How I'm Building the Backbone of My Desert Forest

[@dustupstexas]

Try MyHeritage with a 14-day free trial: bit.ly/ShaunOverton

[@ShaneSaxson]

Great job!! Can’t wait till it rains real hard. I wanna see lots of water backed up behind those dams!

[@ExpoSolco]

You're so close to Mexico you should go to Mexico to get gas cans and get the old school gas cans that actually work not the new stupid safety ones that spill everywhere

[@CHMichael]

I think we all are hoping for the episode when we finally see some rain.

[@mehAudio]

@@CHMichael hell, yes! I always get thirsty just watching them

[@CriticalThinker27]

And finally, domestically originating rain / higher humidity from the high organic matter and plant exudates.

[@olsim1730]

​@@CriticalThinker27I hope to see hints of this before I die 😅 43 now 🤞

[@AGalahcalledSammi]

I'm more than happy to send some from Queensland, Australia. Maybe if I could get an email address. 🌧🌵🌧

[@guerillagardener2237]

Yup

[@bobedwards8896]

honestly, mad respect for being willing to be dumb, make mistakes and deal with the comments. good to see you learning and getting advice from experts

[@Quekksilber]

Agreed, it takes some deep self-respect to make mistakes in front of thousands of people.

[@MickeyJessieCupid]

My thoughts too. He’s a “man in the arena”

[@michaelsmithers4900]

Absolutely, you’re out there doing it.

[@gzzd]

It's the vulnerability and insanity of the project that makes it so fun to watch. Cheering for the underdog.

[@Pyromanemac]

+1 respect for being honest about your ignorance. -5 for ignorantly pursuing an endeavor like this as a vlog. Obvious attention whoring.

[@jeffcmcm]

Hey Shaun, Quick word of encouragement... I buy and sell industrial equipment for a living, and I work on tons of it.....again, for a living. When I was watching last week's episode my first, and immediate, thought was, "You could just turn it with a screwdriver easily since the key's broken off and all the pins are aligned at their shear line.....There's no chance he's going to think of it though with the stress of that situation!" Your predicament instantly brought me back to a million situations I've both seen and been in myself JUST LIKE THAT. Don't listen to the Monday Morning Quarterbacks. There's always a better way to do something looking back at it from the comfort of your home when things don't matter. A lot of people in the comments noticing that does NOT mean that most people would think of it in the stress of the same situation. For whatever my professional opinion is worth...I've been consistently impressed by your abilities - from your critical thinking to your adaptability and the mechanical skills you've developed. You do an awesome job out there, brother. Keep it up! Stay awesome, Jeff

[@louisegogel7973]

❤❤❤

[@dustupstexas]

Much appreciated! Thank you for the encouragement

[@JeremyFath]

Shaun we see you thinking about being safe, and think about getting it done quickly That’s 90% of what separates success and failure. This community is here to support you not criticize.

[@jeffcmcm]

@@JeremyFath I couldn't agree more!

[@andreaslarsson863]

​@@dustupstexasI'm pretty sure the person who wrote the comment about using a screwdriver didn't do it in order of being discouraging. He was just more experienced in that area. You'll obviously will get that experience eventually. But you are a tech guy. Don't forget using internet when facing a new problem is the absolute fastest shortcut gaining experience you yet don't have. I'm amazed how many mechanical issues people have taking their time filming when fixing and putting on youtube. I understand being in the middle of nowhere puts you in a lot of extremely challenging situations. But. When possible. If you just reach out and for example go live. I'm pretty sure there is a good chance someone.with the right set of skills actually will answer that call. You have a lot of followers rooting for your success. Don't forget putting to use.

[@nell5607]

Personally, I really appreciate your honesty, and willingness to make mistakes and learn on camera. There is a humbleness about you that is really refreshing in an internet full of people who make things look easy. This isn't easy. No-one's ever done it before. Of course you're going to fail sometimes. But that's what makes the project so fascinating. Don't get disheartened by people's criticism. There are a lot more who are wholeheartedly support and admire you.

[@andreajoybelle]

Yes I completely agree. Although I’m interested to see the desert forest come about, the thing that keeps me watching week after week is the realness, the humility, the humour and the tenacity that Shaun shows . So many things in our world are fake airbrushed artificial. It’s wonderful to see reality, warts and all. Most of us on this earth are doing the best we can… none of us has all the answers and most of us just bumble our way through. Hindsight is a wonderful thing! Shaun is giving us all a lesson in life as much as in creating a desert forest. Thank you 🙏🏽

[@beatrixatthecchwclub5620]

agreed

[@RokyEricson]

I see on the weather forecast that there is quite a bit of rain coming your way next Friday and Saturday. Good luck with that!

[@dustupstexas]

Thank you. I had not seen the forecast yet. I looked on ECMWF. It's calling for about 35 mm/1.3". I really hope it's right!!!

[@bfcmik]

@@dustupstexas Will be really interesting to see how much water the BDEs manage to catch.

[@narobii9815]

Ooh hyped for a rain video

[@amosbackstrom5366]

OMG if you've gotten my hopes up... I'm doing my rain dance now. If nothing happens it's all our faults. I may never forgive the both of us!😂

[@tclarkson2000]

Really appreciate you learning on camera. I think if everyone had the experience of publicly broadcasting their decision making process about everything in real time, they'd probably tone down the comments a little. You're learning, and you're helping a lot of other people learn. This age of the entire world accessing what would once have been a project that 20 people knew about, has its advantages and disadvantages. You're doing a great job of navigating all of that. Keep going, dude!! If you're finding it fulfilling, and benefiting the landscape in some way, that's all you need!

[@TheBookDoctor]

For smoothing out sections of dirt like on your dam: have you ever seen what the groundskeepers do at MLB stadiums to dress the dirt on the baselines? They have sections of chain-link fence, with ropes or whatever as handles, that they drag along. Does an amazing job of evening out the dirt. Seems like that could work for you too, either pulled by hand or by machine.

[@cheffress]

Given how rocky it is, some railway track dragged by a chain could work better

[@ps-gq5km]

The other golden rule of earthworks is that dirt naturally settles at an angle of about 25-35 degrees. (angle of repose) For dry sand it's about 25, so if you make your slope 20 (taking the worst angle and adding a 5 degree margin) you would be removing the potential energy trying to flatten the dam. Combined with your 1:3 ratio for resisting lateral hydrostatic pressure, you'd be in great shape.

[@dustupstexas]

The angle of repose with all the gravel is well beyond 45 degrees. It's so steep I couldnt even walk up or down the slope

[@dFrame06]

@@dustupstexas on the back of the dam?

[@BevRich-y8u]

Son you shouldn't worry about any of the comments whatsoever..... I don't see anyone else out there doing the work putting forth the time and the effort to make it a better and more habitable beautiful place... my opinion the best thing you can do..... keep doing you moving forward achieving your goals step by step and forget about the comments don't even read them don't reply to them... everything will eventually fall into place no doubt about it..🤙👏💯🤑🙏

[@Judep4237]

You can always tell the point creators reach when they spend their narrative time talking to unseen internet critics. It makes the tone of a video apologetic instead of celebratory.

[@johnelder150]

Shaun, don't let people's comments get you down. You're a software guy! And look at all the hardware work you're doing! Even doing something wrong, you have achieved far more than the person who snidely comments about the right way to do it!

[@opossumgrylls3275]

People are gonna talk no matter what. Do it "right" and theyll laugh that there is a faster or easier way. Do it "wrong" and they'll say you should have done the right way. Don't feed the trolls. Lesrn from the positive comments and ignore the trolls.

[@tommycrist1856]

I'll give you a little advice from an inventor, only worry about correct when other people are using it. get it working first, then worry about correct/perfect. and #2, always over engineer at first because it saves you from being under duress later on.

[@aussiebg2628]

agreed, that approach is sort of what Space X takes with its rockets, especially the Starship development: try it, break it, work out what went right and wrong, make a change, try it again!

[@tommycrist1856]

@@aussiebg2628 been using that approach since my first invention at 13. it has served me well all my life. once you get it working after over engineering it, it is kinda fun to see what it takes to break it. just make sure you have the first aid kit handy. LOL

[@Gregg29407]

I'm surprised Toyota isn't knocking down your door about a sponsorship. Your hard-working Tacoma is a true credit to its manufacturer!

[@continuousself-improvement1879]

That Tacoma is a beast!

[@MyLifeExperiencesVol.1]

I was thinking the same thing!

[@JG-nm9zk]

Their oversees market is really picking up in Syria, and North Africa. Toyota really doesn't care what about the reach of some smallish youtuber

[@EdmundhmlifePEI]

man i wanna see that damn in use with that rain

[@chocolatemonk]

dude claims he knows what he is doing . . ..

[@_garebear]

We love you, Shaun. I often think of taking a coding break for 6 months and doing some time on the Ranch...building some beaver dams.

[@dustupstexas]

Come on out!

[@dexterm2003]

Please know that anytime we give feedback it is to try and save you time and hassle as much as possible. Sometimes you have to innovate in the short term and plan the "correct" solution for later. Glad you are working on the dams. Water retention and control is foundational project number one in deserts. If you can conserve the water that you do get then you can thrive far easier. Deserts can easily blossom since you have sunshine in abundance you just need water and organic material. I feel you would do very well to rather than jumping straight from desert to forest targeting a couple of intermediate stages would be very wise ie savanna to get the organic material which will build and support soils. Ultimately controlling erosion and building organic soil will benefit you long term. Do not underestimate the power of grass and savanna to build soil and support life. You mentioned livestock perone of your previous episodes and you would do VERY well to introduce some hearty livestock such as goats and donkey that can graze, process and fertilize your land. Donkeys are amazing because they will graze and wallow to create local depressions which allow for more water retention.

[@DheRadman]

would he have to fence in his land for the donkeys? would there be risk of them going feral?

[@Infotainment-z7f]

The value of this channel is seeing "just another citizen" undertake a big project without tons of experience and knowledge, making all the mistakes possible, and learning on the job. It normalizes just trying stuff and normalizes mistakes. Most often other channels are very edited on YT or allready the person is already very skilled to do such projects. But this channel can inspire other people to just start with their own project, instead of waiting until they feel competent enough. I'm hoping for rain for you! Good luck!

[@dwaynekoblitz6032]

Learning how to operate a bulldozer is far more difficult than imagined. It is definitely a learned skill. You will get there. KEEP GOING!! I'm loving this project so much. Educate yourself about the equipment you have. I'm SOOO LOVING THIS!!

[@duaneayers6117]

They have been doing something like what your doing over 10 years ago in Africa and it works. Good Luck 👍🏼

[@phanorkner]

Great work! Remember, before you move any virgin dirt with the dozer, scrape off the topsoil and do your best to preserve it. It has all the biomass and microbial that you have out there. In that environment, it only going to be the top half inch to inch (it is normally just a bit darker), but it is worth preserving. When I was working in the oil field on reclaiming well pads, it made a huge difference. I was in the deserts of Utah, very similar to where you are. Just spread it back over when you reclaim an area, (like the sides of the dams) and it will give everything a good kick start.

[@jayyfrostyy8359]

best part of my week is getting to see your progress. I hope you can see just how far you've come like we all can, truly awesome!

[@smhdpt12]

It's literally the BEST part of your week? Really? I'd try to get out more.

[@jayyfrostyy8359]

@ i hope being a downer brought you some joy that you seem to so desperately need. It’s always the anonymous bot accounts with the terrible opinions

[@deanparsons2594]

Keep the pour spout side of green Jerry can on the “top” or above the spout opening. You wont have the airlock slosh and the fuel will pour easy.

[@Bicycle-Bill]

This! I been around ski boats for 30 years, and the last thing you want is fuel being dispersed all around the boat. As mentioned, turning the Jerry can around so the spout is at the top means you can slowly regulate the fuel pour but also cut the flow in a second, minimising the spillage instantly.

[@louisegogel7973]

❤❤❤❤❤

[@mehAudio]

I find Brush Commando‘s channel very helpful for learning about how to work soil with heavy machinery and for water flow management ideas. You can see how he flattens surfaces by dragging the shovel backwards, for example. There are several other dam building channels which popped into my feed after watching your videos. There has to be a connection there 😎

[@davidanalyst671]

bro. You are on your own land, working on your dozer on your own land, out in the middle of nowhere, 400 miles from the nearest human. You are accountable for yourself, dont say you are afraid of the comments sections. We are in tiny apartments in cities, doing nothin, and you are building your dream property.

[@elroyjennings6876]

Lol I was thinking why not just turn the broken key. I felt like there was a reason why you couldn't. I love your style of showing "mistakes". They are not mistakes. It is how skills are learned. I love seeing you tinker on your bulldozer. You went from scared to touch machines into casually making repairs.

[@dustupstexas]

I'm feeling better about them for sure. I spent today dropping the fuel tank to replace the fuel pump on the Suburban. I never would have tried that even six months ago

[@darrendempsey3190]

Your equipment operation is getting noticeably better 😊

[@jeffcmcm]

Another great Animation! Keep it up, Ian!

[@Bardmusic66]

Shout out to your son for the cool animations!

[@dustupstexas]

Thank you. The encouragement really motivates my boys

[@mehAudio]

I thought you were going to construct a culvert with a huge PVC or concrete pipe. Usually, you don‘t want to lead the water over the same surface you‘re going to drive on. The big stones will move with every crossing, opening the surface up for new errosion. If you burry a culvert, you can pile on more dust on top, so you don‘t have to climb up such steep inclines with the pickup.

[@zevar9819]

Adding a culvert kinda defeats the whole thing of it being a dam. Filling the overflow with rocks is a proven method for said overflows that are only needed to function occasionally. At this point there hasn't been a big enough rain event to judge the performance of the dams so time will tell.

[@dustupstexas]

That would be a very expensive way to accomplish the same thing. I've got bigger problems if the stones move much in the Arizona crossing: it means the dam probably blew out.

[@mehAudio]

The culvert, laid in at the correct height, would allow water to pass through in case of emergency. Water would never flow OVER the dam, but through. And you wouldn‘t be restricted in how tall your dam can get in the middle. My understanding was that that was your goal. Or it might become a goal if you want to cross more easily and without digging up a lot of dust with your tyres everytime you try to climb the incline. You called it a bridge, which also works better when it‘s even. It‘s more work initially, but may be worth it.

[@jetset808]

I've been waiting for this all day since I woke up :)

[@dustupstexas]

Thanks

[@alexlavertyau]

I work in IT and I also dream about getting land doing something like this, probably not in such an extreme environment though 😅it's a shame property prices in Australia have become so expensive lately...

[@BarbaraShafferIsagenix]

Great video update! Loving the aerial views! Please don't be discouraged by or afraid of comments, we all have ideas and suggestions but we're not out there with you so it's easier for us to be backseat drivers. The truth is that most of us would have given up long ago so pay us no mind, just wait a few years down the road and see what they say then! There are many of us who are cheering you on and will be till the end, despite every single "mistake" or "inefficiency" and in fact will love you all the more for our. You serve as an inspiration to others who will watch these videos in the coming years hoping to make a difference the way you are and will be able to see the journey, the struggles, the endurance, patience and sacrifices that it will take. They will then know that it will take a village, everything they have and then some to move forward... for the greater good!

[@PaulBaronner]

I know you have a limited budget, but have you ever considered in a small area using more mature tree/bushes to kind of jumpstart an oasis. Obviously, with more mature plants, you would need to have a water source nearby. Just a thought. Love the show.

[@dustupstexas]

The first terrace was only 3,500 square feet. I think it's the same idea

[@dave_h_8742]

As others have said, you learn more from mistakes (feck ups) than doing it perfectly

[@Wago1995]

Hats off to you boys! This is an amazing project ignore any negative comments! We all make mistakes! we are human! Cannot wait for rain to come, everything is gonna be GREEN!

[@annetterobinson2853]

We learn from our mistakes; we get courage to be more adventurous from our successes, ergo to make more mistakes adding to our knowledge and expertise. Be brave and show us all how to learn.

[@2many2choose]

1:27 Love ya shaun. When you're in driving distance to the parts store there is that right way. You're chosen spot of dust with hope has a distinctly separate set of right ways to fix things. Love the journey.

[@tomb2139]

Since there seems to be a good amount of ranches near you, it might be worth seeing if you can get a few bales of hay/straw to bring out and lay down as mulch. their structure is really good for holding onto water so if you can get a decent price it might really be worth it. even a small amount could help you mulch a growing area to hold water, and use that area to grow something like corn that you can harvest for even more organic matter. that soil is so bare it definitely needs more plant matter to get much of anything growing. Even asking neighbours or shops in town for food waste, or literally any waste that can biodegrade might help you meet your needs. paper waste, cardboard waste, I'm sure people will be throwing out things that you can ask to take off their hands to help retain water or compost down.

[@zerogo40]

Shawn when pouring liquids from large containers avoid having the spout at the lowest point, try rotating 90 degrees so spout is higher up less pressure behind equals more control of flow.😊

[@WilleyWipff]

The learning curve is steep. I'm proud of you. Knowledge and experience takes time. Your intent and effort is monumental. Thank you for the courage to try. Thank you for posts.

[@AaronEB]

A made in china set of 9/16" feather and wedges on a four inch spacing can really do a number on a boulder that size! They're arbitrarily reusable and it takes maybe half an hour each cut. It's super easy to break down something that size into usable chunks. Trow & Holden makes some nice ones, but you'll definitely lose a few and break a few. Just make sure to keep the wedges normal/perpendicular to the surface and in a consistent line (as if you'd sliced through the rock with a light saber). You've already got the cordless sds-plus (max??) drill, that's 90% of the way towards having a working rock splitting kit. No explosives required!

[@Bob-j5o3b]

When you build roads through gullies, use the slope to your advantage. Cut upstream from teh top of the ridge to the bottom of the gully, cut across for the dam, then cut downstream from the gully up to the top of the next ridge. Like a U-shape. Your road grade will be a lot easier to negotiate.

[@robinanna5531]

Love your work and how much your videos have improved. Still finding being held near your face as you walk in circles a tad bit nauseating, but so worth it to join you in the awesome work you're doing.

[@cherylsibson2529]

well, if the rake or shovel, feels good than it's good it's up to what your body can handle, some people prefer heavy machines, some don't, and that's perfectly ok. Just listen to your body.

[@johnr3937]

The best tool to get trailers moved around on uneven ground is the bulldozer. We have a three section modular home that's over 2200 square feet. The set up crew used a bulldozer with a trailer hitch to move our home all over the hill side. One of the best things about using a tractor or a bulldozer is the ability to see where you are going especially when you are backing up. If you can see over the load.

[@joeker1013]

If you still have some good sandbags you might want to fill them and put them at the base of the water holding dam side. Flowing water will undercut the dam.

[@anderssryanssons]

Thanks for reminding me everything I should not do, startig by starting this kind of projects on my own!

[@psilonautika]

So grateful to see your progress and appreciate your channel, Thanks Shaun! Blessings from afar... ✌️😉

[@carlj176]

Making mistakes makes you human and relatable. The fact that you show your mistakes is one of the reasons your channel is successful. Praying for rain!

[@cristobalin3]

Good work this week.

[@Ominence1]

I really enjoy seeing the slow bits of transformation and anything green still standing. Did I just see a desert otter ?!

[@linkhidalgogato]

i think its really cute that he used commas on the decimal place for meters when going from yards to meters, just a nice little detail.

[@debratakagawa4764]

Another great day in the desert. 🌵 I’m always fascinated by the things you learn and share. I’m sorry something is eating the tasty stuff you’re growing.

[@laserflexr6321]

Never be intimidated by the critics sitting on their backsides in the balcony. You are trying to do something big, and with such a large projects with so many uncontrollables there are bound to be many unexpected surprises, you are bold enough to try, and display what youve done, many of those balcony dwellers never attempt anything that might risk criticism. F em. But sometimes a critique comes with good intentions, and suggestions that could be helpful. If you dont get the nasty hearted comments, you could miss the valuable ones. You are gaining more by actually doing than any of us just watching will. Press on good man, press on.

[@sandraphoenix441]

I admire your perseverance!

[@linesteppr]

Was this Brandon’s audition for the “Men of Hudspeth County Calendar?” 🤣

[@dustupstexas]

🤣

[@slanew]

I'm beginning to come for the terraforming and staying for the Brandon 😄 Looking forward to the Men of Dustups Calendar

[@grahamhutton1633]

Can’t wait to,see the first decent rains and how the dams work

[@marciodinizdasilva]

Hi guys. Nice to see the project updates. Looking now, maybe this should have been done in the first step. I am sure that will help a lot to move and transport materials around the property.

[@cameronc-r9224]

Dude who cares what people say in the comments, be true to you! You’re sharing this amazing adventure for everyone who cares enough to watch or to continue watching and subscribing, like ME. Your also learning as you go with stuff soo if people make ridiculous comments or tell you that their way of doing something is gospel then they don’t get that there are usually many ideas out there and multiple ways of doing stuff or approaching a project as far as the broken key that’s a fascinating idea to use flat head screw driver, I had no idea that was possible, sooo cool!

[@gabrielsimoes1730]

Praying to see some nice rain to show how’s everything going to perform and hoping for success 🙏🏽💪🏽

[@charlesselander9275]

4:40 thank goodness for safety nozzles huh? try buying a water tank nozzle they work better

[@SnakeyRaptor]

I'll never forgive Barack Obama for ruining gas cans.

[@thebigshmoog]

Or Amazon for the classic nozzles...

[@opossumgrylls3275]

Yeah but on film using the wrong equipment is a great way to get a visit from an alphabet agency. He has already had morons snitch on him for other things

[@thebigshmoog]

@opossumgrylls3275 so don't film it. Lol

[@MrAscib]

great to see your progress. to flatten the roads after the Bulldozer work, you could chain something flat and heavy to your pickup and pull it behind you. Big tires, heavy Chain pattern, Old Steel Bars or Train tracks.

[@ThomasHarper-m9l]

I don’t know if its been pointed out but you can use the bucket on your excavator to pull yourself along . Operators do this all the time.

[@novampires223]

Learning is the best part, every skill you pick up in life is a plus.😊

[@SuperWiz666]

You could use the mini excavator to load stones, one person helping load the bucket as the other operates the machine... Restoration like this is something I have dreamed about for twenty years, but it's not my passion, so it's remained in my dreams. As I am far too ill to even attempt such projects , I greatly appreciate being able to accompany you on your journey ❤

[@jensdenk9235]

Good work Shaun. You can tidy the flanks of the dam by bolting a bunch of old tires together and dragging them along the flanks with the dozer driving on the top of the wall.

[@johnenoch2874]

Shaun, 1. This is the first time I've heard you say that you'll build no more than the two dams you've already built. I know there must be a reason, but I'm stunned. Twice I've commented suggested that you build small dams with fill everywhere, in every wash/gully. to trap water, say, every hundred feet. Yet, you're building these little temporary "beaver dams" instead. Why...? 2. Have you considered getting an old York Rake somewhere to easily rake rocks from the surface into piles or wherever you want them? You could find a way to reverse the mounting of a York Rake too, so you could gather them and PUSH them over the side of a damn. York Rakes are also useful for levelling earth. In fact, a large York Rake (8 feet wide?) could be mounted on your bulldozer and a smaller one (5 feet wide?) on the min-excavator. I don't see why you couldn't mount one on the rear of your truck for grading your roads very efficiently. They can be angled, of course, to push rocks or earth to either side. 3. It seems you guys are always wearing warm clothes even in summer. Is that just protection from sunburn? Remember, we don't know the temperature you're working in unless you tell us, so if you don't tell us, maybe when you edit you can insert something indicating the temperature?

[@dustupstexas]

Risk. The large dams all have to be perfect. The BDAs don't require equipment and aren't catastrophic when they fail

[@dustupstexas]

And yes, we cover up to avoid the sun. I dress like a Bedouin

[@janellevoigt5481]

What a boulder!! Man good thing you didn't try to shovel it out by hand, and that the expander worked, still was big after. Love what's happening, love the videos~

[@chipper6729]

A drag harrow on a side by side or 4 wheeler is a nice option if you had other reasons to get one of those. The drag would help maintain roads on the ranch too.

[@Ifyouarehurtnointentwasapplied]

The prickly pear is a weed in Australia but its helping you the weed grasses that are in your area will grow best and be great to cut for mulching /be mulching even if you don't cut them so they might be a good option in winter

[@trevorstewart8]

Shaun, you spoke of laying a type of landscape stabilisation mat. It might be an idea to start some growth areas on the mat at home in Huston to give those plants a head start. When established you can then roll up the mat, bring it to the ranch and lay it out where you need it.

[@dustupstexas]

They're grasses. No need for a headstart

[@trevorstewart8]

@@dustupstexas Okay, but regular watering at home would speed things up.

[@allanfarr]

Just a thought. Run the road angled up or down rather the a straight line down or up. This will make the slope significantly less steep. Then it’s not like a dangerous sloped roof.

[@ConfusedRaccoon]

That big old granite rock could have been a nice little (Large?) marker on top of a hill somewhere. As a test, some solar powered fans on the front of the dozer to blow the dust away/outward or to suck as much up as possible and blow it out in a specific direction? Could be a fun little jank build.

[@ocilassolrac14]

Always like when your friends throw you a hand, feels like they are good neighbors, not close enough physically but they are there when you need them. 🎉🎉🎉

[@biker_dan]

Great work Sean, I would be a little concerned about the dam being gravel and dust, I think if water level got to the top it would run over the road and cut deep into the road quickly eradicating it and loosing all the water. Times we have done this we would lay some pipes a foot under the top of the dam so if water reaches it, it can flow through to the other side without cutting away the top of the dam. Maybe something to think about. Keep up the good work,, loving it,,

[@Bob-j5o3b]

Backblading can help a novice produce a smoother finish pretty easily - set the blade just right at ground level but still supported then reverse

[@jacobslichter2693]

Another great episode. Thank you!

[@AbidYoussef]

a metal cage gabion would be perfect between the dam faces and in the middle just compacted soil, it helps retain the walls

[@EasyRider21]

To prevent spills while you fill the thank, you should flip the can and put the hole on top. You will have better control of the flow.

[@harveyhill2186]

The first time i ever saw vetiver grass was in Zambia. It was amazing to watch how well it reduced soil erosion there.😮 I hope it does as well on your land.

[@patrickcronin6829]

Keep it up. You’re going to prove to the world that human intervention can positively affect nature. Thank you! 😊👍👏🇺🇸

[@francvancanvas]

Just some advice. Your spillway exit must never be close to the outside of your wall base due to turbulance damage. Spillways must surely join the “river” at least 100m from the base. Its looking great. Well done!!

[@taku9010]

Seeing your work it makes me think deep of how we can make other systems to harvest water , what percentage is the humidity in the air esp in the evening

[@dysfunctionalhero]

You are doing great man! Just keep going!

[@travisroth]

Thank you for sharing the struggle as well as the success. Also thank you for thirst-trap Brandon content.

[@TruFrag]

Fixing/doing things correctly is just a way to insure what you did was-for-not. But How do you think people learned "the right way"? By doing exactly what to do. IF this is something that bothers you, consider posting a video ahead of the work, asking for suggestions and ideas. You have access to the knowledge and ideas of nearing 200,000 people. That's an amazing resource, and it's FREE!

[@lauchlanguddy1004]

if you can get a chain around a rock and keeping it low you would be amazed what you can roll out. Rippers help as well.

[@halporter9]

Hey, serious rock picking! A NOVA show brought a couple of New England stone masons to Egypt and asked their opinions about what the Egyptians building methods were like 5,000 years ago. Fascinating. One big thing they were pointing out was the types of stone used in several levels. Also techniques, much more than those needed trying to move the stones.

[@ericresh3268]

You said it in your video but a skid steer track machine would really dramatically increase your productivity, you wouldn't have to worry about tires and good ones have A/C in them.

[@dustupstexas]

I don't pick rocks very often.

[@blackoak4978]

For refueling google fuel syphon. Should be able to find one cheap. Probably want to go for one with the bulb pump to keep it as simple and easy to handle as possible

[@blackoak4978]

I'm wondering if it's possible to rig up a rock picker bucket to the front of the dozer. You say you won't be picking up rocks very often, but I think that's more wishful thinking than reality. You're going to want to remove rocks from where you're planting and add them to areas you want to control water

[@randooom2345]

I would rly enjoy a short video with an overview of all your dams, BDA and bath tubs and a short explanation. Maybe even animated with water where you would expact it. Would be cool to see the expactation and someday the reality when rain comes.

[@uskobus]

hey ,over here we use a drag from old tires behind a vehicle,to make it level again you all so can use a iron gate ,then jou are done in a mater of time,unless you neat the exercisess and do it whit a rake😵‍💫,like what you are doing,Shaun put it on🤛💪

[@Hector-dc8km]

Thanks!

[@dustupstexas]

Thank you!

[@Lemur70]

I appreciate that you show the mistakes you make. Also what about making or buying a dirt/rock screen. Something that would separate rocks 6 inches or bigger from smaller stuff

[@dustupstexas]

I have one!

[@richavic4520]

Never stop learning. Besides, we're all human. The assembled knowledge of this group is certainly going to surface as soon as, well, you know.

[@dianaspy6733]

What a great project! I recently watched a. Video on the Indian desert being made green. I. Proud of you!

[@jgoo4572]

I am trying to envision what you are trying to do. Most of the reforestation I’ve seen is restoring a forest that had been deforested awhile ago, or it’s on the border of an existing forest, and it’s extending that forest. The main ingredient to a forest is water. You can build dams, but if there is no water, there is no water. Not sure exactly where you are, but it looks bone dry. Maybe settle for a palo verde tree, or agave. Even that looks challenging. Good luck, I hope all your efforts pay off!

[@dustupstexas]

The terrace is covered in young palo verde. And, agave

[@jgoo4572]

@@dustupstexas awesome! Native trees should be a good start. Glad to hear there are successful attempts. Baby steps, keep going!

[@MrMrHiggins]

"We're going to have to wait until it evaporates or we might light ourselves on fire" Shaun remembering that he poured gas all over the engine and started it anyway earlier that day - "Sure, absolutely"

[@destinationdopamine7869]

The Man in the Arena, Poem by Theodore Roosevelt. You’re the Man. Respect!

[@OTRWA]

Geofrabric under your stones on your spill way to prevent cavitation by the water. Also suggest running the road along the grade rather than straight up the hill to reduce pressure on the vehicle traffic. Very interesting project.

[@dustupstexas]

I would do it that way if I hadn't already built it. That would have been a superior option