Restore, protect & preserve our natural mountain environment.
Join the Alta Environmental Center and our nonprofit partners this summer for family-friendly educational and hands-on stewardship events in the mountains. Whether you participate in an educational hike or take part in a restoration project, there's an opportunity for everyone to connect with and give back to the land. Along the way, you'll learn about responsible recreation on National Forest Service land, watershed protection and what it means to be a steward of Alta's natural mountain environment.
Check back here for event updates and follow the Alta Environmental Center on Instagram and Facebook to stay in the loop!
*Please note: Event dates may change due to weather conditions.
Summer Stewardship
Beneath Alta’s deep snowpack lies a thriving mountain ecosystem full of diverse plants, animals and habitats. We invite you to join us on the mountain to plant native plants and tree saplings, remove invasive species, harvest and replant trees and more.
Community VOLUNTEER DAYS
Volunteer with us this summer during our monthly Community Volunteer Days and help restore, protect and preserve Alta’s natural mountain environment. We’ll head into restoration zones and other sensitive areas on the mountain to plant native vegetation, remove invasive species, clear debris from the ski season and more. This event is perfect for people of all ages and abilities to get their hands in the dirt and leave a positive mark on our slopes. Registration required >
First Wednesday of the month | 2–4pm
- July 2nd
- August 6th
- September 3rd
The great weed pull
Join the AEC and Cottonwood Canyons Foundation for a special Community Volunteer Day and the biggest weed pull of the season. We’ll be tackling one of Alta's largest weed zones to help reduce invasive species that push out native plants and harm our ecosystem. These weeds affect the soil and make it harder for native vegetation to grow and filter the water that flows through our watershed. This event is great for people of all ages who are looking to spend the afternoon in the mountains and get their hands dirty.
Thursday, July 31st | 2–4pm
Tree Harvest & Restoration
Volunteer with the Alta Environmental Center and TreeUtah to help rescue young Engelmann spruce saplings growing along groomed ski runs and give them a second chance at life. By harvesting, nurturing and relocating these trees, we support the health and growth of Alta’s forests. Registration required >
Saturday, July 12th | 9am–noon
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
Alta 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. Each year, the Alta Environmental Center works with the U.S. Forest Service to plant native trees across the mountain. Cones collected at Alta are sent to a Forest Service grower in Idaho, where they spend a year strengthening their roots. Come fall, the young trees return to Alta, ready to be planted. Our goal is to increase the age diversity of the tree species here at Alta and aid in regeneration. Registration required >
Saturday, September 20th | 8am–1pm
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.
Please contact FOA for more information about this event >
Friday, September 12 | 9am–noon
Educational Events
Explore Alta through free, family-friendly educational programs available all summer. These interactive events delve into Alta’s alpine environment, wildlife, history and more—offering a fun and meaningful way to learn about this one-of-a-kind mountain ecosystem.
birding hikes
Take a hike with expert birders and conservation ecologists on a guided tour of Alta, where you’ll search for non-breeding birds throughout Little Cottonwood Canyon. Learn to identify birds by sight and sound while exploring the diverse habitats they call home. No experience needed—just bring your curiosity and hiking shoes! Registration required >
First Thursday of the month | 9am–1pm
- May 1st
- June 5th
- July 3rd
- August 7th
- September 4th
- October 2nd
- November 6th
HawkWatch BIRD OF PREY Show
Spend an hour in the mountains with live raptors and educators from HawkWatch International. Meet hawks, owls and eagles—Raptor Ambassadors who cannot return to the wild due to injury or imprinting—and discover what makes them essential to healthy ecosystems. No registration required—just show up!
Monthly | 1–2pm
- Thursday, June 19th
- Tuesday, July 15th
- Thursday, August 14th
Wasatch Wildflower Festival
Celebrate Alta’s wildflower season at the annual Wasatch Wildflower Festival in Albion Basin. Enjoy a free, family-friendly day exploring the vibrant blooms, meet local organizations and join a guided hike to learn about the native wildflowers that make this alpine area so special. Registration required >
Sunday, July 20th | 9am–2pm
Alta Bat Night
Join Utah DWR for a fun and informative evening all about Utah’s bat species! Learn from local biologists as they conduct bat surveys using fine mist nets. You’ll get an up-close look at these fascinating creatures as data is collected to help monitor their populations—and if you're lucky, you might even spot one of Utah’s rarest bat species! Registration required >
Friday, August 1st | 8–11:30pm
Alta Kids' Day
Join the Alta Environmental Center and local nonprofits for a fun, family-friendly day in the mountains! Kids can explore hands-on activity booths hosted by partner organizations—each one designed to teach about Alta’s unique environment, native wildlife and ongoing conservation efforts. It’s a great way to learn, play and connect with nature at Alta. Registration Required >
Friday, August 8th | 10am–2pm
Historical Mining Hike
Step back in time with a guided hike through Grizzly Gulch as we explore Alta’s mining history.
Join the Utah Cultural Site Stewardship (UCSS) for a journey into the past as we explore the rich mining history of Little Cottonwood Canyon with a hike through Grizzly Gulch. Led by Utah’s State Historic Preservation Officer, this guided hike will reveal the remnants of historic mines and share stories of the resilience and ingenuity that shaped Alta into the community it is today. Registration required >
Saturday, September 6th | 8–11am
Following the event, UCSS will host an Archaeological Excavation Open House from 1–3:30pm along the Transfer Tow at Alta Ski Area. We invite everyone to come and check out the recently uncovered foundations of the original Town of Alta, along with artifacts recovered from the construction site. This event is free and open to the public. Event details & directions >
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 the Alta Environmental Center
The Alta Environmental Center (AEC) 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