Check out this illustration on the Ecology of Neighborhood Rain-Irrigated Native Food Forestry by local artist Dennis Caldwell.
To download a high-resolution version see HERE
A physical version of the sign is posted along the public path near 813 N. 9th Ave, Tucson, AZ.
(We are currently working on the Spanish-language version).
Can you find the following in the illustration?:
• Spadefoot toad
• Spiny lizard
• Caliche hardpan
• What the curve-billed thrasher caught
• The bird nests and native baby birds whose diet is over 90% caterpillars and grubs. (Which is why it is so important we plant plants native to the Tucson Basin. The caterpillars of native butterflies and moths can only subsist on native plants, as they have not evolved to adapt to, and eat, non-native plants. And the adult stage of those native butterflies and moths visit and pollinate native plants.
If no native plants, we have no native pollinators, and no baby birds.
• Mr. Rodriguez, old time resident of Dunbar/Spring, owner of Azteca Shoe Shop, porch musician
• Can you recognize other old time residents of our neighborhood in the illustration?
• Nigerian dwarf goat
• Mesquite pod harvesting
• Our resident roadrunner
• And a whole lot more – enlarge the image to search for all the hidden gems and details
The sign post was made from salvaged old pipe and a chunk of old sidewalk by local artist/metalworker Allen Reilley who started the metalworking arm of BICAS when it was still in our neighborhood.
For how to make more of what is featured in the illustration/sign and more see:
NeighborhoodForesters.org
and
HarvestingRainwater.com