Great Salt Lake Watershed Enhancement Trust

Working collaboratively to secure a healthy future for Great Salt Lake.

Photo: Nikunj Patel/Audubon Photography Awards

Co-managed by National Audubon Society and The Nature Conservancy, the Great Salt Lake Watershed Enhancement Trust is dedicated to preserving the irreplaceable wetlands and water of Great Salt Lake through innovative partnerships and water projects for the benefit of people and wildlife.  

The Great Salt Lake Watershed Enhancement Trust is grateful for our nine-member Trust Advisory Council, who provide expertise and guidance on matters related to the mission and objectives of the Trust.

  • Water Transactions

    When it comes to helping Great Salt Lake get back to healthy levels, securing more water is widely considered one of the most effective solutions. The Trust works to facilitate voluntary water transactions that benefit Great Salt Lake and its surrounding wetlands and ecosystems.

    Learn More About Water Transactions

  • Wetland Grants

    The Trust is focused on the protection and restoration of wetlands and habitats in the Great Salt Lake’s surrounding ecosystem to benefit the hydrology of the Great Salt Lake. It has facilitated two rounds of wetland funding and supports those ongoing projects across Great Salt Lake.

    Learn More About Wetland Grants

  • Five-Year Strategy

    The Trust’s Five-Year Strategy guides the Trust’s vision and goals for 2024-2028 and outlines our path to achieving them. This plan draws upon the scientific expertise and watershed management experience of both National Audubon Society and The Nature Conservancy, as well as our deep network of partners.

    Learn More About the Five-Year Strategy

  • News

    Keep up to date with the Trust and the impact of its work across Great Salt Lake and its wetlands, and check out the team’s blogs about partners and projects.

    Check Out the News

An Ecosystem in Crisis

Great Salt Lake has been on a downward decline for many years and in 2022 lake levels dropped to its lowest water levels in recorded history, threatening the health of nearby communities, the future of key Utah industries, ecological balance, watershed resiliency, quality of life, and the survival of millions of migratory shorebirds and other wildlife.

In response to this need, the Utah Legislature unanimously passed and Gov. Cox signed HB 410, authorizing $40 million for the Great Salt Lake Watershed Enhancement Program to set up a water trust to enhance water quantity and water quality for Great Salt Lake and its wetlands.

This is just one of many solutions underway that are needed to preserve Great Salt Lake. National Audubon Society’s Saline Lakes Program and The Nature Conservancy in Utah were chosen to implement and lead the Trust.

“The Great Salt Lake Watershed Enhancement Trust is helping bring more water to Great Salt Lake and its wetlands, which are crucial for millions of birds that rely on this ecosystem and the health of the surrounding communities. The work of the Trust, including the exciting progress in both water transactions and wetland protection, is an important piece in a larger conservation strategy to protect and restore this priceless resource.”

-Tim Brown, President/CEO of Tracy Aviary
Great Salt Lake Watershed Enhancement Trust Advisory Council Member

Read our 2024 Annual Report!

If you have questions about the Great Salt Lake Watershed Enhancement Trust or are interested in contributing to its success, please provide your contact information.

Make an impact today

Securing a healthy future for Great Salt Lake requires an ‘all hands-on deck’ approach. Consider donating to help the Great Salt Lake Watershed Enhancement Trust work toward its mission and fund water transactions that will help Great Salt Lake reach healthy levels.
We’re in this for the long haul. Thank you for your support.