Upcoming additions make future appear bright for waterfowl management area

Beky Beaton

One of Utah's premier wildlife-viewing locations is about to get even better.

Farmington Bay education specialist Justina Parsons-Bernstein bubbles over with enthusiasm as she describes her vision for the future of the Great Salt Lake Nature Center, located northwest of the main entrance complex at the Farmington Bay Waterfowl Management Area.

The Center opened in 2003 but was relocated last year with two workshop/classrooms located on a deck which provides prime viewing of the northern edge of the FBWMA. Plans call for eventual construction of a 14,000-square foot building.

"We call this the front row to the show," Parsons-Bernstein said. Spotting scopes are set up on the deck so visitors can view the numerous species to be found in the area, particularly during the busy spring and fall migration seasons.

Not far from the Center's portable buildings, bulldozers are hard at work preparing the first phase of a trail that will eventually stretch for nearly four miles through both upland and marsh habitats. Completion of the full trail is expected to take about three years.

The project is a joint partnership between Utah's Division of Wildlife Resources and the American Birding Association.

Funded by a conservation grant, the first phase is expected to be completed in September and will provide access to FBWMA's riches to every type of visitor.

"The trail will accommodate wheelchairs and the signs will include braille," Parsons-Bernstein explained. It will be composed of gravel in the upland (i.e. dry) areas, and boardwalks in the marshes."

The Center served more than 10,000 visitors this past school year, most of them students from Davis, Weber, Morgan, Salt Lake and Utah counties.

According to the well-maintained Web site at greatsaltlakenaturecenter.org, "The Nature Center was designed by students for students.

"Conveniently located between Salt Lake City and Ogden, Utah, the Nature Center offers on-site educational field trips and programs designed to meet the State of Utah's fourth-grade science wetlands core curriculum with fun, hands-on activities.

"But our programs and activities cater to students of all ages, families, Scout groups and adults."

Programs are funded entirely by donations.

Parsons-Bernstein is the only full-time employee at the Center, but she relies heavily on about 20 volunteer naturalists drawn from all walks of life and age ranges, and more are being sought.

Through a combination of their own experience and provided training, these volunteers teach topics as diverse as wildlife adaptations to watersheds. Their presentations cover virtually every aspect of the area's ecosystem.

Their availability also allows the Center to extend its hours and to build on its resources. Drawings created or supervised by the volunteers decorate curtains in the classrooms, which also feature exhibits from duck eggs and insects to snakeskin molts, all collected in the area.

"There's a lot to know," Parsons-Bernstein said. "I learn something new every day."

For more information on Farmington Bay and the Center, as well as the urgent need for more volunteer naturalists and donors, visit the Web site or call (801) 451-7386.