Ecological Land Planning & Design
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Practical design solutions
for gardens, farms, & ranches
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We design and plan farms and ranches, food forests, edible and medicinal gardens, and native drought resilient landscapes that nurture the health of the land and people.
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We pride ourselves on the relationships we build with our clients and our commitment to fostering reciprocity in relationship with the land.
Our process is educational and transformative for all people involved to develop land stewardship skills and ecological systems awareness.
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Our vision is to support a culture of global ecological citizenship, where people are an essential part of evolving unique bioregional relationships with the land they inhabit. We envision a world where people are dedicated to being responsible custodians of the land to nurture abundant and healthy landscapes for generations to come.
We start with an in-depth stakeholder survey, land survey, and soil test analysis to support clients' understanding of their place in the regional ecosystem. Through education, designing efficient irrigation systems, and selecting regionally adapted plants we help clients mitigate risks of investing in their land.
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We work with clients to tap into the regenerative processes of the land and to see the potential in their land they may not have identified. We plan, develop, and manage projects to evolve with the changing climate and the unique lifestyles of our clients. We work with landowners and developers of residential properties, farms and ranches, and travel the globe to support regenerative agriculture and design.
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Join us on a mission to cultivate a network of people who value and are actively working to enhance soil health, foster drought resilience, support biodiversity, sequester carbon, and produce local food.
What is Regenerative Design?
We rely on the current working definition developed by the Regenesis group which states the following:
"a regenerative project seeks to build the evolutionary capability of the systems into which it is designed...In other words, regenerative projects seek to transform human communities into living systems enablers. They help lay foundations for the ongoing evolution of natural and social systems, enabling them to increase in viability and health as the world changes around them."
The four guidelines of Regenerative design are:
1) Maintain the potential for evolution.
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2) Align with the wisdom of nature.
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3) Define projects by their roles.
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4) Grow value-generating capacity.
Destructive
Sustainable
Regenerative
Matt Vogt, 1 acre residential food forest
- Cortez, Colorado
We really enjoyed the design process – the pacing, depth, and particularly the historical perspective of our small lot. It helped place the landscape we occupy in a larger context – as part of a regional biome...
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​We really appreciate Michael’s passion for his work. He lives his passion and its palpable and infectious. We also appreciate his ability to “be available” via text for short/simple questions. We look forward to working with him more going forward and feel what started as a professional relationship is now a friendship.”
Forrest Sloan Wright,
RoFo Ranch, 35 acre Holistic Land Plan
- McElmo Canyon, Colorado
Within just a couple of meetings, Michael expanded our vision from beautifying a patch of flatland, to reconsidering the vitality and vibrance of the entire ecosystem. He introduced us to the ideas of regenerative farming, watersheds, terraforming and erosion management. He painted a vivid vision for what the land could be when stewarded properly and the impact this could have for not just us but the wildlife and the broader canyon community...
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Within five months, he had transformed a barren plot of dirt with poor mineral content into a lush garden filled with over 30 varieties of flowers, fruits and vegetables. Best of all, this was designed to be a self-propagating system that could be replicated annually and self-manage for everything from pest control to wildlife.
If you’re looking for someone with a true reverence for nature, a passion for creating lasting environmental and social change, a person who sees nature as a gateway to community, and someone who respects the responsibilities of land stewardship you have found that person in Michael.
Kathy Hobson, Residential Forest Garden
-Mancos, Colorado
"Thank you for making my dreams a reality. You heard me and created my longed for sanctuary space with, not just incredible knowledge, but also heart!"