In a world grappling with the challenges of climate change and the isolating nature of urban living, the need for bold, sustainable solutions has never been greater. The PlantAmor community rises to this challenge, offering a transformative vision of what life can look like when people reconnect with nature, embrace community, and dare to reimagine the way we inhabit Planet Earth.

A Community Experiment in Tenerife

In the arid southeastern region of Tenerife in the Canary Islands, five years ago, three friends—Isabel, Tomas, and Javier—embarked on an extraordinary social experiment known as PlantAmor.

This co-living and co-creation project, is a true community nest, empowering people to confront the effects of climate change in the Canary Islands while embracing sustainable living. How? By guiding people to reconnect people with Nature, revive ancient traditions, and explore alternative ways of living beyond the constraints of modern urban society.

Fueled by Faith: The Story of PlantAmor

The idea for PlantAmor came to Isabel, one of the founders, in a dream during her travels in Senegal. After a seven-month journey that completely transformed her beliefs and the way she enjoyed life, Isabel felt compelled to create a space embodying her new values. Despite limited financial resources and no stable job, Isabel and her friend Clara were fueled by their unwavering faith in the vision they felt called to manifest.

When they arrived in Tenerife, at what is now PlantAmor, they found an abandoned plot in a barren land, with no water or electricity; despite the challenges, they felt that was the right place. The landowner, skeptical of their ability to endure such harsh conditions, allowed them to stay rent-free for a few months, convinced they wouldn’t last much longer. Against all odds, they proved her wrong...

The Evolution of PlantAmor

Those few months have now turned into five transformative years, during which the founders poured their hearts and energy into regenerating the land. Their journey is a testament to grit, resilience, and a shared dream to create a lasting space—a place that thrives beyond their presence and offers a tangible alternative to the mainstream system.

Today, PlantAmor consists of ten adults and three children, with a steady flow of visitors and volounteers throughout the year. Interestingly, none of the core members live there full-time, dividing their time between the community and other places.

This fluidity highlights the experimental essence of the project, emphasizing exploration over permanence while embracing the impermanence of all things in life.

From Dust to Forest: the Mission

PlantAmor pursues an ambitious environmental mission: reversing desertification and creating a self-sustaining ecosystem. Through extensive tree-planting efforts, they aim to transform the barren landscape into a lush, thriving environment.

These efforts go beyond planting trees; they encompass nurturing the soil, restoring water cycles, creating habitats that support local flora and fauna, and fostering human connections along the way. By leveraging regenerative practices and community involvement, PlantAmor inspire a global movement that sees reforestation as a powerful tool for facing climate change and restoring harmony with Mother Nature.

Tackling the Desert’s Challenges

Living in an arid climate brings significant hurdles, particularly for agriculture. The poor soil conditions have made growing vegetables difficult, yet the community’s dedication is starting to bear fruit — literally.

Recently, they harvested a beetroot from their garden, an achievement that highlights their steady progress toward self-sufficiency and food sovergnity, even though they’re not fully there yet.

Another pressing issue is water scarcity, which reflects broader challenges in the Canary Islands. By adapting and conserving water through ecological practices, the community faces these difficulties head-on, turning obstacles into opportunities for collective growth and innovation.

Living Sustainably at PlantAmor

The infrastructure at PlantAmor mirrors its commitment to sustainability. Solar panels provide energy self-sufficiency, while a greywater recycling system irrigates the gardens with reused water from sinks and showers. Compost toilets transform human waste into valuable fertilizer for trees, and natural as well as recycled materials are employed for construction projects.

One of the most remarkable features of PlantAmor are the "eco-nests" — artistic living spaces carved into volcanic rock, serving as creative expressions that inspire reconnection with Nature.

Each eco-nest reflects the unique vision of its creator, such as one designed by Toma's sister, which connects ground and sky in an organic form resembling a tree branch and a mushroom.

Shared Spaces and Activities

PlantAmor fosters personal and collective growth through its shared spaces and activities. The common kitchen serves as more than just a cooking area; it’s a vibrant meeting point where diverse cultural approaches to food and community living converge.

An art gallery and meeting space, called "the shop," acts as a hub for collaboration and creativity. Additionally, the dance floor hosts movement practices such as animal flow and contact improvisation dance, enriching the community's collective experiences and offering a unique way to connect.

A Place for Flourishing Together

PlantAmor is a space for transformation: the aim of the community is to foster a culture of growth, where every interaction, every skill learned, and every connection made, contributes to a greater purpose. Members engage in practices like contact improvisation, dance, playfight and cultural exchanges, to foster personal responsibility and deep connections.

While living together can lead to conflicts, the community’s dedication to active listening, mutual respect and nonviolent communication allows them to navigate challenges constructively, strengthening their bonds.

Nurturing New Beginnings

The founders envision PlantAmor as a seed of inspiration, demonstrating that alternative ways of living are both necessary and possible. They embrace the discomfort of transitioning away from traditional lifestyles, seeing it as an essential and natural step in the collective growth of our time. As Tomas puts it:

"It’s uncomfortable, but it’s part of the process. Something old is dying, and we must grieve that loss while hoding space for new possibilities to flourish."

Ultimately, Isa, Tomas and Javier see PlantAmor as a "trampoline," launching individuals toward their dreams and creating ripples of positive change that extend beyond the community. It’s a place where people are supported and inspired to take bold steps toward their aspirations. The energy and ideas cultivated here radiate outward, influencing other communities and sparking movements that align with sustainability, collaboration, and grassroots innovation.

In a Nutshell

PlantAmor is an off-grid community in the southeast of Tenerife Island that transformed a barren landscape into a thriving green oasis. It stands as a bold experiment in redefining home, community, and humanity's bond with Mother Nature.

In the face of climate change and the challenges of urban living, this community offer a hopeful blueprint for a resilient, grassroots-led future. By promoting reforestation and empowering individuals to reach their full potential, PlantAmor sparks a cycle of transformation, proving that meaningful change begins with a single, faithful step forward.