Water Efficiency Specialist Lindsay Nerad designed the new garden demonstration as a way to educate the public about fire-smart principles. “The whole idea behind this demonstration is to showcase what the sustainable landscape templates look like in person and to inspire people to implement these ideas in their own landscapes,” she said.
Some of the low-flammability plants displayed in the demonstration will include Penstemon, Yucca and Currants. Other key fire-smart features are the use of rock mulch throughout planting areas, strategic tree placement and the construction of landscape elements made from durable, fire-resistant materials such as concrete and metal.
“The demonstration balances aesthetics and biodiversity with fire-smart landscaping techniques,” said Nerad. “It keeps the things that are important for water-efficient landscapes like native grasses. There is a common misconception that native grasses are a fire hazard, but well cared for native grasses can actually be less flammable than many non-native species. Grass can still be used in fire-smart landscapes which you will see in the new demonstration.”
According to Nerad, those who should be especially mindful of fire-smart landscaping are residents living next to open spaces or natural areas —commonly referred to as wildland-urban interface. She emphasized the importance of maintaining a plant-free defensible space of at least 5 feet around a house or structure and ensuring that trees are planted so their canopy is at least 10 feet from buildings at maturity. “Avoid wood fencing and high-flammability trees like Junipers, because embers from a nearby fire can get caught in the wind and land in your yard causing a blaze,” Nerad said.
The fire-smart demonstration was completed in late May 2026. Northern Water’s Conservation Gardens are open to the public from sunrise to sunset daily.