BSA Family Land Trust

This project is a 2,970-acre property bordering Zion National Park on the east and south. The property spans eleven contiguous parcels of mountainous terrain with elevations between 7,700 to 9,000 feet. Over 60% of the land is forested with species that include Aspen, Ponderosa Pine and Blue Spruce. Th land features 27 seeps and springs with pond systems for water collection, important to support riparian habitat. Critical habitat includes the threatened Mexican Spotted Owl and the Southwestern Willow Flycatcher as well as large game (elk, mule deer), black bears and band-tailed pigeon. Migration corridors for mule deer exist on the eastern side of the property.

This property also hosts the endangered California Condor. The property is leased for sustainable management through the grazing of 80 head of beef cattle that forage on abundant grasses, forbs, and native shrubs. The landowners regularly thin trees for vegetation resiliency and grassland management. This is an important property for environmental resiliency, wildlife habitat and scenic enjoyment to a public that recreates a Zion National Park. Development pressure is intense in Washington County in the urban communities of Hurricane, St. George and other small local municipalities.

Over 95% of this property is considered “Best Quality” Intact Habitat Core or “Minimally Disturbed National Areas” according to ESRI’s Quality Index, which is created from combination of federal, state and peer-reviewed sources. This 2,970 acres of expansive open space creates a palette of beautiful colors with seasonal changes taking on burnt oranges, yellows and red hues in the fall.

This property is located within the Virgin River Watershed and its seeps and springs contribute to groundwater recharge – important as a potable water source for ever-growing Washington County. High elevation forested and rocky landscapes throughout this property preserves scenic viewsheds bordering Zion National Park. This beautiful connectivity maintains scenic integrity for park visitors and locals alike.

This is a multi-generational agricultural property with a 75+ year history of sheep and other livestock grazing – common vocations in early 20th century Utah where agriculture predominated. Maintaining this land as agricultural open space continues this important legacy while supporting the environment.

Much of the land in this area was home to several Native American tribes including the Ancestral Puebloans and, later, the Southern Paiute. The landowners have found many Native American artifacts on this property, primarily arrowheads.

Dusky grouse, a type of blue grouse, is found throughout Utah including Washington County and the Kolob Mountains. The BSA Family-Kolob Bauer property is located in the Greater Sage Grouse Protected Area per USDA/NRCS Working Lands for Wildlife 2022.

This property borders over 12 miles of Zion National Park to the west and the south. Zion National Park is the second most visited national park in in the United States with 5 million-plus visitors each year. With undisturbed views of Zion National Park and having a diverse landscape, this property is among the top tier of natural landscapes.

Without conservation, this property faces threats from development. Sustainable rangeland is vital to maintaining soil health, preventing erosion, supporting native grasses and enabling cattle grazing that supports the local economy.

Future development threatens the old-growth forests in the western and southern parts of this property. Also, periodic thinning of the mixed forests offers ecological succession. This property’s habitat supports a diverse array of plant and animal species vital to the ecosystem’s health and stability.

UALT has applied for funding to NRCS, UDAF’s LeRay McAllister Working Farms Grant Program and the Utah Forest Legacy Grant Program. Funding will be used to pay these owners for placing a conservation easement on beautiful, expansive property in Washington County. This would be a perpetual conservation easement on privately-owned agricultural land.