Local Earth is honored to be a collaborator in the concept development and initiation of the Taos Community Resilience Coalition
Introduction
The Taos Community Resilience Coalition is a citizen-led movement committed to fostering a thriving, sustainable, and resilient future for Taos County. Guided by principles of environmental stewardship, social equity, local economic empowerment, and cultural inclusivity—the Coalition brings together residents, civic institutions, businesses, nonprofits, and indigenous partners to collaboratively shape a regenerative future. Our platform is designed to serve as a bridge—fostering better collaboration, communication, and alignment between residents, local government, local businesses, organizations, and the Taos Pueblo. We believe that by strengthening the health of our land, people, and economy, we can ensure that Taos County flourishes for current and future generations.
Please see these presentations to learn more!
(the presentations can be viewed on a phone, yet are best viewed on a computer)
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See these documents for more information:
Executive Summary (as seen here on this page)
Concept Overview (potential partners)
Organizational Framework (Councils)
Community Resilience Assessment
Vision and Mission
Mission: To co-create and implement a long-term, community-led, holistic strategy and platform for bioregional resilience, ecological sustainability, local economic vitality and cultural harmony —through collaborative leadership, trusted partnerships, and inclusive participation.
Vision: A resilient Taos County where thriving ecosystems, strong local economies, cultural diversity, and community collaboration create a flourishing bioregion for generations to come.
Core Components and Objectives
- Environmental Sustainability: Protect and regenerate local ecosystems, water systems, forests, and soils.
- Bioregional Resilience: Align long-term community vision and plan with the natural carrying capacity and health of our bioregion.
- Strong Local Economy & Circular Systems: Strengthen local economic self-reliance through regenerative industries, circular economics, conscious tourism and alternative currencies.
- Regenerative Systems (Energy, Waste, Currency etc): Create circular, closed-loop systems for community necessities such as clean energy, waste management, recycling, composting and economic exchange.
- Food Sovereignty & Agriculture: Support local food systems, regenerative farming practices, and food security.
- Natural Building & Affordable Housing: Promote sustainable building practices using local materials while increasing access to affordable housing.
- Community Health & Wellbeing: Foster physical, mental and emotional wellness through holistic health initiatives and community connectivity.
- Education, Awareness & Citizen Engagement: Provide pathways for all residents to participate in shaping the future of Taos County.
- Cultural Diversity and Inclusion: Honor, celebrate, and integrate the wisdom and traditions of all cultures, with specific consideration for collaboration and partnership with the Taos Pueblo and indigenous communities.
Phased Three-Year Implementation Strategy
Each Coalition initiative follows a strategic three-year phased approach:
- Phase 1: Six-Month Pilot Projects — Modest budget pilots to test concepts, gather community feedback, and build foundational partnerships.
- Phase 2: Countywide Expansion — Refine and scale successful pilots based on real-world learning and community input.
- Phase 3: Long-Term Integration — Institutionalize best practices, create local jobs, build circular systems, and embed resilience into civic, economic, and environmental infrastructure.
This collaborative platform will ensure that community-driven insights are continually integrated into local government planning, organizational initiatives, and private sector actions.
Pilot Projects Overview
The Coalition will initiate a series of interconnected pilot projects that directly support our mission:
- Recycling and Waste Reduction Program: Create decentralized recycling systems to close material loops, reduce landfill dependency, and foster local green jobs.
- Community Composting Program: Divert organic waste from landfills into nutrient-rich compost, enhancing soil health and local food systems.
- Biochar Initiative: Transform forest deadfall and thinning waste into biochar to regenerate soils, improve local agriculture, sequester carbon, and reduce wildfire risk.
- Natural Building Collective: Promote sustainable, locally sourced building materials and techniques to deliver affordable, resilient housing.
- Carrying Capacity Research: Evaluate Taos County’s sustainable population and land use limits through ecological, hydrological, and agricultural studies, incorporating indigenous wisdom and in close collaboration with Taos Pueblo.
- Regenerative Farm Demonstration: Establish a flagship farm practicing regenerative agriculture to educate the community and strengthen food sovereignty.
- Website and Mobile App Development: Create a digital collaboration platform connecting residents, organizations, businesses, government, and Taos Pueblo to coalition activities, resources, and community engagement tools.
- Local Currency and Time Bank (Taos Token): Launch a time-banking system evolving into a local currency to strengthen the local economy, circulate wealth locally, and build social capital.
Each of these initiatives acts as a catalyst for community-wide resilience, reinforcing the Coalition’s comprehensive strategy.
Invitation to Participate
The Taos Community Resilience Coalition is a movement powered by people, partnerships, and shared purpose. We invite all residents, businesses, nonprofits, civic leaders, and the Taos Pueblo to join this collaborative initiative and platform. Whether you offer your time, expertise, creativity, or vision, your participation will help weave a stronger, more resilient future for Taos.
Together, we can co-create a thriving Taos—rooted in the wisdom of our ancestors, responsive to the challenges of our time, and inspired by the possibilities of future generations.
If you would like to learn more or participate please contact:
Joshua Alvord
📧 josh@local-earth.org | 📞 619-517-4469
