The panel in this session will present different perspectives on the challenges of developing science-based policies in an area with diverse, interspersed land ownership and multiple uses/users. They will describe how ecology and other types of scientific information have played a role in managing land, development, and transportation in the Wasatch Mountains. Decisions are also made at multiple jurisdictional levels (individual landowners, towns, state) that would ideally be coordinated to achieve common goals. One attempt to do this is the Mountain Accord. Panelists will weigh in about whether this collaborative agreement is benefiting human and ecological communities, 5 years since its signing. 

Note: This special session hosted by the Policy Section is linked to a Sunday field trip to several locations in Little Cottonwood Canyon in the Wasatch Mountains to provide first-hand experience with places and issues discussed by panelists.