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By Megan Kimble, October 24, 2011 10:32 am

An aquatic inventory team explored this dry wash in the Rincon Mountains during the BioBlitz (photo by Megan Kimble)

Standing under the sun on a 110-degree day in Tucson, it’s easy to assume the Sonoran Desert is a hostile, lifeless place. But, venture into the hills, and you’ll find a different story. Nestled among the giant Saguaro cacti is a brimming ecosystem, hosting the greatest diversity of vegetative growth of any desert worldwide, as well as an astonishing array of mammals, reptiles, birds, and aquatic invertebrates.

This weekend, the National Park Service and National Geographic teamed up to host the 5^th annual BioBlitz in Saguaro National Park to inventory the diversity of that ecosystem.

A BioBlitz is a 24-hour event to find and identify as many living species as possible in a national park. Scientists and experts lead inventory teams of students, teachers, and community members into Saguaro National Park East and West to explore the park’s mountains, valleys, cactus forests, washes, and tinajas in search of the desert’s wildlife.

An un-inventoried rattlesnake (photo by Megan Kimble)

Each team had a focus—from Gila monsters to aquatic fungi—and they ventured into the national park for two- to four-hour shifts. School kids took over the inventory teams all day on Friday, Oct. 20, as part of a broader mission to get young people excited about science.

Two of the major events unique to Tucson included the saguaro census, which focused on counting the growth and preservation of the iconic saguaro forests, and the night sky inventory, which measured light pollution in and around Tucson, an important measurement for the many world-class observatories located outside the city.

Tucson’s BioBlitz was the fifth in a series of 10 annual BioBlitzes planned by National Geographic and the National Park Service, leading up to the Park Service’s centennial in 2016. The first BioBlitz was held at Rock Creek Park in Washington, D.C., in 2007; in the Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area in California in 2008; Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore in 2009; and Biscayne National Park in Florida hosted last year’s BioBlitz.

While inventorying species is the stated mission of the BioBlitz, the event is as much about the park as the people—getting people into the park—which is why all BioBlitzes focus on national parks adjacent to major urban areas around the U.S.

John Francis, the Vice President of Research, Conservation and Exploration for National Geographic, explained why: “We’re trying to awaken people who don’t really understand their deep connection with nature,” he said in an interview on the National Geographic BioBlitz website. “Sometimes in the urban setting you don’t get out into nature. But there are parks around the country that are close to the city, and we want to get the schoolchildren and the families into the park, to get them to be with those who really know it and love it and get them bitten by the bug that’s so exciting about loving nature through these BioBlitz activities.”

The Tucson BioBlitz was the first large-scale species inventory of Saguaro National Park. Check out images and results from the BioBlitz on the National Geographic BioBlitz blog.

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By Simmons Buntin, June 22, 2011 9:32 am

Terrain.org is pleased to announce — and invites you to read and follow — the new blog of editor-in-chief Simmons Buntin: One-Car Town: Logging the one-car lifestyle in new suburbia:

http://onecar.terrain.org

One-Car Town tracks Simmons’s experience living without a car in suburban Tucson, Arizona. He and his family live in the community of Civano; he works full-time about 16 miles away, at the University of Arizona, though also edits Terrain.org. Recently he and his wife sold their two cars, dumping their monthly payments in favor of a trusty used Honda Accord. That’s the family ride.

Simmons now carpools and takes the bus to work, a big switch after driving solo for the last eleven years. Why the change? That’s
what this blog is about: to explore the social, economic, and environmental factors of pursuing simplicity in a one-car-per-family lifestyle.

Won’t you come along for the ride?

http://onecar.terrain.org

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By Rafael Otto, February 18, 2011 7:52 am

The first TedxTucson event took place in December 2010, focusing on Tucson’s green economy and innovations to help stimulate sustainable energy and technological advances. In this video, Dave Follette takes a look at Tucson’s prime location in the heart of sun country and explores the current limitations of solar energy. He goes on to suggest new methods of condensing solar power, a system that could place energy towers throughout the desert and provide power to huge portions of the state and the country. And it could be done with zero emissions. Have a listen:

Click here for a write-up of December’s TedxTucson event.

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By Simmons Buntin, January 8, 2011 9:57 pm

U.S. Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords

The state of Arizona has been a contentious place to live, politically, for several years now. As a resident of Tucson, I know. We live in a state where it seems that hatred and a selfish, so-called pioneering “spirit” have been at the core of our legislature and governor’s seat, and perhaps beyond. Legislation that provides for racial profiling, that bans ethnic studies, and — most recently — that provides for the purchase of a handgun without background checks and the carrying of concealed weapons without a permit has been energetically approved by a legislature that prides itself on being “maverick” — as if leadership is defined by that singular trait — but has no overarching sense of community, respect, and compassion. These acts go beyond the ability of someone to reasonably protect him- or herself and into the realm of hate and anti-government. That polls and voting demonstrate that many of the state’s residents support such moves is astounding and disturbing. Or comes down to ignorance, self-imposed or otherwise, which is just as disturbing.

But the tragic events of today, when U.S. Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords was shot point blank along with 18 others, when a federal judge, a nine-year-old girl, and a Congressional aide were murdered (among others) by a 22-year-old man with a semi-automatic assault gun at a public event in a public space, has surpassed anything most of us could have feared.

The editors of Terrain.org send our deepest condolences, thoughts, and prayers to the families of those injured and killed. We hope for fast and full recoveries by Congresswoman Giffords and the others who were injured.

We also call for an overhaul of the state legislature, a full repeal of the race-based and hate-based legislation and dangerous gun legislation. The effects of such legislation, though indirect, are nevertheless evident in the actions of today.

We live in a geography of rich cultural and ecological diversity, a diversity that should be celebrated with respect, openness, and compassion. Hate has no place here.

Congresswoman Giffords is an amazing person, the U.S.’s biggest elected representative for renewable energy, a strong advocate for place and the kind of diversity that can make this state such an inspiring and wonderful place. Just a year ago she wrote the guest editorial for Terrain.org’s 24th issue: “Solar is the Bridge to Our Future.”

Let us build from this tragedy to create a state that values diversity and compassion, and let us always remember those who lost their lives and suffered injuries.

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By Rafael Otto, December 4, 2010 12:23 pm

TED began in 1984 as a way to bring together people from the fields of Technology, Entertainment and Design. The nonprofit has since expanded to host speakers from numerous specialties in venues around the world. Their mission is simple: Ideas Worth Spreading.

TEDx (x=independently organized TED event) offers organizers a framework to initiate local, grassroots presentations and discussions. TEDxTucson’s premier gathering took place on Friday, December 3 at the Rialto Theatre in downtown Tucson. The topic: Innovating Our Green Economy. Jane Poynter, a crew member of the historic Biosphere 2 project, hosted the evening.

Among many notable speakers were Dr. George Land of the Arizona Innovation Institute who compressed two million years of human history into a twelve month calendar. On that scale, human beings finally discovered fire by mid-November. All of the change and innovation of the last century would be compressed into the final moments on December 31. Most importantly, he stressed the significance of creative, innovative thinking to help guide us toward a sustainable future. By suggesting that we return to creative thought patterns from our earlier years, about age 5, we would stimulate innovative ideas by physically using larger portions of our brain, specifically activating the frontal lobe.

Bruce Wright discussed the current state of solar power innovation at the University of Arizona’s Science and Tech Park Solar Zone. The Solar Zone is on track to start producing enough solar-generated electricity to meet its own energy needs, as well as generating power for the Tucson community.

James MacAdam of the Watershed Management Group suggested something quite simple: less concrete = less water runoff = more urban green spaces.

Ever considered growing chemical-free food with artificial light and no soil? Josh Hottenstein of Verdant Earth Technologies discussed “containerized” growing systems that use 99% less water than conventional field-based crops. In fact, these systems are already being used by some Subway restaurants in Japan, providing fresh lettuce grown on location.

Jonathan Northover painted a hopeful picture for the future of all electric vehicles, one where cars might use interchangeable batteries at stations along America’s highways to reduce charging time. He left the audience, and Jane Poynter, drooling over the sporty, $60,000 Tesla S which will be available in 2012. The vehicle can travel up to 300 miles per charge, go from 0 to 60 in 5.6 seconds, has no tailpipe emissions, and is built in California.

The message at TEDxTucson was upbeat, hopeful and encouraging, and every speaker left the audience thinking about prospects for the future. From entrepreneurship to regional policy to rainwater harvesting at our homes, the event set the stage for developing Tucson’s green economy, opening the doors for ideas and innovation. Only one question remains, how will you play your part?

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By Simmons Buntin, November 3, 2010 12:01 am

And if you’re in Tucson, you can, too!

Poetry Goes for a Hike, with Wendy Burk and Eric Magrane

Saturday, November 13, 7:30 am to 1:00 pm (hike)
Wednesday, November 17, 6:00 to 8:00 pm (workshop)
Tuition: $75 + $8 transportation fee

The University of Arizona Poetry Center

Like plein-air painting, writing in the field refreshes the spirit and creates indelible work. Join two poets (one of whom is also a professional hiking guide) for a moderate 3- to 5-mile hike. A chartered van will transport participants from the Poetry Center to the trailhead. The morning will be filled with poetry, bird song, scenic views, and writing exercises—with some physical exercise thrown in. Participants will attend to the sensory experiences of the trail and render them in poetry that respects and embodies wilderness, both inner and outer. A few days after the hike, we’ll reconvene in the Poetry Center’s classroom to discuss and review the work generated on the hike.

Prior to the hike you’ll receive a simple supply list. Please have suitable footwear (e.g., hiking boots) and be physically able to hike a moderate 3- to 5-mile hike over rocky terrain. The hike will take place in one of the mountain ranges surrounding Tucson (either the Santa Catalinas, Tucson Mountains, or Rincons). The specific trail will be chosen the week before the hike, based on seasonal trail and weather conditions.
Poets Wendy Burk and Eric Magrane (a Senior Hiking Guide at Canyon Ranch) have written poetry together in wilderness environments as Artists-in-Residence in three National Parks. Eric taught the popular Ecopoetics class for the Poetry Center and is the editor of Spiral Orb, an online experiment in permaculture poetics. Wendy is Library Specialist at the Poetry Center and is the translator of Tedi López Mills’ While Light is Built.

Register by visiting poetry.arizona.edu or calling 520/626-3765

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By Simmons Buntin, January 18, 2008 6:29 pm

The Civano Community School—which Simmons Buntin’s daughters attend—won the “Go Green with All” greenest grade school in American contest, announced today on The Ellen Show. Very cool!

Details at http://gogreenwithall.com/home/.

In addition to a $50,000 grand prize for the school, each student receives an iPod shuffle with a solar charger, and each family receives a year’s supply of All concentrated detergent.

This is the work of many good folks, but Pam Bateman, school marm, deserves special recognition.