Working with the Desert Preservation Initiative – "A real Win-Win-Win"

Starting a new life in a new place is never easy. While waiting, sometimes impatiently, for their new home to be built in the Kayenta community of Ivins, Aaron Martin, his wife Laura and their two teenage daughters looked for ways to get involved in their new community. When the Martins read about the work of the Desert Preservation Initiative (DPI) to restore and preserve the native environment, they got involved to make a difference in the place which drew them from Michigan by virtue of “the beautiful scenery, mild winter weather, and abundant sunshine.”

Now the Project Initiation Coordinator for DPI, Aaron plays a lead role in working with homeowners with potential infestations of tamarisk and Russian olive, two particularly damaging invasive species. He explains DPI’s mission and process, leads a site assessment, documents and submits a removal plan to the local Landscaping Committee, on which his wife Laura also serves, and coordinates approval with DPI to schedule work sessions.

“That initial conversation is so important as it allows DPI to listen to the questions and concerns homeowners may have,” he says, “to respond with sound research and hard-won field experience, and to show the clear results from recently completed projects.”

Answering key questions is critical to helping understand the importance of the work. “We share information about the negative impacts of these invasive species pose to the native ecosystem,” he adds, such as the fact that tamarisks soak up gallons of water and bring salt to the surface which negatively impacts other plants and animals at the same time that they increase the potential fire hazard.

“We are a learning organization,” Aaron says. “Each interaction with owners and every project executed expands our knowledge base and, I hope, improves future outcomes.” And, it goes without saying, he reassures homeowners “we’re mindful to minimize disruption of the existing landscape as we work to remove targeted plant material.”

As the Martin family has settled into their new home—daughter Ella, a recent graduate from Snow Canyon High has moved on to study business at the University of Arizona, while Tori, now a junior at Snow Canyon, loves her role as goalkeeper for the varsity soccer team—Aaron and Laura enjoy introducing friends to the world of Ivins. And, they continue to pursue the opportunities DPI has offered them “to get involved with our new community, to meet new neighbors, to get some exercise, and to spend time in the great outdoors…a real win-win-win-win!”