Center for Water-Efficient Landscaping

The goal of Youping Sun’s research is to generate practical information for water conservation in the Green Industry – urban landscape management and nursery plant production. Sun was recognized by PSC for his exemplary research during his 3+ years at USU and successful mentoring of graduate and undergraduate students.

Congratulations to PSC and CWEL Masters student Ji Jhong Chen for being selected as one of the ten 2021 American Society of Horticultural Science Outstanding Graduate Students and finalist for the Robins Award, Masters Student Researcher of the Year!

WERA-1013 is an officially recognized Western Education/Extension and Research Activity designed to enhance the introduction and evaluation of native plants and to provide education concerning their use and propagation.

CWEL’s Kelly Kopp took part in a question-and-answer session held as part of USU Research Landscapes on March 2, 2021.

The Center for Water Efficient Landscaping donated twelve Bigtooth maples that were planted at the Denzil Stewart Nature Park on Saturday, October 30th, 2020.

CWEL Director Kelly Kopp discusses the use of water-wise ornamental grasses for wildlife habitat on National Public Radio's Wild About Utah program. An audio recording is also available.

Recent CWEL graduate student Shane Evans publishes More “Pop” Per Drop: Smart Irrigation in the Landscape Business and the SportsField Management trade journals.

CWEL Director Kelly Kopp participated in a trip to the Philippines in order to learn more about Extension abroad and make connections with program administrators, practitioners, and academics in the field.

This free program is available in many locations throughout the state including Cache, Iron, Washington, Davis, Weber, Morgan, and Summit Counties. CWEL is also charged with administering the program in Salt Lake City, Sandy City and Eagle Mountain. If you live outside these areas, check out our online DIY Water Check tool to help you perform your own Water Check.

The Career Specialist Award is the most prestigious award that the USU Extension Specialist Association can bestow on an individual. In January of 2020 Dr. Larry Rupp was honored with this award at the annual Utah Extension Conference.

CWEL and Utah State University doctoral student Paige Boyle, Clint Mattox (Oregon State) and Timothy Lulis (The Pennsylvania State University) are being recognized as Watson Fellows with a $5,000 award from the Golf Course Superintendents Association of America (GCSAA).

The Utah Golf Course Superintendents Association, along with Utah State University, has resulted in the publication of "Utah Golf Course Industry Best Management Practices Guide".

This report contains an analysis of landscape water use for the Utah State Capitol grounds. It is being provided in response to a legislative request for this information. The Capitol grounds crew requested and received a Water Check in July and August of 2018. It was provided through the Water Check program affiliated with the Center for Water Efficient Landscaping (CWEL) at Utah State University (USU) Extension.

CWEL’s recent book, “Combinations for Conservation: Recommended Plant Groupings for Low-Water Landscapes” was awarded the 2018 Outstanding Book Award by the American Society for Horticultural Science Extension Division. CWEL faculty, Youping Sun accepted the award for the group at the ASHS annual conference August 3rd 2018 in Washington D.C.

Eagle Mountain City is now home to two highly advanced weather stations paid for and maintained by Utah State University. These two stations, located near the Rodeo Grounds and Nolen Park will collect very precise weather data for the City of Eagle Mountain to use in coordination with the USU WaterMAPS and WaterChecks programs.