Salt Lake City Planted Cacti to Restore Foothills
Crews planted 1,500 prickly pear cacti to stabilize hillsides damaged by the recent Bonneville Fire.
Updated on Oct. 10, 2026 in National Parks
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Salt Lake City officials have completed a reforestation project in the eastern foothills to address environmental damage from the Bonneville Fire. Volunteers and local crews installed 1,500 prickly pear cacti to help stabilize slopes above Red Butte Garden.
Why it matters
The restoration work is essential for preventing flooding and erosion on hillsides left vulnerable by the fire. Furthermore, the new vegetation serves as a crucial habitat and food source for local pollinators and wildlife, including elk.
Crews planted 1,500 prickly pear cacti across the burn scar to utilize their expansive root systems for soil stabilization. These were supplemented by sagebrush grown specifically for the project by the Utah Department of Corrections.
The players
Salt Lake City Department of Public Lands
This agency manages the city's parks, open spaces, and trails systems.
Utah Department of Corrections
This department operates the greenhouse program that cultivated the sagebrush used for this ecological restoration.
Red Butte Garden
This botanical garden serves as a significant educational and conservation hub located adjacent to the fire-affected foothills.
University of Utah
This major public research institution supported the restoration through the participation of its Greek Life organizations.
The details
The project involved a collaborative effort between city land managers, University of Utah students, and inmates to secure the steep terrain. These specific plant species were selected for their ability to thrive in dry, rocky conditions while providing immediate erosion control for the fire-damaged landscape.
Timeline
Crews completed the planting of 1,500 prickly pear cacti last week.
The city plans to host additional volunteer events in the coming weeks.
Travel Outlook
This restoration effort follows the pattern set by the Bonneville Fire by addressing the resulting environmental instability in the region's high-traffic foothills. Successful stabilization of these areas is critical for maintaining access to adjacent recreational sites during the volatile shoulder seasons.
Visitors to the eastern foothills should be aware that ongoing restoration work may cause temporary trail closures or restrictions during upcoming volunteer events. Checking official city updates before heading out is recommended to avoid construction areas near the fire-damaged slopes.
The takeaway
Effective post-fire restoration requires both mechanical stabilization and the reintroduction of native, drought-resistant vegetation. Residents can help by participating in city-led volunteer events, which provide necessary labor to ensure public lands remain protected and accessible.
What happens next
Salt Lake City Public Lands plans to host additional volunteer events in the coming weeks to continue restoration work and focus on future wildfire mitigation.
Further reading
For more on how local landscape management protects the environment, visit National Parks.
Source note: This article includes information reported by KSL.
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