Utah Open Lands

Never put off till tomorrow, what you can save TODAY.

What we save today makes a difference tomorrow. In the last year, we have protected over 3,200 acres on the Wasatch Back alone. You made this possible. The 40 acres we preserved along the Weber River in Summit County and the 55 miles of trails now made possible by our landscape-scale save in Wasatch County happened because YOU helped Utah Open Lands build a foundation of Open Space. Never doubt that the donations you make to open space today are a tremendous source of hope for tomorrow. 

Utah Open Lands (UOL) works throughout Utah protecting and stewarding the lands we all love. Our mission is to acquire, protect, and steward open spaces to maintain Utah’s natural heritage, unparalleled quality of life, environmental well-being, and unique scenic beauty for this generation and the generations to come. As the largest and only local statewide operating land trust in Utah, Utah Open Lands is a revered and respected champion of open space protection. Since our inception in 1990, we have pioneered land protection in all corners of the state by utilizing the conservation easement, a binding legal agreement used by land trusts, to forever protect the conservation values of a property and to restrict development in perpetuity. Over 30 years of ongoing preservation work has borne witness to the protection of more than 64,000 acres of land and is the result of Utah Open Lands’ consistent, dedicated leadership and commitment to building connections with private landowners, government agencies, and local communities.

Wasatch County Initiatives - Past and Present

The Northfields Protection Initiative - Underway

Photo: Johnny Adolphson

While Utah Open Lands collaborates with landowners in the Northfields, three key properties—Giles, Gertsch, and Christian-Michel—mark the first phase of the Northfields Protection Initiative. These landowners are choosing preservation over profit, pledging at least 25% of their land’s value, totaling millions, to protect their community’s character. Valued at nearly $23 million, UOL has secured over $15 million in county, state, and federal funds. Now, only $975,000 remains—less than 5% of the total. We need your help to see the Northfields Protection Initiative through to the end.

The Albert Kohler Legacy Farm

The Albert Kohler Legacy Farm is more than just one of the last remaining dairy operations in Midway—it’s a cornerstone of Heber Valley tourism. This farm serves as a gateway to the beauty of Wasatch Mountain State Park and is a rare source of locally produced food.

Now in its fourth generation of family ownership, the Kohler Dairy has become a Heber Valley icon. Among the highlights of this 102-acre property is the Heber Valley Artisan Cheese Shop, a destination renowned throughout Utah. 

Bonanza Flat Conservation Area

In 2017, development threatened Bonanza Flat. Park City Municipal, Utah Open Lands, and the community banded together to work to preserve this beautiful 1,500-acre natural space. This open space is home to miles of trails, such as the award-winning Bloods Lake Trail, quaking aspen groves, wildlife habitats, and wildflowers.

Red Ledges Nature Preserve

The Red Ledges Nature Preserve offers a scenic retreat along the East Creek Lake Road corridor in Heber City. This property consists of natural open space and wildlife habitat, providing public access to recreational activities like hiking, horseback riding, and biking. The trails also connect to local trail networks, extending recreational opportunities. By protecting this land, hundreds of acres of open space in Heber Valley are preserved. The Red Ledges Nature Preserve is visible from multiple viewpoints, including public trails in the Wasatch Mountain area, and serves as a refuge for several sensitive species and other wildlife.

Forty-Fifth Star Preserve

Forty-Fifth Star Conservation Preserve provides significant regional trail and recreation connections, protecting this important conservation value as well as, preserving important wildlife habitat and ecosystems. The landowners are passionate about conserving the donated land for future generations. The donation dramatically increases open space reserves within the Wasatch Back. The Forty-Fifth Star Conservation Preserve lies at the critical intersection of two counties and several open land reserves making its protection valuable and even essential for public regional recreational trail system connections and habitat connectivity.

Blue Sage Ranch

The Blue Sage Ranch Conservation Area offers breathtaking panoramic views of world-class mountain landscapes. The property itself showcases classic examples of Gambel Oak, Mountain Sagebrush, Mountain Shrub, and Riparian habitats, which support a rich diversity of wildlife and native plants. Beyond its scenic beauty and wildlife value, the property provides public access through trails designed for hiking, snowshoeing, mountain biking, wildlife viewing, and horseback riding.