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Hi John,
We know we've been in your inboxes quite frequently with the news of our merger with the Rural Utah Project and the launch of our new organization, **Stewardship Utah.**
As we introduce Stewardship Utah to our community, we would be remiss if we didn't mention a **key part of our new mission** — one the Rural Utah Project has been working on for years — **protecting our public lands.**
**These wild spaces are near and dear to our hearts. **Most weekends you can find us galavanting across this stunning state — whether it’s skiing in the Wasatch Front, climbing in the desert, hiking and backpacking through alpine meadows, or taking a stroll through our backyards and admiring the beautiful places we call home, we’re always thinking about public lands. **And we can’t wait to bring that passion to our work as Stewardship Utah.**
Prior to our merger, the Rural Utah Project was involved in several coalitions to save some of Utah’s most pristine wild spaces. Most recently they joined with the Nine Mile Canyon Coalition to protect [Nine Mile Canyon’s Gate Canyon]([link removed]) from being paved.
This would’ve destroyed 23 archaeological sites throughout Gate Canyon to widen and pave this rarely-used road — destroying the canyon as we know it. There have been no recent funding proposals for this project so we are tentatively celebrating a win, but are primed to jump back on the defense if anything new comes up.
In March of 2022, the Rural Utah Project helped to successfully stop the Book Cliffs Highway after 30 years of fighting. Similar to the current issues with Nine Mile Canyon, the [Book Cliffs Highway]([link removed]) project would have destroyed 19 known cultural sites within the study corridor, and permanently altered pristine wilderness territory.
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While O₂ Utah has been predominantly busy working on passing air quality policy, we have also been working in the background on some important public lands issues along the Wasatch front — **collaborating with stakeholders and elected officials to stop the Little Cottonwood Canyon gondola and the Parley’s Canyon mine. **
An 8-mile-long eyesore, the [Little Cottonwood Canyon gondola]([link removed]) would cost an estimated $1.4 billion, funded by taxpayers across the state, and have only two stops, solely serving ski tourists. The outcry against the gondola has been overwhelming and consistent, and we agree it would probably not solve traffic issues and, in return, would negatively impact an incredible canyon, including the watershed, while making no difference for air quality.
The [Parley’s Canyon mine ]([link removed])is another environmental disaster. This proposed quarry would produce dust and toxins that would then funnel into the Salt Lake Valley and destroy a massive mountainside.
O₂ Utah has been supporting the organizations leading the charge against these issues, working at the Legislature to help derail them, and elevating the issue with candidates to galvanize them to fight against these bad decisions.
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As we step into this exciting time as Stewardship Utah, we’re eager to continue the great work both organizations have done on public lands.
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As we increase our capacity to tackle issues across Utah, we need your support to see that work through. [**Please consider a donation**]([link removed])** of $25, $50, or $100 so we can continue our work protecting these treasured spaces. **
Support Stewardship Utah ([link removed])
----------Onward,
The New Stewardship Utah Team
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PS - Want to support our efforts year-round? [Consider signing up for monthly giving and multiply your impact over time]([link removed]). Even $10 a month goes a long way toward stabilizing our programs and helping us plan for the future. Thanks for your support!
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