Renowned actor Robert Redford, who passed away at 89, spent much of his life preserving the natural beauty of Utah. He moved to a remote canyon in his mid-20s and bought two acres of land for $500. Over the decades, he acquired thousands more acres and established a ski resort named Sundance after his iconic film role.
Redford’s love for his patch of land was not shared by everyone in Utah, which thrived on extractive industries. However, he continued to fight for environmental causes, including a proposed coal-fired power plant in southern Utah, which led to the area being declared a national monument.
Tributes poured forth across Utah as news of Redford’s death spread. Even conservative politicians and progressive environmental activists praised him, with former Governor Gary Herbert calling him “our conscience” and “our favorite adopted son.” The Sundance festival and film institute he founded helped launch careers for Hollywood stars like Steven Soderbergh and Quentin Tarantino.
Redford’s dedication to preserving the land allowed wildlife to thrive in the canyon, including elk, moose, and beaver. His legacy will live on through his preserved lands, which residents can continue to access forever.
Source: https://www.nytimes.com/2025/09/18/us/robert-redford-utah.html