Making changes to Utah's wildlife rules

How to participate in the public process involving the RACs and Utah Wildlife Board

Utah's wildlife laws and rules are created and updated through a couple different processes. Laws are passed by the Utah Legislature, and you can find them in state code. All other wildlife activities are regulated by administrative rules, which are:

• Proposed by the Utah Division of Wildlife Resources
• Taken to the public and regional advisory councils (RACs) for feedback
• Passed by the Utah Wildlife Board

This page provides more detail about the public process. If you need to change an administrative rule or anything overseen by a rule (for example, management plans, boundary descriptions, hunt tables, season dates or bag limits), you will be an active participant in the public process.

The public process consists of three main parts:

1. Brown bag
2. RAC tour
3. Utah Wildlife Board meeting

The brown bag

The brown bag is an online meeting where you will present your proposed rule changes to other division employees before the RAC tour. Well in advance of the brown bag, you will need to:

1. Decide what rules will be impacted by the proposed recommendations.
2. Visit with the wildlife board coordinator to decide which RAC cycle is best for the topic.
3. Watch for an email (approximately 30 days before the brown bag) from the wildlife board coordinator with important deadlines.
4. Request Microsoft Word versions of the relevant administrative rules from the wildlife board coordinator.
5. Coordinate with our attorney (This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.) to edit and update the administrative rule (a redline edit).

Preparing for the brown bag

As the brown bag gets closer, you will:

1. Create a presentation in either Microsoft PowerPoint or Google Slides. Your presentation should clearly explain the proposed recommendations and any rule changes. (Do not use rule language in the presentation.) The wording should be clear and simple (refer to the DWR Style Guide for more tips). You can find photos for your presentation in this Google Drive folder.
2. Send your presentation to a member of the SLO Outreach media team for review prior to the brown bag. They will edit the presentation to ensure it meets the division's guidelines.
3. Practice your presentation before the brown bag. Show your immediate supervisor and schedule a time to present the recommendations to the Director's office team prior to the brown bag.

Presenting at the brown bag

The brown bag is a virtual meeting. To participate, you will:

1. Connect through a Google Meet link that will be emailed out the previous week.
2. Share the presentation from your work station and present your recommendations to other division personnel.
3. Answer questions posed by the audience. (This is a great way to prepare for questions that may come up during the RAC tour.)

The RAC tour

A RAC tour is a two-week trip to each of the five regions, where you'll present your recommendations to the regional advisory councils and the public. There are roughly six RAC tours per year, and all meetings occur in the evenings. Presenters answer questions, listen to feedback, participate in discussions and respond to public comment.

Preparing for the RAC tour

In advance of the RAC tour, you will need to:

1. Make any necessary changes based on input you received at the brown bag.
2. Finalize your presentation and all coordinating RAC packet documents.
3. Prepare to record your presentation. It can be useful to watch past RAC tours and board meetings. You might also want to attend a media training offered by the SLO Outreach Section. (Contact the division's PIO for upcoming training dates.)
4. Record your presentation while wearing a white DWR banquet shirt. (You will be sent a Google Meet link before your recording appointment time.) You will run through the presentation — and share your screen — while a member from the SLO Outreach team records the presentation (similar to the brown bag).
5. Send all final rule edits (redline version), additional documents and your cover memo to the wildlife board coordinator.
6. Reserve your hotel room and your vehicle for the RAC tour.

During the RAC tour

During the actual RAC tour, you should:

• Expect to interact with members of the public. Some of them may not agree with the recommendations you are presenting. Be courteous and kind. Also, be respectful of opposing views and strive to understand their concerns.
• Present with clarity and confidence.
• Wear any color of banquet shirt (or a brown uniform shirt) while presenting.
• Be prepared to talk with RAC and board members before and after the meetings. (Board members will often attend their local RAC meetings.)

After the RAC tour

Once the RAC tour ends, you will need to:

1. Talk to your supervisor and discuss any changes to your proposed recommendations as a result of the RAC tour. If changes are warranted, now is the time to amend the recommendations so that you can present the updated proposals to the wildlife board for consideration.
2. Update your presentation with any needed changes and send it to the Outreach media team for review.
3. Have the updated final presentation ready, in case you need to share it at the board meeting.

The Utah Wildlife Board meeting

The Utah Wildlife Board is appointed by the governor and consists of seven members. They update and approve wildlife rules for the state. Learn more about board members' roles and responsibilities.

Preparing for the board meeting

As you prepare for the board meeting, you need to know:

• The dress code for all DWR presenters at board meetings is a white board meeting shirt with slacks. (The slacks can be any color.) Men are also required to wear a tie. Do not wear clothing that has a recognizable non-DWR logo on it.
• Board meetings are held at the George S. and Dolores Doré Eccles Wildlife Education Center at Farmington Bay. Be sure to arrive at the center well before your item is scheduled to be presented. Lunch is provided for all presenters and employees who attend.

After the board meeting

Once the board meeting is over, you will need to:

1. Amend any proposals that changed as the result of motions approved during the wildlife board meeting.
2. Review and respond to the division's PIO as soon as possible after receiving the news release draft. (Board meeting recap news releases usually go out to the media the next morning.)
3. Approve final rule changes. (The wildlife board coordinator will send these to you.) The administrative rules will now be sent to the governor's office for review and publishing. The amended rule language will become effective roughly 45 days after the board meeting. You will be notified by email when the amended rules are in effect.
4. Work with the Outreach media team to post any approved management plans to the website.
5. Kick back and enjoy your successful rule change!

Common questions

Do I need to go on a RAC tour?

Things to consider: Any changes to administrative rules, management plans, boundary descriptions, hunt tables, season dates, bag limits etc. all need to go through the full public process and be approved by the board.

If any of these circumstances apply to you, then contact the wildlife board coordinator to schedule your participation in an upcoming RAC cycle.

Who are the current internal contacts for the brown bag, RAC tour and board meeting?

The following people will help you prepare to participate in the public process:

• Wildlife board coordinator — Staci Coons
• Attorney — Charles Lyons
• Outreach media team — Amy Canning (reviews and edits presentation), Michael Christensen (records presentation), Bradley York (posts RAC materials, presentations and feedback forms to the website), Faith Jolley (holds media trainings and sends news releases about rule changes)

Definitions

RAC packet — The RAC packet is the information that is to be presented to the regional advisory councils and wildlife board in written form. It includes a cover memo detailing the recommendations, hunt tables (if applicable), new boundary maps (if applicable) and a rule redline (if applicable).

Brown bag — A divisionwide electronic meeting where presentations for the next RAC tour are presented and evaluated by division personnel and Director's office staff.

RAC tour — A two-week trip to each of the five regions to present the RAC packet recommendations to the regional advisory councils and the public. Presenters answer questions, listen to feedback, participate in discussions and respond to public comment.

Big Ol' Meeting information

Your hub for all things BOM

Welcome to the Big Ol' Meeting hub! This is where you'll find all the information you need to prepare for the DWR's first statewide in-person staff meeting since 2017. The 2025 BOM (as we lovingly refer to these large gatherings) will be held at the Ogden Eccles Conference Center on May 5-7, 2025.

Registration

Having a list of all the attendees is essential to finalizing our plans — especially for food. Use the Register button below to lock in your registration today.

Agenda

The BOM has it all — valuable and impactful training, interesting presentations, enjoyable special events, and the annual section meetings. Section chiefs are preparing agendas for their breakout meetings, which will be shared with section team members before the BOM.

Breakout sessions

Employees will choose two breakout training sessions to attend on Day 1 of the BOM. To ensure manageable class sizes, employees may be required to sign up for specific courses in advance after registering for the BOM. Learn more about each breakout session below:

Setting workplace boundaries: creating a healthy and productive work environment

Changing social context of wildlife conservation

Rethinking hiring: human-centered talent pipelines

Financial wellness and retirement planning — Tier 1 employees

Financial wellness and retirement planning — Tier 2 employees

Using Google Workspace products more effectively

Communicating with difficult constituents

Presenters

We have an exciting lineup of trainers and speakers:

Day 1

Russ Bulloch

Russ Bulloch has been a retirement planning advisor at Utah Retirement Systems since September 2019. Before that, he worked as a securities examiner for the Utah Division of Securities and as a private financial advisor for Edward Jones Investment and Zions Wealth Management. Prior to entering the financial services industry in 2003, Russ worked in the aerospace industry for 16 years.

Russ earned a Master of Business Administration from the University of Phoenix. Outside of work, he enjoys traveling with his wife, Tammy, and spending time with their family, which includes five children and nineteen grandchildren. Additionally, he has a passion for cowboy poetry, often incorporating it into his presentations. He also enjoys oil painting, which he thinks will become a more substantial part of his life in retirement.

Michelle Doerr

Michelle Doerr is the president of Anavah Consulting LLC and a trainer for the Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies Management Assistance Team. Her workshops and courses are designed to enhance connections among people, between humans and wildlife, and with landscapes. She integrates Adlerian psychology — a counseling theory focused on social connection — with ecological principles to foster personal, cultural and environmental health in conservation efforts.

Michelle holds a master's degree in wildlife management from the University of Missouri and has extensive experience working with the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources and the archery industry. In addition to being a national faculty member for the Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies, she also teaches "Nature in Counseling" as an adjunct faculty member at Adler Graduate School.

When she's not teaching, Michelle loves RV camping, enjoying nature art and attending live music. She also co-authored a book with her daughter titled "Grapevine: A Mother and Daughter's Tangled Journey Through an Eating Disorder."

Elaine Schnabel, Ph.D.

Dr. Elaine Schnabel is an assistant professor at Weber State University's Lindquist College of Arts and Humanities. She has a Ph.D. in organizational communication, specializing in contentious conversations about politics, religion and gender, from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. She also has a master's in organizational rhetoric from Purdue University and a master's in theology from Fuller Theological Seminary.

Her research has been published in various academic journals, including Management Communication Quarterly and Communication and Critical/Cultural Studies. New to Utah, Dr. Schnabel has enjoyed exploring the Northern Utah trails system and is currently volunteering with the Trails Foundation of Northern Utah to generate useful survey data for trail management.

Brent Sonzini

Brent Sonzini has worked with many employee benefit plans, ranging from medical, dental, long-term disability and life insurance to retirement plans, such as 401(k), 403(b), 457, and pension plans. Brent graduated with a bachelor's degree from the University of Utah and an MBA from Westminster College.

Brent has been with Utah Retirement Systems for 27 years in various capacities on the organization's health and benefits and retirement sides. As a member of the Retirement Planning team, he specializes in training employees on how to best prepare for retirement and utilize their retirement benefits to their advantage. Brent is passionate about helping people plan and prepare for their retirement, whether that's next year or many years down the road.

Tara Teel, Ph.D.

Dr. Tara L. Teel is a Professor in the Department of Human Dimensions of Natural Resources at Colorado State University. Her work focuses on improving conservation decision making through understanding human thought and behavior and building social science capacity among conservation professionals. Much of her research has been devoted to examining human-wildlife relationships in the U.S. and globally, focusing on employing concepts and methodologies from social psychology to study human values toward wildlife, attitudes and behaviors toward wildlife-related issues, and the social factors underlying human-wildlife conflict.

Professor Teel works closely with conservation agencies and organizations in applying social science to inform their planning, management and communication efforts. She also served as President of the Social Science Working Group of the Society for Conservation Biology (SCB) 2009-14. She has organized many social science training sessions for practitioners, including a human dimensions certification program for wildlife professionals in North America, social science short courses for SCB annual meetings, and a training program emphasizing best practices in protected area management and conservation social science for forest service officers in India. Professor Teel received her Ph.D. in human dimensions of natural resources from CSU and M.S. and B.S. degrees in fisheries and wildlife management from Utah State University.

Sarah Walker, Ph.D.

Dr. Sarah Walker is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Human Dimensions of Natural Resources at Colorado State University. Dr. Walker's research investigates human well-being as a tool for designing environmental solutions that work for people and nature. Her research and teaching center on the belief that environmental solutions should prioritize inclusion in both process and outcome.

Much of Dr. Walker's work is focused on climate adaptation and conservation interventions, rural livelihoods, changing environments and the health and well-being benefits of spending time in nature. As a researcher, facilitator and teacher, Sarah relies heavily on participatory methods and processes. She completed her master's and PhD at CSU, and her postdoctoral training at the University of Colorado Boulder as a NatureNet Fellow with The Nature Conservancy.

Rye B. Vigil, Ph.D.

Dr. Rye B. Vigil is the president of RBV Consulting LLC and longtime higher education administrator. Rye brings over 15 years of experience in fostering adaptive, people-centered workplaces. As a dynamic and highly sought-after speaker and trainer, Rye delivers impactful presentations at both local and national levels, focusing on leadership, organizational change and culture-building.

In their consulting work, Rye guides organizations in embedding human-centered strategies that enhance collaboration, efficiency and employee well-being. Additionally, Rye is known for facilitating transformative learning experiences for faculty and staff within higher education, helping them integrate innovative and effective practices into their work. Rye's ability to connect with and empower professionals, paired with deep knowledge and a touch of humor, positions Rye as a leader in championing values-driven organizations.

Taylor Coons

Taylor Coons has devoted 20 years to public service with the state of Utah, including the past 10 years working with the Division of Technology Services. When not immersed in the intricacies of "Google stuff," Taylor can be found tackling a variety of home improvement projects, exploring the world of 3D printing, or indulging in the thrilling (and sometimes crash-prone) hobby of drone building and flying.

Ryan Allred

Ryan Allred believes that technology should empower, not overwhelm. As a Google Workspace expert, he specializes in demystifying complex tools and showing others how to use them to achieve their goals. When away from the "Googleverse," Ryan enjoys wrestling his kids and playing chess.

Nichole Mosteller

Nichole Mosteller has worked for the state of Utah for 19 years, 11 of which have been at the Division of Technology Services. She enjoys the continuous learning opportunities that come with ever-changing technology and loves collaborating with the Google Workspace team. In her free time, Nichole likes to spend time with her family doing summer activities, especially relaxing by the pool.

Day 2

Riley Peck

Riley Peck is the director of the Utah Division of Wildlife Resources. Although new in that role, he started working for the DWR in 2006 as a native aquatics technician. In 2009, Riley transitioned to working as a wildlife biologist before eventually being promoted to Central Region wildlife program manager in 2016. He worked in that role until 2019, when he became the once-in-a-lifetime species coordinator. Riley then served as the agency's legislative liaison from 2019 until becoming director in January 2025.

Riley has a bachelor's degree in biology from the University of Utah and a master's in plant and wildlife science from Brigham Young University. He has always had a passion for the outdoors, wildlife conservation and baseball. (Go Cubs!) Riley lives in Eagle Mountain with his wife, Krista, and their four children.

Ben Nadolski

Ben Nadolski is the mayor of Ogden City. He assumed office on Jan. 2, 2024, bringing extensive experience to the role. His background includes two terms on the Ogden City Council and a 23-year career with the Utah Division of Wildlife Resources. During his time at the DWR, he worked as an aquatic biologist, served as the agency's legislative liaison and managed operations in Northern Utah as a regional supervisor.

Ben has dedicated his professional life to natural resources, wildlife, habitat protection and restoration, public administration, policy, finance, and leadership. He is a passionate advocate for youth sports and has been instrumental in many local initiatives, including the development of Ogden's "Untamed" Competitive Sports Club, the renovation of Marshall White Center, and the improvements of 4th Street Ball Park.

Ben met his wife Jaynee at Weber State University, where she was a two-sport athlete and he played football. Ben also holds a master's of fisheries biology at Utah State University. They have two teenage daughters, Hazel and Millie.

Doug Fabrizio

Doug Fabrizio is the host and executive producer of "RadioWest," which is a "show for the wildly curious" that explores the world through in-depth conversations with writers, filmmakers, scientists, thinkers and others. The show airs on KUER 90.1 (NPR Utah).

Doug has been reporting for KUER News since 1987, and became news director in 1993. In 2001, he became host and executive producer of KUER's "RadioWest," a one-hour conversation/call-in show on KUER 90.1 in Salt Lake City. He has gained a reputation for his thoughtful style, and has interviewed everyone from Isabel Allende to the Dalai Lama, and from Madeleine Albright to Desmond Tutu. His interview skills landed him a spot as a guest host of the national NPR program, "Talk of the Nation." He has won numerous awards for his reporting and for his work with "RadioWest" and KUED's "Utah NOW" from such organizations as the Society of Professional Journalists, the Utah Broadcasters Association, the Public Radio News Directors Association and the Academy of Television Arts and Sciences.

Lodging

Since the agenda includes evening and early morning meetings and activities, DNR has authorized employees who live less than 75 miles from the Ogden Eccles Conference Center to stay overnight at the conference hotel(s). We have blocks of GSA per diem and discount rooms at the Hampton Inn & Suites and the Hilton Garden Inn near the conference center. Book your accommodation as soon as possible. The special room block rates are only available through March 2025.

These two properties are the "conference hotel" for the BOM. The Hampton Inn & Suites is connected to the conference center, and the Hilton Garden Inn is a block and a half away. Due to the high costs of hosting these types of meetings, we kindly ask employees to share double-occupancy rooms with a coworker if they feel comfortable doing so.

Once the room blocks fill up or the special rate window closes, employees who still need a room must book directly with the hotel(s) or through Concur. If there aren't any GSA per diem rooms left at either BOM conference hotel, try the Courtyard Marriott located at 247 24th Street in Ogden (which is within easy walking distance to the conference center) or another nearby hotel.

Hampton Inn & Suites

• There are a limited number (40) of GSA per diem rates available for double occupancy (double Queen) rooms. Book online.
• There is also a limited block (40) of discount rooms — $169 for single occupancy (single King). Book online.

Hilton Garden Inn

• There are a limited number (20) of GSA per diem rates available for double occupancy (double Queen) rooms. Fill out this Google sheet to reserve one of these rooms.
• There is also a limited block (30) of discount rooms — $155 for single occupancy (single King) and $224 for double occupancy (double Queen). Book online.

If you have questions about in-state travel, review the DWR Fiscal Resources Site information. Contact your regional support services coordinator or your section's budget analyst if you're based in the SLO for further assistance.

Parking

There is a parking garage connected to the Ogden Eccles Conference Center, and the entrance fee is $6 per entry. The entrance is located on Kiesel Avenue between 25th and 24th Street (see map). This expense will add up quickly, so we ask employees to carpool as much as possible.

Employees who arrive during the time windows below are open won't be charged individually for parking. Parking isn't free — the DWR will be charged for all vehicles that park for our event on a master account bill. During these time windows, there will be an attendant at the parking garage entrance who will count vehicles arriving for our event and help to keep the line moving.

• Monday (May 5): 9:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m.
• Tuesday (May 6): 6:30 a.m. – 7:30 a.m.
• Wednesday (May 7): 6:30 a.m. – 7:30 a.m.

Those who enter the garage outside these times will be charged $6 per entry and must request reimbursement.

There is also a parking garage nearby that offers free parking. The entrance is located on Grant Avenue between 23rd and 24th Street.

Talent Extravaganza

Get ready for a night of unforgettable entertainment on Day 1 of the BOM (May 5) as DWR employees take center stage, showcasing their incredible talents at the BOM Diggity Talent Extravaganza! The planning team defines "talent" as broad and inclusive, encompassing a wide range of abilities, skills and seriousness. The Extravaganza is an opportunity to have fun, and we need your help to make it happen.

If you play an instrument, can still recite that poem you memorized in junior high, have a joke you think everyone would love to hear, juggle, play a song with a blade of grass, do fancy stuff with a yo-yo, have exceptional hula-hoop skills or just about anything else, then the BOM is your place to shine.

If your talent involves creating physical products, there will be space for you to showcase your work. We have employees who carve wooden animals, make jewelry, turn shed antlers into unique items, crochet and much more. For instance, if you have a green thumb, you could bring a picture of your garden!

Sign up here to participate, but you need to act fast. If you have questions, email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

Awards Banquet

DWR's 2025 Awards Banquet will occur the evening of Day 2 (May 6). This event is usually held toward the end of the summer, and only the employees being recognized are invited to attend. It will be great to recognize some of our outstanding employees in front of their colleagues this year.

The awards ceremony and dinner will be a classy, black-tie affair. This generally means something on the more formal side of things. If you have a tuxedo, fancy dress or a chic black-and-white outfit, the Awards Banquet will be the perfect place to wear it. In other words, we invite you to dress up and embrace the sophisticated theme in whatever way you feel comfortable.