Permaculture at the Lama Foundation

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The Lama Foundation has been beloved by many for over 35 years, not only for its human community but also because of the community’s integration with the natural world. It was not originally designed as a “sustainable” community. However, Lama is located “off the grid” with a sweeping panoramic view of some 100 miles. This breath-taking rustic setting creates a deep heart connection with Mother Earth, and has inspired community members to evolve Lama towards an ever greater level of sustainability.

Lama Foundation is located on the lower slopes of the Sangre de Cristo Mountains in Northern New Mexico, overlooking broad dry-land plains and mountain ranges as well as the dramatic Rio Grande River Gorge. The ecosystem is a complex weave of biological, geophysical and social factors, including 8600 feet of elevation, above average rainfall and snowfall for the region, and many plant and animal species. However, the short growing season (and thus a corresponding long snowy season) and high-elevation location make "sustainability" and complex issue.

At first, the buildings were energy inefficient, poorly sited, with roads contributing to severe erosion and with much of the community energy wasted due to constant repair needs and degenerate system use. There were also difficulties surrounding the management of waste.

Ben Haggard came to Lama in the late 1980’s and engaged the community in permaculture concepts, permaculture teachings, and master planning. A permaculture evaluation of Lama Foundation was completed in December 1992 by Tim Murphy Design and Consulting. It reflected a changing set of values of the Lama residents to up-level their relationship with the land and to incorporate these values into future decision making. However, by this time, Lama has already sited and built some 29 buildings spread out over the 110 acre property, with the vast majority of these buildings on the "major repair" list.

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