"That Salt is Priceless": Understanding the Environmental Heritage and Place Attachment of Great Salt Lake

Human involvement with Great Salt Lake (GSL) will determine its future; however, sociological research regarding how people perceive the lake is minimal. Current development and water project proposals concerning the lake makes this project timely. With a focus on the revered local social unit of the family, I asked how do west side Salt Lake County residents conceptualize the environmental heritage of Great Salt Lake? Using recruitment flyers and snowball sampling, I collected participants from the community of Magna. Overall, participants connected with the human legacy of the south shoreline of GSL more than they did with the environmental heritage of it. Childhood experience was an indicator for more positive connections with the lake. Participants were in favor of development if it had the potential to help their local community. Overall, there was a lack of knowledge about and disassociation with the lake. Providing people opportunities to connect with the lake is important for conservation efforts. In this way, some development becomes an element of conservation. Understanding how people identify with the lake will inform future advocacy outreach. Further study on this subject is recommended.