Impact Coalition

This quarter, the Utah Open Lands team walked preliminary flaglines for future hiking trails, mixed-use trails, and connector trails at 45th Star Preserve, a 3,120-acre protected landscape overlooking Jordanelle Reservoir in the Wasatch Back. As planning continues, these future trails will connect visitors to hundreds of miles of existing trails while creating new opportunities for hiking and biking.

In the next quarter, FCC Impact Coalition funds will help Utah Open Lands move several conservation projects closer to permanent protection, from Slate Canyon in Provo to properties in southern Utah and agricultural lands in Heber Valley.

A proposal for a massive data center in Utah took center stage for Utah Clean Energy last quarter, and for good reason. As Impact Coalition members may have read in the news, the proposed Stratos Data Center in Box Elder County is an unprecedentedly large development that would negatively impact the state’s air quality, water use, and climate emissions for decades to come. Powering the proposed data center with 9 gigawatts of natural gas would also use anywhere from 2 billion to nearly 7 billion gallons of water annually—the upper end representing the annual water consumption of around a quarter million Utahns. Updates linked here.

We are thrilled to announce that the Community Clean Energy Program has officially been approved, marking a major clean energy milestone for Utah. This groundbreaking program enables Utah’s cities and towns to choose a path toward net 100% renewable electricity, reducing harmful emissions across Utah.

At the start of the year, CAWS had 522 animals in their care.

Intakes from shelters:

• Cats: 328

• Dogs: 109

• Total Animals Admitted: 437

Adoptions:

• Cats: 113

• Dogs: 118

• Total Animals Adopted: 231

542 foster placements supported animals on their journey to adoption.

CAWS performed 200 spay/neuter surgeries for CAWS animals during the quarter.

CAWS began the quarter caring for 465 animals and ended the quarter caring for 644 dogs and cats in our program!

This quarter marked the conclusion of VOA Utah's FY25-26 program year and a significant milestone following the Youth Resource Center's expansion from a 30-bed seasonal shelter to a 50-bed, year-round facility.

Currently in FY 25-26, the Youth Resource Center has served a total of 450 clients, helping them on their paths to stability.

We are excited to share the success story of one of our Youth Resource Center participants, Frankie, who recently took a significant step toward stability and independence. With the support of the Youth Resource Center, Frankie achieved several major milestones. He independently secured housing without the use of vouchers, reflecting growing self-sufficiency and confidence. He has also been accepted to enlist in the Army and plans to pursue higher education while serving, with the goal of becoming a high school teacher.

As VOA Utah enters FY26-27, FCC funding will help sustain the Youth Resource Center's expanded services and support the following objectives:

• Serve 450 unduplicated youth through Emergency Services and Housing Services.

• Provide over 14,000 nights of safe shelter.

• Of the 450 individuals served, 100 will be successfully diverted from the shelter.

• 80% of the youth accessing services for seven days or longer will participate in housing-focused case management.

• 30% of youth receiving housing-focused case management services will successfully transition into permanent housing.

• 65% of youth participating in housing case management will successfully transition into a positive housing destination.

Last quarter, 50 women and 35 children stayed in our emergency shelter, where we provided 3,057 nights of safe shelter.

This last quarter, funding supported emergency shelter, crisis response, advocacy, housing stabilization, and trauma-informed services for survivors.

Volunteers are needed for the domestic violence victim advocacy program: view volunteer opportunities here.