres for elk and other wildlife.