UDOT to Close Northbound I-15 in Roy for Two Nights to Complete Irrigation Work.
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For Immediate Release
Contact:
Tony Young
Media Relations Manager
tonyyoung@utah.gov | 801-538-8722
Utah Office of Outdoor Recreation 2019 Grant Workshops
SALT LAKE CITY (Oct. 30, 2019) — The Utah Office of Outdoor Recreation (OOR) will hold a series of statewide grant workshops to assist with the application process for three grant programs authorized by the Utah Legislature: Utah Outdoor Recreation Grant, Recreation Restoration Infrastructure, and Utah Children’s Outdoor Recreation & Education program.
The purpose of the three Utah outdoor recreation grant programs is as follows:
“The Utah Office of Outdoor Recreation’s grant workshops showcase strong partnerships between state and federal entities,” said Tom Adams, OOR director. “This tour is an opportunity for attendees to learn how they can leverage funds from one source to another. We all want to see the best possible recreation amenities available in our Utah communities.”
The workshops will help communities recognize and understand resources housed in Utah from planning a project with the National Parks Service’s Recreational Trails and Conservation Assistance program (RTCA) to optimizing federal funding through the Recreational Trails Program (RTP), managed by Utah State Parks.
Workshop attendees will see real-world examples where federal, state and local stakeholders have worked together to help meet Utahns’ outdoor recreation infrastructure goals.
OOR 2019 Grant Workshops Schedule
Nov. 4, Vernal, 10 a.m.
Nov. 5, Green River, 9 a.m.
Nov. 5, Monticello, 3 p.m.
Nov. 6, Bicknell, 10 a.m.
Nov. 7, Panguitch, 9 a.m.
Nov. 7, Kanab, 2 p.m.
Nov. 8, St. George, 11 a.m.
Nov. 12, Salt Lake City, 2 p.m. (sold out)
Nov. 13, Alpine, 10 a.m.
Nov. 13, Heber, 2 p.m.
Nov. 14, Fillmore, 9 a.m.
Nov. 14, Manti, 3 p.m.(sold out)
Nov. 15, Nibley, 10 a.m.
Nov. 20, Salt Lake City, 9 a.m. (sold out)
Register and see additional details for all 14 workshops here.
The OOR team will walk participants through the process of creating a compelling UORG, RRI or UCORE grant submission. Federal partners will also participate in the grant workshops and teach attendees about additional programs available to help increase recreation. These programs include the National Parks Service’s (NPS) Recreational Trails and Conservation Assistance (RTCA) program and the Utah State Parks’ Recreational Trails Program (RTP).
“Our office is excited to offer two new grants, the Recreation Restoration Infrastructure (RRI) grant and Utah Children’s Outdoor Recreation & Education grant,” said Adams. “UCORE shows the financial support behind the state’s Every Kid Outdoors Initiative, which aims to get kids active and healthy outdoors, while RRI further exemplifies how the state encourages partnerships between local, federal and nonprofit entities to improve and update Utah’s existing outdoor recreation infrastructure.”
The Bureau of Land Management and Forest Service will also make brief presentations in each of the grant workshops.
Applications for next year’s UORG and RRI grant cycle will be accepted Jan. 15 to March 20, 2020. Applications for UCORE will be accepted Jan. 15 to Feb. 20, 2020.
Over five years, the Utah Outdoor Recreation Grant has awarded funding for 155 outdoor recreation projects. These projects include more than 25 types of outdoor recreation activities throughout the state. The grants provide matching grant funding to local governments and nonprofits to build outdoor recreation infrastructures such as trails, boat ramps and more.
In the 2020 grant cycle, UORG award amounts will range from $1,000 to $150,000, with an additional award amount called the Regional Asset Tier that includes award amounts of up to $500,000 to support larger infrastructure projects.
“From trails connecting parks and neighborhoods in South Salt Lake to the restoration and revitalization of the Price River in Helper, and from rock climbing access above Castle Dale to multi-use trails in St. George, the outdoor recreation grant has improved the quality of life in dozens of cities and towns and for residents and visitors alike,” said Cameron Diehl, executive director of the Utah League of Cities and Towns. “The grant is a great example of levels of government, businesses, and residents working together to invest in Utah communities and enhance access for all to the state’s natural beauty.”
For additional information about the Utah Office of Outdoor Recreation and the grants it manages on behalf of the Utah Legislature, please visit business.utah.gov/outdoor/uorg.
Please see infographics about the Utah Outdoor Recreation Grant here.
About the Utah Governor’s Office of Economic Development (GOED)
Under the direction of Gov. Gary R. Herbert, the Utah Governor’s Office of Economic Development (GOED) provides resources and support for business creation, growth and recruitment, and drives increased tourism and film production in Utah. Utilizing state resources and private sector contracts, GOED administers programs in economic areas that demonstrate the highest potential for development. Learn more at business.utah.gov or by calling (801) 538-8680.
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In this week’s newsletter:
Your fan,
The boards and staff of Utah Cultural Alliance / Nowplayingutah.com / Utahns for Culture
(Staff: Crystal, Kylie, Abby, Alison, Ruth, Miles)
Communicating the Value of Culture
You wouldn't be on this newsletter list if you weren't already a fan of the humanities and arts. You know there's nothing quite like a breathtaking performance, an exciting exhibit, a thought provoking lecture, or getting lost in a great book.
But for some people, they need something more concrete to understand the value of arts, humanities, and museums. Our 501c3 -- Utahns for Culture -- collects, measures, and analyzes the social, economic, health, and academic benefits of culture. In each newsletter, we're highlighting some of our statistics that we collect and analyze to share with you the value of culture!
New Pinterest Page!
Check out our new pinterest page where we highlight the different benefits of the arts and humanities on the economic, social, health, and academic aspects of life! It's now easier for you to find the right benefit to make your case!
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Governor appoints Kristine Johnson to the Third District Court
SALT LAKE CITY (Oct. 30, 2019) – Gov. Gary R. Herbert has appointed Kristine Johnson as a judge for the Third District Court.
“Kristine Johnson has a wealth of experience that will serve her well as she transitions into this new role,” Gov. Herbert said. “ I have no doubt she will work hard and that her passion and dedication in enforcing the law will make her a great addition to the courts.”
Johnson is a shareholder at Parsons Behle & Latimer, where she has practiced
civil litigation since 1997. She has served on the firm’s board of directors since 2015. She also practiced at Campbell Maack & Sessions from 1995 to 1997. She holds a J.D. from the S.J. Quinney College of Law at the University of Utah, and a bachelor’s degree in history and political science from Trinity University.
“I am incredibly honored to be appointed by Gov. Herbert to the Third Judicial District Court bench,” Johnson said. “If confirmed, it will be my great privilege to serve the people of Utah and I will work very hard to ensure that the laws of this state are followed faithfully and applied in a fair and impartial manner.”
This appointment is subject to confirmation by the Utah Senate.
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How An Exotic Invasion In The Everglades Has Its Fans Worried
Burmese pythons and their battles with alligators get the headlines, but those large reptiles that came from Southeast Asia as part of the exotic-pet trade aren’t the only invasive species wreaking havoc on the Florida Everglades.
The National Park Service reports that the Everglades are suffering from a barrage of pressure brought on by numerous nonnative species, including exotic fish that gobble up native fish species and melaleuca trees that crowd out indigenous plants.
Now the pressure on the fragile ecosystem in south Florida could get even worse. Just recently, the Trump administration said it was disbanding the Interior Department’s Invasive Species Advisory Committee, which had coordinated the federal government’s efforts at controlling pythons and other invasive species plaguing the nation.
That has fans and defenders of the Everglades concerned.
“The Everglades have faced a number of threats over the years, and certainly one of the very serious ones has been invasive species,” says Clyde Butcher (www.clydebutcher.com), a nature photographer who since the 1980s has helped bring national awareness to the Everglades through stunning black-and-white photographs that have been compared to the works of Ansel Adams.
Butcher and his photography have been witness to some of the changes invasive species have wrought. He notes that one of his early photographs taken in 1986 along the Tamiami Trail provides an example of the delicate balance in the Everglades. A thick cloud formation and a dark sky initially draw a viewer’s attention, but Butcher points to the grassy plains in the foreground.
“Most of the grass in that picture was sawgrass, which later was overcome by invasive exotic plants,” Butcher says.
He says many people going about their daily lives, even in south Florida, are unaware of what would be lost if more isn’t done to protect this unique natural wonder from invasive species and other environmental hazards.
“With my photography, I’m trying to educate people that the environment is really important, and they need to actually experience it themselves,” Butcher says. “Looking at photographs in a gallery where you have air conditioning and there are no bugs is nice, but there’s nothing like experiencing the real thing.”
A few of the reasons that invasive species are a concern to Butcher and other defenders of the Everglades include:
Lack of natural predators. Because nonnative species typically lack natural predators, they can outcompete native species, the National Park Service reports. They can multiply unchecked, using up valuable resources such as sunlight, water, and nutrients. Native species suffer from this intense competition.
Severe decline of mammal population. Those Burmese pythons aren’t just wrestling with alligators. They also make meals out of mammals that call the Everglades home, which is one reason the state sponsors hunting contests among other efforts to get rid of them. Since the late 1990s, the Everglades have seen a steep decline in populations of raccoons, opossums, and bobcats, the U.S. Geological Survey reported. Marsh rabbits, cottontail rabbits, and foxes effectively disappeared.
Economic impact. Infestations of invasive plants and animals can negatively affect property values, agricultural productivity, public utility operations, native fisheries, tourism, and outdoor recreation, according to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. In a state like Florida, where agriculture and tourism are major industries, that’s significant.
Butcher says walking through the Everglades can be a spiritual experience, one he would like to see as many people as possible share.
“For me, the inspiration has been overwhelming to try to record this for people, for posterity, because it’s so unique in the world,” he says. “I’m not sure there’s another place like it.”
About Clyde Butcher
Clyde Butcher (www.clydebutcher.com) is an acclaimed nature photographer who is best known for his striking black-and-white images of the Everglades in Florida. But he has photographed the beauty of nature in other locations as well. For more than 50 years, he has been preserving on film the untouched areas of the landscape. Butcher has been honored by the state of Florida with the Artist Hall of Fame Award. Other major awards and honors include the Lifetime Achievement Award from the North American Nature Photography Association; Humanitarian of the Year for 2005 from the International University; the 2011 Distinguished Artist Award from the Florida House in Washington, D.C.; and the Ansel Adams Conservation Award from the Sierra Club.
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Hi Dawn,
With companies enjoying the tax cuts from 2017’s tax overhaul, the personal-finance website WalletHub today released its latest Corporate Tax Rate Report.
The report provides an in-depth analysis of the 2018 federal, state and international tax rates paid by the S&P 100 companies, the largest and most established businesses in the U.S.
Companies Paying the Highest Taxes
(Overall Tax Rate)
Companies Paying the Lowest Taxes
(Overall Tax Rate)
Key Stats
For the full S&P 100 Tax Rate report, please visit:
https://wallethub.com/edu/corporate-tax-rates/28330/
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USDA Announces 1890 National Scholars Program Funding Opportunity
WASHINGTON, October 29, 2019 – The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced the opening of the 2020 scholarship application cycle for the USDA/1890 National Scholars Program. The program aims to increase the number of students studying agriculture, food, natural resource sciences, and other agriculture-related disciplines. The program is available through the USDA Office of Partnerships and Public Engagement (OPPE).
The USDA/1890 National Scholars Program was established in 1992 as part of the partnership between the U.S. Department of Agriculture and the nineteen 1890 Land-Grant Universities (PDF, 1.2 MB). The program provides full tuition, fees, books, room and board to students pursuing degrees in agriculture, food, natural resource sciences, or related academic disciplines. When the student has completed the academic and summer work requirements of the scholarship, USDA may convert the student to a permanent employee without further competition. Currently, USDA and 1890 Land-Grant Universities are providing scholarships to 109 students.
“The Scholars Program is an important way to collaborate with historically black land-grant universities and train the workforce for 21st century agriculture.” said Mike Beatty, Director of USDA’s Office of Partnerships and Public Engagement.
This program is among several USDA efforts to build the capacity of Historically Black Colleges and Universities. Since the passage of the Second Morrill Act of 1890, USDA has supported scholarships, research, education, extension activities, and grants for facilities and equipment at these institutions.
The USDA/1890 National Scholars Program is available to high school seniors entering their freshman year of college, and college sophomores. General requirements include U.S. citizenship, a GPA of 3.0 or higher, a score of 1080 or more on the SAT or 21 or more on the ACT, and acceptance to, or currently attending an 1890 University to study agriculture, food, and natural resources. The scholarship is renewable each year and is contingent on satisfactory academic performance and normal progress toward the bachelor’s degree. Additional requirements are listed in the application package.
All application materials must be postmarked by Friday, January 31, 2020. See the 2020 high school application (PDF, 337 KB) and the 2020 college application (PDF, 347 KB) for details. For other questions, email 1890init@usda.gov.
Text vs. Talk – When Is the Perfect Time for Each?
As text-obsessed as we’ve become as a society, there’s still an argument to be made for making a human connection. Here, T-Mobile and Metro by T-Mobile's digital etiquette expert offers 12 tips on how to perfect the art of mobile communication.
With more ways to communicate on our phones than ever before, it’s no surprise that the etiquette around choosing a method to deliver your message is far from clear. A text often seems exceedingly more convenient than a phone call, but, as digital etiquette expert, Elaine Swann, explains, texting is not always appropriate.
When should I text?
1. Logistics Coordination
According to Swann, daily situations involving logistics — directions, arrival times, departure times, etc. — are always better suited to a text message, as the recipient will have the information easily at hand on their mobile device should they need to review it.
2. Requests / Favors
Swann notes that it’s perfectly fine to send a “Running late, could you pick me up something?” request that involves daily routines like procuring food or running errands.
3. News
Swann’s rules here are simple: “If it’s big news you’re texting, it should only be good news like I got the job, we got the house, etc.”
It’s also okay to text when the news isn’t so good, but only if you aren’t able to talk or if people are awaiting an update. An example would be, “We’re at the hospital, keep us in your thoughts — can’t talk.” Or, if someone is having surgery, texting an update to loved ones is acceptable.
4. Length
This has less to do with the content of the text, and more to do with how long your message may be. Swann says that if your note is short, a text is fine, but if it goes beyond a few short sentences or becomes complex in nature, then that would be your indication to pick up the phone.
5. If you can’t talk, don’t answer
This is a perfectly acceptable — and common — situation to send a text that you’ll call the person back when you’re free.
When should I talk?
1. Big [Happy] Announcements
The rule here, according to Swann, is that huge life-changing news, like a new baby, wedding, engagement, etc., should be delivered over the phone, especially to a close loved one. Although joyful in nature, its more respectful to deliver these kinds of big announcements over the phone.
2. Not-So-Good News
When news is life-changing and not in a good way, Swann says this should always be a phone call.
3. When You’re Concerned About Someone
“If you kind of get the feeling that a person is taking a little mental break, it’s fine to text to touch base letting them know you’re thinking of them,” Swann says. “But, if you’re gravely concerned about their wellbeing, then a phone call is more appropriate.”
4. When There’s Lots to Say
Typically, Swann says, you should try to respond in the same manner that you were contacted. However, if you receive a text and have a lengthy response, it would be more appropriate to call the person instead of text back.
5. When You’re Driving
One instance where you should not text, even in response to someone, is of course when you’re driving. If you’re able to use your device hands-free, call the person and tell them you’re on the road and can’t text back.
6. To Clarify an Increasingly Difficult Thread
“We all know that technology doesn’t always translate everything well,” Swann says. “Instead of sending three or four text messages to clarify something — a location to meet, understanding directions, etc. — it’s a good idea to call someone and shore up those details.”
7. Asking Someone out on a Date
“This should always be a phone call,” Swann says. “The same goes for breaking up with someone.”
Want to get even more out of your device? Check out our Zen Guide to Using Your Device!
