New mountain lion hunting laws went into effect in Utah at the beginning of May. The laws now allow year-round, unlimited cougar hunting despite a decline in cougar numbers in recent years. Plus, Grand County School District is closed today and Monday following a Norovirus outbreak. We also hear from our partners at KUER about a state-wide initiative to fund outdoor recreation.

//Photo: New mountain lion hunting laws now allow for unlimited, year-round hunting despite a decline in cougar numbers. Courtesy of Carolyn Witson via Flickr.

//Show Notes:

//2023 Utah Cougar Guidebook

https://wildlife.utah.gov/guidebooks/2023-24_cougar.pdf

//KUER: Utah is working on a recreation plan to ease crowding, climate and other pressures

https://www.kuer.org/health-science-environment/2023-05-12/utah-is-working-on-a-recreation-plan-to-ease-crowding-climate-and-other-pressures

Plus, the Weekly News Reel! Sophia Fisher of The Times-Independent discusses one woman’s heroic efforts to save a BASE jumper, the retirement of local NPS Superintendent Patty Trapp, a potential new density bonus in Grand County and this fall’s solar eclipse. Alison Harford of the Moab Sun News talks about new research into dying old-growth ponderosa pine trees on Ray Mesa. Plus, she profiles the community-building Castle Valley ping pong club.

Weekly News Reel Mentions:

// The Times-Independent: Barry recounts her heroic efforts to save BASE jumper

https://www.moabtimes.com/articles/barry-recounts-her-heroic-efforts-to-save-base-jumper/

// The Times-Independent: Superintendent of Arches, Canyonlands retiring at end of June

https://www.moabtimes.com/articles/superintendent-of-arches-canyonlands-retiring-at-end-of-june/

// The Times-Independent: Public hearing Monday on new density bonus

https://www.moabtimes.com/articles/public-hearing-monday-on-new-density-bonus/

// The Times-Independent: The ‘ring of fire’ comes to canyon country

https://www.moabtimes.com/articles/the-ring-of-fire-comes-to-canyon-country/

// Moab Sun News: Why are the Ray Mesa ponderosa pine trees dying?

https://moabsunnews.com/2023/05/18/why-are-the-ray-mesa-ponderosa-pine-trees-dying/

// Moab Sun News: Castle Valley ping pong club switches to pickleball for the summer

https://moabsunnews.com/2023/05/18/castle-valley-ping-pong-club/