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Volunteers work to clean up Alta Ski Area on a sunny summer day

Summer Education & Stewardship

By Alta Environmental Center 05-01-2024

Roll up your sleeves and help protect Alta's delicate ecosystem.

Beat the summer heat by joining the Alta Environmental Center and local non-profit partners in the mountains for a summer filled with fun, family-friendly educational events and stewardship programs. Learn more about year-round recreation on our watershed in National Forest Service land, what it means to be a good steward of the land and the many efforts that go into protecting this delicate ecosystem. Whether exploring on guided tours, getting your hands dirty with restoration projects or learning from expert-led workshops—there’s something for everyone.

Check back here for event details and follow the Alta Environmental Center on Instagram and Facebook for the latest updates!

Summer Stewardship

Beneath Alta’s 100-inch snowpack lies a thriving ecosystem with diverse plant communities and habitats. The Alta Environmental Center—in collaboration with our partner organizations—invites you to join our stewardship programs and help preserve Alta for future generations. Get involved by harvesting and planting native vegetation, managing invasive species, maintaining trails and cleaning up debris from the busy ski season. Every effort makes a difference in protecting this unique mountain environment!

Community VOLUNTEER DAYS

Join us on the mountain for Community Volunteer Days—a hands-on opportunity to give back to the environment through restoration projects like planting native vegetation, removing invasive weeds and harvesting trees.

Alta Monthly Community Volunteer DaysAll ages are welcome, but registration is required—sign up today and make a difference!

  • 2025 dates coming soon!

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Tree Harvest & Restoration

Volunteer with TreeUtah and the Alta Environmental Center as we carefully harvest native tree saplings growing along Alta’s ski runs, giving them a better chance of survival.

TreeUtah Tree Harvest and Restoration summer event Explore the mountain, get your hands dirty and be a part of this vital restoration effort—registration is required.

  • 2025 dates coming soon!

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Alta TREE Planting day 2025

Join us for Alta’s biggest planting event of the season as we plant up to 1,000 tree saplings across the mountain to help restore our forests with the Alta Environmental Center, TreeUtah and Cottonwood Canyons Foundation.

We’ll hike to various locations, carefully selecting planting sites based on aspect, elevation and vegetation type to give these seedlings the best chance of survival. Don’t miss this incredible opportunity to connect with the community and make a lasting impact on our slopes during the biggest planting event of the season—registration is required.

  • 2025 date coming soon!

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Memorial Tree Planting

Join Friends of Alta for a special day as you plant a tree to honor of a loved one in Memorial Grove at Alta Ski Area.

Memorial Tree Planting with FOA Please contact FOA for more information about this event >

  • 2025 date coming soon!

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Educational Events

Join us for our summer educational events to help you and your family explore Alta’s environment, vegetation and native wildlife. These interactive experiences provide a fun and engaging way to connect with nature and learn more about this unique mountain ecosystem.

birding hikes

Discover Alta’s birdlife with Tracy Aviary & the Alta Environmental Center!

Alta Birding Hikes with Tracy Aviary

Join the Alta Environmental Center and Tracy Aviary for a monthly guided birding hike, where you’ll help survey non-breeding birds of Alta while exploring the mountain environment. Hike alongside expert birders as you search for the diverse species that call Alta home and learn to identify local birds by sight and sound. Whether a beginner or an experienced birder, this is a fantastic opportunity to connect with fellow bird enthusiasts and enhance your bird identification skills!

Registration is required >

  • 2025 dates coming soon!

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HawkWatch BIRDS OF PREY

Experience birds of prey up close with HawkWatch International!

HawkWatch and Live Bird Show

Spend an hour in the mountains with the Alta Environmental Center and HawkWatch International for a uniquely interactive and educational event about raptors. Watch birds of prey in action as experts share insights into their vital roles in the ecosystem and how you can help conserve and protect these incredible birds.

No registration is required—just show up!

  • 2025 dates coming soon!

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Wasatch Wildflower Festival

Celebrate the beauty of Alta’s wildflowers in full bloom at the annual Wasatch Wildflower Festival.

Wasatch Wildflower Festival

Spend the day with the Cottonwood Canyons Foundation exploring Albion Basin, connecting with local organizations and joining a guided hike to learn more about the native wildflowers that thrive in this harsh alpine environment. This event is free and family-friendly—don’t miss this opportunity to experience Alta’s wildflower season at its peak! Registration will open to the public on May 1, 2025.

Registration is required >

  • July 20, 2025

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Alta Kid's Day

Alta’s annual Kid’s Day—A fun & educational adventure in the mountains!

Alta Kids DayJoin the Alta Environmental Center and our local non-partner profits in the mountains for a fun-filled, family-friendly day of learning and adventure at Alta’s Annual Kid’s Day! Kids will have the chance to explore hands-on activity booths hosted by local partner organizations, each designed to teach about Alta’s unique environment, wildlife and conservation efforts.

Registration is required >

  • 2025 date coming soon!

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Explore Alta's Mining History with UCSS

Explore Alta's mining history on a hike through Grizzly Gulch with experts from Utah Cultural Site Stewardship (UCSS).

UCSS mining hike 2024

Take a hike back in time to explore Alta's mining history in Grizzly Gulch with the Alta Environmental Center and Utah Cultural Site Stewardship. Led by the Utah State Historic Preservation Officer, we’ll uncover remnants of old mines and piece together the resilience and ingenuity of those who once worked these slopes.

Registration is required >

  • 2025 date coming soon!

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partner organizations

about the Alta Environmental Center

Founded in 2008, the Alta Environmental Center (AEC) was established to protect and enhance the well-being of Alta’s environment, ski industry and community. Committed to sustainability, AEC focuses on conserving natural resources, serving as a community resource and promoting environmental education to inspire awareness and action.

A heartfelt thank you to our incredible partners, volunteers and the Alta community for your dedication to preserving this beautiful mountain landscape. Together, we continue to make a lasting impact!

Contact us at environment@alta.com