ST. GEORGE – Citizens for Dixie’s Future has announced a change of the organization’s name to “Conserve Southwest Utah.” President Tom Butine said this new name will better express the mission of the nonprofit organization.
In a media statement, Butine said:
We wanted a name that reflected the organization: where we are, our vision and purpose, and our action-orientation. … This name builds upon the organization’s 2006 roots, grown from events like the early public lands bill, nearby coal-fired power plants, the lack of water conservation and the Lake Powell Pipeline, and the smart growth planning in Vision Dixie.
This transition to a new name and a clear commitment to broad-based conservation activities is a fitting recognition the upcoming 10th anniversary for Conserve Southwest Utah, he said.
As Southern Utah has attracted an ever-growing population, members of Citizens for Dixie’s Futures said they believe local residents are unfamiliar with the organization’s history and mission.
“The name ‘Citizens for Dixie’s Future’ did not clearly state our purpose and focus to new southwest Utah residents as well as people and organizations throughout the nation that support our work,” Art Haines, vice president of Conserve Southern Utah, said.
Citizens for Dixie’s Future, now Conserve Southwest Utah, was established in 2006 and is dedicated to ensuring that Southern Utah grows in a way that enables conservation and restoration of its natural and cultural resources.
Conserve Southwest Utah has a unique challenge: a growing and prosperous urban area embedded in the irreplaceable, fragile, diverse convergence of the Great Basin, Colorado Plateau and Mohave Desert.
Members of the organization believe that conservation of the region’s blue skies, open spaces, and water is the basis of southwest Utah’s economic engine and quality of life. They also believe that stewardship of the area’s natural and cultural resources complement and strengthen business opportunities, healthy lifestyle and responsible recreation.
Conserve Southwest Utah seeks a balance of conservation with economic development and growth by advocating:
- A long-term focus on conservation so the most important natural, cultural and scenic resources endure the test of time and are protected for the enjoyment of generations to come.
- Policies and programs that strike a balance between near-term economic benefit and the preservation of our pristine environment and quality of life.
- The message that conservation is key to attracting business, tourists, visitors and residents, thereby preserving the core strength and future of our economy.
Butine said Conserve Southwest Utah will continue to build on four major program areas: water, air, public lands and “smart growth,” which is development that promotes and supports a symbiotic relationship between economic growth, strong communities and environmental health. Conserve Southwest Utah is part of the Smart Growth Network, a nationwide group dedicated to guiding smart growth strategies. Conserve Southwest Utah also utilizes a volunteer public lands stewardship program, Southwest Utah National Conservation Lands Friends, to assist them in that focus area.
Resources
- Conserve Southwest Utah website
- Southwest Utah National Conservation Lands Friends website, Facebook page
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