Photo supplied, Utah Division of Water Resources

In total, communities across Utah converted over 120,000 square feet of grass into drought-resistant landscapes on Thursday.

As part of the second “Flip Blitz” campaign, the Utah Division of Water Resources along with water districts, Utah municipalities and Utah State University Eastern converted 120,441 square feet of grassy patches into more water-wise landscapes. Part of the campaign’s purpose is to educate citizens on how landscape changes can make a big difference in terms of water conservation.

“We have three conservancy districts, eight residential properties, 11 cities, one (non-governmental organization), and three businesses as partners this year,” Josh Zimmerman, Utah Division of Water Resources water conservation coordinator, said in a press release. “Our community partners understand that by converting their park strips to a water-wise design they can improve their curb appeal while saving huge amounts of water, and we’re excited about the opportunity to raise awareness about it.”

During the Flip Blitz, 5,256 square feet of park strips were converted by the Price City Fire Department and Utah State University Eastern Prehistoric Museum.

“At the prehistoric museum, we study the archaeology and paleontology and geology here of eastern Utah, so we love seeing these park strips look a little more like the desert around us,” said Tim Riley, museum director. “Now the block around the fire station, the museum and City Hall will all look a little more like the beautiful natural desert that so many people come to visit from all over the world.”

Photo supplied, Utah Division of Water Resources

At the first Flip Blitz campaign in September 2021, four residential properties were converted into drought-resistant landscapes. This year, however, 20 different Flip Blitz projects were completed.

“Utah is becoming more drought resilient,” Candice Hasenyager, director of the Utah Division of Water Resources, said in a press release. “This second round of Flip Blitz demonstrates Utah’s statewide level of collaboration and commitment to further advance water conservation initiatives.”

According to Michael Sanchez, a public information officer for the Utah Division of Water Resources, this year’s Flip Blitz was successful and showed that Utahans are becoming more mindful of where their water goes.

“I think overall it was a success,” he said. “I think it’s just the ongoing drought. … People care what happens to their water, and we don’t know how much water we get each year so we just need to know how to be drought resilient in those years that we don’t get so much water.”

According to Sanchez, there is already talk at the Utah Division of Water Resources of having another Flip Blitz event within the next year.

Photo supplied, Utah Division of Water Resources

“I can only imagine where we can go from here,” he said. “It really shows that a lot of people care about water in Utah.”

The complete list of Flip Blitz project locations is as follows:

Weber and Davis counties (total: 9,280 square feet)

• 300 N. 1000 West, Clearfield City: 1,600 square feet
• 1890 N. Fort Lane, Layton: 680 square feet with another 700 possible
• 4400 South between 275 and 300 West, Washington Terrace: 7,000 square feet on a city property

Utah County (2,190 square feet)

• 6337 Bull River Road, Highland: 328 square feet (front) 32 square feet (mailbox)
• 2696 W. 570 North, Provo: 325 square feet
• 112 W. 900 South, Santaquin: 283 square feet
• 354 E. 100 South, Provo: 357 square feet
• 1685 W. 800 South, Lehi: 373 square feet
• 961 W. 550 South, Orem: 337 square feet
• 4479 E. Pine Hollow Drive, Eagle Mountain: 155 square feet

Washington County (102,667 square feet)

• Gubler Park, Santa Clara: 34,000 square feet
• Sunbrook HOA, St. George: 43,000 square feet
• Cemetery, Washington City: 7,000 square feet
• Nisson Park, Washington City: 12,000 square feet
• City Office, Hurricane: 1,000 square feet
• Utility Park, Ivins: 4,225 square feet
• City Hall, Toquerville: 1,000 square feet
• Washington County Water Conservancy District, St. George: 442 square feet

Price/USU (11,256 square feet)

• Price USU Eastern: 6,000 square feet
• Price City Fire Department/Prehistoric Museum: 5,256 square feet

Volunteers in the 2022 Flip Blitz campaign across the state included representatives from the Bonneville Environmental Group, Meta, GovFriend, Wards Landscape and Garden Center, the Central Utah Water Conservancy District, Weber Basin Water Conservancy District, Washington County Water Conservancy District, Jordan Valley Water Conservancy District, St. George City, Santa Clara City, Washington City, Hurricane City, Ivins City, Toquerville City, Clearfield City, Washington Terrace City, Layton City, Price City, Utah State University Eastern campus, Utah State University Prehistoric Museum, localscapes.com and utahwatersavers.com, along with Ryan Davis with Western Roots Wholesale and Brandon Miller with Ikon Landscaping.