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Forming Formed: 1988
Earth Kind Developments Corp.
Tofino, British Columbia,
Canada
 Talking Cedars is an ecovillage that is being planned on 17 acres within the old-growth forest. We are two miles south of Tofino, close to the Pacific Ocean on the west coast of Vancouver Island, Canada. A Coho salmon stream is protected on the property.
Since 1988, young people from around the world have camped on the property. We hope to continue to offer options to young adults, by securing more land for a permaculture trade school, accessible only by boat, within 20 km of Tofino. Working with First Nations people is also very important.
A development plan is needed to create a cohousing-style ecovillage for about 80 people. Zoning for 13 homes is in place now. Rezoning is possible to allow for a total of 28 units of housing, cabins, campsites and uses for a bioregional permaculture of sustainability. Retreat center common buildings could allow the resident managers to offer year-round workshops and tours. Visitors are seeking energy and cultural alternatives. We also have begun of an "ewok" canopy treewalk. We hope home construction will begin in 2005.
Prices of membership will probably range from $8 for a news letter and day-trip tour, $20 per campsite and about $100 per cabin use. Management shareholders may join with $100,000 Canadian, or more, per home-site in a healthy corporation.
One million people visit Tofino annually in search of nature, peace and great ocean food. Tofino is surrounded by the beauty of Clayoquot Sound, forest and surf. Our village can be a high profile business showcasing sustainability.
The ecovillage is hoped to be a pedestrian community, with parking separate, including car and boat share. Solar and sustainable tech houses can be built from environmentally sound materials.
M. Poole has a $50,000 mortgage that needs to be paid out by July. Loans to pay the mortgage and begin building will be secured on the title and receive first option for a home site according to legal agreements. A core of prospective coowners is needed or the $2 million property will need to be sold on the open market.
The project is being designed by a team of professionals needing to include potential future residents to advance secured loans and help define the principles of the community and it's specific activities.
  Status: Benevolent Dictatorship by M. Poole, ready for a change.
Website: http://www.earthfuture.com/econews/talkingcedars
Contact:
Michael Poole
Box 372
Tofino, British Columbia V0R 2Z0 Canada
Phone: 250-725-3718, 250-726-8330
Send an Email
Former/Other Names: Talking Cedars
Last Updated:10/28/2006
 
Visitors Accepted
 (We offer camping and tours of the property.)
Visitor Process: Just phone, write, email or drop in while in Tofino. We would like visitors to join our non profit society to support social change.
Network Affiliations:
GEN - Global Ecovillage Network
Population
Adult Members:
8
Child Members:
2
Non-member Residents:
3
(In winter there are usually about 10 residents.)
Open to new adults:
Yes
Open to new children:
Yes
Gender Balance:
60% M 40% F
(3 male managers)
(2 female managers)
Open to which gender(s):
All genders welcome
Age Restrictions:
No
Government
Decision Making:
Other
(To Be Decided by future members)
Identified Leader:
No
(I have been, but need to tavel seeking sustainable cultures.)
Leadership Core Group:
Yes
(There are 5 friends now managing the property. M. Poole is not a director. He is an ordinary member. This avoids conflict of interest since he is the land owner.)
Labor and Money
Financial Style:
Other
(A cooperative sustainable economy is an ideal.)
Open to Members with Pre-existing Debt:
No Answer
(may be)
Labor Contribution:
(Cash or work hours are honored.)
Join Fee:
Yes
(Through purchase of a homesite share to build upon.- fee dependent upon size of space. $100k - $500k Includes contribution to common buildings.)
Regular Fees:
Yes
(Strata fees, taxes, water and other bills can be shared.)
Land and Buildings
Small Town
(Tofino, B.C gets a million visitors per year.)
Area:
17 acres (6.9 hectares)
(Half the land is protected salmon habitat. Homes are to be farthest from the stream within the forest.)
Land Owned By:
Individual community member(s)
(M. Poole is the sole owner, yet needs to share the responsibility.)
Number of Residences:
2
(We have only one 18 x 24 foot building and big plans.)
Cohousing:
Yes
(depending on wishes of future co-owners.)
Food, etc.
Percentage of Food Grown:
1-5%
(In the future we will fish and grow 80 % of our food.)
Share Community Meals:
Nearly all dinners
(We plan to gather much more when established.)
Dietary Choice or Restrictions:
Diet is up to each individual
Dietary Practice:
Primarily vegetarian
Alcohol Use:
Used occasionally
Tobacco Use:
Seldom used
Social Factors
Open to Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and/or Transgender members:
Yes
(ideally, multicultural of all nations and ages of people.)
Shared Spiritual Path:
Yes
(Care for the property, sustainable culture, salmon and all earth are the principles. Hopefully a diverse group can perform this responsibility.)
Which Spiritual Path(s):
Ecumenical (includes "all religions")
(We are open to an already formed group purchasing the property.)
Educational Style(s):
Home schooling
(This is a wish for the future of this development.)
 
 


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