As we wrap up the 2024 summer season, we extend our heartfelt gratitude to everyone who joined Save Our Canyons in our Wasatch Stewardship Projects to give back and protect the beauty and wildness of the Wasatch Mountains. Here’s a look back at what we achieved together this summer: 

Millcreek Campground Service (September 14): Save Our Canyons partnered with Archer Mechanical and the Salt Lake Ranger District for a successful cleanup at Desolation Campground. Volunteers gathered early to receive safety instructions before setting out to collect garbage and clear debris from concrete fire pits. This collaborative effort made the campground cleaner and more enjoyable for future visitors, showcasing the importance of community-driven stewardship in maintaining public lands.

Millcreek Trailwork (July 24): The Millcreek Trailwork event brought Service Learning Camp volunteers from Iowa and the Salt Lake Ranger District to Millcreek Canyon. Participants worked on clearing overgrown vegetation along the Red Pine Road and Little Water Trail, maintaining approximately 1 mile of trail. The students learned about the importance of trail upkeep and gained hands-on experience in conservation, making it an educational and rewarding experience in the heart of the Wasatch.

Killyon’s Canyon Garlic Mustard Pull (June 21): Focused on removing invasive species, this event had volunteers tackling garlic mustard in collaboration with Salt Lake County and Utah Open Lands. Despite a storm shortening the event, volunteers managed to remove around 200 pounds of the invasive plant, helping to restore the area’s native ecosystem. The event showed the importance of invasive species management to protect local flora and maintain ecological balance.

Millcreek Campground Service and Structure Removal (May 24): Volunteers from Patagonia SLC joined Save Our Canyons and the Salt Lake Ranger District to restore Millcreek Canyon. The group removed illegal structures, cleared fallen debris from trails, and collected litter, making the area more accessible and cleaner for summer activities. 

SOC Kids Hike (May 18): This educational outdoor experience was for 5th-grade students from Canyons School District, who joined Save Our Canyons on a guided hike along Rattlesnake Gulch Trail. Alongside enjoying scenic views, students learned about wildlife, and Leave No Trace principles, and took part in a litter cleanup. This event combined outdoor learning with environmental stewardship, leaving the students with a stronger connection to their local habitats.

Little Cottonwood Canyon Cleanup (May 1): Save Our Canyons partnered with KUHL for a Little Cottonwood Canyon Cleanup, where volunteers were assigned to four major trailheads, including Bell’s Canyon, Little Cottonwood Park and Ride, Grit-Mill, and Red/White Pine Trailhead. Volunteers collected 100 pounds of garbage, contributing to a cleaner environment and setting a strong example of corporate partnership in environmental conservation.

Memory Grove/City Creek Cleanup (April 22): Marking the first event of the season, volunteers from the Black Diamond staff gathered to remove litter accumulated over winter, collecting around 350 pounds of garbage from this popular urban area. The event demonstrated the impact of collective community action on preserving local parks and natural spaces, as well as the longstanding support of partners like Black Diamond in these initiatives.

2024 Wasatch Stewardship Program Totals:

• We worked with 120 volunteers, including an average of 15 individuals per project during our Wilderness Stewardship Projects
• During the 6 cleanup events we had this season, we collected a total of 790lb of garbage
• During the 1 weed pull event we had this season we collected a total of 200lb of invasive Garlic Mustard
• Throughout the season, we tracked 2800 hours of in-kind volunteer hours.

Save Our Canyons wants to say thank you to everyone who helped during our Stewardship season along with the Central Wasatch Commission and the Wasatch Mountain Club for helping fund our programs. - Stay tuned for the 2025 Wasatch Stewardship Program!

During the 2024 season, Save Our Canyons continued its partnership with the Salt Lake Ranger District to monitor recreation sites across the Wasatch Wilderness areas, including the Mt. Olympus, Twin Peaks, and Lone Peak wilderness areas. Next year we’ll begin data collection in the Deseret Wilderness Area.

Compared to last season, in 2024 we have increased our capacity on the project exponentially. a new edition to the Recreation Site Monitoring Program for 2024 was the implementation of group monitoring sessions. We wanted to create a unique and inclusive space for people looking to give back to the Wasatch through conservation and stewardship. These group sessions have given people the chance to meet new faces in the community and get to explore what the Wasatch has to offer.

2024 Wilderness Recreation Site Monitoring Program Totals:

• Conducted 6 training sessions to prepare volunteers for accurate and effective data collection.
• Throughout the season, we tracked 682 in-kind volunteer hours
• Cataloged and digitized over 300 film slides, with many dating back to 1987
• More than 150 Recreation Sites Recorded in 2024

With an end goal to cover 95% of these sites, we're thrilled to report that we're ahead of schedule and on track to complete the project by the end of 2025.

A heartfelt thank you to our incredible volunteers—you make this work possible! We also extend our gratitude to the National Wilderness Stewardship Alliance for funding this project over the past two years. Your support has been instrumental in enabling us to gather this data.

If you’re interested in getting involved in this program for 2025, please reach out to Sam at

On Wednesday, October 23rd, nonprofit partners—Heal Utah, Save Parleys, Sierra Club, Utah Physicians for a Healthy Environment, and Save Our Canyons—came together to host an educational town hall, aiming to inform the community about the serious concerns surrounding the proposed mining operation in Central Parleys Canyon.

The proposed mine poses a range of threats, from toxic sediment release and excessive water usage needed to control dust pollution, to the constant flow of diesel vehicles emitting substantial diesel exhaust releasing harmful particulates and greenhouse gases into the atmosphere, contributing to poor air quality. Additionally, the mining operation would displace native wildlife from critical habitats and degrade potential wilderness areas. This event highlighted these issues, urging community opposition to protect the central Wasatch's environmental integrity.

The turnout to this panel was exceptional. We are so grateful to YOU. Our community for taking the time to learn about these issues. A special thanks goes out to Patagonia SLC for hosting us and supporting our mission.

On Saturday, October 19th, Save Our Canyons gathered with community members, outdoor enthusiasts, conservationists, and Wasatch Lover alike for the 20th Annual Lone Peak Celebration—a vibrant event dedicated to celebrating the Wasatch Range and the shared commitment to protecting their Beauty and Wildness. Together, through ticket sales, a one-of-a-kind silent auction, and community support, we raised an incredible $31,000 profit that will go directly toward Save Our Canyons campaigns. 

The event kicked off with a set from @Lapdogband who helped to set the tone for the evening. Save Our Canyons, Executive Director, Spencer, delivered a compelling speech on efforts to address the issues we face in the Wasatch and our progress in fighting them to protect these precious landscapes from overdevelopment. The mountains are more than just a backdrop; they are a source of inspiration, peace, and strength. 

The 20th Annual Lone Peak Celebration was a testament to the power of community action, bringing people together to protect and honor our public lands. Special thanks go out to our partners, local businesses, and generous sponsors who made this unforgettable night possible. The strength and unity we share for the Wasatch Mountains continue to inspire all of us.

A huge THANK YOU to our sponsors and silent auction donors:

KUHL, The Hemingway Foundation, KRCL, RoHa Brewing Project, Beehive Distilling, Kymit, Kristen Frailey, Gregory Mountain Products, Coalatree, Party Shirt International, Ken Sanders Rare Books, Petzel, Black Diamond, Chris Monte, Cascade Physical Therapy, LLC, Stio, Cotopaxi, Coalatree, Lone Pine Gear Exchange, Haven Tents, Alpine Earthworks Pottery, James “Gus” McCloskey, Anna Leigh Moore, Natural History Museum Utah, Anna Bugbee Studio, Evi Hui, Fred Staff, Andy and Laura Briefer, Jenny Wolff, Caryl A. Brown, and Lapdog.

If you missed this year’s Lone Peak Celebration, you can still support Save Our Canyons’ mission by making a donation HERE. Together, we can accomplish anything to protect and SAVE OUR CANYONS!

A Successful Day in Millcreek with Archer Mechanical, Salt Lake Ranger District, and the Save Our Canyons team.

On Saturday, September 14th, 2024, we had an incredible turnout for our Wasatch Stewardship Event, partnering with the Salt Lake Ranger District and Archer Mechanical for a campsite restoration project where we helped the Rangers clean up garbage around the Desolation Campground, along with removing debris and garbage from the concrete firepits.

Event Recap:

Our team of volunteers and partners gathered at the campsite parking Lot early in the morning. Before we set off, we had a brief meet-up to go over safety and sign waivers, then began our project.

The event kicked off with a plan for the day along with trash bag and glove distribution, ensuring everyone was prepared and informed. For the next several hours we collected all visible garbage and disposed of it properly.

Accomplishments:

• Removed garbage and debris from fire pits
• Removed litter and debris, leaving the area cleaner and more enjoyable for everyone

A Heartfelt Thank You:

We extend our deepest gratitude to everyone who participated. Your hard work and dedication are what make events like this possible. 

Looking Forward:

We are excited about the future and look forward to more events like this. Your engagement and commitment to preserving our natural spaces are crucial. Keep an eye out for upcoming events and opportunities to get involved here - https://saveourcanyons.org/resources/wilderness-stewardship-project

Thank you once again for making the Wasatch Stewardship Event a resounding success. 

For any questions, please reach out to Sam Werstak at

On Sunday, August 18th, Save Our Canyons and Park City Gardens came together to host the event Protect Biodiversity, Plant Native Plants, a gathering aimed at educating the public on the benefits of choosing native species over non-native ones in home landscapes.

Planting native species in Utah supports the local environment by conserving water, reducing the need for chemicals, and providing crucial habitat for wildlife. These plants are naturally adapted to the region's dry conditions, resulting in significantly lower water consumption compared to non-native species. By planting native plants, Utah homeowners can help preserve the state's unique ecosystems and promote biodiversity right in their own yards.

The event saw an outpouring of support from the community. Park City Gardens generously donated 10% of their native plant proceeds to Save Our Canyons, while Steve Saletta set the atmosphere with his acoustic set. Spencer, the executive director of Save Our Canyons, gave a brief but insightful 10-minute talk about the organization's ongoing efforts to protect the Wasatch Mountains. Sadie AbuHaidar followed with a 5-minute talk about the importance of planting native plants, reminding everyone how small actions in our own backyards can contribute to larger conservation goals.

This event not only spread awareness about protecting biodiversity but also demonstrated how simple changes in gardening practices can make a meaningful impact on the environment.

A huge thank you to Park City Gardens, Steve Saletta, Sadie Abuhaidar for making this event such a success.

Another shoutout to the Central Wasatch Commission for helping fund our Grassroots/Advocacy/Education program.

In the summer of 2023, Save Our Canyons in partnership with the Salt Lake Ranger District launched the latest version of the Recreation Site Monitoring Program. Save Our Canyons was able to recruit and partner with two groups from the University of Utah, Environmental and Sustainability Program Capstone CEL Courses to help collect and analyze existing and new data.

Fall of 2023:

During the Fall of 2023, We worked with 5 incredible students to collect data primarily in the Mt. Olympus and Twinpeaks Wilderness area. Between August and October, the students were able to monitor the trails listed below and survey nearly 90 different recreation sites:

• Ferguson Canyon Trail
• Broads Fork
• Mill B South
• Mill A Basin
• Butler Fork
• Mill D North Fork

Spring of 2024:

During the Spring of 2024, We worked with a great group of 4 students who analyzed and digitized over 30 years of hand-collected field data. This included the tedious task of manual spreadsheet entry and scanning 35mm film strips into digital formats. This greatly assisted in creating an organized and efficient mode of long-term storage and cross-data analysis.

Listed below are a few examples of the data entries along with the 35mm filmstrips:

• Data Entry Date
• Wilderness or Label of File
• Site Number
• UTM Coordinates
• Date Coded or Recorded
• Coded or Recorded by
• Elevation
• Vegetation
• Dominant Species
• Habitat Type
• Landform

Millcreek Trail Work Day with Service Learning Camps and the Salt Lake Ranger District

On Wednesday, July 24th, 2024, we had a great opportunity to take 15 students from Iowa for their first experiences in the Wasatch. We planned a brushback project with the Salt Lake Ranger District to help maintain the old Red-pine Road, and Little Water trail up Millcreek Canyon.

Event Recap:

Our team of volunteers and partners gathered at the base of Millcreek Canyon to make a plan for the day and tool distribution, ensuring everyone was prepared and informed. By 8:30 am, we were moving up the trail to our first worksite, each student working up the trail to maximize our efficiency. Volunteers worked diligently to identify and remove overgrowth and woody shrubs that were overgrown alongside the trail. After finishing the first section, we moved to the second trail and worked away.

Accomplishments:

• Maintained approximately .75 miles of useable trail, effectively removing overgrowth for multiple seasons' worth of growth.

• Educated volunteers and the community about the importance of managing our systems

• Fostered a sense of community and collective effort toward conservation to a new group of individuals experiencing Utah for the first time.

A Heartfelt Thank You:

We extend our deepest gratitude to everyone who participated. Your hard work and dedication are what make events like this possible. Despite the storm, your efforts made a substantial difference in upper Millcreek Canyon.

Looking Forward:

We are excited about the future and look forward to more events like this. Your engagement and commitment to preserving our natural spaces are crucial. Keep an eye out for upcoming events and opportunities to get involved here.

For any questions, please reach out to Sam at

A Successful Day in Killyon's Canyon with Salt Lake County and the Utah Open Lands

On Friday, June 21st, 2024, we had an incredible turnout for our Killyo'ns Canyon Garlic Mustard Pull event, partnering with Salt Lake County and the Utah Open Lands.

Event Recap:

Our team of volunteers and partners gathered at the Killyon's Canyon trailhead early in the morning. Ready for a day of work, we had a brief meet-up to go over safety and sign waivers before setting out to tackle the invasive garlic mustard.

The event kicked off with a plan for the day and tool distribution, ensuring everyone was prepared and informed. By 10:30 am, we split into groups, each assigned to different sections of the area to maximize our impact. Volunteers worked diligently to identify and remove garlic mustard, helping to restore the native plant community.

The Unexpected Turn:

As the volunteers worked, a storm rolled in, cutting the event short. Despite the abrupt end, the spirit of the volunteers remained high. Samantha, one of the lead organizers, estimated that around 200 pounds of garlic mustard were collected during the event.

Accomplishments:

• Removed approximately 200 pounds of garlic mustard, significantly reducing the invasive plant's impact on the local ecosystem.

• Educated volunteers and the community about the importance of managing invasive species.

• Fostered a sense of community and collective effort toward conservation.

A Heartfelt Thank You:

We extend our deepest gratitude to everyone who participated. Your hard work and dedication are what make events like this possible. Despite the storm, your efforts made a substantial difference in Killyon Canyon.

Looking Forward:

We are excited about the future and look forward to more events like this. Your engagement and commitment to preserving our natural spaces are crucial. Keep an eye out for upcoming events and opportunities to get involved here.

Thank you once again for making the Killyon Canyon Garlic Mustard Pull a resounding success.

For any questions, please reach out to Sam at

A huge thank you to the Central Wasatch Commission for helping to fund our grassroots advocacy, conservation, and stewardship events.

A Successful Day in Millcreek with Patagonia SLC, community volunteers, and the Salt Lake Ranger District

On Friday, May 24th, 2024, we had an incredible turnout for our Wasatch Stewardship Event, partnering with the Salt Lake Ranger District and Patagonia SLC. The day was filled with enthusiasm and a shared love for our beautiful canyons.

Event Recap:

Our team of volunteers and partners gathered at the Olympus Hills Eastside Parking Lot early in the morning. Ready for a day of meaningful work, we had a brief meet-up to go over safety and sign waivers, then carpooled to the Desolation Canyon Trailhead.

The event kicked off with a plan for the day and tool distribution, ensuring everyone was prepared and informed. By 9:30 am, we split into groups. One hiking up the major campsites in the area. After the hiking team finished their deconstruction, they hiked down to meet up with the other group and helped collect garbage in the remaining sites. 

We moved up the canyon beyond the winter road closure to help the Rangers remove debris and downfall from the winter to prepare for summer access.

Accomplishments:

• Removed Illegal structure along the Thayne/Deso trail
• Removed fallen debris on the summer road in upper Millcreek canyon
• Removed litter and debris, leaving the area cleaner and more enjoyable for everyone

A Heartfelt Thank You:

We extend our deepest gratitude to everyone who participated. Your hard work and dedication are what make events like this possible. 

Looking Forward:

We are excited about the future and look forward to more events like this. Your engagement and commitment to preserving our natural spaces are crucial. Keep an eye out for upcoming events and opportunities to get involved here - https://saveourcanyons.org/resources/wilderness-stewardship-project

Thank you once again for making the Wasatch Stewardship Event a resounding success. 

For any questions, please reach out to Sam Werstak at