The Jordan River Expansion

Expanding Access to Outdoor Education

One of the greatest advantages of expanding WMI programming to the Jordan River is its accessible location. Flowing directly through Salt Lake City's West Side, the river runs through communities that have historically faced the most limited access to outdoor spaces. For many families, transportation is one of the biggest barriers to outdoor recreation—getting into the mountains or beyond city limits can be difficult, especially for those balancing multiple jobs or with limited financial resources for travel. By bringing programming closer to where students live and learn, we make outdoor education more equitable and accessible.

This also holds true for the schools we serve. Busing students to the Rock Cliff recreation area is costly and time-consuming, cutting into valuable field time, especially for shorter day programs. By offering local programming along the Jordan River, we can reduce transportation costs, maximize time spent learning outdoors, and most importantly, connect students with the natural spaces in their own communities.

The need for local outdoor education is clear—three schools are located directly on the Jordan River, and an additional 12 are within a 20-minute walk. By activating this space as an outdoor classroom, we can make nature a daily, tangible part of students’ lives.

This Expansion offers an opportunity for our community to connect with nature and improve outdoor education. It focuses on restoring habitats, increasing public access, and providing educational programs. Your support is essential for the Growth, Sustainability and resources for Communities . Donations help preserve this area for future generations to enjoy and learn from. Together, we can foster environmental care and community involvement. Join us in celebrating the Jordan River—every donation helps create a sustainable and educational environment. Thank you for considering this important project Along the Jordan River!

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 A Unique and Essential Ecosystem for Outdoor Learning

The Jordan River is more than a waterway—it’s a vital ecological corridor linking the Wasatch Mountains to the Great Salt Lake, shaping the region’s environmental health. This diverse ecosystem supports wetlands, riparian habitats, and urban forests, providing a home for wildlife. Despite its rich biodiversity, the river remains underutilized as an educational resource, leaving many local students without opportunities to engage with nature close to home.

By studying the Jordan River, students can explore water systems, human impact, and local conservation efforts, making real-world connections to environmental science. The river’s proximity to schools removes common barriers like transportation, making outdoor learning more accessible to historically underserved communities. Yet, without dedicated programming, these opportunities remain largely untapped. WMI is working to bridge this gap, developing hands-on educational experiences that connect students to the Jordan River, fostering stewardship, scientific curiosity, and a lasting connection to their local environment.

By incorporating the Jordan River into our programming, we provide students with hands-on opportunities to:

  • Observe and identify local wildlife in their natural habitat through hiking and birdwatching

  • Investigate water chemistry, hydrology, and water quality to understand the river’s role in sustaining our ecosystem

  • Examine the impact of urban development on water systems, from mountain creeks converging into the river to stormwater runoff zones and treatment efforts

  • Engage directly with their environment—wading into the water to collect samples, studying aquatic life, or even paddling along the river in kayaks to experience the ecosystem up close

This is a unique chance to connect students with the environment in their own backyard, making scientific exploration tangible and personal. By bringing outdoor education to the Jordan River, we empower students to develop a sense of stewardship, curiosity, and responsibility for the natural world around them.

Building Momentum: WMI’s Role in the Jordan River’s Future

Bringing outdoor education to the Jordan River is not just a vision—it’s already in motion. This area has been identified for restoration and activation by multiple organizations dedicated to enhancing access, ecological health, and community engagement. Thanks to the Salt Lake City Public Lands Department and overwhelming public support, the Emerald Ribbon Action Plan is leading the charge in transforming the river corridor into a thriving environmental and recreational asset. Backed by a $9 million bond, this initiative prioritizes habitat restoration, green space development, and educational programming that connects communities to the river.

A key component of this plan is developing community partnerships to support youth programming and citizen science efforts—a perfect alignment with WMI’s expertise in hands-on, place-based outdoor education. We are actively working to become a long-term partner in this initiative, ensuring that students have the opportunity to explore, study, and take ownership of their local environment. By collaborating with the city and other invested organizations, we’re not just expanding programming—we’re helping to shape the future of outdoor learning along the Jordan River.

Our Vision for the Jordan River

Wasatch Mountain Institute is dedicated to transforming the Jordan River corridor into a thriving hub for environmental education, recreation, and community engagement. Through strategic partnerships and thoughtful development, we are working to create long-term, sustainable outdoor learning spaces that serve both students and the broader community.

Our Goals:

  •  Establish Dedicated Outdoor Learning Spaces
     Secure one or multiple locations along the Jordan River where WMI can host day-long field trips and after-school programs. These sites will provide local students with hands-on, immersive experiences in nature—right in their own backyard.

  •  Enhance Educational Infrastructure
     Develop outdoor classrooms, interactive signage, and self-guided learning resources that benefit both schools and the broader community. Our goal is to make environmental education accessible, ensuring that individuals and families can explore and learn about the river’s unique ecosystem at their own pace.

  •  Integrate Citizen Science & Real-World Learning
     Engage students in data collection and scientific observation that connects classroom learning to real-world environmental challenges. By tracking water health, biodiversity, and human impact, students will contribute valuable data while seeing firsthand how conservation efforts shape their local environment.

  •  Foster Community Stewardship & Recreation
    Build long-term community engagement through river clean-up efforts, volunteer opportunities, and public programming. Our long-term vision includes offering subsidized equipment rentals, outdoor recreation classes, and guided experiences, making the Jordan River a more accessible and welcoming space for all.

By activating the Jordan River as a center for environmental education and outdoor adventure, WMI is committed to creating a lasting impact—connecting students, families, and the community to one of Salt Lake City's most valuable natural resources.

School Proximity to River

On The River (3): 

  • Northwest Middle School: 1730 W 1700 N, Salt Lake City, UT 84116) – on river (Riverview Boat Ramp)

  • Backman Elementary School: 601 N 1500 W, Salt Lake City, UT 84116 – on river

  • Franklin Elementary School: 1115 W 300 S, Salt Lake City, UT 84104 – on river (Alzheimer’s Park)




Less that 20  Minute Walk (12):

  • Parkview Elementary School: 970 Emery St W, Salt Lake City, UT 84104 – 5 min walk to Fife

  • Newman Elementary School: 1269 Colorado St W, Salt Lake City, UT 84116 – 8 min walk to 1555 W Sunset JRT

  • Glendale Middle School: 1430 Andrew Ave, Salt Lake City, UT 84104 – 10 min to Peace Labyrinth

  • Mountain View Elementary School: 1380 Navajo St #1330, Salt Lake City, UT 84104 – 10 min to Peace Labyrinth

  • SLCSE: 1350 Goodwin Ave, Salt Lake City, UT 84116 – 10 min walk to Sunset or Cornell

  • Rose Park Elementary School: 1105 W 1000 N, Salt Lake City, UT 84116 – 15 min walk to Day Riverside, Cornell

  • Escalante Elementary School: 1810 W 900 N, Salt Lake City, UT 84116 – 10-15 min to Day Riverside, Cornell, or Riverside Park

  • Meadowlark Elementary School: 497 Morton Dr, Salt Lake City, UT 84116 – 15 min to Backman; 10 minute to 356 Redwood Rd

  • Northstar Elementary School: 1545 Morton Dr, Salt Lake City, UT 84116 – 20 min walk to 1555 W Sunset JRT

  • Edison Elementary School: 430 S Cheyenne St, Salt Lake City, UT 84104 – 20 min to Alzheimers

  • Jackson Elementary School: 750 W 200 N, Salt Lake City, UT 84116 – 20 min walk to Northwest RC

West side schools within 20-30 minutes of JRT

  • West High School: 241 N 300 W, Salt Lake City, UT 84103 – 35 min walk to Gadsby TH or Fairpark