Christian & Joaquin's Desert Oasis
Christian and Joaquin will immerse you into their Sonoran Desert oasis of their home, their backyard is undulating with rain gardens that feed a variety of native plants that provide shelter for pollinators and cool down their surroundings. In the front-yard you’ll experience a variety of rain garden techniques such as street-side basins that cool down temperatures and it’s an attraction to all kinds of birdlife right in central Tucson.
Experience how they capture rainwater and stormwater onsite, benefiting native shade trees, wildlife habitat, and vegetable gardens as well as fruit trees. Their sustainable living home is retrofitted with 2,500 gallons of rainwater storage that provides water for their vegetable garden, fruit trees, and chickens, desert tortoise and tippy taps.
Other sustainable living features include an outdoor shower; laundry and “lavadero” greywater supporting fruit trees; chicken coop, composting toilet, wooden oven, and a cozy outdoor patio living room.
Experience living with Nature in central Tucson in the comfort of the patio oasis of Christian and Joaquin and inspire yourself to create your own rain garden oasis at your home.
We encourage biking to this event! Their home is located East of Reid-Randolph Park.
Saturday, March 22nd 10:00am - 12:00pm
4419 E. 15th St.
Tucson, AZ 85711
Lisa & Catlow's Rillito Retreat
The Shipeks will take you on a guided tour of their property, including extensive rain garden and stormwater harvesting basins, native plant cooling strategies, and food production, on their 1 acre property near the Rillito River.
Learn how they capture rainwater and stormwater onsite, benefiting native shade trees, habitat, and native edible plants while recharging the aquifer. Their home is retrofitted with 8,700 gallons of rainwater storage that provides water for their vegetable garden, fruit trees, and chickens, while also providing drinking water.
See other sustainable living features include an outdoor shower; laundry and sink greywater supporting fruit trees; chicken coop, zero waste strategies, and a composting toilet.
Together, these systems reduce the Shipek’s city water demand to less than 12 gallons per person per day, allowing them to live hydro-local, grow food, and grow shade.
We encourage taking the bus or biking to this event! Their home is located near Bus Route 17 as well as the Loop bike path.
Tuesday, April 22, 2025 - 5:30pm to 7:30pm
Address available after registration