One of the things we talk about often at GOAT is how much the outdoors gives us. The trails challenge us, restore us, connect us with friends, and remind us of what matters. This weekend, we had the opportunity to give a little of that back.
For our GOAT Gives Back volunteer day, our community met bright and early in Millcreek Canyon alongside the Cottonwood Canyons Foundation. Instead of chasing miles or summits, we spent the morning pulling invasive weeds, picking up trash, and helping care for a place that so many of us enjoy throughout the year.
The work wasn’t glamorous. There were no summit photos, no personal records, and no breathtaking overlooks waiting at the end. Just a lot of sweat, sunscreen, and hard work! There was something incredibly meaningful about spending a few hours with our hands in the dirt, working together to protect and preserve the landscape we love.
It’s easy to think of conservation as something that happens on a large scale, but stewardship often looks like simple actions repeated over time. One bag of trash. One patch of invasive plants removed. One morning spent making a place just a little better than we found it.
What made the day especially memorable was seeing our community show up with the same enthusiasm they bring to hikes and adventures. It was a reminder that GOAT has never been just about getting outdoors. It’s about building a community of women who care about the places we explore and who are willing to invest in protecting them for future generations.
We’re grateful to the Cottonwood Canyons Foundation for the work they do year-round and for giving us the opportunity to contribute. And we’re grateful to every GOAT who traded a leisurely Saturday morning for a pair of work gloves and a chance to make a difference.
The mountains give us so much. This weekend, it felt good to return the favor.
And if you want to join us in August, we’re volunteering again with CCF. You can register here!
