Utah PlantFest 2026: Full Schedule

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

1:00pm MDT

UNPPN Meeting

LIMITED

Friday October 9, 2026 1:00pm - 2:00pm MDT

Mountain Mahogany

Limited Capacity seats available

The Utah Native Plant Propagation Network is a new group of nonprofit, governmental, educational, and local businesses with the goals of:

Make genetically diverse, local-provenance native plants more readily available to individuals and professionals across Utah.
Provide a venue to share expertise, ideas, and resources.
Develop collaborations and connections among experts in the world of native plants.

This network is interested in getting native plants into the hands of Utah nurseries, designers, and gardeners. We want native gardening to be accessible to more people!

This is for members of the Utah Native Plant Propagation Network - not a member yet? Feel free to join and learn about the network.

Speakers

Sarah Hinners

Director of Conservation and Research, Red Butte Garden & Arboretum

Community Partners

Red Butte Garden & Arboretum

Grand Staircase Escalante Partners

Utah Native Plant Society

Friday October 9, 2026 1:00pm - 2:00pm MDT
Mountain Mahogany

Meeting

Audience UNPPN Members
Subject Horticulture, Research

2:30pm MDT

UNSN Meeting

LIMITED

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

Mountain Mahogany

Limited Capacity seats available

The Utah Native Seed Network seeks to preserve and improve the biological diversity and ecological functionality of Utah lands, by ensuring the right seed in the right place at the right time.

This network is made of nonprofit and governmental partners interested in growing Utah's capacity and ability to research, collect, grow out, and use native seeds for restoration, conservation, and reclamation. These efforts strive to support Utah, especially rural communities, through economic development, resilience to wildfires and other disasters, and restoring the Great Salt Lake.

This is for members of the Utah Native Seed Network - not a member yet? Feel free to join and learn about the network.

Speakers

Jackie Grant

Executive Director, Grand Staircase Escalante Partners

Sponsors

Zach Earl

Outreach & Education Chair, Utah Native Plant Society

Main planner of Utah PlantFest 2026Native Plant Program Manager at Grand Staircase Escalante PartnersOutreach & Education Chair of the Utah Native Plant Society

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

Meeting

3:45pm MDT

UNPS Members' Meeting

LIMITED

Friday October 9, 2026 3:45pm - 4:15pm MDT

Mountain Mahogany

Limited Capacity seats available

Do you want to be part of the Utah Native Plant Society? Interested in helping us decide what to do? Want to vote for board members? Everyone is invited to this meeting, but only paid members of the Utah Native Plant Society can vote.

Join UNPS today! Click on this link to our website.

Friday October 9, 2026 3:45pm - 4:15pm MDT
Mountain Mahogany

Meeting

Audience Active UNPS Members Only

10:00am MDT

TBD: Check Back Soon!!!!

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

Mountain Mahogany

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

10:45am MDT

Bumble Bee Atlas

LIMITED

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

Mountain Mahogany

Limited Capacity seats available

Community Partners

Amy Dolan

Endanged Species Conservation Biologist, Xerces Society | Bumble Bee Atlas

The Xerces Society for Invertebrate Conservation is a science-based conservation organization, working with diverse partners that include scientists, land managers, educators, policymakers, farmers, and communities. By utilizing applied research, engaging in advocacy, providing educational... Read More →

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

Presentation

11:30am MDT

TBD: Check Back Soon!!!!

Saturday October 10, 2026 11:30am - 12:00pm MDT

Mountain Mahogany

Saturday October 10, 2026 11:30am - 12:00pm MDT
Mountain Mahogany

12:15pm MDT

Rare Plants of Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument

LIMITED

Saturday October 10, 2026 12:15pm - 12:45pm MDT

Mountain Mahogany

Limited Capacity seats available

Speakers

Adam Memmott

Seed Technician, Grand Staircase Escalante Partners

Parker Lloyd

Seed Technician, Grand Staircase Escalante Partners

Community Partners

Grand Staircase Escalante Partners

Saturday October 10, 2026 12:15pm - 12:45pm MDT
Mountain Mahogany

Presentation

1:00pm MDT

Not Your Basic Bee: Identifying and Supporting Native Pollinators

FILLING

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

Mountain Mahogany

Limited Capacity filling up

In this presentation, attendees will learn about the amazing pollinator diversity in their backyards and how to support these populations. We will go over the basics of pollinator identification and classification, then discover all the different forms, behaviors, and benefits of these awesome critters. Lastly, we'll discuss simple ways to support pollinators in backyards and beyond.

Community Partners

Sego Lily Gardens | Sandy Public Works

Water Education & Public Outreach Coordinator, Sandy City Public Utilities

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

Presentation

Audience Everyone, Gardeners
Subject Wildlife & Pollinators

2:30pm MDT

Landscaping for Place

FILLING

Saturday October 10, 2026 2:30pm - 3:30pm MDT

Mountain Mahogany

Limited Capacity filling up

How to create and maintain a landscape with connection to place by planting native, passively harvesting rainwater, supporting wildlife, building community, and more!

Speakers