Moab local Karla VanderZanden has been selected as a member of the Utah Nonprofits Association (UNA) Hall of Fame for 2026, according to an announcement made on Wednesday, Sept. 30. The selection honors nonprofit employees who have made a lasting impact on their organization and mission.
The announcement occurred during the 2026 UNA Annual Impact Conference held in Layton, Utah, which serves as the state's largest gathering for nonprofit professionals. VanderZanden co-founded the Canyonlands Field Institute (CFI) over 40 years ago and has played a central role in the organization's growth. Under her leadership and vision, CFI has facilitated experiences for 50,000 participants exploring the Colorado Plateau.
VanderZanden has held several significant roles at CFI, serving as Program Director from 1984 to 1991. Following the death of co-founder Robin Wilson, she took leadership of the organization for 28 years, including a tenure as Executive Director from 1992 to 2020.
CFI Executive Director Michele Jordon Johnson stated that VanderZanden is a seasoned naturalist who embodies the mission of the institute. Johnson noted that VanderZanden's passion for stewarding wild places on the Colorado Plateau has been impactful and life changing for many.
Fellow educator Linda Whitham, who has known VanderZanden since the winter of 1980, described her as a mentor who taught skills ranging from winter ecology and identifying wildflowers to following proper river trip procedures. Whitham noted that VanderZanden continues to inspire students of all ages while sharing her knowledge of the natural world.
VanderZanden remains an active member of the community through various roles. She continues to explore the Colorado Plateau and mentors guides, volunteers at Professor Valley Field Camp, serves as a Utah Cultural Site Steward, and acts as a board member for the Ellen Meloy Fund.
Founded in the summer of 1984 by VanderZanden and Robin Wilson, the Canyonlands Field Institute provides land and water-based educational adventures for youth and adults. The institute maintains a field camp in Professor Valley, which serves as a homebase for many of its land-based programs.
