Words of Others

by Danielle Conroyd, Project Director, Immaculate Heart of Mary (IHM), in response to an inquiry from the RVLT about why they became a member of the RVLT

he IHM motherhouse, St. Mary Center and several other buildings sit on 280 acres directly across from the River Raisin in the city of Monroe. Sisters Island, located across the street from the motherhouse property, also belongs to the IHMs. The IHM Sisters are in the process of implementing a vision for the land and buildings on their campus that reflects their history and mission as educators and as peace and justice advocates.

The first phase of the project is the sustainable renovation of 376,000 square feet in the IHM motherhouse to become a quality retirement facility for the sisters and the leadership headquarters for the IHM community. The desire to renovate, not build new, grew out of a growing awareness of sustainability and a deep desire to walk lightly on the earth. An integral part of the project is understanding and respecting our integral connection to all of life and thus the commitment also to site restoration. The site restoration plan includes, among other things, a constructed wetlands for the gray water system, a geo-thermal heating and cooling system that uses the heat of the earth, swales for storm water management, conversion of acres of lawn to native prairie grasses, restoration of an oak savannah, pedestrian pathways, native plantings and courtyards. These concrete expressions will conserve water, restore habitat, and preserve green space.

We are also very interested in the concept of land trust as one way of preserving the land for future generations. Our research uncovered wonderful stories of groups like the RVLT who are joining together to preserve natural areas as well as rural and historical features of their locale. We are very committed to becoming indigenous to our place and working with others to achieve that.

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Design by Kenny King.