In 1997, the Coalition for Utah’s Future – the original sponsor of Envision Utah – received funding to develop a quality growth public/private partnership in large part due to the generosity of the George S. and Dolores Doré Eccles Foundation.
With input from business leaders, community groups, and 130 agencies, Envision Utah coordinated the development of the Baseline Scenario, which projected the region’s future based on recent growth patterns. For many, it served as a wake-up call, painting a picture of greater traveling to reach destinations, fewer housing choices, higher demand of water, and a faster consumption of farmland.
In 1999, to better understand Utahns’ dreams for the future, Envision Utah conducted values research, held over 200 workshops, and listened to more than 20,000 residents. We learned what matters most to people: safe, close-knit communities; opportunities for our children; time to do what matters most; and the security of a good job. To achieve the public’s aspirations for the 10-county Wasatch Front, Envision Utah created the Quality Growth Strategy, which provides voluntary, locally-implemented, market-based solutions to deal with the issues associated with growth.
Over the past 15 years, Envision Utah has facilitated more than 40 local and regional visioning processes involving over 50,000 residents. The Envision Utah model of civic engagement has influenced nearly 100 regions throughout the United States and has spread to countries beyond our border. More recently, Envision Utah has been asked to increase the capability of organizations around the country and is also co-leading the four-county Wasatch Choice for 2040 land-use and transportation vision.
Together, we have accomplished much. We thank our supporters for their continued partnership.
We cannot take our high quality of life for granted. By 2050, our population will nearly double to five million, three-fourths of whom will be our children and grandchildren. By thinking ahead and working together, we will preserve the best elements of life in Utah for generations to come.
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