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Wasatch Mountain Institute

BY HILARY LAMBERT

OVER THE COURSE OF THE PAST YEAR, substantial work by Wasatch Mountain Institute (WMI), in partnership with Jordanelle State Park, has been completed at Rock Cliff Recreation Area. The goals of this project have been aimed at increasing public access, enhancing trailhead services, restoring the accessible boardwalks, providing restrooms, opening the north campground, and reopening the long-dormant nature center. Jordanelle State Park Manager, Jason Whittaker, commended WMI for its determination to support the state park in revitalizing the site saying, “The Rock Cliff area offers a special natural, outdoor classroom that will enable the creation of enriching, innovative, and engaging opportunities for visiting students and teachers as well as the general public. I am grateful for all of you and the dream you are pursuing.” Through generous grants from the Governor’s Office of Outdoor Recreation and the federal Recreational Trails Program, WMI completed substantial renovations to expand visitor access to the area. Through a Rocky Mountain Power Blue Sky grant and a gift from Enyo Energy, WMI has completed the installation of a 32.68kW solar array on the roof of the nature center…among the first major solar projects in a Utah state park. As a resource for the public and a program site for WMI, Rock Cliff is a refuge and a place for authentic discovery of the many features that make the Wasatch a unique and bountiful place to call home.

Wasatch Mountain Institute is a Utah 501(c)3 nonprofit organization dedicated to connecting children, families, and communities to the wonder, recreation, and education opportunities of the Wasatch Mountains. WMI was founded in support of Utah’s Every Kid Outdoors Initiative (EKO). Visitors to Rock Cliff can achieve many of the goals of EKO, including observing migrating birds and the seasonal Kokanee salmon while walking the restored accessible boardwalk

trail to the banks of the Provo River. Visitors can also hike the 0.75-mile Three Rocks Trail to gain a sweeping view of the Wasatch Back and Jordanelle Reservoir, launch boats onto the clear water, or walk on the ice to fish in the winter, camp and stargaze, learn about local ecology and sustainable solar power in the nature center, mountain bike the 10-mile perimeter trail to Ross Creek, and more!

Wasatch Mountain Institute is creating a powerful network of outdoor learning centers with wide reaching programs including family learning activities, teacher workshops, retreats, and immersive, overnight school programming that enhances the connection of Utah residents to the value of these iconic mountains. This vision is inspired by the model of Teton Science Schools in Jackson Hole, Wyoming, where WMI founders Jack Shea and Wayne Turner served as Executive Director and Chief Fundraising Officer respectively. WMI is all about bringing powerful place-based education and recreation-focused experiences to the more than 600,000 PreK-12th grade students living along the Wasatch front and back. Living within view of these ever-present mountains, many Utah residents – particularly kids – spend little to no time in them. WMI’s professionally-led programs guide participants into the natural world in fun, enriching, engaging, and safe ways, and are designed to serve a diverse range of individuals. WMI uses recreational experiences as the vehicle to educate participants as they deepen regional learning in geology, ecology, scientific research, human history, sustainable economic development, and the importance of Utah’s unique landscape.

Over the next year, Rock Cliff Recreation Area will be the beneficiary of significant state funding made possible by the Utah Legislature. With this funding, substantial outdoor recreation facilities will be created and opened to the public.

WasatchMountainInstitute.org

Hilary believes in the power of outdoor recreation to inspire learning and the power of nature to inspire our souls. She is enthusiastic about connecting children of all ages and their families to nature through hands-on, place-based outdoor and environmental education opportunities. Hilary is the Program Faculty for Wasatch Mountain Institute. She loves adventuring with her family- her husband Patrick, James (4), Hanna (2), and Scout (the dog). She has a BA in Geography from The University of Mary Washington and an M.Ed. In Curriculum and Instruction from Weber State University.