The 2018 Dollar Ridge Fire devastated Utah’s Strawberry River and surrounding landscape, leaving behind erosion, habitat loss, and ecological collapse in its wake. But restoration is more than just repairing damage – it’s an opportunity to rethink how we care for the world and the legacy we leave behind for future generations. 

This Strawberry River Restoration Project demonstrates how data becomes a tool for renewal. High resolution LiDAR and imagery didn’t just map the terrain, they uncovered opportunities to heal it. For Bernie Doud, an Aero-Graphics Projects Manager, this work was personal, “I’ve seen what URMCC accomplished on the Middle Provo River, now one of my favorite places to fly fish. I’m excited to see the same transformation here, creating a thriving fishery for my grandkids.”

And for Ari Waldstein the Aero-Graphics project lead, shared similar pride, “It was great working on a project with such a direct application to wildlife habitat restoration. I feel proud knowing the care we took will help restore river health.”

This project reminds us that restoration is deeply human. It’s not just about ecosystems; it’s about creating connections – between people, our earth, and all the generations to come.