Tesoro Viejo ensures that the community is provided with adequate water supplies – without diminishing the groundwater aquifer. The primary source of water for the community is surface water purchased from the Madera Irrigation District (MID). The contract between Tesoro Viejo and MID describes the water supply as “firm and guaranteed.” Surface water is the most reliable water source since it is not primarily dependent on groundwater pumping for the community.
Tesoro Viejo is implementing Planning, Design and Building practices that emphasize principles of conservation and sustainability at both the community and neighborhood level. It starts by taking advantage of the site’s natural topography and resources. The community has been designed to promote walkability. Water conservation, through plant materials, fixtures and use of reclaimed water will be realized. The intent is to build a community and homes that will consume less energy, water and other natural resources, and foster a healthy living environment for our residents.
Water has always been critically important in the planning of Tesoro Viejo. Thankfully, we have an excellent contract with the Madera Irrigation District that provides Tesoro Viejo with a “firm and guaranteed” supply of surface water. This community is unique in that surface water is the water source, meaning we aren’t dependent on groundwater wells and the impact of declining water tables. But, We go further than that. Our onsite water and wastewater facilities are state-of-the-art. as are our water conservation practices. We use reclaimed water for all public landscape areas.
The Name Tesoro Viejo means "ancient treasure", and one look at the topography lets you understand why. At Tesoro Viejo it starts with the land, and has been thoughtfully planned to honor the site’s history by capturing the site’s unique topography, land characteristics, and diverse landforms.
In 2008—10 years before construction on Tesoro Viejo began—an on-site tree nursery was planted with 10,000 trees, including 13 different species of trees native to California. Now these large mature trees are being planted throughout the community to provide shade and encourage walking and minimize energy needs. As the community grows, the nursery will be replenished, giving back to the surrounding environment, improving the community, and supporting our nearby wildlife in the process.
Tesoro Viejo will preserve and protect nearly 200 acres of open space, natural gorges and riparian habitat within the community. These areas will include riparian corridors, arroyos, wetlands and annual grasslands which provide habitat for wildlife and conservation of water resources. Add to that another 200 acres of parks, trails, and recreational amenities.
It all comes together in about 400 acres of trails, parks and permanently preserved open space within our community that makes for one endlessly appealing adventure in your own backyard.
At Tesoro Viejo we are incredibly grateful for the nature that makes this place so special. The villages have been designed to be oriented around major open spaces or special features. To preserve key sensitive areas community trails create a natural buffer between protected spaces and the community.
It takes a strong foundation to create an eco-conscious community, from responsible planning to green home construction. Tesoro Viejo proudly received in 2016 the Outstanding Planning Award in Innovation and Green Community Planning by the American Planning Association and in 2019 the Award of Excellence for Mixed Use Planning and Sustainability Efforts from the San Joaquin Valley Blueprint Awards, for continued efforts in creating a vibrant, healthy, and green place to live.
Regionally, Tesoro Viejo is making a difference in local
land conservation by working with natural resource agencies and local Land
Trust, Sierra Foothill Conservancy, to insure a place for wildlife.
Tesoro Viejo is helping preserve the local legacy of multi-generational cattle ranching by creating the opportunity to protect and additional 420 acres of historic California rangeland.
Conserving Oak Woodland and Oak Savannah composed of native blue oaks, valley oaks, live oaks and foothill pines. And unique plants such as Hoover's Calycadenia.
Tesoro Viejo is proud to be a significant contributor to the Sierra Foothill Conservancy vision to preserve connected corridors of land from the Sierra Crest to the Grasslands of the Central Valley.
Tesoro Viejo’s Collective conserved acres add an additional 601 acres to SFC's San Joaquin Conservation Corridor which spans Madera and Fresno counties to connect and protect over 30,000 acres of public and private lands.
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