On December 16, 2025, Provo City Council members voted unanimously to place a conservation easement on Provo City-owned land in Bunnell’s Fork Canyon in South Fork Canyon. This was the culmination of almost five years of work by Conserve Utah Valley and Provo City. This effort now protects 150 acres of pristine, beautiful land with flowing water and many species of wildlife from any development efforts in perpetuity!
Many people had a hand in seeing this effort cross the finish line. Council member George Handley introduced this idea several years ago and Mayor Michelle Kaufusi saw the importance of making this conservation easement happen. Both were vigilant in moving it forward. Many Provo city employees researched and worked to understand the details of getting it right. Utah Open Lands was invited to write the easement and Wendy Fisher, executive director for UOL, met several times with Provo council members, Mayor Kaufusi, City staff and CUV to explain their role and ultimate guardianship of the easement.
Melia Dayley, administrative aide for the City Council, created a calendar of items for each step to be accomplished. Jennifer Dees, Tara Riddle, Brian Jones, Gordon Haight and many others were instrumental in helping with this effort. We are grateful to everyone who helped with this great triumph!
City staff have established a new, sign-posted trailhead at the back of South Fork Park where a bridge crosses the stream. Now a vital canyon—important for water, recreation, and wildlife—is protected in perpetuity against development. Provo City still owns the land, and Utah Open Lands will hold the easement and monitor it to make sure it is not developed.
During the public comment period, several members of the Provo community spoke in favor of the easement. Kaye Nelson, executive director of CUV, Wendy Fisher, Daniel Jensen of the Utah Valley Trails Association and Katherine Hall from District 2 all extolled the beautiful benefits of Bunnell’s Fork and recommended the council pass this item.
We at CUV are overjoyed that this easement has been secured and hope to work with Provo City, Utah County, and other towns in Utah valley to get more easements on sensitive areas, including the rest of the land owned by Provo City in the South Fork of Provo Canyon (including Big Springs), land in and surrounding the mouth of Slate Canyon, Burr Farms near the Provo River Delta, and other properties. If you are interested in helping with this work, please volunteer here!
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