Following an exceptionally mild winter, Utah entered the fifth year of its current drought this summer. The U is currently one of the state’s largest consumers of water. To the U’s credit, much has been done to improve conservation efforts on campus. Last year the U was able to cut water consumption on campus by 36 percent.
Although the conservation efforts of the U have been very effective and should be applauded, more can and should be done on campus. As arguably the state’s premier educational institution, the U needs to implement innovative and effective means of conservation measures.
One such measure would be the implementation of conservation-friendly landscaping, or xeriscaping.
Xeriscaping is the use of native plants and grasses in the landscaping of an area. In Utah, this would mean using foliage that is friendly to the desert climate in which we live; in other words, foliage that would require less water.
Estimates of the amount of water a particular landscape could save by xeriscaping range from 20 to 60 percent. The benefits of xeriscaping, however, are not exclusively financial.
One of the drawbacks of the current conservation efforts on campus is the wilting landscape. The browning grass displays environmental responsibility, but does little to please aesthetically.
The implementation of plants and grasses native to the Utah landscape can serve to beautify campus. Furthermore, xeriscaping would provide continuity and uniqueness to campus-a uniqueness that would set the campus apart from its counterparts elsewhere.
Admittedly, overhauling the entire campus with a new landscaping strategy would be quite costly. Xeriscaping is a process that requires careful planning and time.
The U should begin to develop a comprehensive plan for how the campus might be transformed. It is also essential that the U lobbies the Utah State Legislature for funding, applies for federal grants and seeks out private donations.
Conserving water in times of drought is always a good idea. It is time to move towards more effective and comprehensive solutions. Xeriscaping provides a legitimate alternative to the Band-Aid solutions currently being applied.