Citizens for Dixie’s Future (CDF) is a grassroots coalition of local citizens committed to protecting the natural resources and quality of life in Washington County through Smart Growth planning for the benefit of present and future generations.
Jim launched Sweetwater, LLC in September, 2002 after an extensive search for a business that he could operate from his home in Southern Utah. Jim has worked in the environmental field since 1974 when he launched one of the first recycling collection programs in the country in Seattle. Jim moved to Denver in 1988 where he began working as a freelance writer and sought a way to work with rivers, since he had long been attracted to flowing water. In 1995 he got a chance to launch The Nature Conservancy’s Mackinaw River Project in Illinois. Then, in January 1999, he was able to return to the West when he accepted a position with Grand Canyon Trust, working on the Virgin River in southwest Utah. Jim is a widely published author including essays, policy papers, opinion editorials, and short stories. Jim has extensive training in river ecology with The Nature Conservancy’s Freshwater team. He holds a BS in Ecology from the University of Illinois and coursework toward an MA in Deep Ecology from Naropa Institute in Boulder, CO.
Mike and his wife Kay have lived in Washington County for over 21 years. Their three children are all graduates of Dixie High. Mike has a Bachelor’s Degree in Wildlife Management and a Master’s Degree in Range Science. He retired in 2005 with 32 years of federal service, primarily as a wildlife biologist for the Bureau of Land Management (BLM). He worked for 20 years on the Arizona Strip, playing a major role in the re-introduction of California condors to northern Arizona/southern Utah. Mike is the former Chair of the Southern Region Resource Advisory Council for Utah’s Division of Wildlife Resources, an active member of the Pine Valley Volunteer Fire Department, founding and current member of the Red Cliffs Audubon Chapter and member and past president of the Bloomington Lions Club. Mike ran for the Utah House of Representatives in 2006 and is currently President of the Democrats of Southern Utah.
Jane is from Hurricane and is a realtor who has been an environmental activist for over 30 years. She is president of the Grafton Heritage Partnership, working to preserve the historic Town of Grafton which is on the National Register of Historic Places. She helped establish Hurricane’s Historic District and is a past president of the Hurricane Preservation Commission. She was the architect between environmental groups and ranchers in Kanab to protect their water rights from the coal slurry pipeline and helped to prevent a coal strip mine next to Bryce National Park. She sat on the BLM Arizona Strip Advisory Council for two years and as an advocate for environmental protection with careful resource management on public lands, established the Southwest Resource Council. Jane also managed the Grand Canyon Dories in Hurricane for many years.
Greta is CDF’s board secretary. She has a BS in Environmental Studies from American Military University and is finishing an MS in Environmental Policy & Management. She works part-time as an instructor/advisor at Dixie State College in the Integrated Studies Department. Greta is a Utah native and after spending 10 years in the military and living abroad, is glad to be home. She lives in St. George, Utah, with her husband and three boys who are her favorite people in the world to spend time with. She believes in getting outdoors as much as possible, is a firm believer in supporting and getting involved in the local community, and is passionate about Utah and the American West.
Karen has lived in St. George for 11 years. Karen, her husband and four children, love living in this beautiful area. Karen is a cosmetologist by trade, but an active citizen leading efforts in Washington County to make recycling at home and at work a mainstream act. She believes that each member of society has a responsibility of stewardship to protect and take care of our planet. Karen has a deep appreciation for the natural features of our area. She is passionate in her work to be a part of something that helps maintain the beauty and cleanliness of these areas, not only for herself, but for her posterity to come.
Christi is a life-long resident of St. George and a graduate of Dixie State College. Christi studied Business Management and has extensive experience in marketing and public relations. Christi has enjoyed the beauty and solitude of Southern Utah’s natural areas her entire life. She has two sons who love to get out and enjoy these same experiences. Christi is committed to ensuring that families for generations to come will be able to get out and enjoy the open spaces and natural beauty of Southern Utah.