Lyman Hafen is the author of a dozen books intent on connecting landscape and story in the American Southwest.

He is executive director of the Zion Natural History Association, and is past president of the national Public Lands Alliance. He’s been writing and publishing for more than 30 years, with several hundred magazine articles in publications ranging from Western Horseman to Northern Lights, and was the founding editor of St. George Magazine in 1983. His books include a memoir of growing up with cowboys entitled ROPING THE WIND, an epic story of the Arizona Strip and a lost World War II pilot entitled FAR FROM CACTUS FLAT, and the novel for young readers OVER THE JOSHUA SLOPE. He’s been recognized on several occasions with literary awards from the Utah Arts Council, and won the Wrangler Award from the National Cowboy and Western Heritage Museum for his documentary “Born to Ride,” about world champion bronc rider Cody Wright. A successful rodeo competitor in his own right, Hafen won the Utah High School Rodeo All- Around title in 1973. He lives in Santa Clara, Utah, with his wife Debbie. They’re the parents of six children and 14 grandchildren who live on both coasts of the United States, and in Europe.