[Gentle instrumental music]
[Tad Swaner]: The inspiration of putting the preserve here
uh, took place in my parents' home after my dad had passed away.
And we decided to have a memoriam for him here.
Growing up here, and, falling in love with this environment
was the motivator to think on a bigger scale.
It was decided that we would preserve as much as we could
and that ended up being a majority of the property and then some.
That concept grew into what it is today.
[Upbeat instrumental music]
>> We spent a lot of time whe- right before we married, at this place,
before there was anything here, up on, the- the mountain side of the preserve.
And we'd just go up there and walk around,
and, bring a picnic lunch, or come out here.
And it was just, some of the happiest memories that I have of Tad.
>> The, I mean the cool thing about Tad,
and this is what I'm really going to miss,
is that, he just knew so much, like he knew... he- he was from there.
Like, he'd been- he'd grew up there, he was like hiking
on the, you know, the ridge and he just had so many.. stories
and just such deep knowledge about it,
that he really was like, he was a steward of the land.
>> Tad had an obsession with nature,
in every aspect of his life.
In the way he dressed, uh, the stuff he collected to, you know, his love
and admiration for this- of nature park, and, everything he did.
[Upbeat instrumental music]
[Tad Swaner]: I think the largest impact that I see is that that space is there.
And I drive by it and I see it and I'm just like,
"Wow, this is better than I ever imagined."
>> I think somehow Tad put his fingerprint on this property
and on this project early on and I think that his spirit
really is what, um, will be most pervasive as it goes on.
>> Uh Tad, loved art.
So when he was, uh, chipping away at the art stone
out in the front of the, uh, preserve here,
he.. tried I think to have what he was doing with that rock
reflect where he was coming from in this world.
>> Tad's influence, it's become what it is, the preserve that it is,
and even when he gave it to Utah State University
his biggest concern was this would still be a community asset to Park City.
[Upbeat instrumental music]
[Tad Swaner]: This has really become a dream come true
because of the wildlife that's here,
and, living close uh, I get to, experience this place, uh, every day.
I see it, and, it's always changing, it's always different,
and that's.. to me is the blue ribbon.
That's.. what makes this all worthwhile.
>> The best way to keep Tad's memory alive is to honor nature.
And to um, associate him with the preserve
and everything that was good, uh, about it,
uh, friendship, kindness, love, compassion.
He was just a, a big compassionate person.
And I think that's what the Swaner Preserve's all about.
>> I, I do feel really grateful that the nature of Swaner Preserve is there
because it is a legacy for him.
And it is a way for me to be.. in contact with him.
>> Tad will always be a part of the preserve.
And, I'm so glad.. that this is really a part of his legacy
because truly, this is who he was, this is who he is.
And I know he's here now, I know he's here now.
[Tad Swaner]: Future of us is to be able to create this oasis,
so it can be a safe harbor for all these animals,
and, some very exciting days are ahead.
[Fading instrumental music]