ReThinking Landscapes: Washington County Casting Call Application
The Washington County Water Conservancy District, in collaboration with Slow the Flow, Utah Water Ways, and other local partners, aims to create a residential example landscape that demonstrates the ideal Washington County front OR backyard landscape. Homeowners responding to this "casting call" are offering their landscape as a canvas for our partners to demonstrate attractive, climate-friendly designs that comply with Washington County Ultra Waterwise Landscape Standards. Benefits for Participant: Participant will receive a professionally designed and installed landscape at no cost to the homeowner. The yard will be designed by a local landscape designer and installed by a licensed, experienced local contractor. The project will be installed in April 2026. Applications will close January 18th at 5 pm. Promotion: The transformation process will be documented through professional photography and videography, with return visits/ follow up for up to five years. The project will be featured in our statewide water conservation campaign (slowtheflow.org) and shared through various media channels. For more details about the commitments required, please refer to the last of this form.
Applicant Information
Name
First Name
Last Name
Email
example@example.com
Address
Street Address
Street Address Line 2
City
State / Province
Postal / Zip Code
Phone Number
Please enter a valid phone number.
How do you prefer to be contacted?
Phone
Text
Email
Owner(s) approximate age range (we're interested in selecting participants in different stages of life with different landscape needs and concerns).
18-34
35-49
50-65
65+
Spouse/ Partner Name:
First Name
Last Name
Spouse/ Partner Email
example@example.com
Spouse/ Partner Phone Number:
Please enter a valid phone number.
Are there any additional property owners? If yes, provide name and contact information.
Are there children residing in the home? If yes, check age ranges that apply
0-5
6-12
13-18
Young Adult(s)
Do you have pets that use the yard?
Yes
No
If yes, provide type and name. Example: Dog, Brutus
Which family members would be available to potentially include in video, interviews, media, or other publicity generated by the project? Note: we do not require participation of minor children in filming or media as per parental preference.
Owner/ Applicant
Spouse
Additional Owners
Children
Pets
Other
Are you or any family members employed by the Washington County Water Conservancy District or Utah Water Ways?
Yes
No
How did you hear about this casting call?
Social Media
Local News
Friend/ Family/ Neighbor
Water Agency
City/ County
Other
Project Scope
I am applying for:
Existing front yard makeover
Existing backyard makeover
New construction backyard installation
Other
Property Ownership Status:
Applicant(s) own the property and reside at the address.
Applicant(s) own the property but do not reside at the address.
Applicant(s) live at the property but are not the owners of the property.
Other
Existing Landscape Status
We are looking to make over a "typical" front or backyard that everyone can relate to as being similar to their own. We are prioritizing existing landscapes with living lawn that are maintained-- but boring. We may also opt to demonstrate how a new construction backyard should be installed in harmony with local best practices. Please provide some information and current photo of the existing conditions in your landscape.
Upload a current photo of the proposed front or backyard project area:
Browse Files
Drag and drop files here
Choose a file
Cancel
of
How many years has the majority of the landscape in the project area been installed:
Less than 5 years
5-14 years
15-29 years
30+
Unknown
No existing landscaping, new construction
Other
Is your landscape in a Homeowners Association? Note: this would not disqualify your property, we would coordinate design and approvals with the HOA.
No, my yard is not part of a HOA
Yes, my yard is in an HOA that requires design review and approval for landscaping.
My yard is part of an HOA but landscaping design review is not required.
Other:
If the project is part of a Homeowner's Association, what landscaping rights/ management are held by property owners:
We own the property and have full rights to landscape it within written HOA regulations.
We own the property and may make changes subject to both HOA regulations AND board approval/ design review.
We own a portion of the property and can only make changes to those portions of the landscape.
We do not own or have rights to change the front yard but MAY change the backyard landscape.
Other
If the property is part of an HOA, please provide HOA contact information:
Is your existing yard currently a traditional irrigated grass lawn ("green grass")?
Yes
No
Partial
Not applicable, new construction
Other
Status of existing sprinkler system:
Existing sprinkler system is designed to irrigate only our property, irrigation is controlled by us.
Existing sprinkler system irrigates multiple properties in our development, irrigation is not controlled by us.
None (hand water)
Other
If applying for a front yard, check all existing features that apply:
Mature trees in the front yard
Park strip that is currently landscaped with lawn
Existing park strip trees
Existing sprinkler system (working)
Existing sprinkler system (poor condition or not working)
Park strip irrigation on the same irrigation zone as front lawn
No sprinkler system/ hand water
Existing slopes with retaining wall(s)
Existing slope, no existing retaining wall(s)
Lawn in existing side yard area
If you are applying for a backyard makeover or new construction backyard installation, please indicate which items below apply:
Lot is finish-graded and cleared, no existing landscape, some weeds may be present
Significant removal of existing, non-lawn, vegetation required
Backyard is sloped; may require retention
Existing irrigation system/controller for existing yard landscaping is FUNCTIONAL
Existing irrigation system/controller for existing yard landscaping is NON-FUNCTIONAL
No known irrigation lines in backyard, new construction
Backyard has existing fencing
Backyard has existing lawn that will require removal
Tell us why you're interested in participating in this project. What is motivating you to change your landscape?
What do you dislike about the current landscaping?
What's prevented you from getting started on your desired changes? Select all that apply:
I don't know where to start with the design/layout.
I need a step-by-step plan I can do in small phases.
I'm not sure which materials/features to use (rock, mulch, edging, etc.).
Changing the sprinkler system (zones/valves/drip) feels complicated.
Choosing plants is overwhelming.
I don't know what this will cost or how to make a budget.
I'm unsure about ongoing maintenance ( weeding, pruning, watering).
I don't have the time or physical ability to do the work.
It's too expensive for me right now.
Other
Which areas of landscaping do you feel you could benefit from more information and resources?(select all that apply).
How to re-design my landscape.
How to break the full project down into smaller, more affordable projects that can be done over time.
Understanding project options, materials, etc.
How to change my existing sprinkler system, or install a sprinkler system, to match the new design.
Choosing plants for my yard.
Understanding how to estimate potential project costs.
Learning how to optimize the budget, ways to save money or improve affordability.
Knowing when/ how to complete landscape maintenance tasks on a yearly basis.
Other
New Yard Interests
The demonstration project will be professionally designed and installed following the ultra waterwise landscape standards for Washington County.
Which of the following best describes you:
I want to spend the least time possible maintaining a yard.
I don't mind landscape tasks but I also have other interests/ obligations.
I would like to spend more time actively gardening in my yard.
I don't have enough experience managing a landscape to know what my preference is!
Other
How would you anticipate a landscape makeover would impact the way you live?
Is there anything else you think we should know or consider as we review submissions?
Community Interest
Unfortunately, we are only able to make over one landscape, but we hope to help everyone interested in upgrading their yard have a unique opportunity to learn and grow through the process. Please mark any of the activities in which you might consider participating. Note: No brownie points for just checking boxes, there is no "right" answer, we simply need to prioritize the potential activities we *could* plan to ensure we only expend our resources those with the greatest interest/ value to the community.
If your property is NOT selected, would you like information about any of the following or participate in any of the activities listed? Select all that apply:
Learn about landscape incentives available to offset the cost of my project(s).
Access free online classes and resources.
Join an online group to chat about projects with expert guidance?
Attend a free in person planning workshop in Washington County.
A "walking tour" style class where we can physically visit and learn in existing, completed yard(s).
An in-person and/or livestream class at the selected property to ask questions of the experts that relate to my project.
I would like to learn about opportunities to tour the selected landscape when it's completed.
I would appreciate a free design review of my self-created project plan BEFORE I begin work.
Other
I would be most interested in participating (select all that apply):
In-person or live demonstration at a real project site, I learn best by observing.
Online live classes where I can ask questions but need not be physically present.
In-person class(es) in Washington County.
Pre-recorded online classes where learning can fit my own pace and schedule.
Online groups with other homeowners working on similar projects.
I would rather plan my projects independently but would appreciate access to free expert advice if needed.
I'd rather research on my own, I am not interested in any of the above activities.
Other
I would be interested in participating in the following activities to help with future projects:
An evening visit at the site with the contractor and designer where I can ask questions that pertain to my own projects.
A site assessment tour or class that shows how to analyze the landscape and break it down into projects.
A post-construction tour or follow up tour next season.
A landscape workshop to get help from experts with my own plans.
An online neighborhood group with others transforming their yards to ask questions and get ideas.
Help with plant selection for my own landscape.
Add me to the email list for information about classes, incentives, or project updates.Your information will ONLY be shared with Utah Water Ways (Slow the Flow) and the Washington County Water Conservancy District for the purposes described above.
Yes
No, thank you
General Participant Commitments:
General Participant Commitments: Property owners, and their families (except minor children), commit participate in interviews with the videographers/ media and share their experiences through the transformation process-- your personal "story" and experience with the transformation process is key. Participants may commit to allow other Washington County residents to visit the project, either during and/or after completion, as part of an organized class or tour for community education. Your address will be provided to the media, funding and construction partners, and local public officials for site visits and/or those registered in advance for scheduled classes or tours, but it will otherwise not be made publicly available. Any landscape incentives that may be paid out through local landscape incentive program(s) would be remitted to the non-profit, Utah Water Ways, to offset the project installation cost. Participants commit to maintain the landscape, as installed, for a minimum of five years. Participants agree to allow access to historic, current, and future water use data, between 2024-2031, to Utah Water Ways and the Washington County Water Conservancy District as a means to measure the water conservation impact of the landscape transformation over time.
I have read and understand the general expectations from program participants and am willing to participate in the outlined ways:
Yes, I am generally willing to allow access to the property and data as described.
No, I am uncomfortable with some of the expectations.
Maybe, nothing requested is an immediate no but it depends on the details.
Please verify that you are human
*
Submit
Should be Empty: