In a unique initiative, Utah Wildlife Federation (UWF) has teamed up with artist Chris Peterson to create vibrant murals that celebrate the state’s natural heritage.
The first of these, affectionately named “The Bonnie Wall,” showcases a Bonneville Cutthroat Trout painted over the facade of The Neighborhood Hive building, completed in 2022.
Peterson reflects on the impact of such projects, stating, “The experience made us realize that there’s a lot of interest in this kind of project.
When you do a mural, it sort of opens up a space in the public domain to have a conversation and to celebrate those animals.”
This collaboration has sparked enthusiasm for wildlife murals across Utah, with plans to create one in each of the state’s 29 counties. Currently, there are nine Wildlife Walls displayed throughout the region.
Looking ahead, a new mural at Antelope Island is being proposed to mark the grand reopening of the Antelope Island Visitor Center, which is undergoing major renovations.
Antelope Island, known for its breathtaking landscapes, will expand its facilities by an additional 20,000 square feet, aiming to become the crown jewel of State Park Visitor Centers in the West according to Peterson.
This mural is slated to include depictions of three notable species—the bison, pronghorn, and burrowing owl—whose habitats have experienced significant transformation in recent years due to changing lake levels.
Peterson notes the mural’s potential to remind visitors of the charm of wildlife encounters, stating, “The Wildlife Walls are really about sharing some of the magic that I have experienced and showing other people that that’s where the magic is.
Those encounters with wildlife are things that people don’t forget easily, sometimes holding onto them for their whole lives.”
He emphasizes the therapeutic nature of wildlife encounters, suggesting that in today’s fast-paced, anxiety-filled world, it is vital to remember the joy these experiences can bring.
Peterson adds, “I feel like it’s increasingly important… how lucky we are right now—to have these experiences at our back door.”
As human activities continue to influence wildlife habitats, the Wildlife Walls serve a dual purpose: celebrating current wildlife and recognizing the habitats necessary for their survival.
Peterson explains, “At the same time, recognize the value that they bring to our lives and, therefore, the importance of the habitat they require.”
These murals not only capture powerful experiences but also foster community unity.
Peterson remarks, “People get in the weeds when they start talking about policies and my land and your land and whatever.
But if we can just talk about the experiences, it’s a shared value that allows us to stay out of the weeds. That’s my goal with this project.”
The success of the Wildlife Walls is attributed to community partnerships, which help bring awareness and support for the murals.
“The process of engaging Utahns across the state and figuring out which animal, which wall, what other partners would be interested in this…has allowed us to put together some pretty spectacular projects,” Peterson says.
With the completion of nine murals, the future looks bright as Peterson and UWF prepare to launch The Celebrate Utah Wildlife Mural Trail.
This initiative is intended to encourage community involvement and education, with participants able to access the trail map at celebrateutahwildlife.org.
The website will detail each mural, the species they highlight, and the communities that host them.
Peterson reveals plans to incentivize participation with prizes, contests, and social media engagement, also involving companies like The North Face to broaden their outreach.
Moreover, the mural trail aims to enhance tourism in the towns featuring the murals.
The trail will not just showcase murals; it will also integrate a wildlife viewing map, guiding visitors to natural spots such as State Parks and DWR viewing areas.
Through these vibrant depictions of wildlife and shared experiences, the Wildlife Walls initiative seeks to cultivate appreciation for nature while fostering a tight-knit community spirit throughout Utah.
image source from：https://www.saltlakemagazine.com/chris-peterson-wildlife-walls/
