Intermountain Sustainability Summit
March 18, 2021
Flash Session

A Conservative Conservation Conversation… and Other Tricky Things to Articulate
Presented by: Sarah Bateman, Utah County Sustainability Coalition

Fifty years ago the word "environment" was apolitical; today, however, it can be frustratingly divisive. The conservative nature of Utah/Intermountain West political culture must be considered when aiming to move the needle on an issue that is perceived as politically liberal. Environmental diplomacy (any kind of diplomacy for that matter) often requires tough skin and delicate language. Finding our way to common ground can be bumpy, but rewarding. Sarah Bateman will share some of her experiences, both set-backs and successes, establishing sustainability conversations in politically-conservative Utah County. From founding the City of Orem’s Natural Resources Stewardship Committee in 2016, to building a Utah County Sustainability Coalition of government entities in 2019, Sarah has remained committed to navigating obstacles while developing and maintaining relationships that allow these conversations to grow.

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