

Friends of Alta Speaker Series
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The Friends of Alta Speaker Series is in its second year!
Held at various locations in Alta and Salt Lake, these free events are a great way to learn more about the environment of Little Cottonwood Canyon and Utah!
Dates for future events will be announced soon. Make sure to RSVP as they are likely to fill up quickly!
There is no fee to participate in this event, but donations are welcomed.
Speaker Series Talks
Upcoming Educational Talks
- Thu, Apr 17Salt Lake City Main Library - Room BJoin Friends of Alta and University of Utah Professor McKenzie Skiles to learn how dust from regional sources, such as the Great Salt Lake, impacts snowpack.
Meet the Speakers
Learn more about the amazing speakers for our 2025 speaker series!
Laura Vernon is the Great Salt Lake Basin Planner with the Utah Department of Natural Resources Division of Water Resources. For nearly 20 years she has worked with federal, state, and local governments and industry leaders on contemporary planning and environmental policy issues in the West. With a Master’s in Public Administration and BA in Psychology, her education and professional experience focuses on land use and water planning, public involvement, socioeconomic analyses, project management and strategic planning. She has worked on numerous exciting and innovative Great Salt Lake-related projects over the last 10 years including the development of the 2013 Great Salt Lake Comprehensive Management Plan and the recent explorations of the economic and ecological impacts of a declining Great Salt Lake. Currently, Laura is managing the first-ever Great Salt Lake Basin Integrated Basin Plan.
Talks & Recordings
Learn more about past and future talks, as well as watching recordings of previous educational talks.
Image Gallery
Thank you to everyone who was able to join us with one of our past talks!




