Sustainable Stewardship Group

The Mata Amritanandamayi Center Sustainable Stewardship Group is a branch of Greenfriends, AMMA's world-wide ecological organization, focusing on connections to natural resources at M.A. Center.

Focus groups are examining current practices and providing positive solutions in cottage industries, construction, education, energy, gardening, recycling, water and weed control. The group is also examining immediate needs for emergency preparedness to long-term sustainability. Learning from ancient wisdom and modern technology, the group is examining current operations and offering ways to improve practices leading to sufficient supplies, a healthier environment, cost savings, and shared experiences.

The group began on Sep 27, 2005 and there are monthly meetings on the second Saturday of each month (shortly after lunch time) at the main house. All are welcome.

The construction subgroup will use earth-friendly materials for construction and maintenance for ashram buildings and support construction of the education kiosk.

The cottage industries subgroup will direct various ecobusiness opportunities that can financially benefit the ashram with sustainable ways to supply goods to the community, such as using and selling healthy fruit, vegetables, herbs, flowers, and compost.

The eco-education subgroup will 1) design and facilitate hands-on service learning outreach. Workshops planned for the Spring of 2006 will serve (a) to educate devotees and community in aspects of sustainable design and practice, (b) to generate work parties that forward projects in harmony with the ashram grounds master plan, and (c) to help integrate devotion into the work process and 2) build a kiosk for the June 2006 tour to display sustainable initiatives understandable to various age groups.

The energy subgroup will audit the current costs and dependence on conventional sources of electricity and fuel uses then install alternative resources, such as an emergency backup diesel electric generator and tractor that runs on biodiesel fuel, active and passive solar systems, and generate microhydroelectricity.

The gardening subgroup will provide a beautiful nourishing environment that reflects Amma’s love of all Her children and encourages connecting to Nature by 1) promoting the health of threatened and endangered native species by researching about native California ecology, planting native plants and supporting existing native plants, and removing invasive species and 2) Be an exemplar of good gardening practices through research of alternative growing techniques, the wise use of water, use of drought resistant plants, earth-friendly pest control, natural fertilizers, and sound soil care.

The grounds subgroup proposes and implements new methods for activities such as weed control over parking areas to eliminate potentially harmful chemcials and replace them with acceptable organic practices.
The recycling subgroup will evaluate composting and recycling practices to minimize generating excessive unnatural wastes and maximize suitability for use in gardens and cottage industries.

The water and wastewater subgroup will examine the current and projected future supply/demand, uses, quantity, and quality of all water supplies including on-site and imported surface and groundwater used for drinking water, wash water, irrigation, and generating waste water to improve purifying drinking water, providing sustainable irrigation water and emergency supply water, minimizing waste water and find productive uses for gray water.

Contact Br.Remadevi for more information at ramaadevi@ammachi.org.