CHALLENGE |
As a part of its commitment to water conservation the Jordan Valley Water Conservancy District began the development of a Demonstration Garden. The Garden would be a unique place where Utahns could go to see landscaping, irrigation techniques, drought resistant plants that they could use to reduce outside water use in their homes. Vanguard Media Group was charged with helping to build an identity for the Garden and to develop programs and events that would draw Utahns to the Garden. A part of the charge was to have the garden supported with in-kind donations and services.

SOLUTION |
Garden Fairs were created that offered opportunities for Utahns to visit the new gardens, get information about drought resistant plants, receive education and training about drought and water wise gardening and provide support materials so that new ideas could be implemented in their homes.

Create materials and media opportunities to put the garden on display through collateral materials, the Waterquest home (choosing a home in the district’s distribution area to re-do landscaping in a water conserving manner using principles on display at the Demonstration Garden.

RESULTS |
Over a period of three years the summer Garden Fairs have attracted approximately 1,000 visitors to each event. Media promotions have encouraged regular visits to the Garden at the Jordan Valley Water Conservancy District site to approximately 25-30 visitors each day.

Ten percent of the costs of development for the Garden was received in in-kind donations. Two WaterQuest homes have been landscaped - mostly with in-kind funds and have attracted widespread media and community attention. The Jordan Valley Water Conservancy District has plans to expand the Garden and has hired Vanguard Media Group to continue to develop a fund raising plan and program to pay for the expansion.