A hearty thank you to the approximately three hundred people who came, learned about and worked at Slate Canyon for Slate Canyon Saturday, April 22. Your efforts to remove graffiti, improve the Bonneville Shoreline Trail, groom the bike skills course, clear debris and remove invasive myrtle spurge made a huge difference for our canyon entrance, the citizens who live near and those who come to visit the canyon.

Because of Desert Mulford, of the Provo City Library Outreach, all ages were invited to participate in a citizen science bio-blitz that continued May 1 at Bicentennial park 4:30-6:00 p.m. Dr. Riley Nelson, entomologist, and his assistants helped people appreciate life in Slate Canyon. Dr. Steve Leavitt, helped people find and understand local lichens. Laura Despain welcomed visitors identifying birds they may see in our foothills and valley.

Provo City’s Don Jarvis and Hannah Salzl helped visitors see what Provo City is doing to care for our resources and how citizens can join in their efforts. Provo’s Hillside Task Force chairperson Gordon Haight showed what the task force is focusing on this year and forward.

Mountain Goat Trail Runners finished their race at Slate Canyon. Many bike enthusiasts helped repair the mountain bike skills course from winter erosion.

Many Centennial Middle School science teachers and their students brought their families to help remove invasive myrtle spurge. With the help of Steve Van Winkle of the Utah Native Plant Society, they had taught a unit on how invasive species decrease biodiversity in our foothill ecosystems. These exceptional teachers, led by Tricia Midgley, invited their students to put their knowledge into action. Timpview High School science students helped Provo City Parks Volunteer Co-ordinator, Jonathan Maxwell, remove graffiti.

Mary Ann Nielsen and Brandon Plewe of the Bonneville Shoreline Trail and Utah Valley Trails Alliance, helped volunteers make the Bonneville Shoreline Trail safer south of Slate Canyon. The volunteers from Thread Wallet, LLC. whose slogan is “Carry On”made a huge impact.

Other groups like Provo River Delta Restoration, Glass Roots Recycling and UVU and BYU’s chapters of American Chemical Society’s “Curious Chemistry of Amazing Algae” came and shared with volunteers how their efforts are helping solve problems.

None of the work would have been possible without Conserve Utah Valley’s vision and organization. Our deep appreciation to the dedicated people of the Provo City Parks and Recreation Department who brought equipment and expertise to the project. The personnel care for Slate Canyon Park, not only their hands, but with heart.

I am lucky to have seen the power of good people building a community for the future.

Kristina Davis moved to studied at BYU and married a Provo boy, learning to protect what we want our great grandchildren to enjoy — clean water, hikes in the Wasatch mountains and paddling at Utah Lake.