Big Grass Sponsors Environmental Education and Preservation Program in Veracruz

Big Grass owners John and Duang Hanesworth travel regularly around the world to meet with vendors, select new products and promote sustainable living. Share their experiences and insights through John’s periodic blog entries.  The northern Horizon of the Las Tuxtlas region, dominated by The San Martin Biosphere[/caption] As part of our commitment to sustainable habits for a life lived with style and environmental sensitivity, we are announcing Big Grass’ sponsorship of Estampa Verde Mexico, saving trees...for the benefit of all, in their efforts to preserve and protect the natural environment in Veracruz, Mexico. This sponsorship marks the beginning of a partnership with Estampa Verde to develop a working environmental laboratory on 30 acres within the northernmost rainforest in North America. The program will eventually include courses in organic farming, bio-construction, and sustainable lifestyle techniques and best practices in solar energy, rainwater harvesting and recycling. For people seeking a career in this field, this Estampa Verde program will offer the opportunity for hands-on, real-world experience in developing infrastructure for both living and farming. Eventually, we hope to develop a community of like-minded folks who want to enjoy a retreat in one of the most beautiful and bio-diverse regions of Mexico.

A conversation with Adalid, a regional expert on the incredible biodiversity of the Las Tuxtlas Region, Veracruz

An incredibly diverse landscape with many edible native fruits and plants

Our immediate focus has been on identifying the natural resources on the land, both plant, animal and geographic, and protecting these while we develop our plans. To that end, I recently joined a team led by Antonio Carrillo-Bolea, operations director for Estampa Verde and a permaculture specialist, for our project’s first permablitz. For three days, Antonio, his wife Valentina, and his son, along with a group of five other folks with experience in sustainability projects and practices, gathered data about the property, mapped out initial ideas, and worked on simple infrastructure.

Brainstorming the project scope, goals and timeline

Group site mapping

The next permablitz will take place this winter, likely focusing on planning more basic infrastructure, including a dining/learning multi-purpose structure and a camping area, as well as further GPS mapping of the property and planning for the organic farm.

Using GPS to map the site and its existing features

Constructing a bamboo bio-latrine

We will continue to provide updates on this project and its progress. Meanwhile, read Antonio Carrillo-Bolea’s blog (in Spanish) to learn more about the initiative from his perspective.