Wild Sitecrafting Mother Tree Project Agroforestry Hugelkultur Water/SWRPYS Wild Sitecrafting connects human beings to their woodland. Combining carbon-sensitive methods, a Habitat Conservation Plan and force applications, creates a balanced relationship between dwellers and the existing habitat. When biological, ecological and ergonomic imperatives are initiated, there is less assault on the property. Cooperation between the wildlife and built environment happens. Wild Sitecrafting is respectful of the land and forest. Keeping heavy equipment and high impact development techniques to a minimum is key. Making an Entrance The Pathways of Transportation Locating the proper entry to Moondance and any Endurance Project is just as important as the footprint for the dwelling. Early calculations begin with the extraction sequence that will ultimately define the character and personality of the forest. We begin with pathways to allow transport of materials from area to area safely and sensitively. We use hand-crafted methods to utilize on-site materials while lowering the impact of trucks that deliver or remove materials. As openings and trails increase, garden areas become apparent. The solar track for all seasons is configured – the amount of shade needed for maximum growth of different plants. Trails are ergonomic and ADA compliant. Dwellers can run in the rain, at night, barefoot or roll in a wheelchair. Trails meander through the woodland, curving to miss vital ground covers and fern clusters. Key spots are created to inspire introspective illumination for the wilding intellect. Biological shields are used to eradicate light pollution and staggered plantings to minimize visual impact from any nearby built environments. Wild Sitecrafting is an exercise in keeping the genii locorum (protective spirits) of the domain for all seasons. We interpret the site, so nothing is lost in translating the language of the land. We are left with a comforting continuum of atavistic farming rhythm methods, observations and quiet tranquility when it matters. Tools & Equipment Maintaining a low carbon footprint When building begins, heavy equipment will be used very sparingly. Notably in removing any existing structures from the site that can’t be repurposed. The initial movements with heavy equipment will take less than a week and will run two hours in the morning and two hours in the afternoon – maintaining neighborhood friendliness with less noise pollution. Big delivery trucks, which are key polluters, will be used minimally. Our tools are small and quiet, battery operated and charged by photovoltaics. Reclamation of the forest is done by hand to create a more willing and proper environment. Mother Tree Project The network beauty of forests You know, we used to believe that trees competed with each other for light. Suzanne Simard’s field work challenged that perception, and we now realize the forest is a social community. Trees work in harmony to share the sunlight . - Coach Beard, S2, E11 Apple TV+ series of Ted Lasso Recognizing the importance of Mother Trees and the vast, below-ground network connecting all trees has added to our understanding of how forests work. These connections have been known for a long time by Aboriginal peoples. More recently, the research of Dr. Simard and others demonstrates scientifically that forests are deeply connected and collaborative places. Our research has shown that the biggest and oldest trees are the most connective nodes in the forest. These highly connected trees, Mother Trees, share their excess carbon and nitrogen through the mycorrhizal network with the understory seedlings, which can increase seedling survival. Mother trees are a central hub and pulse of the living forest. With Endurance Projects, we want to maintain the communication of the Mother Trees with the environment. Our Routine Forest Protocols for shaping the land begin on day one with key event sequences. We give thanks to the Mother Trees that continuously give back. Remove all overgrowth and detritus from the landscape. Creates trails Provides fire mitigation Dead materials become mulch for Hugelkultur gardens Create and maintain old growth spacing between all key trees (Mother Trees) Anything less than 12" is removed Removed materials are repurposed for bridges, wine cellars - many possibilities Whenever a tree is removed for any reason, leave the stump Preserves the mycorrhizal fungal network of the tree's root system Increases soil porosity, aeration and water movement We give thanks to the Mother Trees that continuously give back. Agroforestry Integrating crops with trees for an acroecology Given the increased acquiescence that agriculture crops can be raised profitably and in an ecologically sustainable manner, agroecology has become a road worth traveling. - Paul Wojtkowski from his book Agroecological Economics: Sustainability and Biodiversity Endurance Projects can easily adapt to agroforestry and agroecology. Combining agriculture and forestry has multiple benefits. Greatly enhanced yields from staple food crops Diversification of agricultural products – fuel wood, medicinal plants, fruit trees Enhanced farmer livelihoods from income generation Increased biodiversity of birds, animals, plants, fungi and other organisms Improved soil structure and health Reduced deforestation and erosion Carbon sequestration and reaching Net Zero Connections between conifers and deciduous species mitigate disease and insect outbreaks Forests are more resistant to fire with broadleaf trees holding more water and containing less resin than conifers Hugelkultur Gardens that handle biological waste Hugelkultur is a permaculture method that has been around for hundreds of years. It was initially used by European peasants who needed to grow food during periods of low rainfall. In clearing overgrowth and detritus from an Endurance Project forest, large amounts of extraneous entropic debris can accumulate. Goats could eat it; but here’s another way that provides dwellers with rich, robust and long-lasting gardens built from the biological waste. Using site detritus removed by hand, hugel beds are created with the logs and trimmings that will be covered with site mulch. A permanent bed is shaped and formed wherever the dwellers see fit. This could be a living blockage for visual impediments or around a SWRPY configuration for good proximity to water. Hugel beds sequester carbons, provide moisture, keep the ground from drying out and the gradual decay provides long term nutrition for growing vegetables Fire Prevention Little acts of prevention add up When we look at new land for building Endurance Projects, we evaluate the habitat and plan for the future. Part of that is considering where the best firebreaks should be. Moondance has East Strong Road as an existing firebreak as well as the entry road. Plus, a fire station is right next door. It has a young forest. In a hundred years that could change. In the meantime, we allow for trees maturing by spacing for growth and shade. The distance between trees, the natural firebreaks in the local land mass, is highly beneficial for reducing the fire-flow. Fire only stops when there is nothing left to burn. Removing the fuel – overgrowth and detritus – is first on any land clearing. This material can then be used for hügelkultur mounds. The finest chips from debranched limbs and small trees without leaves will be used for walking trails and paths. The Mother Trees will provide shade and nourishment to all in their care – another firebreak. Every forest maintenance possible will be used for fire prevention. Water / SWRPYs The Blue Route for harvesting water Part of the land evaluation for any Endurance Project is the study of rain. Where will it fall and where will it go? The Blue Route Water and the Soil Adhering to the ILFI standards of water use, we look at how the soil is absorbing water. To prevent water sheeting, bark from the site is used on uncovered impervious surfaces. Gravel on non-compacted roads is a better fit for rain absorption. Harvesting water begins with the roofs. And the Moon Dance concept has two – one for gardening and partying; one for protection. The Flat Roof - wide open space Scuppers are built in to drain towards the settling entry of a SWRPY (surface water retention pond). Some scuppers deliver water to a holding tank or cistern. The tanks distribute water to drinking filters, gardens, the barnyard or wherever it’s needed. The Mansard Roof - a 10' drip edge over a walkway Rain is chained into rain barrels or delivered to a footing drain. From there, water is directed into a SWRPY. Brooks flow out the SWRPY creating a waterfall. Brooks conclude in a rill pond delivering small amounts of water that disappear into the aquifer. The main object is to keep the rainwater on the site, useful and powered by gravity. The water can be used for: Drinking Swimming Gardening Showering Waterfalls And more... ECOSS, a non - profit devoted to environmental justice, encourages its community to join the RainWise Program. King County has a RainWise Program that offers private property owners rebates to cover the cost of installation. Enudrance Projects are a great resource on the value and productivity of harvesting water In wilderness is the preservation of the world. - David Henry Thoreau