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The History Behind the Swaner EcoCenter / Swaner Nature Preserve

Historically, the land that comprises most of Swaner Nature Preserve has been used for ranching.  In 1957, Leland S. Swaner purchased the Spring Creek Angus Ranch, which he continued to operate for the next 35 years.  Originally, the ranch was comprised of 1,200 acres, complete with a barn and other ranch buildings constructed in the late Leland Swaner1800s.

When Leland passed away in 1992, his wife, Dr. Paula Swaner, and children, Sumner, Paula, and Leland "Tad" Jr., decided to honor his memory by dedicating some of the ranch's remaining acreage to the creation of a nature preserve and a place of solace for the benefit of future generations.

Swaner Nature Preserve was established on December 29, 1993, and was originally comprised of 190 acres of land.  Through land donations and land purchases, the Preserve now encompasses over 1,200 acres.  The largest portion of land (approximately 700 acres) is located in Snyderville Basin, south of Interstate 80 and east of State Highway 224; approximately 500 acres of preserved land is located north of Interstate 80.  The Preserve is a high altitude wet meadow consisting of uplands, meadows, wetlands, hillsides, and riparian habitat.  East Canyon Creek, Kimball Creek, and Spring Creek all run through the property. 

Swaner EcoCenter / Nature Preserve Chronology

  • 1993: Spring Creek Angus Ranch Partnership donated 190 acres of land.
  • 1996: Ranch Place Associates donated 83 acres of land, southern boundary.
  • 1997: Jack and Helen Jarman donated 21 acres, western boundary.  Double "M" Partnership and Jim Lewis donated 210 acres, completing the southern and eastern boundaries.  BlackHawk Ranch donated 375 acres, north side of I-80.
  • 1998: Mountain Meadows donated 94 acres by anonymous conservation buyers.  Park City School District's 22-acre site was purchased in June.
  • 1999: Kimball Creek/Larson Parcel was responsible for the addition of 120 acres.
  • 2003: Swaner Nature Preserve purchased Wallin Farm, consisting of 107 acres.
  • 2004: MJM donated a conservation easement on 35 acres of land, north side of I-80.