Institute for Land, Water & Air Hosting Event to Kick Off Bear Lake Research Program

The Janet Quinney Lawson Institute for Land, Water and Air, in collaboration with the Utah Division of Forestry, Fire and State Lands, is sponsoring the Bear Lake Needs Assessment project. This interdisciplinary research effort will help inform and impact future management actions on Bear Lake and surrounding areas.

A kickoff event for the project will be from 3-4 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 26, at the David B. Haight Center on the Utah State University Logan campus, with open discussion afterward. The event is open to the public.

“We are thrilled to officially kick off the Bear Lake Research Program at Thursday’s event,” said Brian Steed, executive director of the Janet Quinney Lawson Institute for Land, Water and Air. “Bear Lake is near and dear to the hearts of many Aggies, and we’re appreciative for the funding and collaborative support we’ve received to dig into the needs of the lake.”

A panel of government, industry and nonprofit stakeholders will also participate in the presentation to discuss some of the critical issues facing Utah’s fourth-largest waterbody.

Nearly $150,000 in research grants will be awarded to support the needs assessment. The recipients of those grants will be announced during the presentation.

“We received a number of highly-competitive grant applications, and the recipients we’ll announce Thursday represent some of the best research minds Utah State has to offer,” said Anna McEntire, managing director of the Janet Quinney Lawson Institute for Land, Water, and Air. “The success of any research program is dependent on the people involved. We’re excited to have an interdisciplinary collection of top-notch researchers exploring Bear Lake through this program.”

The research program will support innovative projects that investigate various aspects of Bear Lake's ecosystem, management and impacts. Researchers from all disciplines were encouraged to submit proposals.

Bear Lake is unique in the region as one of just three large natural lakes in Utah. Of those three, it has by far the highest recreational appeal. As such, the Bear Lake area has seen a 300% increase in use and visitation over the past 10 years. Additionally, its span across state lines and its dual use as a reservoir creates additional challenges for the lake.

The Bear Lake Needs Assessment project comprises three main components: a comprehensive report, an interdisciplinary research program, and an outreach component. The project is designed to build strong internal and external relationships and create a community of experts who understand the integrated relationships between Bear Lake’s natural ecology and human uses.

To help the event planners, those interested in attending the kickoff event should RSVP.