Launching the Great Salt Lake Waterkeeper: A Vital Step to Protect a Global Treasure
By: Waterkeeper Alliance
Waterkeeper Alliance recently joined Utah Rivers Council in Park City, Utah, to announce and officially launch the Great Salt Lake Waterkeeper. This critical initiative underscores the urgent need to protect the largest remaining wetland ecosystem in the Western United States, a vital habitat for 10–12 million migratory birds spanning 338 species that travel from every country in the Americas.
The Great Salt Lake is an irreplaceable ecological treasure, yet its survival is increasingly at risk. Upstream water diversions and climate change have drastically reduced water flows, leaving the lake vulnerable.
“Waterkeeper Alliance is proud to welcome Great Salt Lake Waterkeeper into our global network of locally-based clean water advocacy organizations,” said Marc Yaggi, CEO of Waterkeeper Alliance. “We stand arm-in-arm with Great Salt Lake Waterkeeper in supporting their efforts to protect this iconic 1,700-square-mile wetland ecosystem.”
A Shared Mission Across the Americas
Waterkeepers from across Latin America joined the launch event through a virtual press conference to emphasize the Great Salt Lake’s international importance. “The Guayllabamba Waterkeeper works to improve water quality and habitat for the people and wildlife of Ecuador, as well as migratory birds like the Wilson’s Phalarope that call our region home during the North American winter,” said Ana Chambers from Guayllabamba Waterkeeper in Ecuador.
The Great Salt Lake reached a record low water level in 2022, only slightly recovering due to the region’s largest snowpack in 40 years. With water levels dropping again, the lake is now just a few feet above its historic low.
This international collaboration also highlights the shared responsibility to protect the Great Salt Lake. As the 8th largest saline lake in the world and the largest in the Western Hemisphere, its health is essential for migratory birds that connect ecosystems across North and South America.
“My work as the La Paz Waterkeeper plays a vital role in protecting the habitat for migratory birds that also depend on the Great Salt Lake,” said Héctor Trinidad Mélendez, La Paz Waterkeeper, Red de Observadores Ciudadanos A.C. from the Baja area of Mexico. We are connected as Waterkeepers through the footprints left on our shores by Marbled Godwits, Western Sandpipers, Willets, and Snowy Plovers.”
“The importance of these international migration corridors between Mexico and the Great Salt Lake needs to be prioritized to protect our birds,” added Margarita Diaz, Tijuana Waterkeeper and Executive Director of Proyecto Fronterizo in Northern Mexico.
Leadership for the Future
Amy Wicks, a member of the Miniconjou Lakota and Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe, will serve as the Great Salt Lake Waterkeeper. With 30 years of nonprofit experience, three terms on the Ogden City Council, and her current role as Northern Utah Programs Manager for the Utah Rivers Council, Amy is uniquely equipped to lead this movement. A passionate advocate for water conservation, sustainability, and tribal issues, she will work to restore sustainable water levels, protect critical habitats, and engage communities across the Americas in safeguarding the lake.
“The Great Salt Lake is an ecological and economic cornerstone of Utah and a vital part of the global ecosystem,” said Yaggi. “This immense lake is a treasure that deserves a powerful voice and strong advocacy to ensure its health for current and future generations.”
With Amy Wicks at the helm, Great Salt Lake Waterkeeper will be that powerful voice, driving action to preserve this invaluable aquatic ecosystem for years to come.
