Highlights from the 2026
Spring Breakfast

 
 

Wednesday, May 27, 2026
8:00 a.m. - 9:30 a.m.
Rice-Eccles Stadium, Scholarship Reception

 
 

More than 200 community leaders, water experts, business professionals, and residents gathered at Envision Utah's Spring Breakfast to discuss the future of the Great Salt Lake. Through presentations from the former Great Salt Lake Commissioner Brian Steed, Great Salt Lake Rising founder Josh Romney, and water conservation expert Cynthia Bee, attendees explored the lake's critical role in Utah's economy, environment, and quality of life—and the actions needed today to secure its future. The event also introduced the Great Salt Lake Basin Integrated Plan, a collaborative effort to develop a long-term roadmap for water management across the basin.

 

Recording of the 2026 Spring Breakfast hosted by Envision Utah on May 27, 2026.

This event was all about the Great Salt Lake and its impact on Utah and the nation.

Spring Breakfast 2026: The Future of the Great Salt Lake

The program highlighted both the urgency of the challenge and the opportunities available to protect the lake through informed decision-making, water conservation, innovation, and collective action. Speakers shared insights on the lake's ecological, economic, and cultural importance while emphasizing that the future of the Great Salt Lake will depend on choices made by all who live and work within its watershed.

The event also served as an introduction to the Great Salt Lake Basin Integrated Plan, a first-of-its-kind effort to develop a long-term roadmap for managing water resources across the entire basin. Participants were invited to share their perspectives and help shape the planning process as it moves forward.

Throughout the morning, attendees heard a common message: protecting the Great Salt Lake is not simply an environmental issue—it is closely tied to Utah's economy, public health, recreation, wildlife habitat, quality of life, and future prosperity.

Key Takeaways

  • The Great Salt Lake is a national asset that supports industries, wildlife, recreation, and Utah's quality of life.

  • Human decisions about water use have a direct impact on the lake's future, meaning solutions must involve all sectors and communities.

  • Water conservation remains one of the most effective tools available to help sustain lake levels.

  • Utah has demonstrated that it can accommodate significant population growth while stabilizing overall water use, offering reason for optimism.

  • The Great Salt Lake Basin Integrated Plan represents a major opportunity to build broad consensus around a shared vision for the basin's future.

  • Protecting the lake today is far easier—and less costly—than waiting until environmental, economic, and health impacts become more severe.