April Volunteer Newsletter
Last month, dozens of volunteer groups generously donated their time and effort to Tracy Aviary and Tracy Aviary’s Nature Center at Pia Okwai. With the growing environmental impacts of urbanization and climate change, raising awareness and educating our communities about sustainability has never been more important. At Tracy Aviary, our mission is to inspire action to conserve birds and habitats in partnership with the community—and our volunteers are at the heart of making that mission possible. By volunteering, you’re not just helping out; you’re a vital part of our movement for environmental change. As always, we are endlessly grateful for your support. Tracy Aviary and Tracy Aviary’s Nature Center at Pia Okwai wouldn’t be the vibrant, thriving spaces they are without the passion and dedication of people like you.
Interested in getting involved? Visit: https://tracyaviary.org/ways-to-support/volunteer/
Thanks to the help of over forty amazing volunteers, we planted 27 trees donated by TreeUtah around Tracy Aviary’s Nature Center at Pia Okwai on Saturday, April 5!
Volunteers with TreeUtah water a newly planted native Boxelder Maple on Saturday, April 5.
Volunteers with TreeUtah pose next to a newly planted chokeberry bush on Saturday, April 5.
The IDJ Church Youth Group rakes leaves and spreads mulch around Tracy Aviary on Saturday, April 12.
All smiles after two hours of hard work with IDJ Church Youth Group!
Weeding around our walkways with Select Health 19 on Thursday, April 17.
Spreading mulch–rain or shine–with Select Health 19 on Thursday, April 17.
Giving Salt Lake Community College a tour of our bird blind after two hours of weeding and planting around Tracy Aviary’s Nature Center at Pia Okwai on Tuesday, April 22.
Volunteer Spotlight of the Month
And now, without further ado, please join us in celebrating our Volunteer Spotlight of the Month: Denise Peacock! Denise has been volunteering with Tracy Aviary and the Nature Center at Pia Okwai for the past year. She consistently brings a positive energy, a strong work ethic, and a deep passion for giving back to the community. Tracy Aviary’s volunteer coordinator, Nicole, shared high praise for Denise: “I’ve worked with Denise pretty much since I started working here. She has been an amazing volunteer. She is always ready and excited to do any task and works so hard. I am amazed every Wednesday and Sunday at how much we get done. I really appreciate her enthusiasm and who she is as well as the knowledge she brings!”
How long have you been a volunteer for Tracy Aviary and Tracy Aviary’s Nature Center at Pia Okwai?
One year.
What volunteer work do you do?
I have signed up for horticulture-related work, filling the bird feeders, bird banding, and occasionally bird walks on Friday mornings.
Why do you volunteer?
I am learning new skills, meeting knowledgeable people with new conservation ideas, while being outdoors and enjoying the natural habitat that the Nature Center and theTracy Aviary offers us.
What are your hobbies?
I enjoy music, gardening, art, hiking, anything outdoors and taking my cat, Charlie, on walks.
Do you have a favorite plant?
I really like any flowering plant. The Monkey Puzzle plant that Nicole showed me is pretty awesome too!
Do you have a favorite bird?
My favorite bird is probably the one I’m taking a picture of or holding at that moment. There are a lot of really cool birds, so it’s hard to choose just one.
Do you have any fun facts about yourself?
I am a photographer and an artist, as well as a techie.
What is a message you’d like to share?
With a future that’s moving towards more advanced tech and skylines filled with investment properties, I believe it’s important for us to become involved in conserving natural resources and protecting our wildlife. We are losing “Open Spaces” rapidly.