Swaner EcoCenter
Encyclopedia
The Swaner EcoCenter is a nature preserve located in Snyderville Basin
near Park City, Utah
. Swaner encompasses a 1200 acres (485.6 ha) wildlife refuge, a 10000 square feet (929 m²) state of the art environmental education facility, a 100 acres (40.5 ha) farm, and 10 miles (16.1 km) of trails. The EcoCenter works to preserve the land and the human connection to the natural landscape, to educate the local and broader communities about the value of nature, and to nurture both the ecosystem and the people connected with it. The EcoCenter is designed to meet the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design
(LEED) platinum certification, the highest standard set by the U.S. Green Building Council.
In 1933, the iconic white barn was built by the Fletcher family who purchased the farm in 1906 and operated it for more than 35 years. The Fletcher's sold the entire farm to the Wallin family who owned the land until 2003 when it was acquired by Swaner. It currently houses office and conference space.
In January 2010, Utah State University
(USU) President Stan Albrecht and the Swaner Preserve and EcoCenter Board of Directors announced that the refuge and center would be transferred to USU. The gift totaled in excess of $30 million dollars, making it the largest gift in USU history. Just one year later, in January 2011, classes began at the center through USU Distance Education.
Snyderville Basin
The Snyderville Basin is a valley in Summit County, Utah adjacent to Park City. Many of the residents of the Park City area live in the Snyderville Basin. Though the area lies outside of the Park City limits, and receives many services from Summit County instead of Park City, it is part of the...
near Park City, Utah
Park City, Utah
Park City is a town in Summit and Wasatch counties in the U.S. state of Utah. It is considered to be part of the Wasatch Back. The city is southeast of downtown Salt Lake City and from Salt Lake City's east edge of Sugar House along Interstate 80. The population was 7,558 at the 2010 census...
. Swaner encompasses a 1200 acres (485.6 ha) wildlife refuge, a 10000 square feet (929 m²) state of the art environmental education facility, a 100 acres (40.5 ha) farm, and 10 miles (16.1 km) of trails. The EcoCenter works to preserve the land and the human connection to the natural landscape, to educate the local and broader communities about the value of nature, and to nurture both the ecosystem and the people connected with it. The EcoCenter is designed to meet the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design
Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design
Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design consists of a suite of rating systems for the design, construction and operation of high performance green buildings, homes and neighborhoods....
(LEED) platinum certification, the highest standard set by the U.S. Green Building Council.
History
The preserve began as a donation of 190 acres (76.9 ha) of land in 1993 by the Spring Creek Angus Ranch Partnership in memory of Leland Swaner. Over the next decade several parcels of land would be added, growing the preserve to more than 1000 acres (404.7 ha). In 2003, Swaner purchased what is now known as the Swaner Farm, adding 107 acres (43.3 ha) to the preserve.In 1933, the iconic white barn was built by the Fletcher family who purchased the farm in 1906 and operated it for more than 35 years. The Fletcher's sold the entire farm to the Wallin family who owned the land until 2003 when it was acquired by Swaner. It currently houses office and conference space.
In January 2010, Utah State University
Utah State University
Utah State University is a public university located in Logan, Utah. It is a land-grant and space-grant institution and is accredited by the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities....
(USU) President Stan Albrecht and the Swaner Preserve and EcoCenter Board of Directors announced that the refuge and center would be transferred to USU. The gift totaled in excess of $30 million dollars, making it the largest gift in USU history. Just one year later, in January 2011, classes began at the center through USU Distance Education.