“It was intellectually stimulating work, but I felt like I was missing passion for what I was doing,” Snow Canada said. “I’ve always felt I’m connected to the outdoors and have felt this desire to want to protect outdoor spaces and natural resources and cultural resources.”

At first, Snow Canada and her husband Spenser came to Southern Utah for a one-year sabbatical. Then she found a job working with youth and the outdoors. Five years later, the couple is still in the area. Snow Canada has worked in several different organizations and developed communication skills to round out her engineering abilities.

“I imagine you’re not surprised to hear that, as an engineer, I felt like I hadn’t developed a lot of communication and interpersonal skills that I wanted,” Snow Canada said. “So, when I moved out here, I was able to work more positions with people. I learned how to give feedback in an employment setting. And in my personal life, too, I learned how to communicate better with others. Also, I learned how to manage people and big budgets.”

Making her home in the desert opened her up to learn more about the natural resources of Southern Utah. She wanted to learn the names of plants and animals, also to understand the history and background of the area. So she decided to earn a Utah Master Naturalist Certification from Utah State University through its Extension Program.

“I love being curious about the world around me,” Snow Canada said. “I think that’s an excellent way to introduce people to the outdoors and to get them excited about wanting to protect places. So, taking that certification course, I learned about a lot of things around us that I could share with others in my daily life and my different jobs. So, I could build enthusiasm for the world around us.”

Haines said she manages day-to-day operations and sets policies and strategies to move the non-profit forward.

“Holly has a wonderful mix of rigor and real winning ways,” he said.

The organization’s role in the community has grown tremendously over the years. They have three in-house staff including Snow Canada.

“We have reached the place where we are a significant voice in the use of public lands, and particularly the Northern Corridor Highway, advocating for other alternatives to paving a road through the National Conservation Area,” Haines said. “We have brought on professional staff skilled in communications and understanding of issues.”

He added the office team has an understanding of issues that are decided not only locally, but also in Washington DC.

Another experience Snow Canada credits for giving her insight into how to manage organizations, is the small business she and her husband founded, Superbloom Coffee Roasters. They also use their business to benefit the local environment, public lands, and their community. The company delivers roast specialty coffee by bicycle to their subscribers.

While dating, the pair often enjoyed going for coffee. On their third date, Spenser made the most delicious cup of coffee that Holly had ever had. Whenever they travel, they always enjoy experiencing local coffee shops. They also enjoy camping and exploring the scenery.

Superbloom Coffee Roasters is an established Benefit LLC. The business focuses on people, the planet and profit. Snow Canada said their company strives to give back to the community and emphasizes public lands. She hopes to show people how to be advocates of the trails and public lands that are unique to Southern Utah.

Snow Canada said she is grateful for the opportunity to work with a great team at Conserve Southwest Utah. The non-profit group’s mission is to promote conservation and stewardship of the area’s natural and cultural resources. They also advocate Smart Growth policies that enable conservation for the benefit of present and future generations.

“I think living in St. George, Utah is one of the most beautiful places I’ve ever visited. I appreciate the stark vastness of the desert environment,” Snow Canada said. “I love that the beauty here is subtle in a way that is different from other landscapes and environments. To appreciate it, you really have to get outside and be there in nature.”

Tuning to nature, one may see the small wonders one wouldn’t expect to see. Sometimes they are small, like a bird’s nest tucked away in a spiky plant. And sometimes it’s a beautiful sunset at the end of the day, she said.

Snow Canada encourages people to get outside, experience these moments and share them with friends and family.

“The more we understand what a precious place we live in, I hope that leads to our community getting together and deciding they want to take action to protect these places,” Snow Canada said.

Conserve Southwest Utah is committed to protecting Southwest Utah’s public lands and water for future generations. Snow Canada said they are speaking out against projects that may endanger local resources, such as the Northern Corridor Highway and the Lake Powell Pipeline.

Snow Canada said the non-profit group’s mission is to advocate for Smart Growth policies. According to the group’s website, Smart Growth refers to urban and regional planning principles that create livable communities and avoid sprawl.

The main principles of Smart Growth are:

1. Protect natural and cultural resources, encourage walkable neighborhoods, provide housing options, promote alternative transportation, and maximize economic prosperity.
2. Smart Growth is the umbrella approach guiding Conserve Southwest Utah’s public lands and water programs.

“As the fastest growing metro area in the country, St George must adopt Smart Growth strategies to ensure economic, social, and environmental sustainability,” Snow Canada said.

The group also provides volunteer opportunities on public lands. Some of the activities include replanting vegetation that was lost in fires and watering plants. Also there have been wildlife observation hikes and wildfire prevention workshops.

“You can get together and meet like-minded people who would like to protect these places. I think that we individuals can make a difference,” Snow Canada said.

Conserve Southwest Utah is the only conservation non-profit in Washington County advocating for the protection of local public lands.

“We can’t do it alone. We rely on volunteers to help with community events and our wonderful donors for financial support. Joining is a fantastic way to meet others who are passionate about protecting beautiful Southwest Utah,” Snow Canada said.

To learn about upcoming events, volunteer, or receive crucial action alerts sign up on the Conserve Southwest Utah website.