Development Ethics
Conservation, Regeneration and Stewardship.

The following interconnected strategies represent a development ethic that begins to create sustainability in the use of land and resources, and the design of habitation and technology.
•Conservation slows the rate of depleting natural resources. Using resources carefully, conservation reduces degradation and pollution. For example, we are using timber for the buildings that is sustainably harvested from our own forests. Our use of low impact draft horses both reduces fire danger and provides an important resource for the buildings.
•Healthy Buildings provide a nontoxic environment for humans. Through water collection, positioning and materials used, the buildings themselves will actually improve the landscape rather than scarring it.
•Regeneration, according to biology, is the repair and renewal of living tissue. As a strategy to achieve sustainability, regeneration is a form of healing and renewal of the living tissue of the earth through the active restoration of degraded ecosystems and communities.
•Stewardship is the strategy we see at work in the ancient well-tended agricultural landscapes. Stewarship is a quality of care in our relations with other living creatures and with the landscape. It is a process of steady commitment to and knowledge of place, informed by constant feedback.

The People
•Nurturing the Human Spirit - Tara Mandala will produce its own power primarily through harvesting the suns energy. This renewable energy source will heat water and be converted into electricity using photovoltaic cells.
•Water - Water for use at Tara Mandala will come from wells drilled onsite. Water will be pumped using a solar pump and stored in large holding tanks. Conservation measures will be adapted for residents and guests.
•Biological Wastewater Treatment - Waste water will be treated biologically onsite using a series of ponds and constructed wetlands. Wetlands are nature's way of cleaning and filtering water through aquatic ecosystems.

Building Design
•Renewable Materials - The construction at Tara Mandala will use renewable and locally available building materials. The architectural language will include pole framing with straw bale infill, wood, stone, and earth.
•Passive Heating/Cooling - All structures will be designed and located with consideration for the site's natural factors. Treecover, landscaping, wind direction, snow loads, solar orientation, etc., along with choice of materials will influence the placement and design of buildings.
•Adaptability - Development of the buildings at Tara Mandala will be done in a manner that accepts and supports a change in function or need over time. The buildings will be designed to be built in stages and be able to expand or be multi-functional.

The Land
•Development Pattern - The land will be developed with minimum impact on the natural landscape. Buildings will be clustered in development regions and share infrastructure. Cars will be left at the edge of the site and most travel will be by way of footpath.
•Preservation - Natural wetlands and sensitive areas such as steep slopes will be protected. Large areas of open space will be set aside undeveloped for the preservation of the native landscape. The introduction of ponds will preserve and enhance wildlife habitat while reducing erosion.
•Restoration - The site has areas of erosion due to overgrazing and logging during previous ownership. Tara Mandala is restoring eroded hillsides and planting native trees to bring back an ecological balance. Native landscaping will also be used to create shade and support wildlife.

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