Importance of Drought Tolerant Plants in Idaho
Faculty Mentor Information
Deserae Orton, Orton Botanical Garden
Presentation Date
7-15-2026
Abstract
In Idaho communities are accustomed to having an excess of water. This has made it incredibly common for people to have green grass lawns. What people don’t realize is that we are a part of a desert in a drought. Nearly 30 percent of the water that we use goes to landscaping. This project is aimed to educate people about the ways that they can use drought tolerant plants to conserve water while also having a beautiful garden. The Orton Botanical Garden is a Garden in Twin Falls that strictly focuses on high desert and native plants throughout the garden. We use the garden as a way to educate the public about the significant dangers of overusing our natural water source. Through public events, garden tours, and classes we teach people about what we can do as a community to protect our resources while also promoting a healthy environment for pollinators and other wildlife.
Importance of Drought Tolerant Plants in Idaho
In Idaho communities are accustomed to having an excess of water. This has made it incredibly common for people to have green grass lawns. What people don’t realize is that we are a part of a desert in a drought. Nearly 30 percent of the water that we use goes to landscaping. This project is aimed to educate people about the ways that they can use drought tolerant plants to conserve water while also having a beautiful garden. The Orton Botanical Garden is a Garden in Twin Falls that strictly focuses on high desert and native plants throughout the garden. We use the garden as a way to educate the public about the significant dangers of overusing our natural water source. Through public events, garden tours, and classes we teach people about what we can do as a community to protect our resources while also promoting a healthy environment for pollinators and other wildlife.