🌵 Historic Drought Meets Housing Crisis: Tucson Councilman Reveals City's Response to Parched Plants and Homeless Population
"Plants know how to survive, but they can't do it forever"
Based on the Buckmaster Show for 4/2/25, a daily radio show in Tucson, AZ, interviewing local newsmakers.
😽 Keepin’ It Simple Summary for Younger Readers
👧🏾✊🏾👦🏾
🌵 Tucson is facing two big problems right now: a severe lack of rain ☔ (the worst dry spell since people started keeping records in 1895) and many people who don't have homes 🏠. On the Buckmaster radio show, City Councilman Kevin Dahl talked about how even desert plants 🌿 are struggling without water and about a plant called "stinknet" 🌱 that's spreading and causing problems. He also explained how the city is trying to help people without homes by sending social workers 👩💼 instead of police 🚔 to help them find services. Another guest, Professor Classen, talked about why books 📚 are still important even with computers 💻 and phones 📱, and how being kind to others in small ways 🤗 (like holding doors open) makes our whole community better. 💖
🗝️ Takeaways
🏜️ Tucson is experiencing its driest period since record-keeping began in 1895, threatening even drought-adapted native plants
🌻 Invasive "stinknet" plants continue spreading despite drought conditions, requiring community vigilance and reporting
🏘️ Tucson has shifted from police-first to social worker-first responses to homelessness encampments
🛣️ New city ordinance prohibits anyone from being on medians except when crossing streets, affecting panhandlers
🏕️ Controversial "Help Huts" proposal for designated camping areas in city parks received significant pushback
📖 Physical books remain essential for "deep reading" despite digital alternatives
🤝 Small daily courtesies reflect and reinforce our larger ethical commitments to community
Parched Earth, Parched Humanity: Tucson's Dual Crisis of Drought and Displacement
In the heart of the Sonoran Desert, where saguaros stand sentinel against an increasingly hostile sky, Tucson is experiencing an unprecedented drought—the worst since records began in 1895.
Meanwhile, scattered throughout the city's washes, parks, and medians are the human evidence of another kind of scarcity: affordable housing. The Buckmaster Show's April 2nd program tackled both of these crises with thoughtful guests who offered insight into the parched state of both our landscape and our social fabric.
When It Rains, It Pours (But It Hasn't Rained)
Ward 3 Councilman Kevin Dahl, conservation warrior and author, began with dire news about Tucson's historic dry spell. The period from last August through March represents the most moisture-deprived stretch in 130 years of record-keeping.
"It's amazingly dry out there," Dahl lamented. "The plants, a lot of desert plants know how to survive through these droughts, but they can't do it forever. And you'll see trees that are suffering and prickly pear whose pads are shriveled."
As Buckmaster and Dahl discussed the possibility of rain later in the week—a meager 30% chance that had both men practically giddy—one couldn't help but think: This is what climate collapse looks like in real-time. While politicians debate whether climate change exists, the desert is screaming the answer.
Even the native plants that evolved for aridity are reaching their breaking point. Dahl suggested giving beloved yard plants "a little extra water once or twice a week"—conservation-minded advice that balances immediate plant survival with long-term water consciousness.
Botanical Border Battles
The conversation shifted to one of the desert's most unwelcome immigrants: stinknet. Described as the "Jesse James of invasive plants," this yellow-flowered invader (formerly known by the deceptively charming name "wild chamomile") threatens to overwhelm native ecosystems.
"It's one of those invasive plants that take over. And it's just a nasty little thing," Dahl explained. The ironically named plant spreads rapidly wherever water gathers, though this year's drought has temporarily slowed its conquest.
It's fascinating how we militarize our language around non-native plants—they "invade," they "take over," they must be "eradicated"—while simultaneously treating actual human migrants with similar dehumanizing rhetoric. The plants didn't choose to come here; someone's pants leg or luggage brought them, just as economic conditions beyond their control bring many migrants across borders.
The Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum leads eradication efforts, with Dahl encouraging citizens to report sightings and properly dispose of the plant in sealed plastic bags. One wonders if our resources might be better balanced between fighting botanical invaders and welcoming human ones with dignity.
The Human Drought: Shelter Scarcity and the Supreme Court's Shadow
The conversation's pivot from invasive plants to unhoused people wasn't coincidental—both represent challenges to the urban ecosystem, though one deserves compassion while the other demands eradication.
Dahl spoke poignantly about the Povarello House, a Franciscan-founded haven where people experiencing homelessness can find temporary respite, meals, clothing, showers, and connections to services.
"When you're living on the streets, when you don't have shelter, it's not an easy existence," Dahl noted with profound understatement. "You might lose your car because of some violation. Then you have nothing... You need to be able to take a shower and put on good clothes to get a job. You need to have the ID to get the job."
The brutal circularity of homelessness—you need a home to get ID, you need ID to get a job, you need a job to get a home—remains one of capitalism's cruelest trap doors.
The conversation deepened with discussion of a recent Supreme Court decision allowing municipalities to create their own homelessness ordinances. In a perfect microcosm of American governance, Buckmaster and Dahl explored Tucson's evolving approach: rather than defaulting to criminalizing homelessness through police response, the city now deploys trained social workers through the Community Safety, Health and Welfare program.
"When I came on, police was the only city staff that would respond when there was an encampment or someone had a problem with someone who was living on the street," Dahl explained, highlighting the progress toward a more humane approach.
Still, Dahl acknowledged the resulting "whack-a-mole" effect when people are moved without adequate alternatives. Exactly—cities can't solve homelessness by moving people around like unwanted furniture. The problem isn't where people sleep; it's that they have nowhere to sleep.
The Many Paths to Nowhere
Dahl compassionately outlined the complex pathways into homelessness—domestic violence, veteran trauma, elderly individuals priced out of their homes by skyrocketing rents—countering the conservative narrative that unhoused people have simply made bad choices.
"People are on the streets for a lot of different reasons," he explained. "It might have been a bad family situation, escaping domestic violence. It could be veterans who are finding back from the front that they can't live inside and are dealing with their trauma. It's elderly people. There's more elderly people who aren't fixed incomes as the apartment rental rates went sky high."
Translation: Our economic system has failed our most vulnerable citizens, while property owners extract ever-higher rents from an increasingly desperate population. The free market's invisible hand has picked many pockets clean.
Dahl championed Tucson's "housing first" approach, which provides low-barrier shelter as a foundation for addressing underlying challenges. "Once you're in shelter, once you have four walls on a roof, then you can start dealing with the challenges that have in your life that have brought you to the situation."
The councilman also clarified Tucson's legal landscape around panhandling—constitutionally protected on sidewalks but now prohibited on medians for safety reasons—and addressed the controversial "Help Huts" proposal floated by Councilmember Karen Uhlich. This pilot program for designated camping areas in city parks received significant pushback, causing Uhlich to regroup with suggestions including using vacant land away from neighborhoods and following Phoenix's "safe outdoor space" model.
The fact that we're debating where people "can" be homeless rather than ensuring everyone has housing speaks volumes about our priorities as a society. We'll bail out banks but balk at building affordable housing.
Medieval Wisdom for Modern Wasteland
The show's final guest brought historical perspective to contemporary challenges. Dr. Albrecht Classen, Distinguished Professor of German Studies with an astounding 132 books and 840 scholarly articles to his name, joined to promote the 20th anniversary of the Early Books Lecture Series at the University of Arizona.
In their discussion of book history, Classen noted that physical books have survived predictions of digital obsolescence, with readers still valuing the tactile experience of "deep reading" over screen scrolling.
"It's very hard to read [electronic books] deeply," Classen explained. "So publishers increasingly want to send me just a PDF for book reviews. And I say, well, you can get from me then a very superficial review. But you want to deep read? Send me the book. I need to put my finger in there. I need to mark it."
In our rush toward digital everything, we've confused access with understanding. Having all human knowledge on your phone doesn't mean you possess any of it in your mind.
The conversation reached its philosophical crescendo when Classen examined the humanities' role in cultivating virtues and ethics—qualities increasingly scarce in public discourse. Using simple examples like holding doors for strangers or yielding in traffic, he illustrated how small courtesies reflect deeper ethical commitments.
"I enter a building and most people just open the door and let the door fall. I always stop. I hold the door, look back. Is there someone who needs the door?" Classen said. "In traffic... somebody needs to merge into my lane. I say, please weave in. You're fine. You're my guest. How can I help my neighbors? How can I assist people, my students, for example, to achieve their goals?"
Classen lamented the atomization of society and the dissolution of political compromise, calling for leaders who prioritize service over reelection. "The first call for a president should be, I don't care whether you will reelect me. I will do what I believe is the best for this country. What is right? And if it's not popular, then let it be not popular and you don't elect me again."
Imagine that—elected officials who serve constituents rather than donors. Revolutionary concept.
Desert Dispatches: Watering Hope
As Tucson navigates its historic drought and humanitarian challenges, Buckmaster's conversations revealed a city grappling with both environmental and social sustainability. The juxtaposition of invasive plants and displaced people highlights interconnected struggles in an unforgiving climate—both meteorological and political.
Yet within these parched conversations sprouted seeds of hope. Tucson's shift toward trained social workers rather than police as first responders to homelessness shows evolution in our collective consciousness. The persistent popularity of physical books demonstrates our deep human need for tangible connection. And Classen's simple ethics of door-holding reminds us that community is built one small courtesy at a time.
For those moved by these issues, there are concrete actions to take. Report stinknet sightings to the Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum's eradication program at stinknet.org. Support organizations like the Povarello House that provide critical services to unhoused individuals. Attend the Early Books Lecture Series at the University of Arizona on April 8th, 15th, and 22nd to deepen your connection to humanistic values.
Most importantly, remember that both environmental and social justice require not just individual actions but systemic change. Vote for candidates who prioritize affordable housing and climate resilience. Challenge narratives that dehumanize either plants or people who cross borders. Hold doors—and hold power accountable.
In this desert of difficulty, perhaps Dr. Classen's medieval wisdom offers modern hope: communities thrive when small courtesies bloom into sustainable ethics. Even in our driest moments—meteorologically and morally—Tucson's response to both water scarcity and human vulnerability will define its character for generations to come.
Let the rain of compassion fall where both plants and people need it most.
What solutions do you see for addressing homelessness that balance humanitarian concerns with community needs? How has the historic drought affected your yard, neighborhood, or daily life? Leave your thoughts in the comments below.
Quotes
"It's amazingly dry out there. The plants, a lot of desert plants know how to survive through these droughts, but they can't do it forever." — Kevin Dahl on Tucson experiencing its driest period in recorded history
"When I came on, police was the only city staff that would respond when there was an encampment or someone had a problem with someone who was living on the street." — Kevin Dahl on Tucson's previous approach to homelessness
"People are on the streets for a lot of different reasons. It might have been a bad family situation, escaping domestic violence. It could be veterans who are finding back from the front that they can't live inside and are dealing with their trauma." — Kevin Dahl challenging simplified narratives about homelessness
"Publishers increasingly want to send me just a PDF for book reviews. And I say, well, you can get from me then a very superficial review." — Dr. Classen on why physical books remain essential for deep reading
"The first call for a president should be, I don't care whether you will reelect me. I will do what I believe is the best for this country." — Dr. Classen criticizing politicians who prioritize reelection over service
People Mentioned
Bill Buckmaster — Host of the Buckmaster Show, now in its 15th year of broadcasting
Kevin Dahl — Democratic Tucson City Councilman for Ward 3, former Executive Director of Native Seed Search and Tucson Audubon Society, and author of "Wild Plants of the Sonoran Desert" and "Native Harvest, Authentic Southwestern Gardening"
Quote: "Once you're in shelter, once you have four walls on a roof, then you can start dealing with the challenges that have in your life that have brought you to the situation."
Dr. Albrecht Classen — University of Arizona Distinguished Professor of German Studies who has published 132 books and 840 scholarly articles
Quote: "How can I help my neighbors? How can I assist people, my students, for example, to achieve their goals? How can I work nicely with my neighbors so that their kids have a good time? These are tiny little things, but that's what for me represents ethics."
Karen Uhlich — Tucson City Councilmember who proposed controversial "Help Huts" program for designated camping areas in city parks
Tom Fairbanks — Producer/engineer for the Buckmaster Show
Povarello House — Franciscan-founded organization providing services to homeless individuals in Tucson
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