This report explores the role of direct service, civic engagement, and community collaboration through two immersive experiences focused on environmental advocacy and direct action for the Great Salt Lake. We take a look into participation in a citizen lobby training and a community rally organized by Grow the Flow, the report reflects on how direct service extends beyond traditional volunteering through donating time by providing accessible education and civic engagement. An interview with Cael Crosby, a club coordinator, highlights the importance of making activism local, accessible, and sustainable, while survey data from university students reveals that club participation and unpaid organizing are viewed as forms of direct service. The report connects these experiences within the environmental and social issues associated with the Great Salt Lake, bringing attention to the interconnectedness of ecological health and community well being. By combining hands-on experiences, personal perspectives, and existing research, this report highlights the importance of working together and encourages individuals to take action now to help protect and restore one of Utah’s essential ecosystems.
This section summarizes the student’s data-gathering process and key findings from survey, interview, or other inquiry methods.
While participating in club activities myself and after acknowledging the time and dedication that students contribute towards the clubs they are involved with I was curious to know if students viewed this as a form of direct service. I created a survey on Google Forms, my target group was UVU students and I got a total of 12 responses. The goal of my survey was to gather the opinions and perspectives of UVU students on club participation in correlation to direct service. I shared my survey in club group chats that I am involved in.
My first question was “How would you define your participation in clubs on campus (if any) on your resume?” Of the 12 respondents, four responded with “Volunteering”, three responded with “Leadership Experience”, two responded with "Extracurricular Activities”, and the remaining three responded with “Other”.
My second question was “Do you view the time that club organizers provide towards their clubs as direct service or volunteering?” The majority of respondents (9) responded “yes”, two responded with “not sure”, and one individual responded with “Both”.
My third question was a scenario situation where I asked “Imagine you attended a club meeting and then a few hours later you attended an optional activity for the same club. Which one would you be more likely to define as Direct Service?” The majority of respondents (7) selected “Optional Activity”, 1 individual selected “Club Meeting”, and the remaining 4 selected “Other”.
For the students that selected “Other” on this question, these specific responses stood out to me:
My second to final question was “On a scale how likely would you be to attend an activity you learned about through the club?” The scale ranged from 1-5, one being “less likely” and five being “most likely”. To which a majority of respondents (8) selected 4 on the scale and the other four selecting either 3 or 5.
My final question was another scenario situation where I stated “Let's say you are a club organizer and you have spent several hours organizing an activity for your club and then facilitating the activity without any pay and purely out of passion.” and then asked “Would you consider your time spent organizing and facilitating the activity as volunteer work?” or “Would you not consider the time spent as volunteer work?” To which all respondents replied that they would consider it as volunteer work.
Overall, the data I gathered reflected that a majority of the students who took my survey view club participation as direct service, as it involves dedicating time, responsibility, and skill sets towards a club.
Community Partner Discussion
This section shares insights from a community partner interview, connecting their perspective to the Pathway theme.
I had the opportunity to interview Cael Crosby, the Utah Valley Organizer/Coordinator for the Grow the Flow club at Utah Valley University. Cael’s position on campus mainly involves scheduling requests, planning events, and sending out emails and social media coordinating. Cael described that the purpose of Grow The Flow at UVU is to engage people on The Great Salt Lake through education, acts of community service that will help the watershed, and civil/political engagement that helps address the more systemic issues at hand.
My first question for Cael was “What got you first motivated to be a club organizer for Grow The Flow on campus?” He mentioned that he had always been involved in activism for The Great Salt Lake and would often find himself having to utilize public transportation to get to Salt Lake where most of the community gatherings and events are held. He stated that eventually he grew tired of always having to commute the long distance and that other people shared the same concern. Cael expressed that “We definitely work with people who are across the political spectrum, but it was primarily young progressive students who also felt like their political home was in Salt Lake City, but their actual home was here (Utah Valley).” Cael described that he wanted to make activism in regards to the GSL more accessible to people in the Utah Valley area and to “make it local.” Something I noticed during this interview is that a lot of responsibility lands on Cael’s shoulders as a club coordinator on campus for Grow The Flow. He donates so much of his time and skill sets towards this club, so I had a burning question to ask “Why do it unpaid?” Cael’s initial response is that it’s fun to him but on a deeper level he stated that “It helps me separate myself from political burnout.” He made the comparison that actually doing stuff with people and in person is more rewarding then “only interacting with it in a digital way.” He described that this provided him with a sense of direction, allowed him to feel more grounded, and less politically isolated.
In regards to the time and effort that Cael dedicates to the club, I also wanted to ask him the question “Do you view this as a form of Direct Service?” To which he responded, “A lot of the service is in making it as easy for people to engage with it as possible.” Cael said he used to view his role as asking people to do hard things but as of recently he now views it as “providing easy next steps” to people who see these issues around them. Cael mentioned that he appreciates people who do their own research but for people who may not know how to start this provides them with research that has already been done and makes it easier for people to get engaged. He mentioned that he feels that oftentimes people are “cosmically worried about it” and “that’s why a lot of people get burnt out on climate work.” He expressed that it can feel so big and this often makes people feel like they don’t know where to start so making it “easier for people to engage with The Great Salt Lake” is a form of direct service.
This section summarizes readings and research related to a relevant topic within the student’s Pathway and connects them to larger patterns or themes.
As a resident of Utah and an Environmental Science major the issues surrounding The Great Salt Lake have been heavily on my radar. This issue has existed before my knowledge and has the potential to have effects that will exist beyond my lifetime. However, it’s important to understand that the fight to save our Great Salt Lake (GSL) is not over yet and it is in the hands of the community to create the change we want to see for our ancient and historical lake.
To begin with, it’s important to understand why there is a major concern revolving around the GSL. The water levels in the GSL have been notably declining and fluctuating year after year. In a 2023 briefing regarding the GSL facilitated by Brigham Young University (BYU) it is stated that “In 2022, the lake dropped to a record elevation of 4188’—the lowest level on the state’s contingency charts” (Brigham Young University, 2023). According to The Utah Division of Wildlife Resources, the current water level at the Saltair Boat Harbor stands at “4191.8 feet above sea level as of Friday, Feb. 6th, 2026.” (Utah Division of Wildlife Resources , n.d.). This is higher than the water level in 2023, However it’s still significantly below a healthy level for the lake. According to Grow The Flow a healthy level for the lake ranges between 4198-4204 ft above sea level. (Grow The Flow, 2024). Population growth in surrounding areas and climate change contribute to the decline in water levels. However, the main source of water consumption from the lake is irrigation for agricultural use and a small portion of municipal and industrial usage. According to the report done by BYU 74% of water consumption is agricultural use. It is stated “Irrigation of alfalfa and other crops directly accounts for around three quarters of total consumptive water use plus 5-10% indirectly through storage and transport losses such as reservoir evaporation” (Brigham Young University, 2023).
There are multiple reasons that low water levels for the lake are a major concern. The most acknowledged concern is the one that directly affects all Utah residents, especially the large population adjacent to the lake. The drying of the lake and exposure of the lake bed creates harmful dust that directly affects the air quality in Utah. According to the research study Assessing the Oxidative Potential of Dust from Great Salt Lake, “Dust from the GSL contains enhanced levels of heavy metals, such as, Sb, and Cu, at levels that exceed the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) regional screening levels” (Attah et al., 2024). The exposed lake bed has posed a major potential health concern for Utah residents. Another major concern is the ecological effects of the declining water levels. Migratory birds that utilize the lake as a resting point face a high risk threat. This BYU report states “The salinity of the main body of the lake has climbed to ~19%. At this level, the brine flies and brine shrimp cannot maintain their populations because of decreased primary productivity” (Brigham Young University, 2023). This is a concern because migratory birds rely on these brine shrimp and brine fly populations to feed on. The Utah Division of Wildlife Resources States “Over 12 million birds, represented by 339 species, utilize the Great Salt Lake and its associated wetlands and uplands” (Utah Division of Wildlife Resources , n.d.). If nothing is done to bring the water levels in the GSL back to healthy conditions, we risk losing a vital habitat for migratory birds and risk worsening the air quality in the State of Utah.
Our ability to restore the lake as a collective whole is not an impossible task. There have been many community members and concerned residents that have taken it into their hands to aid in the restoration of the lake. Some notable organizations that have taken the time to directly serve the GSL are Grow the Flow, Save Our Great Salt Lake, Utah Sierra Club, Utah Population and Environment Council, Utah Youth Environmental Solutions, Utah Rivers Council, and so many others. The only way the lake can be restored is if a significant amount of water is diverted back to the lake. This is impossible to do as an individual but as a collective community it is more than doable. We can’t put water into the lake with our bare hands but we can inform others on the issue, donate our time and money, and volunteer where volunteering is needed. Most importantly we can urge and pressure those who hold the power to directly aid this issue to take action.
This section highlights helpful tools or guides that support real-world application of the Pathway.
This research paper written by Jula Paxton, a professor at Ohio University specializing in Economics with research interests in service-learning, deep dives into the effects that service-learning and volunteerism during college has on alumni after graduation. Over several years a survey was sent to Ohio University Alumni, the results show that Alumni that were engaged in either were more likely to continue involving themselves post graduation. The data also showed that Alumni involved in service-learning gained better skills in intercultural understanding, career goal clarification, connection to region/community, skill acquisition, and personal and professional growth. It was noted that a majority of alumni rated community engagement in college as very or extremely important.
The Importance of University and Local Nonprofit Collaboration - Forward Pathway
The article provided by Forward Pathway explains why partnerships between universities and local nonprofits are valuable. It touches base on how these collaborations create mutual benefits for both campuses and surrounding communities. It uses the example of Syracuse University working with the Good Life Youth Foundation, showing how universities can support nonprofits through resources, streamlined processes, and student involvement. This collaboration also allows nonprofits to provide students with real-world opportunities that address community needs. These collaborations enhance community engagement, economic development, and sustainability. All while giving students hands-on learning opportunities and producing shared benefits that strengthen local communities.
How to Engage and Retain Young Adult Volunteers - Selby Rogala
The article written by Selby Rogala highlights strategies for nonprofits to better recruit and keep young adult volunteers, based on interviews with nonprofit organizers. It emphasizes three key practices, the first one being to build community through fostering relationships and social connections among volunteers. Then allowing room for feedback so volunteers feel heard, valued, and invested in the organization. Finally, being flexible with schedules and roles to fit young adults busy lives. By intentionally creating inclusive, meaningful, and adaptable volunteer experiences, organizations can strengthen engagement and retention among volunteers in their twenties.
This section reflects on a firsthand or immersive experience related to the Pathway topic.
Something I’ve learned in life is that sometimes you have to step outside your comfort zone and take time to do something even after a long day for the sake of causes you care for. It’s easy to think “I can do that another day” or “other people will show up” but the truth of the matter is there is no better time than now, especially when it comes to time sensitive issues. For me this was attending a citizen lobby training that took place on January 15th at Utah Valley University. It was organized by Grow the Flow, a citizen-led organization utilizing civic action to save The Great Salt Lake.
Before attending this training I felt that it was more related to policy and governance then it was to direct service but while attending the training I made the realization that direct service was heavily involved in the process of organizing the training and facilitating it. Jake Dreyfous the Managing Director at Grow The Flow facilitated the presentation through video call. Cael Crosby the Utah Valley Organizer and the coordinator for the Grow the Flow club on campus was the in person overseer of the training and assisted with the training. Something that I found fascinating was that not only was the training being presented at UVU but it was also simultaneously being presented at Utah State University and the University of Utah. Students from Brigham Young University had also commuted to attend the training at UVU. The training was also open to anybody such as non-students and community members. While attending, I had thought to myself that it was amazing to see a community coming together from all sorts of diverse backgrounds and attending this training to learn how to better fight for a cause they believe in.
The training’s contents consisted of providing statistical data of the Great Salt Lake and what the current issue is in regards to it. It also included a brief breakdown of how the Utah legislature functions as well as step by step instructions on how to lobby efficiently. Throughout the training I made the connection that the act of providing these resources to concerned community members for free and making it as accessible as possible is direct service within itself. This tied me back to the idea that I had stated in a previous newsletter, which is that often direct service can step outside of the bounds of the generalized idea of what it is, which is typically that it has to be a form of physical labor or volunteering. In this case direct service was in the act of Jake and Cael donating their time to provide accessible and effective resources to community members and Utah residents on how to actively have an impact towards creating better change for The Great Salt Lake.
I had the pleasure of involving myself in two immersive experiences this month. I was also able to attend a rally to save our great salt lake on January 31st which I learned about through the lobbying training I had attended. It was wonderful to once again see the beauty of community coming together and standing up for what they believe in. There were multiple speakers who were given the platform to speak about the issue. A quote that stood out to me by Autumn (last name unknown) was “We cannot separate the safety of our land from the safety of our people” which was in reference to how environmental issues are in direct correlation to social issues. I had noticed that many people in the crowd were holding painted cardboard cut outs of seagulls on poles and many were dressed in had made costumes of brine shrimp and other life that is found at The Great Salt Lake, which I later found out were props provided by community partners of the event. There was also a vigil titled Celebrate the Species which is a recurring Vigil held every Friday at 5 pm during the current legislative session starring Cael Crosby also known as Selena Marina accompanied by a band and dancing people in shrimp costumes. My interpretation of the vigil was that it signified the life and essence of the lake, which I thought was a moving performance. There were also many direct service opportunities offered at this rally through organizations that were tabling and providing volunteering opportunities. I found that all of these aspects of the rally also served as direct service towards saving The Great Salt Lake.
This section offers closing reflections and invites readers to consider how they can apply the insights in their own lives and communities.
An idea that strongly stood out to me while attending the rally to save our Great Salt Lake is that there is no better time to act than now. It’s easy to fall back and assume that others will step in when it’s necessary but critical change happens when individuals like you and me decide to show up. A quote that I feel is fitting is “"Individually, we are one drop. Together, we are an ocean." by Ryunosuke Satoro. In other words you and I may be one person but collectively we have the power to have a large scale impact.
Here are some suggestions on what this impact may look like:
It’s not too late to save our Great Salt Lake, with a collective effort we can bring awareness and justice to our ancient and historical lake. Every size contribution counts, no matter how small of an action it may seem it moves us closer to restoring and preserving this essential ecosystem for both our environment and our communities.Thank you for joining me along this journey. If you have questions, feedback, or are interested in collaborating with the Center for Social Impact, we encourage you to reach out!
This section summarizes the student’s data-gathering process and key findings from survey, interview, or other inquiry methods.
My data collection effort was targeted specifically toward Utah Valley University students. The main goal was to gauge how many—and to what extent—UVU students involve themselves in volunteer or direct service opportunities, and what they take from those experiences. I also wanted to determine how many students are aware of the Grit Garden on campus and the resources it offers. The survey was designed to adapt to respondents’ answers.
Of the 32 responses, two-thirds said they had volunteered in the past. However, an overwhelming majority indicated that the biggest barrier to volunteering or participating in direct service was a lack of time. Several mentioned transportation and class schedules as additional challenges.
Those who had been involved in direct service initiatives reflected positively on their experiences, using words and phrases such as fulfillment, connections, and community.
Based on these responses, most people said that once they learn about volunteer opportunities, they are more likely to participate. This suggests that people are willing to make time in their schedules if they are aware of opportunities.
This section shares insights from a community partner interview, connecting their perspective to the Pathway theme.
Imagine a source of fresh produce accessible to college students for free. For many students, like myself, this sounds like a great opportunity to save money and eat healthy. Fortunately for UVU students, this is a reality—it’s called Fresh Food Fridays, sourced by the Grit Garden.
Boston Swan, the Greenhouse Director of the Grit Garden, runs the volunteer-based garden on campus alongside Garden Manager Austin Harvey. The garden was created about three years ago by UVU’s Sustainability Committee, inspired by two ideas: first, to have “somewhere to teach people how to grow their own food,” and second, to support the UVU Care Hub’s need for fresh produce.
Boston told me passionately that she and Austin “care so much about students” and “want them to be able to have food because school is expensive and life is expensive.”
When I asked what the garden would be like without volunteers, Boston immediately replied, “The Grit Garden would not exist without volunteers.” She explained that she and Austin “can barely scratch the surface of keeping on top of stuff if we don’t have volunteers—it would be a weed patch without them.”
When asked how the Grit Garden improves students’ lives, Boston said one of the biggest things volunteers gain is self-confidence. She described the process of gardening—planting a seed, watching it grow, and later harvesting it—as “a valuable and tangible source of pride.” She added that volunteers gain a new appreciation for the labor behind the food we eat and that gardening helps people “come out of their shells,” meet others, and build lasting friendships.
This section summarizes readings and research related to a relevant topic within the student’s Pathway and connects them to larger patterns or themes.
Direct service and volunteering typically have a good reputation and are viewed in a positive light, but not everyone chooses to volunteer. This led me to explore: What are common barriers people face when participating in direct service or volunteering opportunities?
Amy Yotopoulos, in Three Reasons Why People Don’t Volunteer, and What Can Be Done About It, explains that the main reason people don’t volunteer is due to time constraints and inflexible schedules. Reflecting on my survey results, this aligned closely with what UVU students reported—many said volunteering “usually overlaps with work or school schedules.”
Yotopoulos suggests making volunteering more accessible, such as encouraging employers to support volunteerism onsite or nearby. This would remove one of the most common barriers—transportation.
Rebecca Nebait, in The Decline of Volunteering in the U.S. Explained, identifies “economic disadvantages” as another key barrier. People living in poorer communities tend to volunteer less, creating what she calls “a troubling feedback loop where civic disengagement and economic hardship reinforce one another.” She argues that effective solutions must address both economic and social infrastructures to enable people to give their time and talents. Policymakers and community leaders must collaborate to break this cycle.
The final barrier is a lack of personal connection to volunteer work. Meghan Speer (2024), in [POV] Overcoming the Challenges of Volunteering, writes that many volunteer experiences are “often repetitive, dry, and unremarkable tasks that don’t make for great stories.” People may expect immediate gratification or emotional rewards, which can lead to disappointment.
This resonated with my own experience at the Grit Garden. Pulling weeds didn’t feel particularly exciting, and no one congratulated me for completing small tasks. But when I realized that each small task meant less work for others, I found motivation in the shared effort. Speer concluded that accepting volunteer work as meaningful even without “intense emotions” helps people become better volunteers. The true product of service lies in the work completed, not in external praise.
This section highlights helpful tools or guides that support real-world application of the Pathway.
How to Know if a Volunteer Program Is Legitimate — CleanUp
This article from CleanUp provides practical steps for verifying whether a volunteer
program is transparent and ethical. It offers red flags to avoid (such as unrealistic
promises) and suggests reviewing a program’s website, speaking with past volunteers,
and confirming that the organization clearly communicates its mission.https://www.cleanupusa.org/how-to-know-if-a-volunteer-program-is-legitimate
Evaluating the Ethics of Volunteering — Global Brigades
This article explores how to ensure your volunteer work is ethical. It warns against
programs that take a “white-saviorism” approach and emphasizes the need for reflection,
education, and preparation before engaging.https://blog.globalbrigades.org/evaluating-the-ethics-of-volunteering
Before You Volunteer, Make Sure You’re Actually Helping — The Kenan Institute for
Ethics
Kay Jowers’ article emphasizes how individuals can make the most effective contributions
by bringing their specific skills to support organizations as a whole. She encourages
self-awareness and deliberate engagement to ensure your work genuinely benefits the
community.
https://kenan.ethics.duke.edu/before-you-volunteer-make-sure-youre-actually-helping-nine-tips-for-ethical-community-engagement/
This section reflects on a firsthand or immersive experience related to the Pathway topic.
One of the best things about gardening, for me personally, is that you don’t have to worry about getting dirty—the expectation is already there. I volunteered at the Grit Garden for two hours during one of their scheduled volunteer sessions on Tuesday from 9–11 a.m. I jumped right in, first picking green peas off their vines, then moving on to okra. The sound of nature was soothing, and I was left alone with my thoughts while working.
While picking okra, I couldn’t help but wonder what kind of dishes it was used in. I had never seen okra before, and its shape caught my attention—the garden grew both red and green varieties. I noticed that the largest pods often grew near the bottom of the plants, shaded from the sun. I wondered if that was because they were harder to see and therefore picked less often or if it had something to do with the sunlight. After picking okra, I gathered cherry tomatoes and then pulled weeds around the crops.
I soon realized that this work was humbling. My knees, shins, and shoes were covered in dirt as I dug into the earth to pull up roots. Yet I found joy in this work. I was giving back to the same garden that had fed me a year earlier through Fresh Food Fridays. The sun was warm on my back, and I felt at peace.
Before volunteering, I had felt tired and sluggish, but afterward, I felt reconnected—with nature, my community, and myself. The experience was therapeutic, and I can’t wait to volunteer at the Grit Garden again. Self-driven volunteering means no one is forcing you to be there, and no one is congratulating you for each task—but the reward lies in using your own two hands to serve a community passionate about helping others.
This section offers closing reflections and invites readers to consider how they can apply the insights in their own lives and communities.
If you are looking for volunteer opportunities, I highly encourage you to check out the Grit Garden:https://uvugrit.garden/. It’s located behind the UCAS building by UVU at 940 W 800 S, Orem, UT 84058. Current volunteer hours are Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday from 9–11 a.m., and Wednesday from 3–5 p.m. Come springtime, they will need lots of help preparing the garden for planting.
The Grit Garden also provides Fresh Food Fridays. If you’re a UVU student in need of free, fresh produce, they are hosting their last events this month on October 17 and 31. Whether or not you participate, remember to appreciate the people who helped grow or prepare the food that reaches you.
There are many benefits to participating in direct service or volunteering. It can be rewarding and fulfilling, but it’s important to remember that the work is ultimately for the community. The intentions behind volunteering are just as important as the work itself. Be mindful of using your specific skills to serve effectively and ethically.
Even with genuine intentions, always make sure programs are transparent and mission-aligned to ensure your efforts create lasting impact. Thank you for joining me along this journey. If you have questions, feedback, or are interested in collaborating with the Center for Social Impact, we encourage you to reach out!
