PENnED

I’ve been learning more about Arizona lately, and my admiration for the state keeps growing.

One story that really stayed with me comes from the Dunbar Spring neighborhood in Tucson.

Years ago, a small group of residents there began experimenting with rainwater harvesting — long before it was common or even fully legal.

They believed that the water falling on their roofs and streets shouldn’t be wasted. It could nourish their gardens, cool their streets, and support a healthier way of living.

Their commitment didn’t stop at their own homes. They worked with city leaders, pushed for policy changes, and helped make rainwater harvesting not only legal but encouraged throughout Arizona.

Today, Dunbar Spring is known for its native plants, shaded walkways, and a community culture built around caring for the land.

Meanwhile, here in Las Vegas, collecting rainwater isn’t allowed. It makes me appreciate even more how Arizona treats water as something to be stewarded, not discarded. There’s a quiet wisdom in that — a way of living that feels both humble and forward‑thinking.

It’s inspiring to see a place where sustainability isn’t just a slogan, but a lived practice.