Latter-day Saints Pledge $3 Million for Salt Lake

The church is funding efforts to remove invasive phragmites reeds that threaten the Great Salt Lake's ecosystem.

Updated on Oct. 29, 2026 in Latter-Day Saints

Screen-print poster illustration of phragmites reeds in a lake, evoking the environmental conservation efforts for the Great Salt Lake ecosystem. — The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints has pledged $3 million to the Office of the Great Salt Lake Commissioner to eradicate invasive phragmites reeds. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

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The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints has pledged $3 million to the Office of the Great Salt Lake Commissioner for invasive phragmites removal. This donation aims to combat the invasive reed species that disrupts local water resources and habitats.

Why it matters

Phragmites are an invasive species that consume significant amounts of water while degrading migratory bird habitats and increasing wildfire risks throughout the region.

Invasive phragmites reeds can grow up to 15 feet tall and consume tens of thousands of acre-feet of water annually. The Utah Department of Natural Resources has actively worked to manage this species for the past 10 years.

The players

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints

This is a global religious organization headquartered in Salt Lake City that maintains significant cultural and community ties throughout Utah.

Office of the Great Salt Lake Commissioner

This state office is responsible for overseeing the health and restoration efforts of the Great Salt Lake watershed.

Utah Department of Natural Resources

This state agency manages and protects Utah's natural resources, including wildlife, water, and public lands.

The details

Management of these reeds involves treating them with herbicide, removing dead material through fire or mowing, and completing follow-up treatment cycles. Oversight for these efforts is provided by the Office of the Great Salt Lake Commissioner and the Department of Natural Resources.

The Utah Department of Natural Resources has been managing phragmites since 2016.
Prescribed fire operations in May 2026 covered 5,000 acres near Farmington Bay.
The $3 million donation was officially announced on October 29, 2026.

Culture Shift

This donation reflects a growing emphasis on environmental stewardship within large community organizations to protect natural landmarks. The funding bolsters habitat restoration objectives established under the Great Salt Lake Commissioner's state mandate.

Residents may see an increase in controlled removal efforts, such as prescribed burns or mowing, near local wetlands. These actions are intended to reduce wildfire hazards and improve the ecological health of areas near the Great Salt Lake.

The takeaway

The removal of phragmites is essential to preserving Utah's water supply and protecting the ecosystem surrounding the Great Salt Lake. Clearing these reeds helps restore vital migratory bird habitats and reduces the intensity of potential wildfires in the area.