As we ranch it is our goal to consider critical times in the annual cycle of important species and to ensure that we address these in our operational plans. For example, wading birds’ critical season is nesting time. Without nesting areas that meet specific needs and nearby feeding areas at this critical time of the year, these important and beautiful species’ existence would be jeopardized.

To help address these needs Deseret created a nesting site that has become one of the state’s largest Wood Stork rookeries, where a large number of important and endangered species, such as the Wood Stork, nest each year. The wetlands we created as we constructed reservoirs augment the feeding areas needed in the spring when obtaining feed for their young is difficult.