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Thumbnail_ValerClark Re-Watering the Ground
Re-Watering the Ground
Re-Watering the Ground

We have experienced the placement of rocks on hillsides in eroded areas. The rock dams capture silt and water. A great many dams placed close together in all drainages capture so much water that the hills become sponges.

We have experienced the placement of rocks on hillsides in eroded areas. The rock dams capture silt and water. A great many dams placed close together in all drainages capture so much water that the hills become sponges.

Thumbnail_Troyo 10-Years Experience in Building Rock Gabions and Check Dams in the Cacachilas Mountain Range, Mexico
10-Years Experience in Building Rock Gabions and Check Dams in the Cacachilas Mountain Range, Mexico
10-Years Experience in Building Rock Gabions and Check Dams in the Cacachilas Mountain Range, Mexico

Rancho Cacachilas is a land restoration and ecotourism project in the Sierra Cacachilas mountain range, 30km east of the city of La Paz, Baja California Sur, Mexico.

Rancho Cacachilas is a land restoration and ecotourism project in the Sierra Cacachilas mountain range, 30km east of the city of La Paz, Baja California Sur, Mexico.

Thumbnail_ATCole Hinge-Felling, Best & Cheapest
Hinge-Felling, Best & Cheapest
Hinge-Felling, Best & Cheapest

Lucinda Cole and I retired to the Pitchfork Ranch in southwest New Mexico two decades ago. We’ve overseen 17 government grants to install grade-control structures in 31 side-drainages and the ranches’ 9-mile reach of the 48-mile-long Burro Ciénaga riparian watercourse, 1.5-miles perennial ciénaga.

Lucinda Cole and I retired to the Pitchfork Ranch in southwest New Mexico two decades ago. We’ve overseen 17 government grants to install grade-control structures in 31 side-drainages and the ranches’ 9-mile reach of the 48-mile-long Burro Ciénaga riparian watercourse, 1.5-miles perennial ciénaga.

Thumbnail_VanClothier Hydrological Restoration of Degraded Grasslands in Arid and Semi-Arid Communities
Hydrological Restoration of Degraded Grasslands in Arid and Semi-Arid Communities
Hydrological Restoration of Degraded Grasslands in Arid and Semi-Arid Communities

We live in the Anthropocene. The entire surface of the earth has been impacted by human activity and our land management decisions. In this context, most of the grasslands in arid and semiarid regions are experiencing severe and continuing degradation.

We live in the Anthropocene. The entire surface of the earth has been impacted by human activity and our land management decisions. In this context, most of the grasslands in arid and semiarid regions are experiencing severe and continuing degradation.

ThumbnailAllenHaden Lessons learned using stream morphology and simple erosion control structures from the past decade that improve longevity and project performance
Lessons learned using stream morphology and simple erosion control structures from the past decade that improve longevity and project performance
Lessons learned using stream morphology and simple erosion control structures from the past decade that improve longevity and project performance

The use of simple erosion control structures, one-rock-dams, rock sills, trincheras, etc have gained great popularity in recent years.  Ease of construction, relative cost and effectiveness are driving increased and widespread use.

The use of simple erosion control structures, one-rock-dams, rock sills, trincheras, etc have gained great popularity in recent years.  Ease of construction, relative cost and effectiveness are driving increased and widespread use.

Juniper Tank, Pasture Rehab     Clark Richins Juniper Tank, Pasture Rehab
Juniper Tank, Pasture Rehab
Juniper Tank, Pasture Rehab

This project is located in the Juniper Tank Pasture on the Ash Creek Livestock Association.   

This project is located in the Juniper Tank Pasture on the Ash Creek Livestock Association.   

ThumbnailJoaquinMurrietaSaldivar Think Like a Watershed, Act like a River: The Culture of Community Based River Restoration in the Arizona-Sonora, MX Binational Watersheds
Think Like a Watershed, Act like a River: The Culture of Community Based River Restoration in the Arizona-Sonora, MX Binational Watersheds
Think Like a Watershed, Act like a River: The Culture of Community Based River Restoration in the Arizona-Sonora, MX Binational Watersheds

After around 150 years of Powell’s watershed map, we are getting there….. Think like watershed with interdependence and connectivity of the uplands-middle lands and lowlands and act like a river being the connector of these interactions from the top to the bottom and vice versa.

After around 150 years of Powell’s watershed map, we are getting there….. Think like watershed with interdependence and connectivity of the uplands-middle lands and lowlands and act like a river being the connector of these interactions from the top to the bottom and vice versa.

ThumbnailBillZeedyk Why the trilogy matters: Hydrology, Geomorphology & Ecology
Why the trilogy matters: Hydrology, Geomorphology & Ecology
Why the trilogy matters: Hydrology, Geomorphology & Ecology

It is only in recent years that the restoration profession has begun to recognize the trilogy that links hydrology, geomorphology and ecology.  Understanding the fundamental nature of this trilogy is essential to the effective restoration of all streams and wetlands.  All three factors must be respected if any project is to be successfully planned, impleme

It is only in recent years that the restoration profession has begun to recognize the trilogy that links hydrology, geomorphology and ecology.  Understanding the fundamental nature of this trilogy is essential to the effective restoration of all streams and wetlands.  All three factors must be respected if any project is to be successfully planned, impleme

Thumbnail_LNorman Human-Built Natural Infrastructure in Dryland Streams — Lessons from the "20-Year Crew"
Human-Built Natural Infrastructure in Dryland Streams — Lessons from the "20-Year Crew"
Human-Built Natural Infrastructure in Dryland Streams — Lessons from the "20-Year Crew"

On April 16^th^, 2024, the USGS hosted notable restoration practitioners from the Sky Island Restoration Collaborative (SIRC) at the National Conference on Ecosystem Restoration, in Albuquerque, NM, in a session about low-cost, low-tech, nature-based solutions, that can help people mitigate and adapt to climate changes.  

On April 16^th^, 2024, the USGS hosted notable restoration practitioners from the Sky Island Restoration Collaborative (SIRC) at the National Conference on Ecosystem Restoration, in Albuquerque, NM, in a session about low-cost, low-tech, nature-based solutions, that can help people mitigate and adapt to climate changes.  

Cartoon portrays how installing natural infrastructure can impact the water and carbon budgets of dryland streams and watersheds. Aridland Water Harvesting Study Animation
Aridland Water Harvesting Study Animation
Aridland Water Harvesting Study Animation

Informative video portraying natural infrastructure in dryland streams (NIDS) in a watershed and descriptions of their documented climate-smart practices, graphic illustrated by Heartwood Visuals; animated by Hans J. Huth (Supplementary video 1; Norman et al. 2022).

Informative video portraying natural infrastructure in dryland streams (NIDS) in a watershed and descriptions of their documented climate-smart practices, graphic illustrated by Heartwood Visuals; animated by Hans J. Huth (Supplementary video 1; Norman et al. 2022).

Re-greening a dryland watershed photo Re-greening a Dryland Watershed
Re-greening a Dryland Watershed
Re-greening a Dryland Watershed

The installation of thousands of rock detention structures in the Turkey Pen Watershed, of the Chiricahua Mountains in SE Arizona, provided a 30-year case study to consider low-tech and low-cost Natural Infrastructure in dryland watersheds.

The installation of thousands of rock detention structures in the Turkey Pen Watershed, of the Chiricahua Mountains in SE Arizona, provided a 30-year case study to consider low-tech and low-cost Natural Infrastructure in dryland watersheds.

Photo of Rosemont, AZ hills The Sky Island Restoration Collaborative
The Sky Island Restoration Collaborative
The Sky Island Restoration Collaborative

Scientists at the U.S. Geological Survey's Aridland Water Harvesting Study are partnering with restoration practitioners and land and water resource managers to build resilience in the United States-Mexico border. Respresentatives from various backgrounds are joining together across administrative boundaries of the Madrean Archipelago Ecoregion of North America.

Scientists at the U.S. Geological Survey's Aridland Water Harvesting Study are partnering with restoration practitioners and land and water resource managers to build resilience in the United States-Mexico border. Respresentatives from various backgrounds are joining together across administrative boundaries of the Madrean Archipelago Ecoregion of North America.

Photo of Rosemont, AZ hills Trailer — The Sky Island Restoration Collaborative
Trailer — The Sky Island Restoration Collaborative
Trailer — The Sky Island Restoration Collaborative

Scientists at the U.S. Geological Survey's Aridland Water Harvesting Study are partnering with restoration practitioners and land and water resource managers to build resilience in the United States-Mexico border. Respresentatives from various backgrounds are joining together across administrative boundaries of the Madrean Archipelago Ecoregion of North America.

Scientists at the U.S. Geological Survey's Aridland Water Harvesting Study are partnering with restoration practitioners and land and water resource managers to build resilience in the United States-Mexico border. Respresentatives from various backgrounds are joining together across administrative boundaries of the Madrean Archipelago Ecoregion of North America.

La encrucijada del fuego silvestre
La encrucijada del fuego silvestre
La encrucijada del fuego silvestre

La relación entre la gente y los incendios forestales siempre ha sido paradójica: el fuego es esencial como proceso ecológico y herramienta de gestión, pero también puede ser perjudicial para la vida y la propiedad.

La relación entre la gente y los incendios forestales siempre ha sido paradójica: el fuego es esencial como proceso ecológico y herramienta de gestión, pero también puede ser perjudicial para la vida y la propiedad.

Wildfire at the Crossroads
Wildfire at the Crossroads
Wildfire at the Crossroads

The relationship between people and wildfire has always been paradoxical: fire is an essential ecological process and management tool but can also be detrimental to life and property. Consequently, fire regimes have been modified throughout history through both intentional burning to promote benefits and active suppression to reduce risks.

The relationship between people and wildfire has always been paradoxical: fire is an essential ecological process and management tool but can also be detrimental to life and property. Consequently, fire regimes have been modified throughout history through both intentional burning to promote benefits and active suppression to reduce risks.

HayWired Scenario - Movie
HayWired Scenario - Movie
HayWired Scenario - Movie

The HayWired earthquake scenario, led by the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), anticipates the impacts of a hypothetical magnitude-7.0 earthquake on the Hayward Fault.

The HayWired earthquake scenario, led by the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), anticipates the impacts of a hypothetical magnitude-7.0 earthquake on the Hayward Fault.

Whats The Big Idea? — Pulling Water Out of Thin Air
Whats The Big Idea? — Pulling Water Out of Thin Air
Whats The Big Idea? — Pulling Water Out of Thin Air

Alicia Torregrosa, physical scientist with the USGS Western Geographic Science Center, explains how her work with coastal fog might one day help access new sources of water.

Alicia Torregrosa, physical scientist with the USGS Western Geographic Science Center, explains how her work with coastal fog might one day help access new sources of water.

What's the Big Idea? Using Remote Sensing to Understand Climate Change
What's the Big Idea? Using Remote Sensing to Understand Climate Change
What's the Big Idea? Using Remote Sensing to Understand Climate Change

Zhuoting Wu, research ecologist at the USGS Western Geographic Science Center, explains how the USGS uses remote sensing technology to help Tribal communities better understand the effects of climate change. 

Zhuoting Wu, research ecologist at the USGS Western Geographic Science Center, explains how the USGS uses remote sensing technology to help Tribal communities better understand the effects of climate change. 

PubTalk 7/2014 — The Ecological Value of Coastal Fog
PubTalk 7/2014 — The Ecological Value of Coastal Fog
PubTalk 7/2014 — The Ecological Value of Coastal Fog

Cooling relief and nebulous forecasts for northern California

by Alicia Torregrosa, USGS Physical Scientist

 

Cooling relief and nebulous forecasts for northern California

by Alicia Torregrosa, USGS Physical Scientist

 

PubTalk 2/2013 — Is "THE IMPOSSIBLE" Possible in the Pacific Northwest
PubTalk 2/2013 — Is "THE IMPOSSIBLE" Possible in the Pacific Northwest
PubTalk 2/2013 — Is "THE IMPOSSIBLE" Possible in the Pacific Northwest

-- Coastal Community Tsunami Hazards and Risk

By Nathan Wood, Geographer

 

PubTalk 8/2012 — Global Food Security in the 21st Century
PubTalk 8/2012 — Global Food Security in the 21st Century
PubTalk 8/2012 — Global Food Security in the 21st Century

--the increasing need for food production, cropland areas, and agricultural water

by Prasad Thenkabail, Research Geographer

--the increasing need for food production, cropland areas, and agricultural water

by Prasad Thenkabail, Research Geographer