In the Wasatch Podcast

In the Wasatch, a Podcast by the Central Wasatch Commission

In The Wasatch Podcast was created by the Central Wasatch Commission. The CWC is an intergovernmental entity dedicated to protecting the Central Wasatch Mountains through canyon transportation improvements, pathways for concentrated development, environmental protections, and recreational stewardship. You can think of the CWC as the table everyone sits at, where real conversation happens, so we can find real solutions to real issues. This podcast continues those conversations and brings them to you, so you can get involved. Hosted by Communications Director Ben Kilbourne, In The Wasatch focuses on the CWC’s initiatives, issues in the Central Wasatch, and local advocates and organizations dedicated to a sustainable future.  You’ll hear from stakeholders, commissioners, and others who love and want to preserve the mountains for generations to come. As we gather Wasatch stories, profiles, and expertise, we hope to establish this podcast, and the CWC generally, as a hub for finding belonging in the central Wasatch. After all, it’s the mountains that make this place what it is, and we’re all part of it.

If you have an idea for an episode of In the Wasatch, or if you would like to appear as a guest on an episode, contact ben@cwc.utah.gov.

Episode 19: Fun with Tom Diegel

Today we’re going walking with Tom Diegel in the Wasatch. Tom has been involved with the CWC for some time now, and has held the Stakeholders Council Co-Chair role for the last two years. He’s focused a lot of his efforts on Mill Creek Canyon, and has a special affinity for it, so that’s where we went. Tom, in his unique and surprising way, identifies fun, or the ability to have fun so easily as the “special something” that makes the Wasatch the place he wants to call home.

Episode 18: Educating the Next Generation of Central Wasatch Stewards with Helen Nadel

This is our second shorts pod, highlighting another one of our Short-Term Projects grant recipients. Listen to find out how Summit Community Gardens connects kids to what it really means to live in the Central Wasatch. For the second consecutive year, they have been awarded a grant for their environmental education program where they connect kids to the process of growing food in rocky clayey soil at more than 6,600 feet above sea level.

Episode 17: Restoring East Canyon Creek with Rhea Cone

To kick off our first In The Wasatch “Shorts” episode, I met Rhea Cone, the Swaner Preserve’s Conservation Director, at East Canyon Creek. Swaner received funding through CWC’s Short-Term Projects grant program to remove more than a mile of old fencing along the creek. “The fencing…has just fallen into disrepair, is a barrier to wildlife passage, and prevents our staff and volunteers from moving safely though the area to do other restoration work,” Rhea said.

Episode 16: Long-Term Thinking with John Knoblock

John Knoblock is the Central Wasatch Commission’s outgoing Stakeholders Council Chair. For reasons that become increasingly clear through the duration of the conversation, he had me meet him at the foot of Grandeur Peak on a sunny summer morning where the latest section of the Bonneville Shoreline Trail has recently been completed. Whether the topic is trails, transportation, or conservation, John touts the importance of embracing long-term thinking.

Episode 15: A New Season in the Wasatch

Season 2 (and winter) have both come to an end, and a new chapter is beginning. While the gamble oaks and maples have been leafing out, a changing of the guard is taking place at the CWC. Mia McNeil is heading out on an adventure, and Ben Kilbourne, the new Communications Director, will be taking over the pod. Listen to learn a little about Ben and find out how Mia’s relationship with the Central Wasatch has changed during her time at CWC.

Episode 14: Public Comment Periods with Kirk Nichols

A public comment period provides evidence as to why the development should or should not be implemented, needs to be reevaluated, or does not follow official protocol. How can the public give effective input that makes a substantial difference? Kirk Nichols joins me in this episode to explain how public comment periods work, the history and laws behind them, and ways to improve your comment submissions.

Episode 13: The Mountain Accord

The Central Wasatch Commission was created because of a document called the ⁠Mountain Accord charter⁠. This document is the foundation of the organization and its goals to help alleviate issues regarding the economy, environment, recreation, and transportation throughout the Central Wasatch. The CWC’s Executive Director, Lindsey Nielsen, will read verbatim the Mountain Accord charter. 

Episode 12: The Central Wasatch Economy with Morgan Mingle

The state of an economy depends on a variety of factors. Job opportunities, housing availability, business prosperity and more. The Central Wasatch’s economy consists of tourism, recreation, hotels, restaurants, and multiple towns and cities. The wasatch front and back are physically separated but have common themes. In this episode, I talk economics with CWC stakeholder Morgan Mingle and how it relates to the four interdependent systems of the Central Wasatch.

Episode 11: National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) with Kirk Nichols

Our environment is the foundation of life in local communities. With continuous development, it’s crucial to monitor the level of impact imposed on the surrounding water, soil, and inhabitants. The National Environmental Policy Act, commonly known as NEPA, is the law that protects surrounding environments from potential damage. Kirk Nichols joins me in this episode to dive into what NEPA is and how the law is applied in the Central Wasatch.

Episode 10: Central Wasatch Symposium Live Podcast

The first annual Central Wasatch Symposium was a success! The event was held on January 9th and 10th, 2025, at Millcreek City Hall, with various speakers and organizations in attendance. To capture the experience, we walked around in between breakout sessions to hear what attendees and speakers had to say. This episode highlights each person’s perspective on the conference and the overall impact of the event.

Episode 9: The First Annual Central Wasatch Symposium

The CWC’s first annual Central Wasatch Symposium is right around the corner! This two-day conference is an educational event spotlighting the four systems of the Central Wasatch: economy, environment, recreation, and transportation. The CWC’s Executive Director, Lindsey Nielsen, and Director of Operations, Sam Kilpack, will be with me announcing the Symposium and discussing what this event will look like.

Episode 8: CWNCRA Series: Each Iteration of the Bill

The CWC’s Executive Director Lindsey Nielsen and Director of Operations Sam Kilpack will be reviewing each version of the CWNCRA. The CWNCRA is a federal, consensus-based bill drafted by the CWC aimed at protecting the ecosystem and preserving recreational opportunities in the face of a growing population. The purpose of this episode and the CWNCRA series is to inform people about the bill as the CWC works towards its establishment. 

Episode 7: Hunting in the Central Wasatch with Caitlin Curry

We will be introducing you to Caitlin Curry who is part of Utah Backcountry Hunters and Anglers, an organization that supports county efforts to conserve public lands in ways that work for local communities and preserve their outdoor legacy for future generations. She is also a member of the CWC’s Stakeholders Council and participates on the Recreation System Committee.

Episode 6: Sustainable Recreation and Collaborative Efforts with Jayme Kogel

Today we will be introducing you to Jayme Kogel, one of the founders of Speedmo, a local organization passionate about bringing the community of flying athletes together. They host races, gear demos, film viewings, festivals, and track records. A large part of their vision is sustainable recreation in the Central Wasatch. Jayme and I will be discussing flying, sustainability, and collaborative efforts.

Episode 5: Central Wasatch National Conservation and Recreation Area Act (CWNCRA) – Reading the Legislation

One of the primary components of the CWC’s mission is establishing its federal bill for the Central Wasatch: the Central Wasatch National Conservation and Recreational Area Act, also known as the CWNCRA. Our Executive Director, Lindsey Nielsen reads verbatim the October 27th, 2020 version of the CWNCRA, which is the most recent version of the legislation.

Episode 4: Wildlife in the Wasatch with Shauna Hart and Scott Root

Wildlife are spread all across the Wasatch. Shauna Hart is a local wildlife photographer who spends her time capturing the beauty of animals in the Central Wasatch. Scott Root is the Conservation Outreach manager for the Utah Division of Wildlife Resources. In this episode, we will talk to Shauna and Scott about wildlife and photography in the Central Wasatch Mountains.

Episode 3: Dani Poirier and Tom Diegel: Backcountry Recreation in the Central Wasatch

Wasatch Backcountry Alliance is a local nonprofit organization whose mission is to protect and advocate for backcountry terrain and access, while educating and informing the community. Dani Poirier is Executive Director of WBA. Tom Diegel is the Co-Chair of the CWC’s Stakeholders Council and one of the founders of WBA. We will be talking to Dani and Tom in this episode about backcountry recreation in the Central Wasatch Mountains.

Episode 2: Ryan McCann: Adaptive Sports in the Central Wasatch

Ryan McCann is currently on the CWC’s Youth Council and works for Wasatch Adaptive Sports, a nonprofit organization that was established in 1977 to provide affordable recreational and educational opportunities for children, adults and veterans to share with their support network or family. Their mission is to empower people with disabilities to realize their potential through outdoor recreation.

Episode 1: Central Wasatch 101

The Central Wasatch Commission (CWC) is an intergovernmental entity dedicated to protecting the Central Wasatch Mountains by focusing on transportation, recreation, conservation, and the economy. This episode kicks off the ‘In the Wasatch’ podcast with an introduction to who is involved in the CWC, and the values and mission of the organization.