Explore the Science of Watershed Restoration
Videos, documentaries, and public presentations highlighting over two decades of research on natural infrastructure in dryland streams (NIDS), watershed restoration, groundwater recharge, flood mitigation, climate resilience, and ecosystem recovery.
Featured Educational Video Series: “Can These Rocks...?”
A series of short educational films that translate scientific findings from the Aridland Water Harvesting Study into real-world questions about water, climate, flooding, and working lands.
June 8, 2022
How can small structures in dryland streams influence water storage, vegetation recovery, carbon sequestration, and climate resilience?
▶ Click here to watch the video
December 6, 2024
How natural infrastructure slows runoff, reduces flood peaks, captures sediment, and protects communities in the U.S.-Mexico border region.
▶ Click here to watch the video
October 14, 2026
How watershed restoration can improve grassland productivity, drought resilience, soil moisture, and water availability on working ranchlands.
Documentaries with the Sky Island Restoration Collaborative (SIRC)
A documentary showcasing collaborative restoration efforts across the Sky Islands region of Arizona and Sonora and the partnerships working to build landscape-scale resilience.
▶ Click here to watch the video
Trailer: The Sky Island Restoration Collaborative
▶ Click here to watch the trailer
June 12, 2024
Scientists, ranchers, and restoration practitioners reflect on two decades of implementing, monitoring, and studying nature-based watershed restoration throughout the American Southwest.
▶ Click here to watch the video
Animated Science Explainers: Water in Healthy Landscapes
Developed in collaboration with the Mulloon Institute (Australia), these animated videos explain how Natural Infrastructure in Dryland Streams functions as a nature-based solution for restoring watershed processes and increasing climate resilience.
- What is Natural Infrastructure?
▶ Click here to watch the video
- Regenerating Landscapes with Natural Infrastructure
▶ Click here to watch the video
- Building Resilience into the Landscape Mosaic
▶ Click here to watch the video
Spanish-Language Series
In partnership with Alumbra Innovations (Baja California Sur, Mexico), the series has been translated into Spanish.
Public Lectures and Invited Presentations
Selected lectures, seminars, and keynote presentations describing the science, methods, and outcomes of watershed restoration using natural infrastructure.
A Jaguar's Field of Dreams: If You Build It, They Will Come
USGS Evening Public Lecture Series (2021)
International Watersheds Coping with Climate Hazards
University of Arizona Water Resources Research Center (2021)
Ecohydrology of Rock Detention Structures
Cienega Watershed Partnership (2021)
Natural Infrastructure in Dryland Streams (NIDS): A Summary of Interdisciplinary Research
Collaborative Conservation & Adaptation Strategy Toolbox (2022)
Unveiling the Multiple Benefits of Rock Detention Structures
Riverscape Restoration Network (RRN) meeting (2023)
Natural Infrastructure in Dryland Streams / La Infraestructura Natural en Arroyos de Tierras Áridas
El Colegio de la Frontera Norte (COLEF), Monterrey, Mexico (2023)
Natural Infrastructure in Dryland Streams Can Establish Regenerative Wetland Sinks
University of Arizona (2024)
Farouk El-Baz Award Lecture
Geological Society of America Annual Meeting (2024)
Small Dams, Big Impacts
Land & Water Summit (2026)
Lessons from Watershed Restoration with Natural Infrastructure in Dryland Streams
Arizona Land and Water Trust (2026)
Media Themes
Visitors interested in specific topics may wish to explore the media by theme:
| Topic | Featured Media |
| Flood Reduction | Can These Rocks Reduce Flooding? |
| Grassland Restoration | Can These Rocks Feed Cattle? |
| Climate Resilience | Can Rock Dams Reverse Climate Change? |
| Dryland Watershed Restoration | 20-Year Crew |
| International Collaboration | Sky Island Restoration Collaborative |
| Watershed Science | Animated Science Explainers |
| Technical Research | Public Lectures & Seminars |
Aridland Water Harvesting Study
Videos, documentaries, and public presentations highlighting over two decades of research on natural infrastructure in dryland streams (NIDS), watershed restoration, groundwater recharge, flood mitigation, climate resilience, and ecosystem recovery.
Featured Educational Video Series: “Can These Rocks...?”
A series of short educational films that translate scientific findings from the Aridland Water Harvesting Study into real-world questions about water, climate, flooding, and working lands.
June 8, 2022
How can small structures in dryland streams influence water storage, vegetation recovery, carbon sequestration, and climate resilience?
▶ Click here to watch the video
December 6, 2024
How natural infrastructure slows runoff, reduces flood peaks, captures sediment, and protects communities in the U.S.-Mexico border region.
▶ Click here to watch the video
October 14, 2026
How watershed restoration can improve grassland productivity, drought resilience, soil moisture, and water availability on working ranchlands.
Documentaries with the Sky Island Restoration Collaborative (SIRC)
A documentary showcasing collaborative restoration efforts across the Sky Islands region of Arizona and Sonora and the partnerships working to build landscape-scale resilience.
▶ Click here to watch the video
Trailer: The Sky Island Restoration Collaborative
▶ Click here to watch the trailer
June 12, 2024
Scientists, ranchers, and restoration practitioners reflect on two decades of implementing, monitoring, and studying nature-based watershed restoration throughout the American Southwest.
▶ Click here to watch the video
Animated Science Explainers: Water in Healthy Landscapes
Developed in collaboration with the Mulloon Institute (Australia), these animated videos explain how Natural Infrastructure in Dryland Streams functions as a nature-based solution for restoring watershed processes and increasing climate resilience.
- What is Natural Infrastructure?
▶ Click here to watch the video
- Regenerating Landscapes with Natural Infrastructure
▶ Click here to watch the video
- Building Resilience into the Landscape Mosaic
▶ Click here to watch the video
Spanish-Language Series
In partnership with Alumbra Innovations (Baja California Sur, Mexico), the series has been translated into Spanish.
Public Lectures and Invited Presentations
Selected lectures, seminars, and keynote presentations describing the science, methods, and outcomes of watershed restoration using natural infrastructure.
A Jaguar's Field of Dreams: If You Build It, They Will Come
USGS Evening Public Lecture Series (2021)
International Watersheds Coping with Climate Hazards
University of Arizona Water Resources Research Center (2021)
Ecohydrology of Rock Detention Structures
Cienega Watershed Partnership (2021)
Natural Infrastructure in Dryland Streams (NIDS): A Summary of Interdisciplinary Research
Collaborative Conservation & Adaptation Strategy Toolbox (2022)
Unveiling the Multiple Benefits of Rock Detention Structures
Riverscape Restoration Network (RRN) meeting (2023)
Natural Infrastructure in Dryland Streams / La Infraestructura Natural en Arroyos de Tierras Áridas
El Colegio de la Frontera Norte (COLEF), Monterrey, Mexico (2023)
Natural Infrastructure in Dryland Streams Can Establish Regenerative Wetland Sinks
University of Arizona (2024)
Farouk El-Baz Award Lecture
Geological Society of America Annual Meeting (2024)
Small Dams, Big Impacts
Land & Water Summit (2026)
Lessons from Watershed Restoration with Natural Infrastructure in Dryland Streams
Arizona Land and Water Trust (2026)
Media Themes
Visitors interested in specific topics may wish to explore the media by theme:
| Topic | Featured Media |
| Flood Reduction | Can These Rocks Reduce Flooding? |
| Grassland Restoration | Can These Rocks Feed Cattle? |
| Climate Resilience | Can Rock Dams Reverse Climate Change? |
| Dryland Watershed Restoration | 20-Year Crew |
| International Collaboration | Sky Island Restoration Collaborative |
| Watershed Science | Animated Science Explainers |
| Technical Research | Public Lectures & Seminars |