Come Join Us!!! A Non-Profit Organization The Imprinting Foundation 1616 E. Lind Road Tucson, Arizona 85719

The   research   of   the   Imprinting   Foundation   is   based   upon   Whitman's   words.   Facts   are   provided   to validate   rainwater   infiltration   theory,   and   the   theory   unifies   many   assorted   infiltration   facts.   Imprinting   is based   upon   this   infiltration   theory   that   is   well   supported   by   infiltration   data   collected   in   four   states: Wisconsin,   Montana,   Nevada   & Arizona,   during   the   period   1960   to   1975,   primarily   by   Dr.   Robert   Dixon, shown right (we know, the resemblance to Sam Elliot is uncanny!) You   can   use   the   menu   to   the   left   or   the   links   below   to   go   to   the   indexes   of   C onservation   Essays    and Scientific   Publications .   Although   far   from   Danielle   Steel   or   Tom   Clancy   stories,   the   articles   are   of   major importance   to   those   of   us   who   are   trying   to   turn   the   tide   of   the   disastrous   route   this   planet   is   taking. Each   contribution   from   educators,   scientists,   agricultural   experts,   etc.,   builds   on   the   next.   The   answers to   today's   serious   problems   are   to   be   found   amidst   the   various   theories   and   scientific   data.   The imprinting   machine   is   just   one   example   of   what   can   be   done   through   technology   and   literally   putting the   nuts   and   bolts   together   (you   were   wondering   where   that   was   going   to   tie   in,   now   weren't   you?)   The Dixon   Land   Imprinter   (one   shown   at   right)   is   a   very   simple   machine   consisting   of   only   two   moving parts--the   imprinting   roller   and   the   seed-box   agitator.   Imprinters   have   been   designed   for   ecological restoration   and   the   establishment   of   cover   crops.   They   have   smaller   diameter   rollers   and   are   easier   to transport.   Some   can   work   on   2:1   slopes   and   even   steeper.   Click   on   left   menu   or   on   picture   for   imprinter specifications .

Tombstone Prototype Imprinter

Roller Blades

Imprints Hold Rainwater in Place

V-shaped   imprints   funnel   resources   downward   where   they   can   work   in   concert   to   germinate   seeds   and   establish   seedlings.   See   the photograph   on   the   right   (now   that   is   a   framable   work   of   art!) The   vegetative   response   to   imprinting   is   rapid   because   the   v-shaped   imprints   or indentations   hold   rainwater   in   place   and   captures   seed,   water   and   windblown   plant   litter.   So   it   is   a   unique   combination   of   factors   that   make this   V-shaped   imprint   very   successful:   It   concentrates   water   and   seed,   funneling   it   to   the   bottom   of   the   imprint;   captures   and   concentrates windblown   litter,   that   works   as   mulch   to   suppress   evaporation;   and   gathers   other   windblown   seeds   for   a   cover   crop   and   biodiversity. Advantages   of   imprinting   over   other   methods   include   better   soil   and   water   conservation,   better   stands   of   vegetation,   faster   growing seedlings, and greater production of forage/plant material.

  For you "Technophiles" Conservation Essays    Scientific Publications  

Simple   seeders,   are   directly   driven   from   the   imprinting   roller,   such   as   the   roller   shown   on   the   right, and   can   deliver   complex   mixes   of   native   seeds   to   the   roller   top   where   they   are   carried   forward, dropped   on   the   soil   surface   and   then   embedded   in   the   imprint   surfaces.   Click   on   left   menu   or   on picture for roller specifications . AIR EARTH INTERFACE (AEI)

IMPRINTING: How Does It Work?

"Theory without Fact is Fantasy, and Fact without Theory is Chaos"

Walt Whitman