SUU to organize trip to Zion National Park to help with cleanup; all community members invited

Southern Utah University students volunteer in Zion National Park, Utah, date not specified | Photo courtesy of Southern Utah University, St. George News / Cedar City News

UPDATED Jan. 18. SUU is reporting that its clean-up service project in Zion National Park has reached its capacity.

CEDAR CITY — In light of the federal government shutdown, Southern Utah University has responded to a request to help clean up Zion National Park and is inviting faculty, staff, students and community members to join the effort.

The SUU Outdoor Engagement Center is partnering with the SUU Community Engagement Center on Wednesday from noon to 7 p.m. to help clean up Zion during the shutdown.

In addition to lunch and transportation, work gloves and garbage bags will be provided by the university. However, space is limited for those adult volunteers wishing to take the SUU-provided shuttle to the event. Interested participants can sign up online here by Jan. 22.

“We hope you can take some time to show your appreciation and support of our public land neighbors with SUU during this challenging time,” said Anne Smith, Outdoor Engagement Center special projects coordinator.

Across the country, national parks are either unstaffed or short staffed, leaving parts of some parks damaged by visitor use and in many cases, closed off completely. However, according to a previous report from St. George News, Zion National Park has remained open with minimal staffing and services, keeping the visitor’s center and bathrooms open, as well as providing some trash cleanup and law enforcement, thanks to funding from the Utah Tourism Office, the Zion Forever Project, Washington County and the city of St. George.

While regular park volunteers are not allowed to work in the park during the shutdown, one employee at the park small groups such as the one being organized by SUU are definitely appreciated.

For more information about this project visit the SUU Community Engagement Center website.

Email: [email protected]

Twitter: @STGnews

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1 Comment

  • utahdiablo January 19, 2019 at 10:00 am

    How about all the “Tourists” pick up and take away their own garbage?….Low lIfe POS

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