The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints has committed $3 million to the Office of the Great Salt Lake Commissioner to accelerate the removal of invasive phragmites surrounding the Great Salt Lake, according to state officials on Thursday, October 29, 2026.
Combatting Invasive Species
The funding is intended to bolster critical habitat restoration, protect vulnerable shoreline wetlands, and help sustain natural water inflows into the lake. The mitigation efforts will focus on phragmites, an aggressive, non-native reed that grows in dense stands reaching up to 15 feet in height.
According to the Utah Department of Natural Resources, phragmites consumes several thousand acre-feet of water each year, poses a significant wildfire risk, and prevents water from reaching the lake. The plant also degrades vital habitats for millions of migratory birds and consumes twice as much water as native plants, Governor Spencer J. Cox said.
Management and Oversight
Great Salt Lake Commissioner Hannah Freeze said the donation allows the office to continue vital treatment schedules. These efforts will align with seasonal ecological windows for multi-phase mitigation, mechanical land clearing, and long-term shoreline restoration.
Work will be overseen by the Office of the Great Salt Lake Commissioner and managed through multiple divisions within the Department of Natural Resources. These include Water Resources, Water Rights, Wildlife Resources, and Forestry, Fire and State Lands, working in coordination with conservation groups and local waterfowl management entities.
Church Conservation Efforts
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints stated it is mindful of weather-related disasters and the impact of extended drought in the western United States on the Great Salt Lake. The organization noted that while an ultimate resolution to the lake's low water levels depends on increased precipitation, it is encouraged by the collaborative efforts of government entities and community groups.
In addition to the $3 million donation, the Church has leased nearly 30,000 acre-feet of water to the Great Salt Lake, making it one of the largest single donors of water assets to the lake to date. This transaction is intended to protect existing water flows and increase flows to the lake and surrounding wetland habitats.
Regional Water Stewardship
The Church reported that in 2026, its $3 million donation for phragmites control is estimated to save thousands of acre-feet of water. Other water-saving measures include the installation of over 3,100 smart irrigation controllers on Church-owned properties across the Intermountain West, including approximately 1,700 within the Great Salt Lake Basin.
These installations are estimated to save hundreds of millions of gallons of water annually. The Church also reported annual water-wise conservation efforts in the Intermountain West that save approximately 1,600 acre-feet of water, including updates to Temple Square landscaping that are estimated to save up to 20 million gallons of water annually once fully established.
The Commissioner's Role
The Office of the Great Salt Lake Commissioner was created by the Utah Legislature in 2023. The office is tasked with maintaining a strategic plan and coordinating collaborative work among various agencies and interests regarding the lake.
