Arcosanti’s principle of learning by doing is exemplified in the community’s latest offering, the Fall Land Stewardship and Sustainable Technology workshop. This four-week workshop take place from Monday, Oct. 14, through Friday, Nov. 8.

During this immersive experience, attendees will connect to the majestic High Sonoran Desert of Arizona, the unique architecture and a culture that spans both worlds — all while developing new skills and helping to further create community.

This hands-on program teaches participants how to steward land and sustainably manage water in a desert through techniques such as improving a rainwater catchment systems, restoring and tending a bioswale orchard and adjusting solar panels for an aquifer well pump.

The workshop schedule is as follows:

Week One — Seminar Week

Week Two — Plants

Rejuvenate the bioswale

Label fruit trees and shrubs

Create a welcoming environment for visitors

Week 3 — Water and Sun

Explore the East Crescent rainwater collection system

Improve the rainwater delivery system

Create a solar PV night lighting system

Week 4 — Additional Projects

Invasive species vs. humans duel

Hike to petroglyphs and wildlife cameras

Solar pumping, wells and aquifer autumnal

Workshop presentation to the Arcosanti community

This enriching experience merges theory and practice, providing attendees with real-world approaches to sustainable living in a desert environment. Throughout the course, participants will create meaningful and positive change as a team, present and celebrate their work with everyone, and live, work, and play in the same space.

Upon graduation, students will join the more than 8,000 alumni who have helped build the arcology of Arcosanti since its inception in 1970.

The cost of this four-week educational experience is $1,550 ($500 for seminar week and $350 per regular work week). This fee covers tuition, five-day per week breakfast and lunch, housing, facilities and field trips. To complete an application form, visit arcosanti.org/workshops/land-stewardship-workshop/.

Dates for the Spring 2025 Land Stewardship and Sustainable Technology Workshop will soon be announced. Stay tuned for more details.

Email workshop@arcosanti.org to request further information. For more about Arcosanti, visit arcosanti.org.