The Tracy Aviary is one of Salt Lake City’s most well-known and unique attractions. It is the oldest aviary in the U.S., and it features extensive collections, educational programs, and more than 130 different species of birds. Tracy Aviary’s new Jordan River Nature Center was established in 2020 to inspire curiosity and caring for birds and nature on Salt Lake’s Westside.
The new Tracy Aviary Jordan River Nature Center is partnering with the Kem & Carolyn Gardner Mental Health Crisis Care Center in order to provide a haven and an open space for mental health conversations to take place. While the partnership is brand new and just starting to take form, the benefits of these two organizations working together are sure to create an impact.
The Crisis Care Center will help people facing a psychiatric crisis get on the path to mental wellness by unifying critical crisis services and many community resources in one easy-to-access location. The center will utilize a variety of partnerships with other organizations, including the Tracy Aviary Jordan River Nature Center, to ensure that patients and families receive the best care possible.
"We want to provide a nurturing and positive place for people in need of support."
said Marissa Beckstrom, Jordan River Nature Center Director
"I believe that partnering with the Crisis Care Center will be a great way to bring positive and enriching events to those in need of support," said Marissa Beckstrom, Jordan River Nature Center Director. "We want to provide a nurturing and positive place for people to hold events of all sorts."
The Tracy Aviary Jordan River Nature Center has created a variety of events that will serve as a template for gatherings that can be done in conjunction with the Crisis Care Center. From poetry slams to open mic nights to guided bird walks, the Jordan River Nature Center has helped create events that bring people together around the love of birds and nature.
About the Kem & Carolyn Gardner Mental Health Crisis Care Center
When the doors of the Kem and Carolyn Gardner Crisis Care Center open in 2024, it will be a welcoming place for all adults. The Center will help individuals de-escalate, stabilize, and connect to community resources catered to their individual mental health needs. The Center will help people facing a psychiatric crisis get on the path to mental wellness by unifying critical crisis services and many community resources in one easy-to-access location. The building design and operations will ensure patients and their families feel welcome, respected, and secure throughout every step of their care.
Researchers will work alongside clinicians, patients and their families to develop evidence-based best practices for treatment and care and develop new approaches for helping people. It will also be a site for training future generations of crisis care professionals including social workers, nurses, psychologists, psychiatrists, and many more. Learn more.