Basin Recreation’s Urban Naturalism series lets kids discover backyard wildlife

Photo: Photo by Mick Haupt

PARK CITY, Utah — Basin Recreation is inviting young explorers to step outside and get to know the wildlife thriving in their own neighborhoods through a new Urban Naturalism program, “Discover Nature Where You Live.”

Led by the district’s recreation rangers, each 90-minute session pairs a short, guided hike with hands-on investigation. Children will use magnifying glasses, binoculars, and custom identification pamphlets to observe birds, trees, and flowers, then learn how each species plugs into the Wasatch ecosystem.

Two Saturday outings remain on this year’s schedule:

• Aug. 2 — Trees at Robs Trailhead

• Sept. 6 — Flowers at North Round Valley Trailhead

Both run from 10 to 11:30 a.m. and are free, though advance registration is required. Parents can sign up through Basin Recreation’s online activity portal. Class sizes are limited to maintain a focus on inquiry-based learning and leave-no-trace principles, according to Basin Recreation (basinrecreation.org).

Program coordinator Eva Carlock said the goal is to spark lifelong stewardship by showing kids that meaningful nature experiences don’t require a long drive or a wilderness permit. “When children realize how much is living just beyond their back doors, they start to care for those spaces in a whole new way,” she said.

For questions, email rangers@basinrecreation.org