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Stewardship

 

Driven by our mission to hold Sacred Earth Foundation land in trust and to steward with reverence, Ekone Ranch is always working to reduce our footprint on the land and in the world.

We welcome donations to our Conservation Fund, to support our ongoing land stewardship and acquisition work. Donations of $1000 or more are recognized on our Donor Stone Trail out to Rock Creek Canyon

Energy

Ekone Ranch is an off-the-grid facility powered by solar energy and biodiesel, with an emphasis on conservation.  A recent energy audit shows that the entire off-grid facility uses less power than the average American home—despite a large number of guests year-round!

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Water

Delicious Ekone water comes from our own well, and Ekone residents employ a variety of water conservation methods in homes, gardens and landscapes.  Residents and guests are careful about using only natural, biodegradable products on the property.

 

Ecological Land Management

Sacred Earth Foundation’s 1,133 acres are managed to provide diverse habitats for native wildlife.  Some forest zones are thinned and limbed to facilitate healthy forest growth and fire protection, while others are left as dense wildlife corridors.  We proactively manage invasive species, and engage in continued education and improvement of our land stewardship practices.

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Waste

Ekone is dedicated to reducing consumption and finding alternative uses for our waste, recycling and land-filling materials as a last resort.  Aspiring to one day operate as a zero-waste facility, Ekone residents and friends are working to eliminate the waste of commonly discarded materials on the ranch by finding creative and functional solutions that also serve to educate guests about appropriate waste management.  All summer camp art and craft projects incorporate reused materials, promoting new experimentation with discards and social/ecological/economic awareness about waste management around the world.
 

Food & Farming

Ekone’s beautiful and productive garden provides food for residents and programs year round, as do our lovingly-tended chickens, goats and pigs.  Medicinal herbs are also abundant on the property, providing us with wild-crafted and organic stock for our salves and tinctures.  All food waste is fed to the chickens, pigs, or compost piles.  Our annual garlic crop brings Ekone nourishment and wellness to our extended community, and proceeds help to support our garden program. 

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Natural Horsekeeping

Ekone’s horses are essential members of the ranch team, and are treated with care and respect through all the phases of their lives.  Our approach to horsekeeping is modeled on studies of wild horses, and seek to emulate natural conditions.  The 3/4 mile horse track gives them lots of room to move as nature intended, and barefoot hoof care allows their feet to function naturally.  We use natural horsemanship training methods, emphasizing a respectful, relationship-oriented partnership between horse and human that results in happy, safe, trusting, confident equine partners. 
 

Community Development

One of the greatest challenges for rural communities like Ekone is the development of lasting, mutually respectful relationships between all of its members.  We actively practice Non-Violent Communication and the Way of Council, and engage in ongoing experimentation and improvement upon strategies for successful community relationships.  Our common vision of gentle earth stewardship and sustainable education supports this process. 

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Natural Burial | White Eagle Memorial Preserve at Ekone Ranch

Natural burial is the time-honored tradition.  We practice “low-density” burial and conservation stewardship on this land.  We prepare the grave places by hand with shovels and pickaxes, make seasonal mandala decorations for each grave, and support family and friends to be involved in the process of laying their loved one to rest, un-embalmed, and shrouded in natural fabrics or in a simple casket made from local wood or other untreated material.   We use biomass from the forest floor and from the Ekone garden to initiate the re-composition process, and family helps to create a burial mound, ringed or marked with elements of wood, pine cones, and stone.
 

Coming up!

workparty Feb 2013 039 (Small).JPG

 Nov 23 & Dec 21

Always sweet & fun

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