Native & Waterwise Landscaping for Wildlife

Looking to support the ecosystem or lower your water bill? Updating your landscaping can help you accomplish both and look beautiful. The Swaner Demonstration Garden is a great place to check out plants and learn more. 

Native Plants

Native plants are adapted to survive and thrive in Utah’s cold, snowy winters and dry, hot summers. They can be a beautiful, water-wise, and low-maintenance addition to your landscape.

Learn more about Utah’s incredible native plants with the Utah Native Plant Society.

USU Center for Water-Efficient Landscaping.

Native Plants and Seed Sources in Utah

Planting for Pollinators

Providing food and habitat for pollinators can help support these critical critters. Utah is home to over 1,000 species of native bees and at least 250 species of butterflies. Did you know that moths, mammals, wasps, ants, hummingbirds, and beetles can also be pollinators? Planting a variety of plants can support pollinators for the whole growing season. 

Check out the UDAF Utah Pollinator Habitat Program, which offers free pollinator plants to property owners and managers annually.  

Learn more about restoring pollinator and wildlife biodiversity with: Doug Tallamy: Nature’s Best Hope in Utah webinar. 

Xerces Society Pollinator Friendly Plant Lists 

Host plants for caterpillars are an important part of supporting pollinators. Check out this article from Xerces Society on important plants for western butterflies and moths. 

Have milkweed and other plants for pollinators in your space? Become a Monarch Waystation! Both the Swaner Preserve and Swaner’s Demonstration Garden are certified waystations. 

Planting for Birds and Wildlife

Native plants can support native birds and other wildlife! From berries to seeds, different creatures have different diets that you can support every season. 

Audubon Society: Plants for Birds.

National Wildlife Federation: Certified Wildlife Habitat Program provides simple steps and signage for your habitat. 

USU Forestry Planting for Wildlife Fact Sheet 

Financial Incentives for Homeowners

Rebate programs may be available for homeowners in certain areas to improve waterwise landscaping or home efficiency. Check with your local water provider and conservancy district, other rebates may be available. 

• Summit County, Snyderville Basin residents are eligible for the State’s Landscape incentive ($3/sf) through Utah Water Savers Landscape Incentive Program
• Park City Municipal: Landscape Incentive Program
• Mountain Regional Water: Landscape Incentive Program 

Other Incentive Programs 

Smart Irrigation controller rebates 

Toilet replacement program

Wildland Urban Interface (WUE) and Firewise Landscaping

Summit County is firmly in the wildland urban interface (WUE), and wildland fires affect many communities in Utah annually. Homeowners can reduce fire hazard around their home using a variety of practices. 

USU Extension Fact Sheet: Landscaping in the Wildland Urban Interface 

Video: Firewise Landscaping  

USU Extension Website: Firewise Plants for Utah Landscapes 

USU Guide: Firewise Landscaping for Utah