I bought 160 acres of land. It seemed like a great idea, until it sank in. "What have I done? Have I gone completely mad?" The truth is, I don’t have all the answers today, but with the help of others, they’ll come. I can only connect with people if I try and possibly bribe them with the promise of shade once the trees grow.

Why am I doing this?

Climate change used to be a whisper; now it’s practically screaming at us like an alarm clock we wish we could snooze. I felt an undeniable call to do something, and so began my deep dive into how we can reverse climate change on a large scale. This isn’t just about flipping light switches off or cutting down on plane rides (though those help); the challenge is far bigger than our everyday token gestures. And it’s growing faster than my existential dread.

What are we raising money for?

Backhoe Excavator Loader 2.5Ton 4x4

Why do we need it?

Reaching the property currently demands a 4x4 vehicle due to the rugged and unforgiving road conditions. The equipment we’re bringing in will be instrumental in improving this access, making it possible for additional tools, supplies, and supporters to join us on-site.

But the challenge doesn’t end at the gate. The land itself is formidable: strewn with heavy boulders and rock that must be cleared to prepare the ground for soil amendments and planting. These same rocks, once removed, will serve a vital purpose, forming check dams to capture and conserve water, anchoring our restoration efforts.

A locally purchased 2.5-ton 4x4 Backhoe Excavator Loader can cost upwards of $90,000. While used equipment may appear more affordable at first, hidden costs quickly accumulate. High operating hours, frequent maintenance, and unpredictable repairs often drive the total investment well beyond initial estimates, making reliability and long-term efficiency key factors in our decision-making.

It was hoped that we would have this equipment donated to save costs, but this has not happened. We need to buy. Shipping equipment in and out is a total of $4000 for rental. So, with each rental hire, the costs skyrocket.

The plan?

Restore the desert using a syntropic approach, construct check dams (Gabions) and swales, and plant up to 1 million seeds on this 160-acre blank canvas.

If all goes well, one day, this land will be bursting with life, and instead of questioning my sanity, I’ll sit under the shade of a tree I planted and think, "Maybe I wasn’t so crazy after all."

I do not know if any of us will survive long enough to see a lush forest, but future generations might sit under the very trees we plant today, which will only exist because we took action today.