Future Plans
Initial Phase of Development (2008-2009)
- A large water tank will be constructed.
- Land may need to be fenced off to protect it from cattle grazing and consequent erosion, and to protect the land as a sanctuary, safe from hunters. We are monitoring the situation and investigating a possible grant opportunity
- A sustainable ecosystem will be nurtured by planting primarily perennial plants and using permaculture techniques targeted for a dry climate, focusing on drought and disease-resistant varieties.
- A larger variety of fruit and nut trees, vines, and shrubs will be planted, gradually expanding the variety and number of perennials. Currently there are apples, figs, apricots, cherries, plums, berries, and grapes planted..
The water tank will hold about 6000 gallons
An Apricot Tree
Second Phase of Development (2009-?)
- A central kitchen/community space and small individual "eco-dwellings" will be constructed from natural or cost-efficient building materials and passive solar design. One possibility for the community space is a design incorporating a sunken courtyard. We are currently strongly leaning toward Cal-Earth (earth bag/tube) construction. This will be heated in the winter and cooled in the summer mainly using passive solar and thermal mass to moderate day/night temperatures, which can vary up to 50 degrees in a 24hr period.
- A tree nursery will be started to grow seedlings for later out-planting to reforest upper slopes of land with drought-tolerant trees.
- Rainwater runoff in gullies will be blocked by creating additional swales and a large berm to create a seasonal pond upslope of the new well site.
- Gabions and check-dams will be heightened over time as gullies fill in with sediment. eventually the height will be sufficient to allow diversion drains from main gullies into swales for watering perennials during monsoon season..
- Many additional trees and perennial vines and shrubs will be planted, and many native and drought-resistant species
- Small cottages for participants and guests will be constructed, probably of Cal-Earth style earth-bag or super-adobe