Our people make the difference.

Brian Tonetti

Brian Tonetti is the founder and served as the Executive Director of the Seven Canyons Trust for 10 years. As a student at the University of Utah, he created the award-winning 100 Years of Daylighting, which led to the creation of the Seven Canyons Trust—a nonprofit working to uncover and restore the buried and impaired creeks in Salt Lake County, UT. Among many different projects, he led implementation of the innovative Three Creeks Confluence project, an award-winning effort to daylight Red Butte, Emigration, and Parleys creeks where they flow into the Jordan River in Salt Lake City, and development of the Seven Greenways Vision Plan, an award-winning regional vision to create greenway corridors along the seven creeks in the Salt Lake Valley. He graduated from the University of Utah with degrees in Environmental and Sustainability Studies and Urban Planning. He comes to Alta with a desire to expand his passion for trails and open space across the West.

“Parks, trails, and open spaces are the lifeblood of our communities. They provide the necessary Vitamin "Nature" in our increasing urbanized world and the transportation network provides the access. With active transportation, the adventure begins right from our doorsteps. Let’s walk, bike, and roll towards a happier, healthier future!”

  • Professional Highlights
    • Founder of the Seven Canyons Trust
    • 2014 Achievement Award in Student Project for “100 Years of Daylighting” from Utah Chapter of the American Planning Association
    • 2017 Achievement Award in Project/Study/Master Plan for “Three Creeks Confluence” from Utah Chapter of the American Planning Association
    • 2021 High Achievement Award in Implementation for “Three Creeks Confluence” from Utah Chapter of the American Planning Association
    • 2021 Outstanding Alumni & Partner from University of Utah Department of City & Metropolitan Planning
    • 2022 Merit Award in Regional Plan for “Seven Greenways Vision Plan” from Utah Chapter of the American Planning Association
    • 2022 Honor Award in Design for “Three Creeks Confluence” from American Society of Landscape Architects Utah Chapter
    • 2023 Award of Excellence in Planning & Analysis for “Seven Greenways Vision Plan” from American Society of Landscape Architects Utah Chapter
    • 2023 Honor Award in Planning & Analysis for “Seven Greenways Vision Plan” from American Society of Landscape Architects Colorado/Wyoming Chapter
    • 2024 Honor Award for “Seven Greenways Vision Plan” from American Society of Landscape Architects National Chapter
    • 2024 Shortlist in Conceptual – Analysis and Planning for “Seven Greenways Vision Plan” from World Landscape Architecture
    • “It Starts with Water” (p. 55-60) in Wild Wasatch Front: Explore the Amazing Nature in and around Salt Lake City, Natural History Museum of Utah (Timber Press - 2024)