County Lands News - June 2026

Updates on the 910 and Ure Ranch, Drought and Fire Danger Intensify, and more!

Author

Ammon Teare
June 24, 2026 • Estimated Reading Time: 6 minutes

Inside this email:

Director’s Message

As we commemorate 250 years of the American experiment this July, I can’t help but celebrate one of our nation’s greatest achievements: the foresight to conserve and protect the landscapes that define us as Americans.

Generations of leaders — from presidents and legislators to local stewards and citizens — recognized that America’s natural heritage was more than a resource to be used; it was a legacy to be safeguarded. Their vision led to the creation of the United States Forest Service, the establishment of national parks, monuments, wildlife refuges, and public lands, and to the protection of millions of acres of forests, deserts, grasslands, mountains, rivers, and wetlands from sea to shining sea.

These leaders understood a simple but profound truth: some places are so extraordinary that they belong not to one generation but to all generations. Today, every American benefits from this enduring commitment. Our public lands provide clean water, healthy forests, outdoor recreation, economic opportunity, and a connection to the landscapes that tell the story of our nation. They remind me that conservation is not merely about protecting the past — it is about investing in the future.

As we honor 250 years of American history, I extend my gratitude to the visionary leaders who looked beyond their own time and chose stewardship over short-term gain. Their legacy lives on in every trail explored, every forest restored, and every child who experiences the beauty of the natural world for the first time.

The responsibility now rests with us to continue that tradition of stewardship, ensuring that America’s most treasured places remain protected and accessible for the next 250 years and beyond.

Jess Kirby
Director, Summit County Lands and Natural Resources

Upcoming Events

6/25 — Thriving Land Thursdays: Weed Wrangling on the 910 Ranch

Join us for a hands-on day of stewardship and community connection! We'll work together to restore the riparian corridor by removing noxious and invasive weeds that crowd out native species and degrade wildlife habitat.

More details at the RSVP link below.

  • Date: Thursday, June 25, 2026

  • Time: 8:00 – 11:00 AM

  • Location: 910 Ranch (10063 North East Canyon Road, Park City)

6/25 — Wildflower Walk on the 910 Ranch

See the incredible biodiversity and scenery of the 910 Ranch in a guided hike led by our staff and volunteers. This event involves a walk of approximately 2-3 miles. Please dress appropriately for the conditions — wear sturdy footwear, sun-protective clothing, hats, and sunscreen. Don’t forget to bring water!

THIS EVENT IS FULL, BUT YOU CAN JOIN THE WAITLIST AND WE’LL CONTACT YOU IF A SPOT BECOMES AVAILABLE.

  • Date: Thursday, June 25, 2026

  • Time: 5:00 – 7:00 PM

  • Location: 910 Ranch (10063 North East Canyon Road, Park City)

6/27 — Garlic Mustard Games

Help us support Summit Cooperative Weed Management Area in their annual competition to remove the most noxious weeds. Garlic mustard is a state-listed noxious weed known to outcompete native vegetation, degrade soil quality, harm native pollinators, increase wildfire risk, and diminish overall forest resiliency.

While most of Utah is unaffected by this species, Summit County is battling widespread invasion. Join us and other volunteers this weekend at the Armstrong Trail to collect as much garlic mustard as we can and make a real difference for local plants.

  • Date: Saturday, June 27, 2026

  • Time: 9:00 – 11:30 AM

  • Location: Armstrong Trail (PCMR Parking Lot off Lowell Ave, Park City)

7/15 — East Canyon Watershed Committee Service Day

The East Canyon Creek Watershed Committee is a group committed to protecting and enhancing the water quality in watershed areas across much of Summit County and parts of Morgan County.

If you’re interested in helping with cleanup and restoration work or joining quarterly committee meetings, contact Emily Bishop-Valles at [email protected].

  • Date: Wednesday, July 15, 2026

  • Time: 8:30 – 10:30 AM

  • Location: 910 Ranch (10063 North East Canyon Road, Park City)

910 Ranch Update

The Lands & Natural Resources Department brought the 910 Ranch Recreation Management Plan to county council on May 20, and a public hearing was held on June 24 at 5:30 PM at the Richins Building and virtually via Zoom. A recording of the public hearing will be available here within the next couple of days.

The Jeremy Ranch Stone Cabin was submitted to the Keeper of the National Register of Historic Places for final approval on May 21, 2026. Summit County hopes to preserve and restore this building as a cornerstone of county agricultural heritage and Utah history.

Ure Ranch Update

While attention has been focused on the 910 Ranch, management planning for the Ure Ranch is also moving forward. Following the property's acquisition, an agricultural lease was awarded to the Ure family — the same producer who has historically operated on the property and now continues to graze livestock for the duration of the lease.

The County intends to maintain agricultural production on the ranch consistent with the Conservation Use Plan, which designates areas for both agriculture and future recreation opportunities.

As planning progresses, community members will have opportunities to provide input on the property's future. Watch for upcoming announcements regarding public engagement opportunities related to the Ure Ranch.

Ambassador & Volunteer Outreach Update

We hosted four events in May and June with volunteers pullings weeds and removing barbed wire across multiple county-owned properties. We also restarted the Ambassador and Wildlife Watch programs, hosted an event with Swaner EcoClub, held two birding hikes, and hosted two wildflower walks on the 910 Ranch.

Open Space Bond Update

On June 4, Summit County completed the acquisition of the Highland Flat parcel (Tax Parcel SS-32-B), a 25-acre property located at the US Hwy 40/I‑80 gateway. The purchase reflects the county’s ongoing commitment to preserving open space, protecting the area’s rural character, and ensuring long-term public benefit for residents.

The acquisition was made possible through the county’s voter-approved General Obligation (GO) bond program, which allocated funding specifically for the protection of recreational open space and community-serving lands throughout Summit County.

Visit summitcounty.info/highlandflats to read the full release and find out more.

Know Before You Go: E-bikes vs E-motos

Utah law H.B. 381 went into effect as of May 6, and has updated guidelines and classifications for different electric mobility devices, including e-bikes. According to H.B. 381, your device is an e-moto and not an e-bike if any of the following applies:

  • Has a throttle that will drive the bike without peddling past 20 mph

  • Assists you in moving forward more than 20 mph, and does not have a speedometer

  • Assists you in moving forward more than 28 mph

  • Does not have factory/manufacturer installed cranks

  • Has a motor output of greater than 750 watts

Even if you have an e-bike and not an e-moto, please be aware that many trail systems (public or private) do not permit their use or may permit use only with valid exception documentation. Using an e-bike, or e-moto where you shouldn't could land you in hot water resulting in fines, damages, and/or impoundment.

For more information please see information published by the State of Utah including the Department of Public Safety.

Fireproof Your Fun

Roughly 70% of Utah wildfires are human-caused. When traveling and recreating in Utah, it’s important for everyone to prioritize wildfire prevention.

Motor vehicles are a major contributor to the wildfire starts. Here are a few reminders to keep yourself and others safe while preserving open space.

  • Stay off the grass: park all vehicles — including UTVS — away from dry vegetation

  • Prep to prevent: before hitting the road, it's important to check that your brakes and tires are in good condition

    • Worn out brake pads and tires, along with low tire pressure that exposes the rim, can create sparks.

  • Don’t be a drag: tighten trailer chains

    • Metal chains + asphalt + high speeds = sparks. Stop ‘em before they have a chance to start.

  • Keep your cool: check coolant levels before you go—an overheated vehicle can set more than your engine ablaze

Drought Resources for Producers

In spring 2026, the Utah Department of Agriculture and Food hosted statewide meetings to discuss resources available to help ranchers deal with drought. Watch the recording here.

Funds to help are available through state and federal programs. Funding opportunities include:

Wildlife Watch

It should go without saying, but Summit County is mountain lion country. We love to see that they’re thriving in protected habitat, and we were thrilled to catch them on camera.

While solitary by nature, their movement following prey or searching for water can sometimes bring people uncomfortably close to these apex predators. Follow these tips to reduce your risk of encountering a cougar:

  • Do not hike or jog alone

  • Travel in groups and keep everyone together, including children and dogs

  • Make noise while hiking to alert cougars of your presence

  • Leave the area if you find a dead animal, especially deer or elk, because it could be a cougar kill

  • Properly store and dispose of food and garbage

For more information, visit www.wildawareutah.org/wildlife/cougars.

Mountain lions are most active at dawn and dusk, so its rare to see one in full daylight.

Summit County acquires property and secures conservation easements for open space, conservation, and agricultural preservation. The County welcomes landowners to submit a Notice of Interest, or “NOI,” to have their property evaluated for possible qualified use of these Open Space Bond Funds. A NOI may only be completed by the property owner or an authorized representative. Find out more here.