In a significant conservation effort, Summit Land Conservancy has announced the successful closing of a conservation easement on Flint Place, a sprawling 1,017-acre tract of working agricultural land located just south of Huntsville in Weber County, Utah. This landmark project marks the conservancy's seventh easement completed in 2025, bringing the total acreage preserved this year to nearly 6,500 acres. The Flint Place easement is particularly noteworthy as it protects one of the last large, intact rangeland properties in the Ogden Valley, a region increasingly threatened by development and urban expansion. Flint Place is strategically situated adjacent to other protected lands, including the Historic Monastery Farm, which encompasses 1,050 acres, and the Bally Watts property, spanning 2,772 acres. Together, these conserved areas create a significant unbroken block of open space in the Upper Ogden Valley, facilitating wildlife movement across varying elevations while simultaneously preserving the valley's agricultural and scenic character. According to the Summit Land Conservancy, the interconnected nature of these lands is crucial for maintaining the ecological integrity of the region. The habitat provided by Flint Place is vital for a diverse range of wildlife, including species such as elk, mule deer, moose, black bear, mountain lions, and bobcats. The rangeland and sagebrush steppes found on this property serve as essential winter habitats and migration corridors for these animals. Additionally, Flint Place is home to the Columbian sharp-tailed grouse, a species that has experienced dramatic population declines, now occupying only about five percent of its historical range nationwide and four percent in Utah. The area between Mountain Green in Morgan County and Huntsville is recognized as one of the last strongholds for this species in the state. Notably, Flint Place is also in close proximity to two active Greater sage-grouse leks, which are critical for the breeding of this species. "This project protects a landscape that is doing a lot of work for the Ogden Valley community," stated Cheryl Fox, CEO of Summit Land Conservancy. She emphasized the multifaceted benefits of the conservation easement, noting that it supports local agriculture, sustains wildlife populations, preserves scenic views, and protects water quality in the Upper Weber River watershed. As development pressures in the valley continue to escalate, the importance of such conservation efforts becomes increasingly pronounced. Flint Place has a rich agricultural history, having been in continuous use since 1941 when it was acquired by the current owner's family. Today, it remains an active working landscape, primarily utilized for ranching and farming activities, including livestock grazing and alfalfa production. The conservation easement ensures that this agricultural legacy will continue, prohibiting any future development while allowing for the ongoing agricultural operations that define the character of the Ogden Valley. Moreover, the easement plays a critical role in maintaining water quality for downstream communities. By keeping Flint Place as open rangeland, the project mitigates stormwater runoff and sedimentation entering Pineview Reservoir and the upper Ogden River—important sources of drinking water for the region. "My daughters and I are so pleased that we’ve been able to work with Ogden Valley Land Trust and Summit Land Conservancy to preserve our family’s legacy, while protecting the open space that makes this valley so special," expressed landowner Marian Martin, reflecting on the significance of the easement for her family and the community. The easement was generously donated by Flint Place, LLC, managed by Marian Martin, whose family has long been stewards of the land. This initiative was made possible through a collaboration with the Ogden Valley Land Trust, which will work alongside Summit Land Conservancy to ensure the ongoing stewardship and monitoring of the property. Fox commended the Martin family for their commitment to conservation, stating, "Marian and her daughters have made an amazing gift in donating this easement on their property. Their love for this land has created a permanent legacy of beautiful, windswept hillsides, wildlife habitat, and intact ecosystems for the future." With the pressures of residential development creeping closer to Flint Place, which is bordered by Snowbasin-owned lands to the west and existing residential areas to the north and east, the importance of conserving such large, connected landscapes becomes even more critical. As Huntsville and Snowbasin continue to expand, these preserved lands serve as vital refuges for wildlife and natural resources. Looking ahead, the partner land trusts are reportedly on track to finalize two additional conservation easements in the Huntsville area in 2026, which would add an extra 130 acres to their conservation efforts. For those interested in learning more about Summit Land Conservancy and their ongoing projects, visit their website at wesaveland.org.