Summit County’s “Garlic Mustard Games” earn Utah Outdoor Recreation Stewardship Award

ChatGPT said: Sara Jo Dickens, owner of Ecology Bridge Consulting and project manager of the Summit Cooperative Weed Management Area, was recently honored with the 2025 Utah Outdoor Recreation Stewardship Award for her innovative community initiative, the Garlic Mustard Games. Photo: Sara Jo Dickens, PhD

SUMMIT COUNTY, Utah — The Utah Department of Outdoor Recreation has honored Sara Jo Dickens, owner of Ecology Bridge Consulting and project manager of the Summit Cooperative Weed Management Area (Summit CWMA), with the 2025 Utah Outdoor Recreation Stewardship Award for her innovative community initiative, the Garlic Mustard Games.

The Garlic Mustard Games invites trail users to actively participate in conservation efforts by removing garlic mustard, one of Utah’s most aggressive invasive weeds. By blending recreation with stewardship, the initiative transforms environmental action into a friendly competition. Through coordinated pull events, education, and gamified challenges, participants have successfully removed over 37,000 pounds of garlic mustard from Summit County trails.

“This program is a perfect example of what happens when creativity meets conservation,” said Jess Kirby, Summit County’s Lands and Natural Resources Director, who nominated the project for the award. “The Garlic Mustard Games is a brilliant idea that combines the protection of our native ecosystems with fun, prizes, and competition—building personal responsibility within our recreation community to contribute to the solution.”

Garlic mustard, which is native to Europe, poses a threat to native plants and soil health across Utah. Once established, it can dominate forest understories, reduce biodiversity, and increase wildfire risk. Seeds can easily spread on shoes, tires, and pet paws, which means trail users often inadvertently contribute to its spread, highlighting the importance of education and engagement.

“I’m honored to receive this recognition,” Dickens said. “The Garlic Mustard Games began as a way to raise awareness about how recreation can unintentionally impact natural systems and to foster community support for controlling garlic mustard. It has been incredible to witness the enthusiasm and commitment of local volunteers. Together, we are demonstrating that stewardship can be enjoyable, and that we all play a role in protecting these beautiful places.”

In addition to the Games, the Summit CWMA conducts mapping and treatment of noxious weeds across thousands of acres in Summit and Wasatch counties each year. In collaboration with Summit County, the organization recently completed intensive mapping at the 910 Ranch, identifying nearly seven acres of yellow starthistle, a harmful species previously found in neighboring canyons.

“Given this plant’s impacts on wildlife and its potential to injure the eyes and mouths of dogs and horses, we need the community to be vigilant and report any sightings,” Dickens emphasized.

The Garlic Mustard Games illustrate how science, creativity, and community can come together to protect public lands—and how stewardship can become an accessible and engaging tradition on the trails.

For more information or to join next season’s Garlic Mustard Games, visit summitcwma.org/garlic-mustard-games.