| We are a young couple eager to begin gathering a group of people interested in starting an ecovillage, likely on one of the Gulf or Discovery Islands in BC. (Cortes island would be ideal!)
Our dream is to create a community of approximately 10-40 people that will be as environmentally sustainable as possible, providing as much food, shelter, entertainment, and employment from the land and within the community as possible. Please note that this is all very much in the idea stage at this point, but the first step is to find people who might share in our vision.
We would love to grow a substantial amount of our own organic food, including fruits, vegetables, nuts, and grains. We currently follow a vegan diet, and imagine that our community would be primarily vegan, but are certainly open to having chickens and goats to provide eggs and milk for the community. We also support the idea of eating local seafood. We expect that members of the community would be respectful of others' varied diets. There would be community group meals at least twice a week.
We hope to be able to build our own strawbale/cob/stacked cordwood etc. homes and live off the grid. Individual members of the community would have their own smallish homes with their own bathrooms (with composting toilets) and kitchens, but there would be a larger communal space for laundry, some entertainment needs, group dining, and guest quarters. The community as a whole would own all buildings and land, and individual members would pay a monthly rent to the community.
The community could be set up as a non-profit organization, providing the public with educational courses and tours on sustainable living. Further income could be provided through businesses within the community, such as a hostel/bed and breakfast, a market stand, summer camp, prepared foods, etc. All income generated within the community would go back to the community for providing members with basic needs. Any income individual members earn outside of the community would remain their own.
By providing most needs within the community, the need for transportation would be limited. People would bike or walk whenever possible , but for longer trips there could be a van or two (possibly biodiesel). Trips would be planned to combine as many errands as possible.
We look forward to hearing from anyone who might be interested in sharing such a lifestyle with us, and welcome others' ideas and feedback. | |
