Our Approach

Dryland Design is rooted in a holistic approach to water and our desert community’s relationship to it. There is something truly special about doing this work. Our designs and installations are more than functional, they are artistic, beautiful and built to last. Most importantly our work is inspired by nature and its processes.  We balance the rules of nature and the rules of people to create successful and thriving projects. Looking at projects not as isolated elements, but as part of a larger ever-changing system, gives us a chance to bring more than just water management. Dryland Design is adapting and incorporating approaches such as LTPBR (Low Tech Process Based Restoration) and S.M.A.R.T. goals (Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-bound).  We are committed to installing systems that create a greener, cooler, and more water-conscious place to live. 

The following  are some key contributors, mentors, and inspirations to our approach: Brad Lancaster and his work in Rainwater Harvesting for Drylands and Beyond; Dave Rosgen’s stream classification and restoration approaches in his book Applied River Morphology and his course Applied Fluvial Geomorphology; Bill Zeedyk’s work included in his publications An Introduction to Induced Meandering and Let the Water Do the Work; and Craig Sponholtz’s proven approaches to healing watersheds. We maintain active relationships with these mentors and others in the field keeping Dryland Design at the forefront of innovative and successful watershed restoration practices.

Dryland Design’s internal work quality and cost control measures have kept us in business with no advertising since we started in 2016. Having high work ethic, follow-through, and great employees are additional values that have made Dryland Design successful. Clear communication and instructions, on-job training and accountability are key elements of our approach. We provide opportunities for employees’ continued education through workshops and conferences. Together, our team designs and builds projects that support regenerative landscapes to last for generations.