The Forest Service and Intermountain Health Care will team up to create a forest dedicated solely to children on Saturday, May 17.
The forest will be used to teach children from schools and educational groups about land management and natural resources.The Uinta National Forest has donated land in Spanish Fork Canyon for the project. IHC hopes to have 100 employees help build the forest. An additional 500 volunteers are expected.
"The Forest Service has given this land for a hands-on approach to help children learn what forests are all about," said Anton Garrity, spokesman for IHC.
The volunteers will be cleaning the area Saturday. An old ranch house needs to be torn down, and small access trails need to be built from the road to the river.
Following the cleanup, the Forest Service will have demonstrations to educate people about the Children's Forest. People interested in volunteering should turn left, or head northeast, at the Diamond Fork Canyon sign on U.S. 6 in Spanish Fork Canyon to find the new forest. Cleanup will begin at 9 a.m.