This week we discuss reused water, recreated gardens and a new hope for nearly extinct life. Plus a brief look at Tucson while the colonies were declaring independence. Our intro music is by Ryanhood and we exit with Carlos Arzate and the Kind Souls.

Each and every Sunday our focus is on Social, Cultural and Economic impacts in Tucson’s Urban Core and we shed light on hidden gems everyone should know about. From A Mountain to the U of A and all stops in between. You get the inside track- right here on 99.1 FM, streaming on DowntownRadio.org- we’re also available on your iPhone or Android using our very own Downtown Radio app.

Reach us by email [email protected] — interact with us on Facebook @Life Along the Streetcar and follow us on Twitter @StreetcarLife— Today is Jun 30th my name is Tom Heath and you’re listening to “Life Along the Streetcar”. We start today with the retirement of professional sports icon

Reused Water- Recreated Gardens- New Hope to Old Life

Last week we mentioned that 2.8 million gallons of water will flow into the Santa Cruz River on daily basis. This will create a channel of water, which many are predicting, will help restore the habitat that led to a fertile habitation along the river.

The Santa Cruz River Heritage Project is an experiment using highly treated recycled waste water to recreate an environment for native vegetation and wildlife. This experiment has a predecessor- Mission Garden.

The 4 acre site at the base of A mountain is known as the birthplace of Tucson and recreates the 4100 years of agricultural history which has taken place on this spot. The garden itself is a walled in area recreating the Spanish gardens of the Presidio San Augustin.

While excavating the space, they found several irrigation canals throughout the garden. Back in 2017 when we met with one of the volunteers overseeing the garden they were designing a canal to flow through the garden to replicate the irrigation methods of all the represented generations of farmers.

That plan has given way to a new idea. The canal is now in place and like the Santa Cruz Project, is using reclaimed water from the city. The goal now, is not irrigation but providing an environment to preserve endangered wildlife. With the help of a grant and input from both the federal and state Game and Fish departments Mission Garden is now a refuge for several wildlife varieties including the most recent release of the endangered Gila Topminnow.

This space at the base of A mountain is a special- it has been the site of 4100 years of continuous agriculture sustaining life and now is the foundation of an effort preserving life. Here is part of our interview with Roger Pfueffer from 2017 about the history of Mission Garden- 1/4 of mile from streetcar stop #1.