LOGAN – An annual report from Utah State University’s Janet Quinney Lawson Institute aimed at helping inform policymakers and other decision makers understand pressing issues related to land, water and air was released Thursday.
The 2025 report to the Governor and Legislature distills current science and on-the-ground experience on Utah’s most pressing natural resource issues, with two special chapters on energy and Utah’s future.
This year’s report, the fifth of its kind, includes, among other topics, new findings on Utah’s air quality, how state lands are recovering after wildfire, and a spotlight on water conservation efforts through the Great Salt Lake Basin. State legislators, community leaders and academic experts attended the report release to hear key findings and discuss strategies.
Some key takeaways from this year’s report include:
- Animal overpasses are working and are a good investment.
- More than 100 dams in Utah need significant infrastructure upgrades
- Wildfire smoke is chemically different from other types of pollution and may need additional consideration.
- A large portion of Utah’s land could be considered lower conflict for critical mineral operations in Utah.
The full 2025 report is published online and available to the public at ilwa.usu.edu.