Funding Information
This research was funded by the USU Institute for Land, Water and Air’s and Utah Division of Forestry, Fire, and State Land's Bear Lake Needs Assessment project. The authors have no conflict of interest to report.
Abstract
In the western U.S., climate change is exacerbating already difficult situations in many lake systems, including Bear Lake, which spans the Idaho-Utah border and faces several environmental issues and a new wave of recreational development. In this research note, we discuss preliminary findings from community-engaged research aimed at assessing different concerns that scientists, residents, and community organizations have for Bear Lake and the surrounding communities. To do so, this project connects student research across three courses. Data collected through archival and interview research provides important insights into the socio-environmental concerns related to 1) ecological threats, 2) water management, quality, and quantity issues, 3) recreation, tourism, and development; and 4) community wellbeing. Understanding socio-environmental concerns about the future of Bear Lake enables planning processes aimed at ensuring the wellbeing of the Bear Lake ecosystem and community in the face of increasing tourism, recreation, and development and increasing climate risk.
Recommended Citation
Ryder, Stacia; Theophilus, Alexander; Williams, Charlotte Emelia; Brunner, Elizabeth; Ulrich-Schad, Jessica; Ahmed, Mufti Nadimul Quamar; Barkat, Zubair; Fatema, Nowrin; and Rowley, Jordan
(2025)
"Understanding Socio-environmental Concerns about Bear Lake: Findings from a Community-Engaged Teaching Study,"
Transforming Communities: Vol. 2:
Iss.
1, Article 2.
Available at:
https://digitalcommons.usu.edu/tcjournal/vol2/iss1/2
Included in
Civic and Community Engagement Commons, Communication Commons, Community-Based Research Commons, Environmental Studies Commons, Place and Environment Commons, Rural Sociology Commons