The wildlife drinker can be viewed from the PSC building and will allow visitors the opportunity to observe how our native flora are crucial elements to our desert environment.

The water harvesting workshop was a huge success and many lessons, ideas, and stories were shared. The water harvesting system is on permanent display – come on by and see it!

During the summer of 1998, Buffalo Solider Trail was planted with 315 salvaged plants from the PSC. These plants included Ocotillo, Agave palmeri, Agave schottii, Barrel Cactus (Ferocactus wislizenii), Desert Spoon, and Prickly Pear Cactus. The PSC staff has been monitoring the plants and were pleased to announce that they are doing well!

In addition to the above mentioned plants, various native plants were planted during National Public Lands Day led by Cochise County Master Gardener Team Leaders with volunteers from the community who received hands-on experience on how to plant.

Among the numerous BST plantings, the Creosote Bush (Larrea tridentata) and the Penstemon, are doing extremely well. The Penstemon’s even survived repeated "grazing" attacks throughout the winter and is now in bloom!

This new concept of xeric roadside landscaping will save a total of 3,088,800 gallons of water or 9.47 acre feet of water annually over traditional landscaping methods.

Cado Daily, PSC Coordinator, spoke on "Salvaging High Desert Native Plants" at the Sixth Annual High Desert Gardening & Landscaping Conference held in Sierra Vista on February 11-12. The conference drew more than 180 attendees from Arizona, Texas, New Mexico, and even Michigan!

Over 30 attendees learned how the Plant Sciences Center was formed, areas where salvaging has occurred, and the techniques used to rescue, nurture, and reintroduce the plants into the local and regional landscapes. Participants received a brochure on the Arizona Department of Agriculture Native Plant Protection Program and a "Plants of the Plant Sciences Center" fact sheet which highlights each of the plants received by the center.

Plants from the PSC were on display for viewing at the two day event at the Water Wise / PSC exhibit table.

Since the arrival of plants at the PSC yard there has been many wildlife sightings. Among these sightings were two gopher snakes, which were making a "nest" in the agave holding bed and various birds to include a mama Gambel's Quail who sat on her clutch of 11 eggs under the Yucca elata's. Recently a packrat was trapped and had to be relocated. This "thief" was removing cacti and Agave schottii's from their containers to build a home under the PSC building. Proof positive that if you want to attract wildlife to the garden plant with natives plants!

The PSC would like to thank Sulphur Springs Valley Electric Cooperative for coming to the rescue and repairing a utility pole that was knocked over due to high winds. Thanks – it was much appreciated!

Due to the overwhelming response from the community to our request for plant containers, the PSC has containers available for our sponsors. As a result of stumbling across the need to find homes for used plant containers other than the landfill, the PSC has designated itself as the "Drop Off Site for Recycling Used Plant Containers." What containers the PSC can not use we will seek local organizations and businesses who can reused them. Please contact us for further information.

The PSC staff offers the following services to sponsors, the community, and developers:

• Tours of the Plant Sciences Center
• Advice on salvaging techniques, relocation & planting; on-site consultations; plant I.D.
• Guidance on water saving landscape plants & techniques
• Awareness of our unique native flora

Cado Daily, Plant Sciences Center Coordinator
Cheri Melton, Horticultural Technician