April 22 is Earth Day, but Intermountain leaders are committed to doing our part to make the world a greener place every day. This includes prioritizing efficient water use and regenerative land use. One way we’re working toward both is by replacing water intensive landscaping grass/turf with nature-based solutions intended to benefit both biodiversity and human well-being. The switch typically results in significant water savings and a sustainable management of the natural ecosystems.
Intermountain will be finishing up five projects in April and May of 2022. Here’s a summary of the projects:
- American Fork Hospital:
- Removed 2.87 acres of turf—estimated to save 2.6 million gallons of water per year and eliminated the need for 2,300 pounds of fertilizer/herbizers per year.
- Planted 57 trees.
- Installed a monarch butterfly waystation to support migrating monarch butterflies.
- Lake Park:
- Planted 25 trees.
- Orem Community Hospital:
- Removed 2.14 acres of turf—estimated to save 2 million gallons of water per year and eliminated the need for 1,700 pounds of fertilizer/herbizers per year.
- Planted 56 trees.
- Installed a monarch butterfly waystation.
- Riverton Hospital:
- Removed 10 acres of turf—estimated to save 9.3 million gallons of water per year and eliminated the need for 8,200 pounds of fertilizer/herbizers per year.
- Planted 175 trees.
- Installed a monarch butterfly waystation.
- TOSH - The Orthopedic Specialty Hospital:
- Removed 3.2 acres of turf—estimated to save 2.9 million gallons of water per year and eliminated the need for 2,600 pounds of fertilizer/herbizers per year.
- Planted 24 trees.
- Installed a monarch butterfly waystation.
- Saratoga Springs Clinic:
- Removed .73 acres of turf—estimated to save 674,000 gallons of water per year and eliminated the need for 600 pounds of fertilizer/herbizers per year.
- Planted 22 trees.
- Installed a monarch butterfly waystation.
Intermountain is also teaming up with TreeUtah in April and May to plant trees at four hospitals. Caregivers and their family members are welcome to volunteer at these events. Each event is from 3 to 6 p.m. Please bring your own gloves and water bottle. Here’s the schedule:
- Wednesday, April 20, at Riverton Hospital
- Tuesday, April 26, at Orem Community Hospital
- Wednesday, May 4, at Intermountain Lake Park
- Tuesday, May 17, at American Fork Hospital
To volunteer for a tree planting event or to learn more about Intermountain’s sustainability projects, email sustainability@imail.org.