The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints has transformed the landscape outside of six meetinghouses in Utah and is in the process of completing a seventh. This initiative aligns with the church’s conservation goals, which were outlined during the state’s severe drought last year. The implementation of water conservation measures involves adjusting irrigation systems, planting drought-tolerant, water-wise, and native plants, and reducing traditional lawns. While the specific water savings are currently unknown, the church plans to analyze data from the pilot program before expanding similar landscaping efforts in the future. This environmentally conscious approach is part of the church’s broader sustainability efforts and aims to address concerns about water levels in the Great Salt Lake.
The landscape designs aim to be relevant to the local water availability, with lawns typically covering no more than 35% of the area, and alternative landscaping materials, plants, and trees accounting for the rest. The church emphasizes the importance of fitting within the neighborhoods and not being overly conspicuous with the environmental upgrades.
Despite recent improvements in drought conditions, including a record snowpack and a notable summer monsoon season, a portion of Utah remains in drought or abnormally dry categorizations. With Utah being the second-driest state in the nation, water conservation and water-wise landscaping are expected to remain vital strategies for the state’s future.
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