Research Areas

The Center for Water Efficient Landscaping research largely investigates demand management in irrigated landscapes. Since turfgrass dominates many landscapes in the high desert of Utah and the Intermountain West, CWEL’s sustainable turfgrass research evaluates species for use in urban environments and operates a breeding program to develop new locally adapted turf varieties. A water-efficient landscape also includes water-wise plants—trees, shrubs, perennial wildflowers, and groundcovers. CWEL studies propagation, production, and use of drought adapted Intermountain West native plants. Water-efficient landscapes made of sustainable turf water-wise plants need precision irrigation, particularly during drought periods. CWEL researchers investigate plant water needs and water management practices to promote efficient water use. CWEL partners with the Utah Climate Center to investigate long-term cycles of regional water supply using dendrochronology to link ring widths of native, mountain conifers to paleo-millennial river flow, precipitation and evaporation. CWEL’s urban water conservation research integrates social and policy science with the plant and irrigation science to provide an integrated approach to promoting water-efficient landscaping. Meet our research team here.