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Show Volume XXX Issue V The Ogden Valley News Page 7 October 15, 2023 Teens Support Riparian Wetland Work at Ogden Nature Center YMCA of Northern Utah Teen Afterschool Programs recently partnered with Ogden Nature Center to create beaver dam analogs. For three Fridays, Sept. 15 and 29 and Oct. 6, teens from the YMCA Afterschool Program joined Ogden Nature Center biologist Maya Pendleton to work together in sustaining riparian wetlands at Ogden Nature Center by building beaver dam analogs (BDAs). During their project, teens received get hands-on experience in the stream by weaving willows through wooden posts mimicking the industrious work of beavers, who are often referred to as “nature’s engineers.” The teens also helped set up monitoring equipment for research related to the BDAs. “It’s incredibly important for teens in Ogden to experience this kind of hands-on project,” says YMCA Regional Director Stefanie Zwygart. “Not only are they working to sustain riparian wetlands within the Ogden Nature Center preserve, they are working side by side with a local biologist who grew up here, went to college here, and who is now living and working in the community she loves. Here, we’re teaching these teens that college and careers in this field are not only accessible, but attainable and fun as well.” YMCA Teen Afterschool Programs provide a safe, inclusive space for teens to belong, get homework help, and be exposed to critical college and career readiness activities. By exposing these inner-city kids to Ogden Nature Center, we are introducing them to a world of career paths they may have never considered. Being a part of something successful in their community empowers youth to be successful in other areas of life as well. This is work focused on ending generational poverty cycles, especially in the Ogden area. ”Because Utah is the second driest state in the nation, it is critical to protect our water supplies,” says Ogden Nature Center biologist Maya Pendleton. “Using beaver dam analogs has proven to be an excellent method in the West to improve water quality, increase water availability, and create better habitat for a suite of wildlife species. By involving teens in this project, we can both improve and expand water resources at Ogden Nature Center and ensure that our community personally invests in protecting our watershed. By providing education and hands-on experiences, we can connect these teens with their environment and hope to foster a sense of stewardship.” Ogden Nature Center’s role in Utah’s Department of Natural Resources Watershed Restoration Initiative is critical to create a native, resilient habitat for wildlife. Apart from humans, beavers are the only other species that have the power to radically alter a habitat with their ability to move water. Ogden Nature Center sits on 152 acres and while that area may seem large to us, it’s actually quite small STREET PLAN cont. from page 1 plan for New Town Eden. Thus, when developers of the proposed Eden Crossing recently came before the Ogden Valley Planning Commission for an amendment to the plan, to slide the street-regulating plan eastward so “Eden Crossing” could be included in the village node (the planning commission denied this request, by the way), the question arose, “How could an amendment be made to a street-regulating plan that was never formally adopted in the first place, as required by state law (see Title 17, Chapter 27a, Part 5, Section 17-27a), which would include a required public hearing on the new street regulating plan and a formal recommendation to the County Commission?” When Weber County planning staff was asked when such a public hearing and recommendation were formally held on the street-regulating plan for New Town Eden, the date October 26, 2021 was given by planner Charles Ewert in an email dated October 10, 2023. However, the only public hearing the Ogden Valley Planning Commission held October 26, 2021 was on a proposed Eden Mixed-Use Village Zone, which did not include an accompanying street-regulating plan. As of yet, the Weber County planning office has not been able to provide documentation that the OV Planning Commission held, as required by state law, a public hearing on the adoption of a street-regulating plan for New Town Eden. However, the County Commission approved the FormBased Village concept for New Town, with an accompanying street-regulating plan, on January 18, 2022. Some in the community hold that due process, as required by state law, was not followed, when the Weber County Commission adopted the street-regulating plan currently being used by the county for New Town Eden; thus, making any such street-regulating plan for this village node null and void. It is also held that unless the county can provide evidence that a street-regulating plan for New Town Eden (which is, essentially a new zoning map for the area) was legally adopted—by following Utah’s well-established due process procedural law, i.e., a public hearing on the proposed street-regulating plan and an accompanying recommendation to the County Commission from the OV Planning Commission—no street-regulating plan for New Town Eden currently exists; hence, an amendment to such plan, including the proposed inclusion of the controversial development of Eden Crossing, can be made. Further, Weber County needs to come back to the proverbial “table” with a street-regulating plan for the OV Planning Commission to review, accept, hold a public hearing on, and, finally, make a recommendation to the our Weber County Commissioners before they can legally vote to pass such a plan. for native wildlife. While it is essential for beavers to dam waterways to preserve natural habitats and species, it can potentially cause conflicts through unintended flooding and unwanted tree-felling. Here, we are using low-tech and low-cost restoration methods to find the balance between human needs and nature needs. By building the beaver dam analogs, we are creating a better system to improve water quality as it moves downstream, reconnecting floodplains, and improving essential habitat for native wildlife. By joining forces, the YMCA and Ogden Nature Center are truly working together towards much larger individual goals, harnessing the power of collective good. About the YMCA of Northern Utah Since 1893, YMCA of Northern Utah has sought to strengthen communities through youth development, healthy living and social responsibility. Across the U.S., 2,700 Ys engage 21 million men, women and children—regardless of age, income or background—to nurture the potential of children and teens, improve the nation’s health and well-being, and provide opportunities to give back and support neighbors. We are proud to be a part of a nationwide movement that seeks to deliver lasting personal and social change through our programs. Learn more at ymcautah.org. About Ogden Nature Center - Ogden Nature Center’s mission is to unite people with nature and nurture appreciation and stewardship of the environment. Since 1975 the Ogden Nature Center has provided a place where people enjoy nature and learn about the natural world. The 152-acre preserve serves as an outdoor classroom for hands-on field classes, community programs and special events. The Nature Center is open to the public for discovery and exploration. Visitors enjoy meeting birds of prey and other Utah-native animal species. Outside there are picnic areas, treehouses, bird blinds, a spotting tower, and 1.5 miles of walking trails. The Nature Center boasts two of Utah’s greenest buildings, with hands-on nature exhibits and The Nest Gift Shop. Visit ogdennaturecenter.org to learn more. Registration Now Open for the 23rd Annual Ogden Marathon Next year on the third weekend of May, the GOAL Foundation will host the 23rd annual Ogden Marathon, presented by America First Credit Union. This awardwinning event will host over 6,000 athletes from across the globe who come to experience the beautiful scenery of this gentile downhill Boston qualifier course. The Ogden Marathon has multiple distance options to choose from, including half marathon, relay team, 12k, and 5k events. “Utah’s Spring Run Off” starts just below Causey Reservoir in the heart of the Wasatch Range, where full marathoners will run alongside the South Fork of the Ogden River and around Pineview Reservoir before dropping down into Ogden Canyon and continuing to follow the river along the parkway until the grand finish on Ogden’s Historic 25th Street. “The Ogden Marathon is as much an event for the community as it is hosted by the community,” says Eric Bauman, GOAL Foundation’s executive Director. “It is amazing to see how many people volunteer their time to host fun themed water stations and cheer stations, and who come out to participate and enjoy the free community festival that awaits runners and spectators at the finish line. This isn’t just a race for the elite, it is an event that offers support to all levels of runners.” This renowned race was recently voted the 2023 Best Marathon in Utah through RaceRaves reviews and has earned previous accolades for being one of the most scenic races in the world and ranked as one of the best courses for first-time marathoners in America by Runner’s World. The Ogden Marathon typically sells out each year, so those interested in participating are encouraged to register early to secure their spot in the May race. Those interested in participating can learn more at ogdenmarathon.com/. Note: The GOAL Foundation, producer of the Ogden Marathon, was established after the 2002 Olympics with a mission to inspire the Greater Ogden Community and its visitors to “Get Out And Live!” by participating, volunteering, and spectating at recreational and cultural events, programs, and activities. GOAL is a nonpro昀椀t 501(c)3 corporation. |