Authority outlines 2026 outreach, carp-removal changes and new fundraising arm after heavy 2025 activity

Events and communications director Kelly Cannon O'Day reviewed a full calendar of 2025 activity and 2026 plans, telling the Utah Lake Authority that staff intend to reposition public messaging away from crisis language for harmful algal blooms and toward preparedness and safe use guidance. "We are really focusing on changing the perspective and narrative around harmful algal blooms," she said, urging messaging that helps people and pet owners recognize when to avoid water rather than treating every bloom as an immediate emergency.

Kelly highlighted the Authority's outreach metrics from 2025, including field trip days that served roughly 2,000 students over the year and a Utah Lake Festival estimated at about 6,000 attendees. She said the carp-removal program will be narrower and more intensive in 2026—concentrated in spawning season (April–June) to remove more fish while spending the same budget—and will move to a per-fish bounty structure (an approximate $1.50 per fish payment per angler with matching contributions to a prize pot).

Shelby Kozak, development and funding advocate, reported grant successes (including two larger grants in the low hundreds of thousands) and the creation of the Utah Lake Foundation, a separate 501(c)(3) fundraising partner that received IRS acceptance last week. "That opens up a lot more fundraising opportunities for us," Kozak said, noting sponsorship packages and participation in a statewide giving initiative to solicit small public donations tied to carp removal and algal-bloom mitigation.

Restoration staff introduced new joint restoration coordinator Alex Sosic and reported substantial installation metrics for 2025—about 60,000 plants installed between May and October—and that more than 100,000 plants are ordered for 2026 with the goal of installing approximately 200,000 plants across the year. Staff also summarized progress on an ARPA-funded Utah Lake Preservation Fund project with five stated objectives, and said contract obligations should allow most ARPA dollars to be spent by midyear.

Board members discussed messaging, safety communication for recreation during blooms, and potential coordination on parking and logistics for larger festivals. No formal action items were taken on outreach programs; staff requested board support when fundraising or legislative advocacy is needed.