Utah PlantFest 2026: Full Schedule

10:00am MDT

The Salt Lake City Native Plant/Restoration Ecology Program

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

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

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

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

Audience Botanists
Subject Research

2:30pm MDT

Jobs with Plants Panel

LIMITED

Friday October 9, 2026 2:30pm - 3:30pm MDT

Apache Plume

Limited Capacity seats available

Learn about jobs available in the world of plants with plant professionals with a wide range of experiences.

Speakers

Morgan S. Abbott

Consulting Botanist/Owner, Abbott Botanical Assessments, LLC

Interdisciplinary Consulting Botanist with over a decade of experience in semi-arid high elevation plant communities across the Western United States. I am an ISA Certified Arborist (TX-5091A), hold multiple certifications and publications in environmental hydrology.

Luiza Maria Aparecido

Assistant Professor, University of Utah

As an Assistant Professor in the School of Biological Sciences at the University of Utah and leader of the Aparecido Lab, my research is focused on plant ecophysiology, ecosystem ecology, and global change on natural and urban systems. My work specifically examines how plants adapt... Read More →

Matt Wang

Conservation Program Manager, Red Butte Garden & Arboretum

I have a BS in Botany from UVU and an MS in Plant Biology and Conservation from Northwestern University. I have worked for the NPS, BLM, and 3 different botanic gardens (Red Butte, Santa Barbara and Chicago). I'm currently the conservation program manager at Red Butte Garden. My current... Read More →

Friday October 9, 2026 2:30pm - 3:30pm MDT
Apache Plume

Panel

Audience Job Seekers
Subject Careers

10:00am MDT

Urban Stewardship

LIMITED

Saturday October 10, 2026 10:00am - 10:30am MDT

Apache Plume

Limited Capacity seats available

Speakers

Tim Remkes

Owner, Remkes Environmental

I would like to be able to share tips and tricks to getting a job in a plant related field, and what different jobs in plants can look like. I can also present on developing a native plant habitat and what it takes to turn a lawn or fallow piece of land into a space that is ecologically... Read More →

Sponsors

Remkes Environmental

Landscaping

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

Presentation

10:45am MDT

TBD: Check Back Soon!!

Saturday October 10, 2026 10:45am - 11:15am MDT

Apache Plume

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

11:30am MDT

Rebates and Programs Panel

LIMITED

Saturday October 10, 2026 11:30am - 12:30pm MDT

Apache Plume

Limited Capacity seats available

Learn about programs like Flip Your Strip, Utah Pollinator Habitat Program, and more!

Speakers

Matthew O'Brien

Water Conservation Coordinator, Utah Division of Water Resources

Matthew works at the Utah Division of Water Resources, where he helps administer the Landscape Incentive Program throughout rural Utah, from San Juan County to Cache County. During his graduate studies at the University of Utah, he focused on reintroducing native flora to urban ecosystems... Read More →

Community Partners

Utah Division of Water Resources

Conservation Program Specialist, Division of Water Resources

Saturday October 10, 2026 11:30am - 12:30pm MDT
Apache Plume

Panel

Audience Gardeners

1:00pm MDT

Getting Started Panel

LIMITED

Saturday October 10, 2026 1:00pm - 2:00pm MDT

Apache Plume

Limited Capacity seats available

Are you new to native gardening? Not sure where to start? Join local experts to ask your questions!

Speakers

Ali Jackson

I have over 75 species of Utah-native plants in my suburban yard and save 80,000 gallons of water annually by having gathering spaces and gardens instead of a lawn. I enjoy growing native plants for food and medicine and to provide habitat for wildlife.