Construction Photos

Straw Bale Links

 

El Paso Solar Energy Association

  "An option for the economically poor and for the earth."

 

 

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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