Ranking Utah’s Wildlife Protection Shows Room For Growth

I may be part of the problem, because I am not a vegetarian, and I enjoy meat products as much as the next person...maybe even more so. Moreover, I have no issues with anyone who enjoys harvesting wildlife in the various hunts here in Utah.

That said, I'm feeling a stronger connection with animals these days than I have in the past. I feel a small sense of grief when I see a deer injured on the highway or a cat who didn't make it across the road (and I'm not the biggest cat fan). I understand, these things do happen, and yes, I've taken out a deer in my vehicle.

But despite things like this, I don't feel we should be wasteful with our animals and wildlife, and new information suggests we, as a state, could do better.

Utah ranks in the middle of the pack when it comes to wildlife protection, according to a recent analysis by Smile Hub that compares all 50 states on conservation performance. The report evaluates states using 17 metrics grouped into three broad categories: government and community support, legal protections, and overall ecosystem status. Those factors are weighted to reflect not just how many natural resources a state has, but how effectively it safeguards them.

Utah In The Middle Of The Pack

Top-performing states such as Vermont, Wyoming and Oregon scored well across multiple areas, including strong conservation funding, protective wildlife laws and relatively healthy ecosystems. Utah, by contrast, lands closer to the national average. While the Beehive State benefits from vast public lands, iconic national parks and a strong outdoor culture, the ranking suggests there is room to strengthen both policy and environmental outcomes.

Read More: Best States For Food? Sorry Utah It's Not You

Under the methodology, government and community support accounts for a significant portion of a state’s score. That includes the number of wildlife charities per capita, conservation programs, grants and wildlife professionals. Legal protections also weigh heavily, incorporating measures such as endangered species safeguards, land designated for wildlife, and laws addressing threats like online hunting. The final category, ecosystem status, examines environmental pressures including air quality, climate vulnerability, industrial toxins, invasive species and habitat loss.

For Utah to climb higher in future rankings, improvements could come from multiple fronts. Expanding funding for wildlife conservation programs and increasing support for state biologists would boost the government and community support category. Strengthening legal protections for habitat corridors and sensitive species could raise its legal score. Addressing air quality challenges along the Wasatch Front and continuing efforts to reduce habitat fragmentation would improve ecosystem health metrics.

Utah’s landscapes are among the most celebrated in the country. With targeted investments, updated policies and sustained public engagement, the state has an opportunity to translate that natural wealth into stronger measurable protections for the wildlife that call it home.