There are many amazing environmental organizations to choose from if you want to volunteer in Salt Lake City. Chances are you can find a sustainability initiative to get involved in that aligns with your passions and interests.

Local environmental groups

Green Drinks – SLC chapter of the international organization, now partnered with the Utah Recycling Alliance. This is an informal opportunity for anyone interested in sustainability to get together over drinks, listen to speakers, network, and talk “green”

Sierra Club (Utah chapter) – Grassroots organization striving to protect and enjoy Utah’s outdoors and natural landscapes, educate and advocate for the responsible preservation of clean air, water, and habitats; support the development of clean energy; and advance principles of equity, inclusion, and justice throughout the organization and community.

SUWA (Southern Utah Wilderness Alliance) – Non-partisan, non-profit organization working to defend Utah’s redrock wilderness

Save Our Foothills – Conservation organization dedicated to the preservation of the foothills natural areas adjacent to SLC.

Save our Canyons – Non-profit dedicated to protecting the beauty and wildness of the Wasatch Mountains.

Citizens Climate Lobby (CCL) Salt Lake Chapter – Nonprofit, nonpartisan, grassroots advocacy climate change organization focused on governmental policies to address the climate crisis

Utah Physicians for a Healthy Environment – You don’t necessarily need to be a part of the medical community to join and volunteer for this non-profit organization, which addresses all kinds of environmental issues, especially air pollution.

Air quality

HEAL Utah (Healthy Environmental Alliance of Utah) – Non-profit whose prioritizes are solutions that address our air quality crisis, support a just and equitable energy transition, and keep our communities safe from toxic and radioactive waste.

Stewardship Utah – Non-profit dedicated to clean air through elections and policy

Breathe Utah – Organization encouraging education and individual action to solve Utah’s air quality problems

Water issues

Friends of the Great Salt Lake – non-profit whose mission is to protect the Great Salt Lake ecosystem and to increase public awareness and appreciation of the Lake through education, research, advocacy and the arts.

Jordan River Commission – a mix of governmental and non-governmental members working together to enhance, preserve, protect, and responsibly develop the river corridor.

Utah Water Watch – a citizen water quality monitoring program

Utah Rivers Council – outreach, events, research projects

Wildlife

Sageland Collaborative Projects – Choose from a variety of projects concerning different types of wildlife.

• Wasatch Wildlife Watch
• Boreal Toad Project
• Riverscape Restoration
• Utah Pollinator Pursuit
• Shorebird Survey
• Rosy-Finch Project

Hawkwatch International – Volunteer as an education docent, community scientist, or study owl ecology

Wildlife Center of Salt Lake – Volunteer with rescued animals or indirectly as an administrative volunteer

Tracy Aviary – Enjoy hands-on experiences and meet others with similar interests while supporting the aviary in Liberty Park or the Nature Center at Pia Okwai.

Plants & gardening

Learn more about gardening in SLC.

Tree Utah – planting trees

Swaner Preserve & EcoCenter – assist with land preservation, environmental education, community outreach, and building & grounds maintenance.

Wasatch Community Garden – learn and garden; assist with the WCG annual plant sale

Red Butte Garden – numerous volunteer opportunities including horticulture, garden tour guide, special events, and more

Green Urban Lunchbox – help pick or preserve fruit, garden on the community farm, or assist with senior farm stands

Conservation Garden Park – volunteer gardener or tour guide

Wheeler Farm – assist with ground maintenance, weeding and tending to garden beds, and more

USU Master Gardener program – Receive 13-14 weeks of college-level lecture and hands on training taught by USU specialists and faculty. After completion of the training, USU Master Gardeners are required to provide a minimum of 40 hours of volunteer service back to their community. This includes opportunities to serve as a resource to help educate the public on garden-related topics and assisting with a wide variety of projects like growing seeds and produce to donate or helping at Wheeler Farm and other public gardens.

Waste management

Utah Recycling Alliance – Participate in cleanup events, attend informative lectures, assist with CHaRM events sorting hard-to-recycle items, or table at events.

Recycle Utah – Non-profit located in Park City that offers recycling services, education, outreach, and advocacy.

Momentum Recycling – Become a glass ambassador to help spread the word about glass recycling

Interested in working in the environment or sustainability field? Many of these organizations have job postings on their websites, or you can check the Utah Society for Environmental Education (USEE) job board where you can find local opportunites.