Latest update (March 2026):
During part of 2024 and 2025, the clinic was vacant as the veterinary technician left and the ownership of the clinic changed hands from one government organization to another. As of September 2025, the clinic is staffed again, but some much needed maintenance was needed.
Thanks to generous donations, we were able to send a small team to Zuni in February to complete the following:
- The grey water planter was closed up as the soil in it was a perfect breeding ground for parvo, giardia and other diseases and is simply not hygienic for a clinic. Unfortunately this was never taken into account when the clinic was first built. Luckily, now all the parasites, bad bacteria and wound cleaning goes straight to septic and finally the clinic can fully and safely operate!
- All smoke alarms were checked and reset.
- All doors and windows were tuned up.
- The water organizing module (WOM) pump was replaced, restoring water to the clinic.
- A full training and maintenance process was put in place with the current veterinary staff.
The next phase will be in Spring 2027 and we are currently fundraising to be able to purchase and install new batteries for the solar power system.
The problem:
For a long time there had been a need for a year-round fully functional veterinary clinic in the Pueblo of Zuni to take care and reduce the number of stray animals, eliminate diseases through vaccines such as rabies that can have an effect on the human population, and ensure a peaceful relationship between human and animal.
The solution:
The Zuni Environmental Protection Program was able to secure a grant from the state of New Mexico to discard a large amount of scrap tires in an environmentally friendly way.
A fully self-sustainable Earthship that would drastically reduce utility bills and provide natural heating, cooling, water and electricity is the perfect solution for the resident doctors and the community and showcase how a fully off-grid building can be as comfortable and sophisticated as a conventional clinic building.
The process:
In June 2018, the first phase of the construction of the new Self Sustaining Veterinary Clinic took place. During three weeks, an amazing group of volunteers, crew and local participants worked hard to construct the main structure of the Earthship, pounding over 600 tires, framing up the roof and greenhouse structure, installing ventilation tubes and rain water catchment system, finishing the roof and burying the building and much more. We are incredibly thankful for the work that was done and the support received from all individuals and organizations involved. Subsequently, various other phases were done and the veterinary clinic was completed in 2022.
Going forward:
Maintenance phases are scheduled to take place every 1-2 years or as needed and donations are sought after for this purpose. The next phase will be in Spring 2027 and we are currently fundraising to be able to purchase and install new batteries for the solar power system.
Here is a summary by John Walker, volunteer:
“During the initial build, Harry conducted class midday on weekdays for an hour for local and Earthship Biotecture (EB) volunteers. The first thing he requested was a white board, and used it extensively during his presentations. The classroom was our cozy sheep shed for three weeks.
In addition, there were the Zuni High school Sustainable studies classes I conducted for three and a half semesters on Fridays. The principle, Mr. Sparks, said it was the most successful project he had seen. 20 to 40 kids learned sustainable theory and Earthship building skills. The school even bought tools. There was a lesson plan each week coordinated with Mrs. Smith, a long-time Earthship follower, and on bad weather days, we would meet at the high school and conduct class using EB materials. In addition to the 2018 school year, we had weekly updates on the project to my wife’s 4th-grade class through a 4th-grade representative. On the second EB hit, Phill led the kids to fill the planter and work on the retaining tire wall. We also held two successful day adult sessions for locals since 2018.”
For questions about this project please email info@biotectureplanetearth.org.
THANK YOU TO EVERYONE THAT MADE THIS PROJECT HAPPEN!
Zuni Environmental Protection Program (ZEPP)
The New Mexico Environment Department
Native American Veterinary Services
KRQE for media coverage
Earthship Biotecture and its crew
BPE crew and Board members
All generous individual donors and groups…
