Our First Project

Bear Springs Ecological Restoration Project
sites 1&2

BOWIE, ARIZONA, USA

Greening the Arizona desert

Located at the foot of the Chiricahua Mountains near the USA/Mexico border, this privately owned property has a fragile desert ecosystem with historically notable biodiversity that has been damaged by human activity. Funding was in place to plant 4,500 trees and 100's of 1000's of 30 varieties of shrubs and wild flowers with locally sourced seed. A team of ecologists and implementers began reshaping the land for water catchments in 2022 which will support widespread germination of these diverse pioneer plants.

Defining the problem

Globally, groundwater is becoming more and more scarce. Arid regions now make up 33% of the earth’s landmass. In desert environs like Bear Springs, the rainwater that does come falls in such large volumes, and in such short amounts of time, that only marginal amounts can be absorbed. Instead, flash floods careen down the length of the watershed, eroding hillsides and carrying precious topsoil miles away. 
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Over the centuries, industrial and agricultural pursuits have further reduced the soil’s ability to support life. As groundwater disappears and soil quality degrades, vulnerable lands can support less vegetation. Fewer plants mean less decaying leaf matter and therefore less nutrients returned to the soil. Without protective groundcover, the soil becomes subject to heat and wind and the process of degradation increases.

Bear Springs Ecological Restoration Plan

The Bear Springs habitat is a high desert ecosystem with historically notable biodiversity that has been damaged by human activities.

The five-part plan was designed to remedy the effects of these activities: erosion, soil degradation, species reduction, lowered aquifers and stress on economies. 


‍1. Design and construct site-specific earthworks-based rainwater catchment and retention methods.
2. Restore and protect soil viability.
3. Reseed native vegetation without irrigation.
4. Design and plant a demonstration site with mature irrigated
vegetation and interpretative signage.
5. Enhance economic viability through sustainability. 

Project Summary

Location: Bowie, Arizona, USA

Project Type: Natural Climate Solution

  • Construct site-specific earthworks-based rainwater catchment and retention methods

  • Restore and protect soil viability

  • Reseed native vegetation without irrigation

  • Design and plant an educational demonstration site

Size: 4500 seeded rainwater catchments concentrated on 25 acres of a privately- owned 1,040 acre property.

Status: Complete

Environmental benefits:

  • Mitigate impacts of climate change

  • Restore native vegetation and critical habitat

  • Enrich local biodiversity

  • Reduce erosion and improve soil quality

Community benefits:

  • Enhance economic viability through sustainability

  • Create local jobs

  • Educate public

Partners

  • Sonoran Permaculture Guild

  • Borderlands Restoration Network