Craig B. Forster, a professor behind many environmental initiatives at the University of Utah, fell to his death Friday in Zion National Park.

Forster, 56, was hiking with his wife and three friends Friday when he scrambled up an unnamed canyon near Highway 9 and he fell about 20 feet.

"We don't exactly know what happened," his wife, Bonnie Baty, said Sunday. "He fell over a cliff or something gave out under him."

Forster died before park rangers arrived, according to park officials.

As the university's sustainability director, Forster helped to bring about such eco-friendly measures as advanced watering systems and an energy plant that generates electricity and heats water for the campus and recycling.

Forster also helped students develop the campus farmers' market, a vegetable garden, a bicycle cooperative and a sustainability board through the Associated Students of the University of Utah.

"He was really instrumental in getting students interested in sustainability," said university spokesman Remi Barron.

Forster was the university's first sustainability director, University of Utah President Michael Young said in a statement.

For the last five years, Forster was also on the faculty on the College of Architecture + Planning.

"He was the glue connecting all the people on campus who are working for sustainability," said dean Brenda Scheerd. "He was a gifted and creative scientist who unselfishly and tirelessly promoted cooperation and collaboration. He was unafraid to tackle the real, enormous issues in our environment, and he was unafraid to lobby at the highest levels of the university for the resources to do it. He is an irreplaceable part of the College."

Forster was an experienced hiker and climber, Baty said. He also enjoyed cooking and played Hungarian cimbalom in a Hungarian dance band, Baty said.