A Re-vegetation and Education Project for Emigration Canyon, Salt Lake County Utah

Goodspeed, J. L.*1
Gunnell, J. *2
Anderson, R. M. *3
Leary. P. *4

1. Director, Utah State University Botanical Center, Kaysville, Utah 84037
2. Director, Salt Lake County Extension, Salt Lake City, Utah 84114
3. Plant Development Curator, Utah State University Botanical Center, Kaysville, Utah 84037
4. Township Executive, Salt Lake County, 84114

Emigration Canyon in Salt Lake County, a popular and historic biking thoroughfare with intermittent housing and businesses, has over time become deplete of native vegetation. This contributed to erosion problems, weed invasion, safety concerns, and aesthetic degradation to the canyon. Salt Lake County approached Utah State University Botanical Center (USUBC) and the Salt Lake County Extension to help plan and re-vegetate the canyon, while educating the public. Many of the concerns dealt with unstable slopes and rocks that would become a safety issue after an erosion event. In the fall of 2013, a collaborative effort between the Salt Lake County Office of Township Services, USUBC, Master Gardeners, and local volunteers planted over 1,100 native species, re-vegetating the canyon with native plant materials. Over 250 volunteers helped in the re-vegetation project and received training on the importance of maintaining a healthy native plant community, using proper planting techniques, and how plants can help maintain the integrity of slopes which in turn creates a natural safety barrier along the roadway. This project brought together many different organizations and volunteers and made a large positive impact on the local community and County.