Frequently Asked Questions
Got questions? We’ve got answers. If you don’t see what you’re looking for, reach out at info@diveintonature.org
SECTION 1: ABOUT DIN
Dive Into Nature is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that creates regenerative sanctuaries in urban and suburban communities. We acquire threatened green spaces and transform them into thriving ecosystems that recharge aquifers, restore biodiversity, produce local food, and reconnect families with the land.
Most conservation organizations focus on remote wilderness. We believe the most impactful conservation happens where people live. Urban and suburban communities face real environmental problems—aquifer depletion, biodiversity loss, food disconnection, and disappearing green space. Our sanctuaries address these problems while giving families accessible places to reconnect with nature.
Not at all. We’re pro-choice for landowners and communities. Growth and development are necessary—communities need housing, infrastructure, and economic activity. We simply believe that not every acre needs to become a subdivision. Some properties—the last open spaces in a neighborhood—deserve a different future. We give landowners and communities a real alternative when one is wanted.
We’re currently focused on Utah and Idaho, with particular attention to the Wasatch Front in Utah and the Bear Lake Valley in Idaho. Our long-term vision includes expanding across the Intermountain West.
SECTION 2: ABOUT LIVESTOCK & NEIGHBORS
This is our most common question—and the answer is no. The “farm smell” people imagine comes from feedlots, where animals are concentrated in small areas and manure accumulates. Our rotational grazing system is completely different:
- Animals move frequently — We rotate livestock across paddocks, never staying long enough for manure to accumulate.
- Manure disperses naturally — Spread across pasture, manure is absorbed into soil within days, not piled up for months.
- Lower stocking rates — We run fewer animals than conventional operations. The land easily absorbs what the animals produce.
- Poultry rotation — Chickens scratch through any manure, breaking it down and incorporating it into soil.
Properly managed rotational grazing has no detectable odor beyond the paddock fence. Neighbors often don’t realize animals are present until they see them.
Our multi-species rotation actually reduces fly populations compared to conventional agriculture:
- Poultry eat fly larvae — Chickens scratching through cattle manure consume fly larvae before they mature.
- No accumulation — Flies breed in accumulated manure. Our rotation prevents accumulation.
- Studies show 80-90% reduction — Rotational grazing with poultry dramatically reduces fly populations compared to continuous grazing.
Content animals are quiet animals. Cattle vocalize primarily when stressed, hungry, or separated from their herd. Well-managed grazing with adequate forage produces remarkably quiet livestock. You’ll hear occasional sounds, but nothing like the constant noise of a feedlot or intensive operation.
Research consistently shows that proximity to protected green space increases property values by 10-20%. The alternative—another subdivision—would add traffic, strain infrastructure, and eliminate the open space that attracted residents in the first place.
SECTION 3: REGENERATIVE AGRICULTURE
Regenerative agriculture goes beyond “sustainable” (maintaining what we have) to actively restore and improve land. Key principles include:
- Building soil rather than depleting it
- Sequestering carbon from the atmosphere into soil and plants
- Increasing biodiversity rather than creating monocultures
- Working with natural systems rather than against them
- Producing nutrient-dense food while healing ecosystems
Rotational grazing mimics natural herd behavior—animals graze intensively in a small area, then move to fresh pasture. This allows vegetation to fully recover before being grazed again. Benefits include:
- Prevents overgrazing
- Builds soil through trampled organic matter
- Distributes manure as natural fertilizer
- Breaks pest and parasite cycles
- Creates deep root systems that sequester carbon
Different animals serve different functions:
- Large ruminants (cattle/bison) — Graze tall grass, trample material into soil, break up compaction
- Small ruminants (goats/sheep) — Eat different plants at different heights, target brush and weeds
- Poultry (chickens/turkeys/ducks) — Spread manure, eat pest larvae, add nitrogen
This multi-species rotation creates a more complete ecosystem than any single species alone.
A food forest is a designed perennial system that mimics natural forest structure while producing food:
- Canopy layer — Nut trees (walnuts, chestnuts)
- Understory — Fruit trees (apples, pears)
- Shrub layer — Berries (elderberry, blackberry)
- Herbaceous layer — Perennial vegetables
- Ground cover — Nitrogen-fixing plants
- Root layer — Root vegetables
- Vine layer — Grapes, kiwi
Once established, food forests require minimal inputs and produce for 50-100+ years.
SECTION 4: HOW DIN WORKS
We work with willing landowners who want their property’s legacy to be something other than subdivision. We offer:
- Fair market compensation — We respect the landowner’s investment
- Tax-advantaged structures — Including 1031 exchanges and charitable giving vehicles
- Legacy recognition — Honoring families who choose conservation
- Professional process — Landowners can count on a clear, respectful transaction
We never use eminent domain or pressure tactics. Every acquisition involves a willing seller who shares our vision.
Community Sanctuaries:
- DIN acquires and owns the property
- Permanent protection from development
- Funded by community donations and major gifts
- Focus on urban/suburban green spaces
- Generational timeline (100+ years)
Regenerative Operations:
- DIN leases land through long-term agreements
- Active demonstration of regenerative practices
- Funded by grants, corporate sponsors, and food revenue
- Training site for regenerative agriculture
- Lease term timeline (10-30 years)
Both use the same regenerative principles—rotational grazing, perennial food systems, soil building, and community access.
Regenerative agriculture requires patience that commercial operations can’t afford:
- 20-year timelines — No investor will wait for nut trees to mature
- Lower stocking rates — We optimize for land health, not maximum revenue
- Decade-long soil building — Quarterly reports don’t reward slow ecological progress
- Permanent protection — Nonprofit ownership prevents future sale to developers
- Grant eligibility — Many funding sources are only available to nonprofits
The nonprofit structure allows us to make decisions based on what’s right for the land, not investor returns.
Several ways:
- Donate — Every contribution helps protect green space
- Submit a property — Know land that deserves protection? Tell us about it
- Spread the word — Share our mission with friends and family
- Volunteer — Contact us about volunteer opportunities
- Join our email list — Stay informed about campaigns and progress
SECTION 5: SPECIFIC PROPERTIES
We share details about specific properties only after formal agreements are in place with landowners. This protects both the landowner’s privacy and the integrity of ongoing conversations.
Our general focus areas include:
- Utah: Highland, Alpine, and surrounding communities on the Wasatch Front
- Idaho: Bear Lake Valley, including Montpelier and surrounding areas
Sign up for our email list to be notified when we launch specific campaigns.
Visit our Future Projects page to submit information about properties you think deserve protection. We review every submission and follow up on properties that align with our mission. We treat all submissions confidentially and will never contact a landowner without your knowledge.
SECTION 6: FINANCIAL & LEGAL
Yes. Dive Into Nature is a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization (EIN: 93-1792705). Donations are tax-deductible to the extent allowed by law.
Donations support:
- Property acquisition for Community Sanctuaries
- Regenerative infrastructure (fencing, water systems, trees)
- Operational costs (staff, legal, accounting)
- Educational programming
- Land stewardship and management
We maintain transparent financial records and are committed to responsible stewardship of donor funds.
No. We can explain how conservation transactions generally work, but we always recommend landowners consult with their own legal and tax advisors before making decisions. Every situation is unique, and professional advice ensures the best outcome for the landowner.
SECTION 7: GETTING INVOLVED
Once properties are acquired and appropriate infrastructure is in place, we plan to offer free public access including walking trails, educational tours, and community events. Details will be announced as specific sanctuaries become operational.
Educational programming is a core part of our mission. We plan to offer:
- School field trips
- Workshops on regenerative agriculture
- Community volunteer days
- Seasonal events and celebrations
Programming will expand as our properties become operational.
- Email list — The best way to stay informed. Sign up on our homepage.
- Social media — Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn
- Blog — We post updates and educational content regularly