There are many incredible environmental organizations in Salt Lake City that welcome community support — whether through donations, volunteering, or simply showing up to local events. From protecting the Great Salt Lake to promoting clean air, sustainable transportation, and urban gardening, there’s a cause for just about every passion and skill set.

Supporting these groups can mean joining a weekend cleanup, helping plant trees or native plants, assisting with educational outreach, or contributing funds to expand local sustainability programs. Whatever your availability or interests, chances are there’s an initiative that aligns with what you care about—and every small action helps strengthen Utah’s broader environmental movement.

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, learn from speakers in the field, 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.

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.

Utah Clean Energy – Non-profit whose mission is to prevent energy waste and create clean energy solutions. They are the best all-around resource for learning how to conserve energy in your home and transportation methods, as well as available rebates.

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 career opportunities.

Land conservation

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

Utah Wilderness Coalition – You may have seen their yellow yard signs proclaiming “Protect Wild Utah”; their mission is similar to SUWA’s: preserving wilderness and advocating for America’s Red Rock Wilderness Act, which would add more than 8 million acres of Bureau of Land Management (BLM) in Utah to the National Wilderness Preservation System.

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.

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.

UCAIR – Non-profit with a mission to educate, encourage action from residents, create partnerships, and offer grants for emission reduction.

Water issues

Learn how you can help conserve water at home and in the landscape.

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-driven water quality monitoring program.

Utah Rivers Council – Outreach, events, and research projects to support the protection of Utah’s rivers.

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 sustainable gardening in SLC.

Tree Utah – Plant some trees!

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

Wasatch Community Garden – Rent a community garden plot or assist in garden maintenance, learn at one of the many workshops and classes, or volunteer at events such as the annual spring plant sale.

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

Conservation Garden Park – Serve as a volunteer gardener or tour guide in this free garden dedicated to water conservation.

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, such as growing seeds and produce to donate or helping at Wheeler Farm and other public gardens.

Waste management

Questions about what can be recycled in SLC and where? Learn more here.

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.

Food waste/scarcity

Wasteless Solutions – A fantastic non-profit that combats both food waste and scarcity; volunteer to pick up excess food from restaurants, grocery stores, and events, and transport it to organizations that can distribute it to those in need.

Utah Food Bank or other food pantries – Donate food or volunteer your time to sort or deliver food. The Utah Food Bank accepts cans up to one year past sell-by or best-buy date.