Hi All,
After living in Latin America off and on for several decades, I'm being called to head north and spend more time with family. However, I'll be in Panama seasonally for the next few years and can offer orientation, guidance, and advice to those who choose to commit to this place, project, and lifestyle. Here's my attempt at a brief description of the context/mission:
Planet
Panamanian ecosystems form an integral part of the Mesoamerican Biodiversity Corridor. The isthmus of Panama constitutes a natural land bridge used by a diverse range of species who migrate to and from South America and North America.
Place
This vital space is the gateway to an established private nature reserve located in central Panama and is roughly equidistant from both the Atlantic (Caribbean) and Pacific coasts. Orogen is a one hectare (2.47 acre) fully surveyed, titled, and registered transitional space reserved for those starting out in the practice of native habitat regeneration and conservation using appropriate tropical permaculture and on-the-land living specializations. The site is surrounded by mature secondary growth trees and a stream borders one side of the property. Access to piped drinking water is also available. The reserve’s unique micro-climate supports a mosaic of mature secondary and primary sub-tropical montane forest and wildlife. Temperatures here typically range from 22 – 32 , with cooler temperatures in the early mornings and evenings. The entrance to the site (300 yard walk) can be accessed via an unpaved road by a pick-up, jeep, or van/car with high clearance.
People and Culture
A number of people in the surrounding area continue to lead traditional lives - growing and processing subsistence crops and producing traditional craft work. The soils here are suitable for growing a variety of staple foods, yams, yucca, rice, maize, beans, squash, as well as native cacao, coconut, mango, avocado, low bush coffee, citrus fruits, bananas, plantains, moringa and miracle fruit among other things. Guadua bamboo and hardwoods are well established.
If you are committed to regenerating natural areas, are in good health and physically fit, possess some familiarity with, exposure to, and sensitivity to rural cultures in the developing world, have achieved basic proficiency in conversational Spanish (no other gringos in the area), are resourceful and are motivated to pursue an autonomous livelihood, this may be a good fit. Annual planting typically begins in March to April of each year.
Permanence
In keeping with our habitat and biodiversity conservation mandate through minimum impact land use, the site is well suited for a number of compatible human-scale activities. These include and are not limited to:
• Food forest and native plant cultivation,
• Small-scale natural building using on-site materials: Guadua bamboo and adobe (quincha),
• Food processing and exchange,
• Inter-generational experiential learning, traditional knowledge exchange, craftsmanship, and/or
• Wildlife photography, purposeful travel, wilderness camping, and/or hiking and biking.
Orogen is being made available to stewards who are committed to practising an integral approach to on-the-land living. Listing price is USD $64,000. We would like to see you to thrive here. Ongoing collaboration in the form of advice and reciprocal support services are available. It's a challenge to convey a sense of place on-line, but if you find that this description resonates deeply, we would be happy to provide more details. Peace.
Thank you.
