(Francisco Kjolseth | The Salt Lake Tribune) Monk Michael Straham is depicted by area artist Jake Songer on one of the remaining buildings at The Abbey of Our Lady of the Holy Trinity in the rapidly subdividing Ogden Valley. A deal has been reached to preserve most of the 1,800-acre agricultural operation that surrounds the former site. Landowner Bill White has agreed to donate much of the development rights to the land so that it remains as agricultural open space.
Leia Larsen is a sixth generation Utahn and a water and land use reporter reporter for The Salt Lake Tribune. She has covered environment, energy and political issues throughout the West. When she’s not chasing the news, Leia can be found exploring the Wasatch Mountains, sleeping in the desert or rooting around her garden.