Recent Achievements
The Great Salt Lake Strike Team
In August 2022, Utah State University, the University of Utah, and the Utah Department of Natural Resources convened a “Great Salt Lake Strike Team,” a model partnership to provide timely, high quality, and relevant data and research to help decision-makers make informed decisions about Great Salt Lake. The 20-person team is designed to serve as a primary point of contact for decision-makers to tap into the expertise of Utah’s research universities.
The Colorado River Collaborative
In April 2024, the Colorado River Collaborative was formed as a statewide media group to help train, inform, and support news organizations in telling solutions-focused, local-perspective news stories on the Colorado River. The group’s efforts will significantly expand Utah-based coverage of another critical water issue in the state.
Our 130-year land, water, and air history
Gigawatt Fellowship announced
Certified AI Ready Environmental Professional Program launched
Building USU and Utah's Statewide Water Network
Expanding internal project capacity
Land, Water, and Air trainings for legislatures hosted with Utah DNR and DEQ
Start of Phase 3 of Utah Growing Water Smart
ILWA Summer Student Fellows program established
ILWA Fellows program established
Partnered with Salt Lake Chamber
Partnered with Utah Business Magazine
Expanded business and fundraising connections
First Annual Metrics Report
Colorado River Media Collaborative academic partner
Development of a Strategic Plan
Rangesan Narayanan Student Research Endowment and Grant Program established
Air and Water Innovation Grant Evaluations
ILWA Student Chapter Established
First "This Week in Utah's Land, Water, and Air" news roundup
Brian Steed named as inaugural executive director
Development of Mission, Vision and Values
Event: Main Feature at Aggie Impact Campaign
GSL Media Collaborative academic partner
Establishment of GSL Strike Team
USU Institute for Land, Water, and Air established
First Annual Report to the Governor and Legislature
USU Research Landscapes series started
USU Center for Colorado River Studies established
Utah Transportation Center started at USU
Bingham Energy Research Center established in Vernal, Utah
USU Center for Water-Efficient Landscaping founded
USU Institute of Outdoor Recreation and Tourism founded
Jack H. Berryman Institute on wildlife interactions founded
Institute for Social Science Research in Natural Resources/Community
and Natural Resources Institute (ISSNR/CANRI) was established
Utah Water Research Laboratory founded at USU.
Utah Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unity at USU founded.
USU Cooperative Extension established by Smith-Lever Act.
USU researchers begin recording and reporting daily weather observations.
USU founded as Utah's land-grant institution.
About Janet Quinney Lawson
Characterized by friends and family as a champion of environmental education and conservation, Janet Quinney Lawson dedicated herself to ensuring research and teaching in these vital areas thrive at Utah State University. The daughter of S.J. “Joe” and Jessie E. Quinney, Janet was instrumental in developing relationships between her own foundation, as well as the foundation that bears her parents’ names, that have enabled USU to become a leader in natural resources and its related fields.
Janet was well-known throughout the community as a supporter of many projects and organizations. She was an avid skier and golfer. She loved Bear Lake and the mountains around Alta. She was a pioneer in running the rivers of the Western U.S. and supported many projects throughout her life to help others connect with the beauty of Utah.
In October 2021, the Janet Quinney Lawson Foundation gave the lead gift of $7 million to name the Janet Quinney Lawson Institute for Land, Water, and Air. The generous gift creates an endowment that provides core support for the important work of the institute in perpetuity and is a fitting tribute to the legacy of Janet Quinney Lawson’s steadfast support of USU.
