2025 Metrics Report on Utah's Land, Water Air & Energy Released

Utah State University’s Janet Quinney Lawson Institute for Land, Water and Air released its first yearlong metrics report this week, offering a snapshot of public data relevant to Utah’s land, water, air and energy contained in the Institute’s online metrics repository.

To elevate the mission of connecting decision makers with high-quality research and data, the institute compiles publicly available data in the online repository. The repository contains large datasets from state and federal agencies paired down and presented in digestible and interactive formats.

The report was presented over breakfast at the Utah State Capitol Building. Legislators, state and community leaders, academic experts and data providers attended the event to hear about data trends, see data visualizations in the report and learn how to access the metrics repository to independently explore datasets.

The 2025 report includes chapters on land, water and air and energy. Featuring datasets ranging from park visitation to electricity generation, the report provides an opportunity to quickly reference the numbers within Utah’s natural resource discussions.

“By working with data providers, the metrics report brings public data together from several state and federal agencies in a unique way” said Brian Steed, executive director of the institute.

One example of data this impactful collaboration is with the Utah Division of Water Quality. The institute publicizes Harmful Algae Bloom data compiled by the division, this data is currently only available in the report. Collaborations between field scientists and data communicators like these increase visibility and understanding of natural resource datasets.

“Our work is about more than research — it’s about connecting people, ideas and data so Utah can proactively address pressing environmental issues,” said Anna McEntire, managing director of the institute.

The full 2025 report is published online and available to the public along with the repository at ilwa.usu.edu/metrics.