Our first project is the Sonoran Desert Sanctuary. This secluded wilderness sanctuary is located on 330 acres of beautiful Sonoran Desert adjacent to Alamo Lake, AZ. The sanctuary is surrounded by thousands of acres of Wilderness and Public Lands (BLM). The sanctuary's isolation provides abundant wildlife, stars, silence, and an environment of wonder and introspection, a place to unplug from society and a fast-paced life.
For thousands of years, the area was home to indigenous ... Read More
Our first project is the Sonoran Desert Sanctuary. This secluded wilderness sanctuary is located on 330 acres of beautiful Sonoran Desert adjacent to Alamo Lake, AZ. The sanctuary is surrounded by thousands of acres of Wilderness and Public Lands (BLM). The sanctuary's isolation provides abundant wildlife, stars, silence, and an environment of wonder and introspection, a place to unplug from society and a fast-paced life.
For thousands of years, the area was home to indigenous cultures. From 1910-1940 is was a manganese mining operation. From the 1970's until 2019, it was home to a survivalist family compound. Our goal is to restore the biodiversity of the area damaged by the removal of flora and fauna by its 20th-century inhabitants.
A permaculture plan is in place to restore the land and make smart use of precious water resources. A Sonoran Botanical Garden will feature meditation gardens, hiking trails, group retreat space, and a labyrinth. The sanctuary will be self-sustainable, featuring edible landscaping and utilizing state-of-the-art aquaponic container farming for agriculture to provide fresh organic produce for guests. Totally off of the grid, the property is powered by wind and solar. The drinking water supply comes from a crystal-clear well.
At this time, the existing houses, barns, and other structures are being re-imagined and renovated to provide accommodations and group meeting spaces for retreat participants. Our first campground is underway and will feature safari tents and yurts, as well as hook-ups for a limited number of RVs. It is our goal to provide wheelchair access to as much of the property as possible, so everyone can enjoy the serene wilderness environment.
Our Director, Jen Anderson, is currently finishing her Ph.D. She specializes in wilderness retreat work with people challenged by PTSD and Moral Injury. She has worked with organizations such as Huts for Vets, helping to develop spiritual-based programs to meet the needs of Veterans and other trauma survivors. She will develop the retreat plans for the Sonoran Desert Sanctuary, which participants will be able to attend free of charge.
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