Life in the Slow Lane

INTERVIEW BY CHRISTINA KASICA

Longtime member Sue deVall respects the work that the Grand Canyon Trust does. “I’m a fan of Mary O’Brien and Bill Hedden’s work in the Utah forests. They do a phenomenal job,” she says.

In fact, Sue is so impressed that she bequeathed her house and land in Utah’s dramatically beautiful Castle Valley to the Trust.

“I chose the Trust to gift my home to because I want to do something good for the environment,” Sue says.

An attorney set up a life estate for her, with the Grand Canyon Trust as beneficiary. Sue will live in her house for as long as she is able, but knows things are taken care of when that changes. It gives her great satisfaction to know everything is settled. “And the Trust now knows a gift will come its way,” she says.

The Trust’s executive director, Bill Hedden, is grateful. “It’s wonderful to have a vote of confidence like this. And it helps us a great deal with our financial planning to know about a gift in advance. We are deeply appreciative of what Sue has done.”

Sue came to Castle Valley in 1997 by way of the Bay Area and Salt Lake City. Her home, now retrofitted, was built to function off the grid in the ’80s. Sue jokes, “People are always surprised to hear I only have 60-amp service. But it runs everything I need quite well.” Out back, there’s a barn converted to a workshop where she runs an outdoor equipment repair business. She mainly does sewing repairs for individuals and Moab outfitters.

“I care about preserving the land,” Sue says.

“I know the Trust is committed to that. I like their efforts to limit grazing as much as possible. I want exotic goats off the La Sal Mountains, and I know Mary [the Trust’s Utah Forests Program director] shares that wish.” Sue also supports reintroducing beaver for land restoration and the Trust’s outreach to educate the wider community. In particular, she appreciates the Trust’s collaborative approach in working with such diverse groups as ranchers, industry, and government officials.

For fun, Sue floats rivers, hikes the mountains and desert, and camps out. “I’m a homebody,” she claims. “A neighbor and I share a big vegetable garden. It’s life in the slow lane. My home is very important to me. I know that the Grand Canyon Trust will put it to good use to benefit the land and the critters.”

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