Tierra Madre, Mother Earth, is a sign of hope
and development of human and earth potentials. In this historical
period there is a need for creative alternatives to issues of
affordable housing, economic sustainability and care and restoration
of the environment.
Goals of Tierra Madre ...
Founded in 1995, Tierra Madre is incorporated as a 501 (c)
(3) non-profit creating an intercultural and sustainable community
on the U.S.- Mexico border. We are committed to:
- Affordable Housing
- Leadership development
- Preservation of land for long-term housing
- Intercultural sharing
- Furthering appropriate technology and affordability
in low-income areas
- Model of what is possible in other areas.
The Tierra Madre Community
Community-Based Land Trust
The land is held in common by the community for the purpose of
maintaining affordable housing for future generations. Land is
protected from speculation and escalation which make land unreachable
for growing numbers of people.
Planned Sustainable Development
Straw-bale Home Construction - Affordable and energy efficient
homes which are easily constructed by a community.
Renewable resources are used, thus saving the environment. Energy
efficiency is high, saving utility bills and fossil fuels.
Solar, wind, and water harvesting - and other alternative
energy sources are long-term investments in affordability and
environmental care.
Community garden, center, and daycare - are other aspects to
the wholistic view of Tierra Madre.
Economic alternatives- in this job-poor area are part of future
plans for community sustainability.
Project Update
- Five families graduated as straw bale builders
after completing the model home.Using their new skills, together
they built and are now living in their new, energy efficient,
passive solar, strawbale homes.
- Nine more families have begun building their
homes.
- The office has moved into the model home.
- The Community Center has been completed.
- The long awaited access road is finished.
Volunteers are Welcome
Tierra Madre is a self-help construction program which offers
various volunteer opportunities to participate in this
innovative program. Among them is working with home-owners in
building their homes and learning the method
straw-bale construction. Qualified and interested individuals
should contact the project director for more information.
Your financial help is needed
Solar and grey water systems are being funded by organizations
interested in healthy, sustainable communities. Infrastructures
for the community subdivision are being financed through grants
received from various foundations and organizations. Daycare,
a community center and other environmental projects are still
in need of funding.
Tierra Madre just received a wonderful one-time grant of $100,000
from theSC Ministry Foundation to be used as matching funds in
order to reduce the cost of the homes by paying off the loans
for the access road. The need for general operating expenses
is ongoing. Individual contributions are always welcome. A tax
deductible donation decreases the cost of a house for a potential
low-income home buyer. Donations may be sent to:
Tierra Madre
P. O. Box 1768
Sunland Park, NM 88063
Where is Sunland Park?
Predominantly a Spanish-speaking, Mexican-American community
of about 11,000 people, Sunland Park lies on the southern border
of New Mexico on the border of Mexico next to El Paso, Texas.
Sunland Park has a rapidly growing population and a critical
need for housing. Very little affordable land is available, and
trailer homes, the predominant type of home is very expensive
to heat and cool and depreciates in value quickly. The citizens
of Sunland Park have a
long-standing concern for the environment and quality of life
for their children. Partly because of economic and environmental
concerns, the city government is very open to creative solutions
for the community. The
people of Sunland Park are creative, skilled craftspeople and
have many leadership capabilities.
"Housing needs in the community are a very big issue. The
vision of a land trust which gets the entire community involved
in deciding their future housing and the type of community they
want to live in is exciting. We are also excited about the concern
for the environment...We do see this as a model of development
that will educate us as a city and other communities in the region."
~ Jesus R. Segura, Mayor of Sunland Park, NM.
If you are interested in participating in this
innovative and environmentally sustainable effort contact:
Jean Miller, SC (President)
Tierra Madre
P. O. Box 1768
Sunland Park, NM 88063
505-589-4412
e-mail: tmadre@whc.net
To receive a copy of our periodic newsletter, send your name
and address to Tierra Madre.
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