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. >> WELCOME TO AZ ILLUSTRATED
>> WELCOME TO AZ ILLUSTRATED NATURE.
NATURE. SPRING IS IN THE AIR AND MANY OF
SPRING IS IN THE AIR AND MANY OF YOU WILL TRY TO CULTIVATE YOUR
YOU WILL TRY TO CULTIVATE YOUR GARDEN.
GARDEN. WE GET ADVICE ON THE EXPERTS AT
WE GET ADVICE ON THE EXPERTS AT A POPULAR DESTINATION IN TUCSON.
A POPULAR DESTINATION IN TUCSON. PLUS, WE WILL TELL YOU ABOUT A
PLUS, WE WILL TELL YOU ABOUT A TREE IN ARIZONA, YOU WILL SEE
TREE IN ARIZONA, YOU WILL SEE THE SALT ON SEA IN CALIFORNIA
THE SALT ON SEA IN CALIFORNIA AND GO EXTRA TERRESTRIAL WITH
AND GO EXTRA TERRESTRIAL WITH INFORMS ABOUT NOT ONE, BUT TWO
INFORMS ABOUT NOT ONE, BUT TWO COMETS YOU WILL SOON BE ABLE TO
COMETS YOU WILL SOON BE ABLE TO SEE.
SEE. HERE'S A LOOK AT TODAY'S TOP
HERE'S A LOOK AT TODAY'S TOP STORIES.
STORIES. >> THE TUCSON UNIFIED SCHOOL
>> THE TUCSON UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT IS CONTINUING TO WORK
DISTRICT IS CONTINUING TO WORK TO CLOSE A $17 MILLION BUDGET
TO CLOSE A $17 MILLION BUDGET HOLE, BUT ONE IS OFF THE TABLE.
HOLE, BUT ONE IS OFF THE TABLE. THEY VOTED TO NOT INCLUDE
THEY VOTED TO NOT INCLUDE OUTSOURCING AS PART OF THE
OUTSOURCING AS PART OF THE BUDGET-CUTTING PLAN.
BUDGET-CUTTING PLAN. JOBS ON THE TABLE BEFORE
JOBS ON THE TABLE BEFORE INCLUDED TRANSPORTATION,
INCLUDED TRANSPORTATION, CUSTODIANS, HUMAN RESOURCES AND
CUSTODIANS, HUMAN RESOURCES AND PAYROLL.
PAYROLL. THE BOARD GAVE DISTRICT
THE BOARD GAVE DISTRICT ADMINISTRATORS THE GREEN LIGHT
ADMINISTRATORS THE GREEN LIGHT TO EXPLORE OUTSOURCING, BUT
TO EXPLORE OUTSOURCING, BUT DECIDED LAST NIGHT TO KEEP THE
DECIDED LAST NIGHT TO KEEP THE JOBS IN THE DISTRICT.
JOBS IN THE DISTRICT. LAST MONTH, TUSD'S DECISION TO
LAST MONTH, TUSD'S DECISION TO CLOSE THE SCHOOLS WAS APPROVED.
CLOSE THE SCHOOLS WAS APPROVED. STATE LAWMAKERS WANT STRICTER
STATE LAWMAKERS WANT STRICTER LABELING FOR MEDICAL MARIJUANA.
LABELING FOR MEDICAL MARIJUANA. THEY REQUIRE FOOD THAT INCLUDES
THEY REQUIRE FOOD THAT INCLUDES MARIJUANA AND SOLD IN LICENSED
MARIJUANA AND SOLD IN LICENSED MEDICAL MARIJUANA DISPENSARIES
MEDICAL MARIJUANA DISPENSARIES TO BE LABELED SO THAT EVERYONE
TO BE LABELED SO THAT EVERYONE KNOWS THE PRODUCT CONTAINS THE
KNOWS THE PRODUCT CONTAINS THE DRUG.
DRUG. KIMBERLY HAS THE PROSECUTING
KIMBERLY HAS THE PROSECUTING ATTORNEY AND SAID THAT TYPE OF
ATTORNEY AND SAID THAT TYPE OF LABELING IS NEEDED TO INJECT THE
LABELING IS NEEDED TO INJECT THE FOOD WITH THE DRUG IN IT.
FOOD WITH THE DRUG IN IT. THE STATE REPRESENTATIVE SAID
THE STATE REPRESENTATIVE SAID THEY HAVE RULES REQUIRING THE
THEY HAVE RULES REQUIRING THE LABELING AND DOESN'T THINK THE
LABELING AND DOESN'T THINK THE LAW IS NEEDED.
LAW IS NEEDED. THE LAW CLEARED THE SENATE AND
THE LAW CLEARED THE SENATE AND NEEDS A VOTE IN THE FULL HOUSE.
NEEDS A VOTE IN THE FULL HOUSE. THE ARIZONA SENATE IS ONE VOTE
THE ARIZONA SENATE IS ONE VOTE AWAY FROM ALLOWING GUNS IN RURAL
AWAY FROM ALLOWING GUNS IN RURAL SCHOOLS.
SCHOOLS. THE SENATE GAVE APPROVAL TO A
THE SENATE GAVE APPROVAL TO A PROPOSAL ALLOWING CERTAIN
PROPOSAL ALLOWING CERTAIN TEACHERS AND SCHOOL
TEACHERS AND SCHOOL ADMINISTRATORS TO CARRY GUNS IN
ADMINISTRATORS TO CARRY GUNS IN SCHOOLS.
SCHOOLS. SENATE BILL 1325 WOULD APPLY TO
SENATE BILL 1325 WOULD APPLY TO SCHOOLS MORE THAN 20 MILES OR 30
SCHOOLS MORE THAN 20 MILES OR 30 MINUTES FROM A LAW ENFORCEMENT
MINUTES FROM A LAW ENFORCEMENT FACILITY AND HAVE 600 OR FEWER
FACILITY AND HAVE 600 OR FEWER STUDENTS.
STUDENTS. INSTEAD OF ALLOWING GUNS IN
INSTEAD OF ALLOWING GUNS IN SCHOOLS, THE LEGISLATURE SHOULD
SCHOOLS, THE LEGISLATURE SHOULD FUND RESOURCES AND A SIMILAR LAW
FUND RESOURCES AND A SIMILAR LAW IS IN EFFECT IN TEXAS.
IS IN EFFECT IN TEXAS. THAT'S A LOOK AT TONIGHT'S
THAT'S A LOOK AT TONIGHT'S HEADLINES.
HEADLINES. >> THE WINTER'S COLD SPELL AND
>> THE WINTER'S COLD SPELL AND DROUGHTS HAVE TAKEN THEIR TOLL,
DROUGHTS HAVE TAKEN THEIR TOLL, BUT IF YOU TAKE A CLOSER LOOK AT
BUT IF YOU TAKE A CLOSER LOOK AT THE PLANTS THAT HAVE SURVIVE AND
THE PLANTS THAT HAVE SURVIVE AND THRIVED, YOU ARE LIKELY TO
THRIVED, YOU ARE LIKELY TO NOTICE THAT MOST OF THESE
NOTICE THAT MOST OF THESE SPECIES ARE NATIVE TO THE SO NOR
SPECIES ARE NATIVE TO THE SO NOR AN DESERT.
AN DESERT. WE WILL LEARN MORE ABOUT THE
WE WILL LEARN MORE ABOUT THE DESERT DWELLERS FROM THE EXPERTS
DESERT DWELLERS FROM THE EXPERTS AT A POPULAR GARDEN DESTINATION.
AT A POPULAR GARDEN DESTINATION. >> NORTHWEST OF TUCSON, IT HAS
>> NORTHWEST OF TUCSON, IT HAS BEEN RECOGNIZED AS ONE OF THE
BEEN RECOGNIZED AS ONE OF THE WORLD'S GREAT BOTANICAL GARDENS.
WORLD'S GREAT BOTANICAL GARDENS. IN EXISTENCE FOR 30 YEAR,
IN EXISTENCE FOR 30 YEAR, ENDEMIC PLANTS WITH THE FAMILIAR
ENDEMIC PLANTS WITH THE FAMILIAR AND THE UNCOMMON ARE FEATURED
AND THE UNCOMMON ARE FEATURED THROUGH LANDSCAPING AND IN THEIR
THROUGH LANDSCAPING AND IN THEIR SPECIALTY GARDENS.
SPECIALTY GARDENS. >> THIS IS THE ETHNO BOTANICAL
>> THIS IS THE ETHNO BOTANICAL GARDENS.
GARDENS. THINGS THAT WERE ADOPTED BY THE
THINGS THAT WERE ADOPTED BY THE INDIGENOUS PEOPLE AND SOME
INDIGENOUS PEOPLE AND SOME THINGS ARE NATIVE TO ARIZONA.
THINGS ARE NATIVE TO ARIZONA. THESE ARE THE SWEEP LOUPE INS
THESE ARE THE SWEEP LOUPE INS THAT ARE ACTUALLY POISONOUS TO
THAT ARE ACTUALLY POISONOUS TO EAT, BUT THE SWEETS, YOU CAN EAT
EAT, BUT THE SWEETS, YOU CAN EAT THE BEANS AND THEY ARE GOOD.
THE BEANS AND THEY ARE GOOD. IN BETWEEN THE ROWS, WE HAVE THE
IN BETWEEN THE ROWS, WE HAVE THE ONIONS.
ONIONS. THESE ONIONS, WE ACTUALLY
THESE ONIONS, WE ACTUALLY SEPARATE THESE AND PLANT ONE
SEPARATE THESE AND PLANT ONE BULB AND THEY WILL GROW THIS
BULB AND THEY WILL GROW THIS CLUMP AND GET ABOUT TWICE THIS
CLUMP AND GET ABOUT TWICE THIS SIZE.
SIZE. WE GROW TWO TYPES OF BEANS HERE
WE GROW TWO TYPES OF BEANS HERE AND THE GUATEMALAN PURPLE BEAN.
AND THE GUATEMALAN PURPLE BEAN. IT'S A BUSH THAT WILL GET ABOUT
IT'S A BUSH THAT WILL GET ABOUT TWO OR THREE FEET HIGH AND
TWO OR THREE FEET HIGH AND ACROSS AND IT PRODUCES A BIG POD
ACROSS AND IT PRODUCES A BIG POD THAT HAS THREE OR FOUR BEANS
THAT HAS THREE OR FOUR BEANS INSIDE.
INSIDE. THEY ARE A DEEP PURPLE WHEN THEY
THEY ARE A DEEP PURPLE WHEN THEY COME OUT AND THEY ARE BEAUTIFUL.
COME OUT AND THEY ARE BEAUTIFUL. DELICIOUS TO EAT.
DELICIOUS TO EAT. >> ON THE 49-ACRE PLOT, THE PARK
>> ON THE 49-ACRE PLOT, THE PARK DISPLAYS A SAMPLING OF THE
DISPLAYS A SAMPLING OF THE NEARLY 4,000 NATIVE PLANTS FOUND
NEARLY 4,000 NATIVE PLANTS FOUND IN MORE THAN 100,000 SQUARE
IN MORE THAN 100,000 SQUARE MILES OF SO NOR AN DESERT.
MILES OF SO NOR AN DESERT. TO SUPPORT PLANTINGS OF THIS
TO SUPPORT PLANTINGS OF THIS MAGNITUDE REQUIRES A TREMENDOUS
MAGNITUDE REQUIRES A TREMENDOUS BEHIND THE SCENES EFFORT
BEHIND THE SCENES EFFORT INCLUDING IN THE SEED
INCLUDING IN THE SEED REPOSITORY.
REPOSITORY. >> THIS IS WHERE WE STORE THE
>> THIS IS WHERE WE STORE THE SEEDS FOR THE GROUNDS.
SEEDS FOR THE GROUNDS. THIS IS SOME OF THE ONIONS WE
THIS IS SOME OF THE ONIONS WE TALKED ABOUT EARLIER.
TALKED ABOUT EARLIER. YOU CAN SEE THEY ARE DRY HERE,
YOU CAN SEE THEY ARE DRY HERE, BUT THE MAJORITY WILL RESPROUT.
BUT THE MAJORITY WILL RESPROUT. THESE ARE THE DARK PURPLE.
THESE ARE THE DARK PURPLE. >> STORED IN TINS TO DETER
>> STORED IN TINS TO DETER RODENTS, THEY CONTAIN SEEDS FOR
RODENTS, THEY CONTAIN SEEDS FOR NONEDIBLE PLANTS AS WELL,
NONEDIBLE PLANTS AS WELL, INCLUDING ONE OF THE DESERT'S
INCLUDING ONE OF THE DESERT'S MOST RECOGNIZED SPRING WILD
MOST RECOGNIZED SPRING WILD FLOWERS.
FLOWERS. >> THIS IS ONE OF THE
>> THIS IS ONE OF THE SPECIALTIES.
SPECIALTIES. WE HAVE OVER 50 KINDS.
WE HAVE OVER 50 KINDS. THESE ARE ALL SEEDS HERE.
THESE ARE ALL SEEDS HERE. WHAT WE TRY TO DO IS MIMIC WHAT
WHAT WE TRY TO DO IS MIMIC WHAT GOES ON IN THEIR ENVIRONMENT.
GOES ON IN THEIR ENVIRONMENT. THEY ARE COLLECTED IN THE FALL
THEY ARE COLLECTED IN THE FALL AND WE PLANT THEM IN THE FALL.
AND WE PLANT THEM IN THE FALL. THERE IS A WHOLE SERIES OF
THERE IS A WHOLE SERIES OF EVENTS THAT HAPPEN BEFORE THEY
EVENTS THAT HAPPEN BEFORE THEY GET HERE.
GET HERE. >> HARD TO FIND.
>> HARD TO FIND. >> WE USE SEEDS BECAUSE WE ARE
>> WE USE SEEDS BECAUSE WE ARE INTERESTED IN GETTING THE
INTERESTED IN GETTING THE CHARACTERISTICS THAT COME FROM
CHARACTERISTICS THAT COME FROM GENERATIONS OF PLANTS BECAUSE WE
GENERATIONS OF PLANTS BECAUSE WE WANT PLANTS THAT ARE GOING TO BE
WANT PLANTS THAT ARE GOING TO BE HAPPY HERE AND TAKE A COLD AND
HAPPY HERE AND TAKE A COLD AND THE HEAT AND OUR LOW WATER AND
THE HEAT AND OUR LOW WATER AND WE HAVE SEEN OVERTIME THE PLANTS
WE HAVE SEEN OVERTIME THE PLANTS ADAPT WHEN YOU GET SECOND AND 30
ADAPT WHEN YOU GET SECOND AND 30 GENERATIONS OF THE PLANTS.
GENERATIONS OF THE PLANTS. ANYTHING THAT WE HAVE IS
ANYTHING THAT WE HAVE IS BASICALLY SAFE.
BASICALLY SAFE. WE HAVE LAYERING AND WE DO
WE HAVE LAYERING AND WE DO DIVIDES.
DIVIDES. WE HAVE A FEW CUTTINGS, BUT IT'S
WE HAVE A FEW CUTTINGS, BUT IT'S FROM SEEDS.
FROM SEEDS.
>> IT'S A VEGETATIVE FORM OF
>> IT'S A VEGETATIVE FORM OF PROPIGATION.
PROPIGATION. INSERT NODE.
INSERT NODE. >> LAYERING USING FROM THE
>> LAYERING USING FROM THE PLANT.
PLANT. COVERING THE SOIL UNTIL IT
COVERING THE SOIL UNTIL IT PRODUCES ROOTS AND SEPARATING IT
PRODUCES ROOTS AND SEPARATING IT FROM THE ORIGINAL.
FROM THE ORIGINAL. THEY MAKE EXACT COPIES OF THE
THEY MAKE EXACT COPIES OF THE ORIGINAL PLANT.
ORIGINAL PLANT. THEY BURY A PIECE OF THE PLANT
THEY BURY A PIECE OF THE PLANT INTO NEW SOIL.
INTO NEW SOIL. THE MOST LABOR INTENSIVE
THE MOST LABOR INTENSIVE TECHNIQUE IS MANUALLY ACQUIRING
TECHNIQUE IS MANUALLY ACQUIRING THE SEEDS.
THE SEEDS. >> WE PUT A LOT OF EFFORT INTO
>> WE PUT A LOT OF EFFORT INTO THE PROPIGATIONS PROGRAM BECAUSE
THE PROPIGATIONS PROGRAM BECAUSE IT'S ANOTHER WAY WHERE WE CAN
IT'S ANOTHER WAY WHERE WE CAN SHOW PEOPLE THAT THE THINGS THEY
SHOW PEOPLE THAT THE THINGS THEY THINK OF WHEN THEY THINK OF THE
THINK OF WHEN THEY THINK OF THE DESERT IS NOT ALL THIS THAT'S
DESERT IS NOT ALL THIS THAT'S HERE.
HERE. THERE IS SO MUCH BEHIND THAT.
THERE IS SO MUCH BEHIND THAT. YOU CAN CREATE WITH THE
YOU CAN CREATE WITH THE ENVIRONMENT WITH PLANT
ENVIRONMENT WITH PLANT PROPIGATION AND WE DO IT IN A
PROPIGATION AND WE DO IT IN A WAY THAT STILL ALLOWS US TO LIVE
WAY THAT STILL ALLOWS US TO LIVE IN A BEAUTIFUL WAY AND HARMONY
IN A BEAUTIFUL WAY AND HARMONY WITH THE REGION.
WITH THE REGION. >> NO MATTER HOW THEY GET THEIR
>> NO MATTER HOW THEY GET THEIR START, ALL THESE PLANTS REQUIRE
START, ALL THESE PLANTS REQUIRE WATER.
WATER. ACCORDING TO THE STAFF, HAND
ACCORDING TO THE STAFF, HAND WATERING IS LABOR INTENSIVE.
WATERING IS LABOR INTENSIVE. THE BENCHED SPRINKLERS, LESS SO,
THE BENCHED SPRINKLERS, LESS SO, BUT MORE WASTEFUL.
BUT MORE WASTEFUL. THE PUSH IS ON FOR BETTER
THE PUSH IS ON FOR BETTER IRRIGATION METHODS.
IRRIGATION METHODS. >> WE ARE NOW USING A DIFFERENT
>> WE ARE NOW USING A DIFFERENT TYPE OF EMITTER SYSTEM VERSUS
TYPE OF EMITTER SYSTEM VERSUS THE SPRAYERS.
THE SPRAYERS. WE FOUND THE NEW EMITTER, WE
WE FOUND THE NEW EMITTER, WE WILL PUT 50% LESS WATER ON THE
WILL PUT 50% LESS WATER ON THE PLANT WITH THIS EMITTER.
PLANT WITH THIS EMITTER. IT'S CONSISTENT.
IT'S CONSISTENT. PLANTS ARE HAPPIER BECAUSE THEY
PLANTS ARE HAPPIER BECAUSE THEY ARE GETTING TREATED SPECIAL WITH
ARE GETTING TREATED SPECIAL WITH EACH ONE AND BEING WATERED THE
EACH ONE AND BEING WATERED THE SAME WAY EVERY DAY.
SAME WAY EVERY DAY. >> THE BEHIND THE SCENE EFFORTS
>> THE BEHIND THE SCENE EFFORTS STRIVE TO REPLICATE THE
STRIVE TO REPLICATE THE PROCESSES OF THE SO NOR AN
PROCESSES OF THE SO NOR AN DESERT.
DESERT. THE RESULTS CAN BE INSPIRATIONAL
THE RESULTS CAN BE INSPIRATIONAL TO THE VISITORS OF THE PARK.
TO THE VISITORS OF THE PARK. >> WE HOPE THAT EVERY VISITOR
>> WE HOPE THAT EVERY VISITOR WILL HAVE THEIR EYES AND MINDS
WILL HAVE THEIR EYES AND MINDS AND SENSES OPEN TO NEW
AND SENSES OPEN TO NEW POSSIBILITIES.
POSSIBILITIES. WE THEEP THEY WILL APPRECIATE
WE THEEP THEY WILL APPRECIATE AND APPRECIATE WHAT THEY HAVE TO
AND APPRECIATE WHAT THEY HAVE TO OFFER RATHER THAN LOOKING AT IT
OFFER RATHER THAN LOOKING AT IT AS WHAT IT IS NOT.
AS WHAT IT IS NOT. THERE IS SO MUCH MORE IT IS THAN
THERE IS SO MUCH MORE IT IS THAN WHAT IS NOT.
WHAT IS NOT. THE PARK WILL HOLD THE ANNUAL
THE PARK WILL HOLD THE ANNUAL SPRING PLANT SALE SATURDAY AND
SPRING PLANT SALE SATURDAY AND SENT, MARCH 16TH AND 17th.
SENT, MARCH 16TH AND 17th. IT IS ONE OF SEVERAL NONPROFITS
IT IS ONE OF SEVERAL NONPROFITS THAT HOLD THESE SPRING TIME
THAT HOLD THESE SPRING TIME EVENTS.
EVENTS. THE HEAT TOLERANT AND DROUGHT
THE HEAT TOLERANT AND DROUGHT RESISTANT PLANTS ARE GREAT FOR
RESISTANT PLANTS ARE GREAT FOR THE DESERT, BUT NOT WHEN WE ARE
THE DESERT, BUT NOT WHEN WE ARE TALKING ABOUT NONNATIVE SPECIES
TALKING ABOUT NONNATIVE SPECIES THAT COMPETE WITH THE ENDEMIC
THAT COMPETE WITH THE ENDEMIC PLANTS.
PLANTS. WE WILL LEARN MORE ABOUT ONE OF
WE WILL LEARN MORE ABOUT ONE OF THESE PLANTS THAT HAS BEEN
THESE PLANTS THAT HAS BEEN PERVASIVE IN MUCH OF THE COUNTRY
PERVASIVE IN MUCH OF THE COUNTRY INCLUDING HERE.
INCLUDING HERE. WE ARE TALKING ABOUT SALT CEDAR
WE ARE TALKING ABOUT SALT CEDAR AND SUZANNA IS HERE TO TELL US
AND SUZANNA IS HERE TO TELL US ABOUT IT.
ABOUT IT. SHE IS A DOCTORAL STUDENT IN THE
SHE IS A DOCTORAL STUDENT IN THE DEPARTMENT OF SOIL, WATER, AND
DEPARTMENT OF SOIL, WATER, AND ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE.
ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE. THANK YOU FOR JOINING US,
THANK YOU FOR JOINING US, SUZANNE
SUZANNE SUZANNA.
SUZANNA. THESE BRANCHES LOOK LIKE THEY
THESE BRANCHES LOOK LIKE THEY BELONG TO A BEAUTIFUL TREE, BUT
BELONG TO A BEAUTIFUL TREE, BUT IT'S A PROBLEM PLANT?
IT'S A PROBLEM PLANT? >> IT CAN BE LISTED AS A PROBLEM
>> IT CAN BE LISTED AS A PROBLEM PLANT.
PLANT. WE ARE TRYING TO GET AWAY FROM
WE ARE TRYING TO GET AWAY FROM CALLING IT A PROBLEM SPECIES
CALLING IT A PROBLEM SPECIES WHEN YOU TRY TO REMAIN
WHEN YOU TRY TO REMAIN UNBIASSED.
UNBIASSED. IT'S HARD TO GO AFTER A PROBLEM
IT'S HARD TO GO AFTER A PROBLEM PLANT.
PLANT. THIS IS A DIFFERENT SPECIES AND
THIS IS A DIFFERENT SPECIES AND IT IS THE SAME THING, BUT THIS
IT IS THE SAME THING, BUT THIS IS AFILA, THE SPECIES NAME.
IS AFILA, THE SPECIES NAME. I AM MOSTLY STUDYING CARBO FLORA
I AM MOSTLY STUDYING CARBO FLORA AND THEIR HYBRIDS.
AND THEIR HYBRIDS. >> ANY PLANTS THAT ARE NATIVE TO
>> ANY PLANTS THAT ARE NATIVE TO THE SOUTHWEST?
THE SOUTHWEST? >> NO.
>> NO. >> INCLUDING THIS ONE.
>> INCLUDING THIS ONE. THIS INVASIVE SPECIES.
THIS INVASIVE SPECIES. >> THEY ARE ALL INTRODUCED
>> THEY ARE ALL INTRODUCED SPECIES, ABSOLUTELY.
SPECIES, ABSOLUTELY. THEY CAME HERE AND SPREAD TO
THEY CAME HERE AND SPREAD TO ALMOST EVERY STATE IN THE UNITED
ALMOST EVERY STATE IN THE UNITED STATES.
STATES. THEY ARE TRYING NOT TO CALL THEM
THEY ARE TRYING NOT TO CALL THEM INVASIVE.
INVASIVE. THEY ARE INTRODUCED AND BECAME
THEY ARE INTRODUCED AND BECAME NATURALIZED TO THE ENVIRONMENT.
NATURALIZED TO THE ENVIRONMENT. >> I SEE.
>> I SEE. SO WHEN DID THEY COME OVER?
SO WHEN DID THEY COME OVER? WHERE DID THEY COME FROM?
WHERE DID THEY COME FROM? >> THEY CAME FROM EURASIA.
>> THEY CAME FROM EURASIA. IN THE 1800s, THEY WERE BROUGHT
IN THE 1800s, THEY WERE BROUGHT OVER AND THINK OF CHINA AND
OVER AND THINK OF CHINA AND MONGOLIA AND AFGHANISTAN.
MONGOLIA AND AFGHANISTAN. THAT AREA.
THAT AREA. THEY WERE BROUGHT OVER FOR A
THEY WERE BROUGHT OVER FOR A VALUABLE IMPORT.
VALUABLE IMPORT. THEY WERE BEAUTIFUL PLANTS WITH
THEY WERE BEAUTIFUL PLANTS WITH A BEAUTIFUL FLOWER.
A BEAUTIFUL FLOWER. THEY WERE ALSO BROUGHT OVER FOR
THEY WERE ALSO BROUGHT OVER FOR SOIL EROSION.
SOIL EROSION. THEY HAVE SPREAD WEST AND HAVE A
THEY HAVE SPREAD WEST AND HAVE A LOT OF WHAT WE CALLED HIT LISTS
LOT OF WHAT WE CALLED HIT LISTS ATTRIBUTED TO IT IN TERMS OF
ATTRIBUTED TO IT IN TERMS OF HIGH WATER USAGE AND SOIL
HIGH WATER USAGE AND SOIL SALINIZATION.
SALINIZATION. IT DOESN'T ADD VERY MUCH TO THE
IT DOESN'T ADD VERY MUCH TO THE SOIL.
SOIL. THE MAIN THING IT DOES DO THAT
THE MAIN THING IT DOES DO THAT IS A RELATIVE DETRIMENT IS IT
IS A RELATIVE DETRIMENT IS IT HAS VERY HIGH AND INTENSITY AND
HAS VERY HIGH AND INTENSITY AND HIGH SEVERITY OF FOREST FIRES.
HIGH SEVERITY OF FOREST FIRES. >> OKAY.
>> OKAY. I'M GOING TO GO THAT ROUTE IN A
I'M GOING TO GO THAT ROUTE IN A MOMENT, BUT FIRST, WHAT IS IT
MOMENT, BUT FIRST, WHAT IS IT ABOUT THE CLIMATE AND THE SOIL
ABOUT THE CLIMATE AND THE SOIL AND THE WATER THAT HAS ALLOWED
AND THE WATER THAT HAS ALLOWED THIS PLANT TO SO SUCCESSFULLY
THIS PLANT TO SO SUCCESSFULLY THRIVE?
THRIVE? >> ABSOLUTELY.
>> ABSOLUTELY. IT CAN COMPLETE ITS ENTIRE LIFE
IT CAN COMPLETE ITS ENTIRE LIFE CYCLE IN SALTY CONDITIONS.
CYCLE IN SALTY CONDITIONS. NOT 100% ATTRIBUTED TO RIVER
NOT 100% ATTRIBUTED TO RIVER REGULATION, BUT ALONG WITH RIVER
REGULATION, BUT ALONG WITH RIVER REGULATION, WE NO LONGER HAVE
REGULATION, WE NO LONGER HAVE NATURAL OVERBANK FLOODING AND
NATURAL OVERBANK FLOODING AND YOU ARE HAVING AN INCREASED
YOU ARE HAVING AN INCREASED SALTY ENVIRONMENT AND ALSO A
SALTY ENVIRONMENT AND ALSO A DRIER ENVIRONMENT.
DRIER ENVIRONMENT. THINGS LIKE OUR NATIVE COTTON
THINGS LIKE OUR NATIVE COTTON WOODS AND WILLOWS DEPEND ON
WOODS AND WILLOWS DEPEND ON THESE SPRING FLOODS TO HELP
THESE SPRING FLOODS TO HELP GERMINATE THE SEEDS.
GERMINATE THE SEEDS. THE SEEDS DO NOT REMAIN VIABLE
THE SEEDS DO NOT REMAIN VIABLE FOR A LONG TIME.
FOR A LONG TIME. THAT HAS ALLOWED THEM TO GROW
THAT HAS ALLOWED THEM TO GROW INTO THESE STREAM SIDE
INTO THESE STREAM SIDE ECOSYSTEMS.
ECOSYSTEMS. >> OKAY.
>> OKAY. I WAS READING THAT IT DOESN'T
I WAS READING THAT IT DOESN'T ACTUALLY TAKE UP MORE WATER THAN
ACTUALLY TAKE UP MORE WATER THAN OTHER NATIVE SPECIES, BUT THEY
OTHER NATIVE SPECIES, BUT THEY GROW MORE DENSELY?
GROW MORE DENSELY? >> YES.
>> YES. IT DEPENDS ON THE RIVER SYSTEM.
IT DEPENDS ON THE RIVER SYSTEM. IT REALLY DOES.
IT REALLY DOES. BUT YES, THEY CAN GROW MUCH MORE
BUT YES, THEY CAN GROW MUCH MORE DENSELY.
DENSELY. ABSOLUTELY.
ABSOLUTELY. >> OKAY.
>> OKAY. TELL ME ABOUT THE BEETLE.
TELL ME ABOUT THE BEETLE. >> ABSOLUTELY.
>> ABSOLUTELY. THE U.S. DEPARTMENT OF
THE U.S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE ALONG WITH
AGRICULTURE ALONG WITH COLLABORATORS WITH THE U.S. FISH
COLLABORATORS WITH THE U.S. FISH AND WILDLIFE SERVICE WENT AROUND
AND WILDLIFE SERVICE WENT AROUND AND TRIED TO FIND SOMETHING THAT
AND TRIED TO FIND SOMETHING THAT COULD HELP BECAUSE AT THE TIME
COULD HELP BECAUSE AT THE TIME WE WERE THINKING THEY USE SO
WE WERE THINKING THEY USE SO MUCH WATER THAT WE NEED TO
MUCH WATER THAT WE NEED TO CONTROL THE POPULATION TO REDUCE
CONTROL THE POPULATION TO REDUCE THE WATER USE SO WE CAN USE
THE WATER USE SO WE CAN USE WATER FOR OURSELVES.
WATER FOR OURSELVES. NOT JUST FOR DRINKING WATER, BUT
NOT JUST FOR DRINKING WATER, BUT RECREATION AND THAT KIND OF
RECREATION AND THAT KIND OF STUFF.
STUFF. THE BEETLE WAS RELEASED FROM
THE BEETLE WAS RELEASED FROM EURASIA AND GREW UP WITH
EURASIA AND GREW UP WITH TAMARISK AND KIND OF ADAPTED TO
TAMARISK AND KIND OF ADAPTED TO EACH OTHER.
EACH OTHER. IT WAS RELEASED IN 2001 AND
IT WAS RELEASED IN 2001 AND SINCE THEN IT HAS SPREAD.
SINCE THEN IT HAS SPREAD. >>> THE BEETLES THEN DOING THE
>>> THE BEETLES THEN DOING THE JOB THEY WERE BROUGHT HERE TO DO
JOB THEY WERE BROUGHT HERE TO DO AND THAT IS CONTROL TAMARISK?
AND THAT IS CONTROL TAMARISK? >> THEY ARE REDUCING THE WATER
>> THEY ARE REDUCING THE WATER USE.
USE. ON ONE STUDY, WE HAVE SEEN A 50%
ON ONE STUDY, WE HAVE SEEN A 50% REDUCTION IN A YEAR OF BEETLE
REDUCTION IN A YEAR OF BEETLE ARRIVAL.
ARRIVAL. >> HOW IS THE BEETLE POPULATION
>> HOW IS THE BEETLE POPULATION DOING?
DOING? >> THEY ARE EXPANDING.
>> THEY ARE EXPANDING. WHEN THEY WERE FIRST INTRODUCED,
WHEN THEY WERE FIRST INTRODUCED, THEY NEEDED A CERTAIN DAY LENGTH
THEY NEEDED A CERTAIN DAY LENGTH REQUIREMENT TO REACH
REQUIREMENT TO REACH REPRODUCTIVE AGE AND IF THEY
REPRODUCTIVE AGE AND IF THEY WERE RELEASED AT A CERTAIN
WERE RELEASED AT A CERTAIN HIGHER NORTHERN LATITUDE THEY
HIGHER NORTHERN LATITUDE THEY WOULDN'T GET IT.
WOULDN'T GET IT. THEY WOULDN'T REACH REPRODUCTIVE
THEY WOULDN'T REACH REPRODUCTIVE AGE AND MOVE OUT OF THAT
AGE AND MOVE OUT OF THAT LATITUDE.
LATITUDE. UNFORTUNATELY THAT HAS HAPPENED.
UNFORTUNATELY THAT HAS HAPPENED. THEY HAVE MOVED THERE IN THE
THEY HAVE MOVED THERE IN THE LOWER COLORADO NOW NEAR THE
LOWER COLORADO NOW NEAR THE BORDER OF MEXICO AND MIGHT BE IN
BORDER OF MEXICO AND MIGHT BE IN MEXICO.
MEXICO. >> HOW MUCH IS KNOWN ABOUT THE
>> HOW MUCH IS KNOWN ABOUT THE BEETLE AND THE RELATIONSHIP TO
BEETLE AND THE RELATIONSHIP TO OUR HABITAT.
OUR HABITAT. THAT IS A NONNATIVE SPECIES.
THAT IS A NONNATIVE SPECIES. >> IT IS.
>> IT IS. ABSOLUTELY.
ABSOLUTELY. THAT'S WHERE A LOT OF THE
THAT'S WHERE A LOT OF THE RESEARCH NEEDS TO FOCUS ON.
RESEARCH NEEDS TO FOCUS ON. WE NEED TO LOOK AT THE BEETLE IS
WE NEED TO LOOK AT THE BEETLE IS WORKING AND REDUCING THE WATER
WORKING AND REDUCING THE WATER USE, BUT WE NEED TO LOOK AT HOW
USE, BUT WE NEED TO LOOK AT HOW IS IT AFFECTING THE ECOSYSTEM
IS IT AFFECTING THE ECOSYSTEM AND AFFECTING HOW TAMARISK GROWS
AND AFFECTING HOW TAMARISK GROWS IN THE ENVIRONMENT IT'S IN.
IN THE ENVIRONMENT IT'S IN. >> IS IT FAIR TO CALL THEM
>> IS IT FAIR TO CALL THEM NONNATIVE OR HAS IT BEEN
NONNATIVE OR HAS IT BEEN NATURALIZED?
NATURALIZED? THE BEETLE.
THE BEETLE. >> WE ARE CALLING IT AN
>> WE ARE CALLING IT AN INTRODUCED NONNATIVE.
INTRODUCED NONNATIVE. >> YOU ARE STUDYING THE LINK
>> YOU ARE STUDYING THE LINK BETWEEN THE BEETLE AND WATER.
BETWEEN THE BEETLE AND WATER. I DON'T KNOW IF YOU CAN GIVE ME
I DON'T KNOW IF YOU CAN GIVE ME IN THE SHORT TIME WE HAVE LEFT
IN THE SHORT TIME WE HAVE LEFT THINGS ABOUT YOUR STUDY AND THE
THINGS ABOUT YOUR STUDY AND THE RESULTS YOU ARE SEEING.
RESULTS YOU ARE SEEING. >> I'M STUDYING ON THE ***
>> I'M STUDYING ON THE *** RIVER NEAR LAS VEGAS.
RIVER NEAR LAS VEGAS. THIS IS THE LOWER PART BEFORE IT
THIS IS THE LOWER PART BEFORE IT FEEDS INTO LAKE MEAD.
FEEDS INTO LAKE MEAD. WE ARE DOING GROUND MONITORING
WE ARE DOING GROUND MONITORING AND SENSORS AND ALSO USING
AND SENSORS AND ALSO USING CAMERAS AND EVENT AND WHEN THEY
CAMERAS AND EVENT AND WHEN THEY SDPLOUR BLOOM AND THAT KIND OF
SDPLOUR BLOOM AND THAT KIND OF THING.
THING. ALSO USING REMOTE SENSING.
ALSO USING REMOTE SENSING. WE ARE GETTING BASE LINE DATA
WE ARE GETTING BASE LINE DATA BEFORE THE BEETLE ARRIVE AND
BEFORE THE BEETLE ARRIVE AND WHAT THAT ECOSYSTEM LOOKED LIKE.
WHAT THAT ECOSYSTEM LOOKED LIKE. NOW THAT THE PEELTHS ARRIVED, WE
NOW THAT THE PEELTHS ARRIVED, WE CAN UNDERSTAND WHAT IS A NORMAL
CAN UNDERSTAND WHAT IS A NORMAL ENVIRONMENT.
ENVIRONMENT. >> THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR JOINING
>> THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR JOINING US TO TALK ABOUT THIS.
US TO TALK ABOUT THIS. >> THANK YOU.
>> THANK YOU. >> WHITE SMOKE FROM THE VATICAN
>> WHITE SMOKE FROM THE VATICAN CHIMNEY TODAY AND THE NEWLY
CHIMNEY TODAY AND THE NEWLY ELECTED POPE FRANCIS GREETED
ELECTED POPE FRANCIS GREETED TENS OF THOUSANDS FROM THE PAPAL
TENS OF THOUSANDS FROM THE PAPAL BALCONY.
BALCONY. THE FIRST LEADER TO HAIL FROM
THE FIRST LEADER TO HAIL FROM THE AMERICAS.
THE AMERICAS. WE GET THE LATEST ON THE
WE GET THE LATEST ON THE 76-YEAR-OLD ARGENTINE PONTIFF
76-YEAR-OLD ARGENTINE PONTIFF AND WHAT HIS SELECTION MEANS FOR
AND WHAT HIS SELECTION MEANS FOR THE CHURCH.
THE CHURCH. >> AS THE BUDGET BATTLES RAGE ON
>> AS THE BUDGET BATTLES RAGE ON IN WASHINGTON, WE EXAMINE THE
IN WASHINGTON, WE EXAMINE THE QUEST FOR BIPARTISAN SOLUTIONS.
QUEST FOR BIPARTISAN SOLUTIONS. >> THE FIRST OF TWO STORIES
>> THE FIRST OF TWO STORIES ABOUT TOXIC DRINKING WATERS,
ABOUT TOXIC DRINKING WATERS, THEY HAVE THE COMPANY AND THE
THEY HAVE THE COMPANY AND THE REGULATORS CHARGED WITH THE
REGULATORS CHARGED WITH THE CLEAN UP.
CLEAN UP. >> WE CLOSE WITH STORIES OF
>> WE CLOSE WITH STORIES OF *** ASSAULT AND RECOUNTED AT
*** ASSAULT AND RECOUNTED AT A SENATE HEARING ALL AHEAD ON
A SENATE HEARING ALL AHEAD ON TONIGHT'S NEWS HOUR.
>> THE SOUTH BY SOUTHWEST CONFERENCE IS FULL OF MUSICIANS
CONFERENCE IS FULL OF MUSICIANS LOOKING FOR A BREAK.
LOOKING FOR A BREAK. THEN HARRY.
THEN HARRY. >> A SOLO GUITARIST PLAYING
>> A SOLO GUITARIST PLAYING OBSCURE STRANGE MUSIC.
OBSCURE STRANGE MUSIC. I DON'T THINK THAT WAS EVER IT.
I DON'T THINK THAT WAS EVER IT. >> A 71-YEAR-OLD GUITARIST GETS
>> A 71-YEAR-OLD GUITARIST GETS READY FOR HIS FIRST CONCERT EVER
READY FOR HIS FIRST CONCERT EVER ON THE FIRST MORNING EDITION.
ON THE FIRST MORNING EDITION. >> SOUTHERN ARIZONA IS KNOWN FOR
>> SOUTHERN ARIZONA IS KNOWN FOR BEAUTIFUL STARRY NIGHTS AND MANY
BEAUTIFUL STARRY NIGHTS AND MANY STARGAZERS ARE LOOKING UP AT THE
STARGAZERS ARE LOOKING UP AT THE HEAVENS WITH EXTRA ENTHUSIASM
HEAVENS WITH EXTRA ENTHUSIASM DUE TO A SPECIAL SHOW HIGH ABOVE
DUE TO A SPECIAL SHOW HIGH ABOVE THE PLANET.
THE PLANET. MANY IN THE NORTHERN HEMISPHERE
MANY IN THE NORTHERN HEMISPHERE WILL SEE A COMET.
WILL SEE A COMET. TO TALK MORE ABOUT THE BEST WAY
TO TALK MORE ABOUT THE BEST WAY TO SEE THE SHOW, WE ARE JOINED
TO SEE THE SHOW, WE ARE JOINED BY ADAM BLOCK.
BY ADAM BLOCK. THE MANAGER AT THE UNIVERSITY OF
THE MANAGER AT THE UNIVERSITY OF ARIZONA'S MOUNT LEMON SKY
ARIZONA'S MOUNT LEMON SKY CENTER.
CENTER. WE HAVE COMETS.
WE HAVE COMETS. ONE THIS WEEK?
ONE THIS WEEK? >> INDEED THERE IS A COMET THAT
>> INDEED THERE IS A COMET THAT IS VISIBLE IN THE SKY NOW.
IS VISIBLE IN THE SKY NOW. POTENTIALLY IN THE FALL THERE
POTENTIALLY IN THE FALL THERE WILL BE ANOTHER BEAUTIFUL COMET
WILL BE ANOTHER BEAUTIFUL COMET THAT WE WILL BE ABLE TO ENJOY.
THAT WE WILL BE ABLE TO ENJOY. SOME ARE CALLING THIS THE YEAR
SOME ARE CALLING THIS THE YEAR OF THE COMET BECAUSE THIS IS
OF THE COMET BECAUSE THIS IS SOMETHING TO SEE IN THE NIGHT
SOMETHING TO SEE IN THE NIGHT SKY.
SKY. >> HOW RARE IS IT THAT WE GET
>> HOW RARE IS IT THAT WE GET COMETS OR THAT WE CAN ACTUALLY
COMETS OR THAT WE CAN ACTUALLY SEE THEM?
SEE THEM? >> COMETS ARE ORBITING ABOUT THE
>> COMETS ARE ORBITING ABOUT THE SUN AND THEY COME FROM THE OUTER
SUN AND THEY COME FROM THE OUTER REACHES OF THE SOLAR SYSTEM IN
REACHES OF THE SOLAR SYSTEM IN THE DEEP FREEZER OF THE SOLAR
THE DEEP FREEZER OF THE SOLAR SYSTEM FAR FROM THE SUN.
SYSTEM FAR FROM THE SUN. JUST LIKE YOU LOOK IN THE BACK
JUST LIKE YOU LOOK IN THE BACK OF YOUR FREEZER AND MIGHT FIND
OF YOUR FREEZER AND MIGHT FIND SOMETHING YOU DIDN'T KNOW WAS
SOMETHING YOU DIDN'T KNOW WAS THERE.
THERE. COMETS CAN BE LIKE THAT.
COMETS CAN BE LIKE THAT. THE ONES WE ARE ENJOYING NOW, IT
THE ONES WE ARE ENJOYING NOW, IT CAME FROM THAT REGION.
CAME FROM THAT REGION. IT'S A BIT OF A SURPRISE, I
IT'S A BIT OF A SURPRISE, I THINK, BECAUSE IT'S NICE THAT
THINK, BECAUSE IT'S NICE THAT IT'S SHOWING UP SO WELL IN THE
IT'S SHOWING UP SO WELL IN THE SKY.
SKY. AGAIN THEY ARE UNPREDICTABLE.
AGAIN THEY ARE UNPREDICTABLE. HOPEFULLY THIS OTHER IN THE FALL
HOPEFULLY THIS OTHER IN THE FALL WILL BE EQUALLY ENJOYABLE IF NOT
WILL BE EQUALLY ENJOYABLE IF NOT MORE.
MORE. THE PEOPLE HAVE AN OPPORTUNITY
THE PEOPLE HAVE AN OPPORTUNITY TO LOOK OUTSIDE TO SEE PAN STARS
TO LOOK OUTSIDE TO SEE PAN STARS AND SUCCEED, THEY WILL BE REALLY
AND SUCCEED, THEY WILL BE REALLY HAPPY IN THE FALL IF IT LIVES UP
HAPPY IN THE FALL IF IT LIVES UP TO PREDICTIONS.
TO PREDICTIONS. >> FOR PEOPLE WHO WANT TO SEE
>> FOR PEOPLE WHO WANT TO SEE PAN STARS, HOW DO THEY DO IT?
PAN STARS, HOW DO THEY DO IT? >> PAN STARS ORBIT THE SUN AND
>> PAN STARS ORBIT THE SUN AND TEND TO BE BRIGHTEST NEAR TO THE
TEND TO BE BRIGHTEST NEAR TO THE SUN WHICH IS TRUE NOW.
SUN WHICH IS TRUE NOW. IT JUST PASSED TO THE SUN.
IT JUST PASSED TO THE SUN. IT MEANS IT'S HARD TO SEE
IT MEANS IT'S HARD TO SEE BECAUSE YOU ONLY SEE THEM JUST A
BECAUSE YOU ONLY SEE THEM JUST A FEW MINUTES AFTER THE SUNSETS.
FEW MINUTES AFTER THE SUNSETS. WHEN IT IS DARK ENOUGH.
WHEN IT IS DARK ENOUGH. NOW THAT WOULD BE ABOUT 35 TO 40
NOW THAT WOULD BE ABOUT 35 TO 40 MINUTES AFTER SUNSET.
MINUTES AFTER SUNSET. IT'S ABOUT 7:10 OR 7:15 LOCAL
IT'S ABOUT 7:10 OR 7:15 LOCAL TIME.
TIME. YOU WILL REFER THE WESTERN SKY
YOU WILL REFER THE WESTERN SKY ABOVE WHERE THE SUNSETS.
ABOVE WHERE THE SUNSETS. LAST NIGHT YOU COULD SEE THE
LAST NIGHT YOU COULD SEE THE COMET TO THE LEFT OF THE MOON.
COMET TO THE LEFT OF THE MOON. IT WAS EASY TO FIND BECAUSE THE
IT WAS EASY TO FIND BECAUSE THE MOON HELPED.
MOON HELPED. WHEN IT'S NOT THERE, IT'S MORE
WHEN IT'S NOT THERE, IT'S MORE TRICKY AND DIFFICULT.
TRICKY AND DIFFICULT. TONIGHT IT WILL BE BENEATH THE
TONIGHT IT WILL BE BENEATH THE MOON AND PROBABLY ANOTHER COUPLE
MOON AND PROBABLY ANOTHER COUPLE OF DAYS AFTER THAT BY THE END OF
OF DAYS AFTER THAT BY THE END OF THE WEEK IT WILL BE MORE
THE WEEK IT WILL BE MORE DIFFICULT TO SEE, BUT PEOPLE
DIFFICULT TO SEE, BUT PEOPLE SHOULD GIVE IT A SHOT.
SHOULD GIVE IT A SHOT. >> WHAT ARE IS THE BEST WAY TO
>> WHAT ARE IS THE BEST WAY TO SEE THIS.
SEE THIS. YOU HAVE EQUIPMENT WITH YOU.
YOU HAVE EQUIPMENT WITH YOU. >> BY FAR THE BEST WAY TO SEE
>> BY FAR THE BEST WAY TO SEE COMETS AND THINGS IN GENERAL
COMETS AND THINGS IN GENERAL WOULD BE A SIMPLE PAIR OF
WOULD BE A SIMPLE PAIR OF BINOCULARS.
BINOCULARS. TO FIND THE COMET, YOU SCAN THE
TO FIND THE COMET, YOU SCAN THE SKY LOW ON THE HORIZON WHEN YOU
SKY LOW ON THE HORIZON WHEN YOU SEE THE STARS.
SEE THE STARS. YOU SHOULD BE ABLE TO FIND IT.
YOU SHOULD BE ABLE TO FIND IT. IT WILL LOOK LIKE A DIM FUZZY
IT WILL LOOK LIKE A DIM FUZZY PATCH OF LIGHT WITH A SMALL TAIL
PATCH OF LIGHT WITH A SMALL TAIL COMING UP TO THE LEFT OR UP AWAY
COMING UP TO THE LEFT OR UP AWAY FROM THE HORIZON.
FROM THE HORIZON. ONCE YOU IDENTIFIED IT, YOU CAN
ONCE YOU IDENTIFIED IT, YOU CAN TAKE THEM AWAY AND SEE IT WITH
TAKE THEM AWAY AND SEE IT WITH YOUR OWN EYES AS WELL.
YOUR OWN EYES AS WELL. IT'S NEAT.
IT'S NEAT. THE EXCITING THING IS THAT THERE
THE EXCITING THING IS THAT THERE MANY PEOPLE WHO NEVER HAVE SEEN
MANY PEOPLE WHO NEVER HAVE SEEN A COMET.
A COMET. YOURSELF.
YOURSELF. YOU NEVER HAD AN OPPORTUNITY.
YOU NEVER HAD AN OPPORTUNITY. THIS IS SOMETHING TO TAKE
THIS IS SOMETHING TO TAKE ADVANTAGE OF.
ADVANTAGE OF. MAYBE KIDS WHO ARE ALIVE TODAY
MAYBE KIDS WHO ARE ALIVE TODAY NEVER HAVE SEEN A COMET TODAY.
NEVER HAVE SEEN A COMET TODAY. THEY ARE OLD ENOUGH TO REMEMBER
THEY ARE OLD ENOUGH TO REMEMBER THE MID 90s.
THE MID 90s. THIS IS EXCITING THAT WE HAVE AN
THIS IS EXCITING THAT WE HAVE AN OPPORTUNITY TO SEE THESE THINGS.
OPPORTUNITY TO SEE THESE THINGS. >> YOU TOOK PICTURES YOURSELF.
>> YOU TOOK PICTURES YOURSELF. YOU CAN GET IT.
YOU CAN GET IT. >> ONCE YOU FIND IT, IT'S NOT
>> ONCE YOU FIND IT, IT'S NOT TOO DIFFICULT.
TOO DIFFICULT. I DON'T THINK YOU CAN DO IT WITH
I DON'T THINK YOU CAN DO IT WITH A CELL PHONE AND A CAMERA, BUT A
A CELL PHONE AND A CAMERA, BUT A CAMERA LIKE THIS.
CAMERA LIKE THIS. A DIGITAL CAMERA ALLOWS YOU TO
A DIGITAL CAMERA ALLOWS YOU TO TAKE A PICTURE.
TAKE A PICTURE. ONCE IT'S DARK ENOUGH, YOU NEED
ONCE IT'S DARK ENOUGH, YOU NEED A TRIPOD TO KEEP A STEADY VIEW.
A TRIPOD TO KEEP A STEADY VIEW. YOU WILL BE ABLE TO PICK IT UP
YOU WILL BE ABLE TO PICK IT UP ON YOUR PICTURES AS A SMALL
ON YOUR PICTURES AS A SMALL FUZZY -- LIKE YOU EXPECT A COMET
FUZZY -- LIKE YOU EXPECT A COMET TO LOOK.
TO LOOK. A FUZZY ROUND PART WITH A TAIL
A FUZZY ROUND PART WITH A TAIL UP TO THE LEFT.
UP TO THE LEFT. >> WE WILL BE OUTSIDE TONIGHT
>> WE WILL BE OUTSIDE TONIGHT WITH THE CAMERAS AND BINOCULARS.
WITH THE CAMERAS AND BINOCULARS. >> THIS IS A CHALLENGE.
>> THIS IS A CHALLENGE. YOU HAVE TO BE PATIENT.
YOU HAVE TO BE PATIENT. >> THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR
>> THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR JOINING US TODAY.
JOINING US TODAY. >> THANK YOU.
>> THANK YOU. >> CALIFORNIA HAS A FAMOUS BODY
>> CALIFORNIA HAS A FAMOUS BODY OF WATER.
OF WATER. IT'S NOT THE PACIFIC OCEAN AND
IT'S NOT THE PACIFIC OCEAN AND NOT EVEN NEAR THIS PACIFIC
NOT EVEN NEAR THIS PACIFIC COASTLINE.
COASTLINE. IT IS THE SALT ON SEA LOCATED IN
IT IS THE SALT ON SEA LOCATED IN THE DESERT.
THE DESERT. IN THE SOUTHEAST CORNER OF THE
IN THE SOUTHEAST CORNER OF THE STATE.
STATE. NEXT WE TAKE YOU ON A VISIT TO
NEXT WE TAKE YOU ON A VISIT TO THIS LANDSCAPE THAT IS TEAMING
THIS LANDSCAPE THAT IS TEAMING WITH LIFE, BUT ALSO FACING
WITH LIFE, BUT ALSO FACING DEADLY CHALLENGING.
DEADLY CHALLENGING. >> AT 227 FEET BELOW SEA LEVEL,
>> AT 227 FEET BELOW SEA LEVEL, THE SALT ON SEA IS ONE OF THE
THE SALT ON SEA IS ONE OF THE LOWEST SPOTS ON EARTH.
LOWEST SPOTS ON EARTH. WHILE CALLED A SEA, IT HAPPENS
WHILE CALLED A SEA, IT HAPPENS TO BE CALIFORNIA'S LARGEST LAKE
TO BE CALIFORNIA'S LARGEST LAKE AND HOME TO THE SONNY BONO SALT
AND HOME TO THE SONNY BONO SALT ON SEA NATIONAL WILDLIFE REFUGE.
ON SEA NATIONAL WILDLIFE REFUGE. MOST OF THE WILDLIFE TAKING
MOST OF THE WILDLIFE TAKING REFUGE THERE ARE BIRDS.
REFUGE THERE ARE BIRDS. >> THIS NATIONAL WILDLIFE REFUGE
>> THIS NATIONAL WILDLIFE REFUGE DOCUMENTED OVER 424 BIRD
DOCUMENTED OVER 424 BIRD SPECIES.
SPECIES. THAT'S A TREMENDOUS NUMBER FOR
THAT'S A TREMENDOUS NUMBER FOR ANY AREA ACROSS NORTH AMERICA.
ANY AREA ACROSS NORTH AMERICA. AMONG OTHER REFUGES, IT'S MORE
AMONG OTHER REFUGES, IT'S MORE THAN ANY OTHER REFUGE IN THIS
THAN ANY OTHER REFUGE IN THIS COUNTRY.
COUNTRY. >> THE SALT ON SEA IS A HOT SPOT
>> THE SALT ON SEA IS A HOT SPOT NOT JUST BIRD WATCHING.
NOT JUST BIRD WATCHING. LOCATED ABOVE SIEISMIC FEATURES
LOCATED ABOVE SIEISMIC FEATURES BUT IT'S HOT IN OTHER WAYS TOO.
BUT IT'S HOT IN OTHER WAYS TOO. LOCATED IN THE SO NOR AN DESERT,
LOCATED IN THE SO NOR AN DESERT, IT'S IN ALL SENSE OF THE WORLD,
IT'S IN ALL SENSE OF THE WORLD, A DESERT LAKE.
A DESERT LAKE. RAINFALL IS SPORADIC.
RAINFALL IS SPORADIC. NOTHING TO BE COUNTED ON.
NOTHING TO BE COUNTED ON. ON AVERAGE OVER THE DECADES, IT
ON AVERAGE OVER THE DECADES, IT PROBABLY AVERAGES ABOUT TWO TO
PROBABLY AVERAGES ABOUT TWO TO THREE INCHES A YEAR.
THREE INCHES A YEAR. WE ARE AMONG THE LOWEST RAINFALL
WE ARE AMONG THE LOWEST RAINFALL AVERAGES IN THE U.S.
AVERAGES IN THE U.S. SUMMER, I WOULDN'T BE SURPRISED
SUMMER, I WOULDN'T BE SURPRISED IF WE ARE AROUND 115 DEGREES
IF WE ARE AROUND 115 DEGREES FAHRENHEIT.
FAHRENHEIT. FOR A SUSTAINED PERIOD.
FOR A SUSTAINED PERIOD. WE CAN GET AS HOT AS 120
WE CAN GET AS HOT AS 120 DEGREES.
DEGREES. WINTERS ARE VERY MILD.
WINTERS ARE VERY MILD. WE ARE A WINTERING DESTINATION
WE ARE A WINTERING DESTINATION FOR A LOT OF BIRD SPECIES FROM
FOR A LOT OF BIRD SPECIES FROM NORTHERN LATITUDES.
NORTHERN LATITUDES. >> THE DESERT CONDITIONS
>> THE DESERT CONDITIONS CONTRIBUTE TO ANOTHER OF THE
CONTRIBUTE TO ANOTHER OF THE SALT ON SEA'S DISTINCTIVE
SALT ON SEA'S DISTINCTIVE TRAITS.
TRAITS. THE SALINITY OF THE WATER.
THE SALINITY OF THE WATER. >> IT'S GETTING SALTIER AND
>> IT'S GETTING SALTIER AND NUTRIENTS ARE ACCUMULATING.
NUTRIENTS ARE ACCUMULATING. 52 PARTS PER THOUSAND OF SALT.
52 PARTS PER THOUSAND OF SALT. THE PACIFIC OCEAN IS 35 PARTS
THE PACIFIC OCEAN IS 35 PARTS PER THOUSAND.
PER THOUSAND. IT'S SALTIER THAN NORMAL MARINE
IT'S SALTIER THAN NORMAL MARINE HABITAT, BUT STILL A GOOD
HABITAT, BUT STILL A GOOD DESTINATION FOR BIRDS.
DESTINATION FOR BIRDS. THEY ARE ABLE TO FIND AMPLE
THEY ARE ABLE TO FIND AMPLE HEALTHY TAB AT THAT TIME HERE.
HEALTHY TAB AT THAT TIME HERE. >> THE EVER INCREASING SALINITY
>> THE EVER INCREASING SALINITY AND EXTREME HEAT LED FOR
AND EXTREME HEAT LED FOR CONDITIONS FOR WILD THAT LIVES
CONDITIONS FOR WILD THAT LIVES BELOW THE SURFACE.
BELOW THE SURFACE. >> IT IS A STRESSED ENVIRONMENT.
>> IT IS A STRESSED ENVIRONMENT. FOR EXAMPLE, A LOT OF THE GAME
FOR EXAMPLE, A LOT OF THE GAME FISH THAT USED TO BE IN THE SALT
FISH THAT USED TO BE IN THE SALT ON SEA, THEY HAVE DIED OUT.
ON SEA, THEY HAVE DIED OUT. THE SALT ON SEA IS LIKE A FISH
THE SALT ON SEA IS LIKE A FISH TANK THAT YOU MIGHT HAVE AT HOME
TANK THAT YOU MIGHT HAVE AT HOME THAT YOU SUSTAIN BY PLUGGING IN
THAT YOU SUSTAIN BY PLUGGING IN YOUR FILTER AND RUNNING YOUR
YOUR FILTER AND RUNNING YOUR PUMP TO OXYGENATE THE WATER.
PUMP TO OXYGENATE THE WATER. THE SALT ON SEA IS A CONTAINED
THE SALT ON SEA IS A CONTAINED ENVIRONMENT LIKE THAT EXCEPT IT
ENVIRONMENT LIKE THAT EXCEPT IT DOESN'T HAVE THE BENEFIT OF AN
DOESN'T HAVE THE BENEFIT OF AN OXYGENATOR AND A FILTER TO
OXYGENATOR AND A FILTER TO FILTER OUT ALL THE WASTE
FILTER OUT ALL THE WASTE PRODUCTS FROM ORGANISMS LIVING
PRODUCTS FROM ORGANISMS LIVING AND DYING IN THE SALT ON SEA.
AND DYING IN THE SALT ON SEA. SPECIFICALLY THE BY PRODUCTS OF
SPECIFICALLY THE BY PRODUCTS OF ORGANIC COMPOSITION OR HYDROGEN
ORGANIC COMPOSITION OR HYDROGEN SUL FIGHT AND AMMONIA.
SUL FIGHT AND AMMONIA. THE COMPONENTS OF DECOMPOSITION
THE COMPONENTS OF DECOMPOSITION ARE ACCUMULATING AND THEY ARE
ARE ACCUMULATING AND THEY ARE STRESSING THE ENVIRONMENT AND SO
STRESSING THE ENVIRONMENT AND SO FAR CAUSED EXTINCTION IN THE
FAR CAUSED EXTINCTION IN THE SALT ON SEA.
SALT ON SEA. THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA
THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA REGULATES ALL PUBLIC WATER
REGULATES ALL PUBLIC WATER BODIES AND NOT DECLARED THE SALT
BODIES AND NOT DECLARED THE SALT ON SEA A HAZARD TO HUMANS OR
ON SEA A HAZARD TO HUMANS OR WILDLIFE.
WILDLIFE. >> IN SPITE OF THE ADVERSITY,
>> IN SPITE OF THE ADVERSITY, THE SALT ON SEA REMAINS A
THE SALT ON SEA REMAINS A POPULAR STOP FOR MILLIONS OF
POPULAR STOP FOR MILLIONS OF BIRDS ON ANNUAL MIGRATIONS.
BIRDS ON ANNUAL MIGRATIONS. WITH THE PRESENCE OF THOSE
WITH THE PRESENCE OF THOSE BIRDS, IT'S ALSO A POPULAR SPOT
BIRDS, IT'S ALSO A POPULAR SPOT FOR BIRD WATCHERS TO APPLY THEIR
FOR BIRD WATCHERS TO APPLY THEIR HOBBY.
HOBBY. >> A LOT OF BIRDS AND ANIMALS
>> A LOT OF BIRDS AND ANIMALS COME AND GO THROUGHOUT THE YEAR.
COME AND GO THROUGHOUT THE YEAR. PERHAPS GETTING A LITTLE REST
PERHAPS GETTING A LITTLE REST AND FOOD TO CONTINUE THEM ON THE
AND FOOD TO CONTINUE THEM ON THE MIGRATION FURTHER SOUTH OR
MIGRATION FURTHER SOUTH OR NORTH.
NORTH. BIOLOGICALLY IT'S INTERESTING TO
BIOLOGICALLY IT'S INTERESTING TO SEE WILDLIFE WORKING ON THE EDGE
SEE WILDLIFE WORKING ON THE EDGE OF AN EXTREME ENVIRONMENT AND
OF AN EXTREME ENVIRONMENT AND SUCCEEDING.
SUCCEEDING. THEY DO IT WELL HERE.
THEY DO IT WELL HERE. >> SPRING IS IN THE AIR AND
>> SPRING IS IN THE AIR AND MILLION OF PEOPLE ARE HEADING
MILLION OF PEOPLE ARE HEADING OUTDOORS TO HIKE, BIRD WATCH,
OUTDOORS TO HIKE, BIRD WATCH, STAR GAZE OR WORK IN THE GARDEN.
STAR GAZE OR WORK IN THE GARDEN. MOTHER NATURE HAS MANY PLAN THIS
MOTHER NATURE HAS MANY PLAN THIS IS MONTH AND TONIGHT WE WILL
IS MONTH AND TONIGHT WE WILL LEARN ABOUT THEM FROM AN EXPERT
LEARN ABOUT THEM FROM AN EXPERT AT THE ARIZONA-SONORA DESERT
AT THE ARIZONA-SONORA DESERT MUSEUM.
MUSEUM. MARCH IS A BUSY MONTH IN THE
MARCH IS A BUSY MONTH IN THE ECOLOGICAL CALENDAR.
ECOLOGICAL CALENDAR. .
. >> THIS IS ERIC HERE AT THE
>> THIS IS ERIC HERE AT THE ARIZONA SONORA DESERT MUSEUM.
ARIZONA SONORA DESERT MUSEUM. MARCH IS A GREAT TIME TO COME
MARCH IS A GREAT TIME TO COME OUT AND SEE SOME OF THE WILD
OUT AND SEE SOME OF THE WILD FLOWERS THAT ARE STARTING TO
FLOWERS THAT ARE STARTING TO EMERGE.
EMERGE. HERE IN THE TUCSON MOUNTAINS, WE
HERE IN THE TUCSON MOUNTAINS, WE HAVE 360 SPECIES OF PLANTS.
HAVE 360 SPECIES OF PLANTS. OF THOSE, OVER HALF OF ANNUALS.
OF THOSE, OVER HALF OF ANNUALS. SOME OF THE COLORS ONE MIGHT
SOME OF THE COLORS ONE MIGHT EXPECT TO SEE ARE THE YELLOWS OF
EXPECT TO SEE ARE THE YELLOWS OF THE POPPIES AND THE BLUE PURPLE
THE POPPIES AND THE BLUE PURPLE OF THE LOUPE IN AND THESE
OF THE LOUPE IN AND THESE COLORS.
COLORS. MARCH IS ALSO A GREAT TIME TO
MARCH IS ALSO A GREAT TIME TO SEE THE HIGHLY SPECIALIZED
SEE THE HIGHLY SPECIALIZED NESTING ACTIVITIES OF THE DESERT
NESTING ACTIVITIES OF THE DESERT BIRDS.
BIRDS. THIS IS A TEDDY BEAR CHOIA.
THIS IS A TEDDY BEAR CHOIA. ALL WE SEE OUTSIDE IS A HOLE.
ALL WE SEE OUTSIDE IS A HOLE. THE NEST INSIDE LOOKS SOMETHING
THE NEST INSIDE LOOKS SOMETHING LIKE THIS.
LIKE THIS. THEY ARE FORMED WHEN THE BIRD
THEY ARE FORMED WHEN THE BIRD EXCAVATES A CAVITY.
EXCAVATES A CAVITY. THE TISSUE HARDENS TO PREVENT
THE TISSUE HARDENS TO PREVENT INFECTIONS AND DISEASE.
INFECTIONS AND DISEASE. TYPICALLY WOODPECKERS WILL USE
TYPICALLY WOODPECKERS WILL USE THIS NEST ONE TIME AND MOVE ON
THIS NEST ONE TIME AND MOVE ON AND MAKE A NEW NEST EVERY YEAR.
AND MAKE A NEW NEST EVERY YEAR. OTHER BIRDS CAN UTILIZE THIS
OTHER BIRDS CAN UTILIZE THIS COMPARTMENT.
COMPARTMENT. THOSE INCLUDE SCREECH OWLS AND
THOSE INCLUDE SCREECH OWLS AND EVEN TRANSPLANTS WITH THE
EVEN TRANSPLANTS WITH THE SPARROWS.
SPARROWS. BURIES ALL THE WAY DOWN WILL
BURIES ALL THE WAY DOWN WILL MAKE NESTS.
MAKE NESTS. THESE TINY GUEST NESTS ARE THE
THESE TINY GUEST NESTS ARE THE PERFECT SIZE FOR THE EGGS.