Art and Science Flow Together on Tanque Verde Creek

I spent a lovely spring morning immersed in nature, creating land art at the Santa Cruz Watershed Collaborative Spring Forum in the dry Tanque Verde Creek. 

After morning introductions and a special water blessing by Chairman Nunez of the San Xavier District of the Tohono O'odham nation, forum participants (from various city and county departments and environmental organizations) broke into two groups: those participating in the riparian health assessment and those of us who wanted to play! That is, participate in a land art workshop. 

So the citizen scientists set off...

The first thing our teacher, Kimi Eisele, did was reassure us that whether our not we identified as artists, we WERE all artists.

"There is a long history of land art in which artists (usually male) make giant, permanent works that alter the landscape or our perception of it. Many of these works are successful at helping us see aspects of the environment different," Kimi shared. "I think another land art can be any kind of play or 'making' in a landscape—with words, movement, sculpture, drawing. Such practices are, to me, a conversation with the landscape and a collaboration with Mama Earth, the greatest artist of all! Any 'works' made in the landscape can be large or small and are usually temporary, as are the processes of nature."

Photo credit: Joaquin Murrieta Saldivar

"At Santa Cruz Watershed Collaborative’s spring forum, my goal was to invite participants into an improvisational conversation with the Tanque Verde creek bed, to notice patterns, lines, shapes, textures, and colors and respond in an active, creative way."

Our exploration in land art began with observing nature by gathering three objects that caught our eye in the dry river bed. We learned to see them in a new way by arranging them and other objects on black paper. 

We set off to explore, play and create "works" in the landscape large or small. I was blown away by the variety, creativity and thought that went into those works. 

Mead Mier, co-lead of the SCWC collaborative, captured the moment, "I loved Kimi Eisele’s Land Art activity because it was a full sensory way to connect with Tanque Verde Creek and deepen my observations. I asked to team up with my friend and colleague Kimberly Baeza from Pima County when I saw her grabbing branches from a flood debris pile and she said they were just asking to be held back up again."

When the citizen scientists returned, they were invited on a tour of the "exhibit" where each of the artists shared the inspiration and meaning of their pieces. 

"We were thinking... we wouldn't plan it all out strictly but adapt to where each piece was needed as we went. Some pieces were structural, others were back-up support, and others were the beauty that can be added on top of every step. I was compelled to add a medical herb that was one of the only lush understory around. Other plant fibers became functional by being warning flags on the branches that stuck out, beautiful colorful and textural chandelier-like components, and simultaneously symbolic of the love, time, and care we put into projects," explained Mead. 

A flowerlike sculpture that was about how personal growth ripples out to affect others. 

Some pieces were interpretations of the river.

Lisa Townsend was inspired by the structures called "bowers" that male bowerbirds construct to attract females.

This piece provided a cozy place for participants to lay down and gaze at natures art above them - becoming part of the art. 

Another piece invited participants to become part of the art by laying down to look through the Y-shaped branches that directed the view toward the trees. 

After the tour, we all gathered together to witness plein air painting and enjoy storytelling by Pascua Yaqui artist and Tribal Liaison with Pima County Public Health Department, Marcelino Clemente Flores.

While Marcelino continued to paint, Tucson Water Director John Kmiec, discussed their Recycled Water Project.

I was really impressed how the organizers blended art and science for a memorable experience with place - inspiring us to work together to find innovative solutions for Santa Cruz Watershed Collaborative projects. Thanks to all the artists and citizen scientists for their contribution. 

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Kimi Eisele is a writer, multidisciplinary artist, and folklorist in Tucson, Arizona. Her work seeks to illuminate connections among humans, plants, non-human animals, and landscapes. She is the author of The Lightest Object in the Universe (Algonquin Books, 2019), and her writing has appeared in Guernica, Longreads, Orion, High Country News, Terrain, and others. She is of BorderLore, the online publication of the Southwest Folklife Alliance, where she works as a folklorist, documenting expressive culture and curating public programs honoring diverse cosmologies, occupations, and cultural practices. Her upcoming project, Landing Place, in collaboration with Maxie Adler, amplifies plant and animal species in the heritage stretch of the Santa Cruz River and will be installed May 10, Santa Cruz River Day.

kimieisele.com

Docs about Loving the Land, Water & Critters at the Arizona International Film Fest

https://www.filmfestivalarizona.com/index.php?pg=17

Sunday, April 6th, 3pm @ The Screening Room

127 E Congress, Tucson, AZ

Seed of Sovereignty AND Kanenon:we - Original Seed screenings (and Q&A)

Seed of Sovereignty: avisually stunning documentary on Mexico's escalating battle with the U.S. to defend its biodiversity, food sovereignty, and cultural heritage. At the conflict's core is a U.S. push to force Mexico to adopt GMO corn and industrial farming practices, which threaten the nation’s traditional agriculture and environmental health. The Mexican government and advocacy groups resist. The film challenges viewers to consider a country’s right to provide safe, nutritious food while preserving its environment and identity.

Director: Stuart J Tanner (U.S.) 

Kanenon:we - Original Seeds features three Haudenosaunee women: Angela Ferguson, Rebecca Webster and Rowen White, who are stepping back into their sacred responsibility as seed keepers. Today, Indigenous seed keepers are vigilantly protecting the biodiversity of seeds under threat of Agro-Chemical Giants that currently control over sixty percent of seeds worldwide. They honor the work of our ancestors by regenerating, rematriating and protecting sacred seeds offering a powerful view of what is possible in Indigenous communities working towards food sovereignty.

Director: Katsitsionni Fox (U.S)

https://aziff33.eventive.org/sch.../67d78d883743afad9162c42b

Tuesday, April 8th, 6:00pm at the Screening Room

127 E Congress, Tucson, AZ

The American Southwest

The American Southwest is a feature length blue chip natural history film narrated by indigenous environmentalist Quannah Chasinghorse. The movie journeys down the mighty Colorado River, examining the astonishing beauty and biodiversity of the region, while confronting the environmental impacts of colonization, river depletion, species loss, and the perilous fate of the river. The story is told through never-before-seen wildlife sequences such as beavers building wetlands, condors recovering from the brink, and the potential return of Jaguars to American soil. The film beautifully advocates for better management of the river and increased wildlife conservation efforts in the iconic Southwest.

The American Southwest is a love letter to a region that we deeply love... and it's much more than a film. We have an impact campaign with several conservation organizations to create long-lasting benefits for the Colorado River and wildlife in the American Southwest. First and foremost, the "Law of the River" is being renegotiated in 2026, and this film is boldly advocating for environmental flows, deconstructing harmful dams, and giving the Colorado the right to flow to the sea. Thank you for selecting The American Southwest.

https://aziff33.eventive.org/schedule/67d78d883743afad9162c437

Short Docs

Sunday, April 13th, 1:00 PM @ The Screening Room
127 E Congress, Tucson, AZ

Children of Agave

In the agave fields of contemporary rural México, a new silhouette of masculinity takes shape. Work, fatherhood, and nature intertwine over the course of a workday with three men whose sensitivity and idiosyncrasies warmly depict the legendary craft of the jimador, challenging the stereotype of the Mexican macho. Through the hypnotic labor of agave harvesting and the shifting light of the day, we witness the threats looming over the artisanal work of these farmers, the deep respect these loving fathers have for their families, and the significance of freedom in reshaping the image of men in this society.

Director: Ivan Lopez-Barba (Mexico)

The Shot List

Two wildlife photographers document brown bears in Alaska’s Katmai National Park to tell the untold stories of these iconic yet deeply misunderstood animals.

Director: Aaron Baggenstos

Tarantula Land

A Texas brown tarantula navigates its changing landscape through touch and vibration in the grasslands of southern Colorado.

Director: Andrew Motte (U.S.)

https://aziff33.eventive.org/schedule/67da317269c09a04f1301fd7

Community comes out for Arcadia Wash Clean up

Dan and I have been anxiously waiting for rain to nourish our bone dry catchment basins. This time of year our cisterns and basins are usually filled to the brim by our Winter rains. Talk about bad timing! As dark clouds gathered on Valentines Day, we held off on emailing the reminder about our first neighborhood wash clean up scheduled for the next day. We had mixed feelings as we came out of The Loft Cinema to find puddles in the street. Our holiday dinner was delayed as we checked out the wash to see if it was full of water. Luckily, the little bit of rain had already sunk into the sandy floor.

 The Pinecrest Neighborhood Association's Arcadia Wash Cleanup was on! But would the rain dampen the spirit of the neighbors? Would anyone show up? 

We needn't have worried. At 9am a good sized group of neighbors, families from Desert Sky School (including Ward 6 city council candidate Charlie Verdin and son), and the Trashy Divas showed up eager to start picking up trash!

People grabbed tools and recycled trash bags at Desert Sky Community School. Thanks Tucson Clean and Beautiful for supplying the bags and tools and Desert Sky for providing a meeting place with water, snacks, and bathrooms. Also, thanks to Andrea, Jane and Dan for providing breakfast goodies and coffee. 

Then we broke into three groups to cover the different sections of wash from Fairmount to Speedway. After this group took off, another showed up. Thanks to our community (about 35 of you!) for showing up to make our neighborhood more beautiful and protect our water system from trash! 

I led the last group, that included Miranda Schubert who is running for city council for our ward (bending over to pick up some trash). Wow! This little group kept cleaning for 3 hours - all the way to Speedway! Charlie Verdin was there all day too.  In fact, Charlie was so impressed by Miranda's community spirit that he dropped out of the race and is now supporting Miranda's run. 

And it was a good thing too. There was plenty to pick up! 

The Trashy Divas showed us some mad skills on how to compact trash and use a plastic bottle to safely collect needles. 

People gathered at the water station at Bellevue to drop off full bags, pick up more bags, or take a much needed break. 

Not to mention, chat with neighbors and new friends! 

Greg and Dan got their wheelbarrows to carry trash from Bellevue to the city trash pickup location on Fairmount. The guy gabbing in the red shirt is my husband Dan Stormont, the Wash Adoption lead. Someone even recruited a young homeless man to help!

And boy, did they need the help. Look at all this trash we collected! Over 80 bags!

Thanks to everyone who helped to make Pinecrest Neighborhood's first cleanup a success!  It was definitely a community effort! That's what I call neighborhood spirit! 

You can find more information on what we are up to on our Pinecrest Neighborhood Facebook and Nextdoor pages, as well as our webpage. Our events are also posted on the bulletin board at Pinecrest Park. Keep a lookout for more information about our Potluck Brunch on March 8th. 

Relocating Our Grumpy Pollinators

Bee keeper Shawn searching for the hive in our wall

If you walk past my yard, you will see signs that read, "Plants for Birds" and "Rainwater Harvesting Basin at Work." And you're likely to see birds enjoying the desert trees and bushes in our basins. But you might wonder how exactly those basins are "at work" considering we have had so little Winter rain? While things are looking a little sparse this time of year, the basins are still providing shelter for pollinators. A few of the pollinator plants I planted this year are hanging in there, like our Mexican Honeysuckle and a pine needle milkweed.

But it's the remaining mulch (made up of woodchips, mesquite leaves, horse purslane and poppy stems) that provides a nesting place for our native bees. We are always amazed to see them show up in mass when the desert broom blooms. #lovemyrainbasin

Meanwhile, in the backyard we had a less welcome pollinator - Africanized honey bees. They had built a hive in the hollow support post of our back wall - right by my little veggie garden. For a while, I just lived with them - cringing when they buzzed by my ear. But then it happened... I was picking a piece of plastic out of the nearby compost pit and disturbed a bee that chased me through the yard, into the house, through the hallway, all the way to the back bathroom - where it stung me. Yep. It was time to get them out of my garden. 

I posted a note on Tucson Beekeepers Facebook page asking for help removing the bees without killing them. A few days later I got a message from Shawn (amateur bee keeper and all around bee lover) offering his services. That was the start of our bee relocation adventure. 

This process wasn't as fast and easy as simply exterminating them. It ended up taking almost three months. Unfortunately, ours was a particularly difficult removal because the bees were well established. Usually it takes two to six weeks.

First, Shawn sealed several cracks and holes with caulking just to see better where they were going in and out. They chewed right through it like was nothing but it gave him a good idea where it would need to be sealed with steel wool. But in our case it was the pretty much the entire wall that needed to be sealed with steel wool - since there were lots of cracks and holes left from the nails used by the previous owner to hold up vines. 

"The wall had so many cracks and pin holes that it was like Swiss cheese and every time we sealed them up they found another entrance further down the wall. And that's why I also offered to open up the wall to get them out that way so we weren't just chasing a very persistent hive." Shawn explained.

But apparently we can be just as stubborn as the bees, so we decided to wait it out. 

The next step was hanging a "trap out cone" which allows the bees to leave but not re-enter the hive. Since we were trying to safety remove them, Shawn also hung a box (called a Langstroth hive) and filled it with queen bee pheromones in hopes that the bees would move in there. 

Shawn used steel wool to seal any opening other than the one we wanted them to use which was through the trap out cone.

The bees that were locked out of the hive started to gather by the exit hole near the trap out cone. Why don't they just go into the box?!!!

Frightened by that swarm, I got Dan to water the few plants we still had growing under those bird cages (pictured on the right.) When it was my turn to take our kitchen scraps to the compost pile, I flung them and kitchen sink water into the pile (pictured behind the prickly pear cactus) and rushed back into the house as fast as my legs could carry me. 

On the other side of the fence the bees were trying to get back in so I had Dan water the plants in the backyard too. 

Then it was time to watch and wait for the queen to leave the hive - followed by a large swarm of frantic bees.

As I mentioned, it took nearly three months due to all the holes in the fence and because the previous hive had not been properly cleaned out or sealed. 

Shawn explained, "Since your wall already had a hive in it previously my guess is that there was already a comb built for them in there which is what takes the longest and most resources to build. They essentially got a free furnished home and only had to move in, so I'm sure they had a good stock of supplies inside which also contributed to why they were very stubborn ladies."

Since this process took longer than expected, we had to cancel having our eucalyptus tree pruned since the chainsaw might attract the already aggressive bees. Safety first. And I never did get my Winter garden planted. 

I wouldn't recommend doing this in the Winter since the worker bees get locked out in the cold. We saw some dead bees that had been locked out all night during the freeze. Why can't they just use the box? 

The bees nearly put a cramp in our annual Christmas sing-a-long celebration - since we hold it on our back patio. But we noticed that the bees didn't seem as active on the cold winter nights. To make sure, we performed a little test - turning on the porch lights and singing "Jingle Bells" at the top of our lungs accompanied by enthusiastic bell ringing. No bees in sight! The party was a go! 

We finally saw a wild bunch of bees swarming around the hive. Was this it? Was the queen finally leaving the hive?!!!  Shawn came with his smoker and bee vacuum and grabbed the hive to take it back to his property in Vail. 

I wish that was the end of the story, but a few days later we found these in the garden. 

 
"That may have been a new swarm trying to get in. Which again is why I would like to seal it up. It's a beacon to any other swarm to move into a fully furnished house You will have bees trying to get in as long as there are openings so I will check to make sure they are gone and then try sealing it up a bit."

Altogether Shawn picked up three good swarms! What's happened to the bees?

Shawn shared, "To save the bees I have moved them to my apiary here in Vail where they are next to the wash and have all the mesquite trees they could ever want without being in someone's backyard.
When spring rolls around we will requeen which means I will order in a gentle honey bee and replace their queen with her. That way when she lays eggs the new brood and bees will have those gentle genetics in them (since your girls have been very spicy!)"

I asked Shawn if the bees were doing alright. 

"Oh ya I checked in on them yesterday with my kids. We walked to their set up and could see them being busy bees bringing in pollen so they got right to work!"

LATEST UPDATE FROM SHAWN

"They have what's called "capped brood" now which means the queen has laid eggs they fed the larvae and they sealed up the cell they were in for the bee larvae to pupate into an adult bee. So they are doing well and very VERY spicy girls haha. They do not like me. haha." 

But Shawn definitely likes them... 

"I save the bees because they awesome! Just sit and watch them for a while and you'd be amazed at their little collective mind. They are also a pollinator for a lot of plants and while there are many other insects that aid in pollinating none that I know except for the humble honeybee that give us back honey! On my property I have a little orchard. So they love spring and go crazy for all the different apple, peach, pear and wildflowers I have. Then of course in my area we have acres and acres of mesquite trees that they collect the nectar from which gives you the signature mesquite honey."

I started doing this since I was beekeeping and one day a friend said they had bees under their shed and asked if I could help since I had a bee suit. I said "Ya, we can give it a shot" and went for it! And I fell in love with it! Since then it just has grown by word of mouth and referrals."

So that's our bee adventure! What I learned was to get them out as soon as possible when you see them. Don't let them go for months!  Don't let it go until Winter. And be sure to seal up the wall (and/or wash it out with soap) if you have bees exterminated or relocated. 

Thank you, Shawn. I look forward to getting back to my garden. 

Wrapping up for the freeze

As anyone who has tried winter gardening in Tucson can tell you, the weather forecast can be iffy at best. I have been getting FREEZE ALERTS for the last few days along with sporadic announcements of possible rain and even snow - so I thought it was time to cover the base of our moringa to protect the roots. 

It was 48 degrees on Wednesday (but it felt colder in the wind) so I wrapped piping insulation around each of the thicker branches down by the trunks (tying it snug with string). 

HISTORY: Before I get any complaints about wrapping plastic around them, let me share a little history of our moringa. About eight years ago we planted moringa seeds in our new right of way basin with the idea that they would be well watered in the coming monsoons. I babied those seeds, using  tomato cage and shade cloth to protect them from the scorching June sun and watering them daily. We were amazed by how quickly they grew in the monsoon rain!  What we didn't anticipate was that, unsheltered on the side of the street, they would die back in a hard freeze.

Dec. 2017. The towels we wrapped around them didn't save them.

Heartbroken, we finally cut back the dead branches. We were delighted when they came back from the roots in the Spring. 

After a freeze warning one year, we tried covering the whole plant but that trapped the moisture and mold grew inside the branches and on our precious nutritious leaves. That's when I started protect them with piping insulation - which seemed to help. But when it rained some moisture did get caught between the insulation and the trunk. (Despite some mold, they still came back). So I started covering the insulation with old plastic table cloths. 

Yesterday it was supposed to rain, so I wrapped a cheap, old plastic table cloth around it to keep the rain out - tucking it between branches and holding it together with binder clips. Then I stuffed a plastic grocery bag in the hole in the top to make sure the rain wouldn't get in.. This was a challenge in the icy wind! I had to hold the tablecloth down with rocks so it wouldn't blow away.

;

Our poor moringa (a tropical plant) has been really struggling with the sporadic weather this year. Record heat and very little rain. I was able to harvest leaves for tea twice, but it didn't come back like it usually does. (Usually pruning it encourages more growth.)

Now it seems confused by the unseasonably warm winter, but no winter rain. It sent out new leaves (that wouldn't grow bigger) and even flower buds!  

Ever hopeful, we deep watered it recently (with the little rainwater left in our cistern) to help it out. 

But with the leaves already starting to droop from 36 degree weather and rain on it's way, I finally decided to harvest the little leaves for soup.

I held the branch and pulled off the biggest leaves. (No, I don't have 3 hands! Dan is holding the strainer for me...) Still hoping for warmer weather, I did leave some sprouting leaves with the flower buds. 

The table cloth did its job and kept out the rain (a whole 0.02"!) nicely. 

Back in the warm house, I washed them and removed the tiny leaves from their stems. 

I added moringa to some veggie scraps to make a super healthy broth. 

This gave me a chance to use up some wilting veggies I found in the fridge and some leftover broth, noodles and bread for soup and sandwiches.

After removing the kitchen scraps from the broth, I added potatoes, carrots, peas, and more moringa. Finally, I threw in some left over noodles to make a yummy noodle, veggie moringa soup. 

Nothing warms you up like wrapping up in a fluffy housecoat after a hot shower and enjoying a piping hot bowl of noodle, veggie moringa soup. 

By the way, we didn't end up having a hard freeze last night after all. (Maybe tonight?) Last I looked, the buds were still hanging in there! Crossing my fingers for them to finally bloom. It's always a bit of a gamble on whether to harvest them or not. 

Update: After the hard freeze some smaller branches, leaves and buds are dead. But some bigger branches, leaves and buds are still alive after 2+ days of freezing weather. So covering the base really seems to have helped.  

Some life left after 2+ days of freezing weather.

In the eight years we have had them, our moringa have given us lots of joy (some frustration) and many healthy meals and tea. Now I recommend that people plant their trees on the side of a building or surrounded by other trees to protect them from the cold. (Moringa's taproot goes down vertically so it can be planted close to the house.)  They are definitely worth it. 

MORE INFORMATION 

Story of 4 Little Moringas

#lovemyrainbasin