Foothills Ecology: Rehabilitation After Disturbance The Rocky Mountain Power (RMP) Wildfire Mitigation Project brought safer power poles to the Foothills, helping protect Salt Lake City and its Foothills from the threat of wildfire. These upgrades also brought heavy construction equipment to the Foothills, leaving a number of heavily disturbed areas. Fortunately, the RMP Wildfire Mitigation […]

Spring wildflowers are filling the Foothills! learn more about what's blooming now.

A section of the Jordan River Trail Parkway between Cottonwood Park and 700 North is temporarily closed for environmental and safety improvements. This temporary closure is part of a larger effort to revitalize this public space while also disrupting illegal activity in the area. The City aims to reopen a safer, cleaner, better-designed corridor that […]

Bigroot Prickly Pear cacti used to be widespread in our valley. Can we help them make a comeback?

Monarch populations have been in decline in recent decades due to development, climate change, and other factors. Currently, monarch butterflies are under federal protection and may be added to the threatened species list by the end of 2025.

Are “Social Trails” a Problem? Social trails, also known as user-created trails, are found throughout the Foothills. Many of these unofficial trails were formed before active management of the Foothills. Hikers, dogs, and bikers have created routes that shortcut managed trails, follow ridgelines, or lead to viewpoints. So what’s wrong with that? Should You Use […]

Who lives in the Foothills? Fresh snow creates great opportunities to see animal tracks in the snow! Fresh, thin snow is ideal for tracking. If the snow is too dry, it can be blown away, and deeper snow can obscure animal prints. Below are real-life images of common animal tracks we can find right here […]

2024 was an incredible year for our Volunteer Team! We had the opportunity to work with dedicated individuals and amazing groups to benefit public spaces on the Jordan River Trail, up in the Foothills, and at City parks. Foothills Stewardship Series Foothills trails are always in need of maintenance and care! That’s why our Trails […]

ANTHRACNOSE UPDATE:Consistent Water & Raking Loose Debris for Healthier Sycamore and London Plane Trees This article discusses the latest insights from Salt Lake City’s Urban Forestry team regarding the ongoing anthracnose outbreak affecting London Plane and Sycamore trees. With proper care, your London Plane and Sycamore trees will be happier and healthier. Throughout the summer, […]

Liberty Park in the Past, and its Future Since it’s designation as a park 142 years ago, Salt Lake City’s Liberty Park has always been one of Utah’s largest and most visited urban parks. While the Park has evolved gradually, its purpose and integrity have remained. Liberty Park was established during the Victorian Era as […]

Have you seen wildlife when recreating the Foothills? Learn more about how to safely navigate a wildlife encounter.

Take a closer look at your ski wax. Could it be harming our health and environment?

Craving color on your hike? Late summer wildflowers still offer color and beauty along our trails.

Every year Wasatch Community Gardens (WCG) and Salt Lake City Public Lands team up with the common goals of improving access to healthy, organic produce for all Salt Lake City residents..

What do you know about algae? Not all algae are harmful, but some are. How can you know the difference?

How can we create a respectful pickleball culture so that our shared courts remain inclusive and open to all?

If it's sticking to your wheels, heels, or paws... Why should you turn around on a muddy trail?

What is Anthracnose, and what can we do about it? Our SLC Urban Forestry team has recently been hearing from many residents who have concerns about our Sycamore and London Plane trees. These species are affected by a fungal-caused disease called Anthracnose (Apiognomonia spp.) as shown above in an infected London Plane tree. Salt Lake […]

Welcome to Parley’s Historic Nature Park. Parley’s Historic Nature Park is an expansive 87-acre property at the mouth of Parley’s Canyon. This unique park encompasses a wide range of spaces cared for by SLC Public Lands’ Trails and Natural Lands team, Salt Lake County, and even volunteers, making it a space that serves our community […]

9line Community Orchard Dedication On Tuesday, April 30th, Salt Lake City Mayor Erin Mendenhall, Parkview Elementary students, TreeUtah, and Salt Lake City Public Lands gathered at the new 9Line Community Orchard site to plant new fruit trees. This once-vacant .7-acre plot is part of the Mayor’s plan to create community spaces in underutilized city land. The growing 9line Community […]