Swaner Preserve & EcoCenter and TreeUtah are recruiting volunteers to plant trees along East Canyon Creek on Oct. 14 and Oct. 24 in Park City.

The plantings aim to restore streambank habitat for trout, elk, moose and beavers. The first session runs Wednesday, Oct. 14, from 1 to 4 p.m. near 1050 Station Loop Road. A second session is scheduled for Saturday, Oct. 24, from 9 a.m. to noon. The Oct. 14 planting takes place on a section of the preserve not generally open to the public.

The effort builds on work that began in late 2024, when crews planted trees and shrubs along the creek and installed protective fencing to shield young plants from beavers and large animals. About 80 percent of those trees were still alive when the site was monitored in June 2025, TownLift reported.

Volunteers will plant container-grown trees and shrubs, ranging from 1-gallon to 15-gallon plants, along with willow stakes harvested on the preserve. The plantings will shade and cool the creek, stabilize its banks and provide forage and nesting habitat for wildlife. A Utah Watershed Restoration Initiative report found that East Canyon Creek experienced multiple temperature spikes above critical thresholds for coldwater trout species.

Tools make the job easier.

Swaner will provide gloves, shovels and other equipment. Volunteers should wear pants and closed-toe shoes and bring water. Water refills and snacks will be available on site. Participants should be prepared to walk on uneven ground and lift up to 20 pounds. No restrooms are on site, but one is available at the nearby Spring Creek Trailhead.

Rhea Cone, director of conservation at Swaner Preserve & EcoCenter, coordinates the volunteer program. In a September 2025 Park City Chamber of Commerce profile, Cone said her small team depends on community help. "Without volunteers, those things would not be possible," she said.

Unaccompanied volunteers must be 14 or older. Younger volunteers may attend with a parent or guardian. The event runs rain or shine but will be canceled if lightning is nearby. Questions can go to Cone at [email protected] or 435-797-8956.

Advance registration for the Oct. 14 planting is available through the Swaner Preserve volunteer page. The Oct. 24 session details have not yet been posted.