Welcome

FRIENDS of Great Salt Lake is a membership-based non-profit 501c3 organization founded in 1994. The mission of FRIENDS is to preserve and protect the Great Salt Lake Ecosystem and to increase public awareness and appreciation of the lake through education, research, and advocacy. The long-term vision of FRIENDS is to achieve comprehensive watershed-based restoration and protection for the Great Salt Lake Ecosystem.

Dancers by Gary Crandall

Now appearing in Great Salt Lake wetlands, freshwater shorelines and adjacent uplands, and wet meadows and pastures in the Heber Valley is the ever elegant and statuesque Sandhill Crane. Recognized by its enormous wingspan (5ft. - 6.5ft.) and distinctive call that sounds like a cross between a trumpet and wooden percussion instrument, sandhills can be seen soaring high in the sky riding thermals. The adult is gray overall with a red forehead, white cheeks and a long dark pointed bill, and long dark legs. Although size varies among the different subspecies, average height ranges between (2.6 ft to 3.9 ft.). Hotspots include Salt Creek WMA, Bear River Migratory Bird Refuge and Ogden Bay WMA.