Restore, protect & preserve
our natural mountain environment.
Escape the heat this summer and head up to the mountains to join the Alta Environmental Center (AEC) and our nonprofit partners for weekly, hands-on stewardship and education events. Whether you’re embarking on an expert-led educational hike or planting native plants into our slopes, there’s an opportunity for everyone to connect with and give back to the land that brings us all together. Along the way, you’ll learn about responsible recreation on National Forest Service land, watershed protection and what it truly means to be a steward of Alta’s mountain environment.
Please note: Event dates may shift depending on weather conditions.
Summer Stewardship
Beneath Alta’s deep snowpack lies a thriving, high-alpine ecosystem—rich with diverse plants, animals and habitats. To ensure that future generations can experience the infamous Alta Magic, we must work to restore, protect and preserve our natural mountain environment. We invite the community to come together and get their hands dirty at one—or all—of our summer stewardship events. These events are a great opportunity to get outside and connect with others in the community and fellow sustainability-focused organizations.
Community VOLUNTEER DAYs
Join us in making a positive impact on our environment by volunteering for our monthly Community Volunteer Days.
You will work alongside experts from the AEC and local nonprofit organizations to carry out important restoration work on our slopes while learning about ongoing conservation projects in the Wasatch. Each volunteer day focuses on different, hands-on restoration initiatives across the mountain—including planting native vegetation, removing invasive species, maintaining trails, repairing restoration sites and more.
First Wednesday of the month | 2:30–4:30pm
- July 1st
- August 5th
- September 2nd
Alta Ski Area Cleanup Day | August 5th
- Saturday, August 5th
- Location: Town Park
- Partners: Cottonwood Canyons Foundation, Alta Environmental Center, Alta Ski Area, Friends of Alta
- Registration Required
TREE Planting Day
Join us on the mountain for our biggest volunteer day of the year as we plant over 1,000 Engelmann spruce saplings across Alta’s slopes.
With every tree we plant, we increase the age diversity of species throughout the mountain and support natural regeneration. This effort contributes to building a more resilient forest in the face of climate change. Thanks to our community's support, this day becomes more than just restoration work—it is an opportunity to connect through a shared commitment to make Alta greener for generations to come.
Saturday, September 12th | 8am–1pm
Educational Events
Discover Alta through a new lens with our free, family-friendly summer education programs. The AEC invites recreators of all ages to join us in exploring this unique high-alpine environment—filled with diverse wildlife, vibrant ecosystems and rich history. Whether you're feeling curious or adventurous, these programs are a fun and memorable way to learn more about the land we share and connect with the Alta community.
birding hikes
Grab your hiking boots and join us for our monthly Birding Hikes, where we survey the area’s avian residents alongside a conservation ecologist and citizen scientists from Tracy Aviary.
Learn how to identify birds by sight and sound while exploring the fascinating ecosystems they call home. Whether you're a beginner or a seasoned birdwatcher, these hikes offer an excellent opportunity to connect with nature, enhance your bird identification skills and delve into Alta's rich birding history.
Second Thursday of the Month | 9am–1pm
- May 14th
- June 11th
- July 9th
- August 13th
- September 10th
- October 8th
- November 12th
Birds of Prey
Meet live hawks, owls and eagles during our monthly Birds of Prey show and learn about the crucial role these raptors play in our ecosystems.
Educators from HawkWatch International will share the stories of their Raptor Ambassadors—birds that can’t return to the wild due to injury or imprinting—along with the importance of raptor research and how you can support their conservation efforts.
Third Thursday of the month | 1–2pm
- June 18th
- July 16th
- August 20th
Wasatch Wildflower Festival
Explore the vibrant alpine meadows of Alta at the height of wildflower season during the Cottonwood Canyons Foundation’s annual Wasatch Wildflower Festival.
This free, family-friendly event offers guided and self-guided hikes, hands-on activities and a variety of educational programs with local organizations. Learn from expert naturalists about local wildflowers, ecosystems and conservation efforts.
Sunday, July 19th | 9am–2pm
Alta Kids' Day
Bring the whole family to the mountains for a fun-filled day of learning and adventure at the Cottonwood Canyons Foundation’s annual Kids’ Day.
Young explorers can enjoy hands-on activity booths led by local organizations, where they’ll learn about the Wasatch's different ecosystems, wildlife and conservation. This free event is a great way to get outside, connect with nature and discover the wonders of their natural playground.
Friday, August 7th | 10am–2pm
Historical Mining Hike
Take a hike back in time through Alta’s Grizzly Gulch with Utah State Historic Preservation Officer and experts from Utah Cultural Site Stewardship.
Learn about the rich mining history dating back to the late 1800s, and how it helped spark early conservation efforts and innovation in the ski industry—shaping the Alta we know today.
Saturday, September 5th | 8:30–11am
partner organizations
- Alta Environmental Center
- Friends of Alta
- Alta Community Enrichment
- Tracy Aviary
- Cottonwood Canyons Foundation
- TreeUtah
- Utah Cultural Site Stewardship Program
- Utah State Historic Preservation Office
- The U.S. Forest Service (USFS)
- Town of Alta
About us
The Alta Environmental Center was created in 2008 to guide the ski area's sustainability efforts and look after the natural environment in which we operate. Our mission is sustainability—to protect and improve the well-being of Alta’s 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 on our slopes.
Contact us at environment@alta.com