Regenerative living at Kokoro might best be 
	defined as a lifestyle that allows the resources 
	we use to be recycled and replenished by 
	natural and/or intentional systems. For us it is a 
	part of a total permaculture design, allowing for 
	our ecologically sound and economically viable 
	systems to be successful without exploiting or 
	polluting the environment around them.    

	There are various projects in design, in progress 
	or completed on the grounds.  Below is a very 
	brief summary of things going on.  Including the 
	newly updated plant list.  

		Compost
			Worms
			Seaweed
			Rice hulls
			Food waste
		Nursery 
		Gardens
		Renewable Energy
			Photovoltaic
			Wind
			Biodiesel
		Animals 
		Water
		Building Materials

Compost
	Worms 
		The two types of earthworm used  for composting at Kokoro are redworms: Eisenia foetida  
		(commonly known as red wiggler, brandling, or manure worm) and Lumbricus rubellus. 
Rice Hulls 
		We collect rice hulls that are thrown out from the local rice factories. Rice hulls are rich in potash 
		and can be used for either mulches or compost. They decay readily and may even be spaded into 
		the ground before the rainy season.   
	Food Waste 
		We are begining a new  food waste collection program.  It's estimated that food wastes account 
		for 50 percent of the material a restaurant dumps in the garbage bin. The goal of the food waste 
		compost pilot program is to divert this food waste from the landfill by encouraging individual food 
		businesses to give us their food waste to make into  soils. 
Nursery Plants
		Our nursery has a few thousand plants now.   We are installing drip irrigation and expanding 
		rapidly. The goal is to offer plants for sale to the community as well as begin to donate back to 
		the community.    
Gardens
		Vegetable gardens, growing a variety of  local and exotic vegetables. 
		Herbal Gardens,
		Japanese Garden 
		Moon Garden 
		Sensory Garden 
		Rock Garden 
		Secret Garden 
Renewable Energy               
   	Photovoltaic 
		Wind 
		Biodiesel
			Kokoro is supplied with bio-diesel from the Biomass project located at the National 
			University of Engineering Sciences in Managua, Nicaragua. The Biomass Project is a 
			research and development co-operation project that offers technological solutions to 
			environmental problems in Nicaragua. A team of Nicaraguan and Austrian scientists and 
			engineers work on new concepts of biological wastewater treatment, sustainable energy 
			production, municipal waste management and agricultural efficiency. 
Animals
		Chickens of coarse!
Water 
		Grey Water
			Grey water from all over Kokoro is filtered and channeled for specific uses.
		Rainwater
			Rainwater is collected where available irrigation uses. 
		Well
			Our 150ft well continues to pump out water at 7.2g per minute. 
Building Materials 
		Wood
			Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) certified wood from suatainably harvested sources.
			Sourcing this wood has proved to be challenging but we have found a few FSC certified
			sources. 
		Tires
			We have talked to all the tire fix it guys and are busy collecting the old tires of the Rivas 
			region. When enough tires are collected we will work to design and construct a 
			demonstration building.   
		Earth Bags
			Earth bags are not the best building material for this area due to the large amount of rock in the 
			soil. However Kokoro is exploring introducing this building technique as a low income housing 
			solution in the area.  
  		Cantera Blocks
		Bamboo