Maa Land Co-op :: Communities Directory

Formed: 1993 Established: 1994

This page last updated:7/30/2012

Maa Land Co-op

Nelson, British Columbia,

Canada

Maa is a rural land co-op, established in 1994, providing off-grid living on 88 acres of forested mountainside in the Bird Creek watershed of the West Kootenay region near Nelson, BC, Canada.

We are a diverse, healthy, vibrant community where we balance living independently with working and playing co-operatively. We value life on the land and strive to live mindfully and with ecological, social and spiritual integrity, recognizing that we each define these things for ourselves.

At Maa, we embody a working alternative to individual property through shared land ownership / stewardship and caring, co-operative community.

Currently (fall 2012) there are 5 houses and 11 residents on the land. We have a small amount of electricity available per house (6000 watts shared 5 ways = 1200 watts/house), which is generated by a micro-hydro system that we built and maintain ourselves. Bird Creek runs through the land and provides us with lovely drinking water, electricity, irrigation for the co-op garden and wonderful walking and meditation opportunities.

After 10 years of stable membership, we now have membership shares available. Two of these shares include houses because two of the original members are retiring and - for those who would like to build their own - two have no house yet built. Membership requires a 6-12 month trial period of living on the land, which must include several months of winter, as there is walk-in access only during snow months. We have a great sledding run! We have no specific criteria for membership, but life at Maa works best for people who love the land itself, love living rurally / semi-isolated (especially in winter) and really want to be living in and contributing to community.

The land was originally purchased by a group of women; membership is now a mixture of genders and orientations. Being queer-friendly is essential.

And for those who are wondering, Maa means land in Estonian.

Website: http://www.maalandcoop.ca

Contact:

Karen Newmoon
#3 - 4925 Marello Road
Nelson, British Columbia V1L 6X4 Canada
Phone: 250-354-5354, 250-354-7939

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This page last updated:7/30/2012

Visitors Accepted

Visitor Process: Contact Karen Newmoon or KLinda Kivi by email or telephone and arrange a time and date that works for everyone. Some accommodation is available for visitors, short-term in winter and longer term in summer.

Statement of Housing Non-discrimination:

Our community does not discriminate in regards to housing based on race/color, national origin, religion, sex/gender, family status (i.e. having children, not having children, or being pregnant), disability, marital status, sexual orientation, ancestry, source of income, age, creed, personal appearance, political affiliation, HIV infection, military/veteran status, unfavorable military discharge, gender identity or expression, receiving public assistance, or being the victim of domestic abuse.

Population Members(adults and children): 3 Non-member Residents: 8 Open to new members: Yes	Government Decision Making: By consensus Identified Leader: No Leadership Core Group: No (Long-term members may provide leadership as new members find their feet in the group, but generally leadership is shared based on interest and expertise.)	Labor and Money Financial Style: Members have independent finances Open to Members with Pre-existing Debt: Yes Labor Contribution: Expected (participation in work parties both regular and seasonal is shared by all land residents) Join Fee: Yes (membership shares are purchased at teh time a person joins the co-op, currently $35,000) Regular Fees: Yes (there is an annual co-op fee of $600, payable yearly or monthly, to cover costs such as land taxes, water licences, etc.)
Land and Buildings Rural Area: 88 acres (35.6 hectares) Land Owned By: The community Number of Residences: 5 Cohousing: No	Food, etc. Percentage of Food Grown: 6-20% (the size and production of the garden depends upon the number of members who participate in gardening) Share Community Meals: 1-3 times/month Dietary Choice or Restrictions: Diet is up to each individual Dietary Practice: Primarily vegetarian Alcohol Use: Used occasionally (depends upon the individual) Tobacco Use: Seldom used (no members smoke but it is not prohibited)	Social Factors Common Spiritual Practices: No (there is no formal common practice, but several of us practice meditation) Which Spiritual Traditions(s): Buddhist (spiritual and religious beliefs and practices are the choice of each individual)

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