Environmental concerns such as recycling, energy usage, and water conservation are equally compelling. The region that we live in provides great opportunities to see some alternatives to the usual materials, forms of energy, and landscaping techniques. We have people using discarded tires and aluminum cans as building materials in houses called Earthships. Straw bale construction of homes is another alternative materials use. This type of construction was created in the Plains region due to a lack of wood and an abundance of straw.
Solar power is very appropriate for our area.
We have a very high number of sunny days. The students need to realize how easy it is to include passive solar design practices into the ideas for the house they will create. Wind power is another option I want the students to consider and investigate. Xeriscaping is an important part of the whole picture. The use of low water and low pollen plants in an area with water scarcity and allergy issues is just plain smart.