When most people think of biology class, they picture thick textbooks, diagrams of cells, and memorizing vocabulary words they'll probably forget after the test. But what if biology class felt more like solving a mystery? What if students became scientists investigating why millions of migratory birds are disappearing, why a lake is shrinking, and how something smaller than a grain of rice could help explain it all? Welcome to one of the coolest science lessons we've seen, of

As more Utah, Colorado, and Mountain West homeowners plant native landscapes we see an unexpected benefit emerging: native plants may help support ecological conditions that naturally reduce tick populations. While no plant can completely repel ticks, researchers increasingly recognize that native plant communities contribute to healthier ecosystems that are less likely to experience pest imbalances. Native landscapes support biodiversity, encourage beneficial wildlife, and c

For HOAs, resorts, developers, and communities across the Mountain West, one of the biggest concerns about native landscapes is simple: “Will it still look good after the flowers fade?” It’s a fair question. Many people imagine native landscapes becoming dry, brown, or untidy by midsummer. But the reality is that many Utah native and water-wise plants maintain attractive green foliage throughout the growing season — even after blooming. Some even provide evergreen structure t

Utah's Famous Fruit Way has been a peachy place. Every summer and fall, families from across Utah make the drive along Utah’s Famous Fruit Way on Old Highway 89 to buy peaches, cherries, apples, pears, raspberries, tomatoes, sweet corn, jams, honey, and fresh local produce directly from the people who grow it. This year, supporting fruit farmers matters more than ever After having the warmest winter in 131 years, blossoms on growers’ tart and sweet cherries, peaches, apricots

Across Utah, two powerful efforts are working together to restore the land from the ground up: the Utah Watershed Restoration Initiative and the Utah Native Seed Cooperative. Why does future of Utah’s land start with something you could hold in your hand? A seed. Across the state of Utah, a quiet but powerful effort is underway, growing native seeds that are uniquely adapted to Utah’s soils, elevations, and dry conditions. This isn’t just about plants. It’s about rebuilding e

How to Find Your House in Google Earth and Make a Base Map Step 1: Open Google Earth Go to Google Earth on your computer. Use the search bar to type in your home address. Google Earth will zoom to your property. Step 2: Switch to a Top-Down View Zoom in until you can clearly see: Your house Driveway Sidewalks Patio or deck Yard edges Existing trees or large shrubs For the most accurate drawing, use a straight-down view. Google recommends top-down view for better measuring ac

A Simple, Visual Guide Anyone Can Follow For inspiration, visit local native gardens like Red Butte Gardens in Salt Lake City Step 1: Start With What You Have Create a Basemap: Sketch your property from above Include: House Driveway Paths Existing trees Use: Google Earth - Read our blog on How to Create a Landscape Design Basemap Using Google Earth Your basemap is your foundation. Step 2: Observe Your Land What First to Look for When Designing Your Garden: What direction does

There’s a moment, after your first bloom and when you pick your first handful of berries, when something magical happens. Your yard stops feeling like something you maintain, and starts feeling like something alive. It becomes a living community that provides food for not only you, but wildlide, and the soil. It is no longer an assoertment of plants or a garden, but something meaningful. Why a Native Berry Patch Changes Everything A single berry shrub is nice. But plants thri

Watersheds are the quiet systems that make everything possible. They carry water from the mountains to our towns, feed rivers and lakes, grow our food, support wildlife, and keep landscapes alive. When they’re healthy, you see it everywhere—clear streams, thriving plants, cooler, greener spaces. When they’re not, the signs show up just as quickly: dry soil, poor water quality, and stressed landscapes. As our communities grow and drought puts more pressure on water, taking car

What if the most powerful water-saving tool in your yard… was already designed by nature? In a place like Northern Utah—where snowpack feeds our rivers, our soil determines what soaks in, and every drop eventually makes its way toward the Great Salt Lake—water isn’t just something we use. It’s something we’re part of. And yet, many of our landscapes are working against that system. Traditional lawns and non-native plants often demand far more water than our environment can su

Drought is a way of life in Utah and across the Mountain West—but your landscape doesn’t have to struggle because of it. Hot, dry summers and limited rainfall can put pressure on traditional lawns and thirsty plants. But there’s a better way to design a yard that not only survives dry conditions—but thrives in them. One of the smartest (and most beautiful) solutions? Go native. Utah’s native plants are naturally adapted to drought. With deep roots and built-in resilience, the