October 9, 2026
What's Happening on the Swaner Preserve? Conservation Update from July-September 2026
By Rhea Cone and Margaux Klingensmith | October 9, 2026
Our team spent the last several months hard at work caring for and restoring our local habitats. Thanks to the dedication of our volunteers, we tackled another summer of invasive weed management. Here's a look back at some of the highlights from a busy and rewarding field season.
3300lbs
of invasive weeds removed from the Swaner Preserve
850
live willow stakes planted
900
pollinator plants planted
245
volunteers gave their time over the past 3 months
Conservation Projects
Through the summer, Swaner’s conservation team removed 3,300 lbs of invasive weeds from the Preserve. The majority of this weight consisted of dyer’s woad and musk thistle.
So far, over 850 live willow stakes have been planted on Kimball Creek and East Canyon Creek--with more projects coming this fall. Live stakes are harvested on the Preserve and then planted where woody vegetation is lacking. New plants can grow from a single stick.
The last mile of old exclusionary fencing was removed from East Canyon Creek by a crew from the Utah Conservation Corps. This fencing was installed in the early 2000s to protect large areas of tree planting but fell into disrepair and was creating a barrier to wildlife and restoration projects, as well as being an eyesore.
900 pollinator plants were planted along the Preserve’s northwest border on East Canyon Creek, awarded by the Utah Department of Agriculture and Food’s Utah Pollinator Habitat Program.
Volunteering & Outreach
245 volunteers gave 876.5 total hours between July and September. They helped with trash cleanup, summer camp, invasive weed removal, demonstration garden cleanup, Sunday craft, seed collection, and activities for family days, among other projects.
11 volunteers helped at our first-ever volunteer seed collection in September--collecting seeds from Great Basin Wild Rye.
Wildlife Happenings
Raptors are filling the skies over the Preserve. Among the list of frequent fliers are Red-tailed Hawks, Cooper’s Hawks, Northern Harriers, American Kestrels, and American Goshawks.
We have seen some infrequent beaver activity along East Canyon Creek this summer. You may notice higher water levels near the Dog Beach.
Groups of elk have been spotted around the Preserve as the rut continues through October.
Sandhill Cranes are preparing for their migration south after raising their colts on the Preserve this summer.
Cheers to a Great Season
As our busiest season comes to an end, we're getting ready to slow down a bit for winter. Before we're completely done, we'll have a couple of tree planting days with TreeUtah on October 14 and 24, 2026. And don't worry, we'll still be collecting and spreading seeds throughout the end of the year!
Other Naturalist News
Loss of Beaver Population Next to Swaner EcoCenter
Between March 23 and April 2, five dead beavers were discovered near the Swaner Preserve & EcoCenter by Swaner staff. All five beavers shared one lodge outside the EcoCenter, and samples collected from one of the beavers tested positive for tularemia.
Swaner Preserve & EcoCenter Welcomes New Executive Director We are thrilled to announce our new executive director, Lewis Kogan. Learn more about his impressive career and excitement to join the organization.
What To Do If You Find a Baby Bird
It’s spring, which means baby animals of all kinds are starting to appear! Learn what to do if you find a baby bird during this time of year.
Stewardship in Action: Intern Insights
What’s it like to spend a summer caring for 1,200 acres of wildlife habitat? Our 2026 Conservation and Outreach interns just finished up their season, and they're here to tell you all about it. Read on for their reflections!
Swaner Preserve & EcoCenter Welcomes New Executive Director We are thrilled to announce our new executive director, Lewis Kogan. Learn more about his impressive career and excitement to join the organization.
What To Do If You Find a Baby Bird
It’s spring, which means baby animals of all kinds are starting to appear! Learn what to do if you find a baby bird during this time of year.
Stewardship in Action: Intern Insights
What’s it like to spend a summer caring for 1,200 acres of wildlife habitat? Our 2026 Conservation and Outreach interns just finished up their season, and they're here to tell you all about it. Read on for their reflections!
What's Happening on the Swaner Preserve? Conservation Update from July-September 2026
Our team spent the last several months hard at work caring for and restoring our local habitats. Thanks to the dedication of our volunteers, we tackled another summer of invasive weed management. Here's a look back at some of the highlights from a busy an
What To Do If You Find a Baby Bird
It’s spring, which means baby animals of all kinds are starting to appear! Learn what to do if you find a baby bird during this time of year.
Stewardship in Action: Intern Insights
What’s it like to spend a summer caring for 1,200 acres of wildlife habitat? Our 2026 Conservation and Outreach interns just finished up their season, and they're here to tell you all about it. Read on for their reflections!
What's Happening on the Swaner Preserve? Conservation Update from July-September 2026
Our team spent the last several months hard at work caring for and restoring our local habitats. Thanks to the dedication of our volunteers, we tackled another summer of invasive weed management. Here's a look back at some of the highlights from a busy an
Amazing Butterflies
If you enjoy summer days hiking in the local mountains or sitting among the flowers in a nearby garden, you have undoubtedly observed butterflies flitting from flower to flower or gliding on updrafts overhead. These small fragile creatures have withstood
Stewardship in Action: Intern Insights
What’s it like to spend a summer caring for 1,200 acres of wildlife habitat? Our 2026 Conservation and Outreach interns just finished up their season, and they're here to tell you all about it. Read on for their reflections!
What's Happening on the Swaner Preserve? Conservation Update from July-September 2026
Our team spent the last several months hard at work caring for and restoring our local habitats. Thanks to the dedication of our volunteers, we tackled another summer of invasive weed management. Here's a look back at some of the highlights from a busy an
Amazing Butterflies
If you enjoy summer days hiking in the local mountains or sitting among the flowers in a nearby garden, you have undoubtedly observed butterflies flitting from flower to flower or gliding on updrafts overhead. These small fragile creatures have withstood
American Wetlands Month
Did you know that May is American Wetlands Month? It's the perfect time to celebrate the amazing wetlands right here in the Wasatch Back! Wetlands are one of the most important—and rare—ecosystems in Utah. In fact, less than 1% of our entire state is cons
What's Happening on the Swaner Preserve? Conservation Update from July-September 2026
Our team spent the last several months hard at work caring for and restoring our local habitats. Thanks to the dedication of our volunteers, we tackled another summer of invasive weed management. Here's a look back at some of the highlights from a busy an
Amazing Butterflies
If you enjoy summer days hiking in the local mountains or sitting among the flowers in a nearby garden, you have undoubtedly observed butterflies flitting from flower to flower or gliding on updrafts overhead. These small fragile creatures have withstood
American Wetlands Month
Did you know that May is American Wetlands Month? It's the perfect time to celebrate the amazing wetlands right here in the Wasatch Back! Wetlands are one of the most important—and rare—ecosystems in Utah. In fact, less than 1% of our entire state is cons
Clever Creatures: How Local Wildlife Prepares for Winter
All around us, wildlife here on the Wasatch Back are making remarkable adjustments to survive the cold months ahead. Some tuck themselves away in a kind of suspended animation, while others stay active, transforming their behavior to endure freezing tempe
Amazing Butterflies
If you enjoy summer days hiking in the local mountains or sitting among the flowers in a nearby garden, you have undoubtedly observed butterflies flitting from flower to flower or gliding on updrafts overhead. These small fragile creatures have withstood
American Wetlands Month
Did you know that May is American Wetlands Month? It's the perfect time to celebrate the amazing wetlands right here in the Wasatch Back! Wetlands are one of the most important—and rare—ecosystems in Utah. In fact, less than 1% of our entire state is cons
Clever Creatures: How Local Wildlife Prepares for Winter
All around us, wildlife here on the Wasatch Back are making remarkable adjustments to survive the cold months ahead. Some tuck themselves away in a kind of suspended animation, while others stay active, transforming their behavior to endure freezing tempe
Spread the Word (and the Seeds!) You heard it here first: Swaner Preserve is starting a little free native seed library! This resource, intended to provide native seeds to the public, is set to open in conjunction with the “Ephemeral” Art Show this September at the EcoCenter.
American Wetlands Month
Did you know that May is American Wetlands Month? It's the perfect time to celebrate the amazing wetlands right here in the Wasatch Back! Wetlands are one of the most important—and rare—ecosystems in Utah. In fact, less than 1% of our entire state is cons
Clever Creatures: How Local Wildlife Prepares for Winter
All around us, wildlife here on the Wasatch Back are making remarkable adjustments to survive the cold months ahead. Some tuck themselves away in a kind of suspended animation, while others stay active, transforming their behavior to endure freezing tempe
Spread the Word (and the Seeds!) You heard it here first: Swaner Preserve is starting a little free native seed library! This resource, intended to provide native seeds to the public, is set to open in conjunction with the “Ephemeral” Art Show this September at the EcoCenter.
Become a Community Scientist
Towards the end of April, you have a unique opportunity to become a part of something big – the City Nature Challenge! In Park City, this event is a collaboration between Swaner Preserve & EcoCenter and Basin Recreation, and it's all about observing and d
Clever Creatures: How Local Wildlife Prepares for Winter
All around us, wildlife here on the Wasatch Back are making remarkable adjustments to survive the cold months ahead. Some tuck themselves away in a kind of suspended animation, while others stay active, transforming their behavior to endure freezing tempe
Spread the Word (and the Seeds!) You heard it here first: Swaner Preserve is starting a little free native seed library! This resource, intended to provide native seeds to the public, is set to open in conjunction with the “Ephemeral” Art Show this September at the EcoCenter.
Become a Community Scientist
Towards the end of April, you have a unique opportunity to become a part of something big – the City Nature Challenge! In Park City, this event is a collaboration between Swaner Preserve & EcoCenter and Basin Recreation, and it's all about observing and d
Loss of Beaver Population Next to Swaner EcoCenter
Between March 23 and April 2, five dead beavers were discovered near the Swaner Preserve & EcoCenter by Swaner staff. All five beavers shared one lodge outside the EcoCenter, and samples collected from one of the beavers tested positive for tularemia.
Spread the Word (and the Seeds!) You heard it here first: Swaner Preserve is starting a little free native seed library! This resource, intended to provide native seeds to the public, is set to open in conjunction with the “Ephemeral” Art Show this September at the EcoCenter.
Become a Community Scientist
Towards the end of April, you have a unique opportunity to become a part of something big – the City Nature Challenge! In Park City, this event is a collaboration between Swaner Preserve & EcoCenter and Basin Recreation, and it's all about observing and d
Loss of Beaver Population Next to Swaner EcoCenter
Between March 23 and April 2, five dead beavers were discovered near the Swaner Preserve & EcoCenter by Swaner staff. All five beavers shared one lodge outside the EcoCenter, and samples collected from one of the beavers tested positive for tularemia.
Swaner Preserve & EcoCenter Welcomes New Executive Director We are thrilled to announce our new executive director, Lewis Kogan. Learn more about his impressive career and excitement to join the organization.
Become a Community Scientist
Towards the end of April, you have a unique opportunity to become a part of something big – the City Nature Challenge! In Park City, this event is a collaboration between Swaner Preserve & EcoCenter and Basin Recreation, and it's all about observing and d
Loss of Beaver Population Next to Swaner EcoCenter
Between March 23 and April 2, five dead beavers were discovered near the Swaner Preserve & EcoCenter by Swaner staff. All five beavers shared one lodge outside the EcoCenter, and samples collected from one of the beavers tested positive for tularemia.
Swaner Preserve & EcoCenter Welcomes New Executive Director We are thrilled to announce our new executive director, Lewis Kogan. Learn more about his impressive career and excitement to join the organization.
What To Do If You Find a Baby Bird
It’s spring, which means baby animals of all kinds are starting to appear! Learn what to do if you find a baby bird during this time of year.
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Physical & Mailing Address
1258 Center Drive
Park City, Utah 84098
EcoCenter Hours
Wednesday – Sunday, 10 am – 4 pm
The EcoCenter will be closed on Thursday, November 26.
swanerecocenter@usu.edu
Phone
435-649-1767
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