There is a critical need for surveying and evaluation of rare plant populations in the Central Wasatch. With intense usership of trails, rock climbing areas, ski areas, and beyond by 3 million recreators annually, the Tri-canyons are on the cusp of major trail and infrastructure development. It is critical that these plans are informed by the location and current status of rare plant populations. See Images/ Documents for a list of rare plant species that will be monitored in this project.

1. To better understand the current distribution, status, and threats to rare plant populations in the Central Wasatch by completing a survey of historic populations as well as surveying all trails for new populations. All populations found in FY2025 will be mapped using Esri Field Maps, with data on number of reproductive individuals, habitat, phenology, and threats. 2. To build a fence to exclude recreators from a population of Clustered Lady Slipper (Cypripedium fasciculatum) which is currently under threat of trampling from user-created trails. This fence will protect the orchid while an official Forest Service trail is built, and remain in place after the trail is complete.

The Central Wasatch is incredibly biodiverse, while also supporting 3 million recreational visits annually. In the midst of climate change, encroachment of invasive species, development of ski resorts, and intense recreational use, many species are under threat. As plans to accommodate the growing recreation demand are underway (Tri-Canyons Trail Plan, the Millcreek Flap, ski resort mountain biking trails, etc) understanding where rare plants occur is critical to protect them. Many of these rare plant populations have not been re-surveyed since before GPS was developed, so exact locations are not known. There has not been a systematic effort to inventory these rare species in this area. In order for land managers and developers to protect rare plants, knowing where they are is a key first step. It is often much more successful and cost effective to preserve existing rare plant populations than to try to establish new populations through restoration. The Gloria Falls trail project is currently still in the planning stages. Meanwhile, a spiderweb of user created trails tramples through a population of Clustered Lady Slipper (Cypripedium fasciculatum). The Forest Service is planning the trail to avoid this rare orchid population, but protection efforts need to be made in the meantime. This funding will support the construction of a fence to keep recreators out of the orchid population.

Data and mapping of rare plant species in the Central Wasatch will help inform the development of new trails, roads, infrastructure, and help land managers, such as the Forest Service and Cottonwood Canyons Foundation prioritize treatment of noxious weeds near rare plants.

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This work will be completed on National Forest land, in close partnership with the Salt Lake Ranger District of the Uinta-Wasatch-Cache National Forest, in compliance with all rules and regulations. A NEPA has been completed for the Gloria Falls trail project (the botany section filled out by the CCF Plant Stewardship Director). This fencing project is in alignment with the NEPA requirements to protect the Clustered Lady Slipper Orchid.

The CCF Plant Stewardship Crew will survey all official trails and many unofficial trails within the Tri-Canyons, as well as going off trail to locate historic rare plant populations. These surveys will take place between July 2024 and June 2025. The Plants Crew will thoroughly investigate all appropriate habitats (for example, if the species tends to grow in rock outcrops, all rock outcrops will be investigated) within a half mile radius of the historic point. Data and photos will be collected using Field Maps. The Plant Stewardship Crew will purchase and carry all supplies for the fence into the work site (~1.5 miles). At least one representative from the Forest Service will be present to confirm placement of the fence. The Plants Crew will install the fence.

Rare plant populations will be relocated or recorded for the first time and data will be collected on all populations using Esri Field Maps during FY2025. These populations should be monitored every flowering season to determine trends in number of individuals and reproduction. After the Gloria Falls fencing is installed, monitoring of recreational user created trails will take place to make sure that the fence serves its intended purpose.

Salt Lake Ranger District, Uinta-Wasatch-Cache National Forest: partner for the Gloria Falls trail project, contacted to receive map of proposed trail and get approval for the fencing. Utah Rare Plant Conservation Program: partner for the survey of rare plants across the Tri-canyons, providing mapping software and data forms, providing historic data.

These rare plant data are critical for future management and conservation of these sensitive and threatened species. Many construction and new trail projects are in the process of being approved, many of which will require NEPA surveys. These initial rare plant surveys will inform the forest service and partners about where special attention needs to be paid to sensitive species. Corydalis caseana ssp. brachycarpa, Draba globosa and brachystylis, Cypripedium fasciculatum, Dodecatheon dentatum var utahense, Erigeron garrettii, Jamesia americana var. macrocalyx, Lepidium montanum var alpinum, and the Lesquerella (physaria) garrettii are all currently on the USFS sensitive list and could become listed under the Endangered Species Act if they aren't carefully managed.

This project will be completed on foot, which will have a very low environmental impact. Proposed action has the potential to increase sustainable development of trails that do not impact rare plant species.