We hear it all the time, particularly in politics; our participation isn’t that critical because the outcome will be the same, the majority has too large a voice. In a profession rooted in precision, history and public trust, the strength of land surveying in Utah depends on more than technical skill alone — it depends on community. The Utah Council of Land Surveyors (UCLS) stands as the central hub for that community, bringing together professionals from across the state to advocate, educate and advance the practice of surveying. Yet like many professional organizations, its impact is only as strong as the participation of its members.

Today, the need for that participation is more urgent than ever: a small profession with a large responsibility.

By the numbers, land surveying in Utah is a remarkably small profession. The state has roughly 700 licensed professional land surveyors¹ serving a population (approx. 3.5 million residents²) that continues to grow at one of the fastest rates in the country. This disparity is more than just a statistic — it’s a reality that shapes how we can have an influence. In legislative discussions, regulatory decisions and broader industry conversations, the numbers matter. Surveyors, by comparison, represent a much smaller voice, which makes unity not just beneficial, but essential.

In a profession of this size, individual participation carries real weight. Each surveyor who engages in the UCLS strengthens the profession’s visibility and credibility.

Each surveyor who remains on the sidelines diminishes the collective voice at a time when clarity and representation are critical.

UCLS serves as the anchor that keeps everyone’s efforts united. It provides a place where expectations are aligned, where Utah-specific issues are addressed and where a shared professional identity is reinforced. Increasing participation — especially among those already licensed and practicing in the state — represents one of the clearest paths to strengthening the profession.

Advocacy: Strength in Numbers

One of the most critical roles the UCLS plays is advocacy. Surveyors operate within a framework of laws, administrative rules and public policy that directly affect how work is performed and how the public is served. The UCLS represents surveyors at the state level, working with legislators, regulatory boards and industry partners to ensure that laws reflect the realities of the profession and the needs of the public.

Advocacy is not automatic — it depends on engagement. Participation in committees, attendance at meetings and simple awareness of legislative issues all contribute to a stronger, more effective presence. In a small profession, it takes more than a few people to represent the many. It takes us all to make an impact — it takes commitment.

Education: Adapting in a Changing Field

Beyond advocacy, UCLS plays a vital role in raising professional standards through education. Conferences, chapter meetings and workshops provide opportunities to stay current with evolving technology, legal developments and best practices.

This is particularly important as the profession undergoes rapid changes. Emerging tools such as drone mapping, GNSS advancements and integrated geospatial systems are reshaping how surveyors work.

At the same time, the legal and ethical foundations of the profession remain as important as ever.

When we are all involved, the elected leaders of the UCLS know where to focus their efforts. Participation in the UCLS transforms continuing education from a requirement into a shared experience — one where knowledge is not only gained, but exchanged. If we all keep silent on the challenges we face with land use authorities, companion professions or even other members of our profession, nothing will change.

Committees: Where Participation Becomes Impact

For many, membership in the UCLS has simply meant a discount to the conference and a path to meet the continuing education requirements. However, the most meaningful way to engage in the UCLS is by joining a committee. Committees are where ideas turn into action — where policies are shaped, events are organized and the future direction of the profession is actively influenced.

Committees provide an accessible entry point for involvement. Whether you are new to the profession or a seasoned surveyor, committee work offers a chance to contribute in a focused, practical way while building relationships with peers across the state.

Each of the following committees reflects a different facet of the profession, but all share a common purpose: strengthening surveying in Utah through active participation.

Conference Committee
Chair: Andy Hubbard

Responsible for coordinating speakers and planning our annual conferences, workshops and continuing education opportunities, this committee ensures that UCLS members have access to relevant, high-quality learning. It plays a key role in identifying emerging topics, securing speakers and maintaining professional standards across the state.

Education Committee
Chair: David Mortensen

This committee is responsible for working with educators across the state to plan, promote and implement surveying education. They also oversee our scholarships through the Walter M. Cunningham Education Foundation (wmcef.org), workshops and speaking engagements in K-12 Schools and continuing education opportunities (Field Forum). This committee ensures that UCLS members have access to relevant, high-quality learning.

Historical Committee
Chair: Matt Clark

This committee is responsible for gathering, documenting and preserving the history of surveying in Utah. Over the past few years, they have completed projects that provided a forward-facing view for surveying. Monuments such as the initial point for This is the Place Heritage Park provide a location and history we can call on, but also a physical reminder for the public of what we do.

Legislative Committee
Chair: Trent Williams

This group monitors proposed laws and administrative rules, working directly with lawmakers and regulators. Members help review bills, provide technical insight and advocate for policies that protect both the profession and the public. For those interested in shaping the regulatory landscape, this is one of the most impactful places to serve.

Membership Committee
Chair: Tyler Harper

This committee is focused on growing and retaining participation. The committee works to connect surveyors with the organization. Efforts often include outreach to new licensees, students and non-member professionals, as well as improving the overall member experience.

Publication Committee
Chair: James Olschewski

The Publication Committee is the glue that ties all the others together. They are responsible for publishing our Foresights magazine and are the best resource to communicate the actions of the UCLS. They provide articles that enlighten and highlight industry wins and keep us apprised of the changes we need to track.

Standards and Ethics Committee
Chair: Kurt Falkenthal

Often working behind the scenes, this committee addresses technical and ethical issues within the profession. It may develop guidance, review common challenges and promote consistency in how surveying is practiced across Utah.

Mentorship: Bridging Experience and Innovation

The future of surveying in Utah depends not only on numbers, but on continuity. Like many skilled professions, surveying faces the reality of an aging workforce alongside a limited pipeline of new licensees.

This is where mentorship becomes indispensable.

Through the UCLS, mentorship can move beyond informal relationships and become a deliberate effort to transfer knowledge, skills and professional values. Experienced surveyors bring decades of insight — lessons learned in boundary resolution, client communication and professional judgment. These are not easily taught, but they are critically important.

At the same time, newer professionals bring strengths of their own. They are often more fluent in emerging technologies, adaptable to new workflows and eager to challenge traditional approaches. When mentors and mentees engage with each other through UCLS — often through committee work, events and shared initiatives — the relationship becomes mutually beneficial.

Mentorship, in this sense, is not about preserving the past — it is about integrating experience with innovation to move the profession forward.

From Participation to Progress: A Shared Responsibility for the Future

The statistics tell a clear story: Land surveying in Utah is a small profession with significant responsibility, partial participation and increasing demands. It is also a profession with enormous opportunities. Those opportunities lie in engagement.

Whether it is attending a chapter meeting, volunteering for a committee, presenting at a conference or simply becoming a member, each act of participation contributes to something larger. It strengthens advocacy in a field where numbers are limited. It builds consistency in a workforce that spans both resident and non-resident professionals. It supports mentorship at a time when knowledge transfer is critical. It reinforces the relevance of surveying in a rapidly evolving world.

The future of land surveying in Utah CANNOT be determined by external forces. It must be shaped by the choices of those within the profession — by their willingness to engage, to contribute and to lead. We must discuss, dissent, agree, train and bring our experiences to a united decision. When that decision is made, we must rally, united as one voice.

The Utah Council of Land Surveyors provides the framework for that effort, but its strength will always depend on the people who choose to be part of it.

In a profession where numbers are small but the impact is large, participation is not just beneficial — it is essential. And the path forward is clear: A stronger, more connected surveying community begins with those willing to step in and take part in it.