There is more going on than building in the Jordan River bottom

In the last few years, commercial and residential construction have boomed around the Jordan River bottom area in the southern portion of the Salt Lake valley. No doubt anyone who has driven along 10600 South with any regularity has watched office buildings, retail, and homes go up at a quickening pace. But there is something else very important happening along the river bottom, that until recently, I did not know anything about.

For I don't know how many years, migratory songbirds have made the Jordan River habitat their home. Yet the steady decrease of many of these species has brought to the awareness of conservationists that something must be done to preserve and restore this habitat, if the survival of these birds is to be assured.

For this noble cause, various restoration sites have been established, and since 1995 there have been close to 185,000 seedlings planted. These efforts continue as we speak, and anyone can help. Visit the home page of TreeUtah and click on Jordan River Ecological Restoration to find out more about where and when you may contribute.