Conservation Garden Park

08/18/2026

First stop on our virtual tour: the Education Center! 🎓
 
This is where you can start your visit, ask questions, and find resources to help you create a waterwise landscape of your own. From gardening guides and plant information, to guided self tours and fun activities for kids, there’s something for everyone to explore and take home!
 
When you arrive, you’ll likely meet Grace, our Guest Services Receptionist! She’s a friendly face who can help answer questions and point you in the right direction. Plus, the Education Center is where we host many of our classes and workshops throughout the year, so there’s always something new to learn!
 
Stick around to head outside with us and meet Ashley for the next stop on our tour. 👀

08/10/2026

When it comes to creating a beautiful landscape in our arid climate, choosing the right plant can make a big difference. 💧

Hachita Blue Grama is a warm-season, waterwise grass that thrives in hot, dry conditions and needs far less supplemental water once established. It’s a great option for lawns, meadow-style plantings, and other areas where you want the look of grass without the high water demand.

Kentucky Bluegrass, on the other hand, is a cool-season turfgrass that is very thirsty, especially during our hot, dry summers. Keeping a traditional Kentucky Bluegrass lawn green can require significant supplemental irrigation.

🍀 The good news? There are lots of beautiful lawn alternatives and waterwise plants to choose from! By selecting plants that are adapted to our arid environment, we can create landscapes that are beautiful, resilient, and use water more wisely.

Choose plants that thrive here… not plants that need to be constantly watered to survive.

Visit Conservation Garden Park (in person or online) to explore waterwise plants and discover what can work in your own landscape!

08/08/2026

🌿 Wind down summer and welcome the changing season the waterwise way!
 
Join us for the Backyard Festival at Conservation Garden Park on Saturday, August 29, from 9 AM to 2 PM — a FREE celebration filled with inspiration, creativity, and ideas for creating a beautiful, waterwise yard of your own.
 
Explore the garden, connect with community partners, enjoy live music, discover nature-inspired art, watch live floral arranging demonstrations, and take a guided tour with our experts!
 
Whether you’re a longtime CGP visitor or joining us for the first time, this is the perfect opportunity to celebrate the beauty of Utah landscapes.
 
🎟️ FREE tickets are required to help accommodate parking. Choose your arrival window (9–11 AM or 11 AM–1 PM), then stay and enjoy the festival until activities wrap up at 2 PM!
 
Hosted by Jordan Valley Water Conservancy District and our incredible community partners. We can’t wait to see you! 🌱

Located in West Jordan, Utah the Conservation Garden Park showcases waterwise landscaping examples as well as interactive educational exhibits on how to achieve a waterwise landscape.

08/06/2026

Looking for a career that connects people, plants, and conservation?
 
Conservation Garden Park is looking for passionate individuals to join our team and help educate and inspire our community through horticulture, waterwise landscaping, and environmental stewardship.
 
These positions are employed through Jordan Valley Water Conservancy District (Jordan Valley Water Conservancy District), an organization dedicated to providing safe, reliable drinking water while promoting efficient water use throughout our community.
 
We’re currently hiring for:
🌿 Horticulturist & Lead Curator
🌿 Guest Services Assistant
🌿 Assistant Curator of Plants and Education
🌿 Assistant Horticulturist Intern
 
Explore our current opportunities, learn more about each position, and apply today at jvwcd.applicantpro.com/jobs
 

08/05/2026

Today we’re talking about: 
👉 Phragmites (Phragmites australis), an invasive reed that has spread across Utah, including around the Great Salt Lake.
 
❌ Why remove it?
Phragmites spreads aggressively, growing up to 20 feet each year. This invasive plant can outcompete native vegetation, reduce fish and bird habitat, increase mosquito populations, limit access to shorelines, create fire hazards, and consume large amounts of water. Understadning Phragmites is essential in protecting Utah’s wetlands, wildlife, and water resources!
 
👀 How to identify it:
Phragmites can grow in tall, dense stands, often reaching 10 to 15 feet or more. Its blue-green leaves attach directly to the stem, and mature plants produce large, feathery seed heads that turn tan over time. It is commonly found near wetlands, lakes, ponds, canals, and other water sources.
 
🌱 Why is it so difficult to control?
It spreads through an extensive network of rhizomes and stolons, allowing it to rapidly colonize (even without producing seed).
 
🛠️ How to manage it:
Effective control requires more than just cutting it down. Management typically includes cutting the stalks, carefully treating the plant to prevent underground rhizomes from regrowing, removing all dead material, and continuing to monitor the area for new growth.
 
📅 Best timing for control:
For the best results, mid-summer cutting combined with a late-summer herbicide application can help reduce regrowth as part of a multi-year management plan. Continued monitoring and follow-up treatment are key to preventing reinfestation.