| 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. I as owner welcomed new friends, accepting everyone who arrived. I simply asked that each person attempt to lessen their personal addictions. I also encouraged my guests to rethink our habit patterns about how we live on this earth, of garbage, food, power, sewage and housing, at best to come into balance, for ethical and survival reasons.
I asked people to be quiet when visiting my place, no swearing, no fighting. To respect each other. Many kind people received a chance to see potential culture from my Tofino view point. Many thanks have i been gifted.
There are about 15 people at my place now, Nov. 28th. I mid October we received Bylaw notice from the District of Tofino municipal government to get the proper permits or close. Jan.15 is the date for permits or people leave. Feb. 15th was the clean up date projected. Demolition of all non permitted structures was also to be completed by Feb. 15th.
It is time to move the mostly young, neo-tribal culture out on the ocean boat, kayak and canoe building. 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 care of www.greenplan.ca is in progress to create a cohousing-style ecovillage for about 80 people.
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 2009.
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 at half the usual Tofino land cost, with $100,000 for a $200 K place and $1 million for the best spot instead of$2 Millions 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 and $25,000 is owed to the pond diggers and gravel, moraine. Big Loans as mortgage money have been offered but i do not wish to tie up the value of the land in long term CAnada savings bonnds unless our Gov. agrees make solar panels with the cash and give them to me to use.
Two houses may be built once permits are given that could be staff accommodation. There are carpenters living at my place now who want to help build this winter.
All investments can be secured on the title and receive first option for a home site according to legal agreements.
Only $100K is needed to pay all the bills and provide $30K for a begginer budget and a core of prospective co-owner-managers is needed.
I have considered listing with the real estate at between $2M and $3.5 Milliions to leave Tofino and take the cash energy to another such project.
... but there are many good reasons to stay.
Tofino is a high profile tourist destination with huge educational potential. ..............................................
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: A sole ownership by M. Poole to be shared or sold in 2009. | 
