CWEL Receives Award of Excellence

LOGAN — Utah State University’s Center for Water Efficient Landscaping (CWEL) was the recipient of an Award of Excellence from the Western Extension Directors Association at their recent meeting in Lake Tahoe, Nev. The annual award recognizes Extension outreach education programming that has achieved outstanding accomplishments, results and impacts in addressing contemporary issues in one or more of the 13 Western states and Pacific Island U.S. Territories. 

USU-CWEL focuses on improving landscape irrigation efficiency in Utah. The Extension outreach and research center promotes landscape water conservation through environmentally, socially and economically sound landscape choices and research-based management practices.

CWEL team members include director Kelly Kopp, Extension water conservation and turfgrass specialist and professor; Joanna Endter-Wada, associate professor of environment and society; Paul Johnson, professor of turfgrass science; Roger Kjelgren, professor of horticulture; and Larry Rupp, Extension ornamental horticulture specialist and professor.

According to Kopp, approximately 65 percent of Utah's municipal water is used for landscape irrigation.  “Research has demonstrated that the amount of water applied to Utah landscapes could be reduced substantially without affecting landscape quality or consumer lifestyles,” she said. “Water use could be reduced even further if alternative landscape designs and efficient irrigation technologies were implemented. Those are areas of research and outreach that CWEL emphasizes. ” 

USU-CWEL’s Extension and outreach education programs on landscape irrigation efficiency provide products, expertise and information through a diverse variety of methods to county Extension faculty, the green and blue (water) industries, water purveyors and institutions, cities and municipalities as well as the general public.

“We are pleased that the team members responsible for this innovative program were recognized for their outstanding efforts,” said Brian Higginbotham, USU Extension associate vice president. “Those involved with CWEL have made a remarkable contribution to the field of water conservation and efficient landscaping. This regional award is well deserved.” 

Writer: Julene Reese, 435-797-0810

Contact: Kelly Kopp, 435-757-6650