Name: The Salt Lake City Native Plant/Restoration Ecology Program
Start: 2026-10-09T10:00:00-0600
End: 2026-10-09T10:30:00-0600

The Salt Lake City Native Plant/Restoration Ecology Program

LIMITED

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

Apache Plume

Limited Capacity seats available

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

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Utah PlantFest 2026

Blake Wellard

Roger Kjelgren

SLC Restoration Ecology Program

Attendees (16)

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Success you have shared X tickets.

Utah PlantFest 2026

Blake Wellard

Roger Kjelgren

SLC Restoration Ecology Program

Attendees (16)

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