CONSERVATION PRACTICES AT RAVEN’S NEST
Rainwater Harvesting Techniques
At our Nature Sanctuary we have minimized the need for irrigation by planting only native species with low-water requirements and by using both Active & Passive Rainwater Harvesting techniques. Since our arrival in March 2008, Vincent designed our ecological restoration strategy, Organic Orchards & Edible Gardens to benefit from these methods. Thus, we practice efficient, deep watering with the rainwater that we harvest and store during the monsoon and winter rains. The results have been both tangible and delicious in the form of food, as well as beautiful in terms of wildlife!
RAINWATER HARVESTING SYSTEM
From day one our focused ecological restoration strategy had multiple critical water re-use and conservation facets. Therefore, a key priority upon arrival on March 18, 2008 was to install a large-capacity Rainwater Harvesting System on the lower part of the preserve and nearby the Sky Islands Discovery Center. Determined to collect the first rain, and knowing that there were only 3 months before the start of the monsoon season, the hard work began in earnest.
Nearby our Sky Islands Discovery Center we have installed an active, large-capacity rainwater harvesting system to collect the runoff from the building’s 2,000 sq. ft. metal roof. The work entailed installing multiple metal downspouts on both sides of the building, digging deep trenches to be able to lay the water pipes underground, and creating large and deep “Dragon Pond” to collect the water. Precious rainwater is delivered efficiently from the metal roof all the way into “Dragon Pond”. From the pond, the rainwater is then pumped into the cisterns for storage and subsequent use. Through much hard work and the investment in 2 robust metal cisterns – each holding 10,000 gallons – we have been able to actively harvest rainwater every year.
The effective roof-top collection system, aided by the runoff of stormwater from the road and side arroyos fills Dragon Pond, – a very rewarding water conservation experience. The efficient use of collected rainwater has led to a breathtaking ecological transformation since 2008 all around the Sky Islands Discovery Center. Using harvested rain, we are able to water our native habitats as well as fill the Wildlife Ponds around the Sky Islands Discovery Center.
2026 HABITAT TRANSFORMATION
2008 ORIGINAL LANDSCAPE
PASSIVE RAINWATER HARVESTING TECHNIQUES
Vincent also designed an extensive Passive Rainwater Harvesting System throughout the 42-acre Nature Sanctuary aimed at using and conserving rainwater. By strategically constructing decorative gabion retaining walls filled with concrete and rocks, Vincent helped prevent erosion and allowed rainwater that would otherwise run off to soak into the ground instead, benefitting native plants. Furthermore, Vincent created numerous earthen berms and check dams throughout Raven’s Nest Nature Sanctuary. These hand-constructed mounds of earth, sticks, and rocks slow the flow of rainwater, allowing it to penetrate deeper into the soil and thus making it available for native plants.
Together, our Active and Passive Rainwater Harvesting Systems are a key component of the ecological restoration strategy at our Nature Sanctuary and will continue to greatly benefit a broad spectrum of native plants and wildlife for generations to come.
