Pack It Out Utah: Join in Utah’s Watershed Cleanup Month

Since 2020, Utah State University Water Quality Extension has led Pack It Out Utah, the statewide trails and waterways cleanup effort held every September. Each year, local governments, nonprofits, community organizations, and volunteers join forces to remove trash from Utah’s public lands and waterways, improving water quality and protecting natural habitats.

“We often take for granted how much work goes into keeping our waters clean for people and wildlife,” said Sarah Erwin, USU Extension assistant professor for water quality and watershed education. “We hope every Utahn will make time this month to care for our watersheds by removing trash from trails and waterways.”

Participants can visit the Pack It Out Utah website to find information about cleanup events hosted by partner organizations, as well as instructions for reporting results from smaller cleanups with neighbors, families, and friends.

“Since 2020, Utah’s dedicated partners and volunteers have removed nearly 35,500 pounds of trash from trails and waterways,” Erwin said. “Participants who clean up on their own are encouraged to share results through the submission form on the Pack It Out website. Public involvement strengthens the state’s annual application for water improvement funds, so your efforts help resources flow back to Utah communities!”

Paul Burnett, nonpoint source program coordinator for Utah’s Division of Water Quality, emphasized the importance of community participation.

“Every piece of trash removed from trails and waterways helps protect the health of Utah’s rivers and lakes,” he said. “This type of citizen stewardship not only improves water quality directly but also demonstrates the strong community commitment to restoring and protecting waters across the state. The Utah Division of Water Quality is deeply appreciative of these efforts.”