The Matheson Wetlands Preserve is a unique ecosystem in the Moab valley - a marshy, riparian zone home to an estimated 200 species of birds, amphibians, and mammals. The nearly 900 acres of wetlands are co-managed by The Nature Conservancy and Utah’s Division of Wildlife Resources. Today on the news, reporter Nathan Wynn takes a walk with the conservancy’s Linda Whitham, who oversees the wetlands. She gives us an audio tour of the preserve, it’s history, and her outlook on the challenges of increased visitation.

Plus, the Weekly News Reel, where we check in with reporters on their latest stories of the Moab area. Doug McMurdo of The Times Independent talks masking, sustainable tourism marketing, and the completion of Highway 191 work. Anastasia Hufham of the Moab Sun News discusses property tax increases throughout our region, and looks back on her time at the paper.

Show Notes:

Photo: A footbridge at the entrance to the Scott and Norma Matheson Wetlands Preserve

Scott and Norma Matheson Wetlands Preserve

https://www.nature.org/en-us/get-involved/how-to-help/places-we-protect/scott-norma-matheson-wetlands-preserve/

Weekly News Reel Mentions –

The Times-Independent: ‘Right thing’ for vaccinated Moabites is to mask in public

https://www.moabtimes.com/articles/right-thing-for-vaccinated-moabites-is-to-mask-in-public/

The Times-Independent: Grand backtracks to approve sustainable tourism marketing

https://www.moabtimes.com/articles/grand-backtracks-to-approve-sustainable-tourism-marketing/

The Times-Independent: Most Highway 191 work ends Friday

https://www.moabtimes.com/articles/most-highway-191-work-ends-friday/

Moab Sun News: Property taxes increase across our region – Spanish Valley home values increase 41%, Moab City debates tax

https://www.moabsunnews.com/news/article_011da7d8-f682-11eb-a71b-3f3f6655aee0.html