On June 25, the Summit County Council took an honorable and courageous step by passing a resolution in support of Utah’s public lands. As the lands and natural resources director for Summit County, a lifelong public servant, and a proud resident of this community, I want to express my sincere gratitude to the council for this bold affirmation of our communities shared values.
When I was a child, people would ask, “What do you want to be when you grow up?” My answer was always quick and certain: “I want to be a forest ranger.” That childhood dream became a lifelong calling. Over the years, I’ve served with the U.S. Forest Service, the National Park Service, and in state and local government — all with one mission: to protect, restore, and advocate for our public lands.
In my time serving to protect these lands, I’ve come to understand just how irreplaceable and important they are. These landscapes are living systems — rich with biodiversity, cultural history, and natural beauty. They offer clean air, pure water, and a sense of peace that can’t be manufactured or replaced.
They are not just landscapes, they are lifelines. They support clean air and water, cultural heritage, and the mental and physical well-being of millions. They are where wildlife thrives, where families connect with nature, and where every American, regardless of background, can find peace, purpose, and belonging.
These lands are also a uniquely American treasure; open and accessible to all who choose to visit them.
While I remain open to thoughtful, well-planned land exchanges that serve the public interest, I am deeply concerned by recent proposals, by our state’s own elected officials focused on building housing on Forest Service land. This approach is not only shortsighted. It is simply irresponsible.
Building in these areas threatens critical wildlife habitat, increases wildfire risk and accelerates unsustainable development in the wildland urban interface, the very zones where fire danger is highest and ecological balance is most fragile.
We cannot solve our housing crisis by creating an environmental one. Yes, we need more housing. But we need smart housing planned in the right places with the right infrastructure, and with respect for the landscapes that define our identity. Public lands are not a blank slate for development. They are a legacy we hold in trust for future generations.
That’s why Summit County’s resolution matters. It sends a clear message: Our public lands are not for sale, and they are not a bargaining chip.
To the Summit County Council, especially to Councilor Megan McKenna: thank you. Thank you for standing with your constituents, for honoring our natural heritage, and for showing the kind of leadership that will be remembered for years to come.
Your resolution is more than a policy statement. It is a promise to protect what makes Summit County and America truly special.
Jess Kirby
Park City