A Proposal to restore the land and cultural values taken by a phosphate mine.
The Tzin Mountain or Mount Hor Ha’ har limestone outcrop, is the focus of this work. The Rotem-Amfert-Negev mining operations, is the reason for it. The value of the Tzin Mountain and surrounding areas are defined by protected areas (the reserve) surrounding the Tzin mountain, and another reserve that traverses the mining site known as Mahteshim Ein Yahav. In effect we would like to propose the rehabilitation of the sub-watershed that would have Mt. Zin as its focal point.
Focal things demand our attention, our care and at times our skill to maintain, restore or rehabilitate them. These things develop in character with our attention. To understand landscape rehabilitation as a focal practice we have to understand that this mined place has lost its story; a program of linear thought, material desire and short-term goals have subsumed timeless identity.
The Proposal
1. The challenge is to recreate the source – sink structure, at least initially through artificial means. With the form and hyrdrological function recreated, it should be possible to transplant plant materials and even areas of microphytic crust as an experiment in instigating the growth of the desert ecosystem.
2. If we choose to rehabilitate this place, we must invest in the idea of reciprocity between those that rehabilitate and the ecosystems that we are addressing. We must seek out reciprocity in between science and aesthetics, between the values of different cultures and participatory strategy. Following William Jordan we must return to gardening with the intent of benefiting nature rather than ourselves. The ultimate success of a focal approach to restoration will rely on the participation of as many people as practically possible. The goal of this rehabilitation is not simply to fix the land, but to create a new dialogue between people and ecosystems.