Utah Valley University’s Capitol Reef Field Station (CRFS) was selected as one of only 11 sites nationwide to host a 2025 Leave No Trace Spotlight, a multi-day initiative that brings community members, land agencies, and national experts together to strengthen local conservation efforts.
Utah Valley University’s Capitol Reef Field Station (CRFS) was selected as one of only 11 sites nationwide to host a 2025 Leave No Trace Spotlight, a multi-day initiative that brings community members, land agencies, and national experts together to strengthen local conservation efforts. Leave No Trace staff visited Capitol Reef National Park and the surrounding Torrey community from November 13 to 15 to provide hands-on education, restoration work, and public engagement centered on responsible outdoor stewardship.
Spotlight sites are nominated by local agencies or community groups and represent areas experiencing unique environmental pressures. Through workshops, youth programs, volunteer projects, and outreach events, the initiative equips communities with practical tools to reduce human impact and support long-term land health.
“The Spotlight program is an amazing way to highlight the power of a community and the steps they can take to protect the outdoor areas they love,” said Dana Watts, executive director of Leave No Trace.
CRFS Site Manager Cinimin Kofford added, “We are excited to tie in with the local community and connect with the stewards who protect our incredible public lands.”
Across three days, CRFS and Leave No Trace led 10 programs, drawing 269 participants and more than 1,500 community impressions. CRFS also hosted a free overnight program for professionals and community members to learn about environmental stewardship while experiencing the station’s immersive, research-focused setting.
For more information about Capitol Reef Field Station, visit uvu.edu/crfs.
