Ecoaldea Huehuecoyotl

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Ecoaldea Huehuecoyotl

Located in Tepoztlán, Morelos, Mexico

Mission Statement
Ecology and Arts Center

Community Description
Huehuecoyotl is an ecovillage in the mountains of Tepoztlan, Mexico, founded by a group of adults and their children–artists, ecologists, artisans, and educators from seven different nationalities. The community was established at the present site in 1982. Over the years it has developed into an extended family; an experimental center; a model of rural, simple community living; and an important site where different traditions, cultures, and visions blend harmoniously with each other. There are low-cost guest facilities and extensive gardening as well as the use of renewable materials and sustainable designs for construction and water management.

Ideal communities exist only in the imagination of visionaries, but real communities are a long daily process of understanding, hard work, patience, and love. Our village reflects both the frustrations of not being able to materialize our ideals and also achievements that are beyond description in terms of solidarity, cooperation, harmony in diversity, and an example of an ecotopian vision since the early 1970s.

We are now facing a new cycle of our growth, which implies moving into a more balanced relationship with our environment and with our collective cultural center, which is rapidly becoming an alternative educational center for new communities, the arts, networking, and the rights of Mother Earth. We try to bring together the best of all worlds, and we live a fairly happy life. Our members live in a combination of private and common property ownership. We each have our personal economy and contribute to the upkeep, maintenance, and improvement of the community through dues and income generated by our services to guests and groups. We offer training in leadership development, sustainable practices, health and healing, shamanism, and community design. All our members speak Spanish and English and some speak up to five additional languages. We are caretakers of the Chichinautzin natural preserve, a protected forest that stretches for approximately 30 miles east and west of Huehuecoyotl.

Housing
Status: We have land we have developed on
Area: 7.4 acres
Current Residence Types: Single-family homes
Current Number of Residences: 14
Planned Residence Types: Single-family homes
Land owned by: Individual community member(s)

Membership
Adult Members: 26
Child Members: 6
Non-member Residents: 4
Percent Women: 51-60%
Percent Men: 41-49%
Visitors accepted: Yes
Visitor Process:
Get familiar with the visitor’s information on the website and contact us for availability of space. Limit first visit to three days/nights and be willing and able to pay modest fare.
Open to new Members: Yes
Membership Process:
First spend a get to know each other period of one year as renter. Must be equal partner, own building rights on site. Only buying members are accepted.

Economics
Dues, Fees, or Shared Expenses: Yes
Shared Income: None
Required Labor Contribution per Week: 0
Open to members with existing debt: No
Additional Comments:
varies on conditions
monthly and periodic dues

Sustainability Practices
Energy Infrastructure: We use both systems.
Current renewable energy generation: Up to 25%
Energy sources: Solar, Hydro-Electric, Biomass, Biogas
Planned renewable energy generation: 100%
Current food produced: Up to 25%
Planned food produced: 100%
Food produced locally: Between 26-49%

Lifestyle
Common Facilities: Common House, Garden(s), Greenhouse(s), Outbuilding(s), Large Scale Kitchen, Stage or Auditorium, Fire pit, Swingsets & play areas
Internet Available: Yes, individuals provide it
Internet Fast?: Yes, it’s fine.
Cell Phone Service: Good for some people.
Shared meals: 1-3 times per month
Dietary Practice: Omnivorous (plants and animals)
Dietary Choice or Restrictions: No – people may eat however they wish.
Special Diets OK: Yes
Alcohol Use: Yes, used seldomly, or ceremoniously.
Tobacco Use: Yes, used seldomly, or ceremoniously.
Education Style(s): Home Schooling, Private School off the property, Public Schooling, Up to each family or individual
Healthcare Options: Up to each family or individual

Source: https://www.ic.org/directory/ecoaldea-huehuecoyotl/
              http://www.huehuecoyotl.net