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Salt Lake City Natural Areas: Growing into Something Great 

The Division of Trails and Natural Lands is on a mission to restore native plants across our city’s public lands. Their goal is to create thriving landscapes with biodiversity that will benefit humans and wildlife. Through ongoing research and hands-on restoration work, the team has an effective approach for transforming our natural areas and they are excited to give the public a behind-the-scenes look at the work being done. 

What are native plants? 

Native plants are species that naturally grow in the geographic region they are found. They have grown for thousands of years without human introduction and have evolved over time to adapt to soil conditions and local climate. 

What are invasive plants? 

Invasive plants are non-native plants that spread aggressively in our natural spaces. These plants may look normal, but they do not provide habitats for local wildlife, they disrupt ecosystems, and invasive plants often lead to issues such as soil chemistry/soil erosion.  

Unfortunately, Salt Lake City’s natural areas are currently overrun with invasive species. That is why the TNL team is taking action to combat this important issue.  

How Restoration Works 

Restoration is not always a simple process because invasive plant seeds can remain dormant in our soil for up to ten years. The TNL team has two economical removal options: 

1. The use of heavy herbicide for many years 

2. Occultation Tarps 

  The TNL team chose the second method to prioritize environmental health and community safety.  

Step 1: Occultation Tarps 

The process of occultation involves laying down large black tarps over the invasive plants to “cook” the soil, killing any plants or seeds that are present. This is not the prettiest phase of restoration, but it is a powerful step to revive our native plant ecosystem for years to come. 

Step 2: Weed Barrier 

After the occultation phase is complete, the tarps are removed, and temporary weed barrier takes its place. Our TNL team then burns holes in the weed barrier and places native plants into each fabric opening. This step reduces the number of hours spent weeding while giving the native plants time to establish themselves. 

Final Goal: Healthy Natural Areas 

Once the native plants take root, the weed barrier is removed, and our natural areas are left in thriving conditions with increased biodiversity.  

The TNL team knows that black tarps and weed barriers in natural areas might raise questions in the community. That is why the team chose to share this process. The TNL team wants to help the public see the bigger picture of this project by informing them about the incredible work being done. 

Want to learn more about restoration efforts? Follow us on social media and explore the rest of our website for more information!