Inaugural BWH Garden Tour
April 21, 2007
Sweetwater in the Foothills • Tucson, Arizona

Six Homeowners and the Community Pool Habitat Were Featured in our First BWH Garden Tour

Sweetwater in the Foothills received Community Wildlife Habitat certification from the National Wildlife Federation in January 2007 following almost two years of dedicated work by the Backyard and Community Wildlife Habitat team, the support of almost 40 residents who had registered their property as Backyard Wildlife Habitats, and the HOA.

On April 21st, 2007, over Earth Day weekend, the Community Wildlife Habitat certification celebration was the cornerstone of a Spring Festival and Garden Tour. From noon to 3 PM, there were seven Backyard Wildlife Habitat gardens open for visiting. Marked at the street with whimsical windsocks, each of these gardens offered a shady spot to rest and liquid refreshment to visitors. The owners were available to discuss gardening and habitat techniques they've used in their gardens, which varied widely in size and focus. See the garden descriptions below the map.

 

#1 - Animal Planet Community Garden
Visit the Desert Museum’s Doug Larson designed community habitat garden near the pool. This garden’s installation was an episode on Animal Planet’s Backyard Habitat show which first aired last fall. Planted a year ago with native plants, it has a new selffilling water station. Take a stroll down Javelina Trail, see our new water source, and don’t miss the manmade “arroyo” between the hillside garden and the pool area.		 #2 - Geri & Gary Ashworth’s, 4126 W. Coles Wash
An excellent example of how careful planning, hard work, and enthusiasm can turn a small lot into a wonderful habitat for winged wildlife. With extensive xeriscaping and water sources that refill automatically via their drip system, Geri and Gary have a constant stream of birds that find all the elements required for a good habitat – food, water, cover, and places to raise their young. Their bonus is the fun of watching all the action.
#3 - Debbie Harrison and Bob Blackett’s, 4335 W. Tule Creek Court
Visit multiple garden areas on this half acre lot, both inside and outside of fences. There’s a festive entry courtyard, a barrio garden, a fenced backyard that focuses on attracting birds and butterflies, and an unfenced section with the beginnings of an old fashioned native desert garden with a stone lined path to share with whatever would like to wander there.		 #4 - Bill Bruni’s, 4345 W. Tule Creek Court
From the stunning specimen desert front yard to the carefully created feng shui (the ancient Chinese practice of placement and arrangement of space to achieve harmony with the environment) garden in the fenced backyard, complete with elaborate water feature, these gardens are wonderful habitat for both wildlife and the spirit, providing all the elements needed for a nurtured life. Learn how to introduce some feng shui into your own habitat – the wildlife certainly appreciates it.
#5 - Sandra Beecher’s, 4361 W Baragan Mine Place
This all native garden in the Desert Museum tradition is a prime example of the natural beauty of the desert, augmented by careful landscape design. With wonderful outdoor living spaces from which to enjoy the Sonoran desert life, be sure to see the enclosure for Sandra’s desert tortoise; she is an official caretaker in the Desert Museum’s Tortoise Adoption Program, and has created a perfect mini-habitat for him, as well as a megahabitat for wildlife.		 #6 - Ellen and Jim Fountain’s, 4425 W. Tombolo Trail
This landmark garden, the first registered Backyard Wildlife Habitat in our neighborhood, is also one of the most fascinating. On over 3 acres, Ellen and Jim have worked tirelessly to create charming desert habitats to share with our local wildlife. From native plants to feeders to fountains and a self-filling water station, they have a front row seat for a fascinating show. Enjoy their courtyards, explore their microclimates, and appreciate the inspiration they have been to the Community Wildlife Habitat project.
#7 - Julia Wirsching & Marc Lowry’s, 4311 W. Nash Bend Place
You’ll recognize Julia and Marc as the “stars” of the Animal Planet Community Garden episode. They took all they learned about habitat and have created a backyard that is home both to their domestic animals, Max and Luna, and lots of wildlife. Bordering a lawn area for their pooches are border gardens that focus on making everything from birds and butterflies to lizards and frogs feel right at home. It’s a happy mix of culinary herbs and native plants, the best of both worlds, civilized and wild.

 

The celebration and certificate presentation ceremony is followed by a self-guided tour of
several individual backyard wildlife habitats in the community and our pool-side community habitat

Thank you to the following residents who opened their yards for touring and shared information with visitors:
Geri and Gary Ashworth
Bob Blackett and Debbie Harrison
William Bruni
Sandra Beecher
Jim and Ellen Fountain
Marc Lowry and Julia Wirschling

And at day's end, the habitat team and residents with certified backyard habitats celebrated our accomplishment!

In the hours approaching sunset, Sweetwater in the Foothills Backyard Wildlife Habitat owners gathered at Ellen and Jim Fountain's lovely residence and gardens, the first BWH in our community, for a wine and cheese party to celebrate the project's achievement in helping to insure continued habitat for the flora and fauna of our corner of the Sonoran Desert.