| Above: native mesquite grasslands, Catalina foothills |
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What is 'Green'?
Green Design is an approach to man-made landscapes that takes its inspiration from nature, from local places like the mesquite grassland above, which is beautiful in every season of the year.
Green Building is an approach to design and construction that lowers water and energy costs, both during the building process and in the finished landscape.
* Lush tropical plants can be concentrated in containers or compact focal areas for maximum impact.
* The larger landscape can be designed using native boulders and earthworks and drought tolerant plants.
* Rainwater harvesting and greywater use can reduce or eliminate the need for irrigation.
* New technologies in lighting and irrigation systems use less energy and water than traditional systems.
* Maintenance programs using integrated pest management and organic fertilizers make the landcape
healthier for people and their pets.
These are just a few Green ideas - its' a rapidly evolving field - an an exciting one. The result of this integrated approach is that the landscape builders and owners have a more positive impact on our environment. This is an approach that we can bring to a landscape project of any size or scale.
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| Harvesting Rain
Rainwater harvesting in the desert is a challenge - with a huge payoff. Here we've made a detention basin 20' long by 10' wide that 'borrows' water from street runoff as well as collecting rainwater from the property. These shots show the basin the morning after a monsoon storm. By 2 PM all the water had sunk into the soil - so mosquitoes are not an issue - but newly planted native plants are jumping out of the ground. Other photos show how quickly the desert responds: several cacti are in bloom and all of the ocotillos are flushed with new leaves - all just a week after the first rain.
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Rescuing Saguaros
One of the first principles of green design is to rescue and re-use plants, as well as inert materials such as boulders and soil. Here in Tucson the most important plant to rescue and re-use is the saguaro cactus. These photos, taken in the spring of 2008, show the process of moving a mature saguaro, well over over 100 years old. This specimen was growing in what would become the house-site itself. It was re-located the same day to provide a stunning centerpiece for the entry drive.
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Aravaipa Canyon
Aravaipa Canyon is part of our lives. These most recent photos include Diana's daughter, niece, son, plus a few other inhabitants. We don't have photos of all of the coatis and javelinas and turtles and gila monstors and the dozens of species of birds and wildflowers we've seen there in the last decade. For the last four years we've spearheaded an effort, coordinated with the BLM, to control the highly invasive tamarisk trees that are threatening to choke the canyon. In one photo you can see Sophia's hands are full of tamarisk seedlings - soon to be history. If you're interested in joining us, for day hikes or overnights, please contact us - we are always looking for good company for a good cause. And its a beautiful cause.
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