Ted Wilson's job as Gov. Gary Herbert's senior adviser on the environment never really seemed a good fit. After all, Wilson is a liberal Democrat, at least by Utah standards, and Herbert, and even more so some of his minions, is a conservative Republican. And the environment is an issue that tends to polarize liberals and conservatives in Utah more than almost any other.

There must have been many frustrating moments during Wilson's nearly two years on the job.

So we weren't surprised when Wilson stepped down from the post to accept what we can only assume was a more lucrative offer from Talisker Mountain Inc., the company that owns the Canyons Resort, to become its director of government affairs. But, while we can understand Wilson's decision, we're sorry to see him go.

The former Salt Lake City mayor was, as Herbert says, a "collaborator." Unfortunately, collaboration holds little interest for many rightist Republicans, especially when it comes to the land-use issues and such things as limiting greenhouse-gas emissions and the reach of all-terrain vehicles on public lands.

Nonetheless, Wilson was gaining some ground for a more moderate approach. Although he seemed to smile through gritted teeth when discussing a 10-year strategic energy plan adopted by the Energy Task Force because of its lukewarm approach to renewable energy sources, Wilson was enough of a team player to get some concessions. The energy plan leaned too heavily toward coal mining and fossil-fuel energy development, but it does say Utah should develop its wind, solar and geothermal resources.

Wilson led negotiations between Utah, the federal Interior Department and Iron County on the issue of ownership of rural roads, and he potentially could have helped improve the chances for wilderness agreements in a number of other rural counties.

San Juan County is trying to convince legislators of the need for a county-sponsored wilderness plan, and Wilson could have provided leadership and the benefit of his experience to move forward that and other such attempts to protect public lands valuable for their scenery, recreation, wildlife and watershed.

Herbert's appointment of Wilson to lead his environmental advisory team was partly window-dressing, but also partly a sincere attempt to bring all sides together to find common ground on environmental issues. Wilson made progress, and his replacement should be another negotiator with environmental roots. We need that perspective.