The GNAR Network
The GNAR Network provides a forum where representatives of gateway communities can meet, share ideas, and identify immediate and high-priority needs that would allow them to make more informed decisions to protect the well-being of their residents and their local economies.
Upcoming Events
| Date | Topic | Type | Summary/RSVP |
| Mar. 30, 2023 (2-3:30pm MDT) |
Planning for a GNARly Future: REMAGINE: Planning, Not Plans Navigate an uncertain future and increase resiliency |
Webinar (P2P TBD) | RSVP FOR MAIN SESSION > |
We are building the Network by engaging elected officials, city and county planners, economic development and tourism specialists, and others from gateway communities in interactive webinars and peer-to-peer learning sessions. We strive to provide participants an opportunity to share their experiences with each other, work together to problem solve, and clarify specific, high-priority needs.
Past Sessions
| Date | Topic | Type | Summary/RSVP |
| Feb. 23, 2023 (2-3:45pm MST) |
Planning for a GNARly Future: REDEFINE: Solutions Beyond Boundaries Craft regional solutions for regional problems |
Webinar & P2P | SESSION RECORDING > |
| Jan. 26, 2023 (2-3:30pm MST) |
Planning for a GNARly Future: REENGAGE: Mobilize Community Through Proactive Engagement Shake up public outreach efforts and brainstorm with other communities |
Presentation & P2P Learning Session | |
| Nov. 17, 2022 (2-3:30pm MST) |
Planning for a GNARly Future: REFRAME: Focus On Assets, Not Deficits Reframe challenges into “probletunities,” and tap into existing resources |
Presentation & P2P Learning Session | |
| Oct. 26, 2022 (2-3:30pm MST) |
Planning for a GNARly Future: REFOCUS: Values as Vision - Rally the community around a shared identity to guide the future |
Celebrity Interview & P2P Learning Session | SESSION RECORDING > |
| Dec. 7, 2021 (2-3:30pm MST) |
Peer-to-Peer Learning with the GNAR Network: Housing, transportation, and land use challenge and strategies in GNAR communities | P2P Learning Session | |
| July 1, 2021 (2-3:30pm MDT) |
How to Shred GNAR(ly) Problems: Peer-to-Peer Learning with the GNAR Network: Where Do We Go From Here? - Facilitated by the GNAR Initiative |
P2P Learning Session | |
| Jun. 15, 2021 (2-3:30pm MDT) |
How to Shred GNAR(ly) Problems: Vail InDEED: How Vail, Colorado is Tackling Affordable Housing | Webinar | |
| Jun. 1, 2021 (2-3:30pm MDT) |
How to Shred GNAR(ly) Problems: Tools to Increase Housing Affordability: Lessons Learned from Park City and Beyond - Thomas Eddington Jr. (Integrated Planning & Design, Park City, UT) |
Webinar | Watch Recording Presentation Slides Q&A |
| May 20, 2021 (2-3:30pm MDT) |
How to Shred GNAR(ly) Problems: Educated Guests Make Good Neighbors: How to Educate Short-Term Rental Guests - John Spuhler (Symliv/Garden City, UT), - Brumby Mcleod (College of Charleston), - Jordan Katcher (Utah Community Development Office) |
Webinar & Panel Discussion | Watch Recording Presentation Slides |
| May 4, 2021 (2-3:30pm MDT) |
How to Shred GNAR(ly) Problems: Short Term Rental Trends in the Intermountain West and How to Craft an Ordinance to Handle Them - Christa Watson (Granicus), - John Spuhler (Symliv/Garden City, UT), - Brumby Mcleod (College of Charleston), - Jordan Katcher (Utah Community Development Office) |
Webinar & Panel Discussion | Watch Recording |
| Apr. 22, 2021 (2-3:30pm MDT) |
How to Shred GNAR(ly) Problems: Housing Assessments 101: The What, Why and How - Wendy Sullivan (WSW Consulting) |
Webinar | Watch Recording |
| Dec. 3, 2020 (2-3:30pm MDT) |
AMENITY MIGRATION SERIES: What Comes Next? Community Peer Exchange |
Listening Session | Community Contact List Chat |
| Nov. 19, 2020 (2-3:30pm MDT) |
AMENITY MIGRATION SERIES: A Tale of Two Towns: The Successfull Communities Approach in Action in Gardiner & Deer Lodge, MT |
Webinar | Recording Slides |
| Nov. 12, 2020 (2-3:30pm MDT) |
AMENITY MIGRATION SERIES: Community Perspectives on Amenity Migration - Ray Brown, Sanders County Economic Development Corp., Montana - Kaden Figgins, Garfield County, Utah - Pete Muldoon, Jackson, Wyoming - Emily Niehaus, Moab, Utah - Aaron Qualls, Sandpoint, Idaho |
Community Q&A | |
| Oct. 29, 2020 (2-3:30pm MDT) |
AMENITY MIGRATION SERIES: Current Outlooks on Amenity Migration in the Intermountain West - Don Albrecht, Western Rural Development Center (Utah State University) - Megan Lawson, Headwaters Economics - Peter Nelson, Middlebury College - John Cromartie, USDA Rural Economics Division |
Panel Discussion | |
| Oct. 15, 2020 (2-3:30pm MDT) |
AMENITY MIGRATION SERIES: Growth & Development Challenges in GNAR Communities - Danya Rumore, University of Utah |
Research Q&A | Recording Slides Chat |
| Sept. 30, 2020 (1-2:30pm MDT) |
The Latest Research from the Rural West Covid Project - J. Tom Mueller, Utah State University |
Research Q&A | Recording Summary |
| Sept. 15, 2020 (1-2:30pm MDT) |
What Have We Learned? Communities Reflect Back on 6-months of COVID-19 | Listening Session | Summary |
| August 19, 2020 (1-2:30pm MDT) |
Outdoor Recreation Participation in Utah During the COVID-19 Pandemic - Jim Price, Mountainland Association of Governments - Jeremy Shaw, Antelope Island State Park - Zach Miller, Utah State University - Wayne Freimund, Utah State University-Moab |
Panel Discussion | Recording Summary |
| July 23, 2020 (2-3:00pm MDT) |
Wellbeing in Utah's GNAR Communities - Courtney Flint, Utah State University |
Research Q&A | Recording Summary |
| June 23, 2020 (2-3:30pm MDT) |
GNAR Network Peer-to-Peer Coaching Session | Coaching Session | |
| June 12, 2020 (10-11am MDT) |
COVID-19 Impacts to Gateway Communities [Hosted by the Western Governors' Association] - Danya Rumore, University of Utah - Jake Powell, Utah State University - Darla Sidles, Rocky Mountain National Park - Emily Niehaus, City of Moab |
Webinar | Recording |
| June 10, 2020 (2-3:30pm MDT) |
Community Innovations in Policy and Practice - Shannon Haynes, Assistant Town Manager, Breckenridge, CO - Devin Middlebrook, Sustainability Program Manager, Lake Tahoe Regional Planning Agency, CA |
Community Q&A | Recording |
| May 28, 2020 (2-3:30pm MDT) |
Policies and Practices for Reopening GNAR Communities | Listening Session | Summary |
| April 30, 2020 (2-3:30pm MDT) |
Challenges and Opportunities for GNAR Communities during COVID-19 | Listening Session | Summary |
| Oct. 27, 2022 (2-3:30pm MDT) |
Planning for a GNARly Future: REFOCUS: Values as Vision Rally the community around a shared identity to guide the future | Webinar & P2P Learning Session | RECORDING |
| Nov. 17, 2022 (2-3:30pm MST) |
Planning for a GNARly Future: REFRAME: Focus On Assets, Not Deficits Reframe challenges into “probletunities,” and tap into existing resources |
Webinar & P2P Learning Session | Recording |