LOGAN — Utah State University will host a community event in Bear Lake this weekend to share data about increased tourism at the recreation spot that straddles the Utah-Idaho border.
The event begins at 11:30 a.m. Saturday, May 25, in City Hall Lakeview Room (Building C), 69 N. Paradise Pkwy, Garden City. Preliminary results of a six-month research study on Bear Lake will be presented.
Researchers and students from USU’s Sociology, Anthropology, and Communication Studies and Philosophy departments led this project to better understand the impact of increased tourism on Bear Lake’s ecosystem and community. It included interviews with over 40 different scientists, community members, and nonprofit organization representatives.
The popularity of Bear Lake, a popular freshwater lake, as a tourist attraction has raised questions about its long-term sustainability. Preliminary results of the study will address historical and scientific concerns related to the lake ecosystem and community expressed by study participants. This presentation is intended to inform future community activities and outreach efforts.
“We are excited to host this event and provide a platform for knowledge sharing and collaboration,” said Betsy Brunner, director of the research project. “This event will provide participants with the opportunity to learn about steps they can take to protect and preserve this incredibly unique place we all love.”
The project is part of a larger effort to study Bear Lake’s water quality, quantity, wildlife, plants and more, and is funded by the Utah Department of Forestry, Fire and State Lands and is part of a larger effort to study Bear Lake’s water quality, quantity, wildlife and plants. This work was supported by a grant through the Air Research Institute. We are affiliated with the Community and Natural Resources Institute.
This event is open to anyone interested in the current and future status of Bear Lake’s tourism and development. We will provide light snacks. For more information about the event or to RSVP, please email elizabeth.brunner@usu.edu.
