DAC General Online Articles

Sonoran Desert Informational Articles

  1.  by Geoffrey Platts. The first “A Desert Place” column from 1983.
  2. Adventure at Your Doorstep by Margaret Stewart. In tune with the world of the Sonoran Desert.
  3. Animal, Vegetable, or Mineral? by Jim Blackburn. Taxonomists add increasing complexity to our old understandings.
  4. Biodiversity by Patsy M. Miller Ph.D. What is it and do we need it?
  5. Cooking in the Desert by Jim Blackburn. Solar cooking is another way to enjoy our unique desert climate.
  6. DAC 30th Anniversary by Margaret Stewart. Preservation and education remain the mission.
  7. Dark is Great by Jim Blackburn. Living in the desert: clear skies, brilliant stars, luminous moon.
  8. Fire: the Good, the Bad and the Necessary by Margaret Stewart. Use defensible space to protect your home.
  9. Desert Awareness Park by Stephanie Bradley. A family park in the heart of Cave Creek.
  10. How to Plant a Rock by Patsy M. Miller Ph.D. All about landscape boulders.
  11. Learning to Know the Desert Takes Time and Patience by Desert Awareness Committee. Your reward is a beautiful new experience.
  12. Letters from the Desert by Diane Vaszily, with Letters from Nan Byrne. Want to feel at peace?
  13. On Caring for Spaceship Earth by Kay Vargas. We’re all crew members and we’re all stewards.
  14. Rabies by Tanya Wyman DVM. A disease to be aware of and respect.
    Spring Comes to the Harcuvars by Jacky Davis. A desert awakens.
  15. Summer is Here by Nancy Laizure. Use your senses to detect the signs of summer.
    Take Home A Boor Site by Margaret Stewart. Let no one say all was beauty here until you came.
  16. Water Filled Jugs Can Cause Fires by Jim Blackburn. Convex lenses can concentrate the sun’s rays.
    Weather with the Weathersmith by Patsy M. Miller Ph.D. Tips to cope with our unique Arizona weather.
  17. When Civilization Encroaches by Marshall Fancher. We benefit when we leave the desert as natural as possible.
  18. A Reflective Time to Heap Praise and Identify Shame by Geoffrey Platts
  19. A Spirit Of Place by Geoffrey Platts
  20. A Water Hole for Wildlife is Delightful Bonus by Marshall Fancher
  21. Accumulated Wealth of Ideas on Horse Care and Keeping by
  22. All Forms of Life Deserve Reverance by Geoffrey Platts
  23. Annual Rainfall Varies Each Year 
  24. Arizona is Blessed with Diverse and Natural Environment by Geoffrey Platts
  25. Autumn in the Sonoran Desert – A Poem by Barbara Sciacca
  26. Bottle Bill Would Mean Cleaner Ditches and Roads by Geoffrey Platts
  27. Cans Don’t Litter, People Do;  Pick It Up 
  28. Change of Season Inspiring
  29. Clean-up Idea Functioning in National Park 
  30. Coffee Grounds Will Deter Ants by CCIA Conservation Committee
  31. Column is An Effort To Teach by CCIA Conservation Committee
  32. Community Support is Sought by Nan Bryne
  33. Consequences of Scraping it Bare by Desert Awareness Committee
  34. Conservation Committee Rescues Vegetation by Nan Byrne
  35. Conservation Committee Responds to Native Plant Ordinance Pleas by Desert Awareness Committee
  36. Conservation Work Growing in Community by Jo Walker
  37. Coffee Grounds Will Deter Ants by Jo Walker
  38. Column is an Effort to Teach by CCIA Conservation Committee
  39. Community Support is Sought by Nan Byrne
  40. Consequences of Scrapng it Bare by Desert Awarness Committee
  41. Conservation Committee Rescues Vegetation by Nan Byrne
  42. Conservation Committee Responds to Native Plant Ordinance Pleas by Desert Awareness Committee
  43. Conservation Work Growing in Community by Jo Walker
  44. Conservationist Dedicated to Desert Preservation by Geoffrey Platts
  45. Count Shows Increased Species, Birds by Desert Awareness Committee
  46. Curiosity Must Not Turn to Disrespect by Janet Heiber
  47. Darker is Better for Star Watchers by Edith Page
  48. Desert Beauty Offers Inspiration by Edie Hennacy
  49. Desert Blessings Reflective of Thanksgiving’s Meaning by Desert Awareness Committee
  50. Desert Heritage Classes by Desert Awareness Committee
  51. Desert Place’ Has Anniversary by Geoffrey Platts
  52. Early Spring Disrupts Desert’s Timing by Andy Romanyak
  53. English Visitor Demonstrates Appreciation for Desert by Bruce Dann
  54. Few Take Time to Heed Dangers of Washes by Bert Edises
  55. Fish Proficient at Desert Survival by Desert Awareness Committee
  56. Foothilss Gives Examples of Varying Rock Forms by Gladys Nisbet
  57. Forests are Ideal Hunting Grounds, Not Neighborhoods by Jane Ekrom
  58. Fragile Desert Deserves Respect by Edie Hennacy
  59. Good Horsekeeping’ Essential for Stableowners by Nan Byrne
  60. Group Strives for Desert Preservation by Geoffry Platts
  61. Hassayampa Flows Upside Down by Bert Edises
  62. Homes Enhance Natural Surroundings by Nancy Laizure
  63. Hunters Must Take More Responsibility by Jo Walker
  64. I Wish You Some New Love of Lovely Things by Geoffrey Platts
  65. Learn to Know the Desert Before you Change It by Marshall J. Fancher
  66. Links Severed in Chain of Life by Nancy Laizure
  67. Littering Form of Vandalism by Jo Walker
  68. Mogollon Rim Country Considered One of Nature’s Wonders by Bert Edises
  69. Mysteries of Monsoons Lead Resident on Search by Marshall Fancher
  70. Natural Food Makes Good Eating by Andy Romanyak
  71. Odds and Ends About the Foothills Outdoors by Frank Casanova
  72. One Person’s Desert is Another Person’s Garden by Bert Edises
  73. Optional Tax To Go to Wildlife by CCIA Conservation Committee
  74. Parallels in the Sun’s Rounds and Ours by Geoffrey Platts
  75. Plantings Diminish Soil Erosion by Nancy Laizure
  76. Plants, Wildlife Crowd Cool Washes by Bert Edises
  77. Poachers of the Desert Must Be Stopped by Nancy Laizure
  78. Poet Reiterates Desert Sentiment by Bruce Dann
  79. Progress: A Saddle-Weary ‘Dirty Word’ by J.B. Peterson
  80. Put Some Money Aside for a Hurting Mankind by Geoffrey Platts
  81. Quips During Lid Campaign: Many Bouquets by Jo Walker
  82. Rain Enhanced the Foothilss Beauty by CCIA Conservation Committee
  83. Rain Foretells Good Spring Flowers by CCIA Conservatin Committee
  84. Rainfall in Foothills Beats 10 year Average by Andy Romanyak
  85. Reader Input Sought by CCIA by CCIA Conservation Committee
  86. Remember Wildlife with Tax Returns by Desert Awareness Committee
  87. Requiem for Sonora’is Ode to Desert Foothills by Shelton,Platts, Brock
  88. Return of Favorite Vulture, Ragweed and Quail Chicks a Sure Sign of Spring by Ekrom, Laizure
  89. Sonoran Desert Rich in Flora and Fauna by Nan Byrne
  90. Sophisticated Names for Beautiful Rocks in your Garden by Gladys Nisbet
  91. Stamp Issue Prompts Reflection by Geoffrey Platts
  92. State of Our Water: A Special Report by Andy Romanyak
  93. Summer is Here! by Nancy Laizure
  94. Take Heart: Conversation Efforts are Succeeding by Marshall Fancher
  95. The Morning Star Still Rises in the East by June Peterson
  96. Thirsting for Water by Bert Edises
  97. Trapping: Public Should Be Aware of Laws and Methods for Capturing Animals by Nan Byrne
  98. Trees’ Worth Can’t be Measured by CCIA Conservation Committee
  99. Water, The Desert’s Most Precious, Rare Commodity by Bert Edises
  100. Wetlands, Sewer Ponds Bring Waterfowl to the State by Bert Edises
  101. Wilderness Preserve Harbors Accessible Desert Sanctuary by Glady Nisbet
  102. ‘Yes’ Vote Asked on Bottle Bill by Geoffrey Platts