April 30, 2003 Feature Story
Utah
Botanical Center Still Growing
Arbor Day was cause for celebration at the Utah Botanical Center
(UBC) as guests representing the Davis County Commission, Kaysville
City, Utah State University and an energetic group of children
from Columbia Elementary School gathered to plant trees and
dedicate the center's new pavilion.
A series of dry-stack stone walls and timber shade structures
frame views of Antelope Island to the west and mountains to
the east at the new pavilion. Interpretive signs about the UBC
ponds, Great Salt Lake ecosystem, trail system and other Davis
County attractions will be added soon. Work continues on one
of the center's most important features, three ponds that are
visible from I-15. Two of the ponds have been cleaned out, reshaped,
and will be landscaped and refilled this spring. The third and
largest pond will be dredged this spring and reshaped to improve
the fish and waterfowl habitat.
Bob Morgan, executive director of the Utah Department of Natural
Resources, told the group the preserved green space, nature
trails and improved urban fishery at the UBC will become "Meccas
for our wildlife, our children and our grandchildren. We need
these islands of refuge from development as our state's population
grows."
Morgan said the UBC's mission of researching and teaching water
conservation is becoming more important.
 "A
few years ago, when our state had just one million people, we
didn't worry too much about water – except to worry when
it was our irrigation turn and if someone upstream was using
our water," Morgan said. "Now we're working on our
third million residents and they all want gardens, lawns and
to be able to flush toilets and take a shower. We have to act
now."
Davis County Commissioner Carol Page applauded the Utah Agricultural
Experiment Station for having the foresight to acquire the property,
which is now bounded by freeway on one side and housing developments
on the remaining three. Page pointed out that in times of limited
resources, partnerships like the ones shaping the UBC are becoming
increasingly important, combining support from federal, state
and local government, the university and private industry.
Kaysville Mayor Brian Cook added that he is excited about the
future of the UBC, glad to know the area will remain a green
and growing place, and "grateful to Utah State for making
this happen."
Contact/Writer: Lynnette Harris (435) 797-2189, lynnette@agx.usu.edu
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