The Great Salt Lake is eight feet below its minimum healthy level, with 56% of the lakebed exposed. Photographer Chris Carlson brought those numbers and more than 200 of his images to a Farmington audience in August, pleading for conservation action.

Carlson addressed the Northern Wasatch chapter of LDS Earth Stewardship at the Eccles Wildlife Education Center, 1157 S. Waterfowl Way, the Davis Journal reported on Sept. 8. The lake statistics came from the nonprofit Grow The Flow, which works to direct water to the lake.

Carlson traces his lineage to the Garr family, among the earliest pioneer settlers on Antelope Island. He holds a BFA in photography from Brigham Young University, according to his project website. His connection to the lake deepened when his father was dying from Alzheimer's. Carlson spent early mornings on Antelope Island searching for solace as the lake shrank around him.

"Just like my dad's memories and his mind were leaving, the memory of this place is going to leave if someone doesn't capture it," Carlson told the group, according to the Davis Journal.

That grief became a book. "Preserving Greatness: Great Salt Lake in Photographs," published by Shadow Mountain Publishing in September 2025, collects his large-format images of the lake's scenery and wildlife. Foreword Reviews named it a 2025 INDIES finalist in the Ecology & Environment category. Fox 13 reported that Carlson says most Utahns only know the lake from the freeway, and his book reveals perspectives many people have never experienced.

Carlson urged attendees to write their state House and Senate legislators and to find ways to conserve personal water use. He also encouraged residents to visit Antelope Island, walk the South Shore at Great Salt Lake State Park and see the Spiral Jetty artwork.

Sara Johnson, chairperson of the Northern Wasatch chapter, said the faith-based environmental group welcomes anyone interested in creation care. The chapter is oriented toward members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints but open to all, the Davis Journal reported.

Residents can find information about the chapter's upcoming events on its Substack page.