Completion Form

2025

Summit County: Hand cut, pile, and chip, 75-acres of oak, maple and conifer forest on the 910 Ranch. Train volunteers to collect wildlife photos with purchased cameras.

Trout Unlimited: Install jackleg and wildlife friendly fencing in the Big Bear Hollow drainage of East Canyon Creek for grazing management. Plant native vegetation within the fenced area to spur regrowth and encourage healthy riparian area.

Swaner: Tree Planting and Fencing - Trees and shrubs were planted along the banks of East Canyon Creek, an impaired stream, on Swaner Preserve. Woody vegetation is critically needed in the area to increase stream shading, improve habitat and water quality, and reduce erosion. After planting, trees are fenced to prevent herbivory by beavers and large ungulates to give trees time to establish.  Species planted included Narrowleaf Cottonwood (Populus angustifolia), Chokecherry (Prunus virginiana), River birch (Betula occidentalis), Coyote Willow (Salix exigua), Peachleaf Willow (Salix amygdaloides), Yellow Willow (Salix lutea), Red Osier Dogwood (Cornus sericea), Wood's Rose (Rosa woodsii), and Golden Currant (Ribes aureum). Herbicide Treatment - Herbicide treatment was contracted and awarded to HortGroup by Utah DWR for targeted application on the southern boundary of Swaner Preserve, in an area that is historically weedy and disturbed. Species such as musk thistle, Canada thistle, scotch thistle, dyer's woad, hoary cress, and black henbane were treated in both fall 2024 and spring 2025. These species outcompete native plants and can reduce wildlife habitat, deplete soils, and increase erosion. Archaeological Survey - An archaeological survey was conducted on the historic "ice dam" site East Canyon Creek on Swaner Preserve by DNR in order to inform future management. During high flows on East Canyon Creek in spring 2023, the dam broke through and remains impassible by pedestrians and vehicles. According to local stories, the dam was used to harvest ice during winter months pre-refrigeration and predates the current site ownership.

Basin Recreation: Snags were cut and cleared from the Hoof It trail/fire access road in Toll Canyon on August 6th, 2024 by Alpine Forestry. Basin Rec worked with Sageland Collaborative to host a volunteer day and repair approximately 30 BDAs in Toll Creek on August 30th, 2024. Basin Rec repaired the remaining 25 BDAs throughout September. 9.5 acres of conifer forest was thinned in Toll Canyon by Summitt Forests under the direction of Alpine Forestry in September 2024. Piles were subsequently burned in December by Alpine Forestry. The shaded fuel break along the Toll Canyon fire egress road was re-treated by Alpine Forestry in October 2024, and materials were cut, piled and chipped.

Pinebrook: Project 1 - Approximately 53 acres of HOA common space comprised largely of deciduous brush and Gambel oak was successfully cut and piled for future burning.
Project 2 - Piles on approximately 70 acres of HOA common space were successfully burned. One third of the acreage was comprised of mixed conifer while the remaining two thirds was largely Gambel oak.
Project 3 - Approximately 8 acres of HOA common space containing previously burned piles was reseeded along trails with native grasses and forbs, with an intent to reestablish appropriate plants, inhibit invasive species, and improve the post-treatment aesthetic.
Project 4 - Developed, promoted, and implemented the Pinebrook Fire-adapted Landscapes and Safe Homes (FLASH) Program where 38 homeowners applied for grant funds in our reimbursement program performing work on their properties, of which 32 were eligible, and 17 have so far received a reimbursement for a portion of their expenses. This will result in more than 26 parcel acres being worked to manage and eliminate fire fuel.
Project 5 - Purchased and placed four (4) wildlife cameras in aspen groves to monitor the herbivory of ungulates frequenting HOA openspace to gain insight into impacts to aspen regeneration and inform possible future exclosure installation.
Project 6 - Approximately 6 acres in the Summit County open space known as the Roberts Parcel - comprised largely of mixed conifer - was successfully cut and piled.

Summit County: Hand cut, pile, and chip was started on 09/02/24 and was completed on 10/10/24. Firewood was distributed to county employees the week of 10/14/24, but snow and rain made roads impassible.  Firewood collection will continue in summer 2025.  Trained 10 volunteers, purchased 8 camera's, collected data for 2 months and uploaded photo to Wasatch Wildlife Watch program.

Trout Unlimited & Summit County: Trout Unlimited and Summit County partnered to install jackleg and wildlife friendly fencing on the 910 Ranch property to aid in the management of cattle grazing and restoration of riparian and wetland habitat surrounding Big Bear Hollow. Around 3.5 miles of fencing was installed by contractors September and October of 2024, creating a riparian enclosure of approximately 25 acres. Gates and watering areas were installed in cooperation with the livestock manager to ensure viability of grazing in conjunction with stream and habitat restoration projects. In May 2025, Trout Unlimited, Summit County, and a local plant nursery with the help of 11 volunteers planted nearly 4000 willow stakes within the fenced area along Big Bear Hollow. Additionally, potted plants were installed that included but not limited too narrowleaf cottonwood, redoiser dogwood, boxelder, currants, and Wood's rose.

Swaner: Tree Planting: Approximately 40 trees and shrubs were purchased and planted on the banks of East Canyon Creek, an impaired stream, on Swaner Preserve from october 31, 2024 to November 5, 2024. These species will improve stream shading, habitat, and reduce erosion. After planting, trees were fenced to prevent herbivory by beavers and large ungulates to give trees time to establish. The area planted is approximately 0.27 acres in area. 6 volunteers spent 12 hours total planting trees in the first few days of November 2024. As of monitoring in June 2025, 80% of trees had survived. Herbicide Treatment - Herbicide treatment was contracted and awarded to HortGroup by Utah DWR for targeted application on the southern boundary of Swaner Preserve, in an area that is historically weedy and disturbed. Species such as musk thistle, Canada thistle, scotch thistle, dyer's woad, hoary cress, and black henbane were treated in both fall 2024 and spring 2025. Herbicide work was done on the approximately 113 acre area from September 24-October 8, 2024, and May 15, 2025. Historic transect data, collected in this area by Swaner staff for over 10 years, showed a decline of weed species in the study plots post-treatment in fall 2024. All study plots were within area of treatment. 121 volunteers spent 242 hours removing invasive weeds on the Preserve during the grant lifecycle. Archaeological Survey - An archaeological survey was conducted on the historic "ice dam" site East Canyon Creek on Swaner Preserve by DNR. Surveying of the site occurred in summer 2024 and the report was submitted to SHPO in spring 2025. This dam was breached due to high flows in spring 2023 and archaeological analysis was needed to provide context and guidance for any future repairs or guidance. Necessary monitoring, research, and a report was created by Ari Leeflang, cultural Resource Specialist at Utah DWR. While some mentions to a dam were able to be found, no specific links to the site and historic harvesting of ice were connected.

Basin Recreation: Handcrews from Summitt Forests  thinned 9.5 acres of conifer forest in Toll Canyon along the Pinebrook property line in September 2024. This work included stacking downed materials into burn piles, boundary marking, and project management that was overseen by Alpine Forestry. Piles in Toll Canyon were burned by Alpine Forestry in December 2024.  Sageland Collaborative was contracted for Toll Canyon BDA monitoring, maintenance, volunteer set-up, and RSRA surveys. A volunteer day was held with Sageland where approximately 30 BDAs were repaired with 12 volunteers, and several staff from Sageland and Basin Recreation. Basin Rec crew repaired the remaining BDAs the following week. Shaded fuel break retreatment in Toll Canyon was completed along the fire egress road between Summit Park and Pinebrook neighborhoods. Materials were cut, piled, and chipped by Alpine Forestry in October 2024. Dead tree/snags removed from the Hoof It trail/access road by Alpine Forestry 8/6/2024.

Pinebrook: In the Pinebrook HOA area, a comprehensive suite of forest health and wildfire mitigation projects has been implemented across over 130 acres of common and adjacent open space. This work includes cutting, piling, and burning of hazardous vegetation--primarily Gambel oak and mixed conifer--followed by targeted reseeding to support native plant regeneration and aesthetics. Additionally, the community-driven FLASH Program engaged dozens of homeowners in defensible space work, while wildlife cameras were installed to monitor ungulate herbivory in aspen stands, providing valuable data to guide future land management decisions.

Summit County: Piles will be burnt in fall 2025 (FY26), ongoing maintenance will occur as needed every 3-5 years as veg grows back. Continue to collect wildlife photos and upload to Wasatch Wildlife Watch program.

Trout Unlimited & Summit County: Annual maintenance of the fence will occur on an as needed basis in cooperation with Summit County and the livestock manager. Photo point monitoring and stream temperature monitoring will continue into the future. Photo point monitoring and site visits will inform future projects in the area such as more planting events and weed mitigation.

Swaner: Herbicide treatment of invasive weeds will continue each growing season into the future. Invasive weeds remain the largest ongoing land management project undertaken on the Preserve, and the Early Detection Rapid Response (EDRR) method allows detection and treatment of new infestations and monitoring and treatment of older or ongoing populations. Mechanical removal with staff and volunteers, as well as biocontrol treatments, will continue to be implemented over each growing season. The property is protected in perpetuity through multiple conservation easements and invasive and noxious weed control are both legally required and part of an effective land management plan. Trees and woody vegetation, still a need to improve habitat on East Canyon, will be planted on Swaner Preserve property. Cuttings from multiple willow species on the property will be planted each spring and fall as weather and staffing allows, and container plants will be installed each fall as funding allows. Monitoring of exclusionary fencing will need to occur regularly to make sure it is in good condition and to prevent tree damage. The archeological survey completed on the historic ice dam will inform future decision making on the site. Pedestrian access, utility access, and stream health all remain priorities as multiple options are being explored at this time.

Basin Recreation: 2 acres of remaining piles (approximately 40 piles) in Toll Canyon will be burned in the fall/winter of 2025. A professional consultant will be hired to create a forest management plan in Toll Canyon and identify areas for more fuel reduction treatments. The fire access road/Hoof It will be cleared in fall of 2025 to create a fuel break and provide access in case of emergency. Re-treatment of fuel breaks will happen every 3-5 years as needed. BDAs will be maintained and monitored each year.

Pinebrook: The open-space worked as part of this project will require future maintenance/management and the responsible homeowners associations (PMA and PHOA) will oversee these efforts. Plans are being formulated by the homeowner association Fire Safety Committee for additional work of mixed-conifer
treatments along ridgelines and within the WUI, work to address the aspen decline within Pinebrook, treatment of Gambel oak, and work through partnership on neighboring properties.