Restore, protect and preserve our natural mountain environment.
Escape the summer heat and head to the mountains with the Alta Environmental Center and our nonprofit partners for a season of family-friendly stewardship events and outdoor learning. Whether you're joining an educational hike or taking part in a hands-on restoration project, there’s a way 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.
*Please note: Event dates may change due to weather conditions.
Summer Stewardship
Beneath Alta’s deep winter snowpack lies a vibrant mountain ecosystem, rich with diverse plant communities and habitats. We invite you to join our summer stewardship efforts to help protect and preserve this special place. Get involved by planting native vegetation, removing invasive species, maintaining trails, harvesting trees and clearing debris left behind after the ski season. Every hand helps and every effort counts toward keeping Alta wild and beautiful for generations to come.
Community VOLUNTEER DAYS
Volunteer with us this summer during our monthly Community Volunteer Days to help restore, protect and preserve Alta’s natural mountain environment.
This is a hands-on opportunity to give back to the environment by participating in meaningful restoration projects—such as planting native vegetation, removing invasive species, maintaining trails and clearing debris left behind after the ski season. Community Volunteer Days will be held on the first Wednesday of each month, from July to September. Registration required >
First Wednesday of the month | 2–4pm
- July 2nd
- August 6th
- September 3rd
Tree Harvest & Restoration
Join TreeUtah and the AEC for a hands-on volunteer day to rescue and relocate young tree saplings from Alta’s ski runs.
Harvest saplings from Alta’s ski runs and help give them a second chance to thrive. Trees are brought to our nursery to recover and will be replanted in the forest next fall to support Alta’s alpine ecosystem. 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 the Alta Environmental Center, TreeUtah and the Cottonwood Canyons Foundation for our annual Alta Tree Planting Day.
Volunteers will help plant up to 1,000 native saplings across the mountain—a vital effort to restore and strengthen Alta’s forests. Expect a day of hiking, hands-on planting and giving back to Alta’s slopes. 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
Join the Alta Environmental Center and Tracy Aviary for a monthly guided birding hike as part of the Alta Bird Monitoring Program.
Join expert birders and conservation ecologists on a guided hike through Alta’s alpine landscape as you survey non-breeding bird species in Little Cottonwood Canyon. Learn to identify birds by sight and sound as you explore the ecosystems they rely on. Since 2015, the Alta Bird Monitoring Program has supported responsible recreation and tracked habitat health, with all data shared through Alta’s public eBird database. Birding Hikes will be held on the first Thursday of the month, from May through November. 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
Meet live birds of prey with HawkWatch International.
Join HawkWatch International in the mountains for an up-close encounter with live birds of prey, including hawks, owls and eagles. Learn how these raptors play a vital role in ecosystem education and conservation. No registration is required—just show up!
Monthly | 1–2pm
- Thursday, June 19th
- Tuesday, July 15th
- Thursday, August 14th
Wasatch Wildflower Festival
Dive into the vibrant wildflowers of Albion Basin this summer at the annual Alta Wasatch Wildflower Festival.
Celebrate Alta’s wildflower season at its peak with a free, family-friendly day in Albion Basin. Explore the area with the Cottonwood Canyons Foundation, connect with local organizations and join a guided hike to learn about the native wildflowers that thrive in this unique alpine environment. Registration opens May 1, 2025.
Sunday, July 20th | 9am–2pm
Alta Kid's 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 8 | 10am–2pm
Explore Alta's Mining History with UCSS
Take a hike back in time with the Alta Environmental Center and Utah Cultural Site Stewardship as we explore Alta’s mining history in Grizzly Gulch.
Led by Utah’s State Historic Preservation Officer, this guided hike uncovers remnants of old mines and stories of the resilience and ingenuity that shaped Alta’s early days. Registration Required >
Saturday, September 6 | 8am–11am
partner organizations
- Alta Environmental Center
- Friends of Alta
- Alta Community Enrichment
- Tracy Aviary
- Cottonwood Canyons Foundation
- TreeUtah
- The U.S. Forest Service (USFS)
- Town of Alta
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
Check back here for event updates and follow the Alta Environmental Center on Instagram and Facebook to stay in the loop!