Welcome to the 2010 Annual Meeting Website

FIELD TRIPS

◊ Kennecott South Shore of the Great Salt Lak
◊ Provo River Restoration and Swaner Nature Preserve
◊ UDOT Mitigation Banks
◊ Wetland Plant ID
◊ Jordan River Canoe Trip
◊ Bear River Migratory Refuge
◊ Antelope Island
◊ Big or Little Cottonwood Canyon
◊ Trip to Park City

Here is the tentative field trips list. We go from the Peaks of the Wasatch Front mountains to the Playas of Great Salt Lake, with riparian wetlands inbetween.

All field trips will take place on Wednesday.

Kennecott South Shore of the Great Salt Lak
Cost: $25 Early - $35 after 4/13
When: 8:30 AM - 12:30 PM
Leader: Ann Neville and Ella Sorensen
The Kennecott Inland Sea Shorebird Reserve is the Rio Tinto Kennecott Utah Copper mitigation and bank property. The Gillmor Sanctuary and Lee Creek is owned and managed by National Audubon, neither which are open to the general public. In 1995 a mitigation review team determined MIGRATORY BIRD HABITAT was to be mitigated for impacts to wetlands near Great Salt Lake. Because of the design and success of the 2,500 acre site, a 1,600 acre adjacent wetland bank was developed. Success is mainly due to a feasibility study completed and property acquired by National Audubon and others. Come visit the sites to discuss mitigation, banking, long-term land management strategies for mitigated and non-mitigated sites, Great Salt Lake ecology, preservation synergies, Arid West Wetlands, shorebirds, and more. This trip may involve walking through playas, wet meadows and emergent marshes. Wear your mud shoes and bring binoculars, sunscreen, insect protection, and water.
http://gillmorsanctuary.audubon.org/history.html
http://kennecott.com/environmental-stewardship/issr/
http://www.audubon.org/local/sanctuary/leecreek/docs/finalbro.pdf

Provo River Restoration and Swaner Nature Preserve
Cost: $35 Early - $45 after 4/13
When: 8AM - 5:00 PM
Leaders: John Rice, Nell Larson, Karri A. Smith
In 1999, the Utah Reclamation Mitigation and Conservation Commission began the Provo River Restoration Project to create a more naturally functioning riverine ecosystem between Jordanelle Dam and Deer Creek Reservoir. The project represents a major undertaking in river restoration and because of its emphasis on the restoration of natural stream function, can serve as a model for other projects in the intermountain and western states. Although fishery benefits are anticipated to be high, they are just the beginning of the story: amphibians, neo-tropical migratory birds, and other attendant wildlife are also expected to respond to the improved habitat conditions of a functional and diverse riverine ecosystem with diverse riparian vegetation. Restoration goals include: reestablishment of natural stream function through reconnection of the river to its former floodplain; and reconstruction of a river channel that is free to migrate within the restored corridor. This field trip will explore the vegetation, hydrology, and history of the Provo River. Throughout the trip we hope to discuss the important considerations for planning and implementing restoration projects and the management challenges facing the Provo River Restoration Project.

Following the morning trip to the Provo River the group will have lunch at the 1,200 acre Swaner Preserve near beautiful Park City, Utah. At the Preserve we will walk along a trail adjacent to the Redstone wetland bio-retention and stream mitigation area, viewing created and restored wildlife habitat and discussing project success 8 years post- construction. The field trip will then tour the Swaner Preserve while learning about the wetland restoration and riparian enhancement projects that have taken place, as well as visit the current reintroduction site of the Columbia Spotted Frog. The day will end with a tour of the state-of-art Swaner EcoCenter, Utah's "greenest building," which recently received a LEED Platinum award, and is constructed adjacent to the Preserve. Entrance to the EcoCenter will be free to all field trip participants.
http://www.mitigationcommission.gov/index.html

UDOT Mitigation Banks
Cost: $25 Early - $35 after 4/13
When: 8:15 AM - 12:15 PM
Leader: Lars Anderson
The Utah Department of Transportation has embarked on the journey of creating wetland mitigation banks. Beginning several years ago, the Galena bank was completed in 2005 and the Northern Utah County Mitigation Bank (NUCMB) was completed in 2009 and has started into the monitoring period. This field trip will describe the selection process in determining a bank site, the pitfalls of working through the mitigation guidance, and the lessons learned. We will also describe the Interagency Review Team (IRT). The initial presentation will be followed with an on-site review of the two mitigation banks, the Galena Wetlands in Draper, Utah and the NUCMB in Lindon, Utah.
http://www.pecid.com/AnnouncementRetrieve.aspx?ID=27068

Wetland Plant ID
Cost: $25 Early - $35 after 4/13
When: 8:00 AM - Noon
Leaders: Ron Kass
The Great Salt Lake is the largest natural lake west of the Mississippi River. The ever fluctuating lake has frustrated attempts to develop its shoreline and as a result much of the lake is ringed by extensive wetlands ranging from playas, saline wet meadow and salt marshes. Within the canyons of Salt Lake City, one can visit montane wetlands and riparian forest communities. The 2010 field trip will visit the Legacy Wetland Preserve, which occurs on the lacustrine fringe of the Great Salt Lake. The field trip will focus on identifying wetland species that occur with the Great Salt Lake ecosystem. Bring your wetland boots and your hand lenses. We will try to cover as many habitats as possible within the half day. Dr. Ronald J. Kass, botanist/ecologist will lead the field trip.

Jordan River Canoe Trip
Cost: $60 Early - $70 after 4/13
When: 1:00 PM -5:00 PM
Leader: Adrian Bogart
Come explore the Jordan River by canoe and kayak as it winds through both natural and urban areas between 6200 South and the 4800 South/700 West intersection. On this water journey you will learn about healthy river restoration practices, see examples of both good and bad growth management, and learn about the natural ecology of a water course. Expect about a 2 hour float followed by a walk through a 20 acre nature preserve where you will learn about wildlife habitat, storm water quality, and invasive plants.
http://www.mitigationcommission.gov/wetlands/wetlands_jordan.html

Bear River Migratory Refuge
Cost: $25 Early - $35 after 4/13
When: 8:00 AM - Noon
Leader: TBA
Come enjoy a morning at the James V. Hansen Wildlife Education Center which offers interactive exhibits, a wetland diorama and other displays featuring information on birds and wetlands of the Great Salt Lake ecosystem. Also stroll along a 1/2 mile accessible walking trail that meanders through emergent marsh and wet meadows wetland habitat just outside the center. Following this a guide will take you and the kids for a 12 mile loop via car to explore the various sites within the refuge.
http://www.fws.gov/bearriver/

Antelope Island
Cost: $35 Early - $45 after 4/13
When: 10:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Leader: TBA or self guided
Antelope Island is a 75 square mile island of low mountains, grasslands, marshes, and sand dunes in the Great Salt Lake. It provides the best access to the lake. Though Antelope Island is relatively close to the dense population center of the Wasatch Front cities, it exhibits a real sense of remoteness and isolation. It has white sandy beaches, a marina, covered picnic pavilions, and a campground. There is a very good network of trails for hiking, biking and horseback riding. A herd of bison roam the island, and, of course, antelope too. Best of all are the great views out over the lake and most days end with a spectacular sunset!
http://www.utah.com/stateparks/antelope_island.htm

Big Cottonwood Canyon
Cost: $35 Early - $45 after 4/13
When: 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Leader: TBA or self guided
Come enjoy the alpine country of Utah by hiking into mountain lakes, riding the Snowbird tram, or just taking in the wildflowers and beautiful scenery. For those looking for a longer hike, Catherine Pass connects Little Cottonwood and Big Cottonwood Canyon. Other options include a hike around Silver Lake's boardwalk (perfect for kids) with interpretive signage and a good chance of seeing a moose!
http://www.utahoutdooractivities.com/bighikingtrails.html
http://www.utah.com/byways/little_cottonwood.htm

Trip to Park City
Cost: $20 Early - $25 after 4/13
When: 8:30 am - 5:30 pm
Leader: TBA or self guided
The bus will take you up to Park City and drive by scenic areas like the Olympic Park, The Canyons Ski Resort, and Park City Ski Resort, point out areas of interest and then drop you off in Park City's Historic Main Street. From this location it is a short walk to restaurants, shopping, to a museum where you can enjoy a place rich in Park City History, as well as the free trolley that will take you up and down Main Street. A few blocks away is Park City Mountain Resort where you can choose what activities interest you most such as the zipline, alpine slide, lift ride up the mountain, mountain biking, shopping, walking enjoying the scenery, shopping in Old Town or take the free local bus service over to the Outlet Malls. Be sure to bring your camera and take lots of pictures. Here is the link to Park City which will give your more information about all there is to see and do, give you the latest updates on new attractions and ticket prices and help you plan the day's adventures, http://www.parkcity.com . You will have from about 10:00 am when the venues open to 4:00 pm when we start loading the bus for the trip back down to the Hilton Hotel in Salt Lake City.

Society of Wetland Scientists

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