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Since 2015, we founded and manage Wild Turtle, a farm that focuses on permaculture and sustainable lifestyles.
Faced with the challenges of erosion and a barren landscape, our main focus was to create a vital habitat on 2,5ha of land. This involved intensive crop production, reforestation and building systems to store water and create habitats for people, animals and plants.ย
In this process, we learned how crucial it is to establish plants in a challenging and rapidly changing climate. We focused on intensive observation to deepen our interaction with nature and respond flexibly to the needs of the ecosystem. Our aim was to create and research stable systems that are as self-regulating and long-lasting as possible. We achieved this by establishing a diverse ecosystem whose biotope forms were interrelated.
During this process, we received a lot of support from volunteers, friends and family!
We developed and tested a lot of the work by experimenting together, using the expertise of friends or exchanging ideas with local people. Sometimes things went smoothly, sometimes things went wrong, and we gradually improved our living space.
Then to now!
Then to now!
< 2015
< 2015
From a barren land to a lush estate.
From a barren land to a lush estate.
Ismael took the first steps toward preserving the land uphill, preventing erosion, and safeguarding it from animal grazing.
His vision was to create a sanctuary of freedom for himself and his friends, marking the humble beginnings of our journey.ย
The land was home to various animals: goats, sheep, cows, geese, peacocks, turkeys, and donkeys. Initially, there was a lot of traditional agriculture, with animal manure used as fertilizer and a focus on vegetable production. However, due to the presence of animals, it was challenging to grow anything like trees as they were directly eaten. The first compost experiments were attempted, but progress was limited due to the animals' presence. The turning point came when the animals were progressively relocated from the area.
With the removal of the animals, a transformation began. The first priority was to fence the village area to allow natural plants to gradually return. Before fencing, the ground resembled stone, and while some trees were planted, the environment was very dry, hot, barren, and lifeless.ย
As the fencing took effect, the natural flora slowly started to regenerate, breathing new life into the landscape. Trees began to take root, and the once desolate land started to show signs of vitality. This marked the beginning of a new chapter in the project's evolution, laying the foundation for the creation of a thriving ecosystem.
Achievements at that time
Achievements at that time
Land preservation
Brainstorming an design
Progressive removal of animals
Fencing of the village area and pine plantation
First experiments with mudbricks
First experiments with compost
Team & Volunteers
Team & Volunteers
Ismael ๐ช๐ธ๐ฒ๐ฆ, Ali ๐ฒ๐ฆ , Kuby ๐ฒ๐ฆ
2016
2016
First steps into installing a permaculture paradise
First steps into installing a permaculture paradise
As the land began to flourish, so did the vision for its future. With a newfound sense of possibility, efforts shifted toward implementing sustainable practices and fostering biodiversity. The focus on traditional agriculture gave way to a more holistic approach, incorporating permaculture principles and natural building techniques. With each passing day, the project moved closer to its goal of becoming a harmonious sanctuary where humans, animals, and nature could coexist in balance.
At that time, Ismael and his friend started a hostel in Assilah called MIA Hostel, this place was hosting volunteers in exchange of help at the place. Ismael's land was there and unused so he choose to do something there with a bunch of volunteers, in 2016 he met Nina who gave a lot of herself in the project and they became partners in that adventure. At that time, the land was barren and the weather was harsh, accomodation on the land was close to none.
Achievements
Achievements
Planning of infrastructureย
Cleaning the site of rubbish
Fencing of the land
Management of animals
Construction of electric infrastructure
Construction of water supply infrastructure
Start with volunteer help through workaway
Set foundations of the cabin
Construction of an outdoor kitchen
Construction of a pizza oven
Setup of the bon fire pit
Repair of the volunteer shelter
The construction of a first dry toilet
Plantation of trees
Team & Volunteers
Team & Volunteers
Ismael ๐ช๐ธ๐ฒ๐ฆ, Nina ๐จ๐ญ, Kuby ๐ฒ๐ฆ
2017
2017
Settling buildings to stay on the land
Settling buildings to stay on the land
In 2017 Land was still pretty raw, the first buildings have popped out of the ground and electricity was brought to the village.
Achievements
Achievements
Roof for the cabin with reeds
Planting and testing of native trees and hedges in the cabin area
Further fencing of the cabin area
Setup of paths and the garden
Improvement of the terrain for fruit and olive trees by Swales
Setup of a grey water filtration for the cabin kitchen according to ยซMilkwoodยป
Management of animals: Chicken enclosure
Landscaping and structure creation in the cabin area
Planning the renovation of the farmhouse (today's Casa Tortuga)
The start of the renovation of the main farm house (today's Casa Tortuga)
Begin remodelling and additions to the old farmhouse (adobe and lime plaster)
Cleaning the grounds of the farmhouse of rubbish
Maintenance of the garden and fruit trees
The construction of the water castle
The setup of the pump
The construction of a vegetable drying oven
The setup of a fresh herbs garden
The management of the orchard
Plantation of new trees
Digging of swales for water conservation & Erosion control
Digging of basins around the trees for water conservation
Mulching and covering the soils
Resource planning & material sourcing
Mudbricks
Canes and thatch
Burnt wood tiles
Variouse mosaic and tiles gathering
Team & Volunteers
Team & Volunteers
Ismael ๐ช๐ธ๐ฒ๐ฆ, Nina ๐จ๐ญ, Kuby ๐ฒ๐ฆ, Jamal ๐ฒ๐ฆ, Jasmin, Emely, Diego, Daniel, Mike, Simon, Ronald, Keith, Conny, Jesus, Jan, Mauri, Sol, Mireille, Alex, Jaque, Sjorge, Izzy, Noah, Jaques, Bradley & Nicky, Sandra, Krystal, Albert
2018
2018
Farmhouse renovation & land blooming
Farmhouse renovation & land blooming
In 2018, our focus shifted towards renovating the farmhouse, which later evolved into Casa Tortuga. While the main building was structurally sound, it lacked modern amenities and aesthetic appeal. We embarked on a renovation journey, adding new features like a terrace, modernizing the kitchen and bathroom, and introducing a contemporary dry toilet system.
Additionally, 2018 was a year of community engagement, with long summer evenings spent at Room 30, the newly established bar atop Casa Pepe restaurant. As we enjoyed these social gatherings, nature began reclaiming some of our outdoor features, such as the outside shower and bonfire area, prompting us to prioritize nature management efforts.
One notable achievement of the year was the progress made in our orchard swaling project. This initiative yielded positive results as endemic plant species gradually returned, signaling a promising step towards ecological restoration and biodiversity preservation.
Achievements
Achievements
Extension of composting toilet, kitchen and interior work in the farmhouse
Electrification of the farmhouse
Faรงade construction (lime plaster with natural pigments)
Creation of gardens and dry stone walls at the farmhouse
Improvement of soil quality and erosion control through planting (acacias, pines, local trees and hedges (< 1000)
Propagation of native plants and their planting on the site and in the gardens (< 3000)
Starting cultivating more resilient and local plants by seeds and cuts.
Construction of small structures for animals and promotion of biodiversity
Planning and realisation of a new vegetable garden
Creation of a keyhole/African garden for lettuce experiments
Maintenance of the garden and fruit trees
The renovation of the main farmhouse
Added the kitchen and bathroom extensions of the farmhouse
Added the modern dry toilet to the farmhouse
Started the Room 30 Project
Team & Volunteers
Team & Volunteers
Ismael ๐ช๐ธ๐ฒ๐ฆ, Nina ๐จ๐ญ, Kuby ๐ฒ๐ฆ, Jamal ๐ฒ๐ฆ, Maria, Agustina, Facundo
2019
2019
Adaptation and pursuing of establishing an ecosystem
Adaptation and pursuing of establishing an ecosystem
In 2019, we focused on completing the farmhouse's interior and exterior renovations, including the installation of a heating system. We repurposed the cabin area into a helper space and propagated and planted native plants across the grounds and gardens. Additionally, we constructed small structures to support local biodiversity and created new garden layouts. Through seed cultivation and soil enhancement efforts, we aimed to cultivate resilient, locally adapted plants while tackling erosion control measures.
Achievements
Achievements
Completion of the interior and exterior work on the farmhouse
Installation of a heating system in the farmhouse
Conversion of cabin area to helper area
Propagation of native plants and their planting on the grounds and in the gardensย
Construction of small structures for animals and promotion of biodiversity
Creation of new garden structures
Cultivating more resilient and local plants by seeds and cuts
Improving soil quality and erosion control through planting
Team & Volunteers
Team & Volunteers
Ismael ๐ช๐ธ๐ฒ๐ฆ, Nina ๐จ๐ญ, Kuby ๐ฒ๐ฆ, Jamal ๐ฒ๐ฆ, Hayley, John, Paulina, Tanja, Antoine
2020
2020
A year of confinment, a slower pace, good for the project
A year of confinment, a slower pace, good for the project
In 2020 the world changed and morrocan border closed due to the pandemic, the hostel had to stop because there was not enought travellers to maintanin acitvity. Nevertheless there was a bunch of travellers stuck in Morroco at that time and a couple of them stayed at wild turtle. On the other hand, Nina was stuck back in Switzerland and finally had to stay for administrative reasons.
The project took a hit down and we had the chance of being able to enjoy the peace and quiet during this strange days of confinment. Here in the countryside we were almost already confined. Life was sweet and quiet. Projects continued at a very slow pace.
Achievements
Achievements
Wooden mezzanine in the cabin
Started digging the natural pool
Planning and realisation of a natural pool at the farmhouse
Completion of the bathroom in the farmhouse
Construction of an outdoor kitchen and poolbar at the farmhouse
Maintenance of the garden and fruit trees
Team & Volunteers
Team & Volunteers
Ismael ๐ช๐ธ๐ฒ๐ฆ, Nina ๐จ๐ญ, Kuby ๐ฒ๐ฆ, Jamal ๐ฒ๐ฆ, Laotaro ๐ง๐ท, Romain ๐ซ๐ท, Carina ๐บ๐ธ, Lexi ๐ฌ๐ท and their cute doggies.
2021
2021
Maintenance, comfort & forest preservation
Maintenance, comfort & forest preservation
Achievements
Achievements
On that year was achieved :ย
The natural pool
The poolbar
Team & Volunteers
Team & Volunteers
Ismael ๐ช๐ธ๐ฒ๐ฆ, Toma ๐ง๐ช, Kuby ๐ฒ๐ฆ, Jamal ๐ฒ๐ฆ, Hammid ๐ฒ๐ฆ, Laotaro ๐ง๐ท, Toma ๐ง๐ช, Line ๐ฒ๐ฆ๐ง๐ช Neo๐ง๐ช, Aaliyah๐ง๐ช, Carina ๐บ๐ธ, Lexi ๐ฌ๐ท
2022
2022
A breath of fresh air and new ideas
A breath of fresh air and new ideas
Toma and Ismael moved forward with several new projects and ideas.
The workaway profile was re-activated, interest rise as there was a lot of volunteering inquiries.
Achievements
Achievements
General project redesign and mapping.
Clearing, cleaning, ordering and organising material and storage space
Design and landscaping of a plant nursery, a compost place and a gardening workshop.
Design and landscaping of a vegetable garden.
Seeded, planted, re-planted and processed a lot of plants.
Planted more than 150 baby trees on the land.
Landscaped dirt terraces to prevent soil erosion.
Weeks of digging dirt terrasses, paths, stairs, foundations, plant beds.
Bonfires, songs, pizza parties and boardgames nights
Team & Volunteers
Team & Volunteers
Ismael ๐ช๐ธ๐ฒ๐ฆ, Toma ๐ง๐ช, Andreea ๐ท๐ด, Kuby ๐ฒ๐ฆ, Jamal ๐ฒ๐ฆ,ย Hammid ๐ฒ๐ฆ, Ulysse ๐ง๐ช, Anna ๐ฉ๐ช, Mao๐จ๐ด Andrea ๐จ๐ฑ, Emil ๐ฉ๐ฐ, Jakob ๐ฉ๐ฐ, Freed & Jonas ๐ฉ๐ช, Saoirse ๐ฌ๐ง, Dries ๐ง๐ช, Mason ๐ฌ๐ง Klaus ๐ง๐ท & Lola ๐ฌ๐ง, Orion ๐ฌ๐ง, Goele ๐ง๐ช & Isa ๐ถ,
2023
2023
Steps towards a financial balance
Steps towards a financial balance
A huge influx of volunteers helping to make our dreams become a reality.
Achievements
Achievements
Planted a succulent plants and cactus garden.
Built several stonewalls, stairs and seatings.
Cleaned & updated the water filtration system.
Plants reproduction for ornemental gardens and essential oil cropping.
Complete renovation of the main farm house.
Some furniture renovation.
Chopped a lot of trees
Designed a logo.
Designed a yoga place.
Designed a workshop and a storage place.
Designed housing units.
Designed a new kitchen and canteen place.
Lay the foundations of the yoga temple
Lay the foundations and begin the structure of the the rooms
Lay the foundations, made the structure and the roof of the the workshop
Planned and learnt about treehouse building.
Days of cutting tires to make recycled roof tiles.
Hours of wood prepairing for construction : peeling, sanding, treating, oiling, painting.
Experimenting essential oils extraction of our aromatic herbs
Started kombucha tea, ginger beer and fruit kefir brewing.
Went to the beach, hiked and enjoyed the wonderful nature
Sold some peacocksโฆ and breed some more !
Team & Volunteers
Team & Volunteers
Jakob ๐ฌ๐ง, Michele ๐ฎ๐น, Clรฉmentine ๐ซ๐ท, Timo ๐ฉ๐ช, Mao ๐จ๐ด, Martina ๐ฎ๐น, Rebecca & Bendagouz ๐ญ๐บ, Bilge ๐น๐ท, Jordan ๐ฌ๐ง & Paula ๐ฉ๐ช, Bela ๐ฉ๐ช, Kate ๐ฌ๐ท & Easy ๐ฉ๐ช, Gabriel ๐ซ๐ท, Alicia & Tom ๐ซ๐ท, Natasha ๐ฌ๐ถ, Ariane ๐ง๐ช, Yoann & Anna ๐ง๐ช, Tissam ๐ง๐ช๐ฒ๐ฆ, Emily ๐ฌ๐ง, Miri & Fabi ๐ฉ๐ช, Emilie ๐ง๐ช, Caio ๐ง๐ท, Adele, Tino ๐จ๐ญ, Asti ๐ณ๐ฑ & Milos ๐ถ, Niklas ๐ฉ๐ช, Moses ๐ฉ๐ช, Dominik ๐ฉ๐ช, Oscar ๐ฟ๐ฆ, Mimy, Lene ๐ฉ๐ช, Fath ๐ฒ๐ฆ & Ninon ๐ซ๐ท, Jean & Nathalie ๐ง๐ช, Victor ๐ง๐ช, Giuditta ๐ฎ๐น, Angela ๐ณ๐ฟ, Eoin๐ฎ๐ช & Erin ๐ฎ๐ช, Jules ๐บ๐ธ & Patrice ๐ฒ๐ฆ, Violette ๐ซ๐ท, Adรจle ๐ซ๐ท, Nina๐จ๐ญ, Tissa ๐จ๐ญ, Reda ๐ฒ๐ฆ, Ulysse ๐ง๐ช, Saint-Marc ๐ซ๐ท
2024
2024
First rental of Casa Tortuga
First rental of Casa Tortuga
Achievementsย
Achievementsย
Building of the village kitchen & laboratory
Building of the garden workshop with recycledย tire tiles
Team & Volunteers
Team & Volunteers
Jojo, Tissam, Ulysse, Marc, Timo ๐ฉ๐ช,ย
2025
2025
Filll.....
Filll.....
Team & Volunteers
Team & Volunteers
Sophia ๐จ๐ด,ย
2026
2026
Rebuilding after destructive winter storms...
Rebuilding after destructive winter storms...
Team & Volunteers
Team & Volunteers
LP ๐จ๐ฆ, Tristan ๐ฟ๐ฆ, Jacob ๐ด๓ ง๓ ข๓ ท๓ ฌ๓ ณ๓ ฟ, Sebastian ๐จ๐ด, Adrien ๐ซ๐ท, Lily ๐ฆ๐บ...
We really are so thankful to all workers and volunteers who have contributed along the way, we couldn"t have done this without you!ย
There is always more work to be done and progress to be made. So if you are interested in contributing, putting your unique skills to use and sharing knowledge with folk from all across the globe, take a look at our Workaway site!
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