A new science-based assessment released by the National Audubon Society identifies critical conservation priorities for the Great Salt Lake, highlighting the need to protect hydrologic connectivity and existing wetland complexes to safeguard the 12 million birds that rely on the ecosystem. The report uses climate modeling and habitat analysis to pinpoint specific areas within the watershed where water management and land protection can most effectively mitigate future environmental threats.
Priority Wetland Complexes
The Great Salt Lake Birds and Habitat Assessment, developed by Audubon scientists with input from water and habitat experts, provides a detailed analysis of how habitat, hydrology, and climate modeling intersect. According to the Friends of Great Salt Lake, the assessment was designed to identify priority conservation areas to help guide long-term strategies across the entire Great Salt Lake watershed.
The findings emphasize that protecting current water flows and preventing encroachment on existing habitats offers the highest near-term conservation impact. Specifically, the $\text{report}$ identifies several wetland complexes as ongoing conservation priorities because they provide essential habitat today and are projected to persist even under future climate conditions.
Restoration Opportunities
The assessment specifically names the Bear River Migratory Bird Refuge, Farmington Bay, Ogden Bay, and Willard Spur Waterfowl Management Areas as vital areas for continued protection. These sites are considered critical because of their ability to maintain ecological function despite changing environmental pressures.
Beyond existing wetlands, the report identifies significant long-term opportunities in agricultural lands and degraded historical wetlands surrounding the lake. The assessment suggests that these areas represent high-value conservation opportunities where climate suitability is expected to remain high, meaning that restoration or land protection efforts could generate lasting value for the ecosystem.
The Role of Water Movement
A central theme of the findings is the importance of hydrologic connectivity, which refers to the network of canals, streams, and return flows that transport water from across the watershed into the lake and its associated wetlands. The assessment states that maintaining and improving this network is as essential to bird conservation as the physical footprint of the wetlands themselves.
The report concludes that the future of the Great Salt Lake is inextricably linked to the management trade-offs made throughout the surrounding watershed. According to the findings, how and where water moves through the system affects not only birds and wetlands but also local communities and the fundamental health of the lake.
Recent Water Scarcity
These recent scientific findings follow a period of significant environmental stress for the region. In a report from November 21, 2025, Audubon noted that the Great Salt Lake experienced a nearly record-low water year, which underscored the urgency of new policy tools and funding commitments.
At that time, the organization highlighted that new water distribution plans and shifts in policy were being implemented to provide much-needed support to the lake's ecosystem during periods of extreme drought.
Accessing Assessment Data
The National Audubon Society has made the full assessment, including its spatial prioritization methods and data sources, available through an interactive web tool. This resource is intended to assist conservation partners in accessing detailed information for watershed management.
As part of ongoing efforts to build on state and partner initiatives, the report provides a foundation for addressing the complex challenges currently facing the Great Salt Lake ecosystem.
