Utah PlantFest 2026: Full Schedule

Since 2019, the Public Lands Restoration Ecology Program has been working to improve the ecological health of our public lands. We manage the ongoing restoration of multiple sites within the Salt Lake City municipality including in the foothills, trailheads, parks, and natural areas. Our program employs both wetland and dryland native species to incorporate biodiversity and native plants into every compatible city project. These more diverse ecological systems support robust plant communities that strengthen pollinator activity, improve water quality, and contribute to the overall health of the environment and its visitors, both human and animal

In collaboration with the Utah Department of Corrections, the Native Plant/Restoration Ecology program has produced 30k – 50k plants per year for our restoration plantings. The seeds and cuttings we use for plant production are collected from wet and dry habitats across Utah, with emphasis on Salt Lake Valley plant species decimated by urban development. Over six years, the Program has collected seeds for nearly 650 species (312 genera and 78 families). 200 of which serve as our core most reliable species where effective propagation protocols have emerged and have proven resilience at restoration sites.

Our changing climate and the ongoing loss of native habitat have noticeably reduced the reliability of our seed collection in recent years. To safeguard biodiversity and create a dependable seed source for declining species, we are establishing a native seed farm on SLC‑PL property. It is our goal not only to support restoration across the city but also to serve as a public resource for native plants and the knowledge needed to grow them

Speakers

Blake Wellard

Roger Kjelgren

Natural Resource Technician, Salt Lake City Public Lands

Community Partners

SLC Restoration Ecology Program

Salt Lake City Public Lands

Since 2019, the Public Lands Restoration Ecology Program has been working to improve the ecological health of our public lands. We manage the ongoing restoration of many sites within the in the Salt Lake City municipality. As well as our own production of native plants from locally... Read More →

Friday October 9, 2026 10:00am - 10:30am MDT
Apache Plume

Presentation

Audience Botanists, Industry, Gardeners
Subject Horticulture, Wildlife & Pollinators

10:45am MDT

Planting Natives for Insect Diversity: A Case Study

FILLING

Friday October 9, 2026 10:45am - 11:15am MDT

Mountain Mahogany

Limited Capacity filling up

Speakers

Amanda Barth

Rare Insect Conservation Coordinator, Utah State University

Friday October 9, 2026 10:45am - 11:15am MDT
Mountain Mahogany

Presentation

10:45am MDT

Using community science to understand and protect a rare orchid species

LIMITED

Friday October 9, 2026 10:45am - 11:15am MDT

Apache Plume

Limited Capacity seats available

Since 2013, the Bear River Land Conservancy has recruited community science participants to track the population dynamics of a rare orchid, Ute Ladies'-tresses (Spiranthes diluvialis) at its Mendon Meadow Preserve in Cache Valley. Every August, volunteers locate, count, and map blossoming plants, providing valuable information about the population dynamics of the species, which has been designated as Threatened by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. Through our annual surveys, we have learned that mature populations fluctuate greatly from year to year, as we found just 28 flowering specimens in the drought-stricken year of 2021 but more than 1,400 two years later. Due to its unusual biology, the number of flowering orchids at Mendon Meadow spikes every three years; it's possible that surveys in low-blossom years have helped support a perception that the plant is in danger of extinction, but new populations have been found in recent years and the species has now been proposed for removal from the Threatened and Endangered Species list. One reason for that recommendation is the sustained attention and protection given to Ute Ladies'-tresses at Mendon Meadow.

Speakers

Mark Brunson

Science director, Canyonlands Research Center, Bear River Land Conservancy

Mark Brunson is Science Director for The Nature Conservancy's Canyonlands Research Center in southeastern Utah and also a volunteer for the Bear River Land Conservancy in far northern Utah. He is passionate about native plants and the insects that rely on them, and really about everything... Read More →

Friday October 9, 2026 10:45am - 11:15am MDT
Apache Plume

Presentation

11:30am MDT

Good, Better, Best: Native Plant Cultivars in Ecological Gardening

FILLING

Friday October 9, 2026 11:30am - 12:30pm MDT

Mountain Mahogany

Limited Capacity filling up

This class will explore what the science tells us (so far) about native plant cultivars’ ability to provide ecosystem benefits when compared to straight species across 3 categories. We will explore the science and then review information about specific Utah native plant cultivars on the market and discuss their place in ecological gardening and horticulture.

Speakers

Katie Owens

Owner, Cache Valley Native Plants

Community Partners

Cache Valley Native Plants

Friday October 9, 2026 11:30am - 12:30pm MDT
Mountain Mahogany

Presentation

Audience Industry

12:00pm MDT

Native Plant Research Symposium - Lighting Presentations

Friday October 9, 2026 12:00pm - 2:00pm MDT

Pinyon Pine

Hear from local researchers on native plants, horticulture, ecology, and more!

Speakers

Mark Brunson

Science director, Canyonlands Research Center, Bear River Land Conservancy

Maloree McDonald

Utah State University

I have always been very interested in agriculture and environment, so I got my undergraduate degree in plant science from USU! Then, I started my masters working with invasive aquatic plant species last year. I love that my masters research has introduced me to the regional conversation... Read More →

Friday October 9, 2026 12:00pm - 2:00pm MDT
Pinyon Pine

Presentation

Subject Research

12:00pm MDT

Native Plant Research Symposium - Posters

Friday October 9, 2026 12:00pm - 2:00pm MDT

Apache Plume

Hear from local researchers on native plants, horticulture, ecology, and more!

Speakers

Logan Judd

Undergrad, Weber State University

I just (as of April) graduated with my BA in Zoology from Weber State University. I love all things insects, and I don't think you can appreciate insects without also developing an appreciation for pollination ecology and the plants that make those interactions possible.

Pollina... Read More →

Stephanie Wiegman

Utah State University

I am a new graduate student studying native blue elderberry propagation for my project. Through this project I have developed skills in tissue culture, seed germination strategies and other lab maintenance protocols. I am curious about possible applications for using a native plant... Read More →

Aine Swenson

I love to be outdoors enjoying the beautiful nature we have here in Utah! I am a Senior Botany major at Utah Valley University.

Comparative floristics and ecology of a recreation heavy canyon along the Wasatch Front.
American Fork Canyon, Utah County Utah, is one of the most popular areas for recreation along the Wasatch Front. One of the large draws of people to this area is the plant communities, ranging from color changing aspens, to high alpine wildflowers, and spring blossoms. It also has... Read More →

Vivian Gerstein

I am a PhD student in Dr. Eleinis Ávila-Lovera's lab at the University of Utah interested in the traits that desert plants have that allow them to survive in harsh conditions. In particular, our lab focuses on species with green photosynthetic stems and I am curious how plant traits... Read More →

Abigayle "Abi" Burris

Undergraduate Student, Utah Valley University

About Me: Abi is an undergraduate student pursuing a Bachelor of Science in Biology, with a minor in Zoology. She is currently wrapping up her senior year at UVU and wants to pursue postgraduate studies in veterinary science and plant-animal interactions to help the world of conservation. Outside... Read More →

Friday October 9, 2026 12:00pm - 2:00pm MDT
Apache Plume

Presentation