Sunset’s rosy fingers, above the EcoPark’s man-made, clean dam.
The SHE EcoPark prides itself on being a completely environmentally sustainable enterprise. Every aspect of running the park, from water usage to local food to recycling of wastes is considered. Though we have signs through-out the park explaining our practices, below is a brief overview of all our environmentally friendly habits.
Water Management
A detailed description of our water treatment system, in English and Arabic.
To preserve the quality of our water, we ‘generate’ our water internally. We use a water treatment unit with which we turn surface water into quality standard drinking water. The reject water from the water treatment unit is used for irrigation of newly planted trees and shrubs in the EcoPark, and thus all water is conserved, and reused. Gray and black water is treated as well, and then used in the wetlands to recharge the ground water, and supply water to the turtle pond.
Likewise, we support local shepherds by pumping water to their location, in return for their cooperation in not accessing and using our dam to water their goats. Goat watering and similar practices adversely affect the quality of water in dams, and by pumping water to the shepherds off location, we create good neighborly relations, while also maintaining the pristine nature of our dam.
An irrigation unit at the park.
Lastly, besides using dam water, we have also set up rain harvesting canisters to reduce our dependence on irrigation. We only use drip irrigation, which is far more efficient and uses less water than traditional surface irrigation.
Composting
Composting boxes at our park.
All organic waste produced on site is composted in our compost boxes. After guests leave, we clean the camping site and public areas, picking up broken branches and left over food scraps. This has the additional benefit of limiting the spread or origin of fires in the park.
Energy Saving Devices
We also use energy saving devices through out our park, ranging from air conditioning and light bulbs to the water treatment unit itself. Most of our water flow systems are ‘gravity powered,’ reducing the need for outside energy expenditure. Additionally, we placed our eco-cabins in the shade, giving them good insulation to reduce heat transfer, and the need to use air conditioning.
Solar Water Heaters at the park.
We are currently engaged in a project to build 26 kilowatt ‘solar panel trackers’ which angle themselves towards the sun, moving with it during a 24 cycle.
We have solar water heaters already installed, which heat the shower water and other hot water needs in the park. We also have one solar stove-top in the picnic area for guests to use. It heats food much like a traditional stove, but uses the power of the sun to heat the metal bowl serving as the stove-top.
Solar stove at work, making a nice cup of tea.
Recycling
We use old materials such as tires and glass bottles to make walls, art projects, and mud buildings. Seats are made out of tires, and composts and manures are produced and used in the EcoPark. Walking trails use local stones to minimize our carbon footprint, and all the wood used in picnic benches and the like are locally grown as well.
We are in the process of building our own recycling plant in the park.
Volunteers picking up trash and bottles.
Our Food Products
At the EcoPark, we try as much as possible to rely on locally grown food – for example, we cultivate honey at the EcoPark, and all of our fruits and vegetables are grown in the surrounding area. We attempt at every turn to minimize our carbon importing food footprint.
Our Staff Members
You can’t be a good neighbor without being part of the community. Here at SHE, we employ locals who live near the EcoPark. Our staff includes those of Bedouin descent.
