Last month, Shalae moderated a discussion titled Nurturing Nature Connections at the 2025 Intermountain Sustainability Summit. The conversation provided a hopeful perspective on actionable steps to increase ecological engagement.
Moderated by Shalae Larsen of Io LandArch, the panel included Kat Andra from Salt Lake City Public Lands, Troy Callantine of the GOAL Foundation, Andrea Nelson from The Nature Conservancy in Utah, and Ashley Pelletier from Sasaki.
Moderated by Shalae Larsen of Io LandArch, the panel included Kat Andra from Salt Lake City Public Lands, Troy Callantine of the GOAL Foundation, Andrea Nelson from The Nature Conservancy in Utah, and Ashley Pelletier from Sasaki.
Discussion Highlights
Shalae opened with a question that she has pondered for years – “How do we get people to genuinely care about sustainability?” She reflected that disconnection from nature has increased in our increasingly digital world. This disconnection has impacts for sustainability, as well as for community connection and mental health.
From here, the conversation expanded to cover why connection to nature has impacts on sustainability values. Kat Andra emphasized the importance of accessible green spaces. She explained: “If we want people to feel invested in sustainability, they have to feel like nature is a part of their daily lives. That’s why we prioritize equitable access to parks and public lands.”
In the “Reimagine Nature” SLC Public Lands Master Plan, the city’s engagement efforts yielded a resounding desire for more access to nature in the city.
A lively discussion on how to engage all, via programming and planning and design followed. Troy Callantine shared insights from his work at the GOAL Foundation. He highlighted the role of outdoor recreation programming in fostering connection and stewardship.
Troy shared: “When people experience the outdoors—whether through a community hike or a volunteer trail cleanup—they develop a deeper appreciation for nature. That appreciation leads to stewardship.”
Troy loves witnessing the transformative impact of GOAL Foundation’s initiatives on the community. From the Northern Utah Trail Fest (above) to the Ogden Marathon, Troy revels in the shared joy and camaraderie.
Andrea Nelson spoke about how conservation efforts are broader than just protecting natural spaces. Rather, “It’s about ensuring that future generations have the opportunity to build their own relationships with nature.” She explained that the programming and nature connections that events offer are conservation in their own right.
Andrea works as the Utah Community Engagement Manager at the Nature Conservancy in Utah. She has been instrumental in initiatives to plant thousands of native plants to restore habitats throughout Utah and the West. She also leads the Wings and Water Wetland Education Program, which provides hands-on Great Salt Lake experience to thousands of students annually.
Ashley Pelletier from Sasaki offered a different angle on the discussion, reflecting on urban design’s role in sustainability. She noted that “cities can either separate people from nature or weave nature into everyday life. Thoughtful design can make the difference.”
Across the various spheres that the panelists work in, it was clear that there are ways to create these connections, and that doing so is crucial.
The panel wrapped up considering how to navigate challenges posed by funding access and technology. From privately funded public parks, to bond bills, to grants, each panelist noted that there are creative solutions for funding these critical initiatives. They also reflected on ways that technology can be integrated into nature experiences in positive ways.
Ashley was the project manager for the Dumke Arts Plaza. The plaza’s plinth was intentionally designed to preserve and create views of the Wasatch. Plantings are inspired by different mountain ecosystems, creating an experience of the mountains from downtown Ogden. Photography courtesy of Sasaki, by Matthew Arielly.
Takeaways
Over the course of the conversation, the panelists shared ways that their organizations are creating vital connections to nature for people. The discussion made clear that fostering a connection to nature is fundamental to inspiring sustainable action. Additionally, it showed that there are tangible steps we can take to nurture that connection in our communities.
The full discussion is available on the Intermountain Sustainability Summit website here.
Learn more about our commitment to designing spaces for ecological engagement by reading about our Community Design studio!
