Planning is very important
TA Dean
Travis Dean holds degrees in Anthropology and History from Ashford University, further strengthened by advanced education in satellite communications engineering and applied materials research. With over two decades of experience in global disaster relief, he has been instrumental in developing predictive modeling and deploying technical
Travis Dean holds degrees in Anthropology and History from Ashford University, further strengthened by advanced education in satellite communications engineering and applied materials research. With over two decades of experience in global disaster relief, he has been instrumental in developing predictive modeling and deploying technical solutions to support complex, high-stakes emergencies. His contributions include critical roles in the response to the 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami, Hurricane Katrina, and the 2011 earthquake in Japan, demonstrating a steady hand under pressure and a proven capacity to deliver meaningful results when lives are on the line. Dean is also an author and instructor in the field of Emergency Communications after ground zero events.
Outside his professional life, Dean is deeply committed to environmental restoration. He owns a 160-acre property in Arizona, where he applies agroforestry principles and Miyawaki forest techniques to revitalize ecosystems and improve soil health. He also maintains a home in Florida, which serves as the headquarters of the Jackson Earth Restoration Project, a living tribute to his loyal dog, Jackson. The project’s name reflects Dean’s enduring dedication to sustainability and ecological innovation.
Each tree Dean plants is a heartfelt tribute, dedicated to a cause, a friend, or a loved one, carrying with it a quiet message of growth, remembrance, and renewal. Through these living symbols, he hopes to encourage others to care for the Earth and discover their meaningful ways to honor those who matter most. One full acre of trees has been dedicated to the Washington family in memory of Young Jelani, a courageous soul taken too soon by cancer; his brief life continues to spark inspiration.
If you cannot join us on the property, you can still get involved. Use the buymeacoffee link to donate. We offer merch to help fundraise for our excavator, but one of the fastest ways to help us is to share our website and social media accounts with others to spread the word and help us grow, no pun intended.
Ground Cover
Plants chosen
The initial plants we will introduce are small nitrogen-fixers suitable for Zone 8b. Our first task is to work on the soil by assessing its deficiencies, determining what can be added, and adjusting the pH level. This will require time and careful attention. We will start by planting small seeds such as chia and fescue grass
Plants chosen
The initial plants we will introduce are small nitrogen-fixers suitable for Zone 8b. Our first task is to work on the soil by assessing its deficiencies, determining what can be added, and adjusting the pH level. This will require time and careful attention. We will start by planting small seeds such as chia and fescue grass. The soil will then be enriched with humic acid and biochar and incorporated into the ground. Larger plants will follow as the soil becomes more fertile.
- Verbena Bonariensis
- Salvia Farinacea
- Amorpha Fruticosa
- Asclepias Asperula
- Asclepias Speciosa (Showy Plant)
- Baccharis Salicifolia
- Chamaenerion Angustifolium
- Lupinus Arizonicus
- Arizona Aster
- Antelope Horns Milkweed
- English Lavender
- Desert Lavender
- Chilopsis linearis (Erosion Control)
- Handroanthus Chrysanthus
- Mint
These larger plants were chosen due to their ability to grow when the pH levels are at a specific target, the plants also encourage pollinators like bees, and butterflies and some offer food for the smaller wildlife. Other plants not listed like legumes will be used for nitrogen-fixing.
On missions to Mars, NASA and other world space agencies utilize every advantage to keep astronauts healthy. A journey to Mars would include micro-farms, as plants scrub the air, provide nutrition, and positively impact astronauts' emotions. We have learned from these agencies that specific light recipes effectively control and assist the growth of plant life in confined spaces.
When light passes through a prism, it breaks into several colors, each playing a role in plant growth. For instance, red light promotes quick, tall growth, while blue light keeps a plant short but stocky.
How would nature solve this? Instead of extracting from the natural world, it studies how organisms and ecosystem's function, then applies those insights to design, engineering, architecture, and more.
Using 3D printing, we will create a special scaffold that wraps around the base of the tree or plant, incorporating different colored acrylics to enhance lighting and reach the plant's base. The design will mimic the small horns or husks of Dynastinae beetles, which capture water from early morning dew. By incorporating these beetle-inspired horns into the printed scaffold, the collected water becomes heavy enough to fall and deposit onto the plant below.
10,000 Trees
10,000 Trees
10,000 Trees
We hope to plant 10,000 trees in our first year on the property. The trees will be planted in a Fibonacci pattern on the three ridges on the property. We have chosen 28 species of trees. The trees are mostly native, but we will include Fruit and Nut trees. The plants we will add in the first year will start from seeds. We have crea
We hope to plant 10,000 trees in our first year on the property. The trees will be planted in a Fibonacci pattern on the three ridges on the property. We have chosen 28 species of trees. The trees are mostly native, but we will include Fruit and Nut trees. The plants we will add in the first year will start from seeds. We have created an Amazon wish list for anyone interested in purchasing seeds.
- Velvet mesquite (Prosopis velutina)
- Blue Jacaranda (Ornamental)
- Olneya Tesota
- Foothills Palo Verde
- Arizona Walnut
- Pinyon Pine
- Chokecherry
- Arizona Ash
- Farnesiana Acacia
- White Balsam
- Prosopis glandulous
- Quaking Aspen Tree
- Papya Tree
- Goodding’s willow ( Salix Gooding)
- Mulberry Tree
- Western Redbud
- Ash Fraxinus Anomala
- Arizona Sycamore
- Water Birch
- Silver Oak
- Emory Oak
- Arizona White Oak
- Yellowhorn
- Marina Strawberry Tree
We chose the trees above for several reasons, growth elevation, shade, lifespan, growing zone, Nitrogen Fixing, and consumables for humans and wildlife. Many of the trees listed above can be found on the Wishlist.
Using the button below, you will see basic drone footage of the SE Corner of the property. This footage and topography maps will help us plan the swales and areas where trees will be planted. We are starting in the SE corner because it is ideally close to where the well and engineering habitat will be located. This is a small corner hill that is approximately 1 acre. We can plant many trees on this ridge.
Fund Raising
10,000 Trees
10,000 Trees
An Excavator is badly needed:
We are looking for a used excavator that does not need a lot of repairs. We are open to a donation of heavy equipment, but it is unlikely that anyone would happen to have an excavator lying around. The excavator will be used to dig swales on the contour. Without the heavy equipment, the work will go on with
An Excavator is badly needed:
We are looking for a used excavator that does not need a lot of repairs. We are open to a donation of heavy equipment, but it is unlikely that anyone would happen to have an excavator lying around. The excavator will be used to dig swales on the contour. Without the heavy equipment, the work will go on with shovels.
This is a big-ticket item for us, so to raise funds, we will sell hats and other products. We have not decided on the type of items supporters might enjoy. Since funding is limited, we have to budget very carefully. To blindly purchase items that no one would buy defeats the purpose of raising funds.
If any of our readers have any ideas, please let us hear them. We hope to meet others along the way with access to this type of equipment, but due to our extreme location, and current road conditions, renting equipment is not an option.