Rocky Mountain Natural Building Conference

The Rocky Mountain Natural Building Conference will be held in Moab, Utah from October 14 to 16 this year. The conference is coordinated by the Natural Building Alliance, and the program includes podium presentations, breakout sessions, round-tables, and outdoor workshops. Moab’s Community Rebuilds, a local organization that builds straw-bale, energy-efficient, affordable homes, is helping with … Read more

The New Frameworks Philosophy

New Frameworks, a construction company in Vermont, specializes in natural and local materials. A vital part of its mission is to “draw down” carbon in its projects to reverse emissions. “Climate justice and climate response is not a theory to us; it’s a practice,” Ace McArleton, who cofounded the company in 2006, said. “And we … Read more

Cliff House in the Mojave Desert

Bruce Jones left a comment on a recent blog post about some fun backyard sheds: “My family name is JONES so I’m a Welshman, five generations removed. Seeing these incredible creations is inspiring. I bought a small mountain in the High Desert of SoCal (part of the greater Mojave Desert) sixteen months ago and have … Read more

Community Rebuilds is Still Going Strong

Moab Utah’s affordable housing nonprofit Community Rebuilds has been combining sustainable building practices, education, and affordable housing since its founding by now-mayor Emily Niehaus in 2010. Community Rebuilds interns and volunteers are currently working on a fence and sound barrier at the site of four existing Community Rebuilds homes in Moab. The fence is made … Read more

Building with Nature: a Hobbit Hideaway

A 12 minute documentary of a Hobbit Hideaway built using the local, renewable materials of wood, stone, straw, clay, lime and mud. It is unique and beautifully built in Scotland by natural builders and educators Hartwyn Ltd. They shared the process with students in a pop-up learning village from June to September 2018. Hobbit Hideaway … Read more

Spring Time Blessings from Long Creek Homestead

My friend Michael Judd lived in Nicaragua for many years and moved to Frederick, Maryland several years ago with his wife to establish a permaculture homestead. I recently got this email from him that is so enticing I thought I would pass it on too you.Spring has Sprung in full force at Long Creek Homestead … Read more