Park City, and the mountains and meadows of the Wasatch Back, are home to a variety of flora and fauna that are both unique to the Rocky Mountains and beautiful. With miles of trails and thousands of acres of open space, we can explore, experience, and enjoy these plants and creatures in their natural habitat. Wildflowers, trees, grasses, fungus, deer, elk, moose, mountain lions, bears, coyotes, bobcats, and eagles all lived here long before us. We must treat them with respect while recreating outdoors… or when they show up to our backyard BBQ.

Wildlife is wild. At the trailhead, always check the posted signs and warnings. Unusual wildlife activity is often noted with instructions or information about what to do and where the animal was last seen. As more recreationists hit our world-class trails, animals are experiencing an increased number of encounters and human (and dog) induced stressors. If you happen to come upon an animal, always keep your distance and give it a clear escape route (especially if offspring are present). Never crowd a wild animal; doing so could make the animal feel threatened, stressed, and become unpredictable. Always carry a leash, and when crossing paths with wildlife, be sure to keep your dog(s) close by and under control. If it’s impossible to go around and provide a wide berth, it may be time to head home and hike/bike another day.

As blooms, ‘shrooms, hops, and berries begin to pop up, we encourage people to always stay on marked trails to minimize impact. When foraging, abide by the principles of the Honorable Harvest, a practice discussed in Robin Wall Kimmerer’s book, Braiding Sweetgrass:

Ask permission of the ones whose lives you seek. Abide by the answer.
Never take the first. Never take the last.
Harvest in a way that minimizes harm.
Take only what you need and leave some for others.
Use everything that you take.
Take only that which is given to you.
Share it, as the Earth has shared with you.
Be grateful.
Reciprocate the gift.
Sustain the ones who sustain you, and the Earth will last forever.

As responsible neighbors, stewards, and kin of plants and animals, we can peacefully coexist with nature and the beings that call the Wasatch Back home. If you’d like to learn more about our connection to the natural world, join Summit Land Conservancy this summer as we hunt for hops and “bathe” in open space. Visit wesaveland.org/happenings to learn more.

By Caitlin Willard, Summit Land Conservancy