Sierra Vista - While the Sierra Vista Task Force on Plant Sciences continues to brainstorming a proposed native plant protection ordinance for the city, the group's new plant sciences facility at the University of Arizona Sierra Vista is taking root.

Currently, 18 utility poles that were donated by Sulphur Springs Valley Electric Cooperative, occupy the property. By the end of February, the 2-acre site is expected to hold more than 1,000 plants salvaged from alongside Highway 90.

"There are over a 1,000 plants that have been red-flagged by an ADOT botanist within a 10-mile stretch of Highway 90," said Marie Hansen, city public information officer.

"Within the next few weeks we should be seeing a lot of activity in here," Task Force member Cado Daily said at a meeting Thursday.

The plants will be removed with the permission of the Arizona Department of Transportation to make room for the widening of the highway.

But before they can be planted, trenches must be dug, holding beds need to be constructed, and shade cloth and fencing has to be installed, Daily said.

There behind the UA administrative building the plants - agaves, ocotillos, and cacti - will be nurtured by master gardeners until being used in restoration projects and commercial planning.

Even so, there's still the reminder of the group's goal: To work itself out if existence by next year.

Formed last January, the task force was given two years to devise ways of salvaging roadside plants, proposing a native plant protection ordinance and growing native grasses, said Councilman Harold Vangilder, chairman of the task force. "This is the year we need to come to the end gain and pass off the baton to whoever succeeds us."

Vangilder told the group about his idea of having an independent plant sciences center where scientists and students could conduct research.

Also Thursday, the task force debated the language and intent of its proposed plant protection ordinance, including a list of native and non-native plants in Sierra Vista.

The purpose of the ordinance is to promote and protect the conservation of native plants without infringing on peoples' right to plant whatever they choose.

By offering incentives to developers and homeowners the ???? the use of native versus non-native vegetation, minimize water use and to make use of existing vegetation. Incentives for using native plants could include a break in building fees for a developer or a reduction in sewer bills for homeowners.

The task force also agreed Thursday on finding a site for growing native grasses. Doing so would provide a revenue source for the city, while restoring natural habitats.

There are two possible sites in northeast Sierra Vista, including the "old ponds area," where effluent is currently treated and part of the land where the new effluent recharge project will be taking place.

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