Katherine Gaia Barbaree

Director of Education at The Borderland Restoration Network

Patagonia, AZ

November 4th, 2025

When the westies arrived in Patagonia, Arizona, we were greeted by Katherine Gaia Barbaree, the director of education at Borderland Restoration Network (BRN). She is standing in front of a mural of a Jaguar and butterflies behind bars, painted on the side of a purple shipping container. A school group from near the US-Mexico Border painted this, illustrating the harm that the wall causes to migrating animals, which are stopped in their tracks on their way north or south. Katherine introduces our week in Patagonia by describing BRN’s many roles within the community. The mural hammers home the importance of the restoration and education work BRN is doing.

Katherine tells us that BRN has a Native Plant Nursery that provides plants for different restoration projects. There is a group that focuses on erosion mitigation work through the construction of small stone erosion control structures, using found material. These structures help with water retention across this dry landscape, increasing habitat for different native plant communities. Katherine explained the education work, which involves working with students to educate them about this region and partnering with groups on the Mexican side of the border.

Katherine also guided us on a tour of the Borderland Earthcare Facility, where we based out of during our time in Patagonia. We noted the intentional way that this place has been built, with gardens and water retention projects scattered across the property, complementing the mesquite landscape.

by Jackson Garrison