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Forming Formed: 2005 Established: 2006
EcoReality
Salt Spring Island, British Columbia,
Canada
(2152/2172 Fulford-Ganges Road (after 1 June 2008))
View from east side of reservoir, Mount Maxwell in the distance.
 EcoReality is developing an ecovillage in the South Gulf Islands of British Columbia, Canada. This ecovillage will be a model of sustainable development, and will feature public outreach and education as included goals.
We have agreed to acquire a 37 acre property next to a 63 acre "community farmland" site, backed by hundreds of acres of public parkland, all the way to the watershed divide. Habitation under rental agreement begins 1 June 2008, with purchase completion slated for 2 August 2008.
The combined public/private property has cleared, productive farmland (currently in hay), riparian and laucustrine areas, and young forest. The public parkland extends from the highest point on the island (Bruce Peak, at 704 metres), all the way to the ocean at Burgoyne Bay, and up the other side to the second-highest point (Mount Maxwell, at 579 metres).
Every square foot of the 37+63 acre property is irrigated via a 2 acre pond and two year-round streams via an extensive buried irrigation system. The class-2 soils are in growing zone 8-9. We are beginning a Permaculture design process for the combined 100 acre site.
Two houses with a total of nearly 4,200 sqft of living space have nine bedrooms, four bathrooms, and two kitchens between them, as well as ample room for meetings and home-based businesses. Four members will live in these buildings, sharing them with renters or additional members.
A garage/studio/workshop of about 1,200 sqft is currently rented, but will be used as a farm/craft retail space in the future.
We have begun a public education campaign leading to re-zoning that will enable construction of a number of additional dwelling units. Current zoning allows three additional houses and a cottage. We are beginning studies to determine the appropriate number of dwelling units, based on both carrying capacity of the land and agricultural labour needs. This will be a political process, with at least three government bodies and public hearings involved.
We are seeking additional members who can contribute approximately half the value of a typical North American suburban house to the project. Prospective members with outstanding skills who can contribute less are encouraged to contact us, as well.
Current EcoReality members include an assistant professor of agroecology and two Permaculture instructors, as well as skills in natural building, alternative energy systems, videography, finance, information management, massage, education, and much more.
  Status: moving
Website: http://www.EcoReality.org
Contact:
Jan Steinman
160 Sharp Rd
Salt Spring Island, British Columbia V8K 2P6 Canada
Phone: 250-537-2024
Send an Email
Shannon Binns
160 Sharp Rd
Salt Spring Island, British Columbia V8K 2P6 Canada

Send an Email
James Cowan
160 Sharp Rd
Salt Spring Island, British Columbia V8K 2P6 Canada

Send an Email
Carol Wagner
2152 Fulford-Ganges Road (after 1 June 2008)
salt Spring Island, British Columbia v8K 1Z4 Canada

Send an Email
Last Updated:4/28/2008
 
Visitors Accepted
 (meetings: last Saturday of month)
Visitor Process: Meetings and work parties published on our website (http://www.EcoReality.org/wiki/Meetings) are generally open to the public. Some meetings listed there request that you contact us first. Internships and WWOOF/work exchangers by on-line application (see http://www.EcoReality.org/wiki/WWOOF_FAQ). Other visits are by appointment only, please.
Affiliations: Yarrow Ecovillage
:: O.U.R ECOVILLAGE
:: Earthaven Ecovillage

Network Affiliations:
Ecovillage Network of the Americas
:: Fellowship for Intentional Community
:: Northwest Intentional Communities Association
:: GEN - Global Ecovillage Network
Population
Adult Members:
4
Child Members:
1
Non-member Residents:
0
(more Aug '08)
Open to new adults:
Yes
Open to new children:
Yes
Gender Balance:
50% M 50% F
Open to which gender(s):
All genders welcome
Ethnic Diversity:
0% identify as 'people of color'
Age Focus:
No Focus
(We strive for age diversity and balance.)
Age Restrictions:
Yes
(We strive for age diversity and balance.)
Government
Decision Making:
By consensus
(two-level, Members & Advisory Council)
Identified Leader:
No
Leadership Core Group:
Yes
(Members have equity stake and make decisions with input from Advisors)
Labor and Money
Financial Style:
Members have independent finances
(Complete financial disclosure to other members.)
Open to Members with Pre-existing Debt:
No Answer
(Applicants must demonstrate a history of fiscal responsibility.)
Labor Contribution:
Expected
(30 hours/month residents, 10 hours/month non-residents.)
Join Fee:
Yes
($1,000 for basic membership, plus an equity investment in land and buildings.)
Regular Fees:
Yes
(Yes, proportional to area of exclusive use.)
Land and Buildings
Rural
(Walikng/biking distance to small village.)
Area:
100 acres (40.5 hectares)
Land Owned By:
Other
(63 acres in independent land trust, adjoining 37 acres and dwellings owned by the co-op.)
Number of Residences:
2
(plus garage/workshop/shed)
Cohousing:
Yes
Food, etc.
Percentage of Food Grown:
over 50%
(planned)
Share Community Meals:
2-5 times/week
Dietary Choice or Restrictions:
There are some dietary restrictions
(vegetarian and self-butchered meat)
Dietary Practice:
Primarily vegetarian
Alcohol Use:
Used occasionally
Tobacco Use:
Prohibited
(except religious/medicinal use. Discrete 420 friendly.)
Social Factors
Open to Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and/or Transgender members:
Yes
Shared Spiritual Path:
Yes
(vaguely earth-based)
Which Spiritual Path(s):
Native American
:: Buddhist
:: Paganism/Earth Religions
:: Eastern
:: Unitarian Universalist
:: Eclectic (integrates pieces from many religions)
Educational Style(s):
Home schooling
:: Private school off the property
:: Public schooled
Cohousing Details
Cohousing Status:
Own Site
(Additional units planned.)
Year Completed:
2008
(purchase date)
Number of Units:
Two shared houses with nine bedrooms, two kitchens, four baths, currently shared by three couples and several farm workers.
Square Feet in Common House:
2700
 
 
View from east side of reservoir, Mount Maxwell in the distance.
Main drive, fruit trees, main house, Mount Sullivan in the distance.
2,700 sqft main house, four bedrooms, office/craft space, community meeting space.
1,500 sqft heritage farmhouse, built 1880, four bedrooms, office, meeting room.
10 acre hayfield, one of 8 cleared fields on the 100 acre combined public/private site.
We regularly host groups in the greater community, such as this meeting of Island Natural Growers, the local organic farming organization.
EcoReality is active in the greater community, such as this presentation of the Salt Spring Island Area Farm Plan.
Click an image to see it full size.


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