State Secrets

No, this isn’t Mars. But it is the largest Mars research facility on Earth, and you can find it right here in southern Utah. Run by the Mars Society, it’s one of the many surprises unearthed in the PBS Utah documentary series This Is Utah. In its fifth season, the series shines a light on the sometimes unexpected people, communities, and experiences that make the state unique. The mini-documentary style episodes feature stories on subjects as eclectic as a world-class yo-yo master, a Polynesian music and dance group, and keepers of fireflies on a historic farm.

“We allow people to travel to these incredible destinations without having to go there,” says show host Liz Adeola. “It’s about getting to know people and places you might not even think exist inside of Utah,” adds series producer Nancy Green BA’91 MFA’12.

Whether urban or rural, renowned or obscure, This Is Utah celebrates the state’s multifaceted identity through rich personal narratives. As Green says, “Utah is a complex mosaic.” The University of Utah holds PBS Utah’s license on behalf of all Utahns. For the full series of This Is Utah, visit pbsutah.org/this-is-utah.