Wild Earth 2018 - 2020
"Aja partnered with me (as founder and Executive Director) and Wild Earth (a NY State nonprofit) as we began our stewardship of the 165 acre parcel that would become the home of our nature connection programming. We worked together for over two years in all aspects of engineering, site planning, environmental study, project phasing, contractor relations, and construction management. The project was a resounding success, and our partnership, together as humans and with the land has been uniquely satisfying and personally expanding.
Aja brings deep intuition and understanding of land to her work. During our project, Aja led a ritual experience for key Wild Earth stakeholders in locating the axis mundi (energetic and spiritual center of the land) and requesting permission for our organization’s programmatic use and safe passage for its participants. While this may seem strange to many, this ritual deepened our relationship with each other and the land entrusted to our good stewardship in service to our mission. Unique to anyone I have worked with, Aja is able to understand and channel what land and our human relationship with it is requesting. She was, and continues to be, a vital partner in understanding what the land is offering and how we might work with it as a gift rather than a resource."
David Brownstein
Founder and Executive Director Emeritus Wild Earth
Maps & Plan Drawings
Image Credit: Appleseed Permaculture, Connor Stedman
Image Credit: Peak Engineering
Image Credit: Will Sweeney
Construction Process
For many years, Wild Earth searched for land to call home. I served on the board of directors during this time and was able to bear witness to the process. Once this land was purchased, I stepped off the board in order to lead this project, returning again to complete my 2nd term once it was concluded.
It was truly a gift to work with these amazing humans. So thoughtful, heart centered and aware of their responsibility to hold space for this amazing and important work, their impact on this land and their commitment to the earth.
Welcome Center Construction
This building was made from trees that were taken down to install the emergency road. The building was designed to be in sacred alignment with the 4 directions and the path of the sun and the moon. The wood was milled on site and the project was completed by Jeff Gagnon and Rondout Natural Builders. The process from start to finish involved many hands..
Completed Project
Wild Earth’s programs are designed to help people remember and return to their natural human blueprint and form strong connections to self, each other and the Earth.
The process of purchasing this land, and then becoming true stewards to the land through this design and build process was transformative to the whole team. Currently Wild Earth holds outdoor experiences for all ages, bringing communities onto the land who might never experience nature in this way.
Location: Kerhonken, NY
Start Date: 2018
Team: PE Colucci Excavating Corp, Tahawus Trails, LLC, Rondout Natural Builders, H&G Daughters Tree Work, Earth Designs Coop, Jesse Patrick, CJ Greene, Jim Luckner, Appleseed Permaculture, Peak Engineering, countless community members and volunteers… and the many hearts, hands and minds who run Wild Earth.
Image Credits: Welcome Center Construction - photo #3 by Jeff Gagnon, Completed Project - photos #1-4 & #11 by the Wild Earth Staff, photo #5 by Chris Eckert