Junior high and high school age volunteers from Ghost Ranch's Summer Youth Service Corp learn to mix adobe.
Adobe in Action, a partner of New Mexico Community Foundation, was recently honored for their efforts in providing sustainable adobe housing for low income families in Northern New Mexico. The Climate Change Leadership Institute (CCLI), a New Mexico based nonprofit organization dedicated to civil society education and conservation leadership, recognized Adobe in Action with the 2011 Conservation Quest Champions Prize. CCLI’s Executive Director, Rob Hirsch, commended Adobe in Action in a letter announcing the award:
“In this challenging economy when people are struggling to afford housing and other basic essentials, it is admirable that you and all the good people involved with Adobe in Action are working not just to help provide any home for a deserving family in Espanola but a home that is both energy efficient with the use of classic adobe bricks and sustainable with passive solar design. We commend you on combining sustainability with heritage values while meeting real economic needs in our time.”
Adobe in Action, in coordination and partnership with other entities, promotes access to affordable, quality, sustainable and energy efficient housing to those who have fewer resources. This year the organization has employed thousands of labor hours from dedicated volunteers and students from over twenty distinct groups in exchange for education in traditional brick building skills. All told, volunteers have produced over 6,000 adobe bricks which will be used to build Adobe in Action’s first home for an Espanola family in need. Adobe in Action is hopeful to begin construction on their first home in June 2012. In the future, Adobe in Action strives to create synergy between motivated citizen volunteers and experienced adobe home builders in order to continue building energy efficient housing for families in need. Follow their progress and learn more about volunteering at First House Blog.
This February, with the help of a newly hired Director of Education, Adobe in Action will begin offering an adobe building curriculum both online and at the First House work site. A final curriculum, course dates and other educational opportunities will be posted to their Web site in a few weeks.
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