Summit County council member honored for wildlife stewardship

Chris Robinson, a Summit County Council member and Utah Wildlife Board member, received a statewide Legacy of Land Award from the Utah Division of Wildlife Resources for his work supporting wildlife habitat and conservation across privately owned lands. Photo: Christopher Robinson

Utah wildlife officials recognize Chris Robinson among first recipients of new Legacy of Land Award

SALT LAKE CITY, UT — Summit County Council member Chris Robinson is among the first Utah landowners to receive a new state award honoring private property owners who help support mule deer, elk, and other wildlife.

The Utah Division of Wildlife Resources announced Thursday that Robinson received a statewide Legacy of Land Award, a new recognition for private landowners who accommodate wildlife on their properties, often at personal cost and without seeking compensation or mitigation.

Robinson, who represents Summit County on the County Council and also serves on the Utah Wildlife Board, owns more than 1 million acres across Utah, Idaho, and Wyoming, according to the DWR. The agency said he was recognized for managing his properties with an emphasis on landscape health, responsible use of natural resources, and benefits to wildlife and conservation.

“Private land often includes the most productive wildlife habitat in Utah,” DWR Private Lands/Public Wildlife Coordinator Darren DeBloois said. “Large numbers of deer rely on these areas during certain parts of the year. The DWR offers programs to address conflicts between wildlife and private landowners, but some landowners enjoy the deer and go above and beyond to nurture these herds and contribute to growing the deer and elk populations that the public then enjoys on public lands.”

The award comes as Utah wildlife officials continue efforts to grow mule deer herds statewide. DWR officials said the recognition highlights landowners who tolerate wildlife impacts, improve habitat, provide winter range, install wildlife-friendly fencing, or give state biologists access to private land for conservation work.

Robinson was one of eight landowners recognized at conservation group banquets held between January and April.

Chad Olson, of central Utah, owns more than 1,000 acres in Sanpete County and allows hundreds of deer and elk to winter on his property without seeking compensation for damage.

Clint Kearl, of northern Utah, was recognized for his 2,200 acres in Cache and Rich counties, which support deer, elk, moose, beavers, and grouse. Kearl also helped with emergency deer-feeding efforts in Rich County during the extreme winter of 2022-23.

Stephen Ellis, of northeastern Utah, owns more than 5,600 acres in Duchesne County, where his rangeland and cropland support deer and elk. DWR officials said he regularly allows agency employees access to his property for wildlife work.

Breck Crystal, of southern Utah, was recognized for managing his properties to provide winter feed for deer, investing in wildlife-friendly fencing, and helping Wildlands Network with a fence-improvement project near Boulder to support deer movement and migration.

Lee Thayn, of southeastern Utah, grows corn, alfalfa, and watermelon on about 2,000 acres in the Green River Valley and allows deer on his property without requesting compensation or removals.

David and Robin Bradshaw, of Beaver County, own about 500 acres of irrigated farmland and allow hundreds of deer to use their property for much of the year.

DWR officials said the recipients reflect several forms of private-land conservation, including coexistence with wildlife, habitat improvement, access for conservation work, and long-term leadership in wildlife and resource management.

“We are so grateful to these incredibly dedicated individuals for their passion for wildlife and for their partnership in helping deer and other big game animals in Utah,” DeBloois said. “With the continued growth of Utah’s population and ongoing urbanization, it takes collaboration and effort to preserve available habitat for wildlife populations, and we are increasingly thankful for residents who continue to use their land to provide for the future of deer throughout the state.”