Enbridge Gas and USU Institute Celebrate Earth Day with Volunteer Event and Partnership Recognition

On Tuesday, April 22, Enbridge Gas Utah and Utah State University’s Janet Quinney Lawson Institute for Land, Water and Air (ILWA) came together to celebrate Earth Day and National Volunteer Week by assembling 300 outdoor cleanup kits. The event, held at Enbridge’s Operations Center in Salt Lake City, highlighted a shared commitment to environmental stewardship and community engagement through meaningful, hands-on action.

More than two dozen volunteers from Enbridge and the Institute participated in the event, building take-home kits designed to help individuals and families beautify their neighborhoods, parks, trails, and other public spaces. Volunteers worked side by side, creating an energetic and collaborative atmosphere that underscored the spirit of Earth Day and the power of partnerships.

The activity featured remarks from Brian Steed, executive director of the Institute and Great Salt Lake Commissioner, and Judd Cook, vice president and general manager of Enbridge Gas Utah, Wyoming and Idaho. Both leaders spoke about the importance of preserving Utah’s unique ecosystems and the role that organizations and individuals can play in advancing sustainable practices.

During the program, Enbridge presented a $25,000 donation to the Institute in recognition of their partnership and the Institute’s work in providing science-based data and analysis to guide environmental policy and conservation efforts across the state.

“We are fortunate to live in a state with such diverse and breathtaking landscapes,” said Cook. “Preserving those places for future generations means taking action—and we’re proud to support our team members and partners in helping to build Safe, Vibrant and Sustainable communities, making a difference where they live and work.”

Each cleanup kit included a trash grabber, gloves, trash bags, water bottle, granola bar, and a handout with creative project ideas and an important reminder to call 811 before digging. Employees were invited to take the kits home and use them with family, neighbors or community groups to support local beautification projects in ways that work best for them.

“We wanted to provide a hands-on, simple way for individuals to make a meaningful impact in their own neighborhoods,” said Jorgan Hofeling, strategic communications advisor at Enbridge Gas. “Whether it’s collecting litter from a local trail or planting flowers near a community center, the small things add up.”

Brian Steed emphasized the importance of turning research into action through collaborative partnerships. “Partnerships like ours with Enbridge help bring research off the page and into our communities,” said Steed. “By working together, we can create a future for Utah that includes reliable energy, a strong economy and a healthy environment for generations to come.” 

Following the kit assembly, team members and guests were invited to enjoy Aggie Ice Cream and continue conversations about environmental responsibility and the impact of volunteerism. Employees were also encouraged to share photos of their cleanup efforts on social media as part of Enbridge’s continued support for community-based environmental action.