seeking ecovillage partners

Ludi · Posted: Tue Apr 19, 2005 7:53 pm Post subject: seeking ecovillage partners

Received this on an email list:

(Please forgive me if this message is inappropriate for this group. I
did take the trouble to read your description, and sincerely feel your
members may be interested in the following.)

We are building an ecovillage on an island in southwest British
Columbia, Canada. Over the past year, we have established a non-profit
Society, created finance, ownership, and governance policies, produced
fundraising events, involved local land use planning agencies, and
performed a great deal of research and brainstorming.

Now we have identified a wonderful southwest sloping parcel that should
support between ten to thirty families. The 30 hectare site has a mix
of rich valley bottom cleared farmland, recent clearcut, young
re-growth, and a few older trees, and rises about 100 meters. Two
immediate neighbors are organic farmers. The largest salmon-bearing,
year-round stream in the Gulf Islands crosses two corners of the site,
with seven acre-feet of water rights and microhydro potential, with a
head of about 40 meters. The immediate neighbors, local populace and
regulatory bodies are in touch and are generally supportive of our
efforts.

Our members have strengths in permaculture, alternative energy, healing
arts, arts and crafts, engineering, finance, grant writing, and
organizing. We govern by streamlined consensus, in which routine,
non-controversial decisions are made by elected Stewards serving on a
Tribal Council.

At this point, we need a few more individuals who want to take part AND
can can make a significant financial contribution, on the order of
about half the value of the average North American suburban home. Our
goal is to be entirely self-financed by people who will have a long
term commitment to the village. Being an initial financier will entitle
one to lifetime residence on the site, which will be formally held by
the non-profit organization.

(Sorry, we have PLENTY of people who are interested in "sweat equity"
situations -- we need to secure the land first! But if you offer a rare
and essential skill, and are strongly interested, let us know anyway.)

So if you are dreaming of escaping suburbia or the city for a
sustainable, rural life-style, are realistic about the work involved,
are interested in community building and strong social ties with your
co-villagers, and have a bit of a nest-egg set aside for such a thing,
contact me privately for details. Please include full contact
information and a few words about what you would bring (besides money)
to such a project.

Thanks!

:::: At any given moment, there is a sort of all-pervading orthodoxy, a
general tacit agreement not to discuss large and uncomfortable facts. -
George Orwell ::::
:::: Jan Steinman, History Steward, SEEDS: http://www.IslandSeeds.org
::::