Energy is all around us, and it’s our task to harness it and use it efficiently. It is the beating heart of our ecosystems and can show up in all kinds of forms—visible or invisible. Energy can be sunlight, wind, water flow, or even human labor. Recognizing and capturing these resources before they leave the land is at the core of sustainable design.

During our retreats, we dive deeper into practical ways to work with energy so it isn’t lost unnecessarily. For example, we explore how water runoff can be collected and redirected to nourish plants or how composting transforms organic waste into nutrient-rich soil. We also look at the more subtle forms of energy, like timing tasks to align with natural cycles, or leveraging the collective effort of a community to achieve more than individual effort alone.

By understanding where energy comes from, how it moves, and where it tends to be wasted, we can create systems that are more productive, resilient, and regenerative. Every small step in capturing and redirecting energy can ripple outward, benefiting not only the immediate environment but also the broader ecosystem.