Tierra Learning Center sits nested into the eastern slopes of the Cascade Mountains on 306 acres of forest and farmland. Original instructions from Tierra’s founder included the directive to “honor the land”. This manifests in many ways – but all with the intention of doing the least damage and encouraging practices that benefit the ecology that is here. Within this framework, Tierra practices active land management and implements sustainability actions and behaviors as best we can.
The forested areas surrounding Tierra have deviated from tree stands of the past that had adapted to wildfire. Our forest management plan prioritizes forest health and fire resilience through FSC © certified forestry operations that thin the canopy while mindful of habitat. A small amount of thinning material is converted to biochar which we mix with compost produced on site to be used as a soil amendment.
Tierra’s field and farmland are worked organically with crop rotation and cover crop practices. Preserving open and viable agricultural land is a commitment to forwarding a land ethic with stability and integrity. Tierra Garden Organics seeks to include as many as possible in this ethic by maintaining a garden area that is participatory, accessible, and educational.