Issue #2
Our feature articles . . . GEN Australia & GENOA News Tiny Houses & Ecovillages – Jimmy Hirst Building a New Normal – Daniel Christian Wahl Ecovillages are Restoring Ecosystems Around The World Can Your Ecovillage Use ‘A Graduated Series of Consequences?’ Crystal Waters Ecovillage Supplement Past, Present and Future – Bob Sample The Birth of Crystal Waters – Richard Giles Centre of Advanced Permaculture Update . . . and much more!
Issue #2 G 2020 Eco Village Voice – Issue #2 –www.ecovillagevoice.com 2020 ISSN 2652-4279 ecovillages G regeneration G community Australia is recovering from a nationwide bushfire emergency. More than 12 million hectares of Australian land has been burnt. When habitat is lost, our wildlife suffers. It’s estimated nearly 3 billion animals – mammals, reptiles, birds, and frogs were killed or displaced by the Black Summer fires. Your monthly gift to World Wildlife Fund can • help plant native trees for koalas to live in; • help care for sick and injured koalas, and • support efforts to encourage governments to stop excessive tree-clearing and protect wildlife for the long-term. https://donate.wwf.org.au/adopt/koala
DID YOU KNOW... Koalas are found nowhere else on earth; they are truly unique to Australia. Koalas are most closely related to wombats, having shared a common ancestor in the Oligocene or earlier! https://www.aussieark.org.au/donate/
20 www.ecovillagevoice.comEco Village Voice – Issue #2 – 2020 Eco Village Voice Issue #2 Contents * Denotes Feature Article
Koala Care – WWF and AussieArk...... Inside Front Contents ...... 1 Masthead / Cover Photo Story – Hayley Buchanan ...... 2 Issue #2 Editorial – Michael Yay ...... 3 Hildur Jackson Award 2020 winner – TI Ecovillage, India ...... 4 Eco Village Voice – Get Involved ...... 5 Green is Good – Khetee Regenerative Agroforestry Farm ...... 6 * Building a New Normal – Daniel Christian Wahl ...... 7 Introducing GEN WISE – Wales, Ireland, Scotland, England ...... 12 * Can Your Ecovillage Use ‘A Graduated Series of Consequences?’ – Diana Leafe Christian . 13 Quinlan’s Creative Corner – Brenna Quinlan ...... 17 Ecovillages – the dream, the prevention and the preparation – Mike New ...... 18 * GEN Australia – My Journey into ecovillage-ism – Tanya Mottl ...... 20 * Ecovillages are Restoring Ecosystems Around The World – Inge Kuijper ...... 25 Announcing the 2021 Ecovillage Film Festival ...... 31 * Tiny Houses & Ecovillages – Jimmy Hirst ...... 32 The Valley of Light Micro-Community – Rev . Laura George ...... 36 Introducing films by “The Great Relation” / The Birth of “Regen Studios” ...... 38 Introducing . . The International Communal Studies Association ...... 39 Permaculture Elder Profile – Looby Macnamara ...... 40 Permaculture Resources with Dylan Graves ...... 41 Vows For Marrying The Earth – Annie Sprinkle & Beth Stephens ...... 42 Feature Video – Eco Village Voice Encounters – Steve Cran & Morag Gamble ...... 43 * Centre of Advanced Permaculture Update – September 2020 – Steve Cran ...... 44 CAP – Permaculture Field Mentorship ...... 46 WILVOS & Wildlife Care Organisations ...... 48 Don’t get too close! – Sammy Ringer ...... 49 * Crystal Waters – Past, Present and Future – Bob Sample ...... 50 The Birth of Crystal Waters – Richard Giles ...... 54 International Research Colloquium on Ecovillages & Resilient Lifestyles ...... 56 Eco Village Voice – What’s online & coming up ...... 57 Permaculture Education with Morag Gamble ...... 58 Robin’s Recipes – Leek, Pumpkin and Orange Sauce ...... 59 Resources for Democracy – Ernest Marcum & David Silverman ...... 60 Podcasts, Videos & Webcasts – Ernest Marcum ...... 62 Eco Village Voice Magazine and Online Advertising ...... 64 Message from Solreta ...... Back Cover
Eco Village Voice – Issue #2 – 2020 1 Eco Village Voice Cover Photo Story PO Box 956, Maleny, Rain Dance Queensland, 4552 Australia, Gaia ABN: 97 948 032 868 ISSN: 2652-4279
www.ecovillagevoice.com
Publisher, Editor, Designer Michael Ney – [email protected] Co-Editor – North America Diana Leafe Christian – [email protected] Editorial Assistants Dylan Graves Ernest Marcom David Silverman Design Assistants Craig Peterson Web Development
Bruce Gibson – Digital Organics Buchanan Hayley Photo: Tony Hayes – DreamJester Social Media On Sunday 1 December, 2019, Crystal Waters Alexandrale Tourneau residents and friends rain danced with tribes across Australia . Guided by Wiruungga Contributors Dunggiirr, a band of drummers, didgeridoo Hayley Buchanan Looby Macnamara players and his young friend Zakiya danced Diana Leafe Christian Ernest Marcom her cultural rain dance to the beat of Father Robin Clayfield Tanya Mottl Samoko’s drum from the Luo lands of Kenya . Steve Cran Mike New It was a very powerful meeting of cultures . Morag Gamble Bob Sample The ancient art of rainmaking was once Laura George David Silverman practiced all around the world . It represented Richard Giles Ruth Sobol the sacred relationship between humans Dylan Graves Annie Sprinkle & Beth Stephens and the Divine . It wasn’t something Jimmy Hirst Solreta extraordinary to be able to communicate Inge Kuijper Sammy Ringer with the cosmic force and command the Brenna Quinlan Daniel Christian Wahl elements . It was natural . Keeping Earth in balance through sacredness and respect .
Eco Village Voice acknowledges the Australian Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples of this nation. We acknowledge the traditional custodians of the lands on which our company is located and where we conduct our business . We pay our respects to ancestors and Elders, past and present . Eco Village Voice is committed to honouring Australian Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples’ unique cultural and spiritual relationships Wiruungga to the land, waters and seas and their rich contribution to society . Dunggiirr
Only two hours after this sacred dance the rains came and connection was made . Copyright © 2020 Eco Village Voice Happy rain dancing powerful beings . All rights reserved . No part of this publication may be reproduced without written Written whilst thundering and raining . permission from the publishers . Unless stated otherwise all contributors own the rights to their articles . Eco Village Voice cannot be held responsible for unsolicited material . – Hayley Buchanan The views expressed in Eco Village Voice are not necessarily those of the editor or Ed . All community photos / stories welcome . publishing staff . While every effort has been made to insure accuracy of the information Please email: [email protected] in this publication, no responsibility will be accepted by Eco Village Voice .
2 Eco Village Voice – Issue #2 – 2020 Editorial Photo: MichaelPhoto: Ney
Dear global community, It is my hope to bring out the best that “we”, as a As our audience and network grows I’m looking community, can offer the world – as an example, and even out on the horizon with optimism believing that more as overseas visitors have said previously “...as a beacon”. communication will help move us all forward, if only in We have taken a stand, pushing against the tide of a world part, to become wiser as well as more informed . Hearing driven by greed and consumerism – and most importantly people’s stories, opinions and pearls of wisdom is always towards solutions, which we can be proud to share . inspirational to me . . as I hope it is for you too . Even if not perfect . . it is a positive beginning to a more In my early career life, it was my pleasure to create and sustainable lifestyle which, if adopted by more people, manage my first magazine, titled “The Crystal Visionary”, will have an impact, and therefore help in our planet’s write articles, design books, work as a photographer, and much needed healing and regeneration . enjoy ongoing friendships with various editors and authors . You may well ask “What is Eco Village Voice all about?” So, this is something that is in my blood and I totally love As the photo above of “Opening Unity Circle” illustrates, doing it . Now, with a “mission” to spread the message of I too am putting my hand up to receive new energy ecovillage’s positive potential, here’s my/our new offering . and direction, and with the other ground it with action . So, over many months in Australia we survived serial Change for the better in many ways is the destination. disaster challenges – the long droughts, the explosion of Inspired by the previous Crystal Waters’ Village Voice, fire events, and then rain, though welcome, caused flooding . which ceased being published a decade ago, it felt like the We’re now also unwilling participants in a global pandemic . time had come again to accelerate more communications – It’s hard to see how it will all end . On the news, I saw a story locally and globally . . to explore the various aspects of eco-life . stressing the need for more community housing, especially By the way “Eco Village Voice” is meant as a brand name . . for homeless women and elderly . Surely, ecovillages could and “ecovillage” is the usual spelling . I’m separating the “Eco” play a significant role in the solution to that dilemma too . as it is another topic in itself over ecovillages and community . From my home base at Crystal Waters Ecovillage, I’ve So, expect to see more “eco” articles – with practical tips, been tasked with spreading that message in humility, whilst research and eco-related news included from our area . acknowledging our vulnerability . In this issue, we present Many thanks to those who have sent in articles and insights – new and old . Obviously, we can’t claim to have all reports . . and it would be great to see more. We offer space the answers, or to have solved all our problems . . and can to announce upcoming events and report on past activities, any ecovillage EVER make that claim? and we can discuss longer articles too . What would you like Yet, it’s in the simple act of sharing our collective learning to see included? Also, be aware as a member of our online from a lifetime of experiences, our efforts towards a better community you receive much more than just a magazine . future for our planet and our home community, that gives More videos, podcasts and webinars are on their way . me the ongoing drive, and the joy, of that sharing . There is an Love and blessings, open invitation for you to be involved too . Michael Ney - aka Yay * >>> [email protected] Admittedly, I’m a relative newcomer at Crystal Waters, and my knowledge of this ecovilages’ history, lessons, Repeating this comment from the previous editorial... struggles and any ongoing issues is not as thorough as whilst* I was adopted into a family with the name “Ney” our long-term residents, yet I feel that possibly my fresh I resonate much more with YAY! Thanks Sam Trumble for perspective, from a city dwellers point of view, can provide urging me to explore it as a possibility, and so, here at least, a timely and valuable mirror . I will allow the vibration to ring forth its positivity.
Eco Village Voice – Issue #2 – 2020 3 Hildur Jackson Award 2020 winner TI Ecovillage, India The TI Ecovillage in India is the winner of the 2020 Hildur Jackson Award for Extraordinary Project . The award is a €3,000 annual prize that supports projects around the world that demonstrate regenerative best-practices in all dimensions of sustainability . The prize is awarded to projects bringing the most impactful inspiration about ecovillages/ecovillage lifestyles to a broad audience . In 2020 GEN received a record number of 70 applications from all over the world . TI Ecovillage is a unique enclave originally on the outskirts of Bangalore, Karnataka, India . Since 1995, they have been transforming the landscape and enriching quality of life in the community . In 2019 they stabilized their permaculture practice and won over some skeptics, and their ground water regeneration program with rainwater harvesting got initiated with several recharge wells . They have had about 25% residents installing solar electric power systems and 100% of them continue to use solar hot water . Through water conservation, by planting trees, making trenches, and collecting surface runoff water during rains they have improved groundwater; benefiting neighboring areas well . As COVID-19 brought youngsters back to the eco haven, they’re now excited, enthusiastic and have more appreciation for their parents eco lifestyles . Here is the interview with several members as they share their journey and representatives of the jury highlight what made them stood out .
>>> Discussion Video: https://youtu.be/x8Qxhc_ph5s
Watch a 2-minute video about TI Ecovillage here: >>> https://www.facebook.com/GlobalEcovillageNetwork/videos/533424914099018/
>>> https://ecovillage.org/get-involved/hildur-jackson-award/
4 Eco Village Voice – Issue #2 – 2020 Eco Village Voice Get Involved
Eco Village Voice is an online community featuring a quarterly magazine, with an integrated video channel, podcasts and webinars relevant to anyone interested in intentional communities, permaculture and sustainability . We intend to provide education on many aspects of ecovillage living, as well as foster alliances and encourage communication between other ecovillages – to help each other and for the sake of our planet’s wellbeing . We also aim to celebrate regenerative and permaculture principles – care for land, care for people and fair share. Eco Village Voice promotes various activities of people and groups from ecovillages and intentional communities, specifically focusing on permaculture, climate change adaptation, sustainable industries, also arts and culture, etc . with the goal of providing education on appropriate technologies to replace harmful, unsustainable practices . We’re currently working on updating the website with magazine page views, as well as the online fip-view version or single issue PDF downloads . We support initiatives of the Global Ecovillage Network including GEN Australia and GENOA (Oceania & Asia) and we seek collaboration with other like-minded groups such as Foundation for Intentional Community, and also International Communal Studies Association. Eco Village Voice also supports events with photo/video journalism and promotions for conferences, educational activities, workshops, markets, etc . and welcomes articles from field reporters . Indeed, we see our role as a marketing and promotions support team – with additional social media exposure and activities such as the Ecovillage Film Festival . For regular updates, please subscribe by email to our free newsletter . See previous newsletters at: https://ecovillagevoice.com/news – and, of course, we welcome you to become a member of our online community and please tell your friends – https://ecovillagevoice.com
Would you like to get involved? We’d love to hear what your group, ecovillage or organisation is up to! However, it is always best to first contact the editor with an outline of your submission and we can discuss further . Simply drop us a line via email: [email protected] We’d love you to be involved . . but please DO NOT email files directly . You may send single photos, or a folder of files, via https://www.wetransfer.com – or send a USB stick by mail . If you’d like it to be returned you MUST include a stamped self addressed envelope . >>> Mail to: Eco Village Voice – PO Box 956, Maleny, 4552, Qld, Australia NOTE: Eco Village Voice accepts no responsibility for unsolicited materials .
Eco Village Voice – Issue #2 – 2020 5 GREEN is GOOD
Khetee Regenerative Agroforestry Farm, based in rural India, is part of GEN Oceania & Asia . Khetee, a finalist in the 2020 Hildur Jackson Award, has restored four acres of land from monoculture to regenerative agroforestry where around 24 types of crops and plants are growing now . They managed to change the soil quality, the soil water retaining capacity, the natural biodiversity, and the quality of yields . Last year they started an agroforestry fellowship program with 10 students as well as organising a Tendril meeting with 25 college students and 15 organizational leaders . Besides being a place to study for students from 20 colleges, they also successfully collaborated with 12 national and international organizations and as a result, won awards for their smart projector and their farm library which contains 700 books . During the COVID-19 lockdown, they raised $20,000 for relief efforts and distributed dry rations to 11206 farmers . Khetee’s call to action is to explore on-the-ground action, such as restoring farmlands through regenerative agroforestry . Learn more about their one-year fellowship programme for farmers by clicking this link: https://ecovillage.org/project/khetee-regenerative-agroforestry-farm/ See also: http://www.khetee.org/ https://www.facebook.com/khetee.org
PLEASE SUPPORT GENOA GENOA Annual Report – https://bit.ly/3ffWNah http://genoa.ecovillage.org/ https://www.facebook.com/GENOceaniaAsia/
66 Eco Village Voice – Issue #2 – 2020 Building a New Normal by Daniel Christian Wahl The path towards regenerative economies is made by walking it.
Since the beginning of the global Coronavirus pandemic, there has been widespread agreement on the desire – and necessity – not to return to ‘normal’ once lockdown is eased. To co-create a New Normal, we have to start by admitting how deeply dysfunctional and murderous the Old Normal actually was.
First published in Resurgence & Ecologist – July/August 2020 https://www.resurgence.org
The World Health Organisation estimates that 42 million value the work of nurses, medics, teachers, truck drivers, people die each year “as a result of (outdoor) ambient local farmers, and other ‘essential workers’ in new ways . air pollution” and 850,000 people die every year due to Billions of people were taken by surprise as they lack of access to good water, sanitation and hygiene . For saw how quickly things can change . Maybe even more me personally, the heightened empathy I felt listening so by the fact that we can collaborate to achieve almost to reports of exhausted doctors and nurses during the unimaginable transformative responses when we are pandemic allowed me to feel the tragedy of what has challenged to do so . Covid 19 is forcing us to mobilise been going on for decades in a new way . in unprecedented ways and we are doing so as one In 2019 Greta Thunberg, Fridays For Futures and global species facing a calamity that we can only solve Extinction Rebellion brought the conversation about collaboratively – for all equally – or we will not solve it at all! the dangers of cataclysmic climate change into many Does that sound familiar? The same holds for the – unsplash Askerov Farid Photo: households around the world . In the first half of 2020, climate crisis, only that what is at stake there is the future as a result of Covid-19, most of humanity had a direct of our species and much of life on Earth . The systemic experience of how interconnected and interdependent repercussions triggered by Covid 19 might become the we all are and how fragile our globalised world is . catalyst for the transformation of the human presence Profound and rapid change is no longer a subject and impact on Earth that climate change should have of hypothetical conversations full of arguments between been but was too diffuse of a systemic threat for our visionary and conservative voices . It has become an species to come together in an effective way . embodied experience for many of us, while we came to We need transformation . . .
Eco Village Voice – Issue #2 – 2020 7 The two types of resilience and how they relate to regeneration There are 3 aspects and 2 types of resilience:
Type 1 resilience is based on: i) persistence in the face of disruption and ii) adaptation in response to disruption to recover the old status quo.
Type 2 resilience is based on: iii) a (r)evolutionary or transformative response.
Image Credit: Anthony Hodgson
After more than 25 years of the United Nations Without the pandemic the untouchable process on Climate Change, it has taken a dogma of the ‘economic growth imperative’ pandemic to shift the playing field enough would have made the 26th UN Conference on to make a transformative response possible . Climate Change in Glasgow in 2020 another Incremental changes will not suffice: we need Never before uphill struggle . Now the rank and influence a transformative response . I feel renewed hope have we faced of the fossil fuel and industrial lobbies has that we are capable of such a response . It will be somewhat shifted . They will be little less able to just in time before the window of opportunity a more urgent influence the political process with their mantra to avoid cataclysmic climate change closes on “we can’t afford to endanger the economy”. our species . The cascading effects triggered by necessity and Now that many of those lobbyists are cueing up the pandemic will continue to present us with to ask for government support and tax payers partial systems failures and breakdown over more timely money . The evidence is clear that upstream the coming months and years . opportunity from climate change, cascading ecosystems This will continue to reveal outdated collapse, biodiversity loss, and obscene habits, structures and behaviours which are no to redesign levels of inequalities with devastating social, longer adequate ways of participating in the environmental and health impacts lies the nested complexity and unpredictable dynamics our economic dysfunctional degenerative economic system of life in the 21st Century . system. we are supposed to protect from collapsing . Our reaction to this pandemic and even Never before have we faced a more urgent more so to climate change will have to be necessity and more timely opportunity to a Type 2 resilience response at the scale of redesign our economic system . communities, bioregions and nations . We do The time has come to change the not want to bounce back to the old system playing field within which companies but transform outdated patterns and bounce operate and the rules they operate by in beyond into a regenerative pathway . services to people and planet.
8 Eco Village Voice – Issue #2 – 2020 Resilience around the world u The Bioregional Learning Centre UK The work of Kate Raworth and John Fullerton is already is the brain-child of Isabel Carlisle and, since it’s formation influencing cities and regions around the world to actively in 2017 – https://bioregion.org.uk explore how to create regenerative economies . Over the past four years I have had the privilege of There are more than a dozen regional regenerative consulting on an initiative of the Commonwealth Secretariat economy initiatives in the Capital Institute’s global that led to the creation of Common Earth . The organisation ‘Regenerative Communities Network’, including the supports capacity building for regenerative development excellent Bioregional Learning Centre in Devon . across the 54 member nations of the Commonwealth . >>> https://bioregion.org.uk Costa Rica, as a non Commonwealth member, has recently The city of Amsterdam has adopted the ‘doughnut’ as joined the initiative to help pioneer a National Regenerative a central element of its regional development plan and the Development Roadmapping Process . new Doughnut Economy Action Lab DEAL is engaging u Common Earth with local initiatives around the world . The ecological commons make life on Earth possible . They are dynamic, living systems shared by everyone . https://common.earth Regenerating the wealth of the Earth’s commons https://medium.com/activate-the-future/regenerating- the-wealth-of-the-earths-commons-8e30f6c339ac
Through my role as a judge on the Lush Spring Prize for Social and Ecological Regeneration, I got to know of hundreds of initiatives around the world that are already actively regenerating local and regional ecosystems, communities and economies . u Lush Spring Prize for social and environmental regeneration. People worldwide are developing ways to live in harmony with nature and each other – https://springprize.org E.F. Schumacher wrote in his book on economics as if people mattered “perhaps we cannot raise the winds, but u Capital Institute each of us can put up a sail, so when the wind comes we can The Dawn of the Regenerative Age Reimagining Economics catch it.” During the recent AGM of Ecolise – a European and Finance About Us Eight Principles of a Regenerative network for community-led initiatives on climate change Economy – https://capitalinstitute.org and sustainability – I reminded community activists from all European member states of this advice . For nearly 50 years u Doughnut Economics Action Lab (DEAL) we have been putting up sails . The flotilla of transformative Doughnut Economics is a book full of ideas for 21st century change is ready, and the wind is here! economies – https://www.kateraworth.com u ECOLISE – https://www.ecolise.eu More about Ecolise coming in next issue Jan 2021 .
Image: The Doughnut of social and planetary boundaries (2017)
Eco Village Voice – Issue #2 – 2020 9 In their ‘post’ Covid-19 response, national and local u Commonland governments around the world will have to spend The world’s landscapes and ecosystems are degrading at an unprecedented sums of money in support of their citizens, unprecedented pace . It’s in our common interest to build… communities and businesses . Herein lies an opportunity for https://www.commonland.com transformation, if we ensure that we spend that money wisely . Building capacity to respond to future pandemics and At the Global Landscapes Forum last September disruptions can be achieved through the same measures as the ‘1000 landscapes for 1 Billion People’ initiative a transformational response to the ‘climate emergency’ . The of a broad alliance of organisations set an ambitious restructuring of governance systems in favour of subsidiarity regeneration target for 2030 . that enables widespread participation of citizens and u Global Landscapes – Radical Collaboration communities is an important enabler in this . for Resilient Communities and Restored Nature A transformative response would aim to increase https://landscapes.global community resilience through increased re-regionalisation of production and consumption . This would include Cultures of constant inquiry the creation of strong local and regional food systems The path towards regenerative economies that serve diverse adopting regenerative agriculture and agroforestry as regenerative cultures under the unique conditions of their catalysts of widespread ecosystem restoration . Investment bioregions is made by walking it . There is no destination in decentralised renewable energy systems and improved sustainability that we will arrive at to live happily ever after . zero-emissions public transport infrastructure would further We have to live the inquiry itself, by holding answers and contribute to the revitalisation of regional economies . solutions more lightly, experimenting with them at local and At the beginning of the ‘UN Decade onEcosystems regional scales where we can respond to the effects of our Restoration’ the political commitment to ‘re-wilding’ as the actions in a more agile way, and understanding solutions most effective way to halt cascading ecosystems collapse as temporary means to ask better questions rather than the and improve planetary health is growing . The regeneration other way around . of local soils, forests, and waterways is not only an effective Nobody really knows what the New Normal will be . carbon drawdown strategy, but a pathway to regionally We have to ‘sit in the mess for a while’ and use this time to focussed circular biomaterials economies that can support get more comfortable with uncertainty and more humble such efforts while improving bioregional resilience . in acceptance of the limits of our knowing . Regenerative u UN Decade on Restoration cultures are cultures of constant inquiry into appropriate “It’s a bee!” someone screams as they jump up from their participation in the nested complexity that human and picnic blanket, knocking over their apple juice and flailing… planetary health depend upon . https://www.decadeonrestoration.org In cooperative inquiry we can move from arguing about perspectives to understanding our diversity of perspectives u Planetary Health Alliance as a source of creative potential . And it’s affecting our health . Climate change, biodiversity We don’t have to agree on everything before we can loss, deforestation, and other factors affect where, when… cooperate to regenerate ecosystems health, community https://www.planetaryhealthalliance.org cohesion and global solidarity, since all our future now u Ecosystem Restoration Camps depends upon this common ground . Clearly the New Together, We Can Restore The Earth Normal will not come about through technological change only . Beyond simply changing what we do and how we do The Chinese-American filmmaker John Liu has documented it, this transformative decade will be about changing how large scale ecosystems restoration projects around the world we are – as a change in being, not just in doing . and helped to create a rapidly growing global movement and The experiences people had during the lockdown are capacity building process called Ecosystems Restorations Camps . already triggering profound changes in worldview and >>> https://ecosystemrestorationcamps.org values systems . In this phase where the systemic domino The work of the Dutch ‘Commonland Foundation’ with its effects of Covid 19 are still unfolding, let us pause and listen . “four returns, three landscapes, 20 years” approach is already Let us take this opportunity to ask deeper questions rather demonstrating in Australia, South Africa, Spain and the than rush to solution implementation and problem solving Netherlands how landscape scale regeneration is possible . too quickly . Let us focus on the potential that lies in co- Their long-term systemic approach to regeneration is creating a New Normal in community, informed by the bio- to create collaboration at the landscape scale that brings cultural uniqueness of the places we are now invited to re- together diverse land-owners and a cross-sector alliance inhabit bioregion by bioregion . through the ‘return of inspiration ’ . Through a shared We are invited back into the community of life . We are commitment to bioregional ecosystems restoration they called into humility and audacity at the same time . As Gerald create the conditions for social and ecological returns . Over Midgely, professor for systems science at the University of Hull, the longer term these will lead to regional economic returns . pointed out so succinctly “everything is an intervention.”
10 Eco Village Voice – Issue #2 – 2020 We cannot but change the world, each and every one of us . Everything we think, say and do has causal agency . The organising ideas that structure our experience of reality literally matter . Education for regenerative cultures is about the life-long process of enabling and building the capacity of everyone to express their unique potential to serve their community and the planet and in the process serve themselves . This is a life-long process of learning in community patterned by place . The role of cultural institutions, theatres, museums, galleries, music and art in the creation of diverse place-sourced regenerative cultures will be critical in the transformation ahead . Deeper knowing Our future depends not just on a re-inhabitation of our bioregions but also a re-indigenization of our way of being . What does it mean to belong to place as a healthy expression of that place? We are coming home to a deeper knowing . Our bioregional indigenous ancestors always knew that we belong to the land rather than the land belonging to us . The ancient Sanskrit word ‘Seva’ is most commonly translated as ‘service’ in the sense of ‘being in service to a larger whole’ and ‘giving more than one takes’ . It is strongly resonant with the aim to nurture “co-evolving Daniel Christian Wahl mutuality” (Haggard & Mang, 2016) which describes succinctly what working originally trained as a biologist, and regeneratively aims to support . The healthy way to integrate the dynamic holds degrees in Biology (BSc. Hons., polarity of ‘being for oneself’ and ‘being as participation in a larger whole’ is to Univ. of Edinburgh), Holistic Science unleash the potential created by this polarity in service to life . (MSc.,Schumacher College) and Natural Design (PhD., Univ. of Dundee). Beyond the dualism of Daniel lives on Majorca where he Self/World lies being helped to set up SMART UIB and in service to life. works locally and internationally as a consultant, educator and activist. His Graphic: Daniel Christian Wahl clients have included Ecover, Forum Thanks to Isha Black for the for the Future, Camper, Balears.t, Save original diagram that expanded the Med, Lush, UNITAR, UK Foresight the ego to eco framing to the thrid and many universities and N.G.O.s. image of Seva. Daniel wrote the content and u SEVA: Regeneration in Service to Life developed the concept of Gaia Education’s SDGs Flashcards which A conversation between Anil Sachdev and Daniel Wahl . supported by UNESCO are now https://medium.com/age-of-awareness/seva-regeneration-in-service-to- translated into 7 languages. life-f969d3f15763 Daniel’s 2016 book ‘Designing It is in our enlightened self-interest to work regeneratively in service to all life Regenerative Cultures’ has quickly as a constantly transforming and evolving planetary process . Our measure of gained international acclaim: success is the emergence of health and wellbeing at local, regional and global https://triarchypress.net/drc.html scales . To do so we have to develop and maintain the capacity of individuals and communities to manifest their unique potential, to respond to change, and to https://www.danielchristianwahl.com participate appropriately in nested complexity . His Blog on Medium is followed by There is a caveat even to the popular call to move from ego to eco . We are nearly 20k people. in danger of denying the importance of self-care . Only by also caring for self can https://medium.com/@ we effectively and over the long-term care for our human community and the designforsustainability community of life . The healthy way to integrate the dynamic polarity of ‘being for oneself’ and ‘being as part of a larger whole’ is to unleash the potential Daniel is also creating content to created by this polarity in service to life . Most ancient wisdom cultures support regenerative cultures and and indigenous guidance from around the world holds that important regional regeneration. decisions should always consider 3 questions: Please support Daniel’s work at: How does it serve the individual? https://www.patreon.com/ How does it serve the community? and... DanielChristianWahl How does it serve life?
Eco Village Voice – Issue #2 – 2020 11 Introducing GEN WISE Wales, Ireland, Scotland, England
“Inspiring a wisdom culture that adopts ‘ecovillage’ as an attitude and way of life.” http://www.gen-wise.org/ https://www.facebook.com/globalecovillagenetworkwise GEN WISE serves as the Wales, Both ecovillages and the ecovillage mentality, could not be more relevant to our Ireland, Scotland, England, branch current place on Earth . Taken as an attitude and philosophy, we can live the ecovillage of the umbrella organization GEN, way, firstly within our own lives, then in our homes, communities, and finally our representing the nations of Wales, modern towns and countries . Essentially, our entire planet must become an Republic of Ireland, Northern ECO-planet, and for that to happen, every individual must adopt a way of being, Ireland, Scotland, and England. thinking, and acting, that assumes ecological awareness and responsibility . GEN’s purpose is for ecovillages, There are four sides to the mission... transition town initiatives, intentional communities, and ecologically-minded 1 To bring existing eco-communities together and help them thrive in individuals, to meet and share their their heroic sustainability goals through a wider network of support . ideas, exchange technologies, develop 2 To bring the applied wisdom they have mastered into the everyday lives cultural and educational exchanges, of all individuals and ‘normal’ villages, such that ‘ecovillage’ becomes directories and newsletters, and to a mindset and a way of life that is applicable to everyone . take action in the name of restoring the land and living a cooperative 3 To support and inspire the rise of new eco-communities . sustainable lifestyle . 4 To be an alchemical meeting point for different ecologically minded Connect via email: initiatives and people to co-imagine and create much greater schemes [email protected] than anyone can do alone .
Starring Yourself With The Planets Richard Giles Astrologer of 30 years, will do a chart for you with your Personal Life Assessment and the Year Ahead .
Please contact Richard for a quote . Crystal Waters people receive a discount.
Astrologer, Feng Shui and Earth energy practitioner Phone: +61 7 5435 0158 Email: [email protected] https://www.facebook.com/richgiles89
12 Eco Village Voice – Issue #2 – 2020 Can Your Ecovillage Use ‘A Graduated Series of Consequences?’ by Diana Leafe Christian
Why does an ecovillage even need consequences? As you know if you live in an ecovillage or other kind of intentional community, it’s especially painful when someone consistently doesn’t keep the group’s agreements, fulfill its obligations, or violates its basic behavioural norms sometimes, or many times. Or if someone refuses to make the changes the community repeatedly requests about their behavior or communication style. People new to ecovillages or to community living or who’ve never lived this kind of lifestyle before can sometimes believe that bad habits, negative attitudes, or hurtful behaviors will somehow all be left at the gate! Many people new to ecovillage life believe that if it’s really an ecovillage everyone will get along well, keep all shared agreements, and fulfill all community obligations!
In my experience working with intentional communities Once people join an ecovillage or other kind of intentional of all kinds since 1997, this isn’t true at all – it’s a naïve, community people sometimes, irresponsible, agreement- misinformed projection. And worse, people who believe breaking habits emerges Big Time. It’s as if community this are usually the first to feel outraged when another living has a magnifier effect! Have you noticed this too? villager suggest ways to help everyone actually keep Fortunately, there are compassionate ways a group their shared agreements. Since, if we live in an ecovillage can effectively deal with this. But first, let’s take a deeper everyone just naturally “does the right thing,” right? look at the longer-term effects of people getting away Sadly, no. Most ecovillagers (and members of every with not keeping agreements. The most common kinds other kind of intentional community) bring all the of community agreements people sometimes violate can emotional baggage that they had before right into the include those about parking, quiet hours, cleanliness of ecovillage when they join it. shared areas, the behavior of children or pets.
This article appeared in a slightly different format the Fall, 2019 issue Communities magazine. Photo by Kimson Doan – Unsplash by Photo
Eco Village Voice – Issue #2 – 2020 13 Photo: Priscilla Du Preez – Unsplash Du Preez Priscilla Photo:
They can also include not fulfilling required community Requests for Compliance, Offers of Help labor hours or paying community dues and fees . The most Here’s how the graduated series of consequences process common violations of behavioral norms can include abusive works . One or more community members asks the person language or actions, substance abuse of various kinds, or who has consistently broken agreements to comply with harming the community legally, financially, in terms of its community agreements again . They inquire whether the reputation, and so on . person needs help of some kind . Did they have a sudden When a community has no remedy for breaking unexpected expense or illness, painful difficulty in their community agreements or violations of its behavioral family or at work, an illness or death of someone close to norms, anyone who does this can be perceived as a kind of them? And if so, how could the community help? “community aristocrat,” since – it seems to them – clearly the If the broken agreement involves community labor agreements everyone else keeps don’t apply to them . If there or dues and fees and the person can’t resolve the issue is no recourse to deal with a group’s rule-breakers, people who immediately, a date could be set in the near future by which do keep its agreements can feel resentful and discouraged . the person should do the work or pay the money . People If agreement-breaking or norms-violations goes on too long from the community’s Care Team or Process Committee community members can become so discouraged and could do this, or the group could create an Accountability demoralized – “Why did I even join a community?”– Team especially for this purpose . that they often stop participating in the community and sometimes eventually leave the group altogether . Meet what I call a “Graduated Series of Consequences.” This is a community practice intended to help people who consistently break a group’s agreements or violate norms . It doesn’t apply to people who break agreements or behave badly only once in a while . The graduated series of agreements approach is designed to encourage accountability – not by punitive measures or fines, not by shaming or blaming – but through a series of fair, compassionate, incremental consequences, from mild to increasingly serious, which Photo: Austin Blanchard – Unsplash Blanchard Austin Photo: treat the person respectfully while also asking them to make necessary changes and resolve the problem . It is possible to If the person complies with the agreement or stops the say to your ecovillage members, “We want you to follow our undesirable behavior, great! The method worked and no community agreements,” or, “We don’t want you to do that,” more action is taken . in ways that are direct and emotionally authentic while also The community does not shame or blame the person honoring the person’s dignity . And it’s possible to do this even and no one throws it up to them later by saying something if the last-resort consequence when nothing changes after a like, “Hey, we had to get the first consequence after you!” That series of consequences is being asked to leave the community . is not how the method is designed . When all else fails, the respectful yet increasingly potent Rather it’s designed so that when a consequence peer pressure of using a graduated series of consequences resolves the problem the community forgives, forgets, can give consistent community rule-breakers a needed and moves on. inducement to change . Continues over...
14 EcoEco VillageVillage VoiceVoice –– IssueIssue #2#2 –– 20202020 What a graduated series of Sometimes people may feel so annoyed with the rule-breaker that they end up speaking forcefully or even consequences can look like... harshly to them .In the community meeting the person is Here’s an example of the kinds of incremental also asked to the group what’s been going on with them consequences a community can create. lately, if there’ve been circumstances that diminished their ability to keep agreements . l First Consequence At this meeting the group puts the person on One community member asks the person not keeping “membership probation.” This means if the person doesn’t the agreement to comply with it again . If the person does keep the agreement or stop the undesirable behavior by comply (or stops doing an undesirable behavior), great! The a certain date (which, given how much time has passed first consequence was effective . No further action is taken . since the first consequence, may be just a few days), the l Second Consequence fifth consequence occurs . If the person continues to break the agreement (or do an If the person doesn’t attend the community meeting, undesirable behavior), a small group, perhaps three or four it is still held for the benefit of everyone else, and the people, visits the person and asks them to comply with the person is given notes from or an audio or video recording agreement again or stop the behavior . of the meeting . l Third Consequence l Fifth Consequence If this still doesn’t resolve the problem, it may mean the If the person still hasn’t resolved the problem by the given person has a chronic difficulty in keeping agreements in date, then, in the final, “last resort” consequence, their general . Or it may simply mean they’ve had some unexpected community membership is revoked and they’re asked to challenging circumstances and it may not be a characteristic leave the group . It is certainly drastic to put a member on pattern at all . probation status, which means if they don’t resolve the In any case, the community still doesn’t give up on problem they will be asked to leave . When the violation is them . They create an informal written contract with the severe enough or the conflict too wrenching, by a fourth or member (“informal” — no lawyers needed) outlining how fifth consequence with no resolution, the group needs to get in several steps over the next few months the person will realistic . Sometimes increasingly public consequences are the resolve the issue, with periodic meetings with one or more only way to protect your community from the devastatingly other community members to help the person stay on track low morale and people leaving the community that can occur and abide with the contracted steps to resolve the issue . in this situation . Again, this is just one example shows how a community could create a series of consequences . The group l Fourth Consequence could create fewer or more steps or different consequences . If the issue is still not resolved, it could be that nothing will remedy the situation and the person has a serious problem . The Secret Reason Why this Process Works Please don’t assume, as many community newcomers do, When I ask people in my workshops why they think this that with enough community group processing events or method is effective, most people say something like, “Because other kinds of support – talking stick circles, heartshares, each consequence is more visible and impactful than the mediations, or hugs – the person will miraculously heal previous one, and people want to avoid the next one!” their deep-seated patterns and change . This is unrealistic! True in principle, but there’s a more subtle reason I call it the “With Enough Hugs” theory. at work here . It’s not because a rule-breaker might get a Rather, the person needs effective outside professional knock at their door from a community member who wants help . And Yes, a community can suggest or request this, but . . to talk with them about it . Or a knock at the door with the person may not see why any outside help may be needed several people standing there wanting to talk about it . This and feel deeply insulted that it was even suggested . Which method works simply because the group’s agreed-on series means, of course, they probably won’t seek the help – at of consequences exists . Just knowing the community has least, not right then . this process itself deters people from breaking agreements . In the hope that the problem actually can be resolved People don’t want to get an unexpected visit about this though, in the fourth consequence the group holds a issue by one fellow community member, much less three or community meeting about the issue . Each participant shares four . And they sure don’t want to have a whole community how the person’s not keeping the agreement or violating the meeting about it! behavioral norm, has affected them, and they might express Do We Even Need to Apply this Process? any emotions it triggered in them . Strangely enough, after a community adopts a series of While it would be ideal for people to use the consequences they may never have to use any of these neutral language of Marshall Rosenberg’s Nonviolent consequences, since after a community passes a proposal Communication process and simply describe their feelings to adopt a graduated series of consequences from then on and which unmet values or needs gave rise to those feelings, people often tend keep their agreements . not every community member is skilled at this . Continues over...
Eco Village Voice – Issue #2 – 2020 15 Or maybe the community only has to apply the first, relatively mild consequence, or maybe with only one or two members, if needed . The knowledge that we now have a method of ever-increasing community visibility and peer pressure has a remarkable deterrent effect . After the first or at most two consequences are applied to one or more community members, amazingly, from then on almost everyone honors the group’s agreements .
Diana Leafe Christian lives at Earthaven Ecovillage, North Carolina USA and is the author of Creating a Life Together and Finding Community, and former editor of Communities magazine . Diana is also the North American Co-editor of Eco Village Voice . She is a certified as a trainer for Photo by Mario Purisic - Unsplash Gaia Education’s Ecovillage Design Education (EDE) I think of a series of consequences as the practical application course, and a Board Member of GEN-US (Global of what I call the “Community Eye” – each consequence Ecovillage Network-US) . gives increasing visibility to the person’s transgressions and Diana speaks regularly at conferences, offers increasing numbers of fellow community members know consultations, and also leads workshops internationally about it . Broken agreements or violations of community on the tools and processes to create successful new norms that are kept hidden and secret by a well-meaning intentional communities, and on Sociocracy, an community often persist in the dark, sometimes for years . effective governance and decision-making method . But shine the light of everyone knowing about these Diana has also written on community legal issues for and people suddenly behave better – they are significantly Communities; the FIC’s Communities Directory; the more likely to keep agreements, fulfill obligations, and Gaia Education book, Gaian Economics; and several become more collaborative community citizens . Most of us chapters of Creating a life Together. have a deep desire to be respected, trusted, and liked by More info: http://www.DianaLeafeChristian.org our peers . When we know people are watching, as scientific research confirms, we behave better . Even Thomas Jefferson observed this, writing, “Whenever you do a thing, act as if all the world were watching.” Over the last 15 years I’ve suggested the graduated series of consequences method (and shared a template for creating one) with communities all over the world . Because the “Community Eye” is a powerful motivator . I hope you and your community will consider this suggestion . If you decide to create and adopt your own graduated series of consequences, I wish you all the best in it . Notes: http://bit.ly/finding-community-dlc 1 . Asking someone to leave the community is not possible or legal in US or Canadian communities in http://bit.ly/creating-life-together-dlc which people own and have deeds to their housing Creating a Life Together is the only resource units, apartments, lots, or houses – such as in most available that provides step-by-step practical cohousing communities – since property rights trump information distilled from numerous firsthand internal community agreements . An exception would sources on how to establish an intentional be communities owned as housing co-ops, in which it community . It deals in depth with structural, is legal to choose one’s members and, if needed, to ask interpersonal and leadership issues, decision- them to leave . 2 . For articles citing scientific research supporting this, see making methods, vision statements, and the “How being watched changes you,” by Jason G . Goldman, development of a legal structure, as well as February 10, 2015, BBC Future, or “How the Illusion of profiling well-established model communities . Being Observed Can Make You a Better Person,” Sander This exhaustive guide includes excellent sample van der Linden, May 3, 2011, Scientific American . documents among its wealth of resources .
16 Eco Village Voice – Issue #2 – 2020 Quinlan’s Creative Corner
Thinking about #covid_19? ... Not sure what to do to feel prepared? Permaculture offers a solutions-based approach to pretty much any problem, see: climate change, globalisation gone mad, economic collapse, isolation, war, toilet paper shortages, etc. It’s about building community around you so that there are people to mind the kids when you’re sick, and so your elderly neighbour knows they can call you for help when they need it . Permaculture is about supporting your local food producers so that they’re still there if the supermarkets close . It’s about stocking your pantry with healthy, local, chemical- free preserved food (dried nectarines and bottled tomatoes are my current favourite) in case supply chains are disrupted or curfews are imposed . It’s about an active life . It’s about having enough to share . It’s about thinking of resilience, not reliance . And it’s really fun, too . Building resilience into our lifestyles is something that permaculture encourages all the time, not just when viruses, fire and flood remind us of the weaknesses of our system . >>> https://www.brennaquinlan.com >>> https://www.patreon.com/brennaquinlan >>> https://www.facebook.com/permacultureillustrator
Regional Online Gathering 2020 The Global Ecovillage Network (GEN) in Oceania and Asia (GENOA), together with GEN Australia, are hosting their 2020 Regional Online Gathering on 26-28 November . It will explore the theme of “Restore & Re-story – Coming back to Ourselves, Our Communities and Mother Earth”. Journey through the process of Restoring ourselves back to resilience and Re-storying the regenerative future we want . Join the discussions: https://www.facebook.com/GENOceaniaAsia Global Ecovillage Network Oceania & Asia is a network of people, ecovillages, eco-projects, national ecovillage networks and organizations in Oceania & Asia . GENOA promotes ecovillage living where people live together in a sustainable way, with dignity, in harmony with each other and with nature . For more information and registration, please visit: https://events.humanitix.com/genoa-restore-restory
Eco Village Voice – Issue #2 – 2020 17 Ecovillages – the dream, the prevention and the preparation by Mike New
https://ecovillage.org/get-involved/
For me, Ecovillages are one of the answers to creating a healthy society. They are many people’s dream lifestyle, part of the prevention of environmental collapse and are also the preparation in case things do get hard, i.e. Ecovillages are the dream, the prevention and the preparation all in one solution. I’d like to see many more villages created – hundreds We are faced with such a complex situation where it or thousands – all around the world . Planting millions is impossible for any one person to make sense of it – the of trees, regenerating land, creating housing, localising system is too complex . Where misinformation abounds and economy, jobs and food security, creating green energy debate is polarising, creates division, emotions are triggered and caring for people . In short, regenerating people, land, and it can get personal and nasty . culture and economy . I like to be practical, to simplify and then see if a clear Alarm bells are ringing and picture emerges and a decision can be made . Pragmatically we don’t need to understand everything to make an we are discussing the weather! assessment, to decide and then act . We only need to Personally for me, the climate debate and the Greta debate, understand just enough . and now even the COVID-19 pandemic are all a distraction So, let’s see if we can simplify the situation around things from the obvious . This misdirection of energy is blocking that are facts and around things that most of us can agree people from making decisions and taking action . Time is of on . Let’s find where we can unite amongst the division . Let’s the essence and collectively we are wasting it . bring people together uniting on areas of common dreams, A self care request – The thought of our possible future goals and needs . Let’s unite on actions that we are in general can be very emotionally challenging to look at . I suggest that agreement about . . and DO them . if you are new to looking at this or if you haven’t look at it Now what can we agree around the current situation? for a while then you be mindful of the impact it has on you As far as I can see – without the need for any particular and take care of yourself . How can we look at the situation climate science and using information we can all easily find without freaking out or going into climate grief becoming doing some simple research – we are in need of urgent action fearful or going into denial, shutting down, running away or based on the following observations: even becoming aggressive and attacking the evidence? 6 Most of the world’s forests and natural environments We need to build our emotional strength, one way to have been destroyed and occupied by humans either for do this is through titration, just dipping into uncomfortable food production or housing . facts or stories a little bit and then coming to terms with 6 80% of the population lives in cities that have very low it and letting the emotions settle . Then dipping in again, food security e .g . in Australia there is only three days maybe further this time . It’s like building muscle strength food supply in the shops and cities do not grow food . through gradually lifting heavier and heavier weights . OK... with that said let’s keep going. Continues over...
18 Eco Village Voice – Issue #2 – 2020 6 Most of us are still reliant on fossil fuels, the supply of So what can we do? which is under other people’s control e .g . believe that My simple personal plan of action is... the whole country of Australia has only around a 30 day 4 Educate myself on the situation and ways to prevent supply at any point and it is reliant on others to supply it . it and prepare for it . Educate myself on how to live 6 Mass extinction is happening across animals and insects . in harmony with nature . This requires a fundamental 6 We are polluting our planet at massive rates to the change in how we relate to the world . It requires a point we can’t see more than 100m in some cities and perspective of interconnection and a consideration of ecosystems are being killed . the consequences of each and every decision we make 6 In our history there are regular economic collapses and action we take . across the world that causes great hardship . 4 Get Healthy – improve my physical fitness . 6 Rivers are running dry, droughts abound and cities are 4 Get emotionally resilient – we need to be strong in facing water shortages . difficult times . 6 A large portion of the world is overfed whilst a large 4 Learn how to learn and how to handle change . portion is starving . 4 Get to know myself through meditation, mindfulness 6 We have an economy based on infinite growth on a deep discourse and connection with nature . finite planet . 4 Ensure we have a secure food supply – grow your own For me, some simple observations like the above – with food or join food co-ops or co-op owned farms . no climate science needed, no need to trust the scientific 4 Live near clean water supply – river, springs, dams, rain community, no shooting the messenger, no need to do a 4 Plant trees – lots of them – and regenerate natural habitat three year degree to understand things – has lead me to the 4 Help protect what is here – we can’t afford to lose any conclusion that as a species, humans need to change how we more natural environment . Consider becoming an activist . live, to change how we treat the earth and all its inhabitants 4 Convert to green energy . VERY QUICKLY or we are in for A LOT of pain in the future . 4 Have emergency plans in place with equipment and food supplies . I suggest you go through the above list personally and make 4 Build Community – get to know your neighbours, have it more tangible, look at the evidence either world wide, in an this discussion with them, decide how together you can area you love or in you local area and look at the current state face and prepare for an uncertain future . of it . Look for the damage that has occurred . For me, I am a massive fan of ecovillages as, if done well, they Ask questions like . . do all of the above and more . They are simultaneously the How is this area now compared to 1000 years ago dream, the preparation and the prevention . What do I mean environmentally? What trends can I see happening? by that – the are the dream lifestyle I’d like to live, they will What will happen if these trends continue? And if you help prevent environmental and social collapse and if it does choose to act then ask how can I act on it here and now? happen they are a great way to prepare for it .
If the Wild Community vision excites you there are a few different ways you can participate in the project. Firstly sign up to our email list to receive updates of our progress – https://www.wildcommunity.org If you’re interested in developing a village, living in an ecovillage, invest into the Fund or donating to the Foundation then please contact us. Lastly, you can join the Wild Community team or our advisory team – we are currently looking for people with many different skill sets.
Read more at: https://mikenew.me/wild-community-ecovillages-prevention-preparation-and-the-dream/
Eco Village Voice – Issue #2 – 2020 19 GEN Australia – My Journey into ecovillage-ism by Tanya Mottl with help from Andrew Olivier, JJ Blake, Shane Sylvanspring, Sue Gilbey and Jason Hilder
As a newcomer to the world of ecovillages, and a passionate I resonated with the presentation by Narara’s founder member of GEN Australia, I’m noticing many changes and Lyndall Paris and that their vision was to be a great opportunities unfolding. Let me share those with you. ‘demonstration ecovillage’ . I was also very excited to discover a Training of Trainers experiential training While living in Prague and teaching English for four years, program was being run the next month and registered . I had focused on environmental lessons and thought that What a treat I was in for! Australia was quite environmentally progressive . On returning to Australia in early 2019, I wanted to explore ecovillages and ecologically sound lifestyles . . friends pointed me to Narara . Due to an imminent hip replacement, fulfilling my dream of going to Findhorn Foundation (the renowned ecovillage in Scotland) wasn’t happening soon I felt it best to look at Plan B – Australia! Narara Ecovillage Open Day in May 2019 was sticky and hot . Loads of welcoming people and the foundations of great buildings underway, yet, being a sailor, I noted no ocean breeze . Although I was satisfied to realise this part of my dream, I wasn’t feeling great physically nor did I like the sweat . Could I consider living “so far” from the sea without a Lyndall Paris and husband Dave at Narara Ecovillage cooling Nor-East summer breeze? Yes, yes, first world issues! Photo courtesy of: https://www.pressreader.com/ Why was I here? australia/western-times/20200123/282029034191988 I was becoming increasingly agitated about what we Just a month after the first Open Day at Narara, I was humans were doing to our planet and wanted to find out grateful to observe the village in another season . It seems how I could contribute to regeneration by reinventing and I was starting to use Permaculture Principle #1 – Observe transforming my skills – and joining . and Interact! Sailors do that instinctively!
20 Eco Village Voice – Issue #2 – 2020 So began a remarkable five day immersive program . . Then, in 2019 and beyond, those horrific bushfires, and the beginning of my own transformation; reconnecting flooding, unbroken drought in some rural areas, and from with my country of birth and the growing recognition of March 2020 the COVID-19 pandemic has been shocking to the knowledge and custodianship of First Nations people say the least . The call to take action was echoing louder! to the land . No matter our backgrounds, participants I liked that GEN Australia was made up of passionate were able to relate to the dimensions of sustainability – and experienced, as well as novice, ecovillagers who draw ecology, economy, social and cultural. upon the resources of the wider GEN network, permaculture We explored many ways to have meaningful principles and the alliance with GAIA Education . conversations utilising the GEN Ecovillage Design Cards I was learning about how the organisation was growing and what they meant to us in our own bioregions . Most from people who had connected with GEN in Findhorn and importantly, we looked at solutions and ways to partner were expanding the network here in Australia since 2011 . with other organisations . They had gathered in 2016 at the Tasman Ecovillage .
I enjoyed watching Kosha Joubert, former GEN CEO, The founding team were – Wendy Armstrong from Tasman (far right in photo above) Trudy Juriansz, (3rd from left) Ecovillage, Andrew Olivier, a GEN Board member based at Networking Director GEN & GENOA, and (2nd from left) Narara, Shane Sylvanspring from Balaya Buyul Community, Shane Sylvanspring, GEN Australia, all experienced in the Sue Gilbey from Christie Walk – also supported by John facilitation of ecovillage design education programs . Talbott who has acted as advisor and mentor with his 25 All the participants had something rich to contribute . years experience at the Findhorn Foundation . From that Seasoned permaculture teachers Morag Gamble and early strategic meeting, GEN Australia was registered and Paula Paananen shared about their work in developing a constitution formed . countries and what environmental degradation these I started to learn of the early elders – Max Lindigger, colonised countries were facing as a result of industrialisation . co-designer of Crystal Waters, QLD, Australia, who actually The Narara Ecovillagers were all so welcoming, set up GENOA, and Helena Norbert Hodge who spent time helping to create a participatory learning and community in Ladakh and saw how western “development” destroyed space . From the training and diverse experiences in the principles that had functioned perfectly for centuries room, I started to realise that actually Australia wasn’t in economy, building, farming and social and cultural so environmentally progressive after all – despite our interactions too . I’d seen her too in 2040, Damon Gameau’s enormous resources readily available! popular documentary about localisation . Wendy Armstrong, a participant from Tasmania, Of course, others participated in community spoke about GEN Australia being a national network, building and carrying forward the vision of GEN and part of the region of GENOA and part of the growing strengthening the links with GENOA . Peter Gringinger Global Ecovillage Network . . sharing that GEN’s purpose also instigated GEN Australia’s involvement at events is to catalyze communities for a regenerative world such as Melbourne’s Sustainability Festival in 2017, through initiatives that bridge cultures, countries, and Chris Gibbings was a vision Councillor for GENOA . continents . I liked this! So, I then dived into the Network >>> https://www.genaustralia.org.au/home/bios/ meetings from the next month to find out more and Global Ecovillage Network in Oceania and Asia expand my learning from the week . (GENOA) is a regional body which promotes ecovillage My attendance of the Narara workshop entitled me living throughout the region where people live together to apply as an “Ambassador” . . AND I had a vision! These in a sustainable way, with dignity, and in harmony with fabulous design cards and the experiential processes each other and with nature . Since 2011, representatives would be excellent resources for training in sustainability of GEN Australia have been working with and attending and regeneration in schools, businesses and communities . GENOA gatherings . The time to take action was ripe! Continues over...
Eco Village Voice – Issue #2 – 2020 21 GENOA 2018 Gathering Photo by Eugénie Dumont
The last regional event was in 2018 at Wongsanit Ashram The Emergence Convergence was held in November 2019 in Thailand . This gathering held space for 75 people from in Maleny, Queensland with a large and enthusiastic group . 14 countries . The next GENOA regional event was due to be >>> https://bnev2020.wixsite.com/emergenceconvergence in 2020 in Auroville, India however that has turned into an >>> https://www.facebook.com/GENconvergence online event . The Fiji Transition Project conducted two ecovillage I was inspired to hear that in 2019, GEN AU and GENOA training sessions and an ecovillage transition project with assisted in organising and participated in five OCEANIA a traditional village . events . Three in Australia, one in NZ and one in Fiji . >>> https://ecovillage.org/project/fiji-ecovillage- EcoVillages Overview in Maleny, Queensland transition-project/ >>> https://www.facebook.com/events/960928967410730 In 2019, Andrew Olivier and Thalea Thane from New Another event was the EcoVillage Training of Trainers Zealand represented the GENOA region at the COP 25 (the – Introduction to Ecovillages, a residential workshop co- 25th Conference of the Parties) in Madrid . facilitated by Shane Sylvanspring and Trudy Juriansz at >>> COP25 – https://unfccc.int/cop25 Narara Ecovillage in NSW . From the connections made at the Narara event, I >>> https://www.facebook.com/events/279413629431773/ was invited to join a group staging the 2019 Emergence >>> http://www.nararaecovillage.com/ Convergence planned for November, driven by Claire The Power of Community – Eco-Village Workshop Ogden of Eco-Villages Australia in Maleny, and assisted in New Zealand to aid the emerging NZ Ecovillage by JJ Blake, Trudy, Shane, Neil Davidson and Ian Draisma network, co-ordinated by Robina McCurdie . – all integral in the organisation’s success . Operating on a >>> https://www.facebook.com/events/450019952400532 gift economy model everyone volunteered .
2019 Emergence Convergence Maleny, Queensland, Australia
22 Eco Village Voice – Issue #2 – 2020 There was great feedback from the 200+ attendees and various project initiatives have emerged as a result, particularly the enthusiasm of the Education team for an Ecovillage Design Education (EDE) . >>> https://www.gaiaeducation.org/face-to-face/ede- programmes/ I was chuffed to spend time with JJ Blake and Jimmy Hirst, (photo right) involved in Tiny Houses with his Polkadot Community . He had the idea to collaborate with GEN Australia to host GEN’s Former Executive Director, Kosha Joubert and her husband, Robin Alfred to come visit us “Down Under” from Findhorn, Scotland . JJ Blake and Jimmy Hirst >>> https://ecovillage.org/user/kosha/ https:// www.polkadot.org.au >>> https://findhornconsultancy.com/robin/ I felt very blessed that First Nations people from the During that I attended GEN’s programs with Kosha on the Jumbun community of far North Queensland came to beta version of the online Impact Assessment Survey . Other Narara and pleased to hear that they were also at the activities I participated in were the Economic Dimension of Emergence Convergence . We all learned from each other . the GAIA GEDS program . This economic dimension seems So many of the participants were respectful and deeply to be unfolding across so many forums and webinars . I was engaged to healing and connecting with First Nations hungry to learn – watching videos, joining Facebook groups people . We are now planning future projects where like World Economic Forum, B Corporations, joining the we can blend traditional knowledge and practice with well-organised Beyond Crisis online event, following The contemporary ecovillage principles . Earthshot Prize, and of course anything offered by GEN! November was also the time in 2020 that the AGM During this COVID pandemic GEN has responded by was held and new office bearers of GEN AU voted in . Then hosting a number of useful workshops now available in in December, Jason Hilder stepped up as Chair, Shane their online learning platform – with more coming . Sylvanspring continued as Treasurer, and I, Tanya Mottl, GEN has also activated their Ambassador Network . volunteered as Secretary, knowing that would be how I’d Global Zoom meetings have been held, as well as Regional . learn more . From that, monthly meetings have continued To become an Ambassador or Trainer, it’s recommended to the momentum of regenerating our national network . do at very least Designing Regenerative Communities – A group of volunteers at the Emergence Convergence with Kosha Joubert . – https://learn.ecovillage.org/courses/ were keen to bring about steps forward for GEN AU . Several I’m seeing the lean and effective GENOA team action groups formed early in 2020 and the Sociocratic strengthen the regional communications in Oceania governance style was used by a small highly experienced with their great newsletter and innovative projects . I also ecovillage team forming the General Circle to create an found it helpful to read about the positive global impact of organisational structure with connected circles as shown Ecovillages in GEN’s 2019 Annual Report . in the diagram bottom right . >>> https://ecovillage.org/about/reports/ Since then, three have evolved: the Management Circle, Education Circle and Communications Circle. Diving in with these wonderful people helped me better understand more about GEN, sociocracy, ecovillages, the connection with GAIA Education and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) and the educational programs offered . In March 2020, I took my vision of participating in a social media program for not for profits to the GEN Australia Management Circle because the Education circle had plans for an Australian flavoured Ecovillage Design Education program . So, then the Management and Communications circles trundled through COVID lockdown to kindle GEN Australia’s evolving vision . Continues over...
Eco Village Voice – Issue #2 – 2020 23 Communities in Practice - Tanya, Amena, Alice
One of the new initiatives driven by GENOA which has I’ve come to see what a critical role Trudy Juriansz started with momentum is ReGEN-Nations working with has played in her role as Network Director in GEN, her youth . I’ve had so much fun participating in the Australian- volunteering in GENOA and in GEN Australia . We’ve been based Permayouth’s Global Festival . They’re mentored by blessed to have all these people . one of our GEN Ambassadors and permaculture teacher, I was thrilled to do Ambassador peer to peer support Morag Gamble, based at Crystal Waters Ecovillage . work aka “communities in practice” with Alice Güntert, >>> https://www.moraggamble.com/ Ambassador with GEN Africa and Amena Bal, winner of the >>> https://ecovillage.org/region/genoa/regen-nations/ Hildur Jackson Award, at TI Ecovillage in Bangladore, for their >>> https://www.permayouth.org/ multifaceted ecovillage project . I look forward to further great outcomes We’re all looking forward to celebrating GEN’s Future plans 25th anniversary on 5-11 February 2021 GEN International The GEN AU team has revised the strategy and clarified the Online Summit ‘Ecovillages as Sanctuaries of Life’ – Mission, Vision and Aims and are aligning with GENOA to showcasing how ecovillages contribute to the mitigation of co-ordinate the 2020 Regional Gathering Coming Home: climate crisis in the face of multiple crises and function as A Gathering for Restoration and Renewal* to be held on resilient communities of practice under the conditions of 27th & 28th November . environmental breakdown . Working interstate and internationally over Zoom has been wonderful . I’ve felt so privileged working with GEN AU - Jason Hilder at Crystal Waters while he’s finished his PhD in Ecovillages; Shane Sylvanspring, Public Officer, as he’s been working with his own community, Sue Gilbey and her podcast The Adelaide Chronicles and JJ Blake, a font of wisdom and a Transformation Game facilitator .
Important Websites
GEN Australia GEN Australia 2019 https://www.genaustralia.org.au/ GEN Australia and GENOA has put out a call for volunteers GEN Australia Facebook to help with the Regional Gathering . Next step will be https://www.facebook.com/ funding and partnerships . We look forward to growing the GlobalEcovillageNetworkAustralia network . I feel this an exciting and crucial time to be involved in Global Ecovillage Network ecovillages, sustainability and regenerative actions? Don’t you? https://ecovillage.org/about/about-gen/ There will be some great programs coming using the GEN and GAIA Education resources . If you feel that drive to take action, Resources of the wider GEN network GEN AU and GENOA welcome your registration to volunteer . https://learn.ecovillage.org/courses/ GAIA Education – https://www.gaiaeducation.org/ There are many ways to participate. Being involved is a great way to learn about ecovillages, meet the people GENOA video – https://youtu.be/4x3RMpLL-CE involved, build meaningful relationships and be part of the Helena Norbert Hodge regenerative movement . I invite you to connect with our https://www.localfutures.org/about/who-we-are/ newsletter, Facebook page and other social media channels helena-norberg-hodge/ and websites listed here . . it’s an exciting time!
24 Eco Village Voice – Issue #2 – 2020 Ecovillages are Restoring Ecosystems Around the World by Inge Kuiper
Ecovillages worldwide are playing a crucial role in ecosystem restoration. Many ecovillages aim to drastically reduce their CO2 footprint, and live in a more harmonious way with nature. But ecovillages also actively restore local water cycles, local soils and even local ecosystems such as forests. With the UN Decade of Ecosystem Restoration set to start in 2021, this is a good time to shine a light on the significant beneficial impact that ecovillages around the world are having on local biodiversity and ecosystem health. The documentary “Communities of Hope”, featuring ecovillages in Europe, gives an inspiring impression on what is possible . Watch the full documentary here . . . >>> https://youtu.be/b9hbPFAzF0Y
What is an ecovillage? Notice that ecovillages can both be traditional Ecovillages are holistic human settlements, that aim to and new intentional communities . And that they are regenerate social and economic systems as well, but I consciously designed, which happens through holistic will focus only on ecological regeneration . Many people design processes such as permaculture, or regenerative have only a general idea of what an ecovillage is, so let me design processes . The processes of an ecovillage are locally begin with a clarification . In the definition of the Global owned and participatory, ideally involving the whole Ecovillage Network – community . And their aim is to regenerate their social and “An ecovillage is an intentional or traditional natural environment . community that is consciously designed through Video: https://youtu.be/G8_Mg0JB8jQ locally owned, participatory processes to regenerate their social and natural environments.” Continues over... Ecovillages are Restoring Ecosystems Around Eco Village Voice – Issue #2 – 2020 2325 Ecovillages are Restoring Ecosystems Around the World... Here, I will focus on the aspect of natural regeneration, in particular the role of ecovillages in ecosystem restoration which, according to the International Union for Conservation of Nature, is the “process of assisting the recovery of an ecosystem that has been degraded, damaged or destroyed” .
The Global Ecovillage Network
Global Ecovillage CommunityThe Global Ecovillage Network (GEN) started with TWO goals; the building of global and regional networks, and supporting ecovillages through education . Today, 25 years later, the global ecovillage network counts FIVE regions; GEN Europe; GEN North America; Casa Latina in Latin America; GEN Africa; GENOA for Oceania and Asia; additionally, a NextGen Youth Network . The main curriculum for ecovillages today, and anyone interested in learning tools for regenerative community design, is the Ecovillage Design Education Curriculum (EDE) . Launched in 2006, the aim is to increase the success rate of new ecovillages . The 4-week program is usually offered at an ecovillage or traditional community, for example at Findhorn Community . Today there have been over 350 EDE programs that reached 22,000 students in 54 countries. There’s a How ecovillages contribute to ecosystem restoration total of 42 national networks and Referring back to the ecological dimension, ecovillages aim to restore local water ecovillages in 114 countries. cycles and use sustainable water technologies, such as rainwater harvesting, compost toilets, and biological wastewater treatment . They work on sustainable The four dimensions local food systems and often grow at least a part of their food on their own land of the ecovillage model using permaculture design, organic or biodynamic farming . In terms of energy, The ecovillage model consists of ecovillages usually adopt sustainable energy systems, ranging from wind power to four dimensions . The first dimension solar power, renewable biomass, hydroelectric, or geothermal energy systems . And is worldview or culture . This means lastly, ecovillages aim at using green building techniques, focused on high energy an ecovillage is based on a holistic efficiency, green roofs, and the use of local and natural materials . and communitarian paradigm . The second dimension is ecology, which Ecovillages restore water cycles, local soils, and entire forests refers to the use of material and An impact assessment by the Global Ecovillage Network in 2017, gathered data energy resources in a sustainable and from 30 ecovillages on 5 continents via questionnaires (GEN Annual Report, 2018) . regenerative way, based on principles It found that of these ecovillages; of permaculture . The economical 90% work actively to sequester carbon in soil or biomass dimension refers to the management 97% restore or replenish water in their ecosystems, and of common pooled resources, and the 85% compost all their food waste . establishment of bioregional supply Also various ecological footprint studies show that ecovillages have some of chains . And the social dimension the lowest carbon footprints in the industrial world (Bocco et al ., 2019; Tinsley and consists of tools for participatory George, 2006) . In the GEN impact assessment, 97% of the 30 ecovillages state that decision-making and community- they work actively to restore damaged or degraded ecosystems . However, it is not building (Joubert and Alfred 2014 in defined what techniques they use, and what the measured changes have been in Esteves, 2019) . terms of ecosystem health and biodiversity .
26 Eco Village Voice – Issue #2 – 2020 Four example ecovillages... Here’s four ecovillages across the world that illustrate the tremendous impact they can have on ecosystem restoration .
Tamera 2006 Tamera 2009
Tamera in Portugal Tamera worked successfully on local ecosystem Water retention Tamera ecovillageTamera was founded in restoration through water retention landscapes – a 1995, and today counts over 170 community members . permaculture-based horticultural strategy of ecological Located in “Monte Cerro”, a rural estate in the Portuguese land management and food production . region of Alentejo, Tamera identifies itself as a “Peace As a result of increased rainwater infiltration, they Research and Education Center” . Tamera generates nearly managed to recharge depleted aquifers and planted 50% of its energy needs through solar energy and biogas . thousands of forest trees, fruit trees and shrubs since 1995 . Twenty percent of its food is grown on its own premises Wild animals like boars, badgers, foxes, forest owls, and many and 60% is purchased from local organic farmers (in 2015), other birds have returned to inhabit the forests . (Esteves, 2019) supporting bioregional food production . >>> https://www.tamera.org/
Sekem in Egypt Findhorn Foundation in Scotland The sustainable community Sekem, in Egypt was founded in Founded in 1962, today Findhorn Community counts over the desert north of Cairo in 1977, following a vision of Ibrahim 400 community members . The Findhorn Foundation also Abouleish . Today the community not only has a biodynamic receives guests for almost 200 week-long courses every farm, but also a kindergarten, a school, a university, and year . They feature a large variety of eco-houses, four wind a medical center . Even though Sekem has residents, it is turbines supply 100% of energy needs . perhaps more an agricultural project than an ecovillage . There is a biological sewage treatment plant and In Sekem 2,800 hectares of desert converted to organic and biodynamic farming provides for the communal farmland through biodynamic agriculture . Five wells kitchen and over 100 households . were dug on the farm to a depth of about 100 meters and Residents of the Findhorn Community have the accompanied by a huge underground irrigation system . lowest ecological footprint of any community measured Compost on the farm is made from organic materials so far in the industrialised world (2 .71 gha per person), half and organic seeds and seedlings are produced on-site . of the UK average (5 .4 gha per person) . They received the Today 850 farmers from all over Egypt are members of United Nations (UN)-HABITAT Best Practice Award and the “Egyptian Biodynamic Association” founded by are an NGO with consultative status at the UN (Tinsley Sekem . The project has won numerous prices, such as and George, 2006) . the Alternative Nobel Prize in 2003 and the Business for >>> https://www.findhorn.org/ Peace Award in 2012 (Leach, 2015) . >>> https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Findhorn
Eco Village Voice – Issue #2 – 2020 27 GEN Europe is the European ecovillage network Ecovillages offer us the chance to discover ourselves, and new and old ways of living and being that invite us to deep self-knowledge . To joy and play . To learn skills that serve community and the planet . GEN Europe is a network of intentional communities, ecovillages and national ecovillage networks are working together to create a regenerative world. Whatever you want to learn . . from bioconstruction to facilitation, from permaculture to architecture, most likely there’s an ecovillage that offers something for you . Las Gaviotas ecovillage, Colombia Learn more about the ecovillages of Europe, and discover This ecovillage in Colombia was founded in the early upcoming events, courses and trainings via the GEN Europe 1970s by a development specialist named Paolo Lugari website . >>> https://gen-europe.org/ in the inhospitable eastern plains of Llanos, Colombia . Today 200 community members live here . Las Gaviotas is a self-sufficient sustainable community that was founded in a tropical desert . Mr . Lugari said that “The only deserts that exist in this world are deserts of the imagination” . They have been generating their energy through creative experiments with windmills and solar energy, and use hydroponic farming techniques . One impressive undertaking is the regeneration of an indigenous rainforest of 8000 hectares . The regeneration was done with the help of a specific mycorrhizal root fungus which allowed the Caribbean pine to grow in the poor soil Challenges of the savanna . It led to increased biodiversity and created Of course, ecovillages know their challenges as well . When a cooler climate . The pines produce a resin that is used as an ecovillage initiative eventually fails, this is usually due biofuel and to generate income for the community members . to structural issues; a lack of a clear common vision and The United Nations named Las Gaviotas ecovillage a model mission, common agreements, or a clear governance model, of sustainable development . for example . Another challenge ecovillages are facing is a lack of capital, as the development of ecovillages does need a reasonable amount of capital and material resources . Regulatory barriers can also be a block, as ecovillages often A Short History of Ecovillages face significant regulatory and institutional red tape . Privilege and inequality within ecovillages is another 1987 issue that has been highlighted (Esteves, 2019) . There is The Gaia Trust was founded by Hildur and however awareness around these challenges, and various Ross Jackson, who were inspired by living education and support initiatives exist within the Global in cohousing in Denmark, and wanted to Ecovillage Network and related organisations such as advance their vision of a balanced and Ecolise to address them . sustainable lifestyle . The untapped potential 1991 The protection of biodiversity and ecosystem services The Gaia Trust commissioned an international is high on the agenda of global environmental and study of sustainable communities, and the governmental institutes . word ‘ecovillage’ was first defined . How can ecovillages make themselves more visible as 1995 ecosystem restorers and protectors of biodiversity? Can they position ourselves as holders of Local The first international meeting of sustainable Ecological Knowledge? communities takes place at the Findhorn And can ecovillages perhaps play a role in monitoring Foundation in Scotland . The major outcomes biodiversity health? of this meeting were; the launch of the Global One thing is certain, more global awareness is Ecovillage Network, and a definition of the needed of the regenerative impact of ecovillages. With ecovillage model (Jackson, 1998) . more research, funding, and collaboration, we can start to For more history go to: https://learn.ecovillage.org/ scale up the proven regenerative practices of ecovillages to communities worldwide .
28 Eco Village Voice – Issue #2 – 2020 Support our work, become a Friend of GEN https://ecovillage.org/friends
On 14 October 2020 GEN began their 25 years celebrations! Established in Findhorn in 1995, the Global Ecovillage Network (GEN) connects more than 10,000 traditional villages, urban neighbourhoods and intentional communities in over 100 countries worldwide . GEN is composed of 5 regional networks (CASA Latina, GEN Oceania & Asia, Global Ecovillage Network -Africa, GEN Europe, GEN North America), and the youth arm, NextGEN, spanning the globe . Inge Kuijper is an ethnobotanist and designer . She is Some network members include large networks like Sarvodaya actively exploring the question: how can (2,000 active sustainable villages in Sri Lanka); Damanhur Spiritual we live in harmony with nature? After EcoCommunity in Italy and REDES in Senegal; as well as small rural completing Gaia Education’s Ecovillage ecovillages like Gaia Asociación in Argentina and Huehuecoyotl in Design Education (EDE) program in Mexico . It also includes urban rejuvenation projects like Los Angeles Findhorn community, Scotland, she visited Eco-Village and Christiania in Copenhagen; permaculture design over twenty transition projects, from sites such as Crystal Waters, Australia, Cochabamba, Bolivia and ecovillages to permaculture farms . Barus, Brazil; and educational centres such as Findhorn Foundation in Scotland, Centre for Alternative Technology in Wales, Earthlands Inge is now pursuing the multidisciplinary in Massachusetts, and many more . Ethnobotany MSc program at the GEN showcases high quality, low impact ways of living that have led University of Kent, to understand how to some of the lowest per capita footprints in the industrialised world, people in different cultures live in and a healthy integration of heritage and innovation in more traditional relationship with plants . She works with settings . GEN has consultative status with the UN Economic and Social Ecosystem Restoration Camps, to support Council (UN-ECOSOC) . With its 25 years of experience, GEN has a wealth the restoration of ecosystems worldwide, of inspiration to offer, emphasising local solutions to global challenges and is an ambassador for the ecovillage and demonstrating that the creation of a different world is possible! way of life . On her website Green Unfolding you can follow her experiences and lessons learned . >>> https://greenunfolding.com >>> https://www.instagram.com/ greenunfolding/ This article prevously appeared at: https://www.greenunfolding. com/2020/04/how-ecovillages-restore- ecosystems-around-the-world/
The next Ecosystem Restoration Design course Ed. Is your ecovillage or community will run in January 2021 and runs for 8 months . Their big goal is to have one involved in regeneration projects? Let us million people come together by 2030 and restore degraded ecosystems in know what you are doing... and possibly 100 camps around the world . we can work on an article. Just send an Continues over... >>> https://ecosystemrestorationcamps.org/ email to: editor@ecovillagevoice .com
Eco Village Voice – Issue #2 – 2020 29 References – Ecovillages are Restoring Ecosystems Around The World About Gaia Education: https://www.gaiaeducation.org/about/ An Isolated Village Finds the Energy to Keep Going – The New York Times https://www.nytimes.com/2009/10/16/world/americas/16gaviotas.html Bocco, A ., Gerace, M ., Pollini, S ., 2019 . The Environmental Impact of Sieben Linden Ecovillage . Taylor & Francis . Díaz, S . et al ., 2019 . Summary for policymakers of the global assessment report on biodiversity and ecosystem services of the Intergovernmental Science-Policy Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services . A Global Deal For Nature: Guiding principles, milestones, and targets . 2019 . https://doi.org/10.1126/sciadv.aaw2869 Ecological Design – GaiaEducation .org https://www.gaiaeducation.org/elearning/design-for-sustainability/ecological-design/ Ecosystem Restoration [WWW Document], 2015 . IUC – https://www.iucn.org/commissions/commission-ecosystem- management/our-work/cems-thematic-groups/ecosystem-restoration Ecovillage Findhorn – https://www.ecovillagefindhorn.com/ Esteves, A .M ., 2019 . Peace education for the Anthropocene? The contribution of regenerative ecology and the ecovillages movement . J . Peace Educ . 0, 1–22 . GEN Annual Report, 2018 . Global Ecovillage Network . – https://bit.ly/GENReport2018 Jackson, H ., 1998 . What is an ecovillage? – https://ecovillage.org/annual-report-2018/ Leach, A ., 2015 . Five eco villages around the world . The Guardian . https://www.theguardian.com/global-development-professionals-network/2015/aug/14/five-eco-villages-around-the-world SEKEM, n .d . Sustainable and Holistic Development in Egypt – https://www.sekem.com/en/index/ SEKEM Holding – Reclaiming desert land for organic, fair trade products – Oikocredit International https://www.oikocredit.coop/products-services/equity-investments/equity-partner/10423/sekem-holding Sustainability Assessment – The Sustainability Impact Assessment Tool, 2017 . . Glob . Ecovillage Network https://ecovillage.org/resources/impact-assessment/ The Miracle in the Desert [WWW Document], 2015 . . Glob . Ecovillage Network: https://ecovillage.org/miracle-desert/ The New Water Paradigm – Global Climate and Ecosystem Restoration – https://www.tamera.org. URL /article-the-new-water-paradigm-global-climate-and-ecosystem-restoration/ Tinsley, S ., George, H ., 2006 . Ecological Footprint of the Findhorn Foundation and Community . HIE Morray . White, R .E ., Mariño, G .E .G ., 2007 . Las Gaviotas: Sustainability in the tropics . World Watch 20, 18–23 .
30 Eco Village Voice – Issue #2 – 2020 Announcing the Ecovillage Film Festival 2021 The Adventure Continues... ONLINE!
The mission of our Ecovillage Film Festival is to raise awareness of the ecovillage movement and be inspired by the many sustainable communities around the world. We hope to inspire filmmakers to explore this topic with originality, style and passion. We intend to promote the idea that ecovillages are worth the effort to transform society into a more sustainable and ecologically beneficial way of life. The premiere event Future events The Ecovillage Film Festival celebrates the rise of Plans for future festivals are changing and most likely the sustainable communities, using appropriate technology next event will be around April-May 20201 . Due to the to combat the effects of climate change, to refocus on care current limitation on public gatherings, we are planning on for the planet and promote a healthy lifestyle for the future going forward via “virtual” events using an online platform of humanity . We’re working on prizes – stay tuned. for the film festival . Leading up to the “Judging Day” The first event was held in Maleny, Queensland, speakers will be invited to participate from home via video . Australia on Sunday 3 November 2019 to an enthusiastic We are most delighted to announce judges – namely audience who enjoyed 8 hours of documentaries and Damon Gameau (2040), Velcrow Ripper (Occupy Love, interviews about ecovillages . . PLUS many guest speakers Scared Sacred), Helen Iles (Ecovillage Pioneers & Lammas), gave presentations about ecovillages throughout the day . and also Morag Gamble (Permaculture Education Institute) “Crystal Waters – 30 Years On” was the feature and possibly others to be announced soon . documentary introduced by filmmaker, Michael Ney Eco Village Voice invites filmmakers around the world accompanied by long term resident and author, Robin to submit their films in 3 categories: Clayfield – followed by a lively Q&A with the audience . Feature = Over 55 minutes Special guest speakers included Claire Ogden (who Television = Between 15 and 55 minutes was also MC) and Andrew McLean, co-founders of Eco Short = Less than 15 minutes Villages Australia, Trudy Juriansz, Networking Director for the Global Ecovillage Network, Robin Clayfield, Maybe you have a previous film, or want to produce a social permaculture specialist, as well as Jimmy Hirst – new project involving ecovillages in some way – a TV Polkadot Community and tiny homes specialist . program, or a feature documentary, or even VR films . Another highlight was Diana Leafe Christian’s A secondary requirement is to present a positive view presentation on video: How Ecovillages Internationally of the future and highlights solutions more than problems . Influence the Wider Culture. Environmental programs are welcome too, as long as they involve “ecovillages” . Films in all languages are accepted >>> News of the NEXT festival and the previous event but must have English subtitles embedded . Please share program is online at: http://ecovillagefilmfestival.com this message . . Email: [email protected]
Eco Village Voice – Issue #2 – 2020 31 Tiny Houses & Ecovillages by Jimmy Hirst
See our Tiny House video tour: https://youtu.be/ItHLawaeNEU
Tiny Housing may be one of the most innovative solutions helping to solve the challenges of housing affordability, environmental sustainability, as well as enabling “aging in place” and improving overall community health. In Australia, we’re making progress!
The Tiny House On Wheels (THOW) shown above has herbs, flowers, lettuces, tomatoes and even mini–oranges! been my home for over a year now . We call it “the polkadot” . An almost totally off–the–grid Tiny House and essentially its It’s the first prototype . We designed it for senior–aged own self–contained living biome . women and couples to live comfortably within practicality . To be able to park on people’s properties enables me How may Tiny Houses be the key to creating to share their amenities, experiences and their lives – and connected and sustainable communities this is what has meant the most to me . To learn new ideas, (ecovillages) of the future? have great conversations, still living independently but A Tiny House On Wheels is essentially a caravan built sometimes we come together to share a meal . Living in a like a house . They can play an important role in helping re- compact way in my own movable dwelling has cut my usual integrate people into more functional village living again, rent by a third, as well as providing extra income for the as well as create affordable housing while reducing our property owner from space they normally wouldn’t have footprint on the environment through encouraging more thought to lease . minimalistic living . In fact, even this design is too big for my needs . The next How their “mobility” is the crucial factor taking housing one will be smaller, reducing weight and size, so it is even to a different level which may help alleviate some of the more easily transportable . Five metres length per module is a conflict and tension that arises from fixed communities, sweet spot for mobile Tiny Housing . If you need more room, as well as creating flexibility for villages and suburbs to plug in another one right beside it – just like lego . re-structure as their needs and demographics change . The Polkadot Tiny House On Wheels has moved to Technology like decentralised blockchain-like models, several properties including a church, on the roadside along with responsible reputation-accrual systems and beside a warehouse, demonstrated at four events, one smart contracts could help oversee improved governance . school, parked on three ecovillages, the properties of four Festivals and convergences may also help provide the builders, driveways of friends, and even on a sugarcane pathway for westerners to return to improved sustainable farm – all generally situated around the sub–tropical community living again . regions of Brisbane city and the Sunshine Coast Hinterland There are no significant incidences of Tiny Houses in Australia . It moves with the help of a Four Wheel Drive On Wheels being asked to “move on” by local councils and (4WD) with 3 .5 tonnes of towing capability . governments so far no matter what the rules are because The Tiny House itself generates and captures its own they are beginning to understand there is a shift in needs of water, uses a composting dual bin toilet, is Wifi enabled, runs the population and the economy around housing . on smart home technology, is remotely accessible, has a full Learn how this type of eco smart, mobile housing can security system as well as security mesh, recycling systems, overcome community isolation and disconnection, and and with plans to install an off–the–grid solar power battery start to regenerate the small village living model for a more system as well as an internal aquaculture garden to grow meaningful and effective way to live .
32 Eco Village Voice – Issue #2 – 2020 What does the government say? The Noosa Region on the Sunshine Coast of Queensland Every local provincial council district will be different in Australia, for example, is wishing to reduce vehicle impact how they view and class Tiny Houses, and rules vary from and carbon emissions by the year 2026 . So, everything region to region and country . The most qualified answer residents can do to help local regions to be more sustainable to date and what many academics and government has may create greater opportunities for securing a Tiny House been saying is: “The rules that govern Tiny Houses On residence within their concept of paradise . While this may Wheels are the same as for caravans, i.e. height and weight not directly lead to an approval by council to locate a tiny restrictions, and the trailer must be registered. There are house in itself, flagging your good intentions certainly may fewer regulations on the construction. Generally, you can inspire your certifying officer . You could offset your impact park a THOW anywhere you can park a truck or caravan.” on the local roads by considering using vehicles such as It is almost always only when council receives a electric bike (e–bike) like I do . complaint (usually from a neighbouring resident) that the grey area of whether they are legal or not becomes Co-housing – Community at its Best, Erica Elliott challenged . There are a possible myriad of health, safety TedX Video: https://youtu.be/ef9azOeuCPY and town planning issues if we wish too address them properly, but complaints are essentially any mobile Tiny House owner’s greatest concerns .
Remember, Councils must act on all complaints... it’s their job . This is what rate payers should expect them to do and nothing less . Councils are busy . They deal with complaints regularly, and they are civil servants and people with families after all . They often don’t like being called upon to play police, judge and jury . Some Councils are supportive of Tiny Housing for reasons mainly owing to housing affordability, but generally most Councils are still framing policies about Tiny Housing, for which advocacy groups like Aging In Place the Australian Tiny Housing Assocoation (ATHA) are aiming As we all grow older, not everyone wants to move into a to assist by providing new legal definitions and framework . retirement village, over 50’s resort or nursing home . Some We need to appreciate there are many complicated may like to stay living on their own property . This is referred to factors in “housing”, and especially Tiny Housing in terms as “aging in place” . And in many cases, people with property of town planning for local infrastructure like roads, have a tradable asset called land – a legal right to a space schools, public and recreational facilities, hospitals, to live . There is also a growing movement of senior women shopping malls, etc ., and also the adequate capacity to coming together to purchase land, or large houses with provide services like power, water, sewage, etc . If you seek plenty of spare bedrooms, and creating cohousing estates . official advice expect a runaround as well as bureaucratic Read more on cohousing here: red tape which takes time, council fees, and the possibility https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cohousing of having your application rejected . Continues over...
Eco Village Voice – Issue #2 – 2020 33 Florin Oprescu, Lecturer in Public Health at the University elevate our contentment and personal fulfilment – in fact, of the Sunshine Coast, has been exploring ways to improve these are the values and the core ideals of most indigenous mental and physical health outcomes in communities . This cultures that have endured the millennia . includes studying new approaches like ecovillages and There is a beautiful relationship that can happen with cohousing for some of our current social, environmental, people who already own land who are aging, and with economic and community ills . One great place to begin with younger people and families who seek affordable land to support for our aging population, economically distressed live on, essentially behaving like an extended family or older women, and retirees who have land and would like to modern “tribe” . “age in place” and not fall into the aged care system (nursing There is an economic and community benefit to homes and potential money traps) . Mr Oprescu is keen to helping create ecosystems for sharing land for housing and study situations where seniors who hold land may be able to creating small communities . We are seeing the potential for trade space, possibly for Tiny Houses for example, in return for blockchain–like apps using a reputation system similar to care, company, friendly supportive help and property upkeep . Airbnb (an online marketplace for offering lodging, primarily “The ‘disconnection’ of people from one to another homestays, or tourism experiences) that would enable people is the modern equivalent of the lead metal water pipes to allow strangers to park on their properties with full trust, which helped befall the Roman Empire – now we are in the reliability and self–accountability in a way the world has never 21st century, this modern dis–ease of social disintegration seen before . We have evolved to the level of feudal living, is eating away at the fabric of our ‘progressive’ western villages and towns . Now that the population has expanded technological world.” into a vast global village, the internet and technology can “Disconnection” is the sense of help reduce the overwhelming sense not being able to talk comfortably with of getting lost in vast populations by your neighbours, having the feeling The best advice... bringing modern city living back into people around you don’t care, feeling the context of traditional village living . threatened or isolated, perhaps lonely • check in with your neighbours This may create an ecosystem for a and vulnerable . . but being hooked on fairer, more honest exchange of money • be responsible toward Facebook at night is not a social life . versus sweat labour, like workaway/ People need immediacy and valued the environment, WWOOFing, by engaging something connection with other people in order i.e. don’t poop in a creek like a “points vs pay” system similar to to reach our most contented and happy those used by airline booking systems . • blend in with local human selves . Such a system allows for flexible living “What is the name of the worst community, amenity arrangements with mutually beneficial punishment in the criminal system? and aesthetic environmental and social outcomes for Solitary confinement. In fact, ‘solitary’ all people involved using an honourable Your impact may be negligible, is probably the best word that describes reputation system . how many people live today.” especially if you are living off “Smart Contracts” can include The lack of natural human (tribal) the grid. a reputation system (like Airbnb but loving and supportive communities better) that would work by hinging on is leading to what is reported as people’s nature to want to be accepted “increased feelings of isolation” . This leads to an anxiety that and included, belong and be respected and protected, arises from loneliness – which we are increasingly realising and to be appraised for each others role in a community, is underlying many more of our modern medical issues while incentivising people to be at their best human– than most people actually believe . It’s psychological . It’s selves in order to create greater opportunities for them circumstantial . It’s communal . to share with other people and create a positive living It is often the overlooked root cause of many medical environment with superior checks and measures than the problems surrounding depression, addiction, which turns current housing and rental system . into mental illness and manifests as excessive drug use, A symbiosis emerges to have tenants also exchange gambling, obsessive compulsive disorders, self–image rent for property maintenance or care work, in full trust and and esteem issues, eating disorders like obesity, anorexia, placed incentives, which ultimately brings us to the “sharing bulimia, even cancer – the list goes on – and overall it leads to economy” – a progressive outcome which is beneficial a general sense of dis–ease (disease) . to the environment – and if enabled by blockchain–like The western world is undergoing a re–awakening that technologies (holochain), we may see future currencies spiritualism, tribalism and ‘communities’ is superior to a emerge which offers greater possibilities that conventional society of consumerism and competition, and that our lives money . In the future we’ll see apps to enable people to are more about a sense of true inner connection with oneself, re–connect in a way never thought possible in the current other people and living beings, and the planet; it is all about growing population, by engaging aspects of the human a heightened sense of ‘connection’ with all these things to condition previously hard–wired into our evolution .
34 Eco Village Voice – Issue #2 – 2020 This is Polkadot’s vision for the future which we believe to be the patch to help humankind evolve and reach its next phase of enlightenment . As Jimmy Hirst programmers, or maybe we should call them modern–day philosophers, writing is director of polkadot community the lines of code (that created the internet) so that we ultimately bring together incorporated in Qld, Australia . modern economists, environmentalists and sociologists in order to create a He has been a double platinum– new generation of tools for the world . Ideally, this will restore the village living selling, national touring DJ and we have naturally evolved to be in, and regenerate a truly operational global worked with the Nova FM radio village system that it now is ready to become . Polkadot is keen to work with network, Foxtel’s Music Channel those who like and share our vision and passion . [V]/Club [V], DJ for Austereo/ Sea FM Network and Wild FM What are we doing now and in the future? Sydney and Brisbane . Jimmy is We are trying something different . Polkadot is a community incorporated actively promoting the building association, and is also a commercial brand . Polkadot’s mission is to of future villages as sustainable demonstrate the principles of sustainable community living to the mainstream communities and helping align in an accessible and engaging way, so that the planet may be enjoyed for people to work collaboratively generations to come . >>> http://polkadot.org.au/visionmission towards the next broad shift Polkadot has been organising events across the Sunshine Coast, Queensland, in the way we live and how we Australia since 2018 – attracting 2,000+ attendees . We have combined the impact the planet . headings of our converging visions for Tiny Houses & Eco Villages . See our Facebook community . >>> http://facebook.com/groups/polkadotcommunity [email protected] We’re working on an affordable eco tiny house designed with senior-aged women in mind, to also appeal to everyone . We have also been operating a Tiny House Helpline providing our best advice to people wishing to move into and build Tiny Houses, linking land owners trustfully with Tiny living people to help build more sustainable communities . >>> https://polkadot.org.au/helpline We are also looking for programmers and developers to work on a new economy app that has the functionality of Airbnb and Wwoofing/Workaway tiny house provides its own... to enable symbiotic, trusted smart contracts for affordable rent and land/ work exchange between landowners and travelling tiny living people using blockchain-like technology . We are always on the lookout for opportunities via events and mini-festivals to bring into practice greater principles of sustainability and community particularly for people in the mainstream .
In 2020 and beyond we intend to tour the Polkadot Tiny House in a series of “events within an event” as an experiential exhibit for festivals, eco events and educational centres. We look forward to having you join us one day. See also: https://www.stuff.co.nz/life–style/homed/119637072/movable– vehicle–is–not–a–building–victory–for–tiny–homes–in–landmark–case http://polkadot.org.au/
Eco Village Voice – Issue #2 – 2020 35 The Valley of Light Micro-Community – a community for cultural creatives by Rev. Laura George, J.D.
Nestled along the New River in the small town of Independence, Virginia, exists a social experiment of significant scale. The Valley of Light micro-community recognizes the current challenges facing society and seeks to chart a new course for humanity based on the principles of sustainability, compassion, personal freedom, and spiritual awareness.
Valley of Light members focus on improving Ms . Hubbard famously declared, “we need a Peace themselves, their community, and the world . Upon joining, Room as sophisticated as a War Room” – the very objective each member selects a “Path of Perfection” related to their of the Peace Pentagon . She envisioned Oracle campus as Sector of interest . Each Path has a course of study designed “Camp Eve”, a venue where thought leaders of the New to enhance self-exploration and encourage lifelong learning . World will gather to brainstorm on global solutions . The The Paths also serve to establish an equitable seniority name is a juxtaposition to Camp David, where old world system . For instance, members in the Path of the Native leaders meet privately to achieve their goals . Thus, the take care of the animals, food production, and landscaping . Peace Pentagon in southern Virginia is a positive parallel Community elders, in turn, mentor new members, who live to the War Pentagon in northern Virginia . For example, the on campus for a one-year trial period before full acceptance . Peace Pentagon was the first stop for a U .N . delegation of Inspired by the Federation of Damanhur – one of the Kogi Mamos from Columbia and Otomi-Toltec Elders from most successful communities on the planet – the Valley Mexico, who visited the U .S . in 2018 . The Elders highlighted of Light blends communal living, spirituality, and social the importance of “Aluna”, their word for the Great Mother action . Like Damanhur (aka the “City of Light”), the Valley who protects our precious planet . Their visit ended at the of Light aspires to develop a “full-spectrum” community Global Climate Action Summit in San Francisco . the size of a small village that operates in every “Sector of Society ” . To capture this vision, the community uses the iconic “Wheel of Co-Creation,” originally created by futurist Barbara Marx Hubbard . From the pristine setting of its 23-acre campus, the Valley of Light utilizes a “teaching campus” model centered around The Oracle Institute, a 501(c)(3) educational charity . Oracle operates a spirituality school and a publishing house, Oracle Institute Press, which has won five book awards and features authors such as: Maya Angelou, Archbishop Desmond Tutu, Wendell Berry, Bill McKibben, Valerie Tarico, Yuval Ron, and Patricia Albere of the Evolutionary Collective. The campus includes guest houses, a campground, labyrinth, and Medicine Wheel . In addition, Oracle is building the “Peace Pentagon” – the community’s training and retreat center – where the charity hosts classes, conferences, and retreats intended to inspire and empower people of good conscience, positive influence, and ACTION!
36 Eco Village Voice – Issue #2 – 2020 Valley of Light programs are unique because they not only support personal growth, they also empower students to zero in on their personal mission and take action in the world – what Oracle calls “sacred activism” . One of the community’s beliefs is that it’s not good enough to be a “monk on a mountaintop ”. Rather, everyone has a responsibility to help shift the paradigm into a better world – and intentional communities can lead the way! For instance, this year Oracle is hosting the third Building the New World Conference – a global summit featuring social architects in every Sector of Society . The keynote speakers are Riane Eisler (Chalice and the Blade) and David Korten (Change the Story Change the Future) . Other thought leaders include Dr. Glen Martin of the Earth Constitution Institute, Allyson and Alex Grey Member Katie Kennedy adds, “We appreciate the of CoSM, Dr. Gabriel Cousins of the Tree of Life Centers, guidance we’ve received from the Foundation for Intentional the “greatest Canadian of all time”, Dr. David Suzuki, and Community, the classes we’ve attended at the Twin Oaks Audrey Kitagawa, Chair of the Parliament of the World’s Community Conference, and the opportunity for founder Religions . >>> https://www.BTNW.world Laura George to speak on spiritual community models.” Valley of Light members worked on their founding Many hearts and hands have helped lay the foundation documents for over five years and utilized the manual for the Valley of Light, which employs all of the “Seven Creating a Life Together by Diane Leaf Christian. They Principles for Belonging” identified in Charles Vogl’s book also canvased communities with similar goals for sample Art of Community, including shared spiritual values, story, organizational documents and advice . initiation, and paths for growth . Valley of Light is a high energy, purpose-driven community looking for new members . An Advocate for Peace and a Vanguard for Conscious Evolution – Home of the Peace Pentagon and The Valley of Light.
Medicine Wheel Gathering Barbara Marx Hubbard, Philip Hellmich & Rev . Laura George
Interested in building a model intentional community focused on spirituality, action and activism? The community is seeking others who want to co-create this vision, cultural creatives who know what’s happening in the world, comprehend the gravity of the global situation, and want to brainstorm, model, and advocate for a better path forward . Check our Community Principles to see if you’re a good fit... http://bit.ly/oracleprinciples The Oracle Institute & Oracle Institute Press >>> https://www.TheOracleInstitute.org 88 Oracle Way, Independence, VA 24348 USA >>> https://www.PeacePentagon.net Tel: +1 276 266 7732 >>> https://www.OracleGuests.com
Eco Village Voice – Issue #2 – 2020 37 This film is the recent outcome of Lou and Diego’s dream – a Filmmaker Damon Gameau and producer Anna Kaplan candle that shines light on what they feel should be the main have created Regen Studios with the mission to create pilar of the cultural shift: education . and distribute content designed to help communities, In spring 2018, they decided to quit their jobs . Lou was cities, schools, governments and business to regenerate working in the social innovation field in Paris and Diego in a and replace what has been lost in precious resources . NGO in Geneva . Even if the social, humanitarian and ecological Various projects are under development and one aspects of their work was satisfying, they felt their lifestyle and of them is an interactive documentary series and web relationships within big cities lacked something essential for platform being developed in collaboration with US a deeper purpose as human beings living in a world in crisis . author and environmentalist Paul Hawken and Leila Their intuition led them to look for a growing movement Lou Conners’ production company Tree Media . heard of during a conference in Paris: ecovillages . Damon’s previous project, “2040”, is an innovative So, here began a 2-year journey across Europe feature documentary exploring what the future would exploring the ever-growing world of intentional communities . look like by the year 2040 if we embraced the best Documenting their travels through filmmaking and sharing solutions already available to us to improve our planet . the experiences, their core vision and dream took form . If the Released in April 2019, 2040 became one of the top 5 global crisis could have any realistic solutions, they needed a grossing documentaries of all time in Australian cinema . cultural shift based on a deeper type of ecology . . one which 2040 drew on Paul Hawken’s Project Drawdown, considers not only the environment, but also the inner and which sets out 100 solutions to reverse global warming . inter-personal dimensions of human beings, which they felt Damon and Anna plan to make a 6-part series for the were also in crisis . So, “The Great Relation” was born . platform based on Hawken’s next book Regeneration, Aiming to make visible meaningful projects and stories which will list various ways to regenerate the landscape . that bring healing and regeneration to the individual, The aim is to present a vision for Australia in 2030 collective and environmental dimensions of our world . . which Gameau says can be achieved if a regeneration their documentary, “The Hardest Thing I’ve Ever Loved and sustainable development principles are applied to - Creating a Transformative Culture”, explores the the nation’s recovery . Ecovillage Design Education (EDE) course, held yearly >>> https://whatsyour2040.com in Switzerland, empowering people to manifest a more >>> https://youtu.be/iATxyo-NQK8 beautiful world that we know is possible . Let’s meet there. >>> https://twitter.com/damongameau Website: https://www.thegreatrelation.org Source: https://www.if.com.au/damon-gameau-and-anna- YouTube channel: http://bit.ly/greatrelationyoutube kaplan-develop-content-to-help-regenerate-the-planet/ Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/thegreatrelation
Filmmaker, Michael Ney, Starman Kahuna provides video production, photography, Healing Massage multimedia, elearning, publishing and web consultancy. Maleny & SE QLD
1 hour $50 2 hours $80 Eagle Spirit Media – SE QLD Australia [email protected] Tel: +61 460 581 880 http://bit.ly/eaglespirit-youtube
38 Eco Village Voice – Issue #2 – 2020 Introducing... The International Communal Studies Association The International Communal Studies Association (ICSA) promotes the studies of intentional communities, eco-villages, kibbutzim, co-housing, co-living and more! Become a member here: http://www.communa.org.il/icsa/index.php/en/icsa3/join-icsa
ICSA Board Members: Taisa Mattos, Jan Bang, Daniel Greenberg
The International Communal Studies Association (ICSA) a Board of Directors composed of scholars from different promotes the study of intentional communities, eco- countries . International conferences are held every few villages, kibbutzim, co-housing, co-living and more! years and are organized in the host country by ICSA International conferences are held every few years and members . The first Conference was held at Yad Tabenkin, are organized in the host country by ICSA members . Ramat Efal, Israel in 1985, when the Association was It distributes a biannual newsletter (the ICSA Bulletin) established . Since that time international conferences have featuring articles from various sources as well as general been held in: material received from members and contacts on events, New Lanark and Edinburgh, Scotland (1988), publications etc . The ICSA is a forum for exchanging Elizabethtown College, PA, USA (1991), information, ideas and experiences on intentional New Harmony, Ind ., USA (1993), communities and to do so with respect . The ICSA is not a Yad Tabenkin, Israel (1995), venue for furthering political programs and positions not Amsterdam, The Netherlands (1998), relevant to the study of intentional community . ZEGG, Germany (2001), It was established in 1985 during the first intentional The Amana Colonies . Iowa, USA (2004), conference held at Yad Tabenkin, the Research and Damanhur, Italy (2007), Documentation Center of the Kibbutz Movement in Israel, Emek Yezreel College, Israel (2010), and was attended by scholars, kibbutz and commune Findhorn, Scotland, UK (2013), members . The ICSA was founded by Dr . Yaacov Oved, Tamera, Portugal (2016) and Professor Emeritus in the Department of History at Tel- Camphill Communities – Hudson Valley, NY, USA (2019) . Aviv University and Dr . Donald Pitzer, Professor Emeritus of The next conference is scheduled to be held in Denmark History and Director Emeritus of The Center for Communal in 2022 . Studies at the University of Southern Indiana . The purpose of the association was to provide a common framework for The ICSA distributes a biannual electronic newsletter, a scholarly exchange of information regarding communal the ICSA Bulletin, in addition to regular emails of material life: communes, intentional communities, kibbutzim and received from various organizations throughout the world . other collective communities throughout the world . Subscribe via the ICSA Office: [email protected] The ICSA Office has been situated in Yad Tabenkin since the formation of the association and strives for Join ICSA or donate: http://tinyurl.com/joinicsa international representation amongst its members . Its Twitter: https://twitter.com/@ICSA_community international structure was led from the very beginning by Website: https://www.communa.org.il/icsa
Eco Village Voice – Issue #2 – 2020 39 Permaculture Elder Profile How can you apply Permaculture Looby had been teaching permaculture Design, Cultural Emergence and since 2002 . She lives with her partner, the Design Web to what you are Chris Evans and two daughters Shanti passionate about? What are you and Teya, at Applewood Permaculture passionate about? Centre – a teaching and demonstration Applewood Adventure is a game that site on a 20 acre smallholding in can be played a thousand ways, it’s a Herefordshire, UK . Here she grows gate or bridge for you into a deeper food, connects with wonderful wildlife level of your life . Being a conscious and hosts people from around the designer of your world is the key to world . She has a passion for creative unlocking possibilities and manifesting teaching methods and enjoys inventing your highest vision for what you participatory activities and games to want to do and where you want to enhance learning and self-discovery . Her do it . Consider this an opportunity to degree in Human Sciences provides a adventure deeper into your world and wealth of perspectives to bring into her take your practice to the next level . teaching and writing . >>> https://shop.permaculture.co.uk/ Looby is author of 3 books: People applewood-adventure.html and Permaculture, 7 Ways to Permaculture, Cultural Emergence This 101 page PDF, created by Think Differently and Strands of courses, teacher trainings and other Delvin Solkinson, springs from a Infinity and is a regular contributor specialist courses are taught by Looby program with Looby and Peter Cow at to Permaculture Magazine and – globally, online and at Applewood . Applewood, UK . This transformational also Earth Pathways Diary . She >>> https://loobymacnamara.com/ experience was both empowering has supported the development and and evolutionary, giving those lucky growth of permaculture nationally enough to attend a new lease on life through her input as trustee of the and the opportunity to think in a Permaculture Association (Britain) new way about ourselves and what is for five years (2001-2006) and was possible with the time we have here Chairperson for two of these . on this precious planet . Find out more Looby is also an active member about Looby’s books and Cultural of the permaculture community and Emergence, including a free/pay as you is a senior diploma tutor . She is also wish online taster course at: part of the Mother Nature project, >>> http://loobymacnamara.com/courses/ an international group dedicated to empowering mothers on their Cultural Emergence is a way of personal transformation journey . discovering tools for positive cultural The Mother Nature guidebook evolution . It allows us to deeply and card deck are available from: connect with ourselves, each other and http://loobymacnamara.com/mother-nature/ the more than human world . It is an experiential journey to finding peace and empowerment within ourselves . As well as being a permaculture specialist, Looby Macnamara is a trained We can carry these tools forward to Work That Reconnects facilitator and has worked with Jon Young and the emerge a peaceful culture in our own 8 Shields Institute . She is co-founder of the Cultural Emergence project, lives . In a 7 minute video, Jon Young developing tools for positive cultural evolution for individuals and communities . and Looby Macnamara discuss Cultural In this video Looby describes how we can create more peaceful and regenerative Emergence with Maddy Harland . cultures, starting with ourselves . >>> https://youtu.be/vsBrL5489xo >>> https://youtu.be/SbFOwiRggCA
40 Eco Village Voice – Issue #2 – 2020 Permaculture Resources with Dylan Graves “The most important application of permaculture ethics and principles is to the self, through a process of self audit of our needs, wants, dependencies, creative and productive outputs and byproducts of our very existence. Getting grounded in this way is the start of a personal retro-fit or redesign process which does not require that we wait until we own land or are with the right crowd. It helps to connect with like-minded people for ideas and inspiration in building skills and capacities.” – David Holmgren
Permaculture Design Notes 2020 – presented by Delvin Solkinson Permaculture Design, medicine making, food preservation, animal husbandry and teaching in a new book . Help Delvin reach his goal on Kickstarter – lifeline to 5 June >>> https://bit.ly/2VUaxRH
Also see his excellent Permaculture Education Doctoral Slideshow - >>> https://youtu.be/3SAlzIlQPl0 – and more information is on his website: >>> https://www.visionarypermaculture.com The PDC Exchange Modular Multi-Location Internship-based PDC - The concept is that students can complete a non-monetary PDC while doing internships with various participating teachers . Available nationwide in Australia . The students do internship work in exchange for food, accommodation and participation in the course OR “work-for- kind” (i .e . commute-in, day labour) eg a local student who comes to work on a host property in exchange for tutoring/teaching; this ratio may be 1 to 1 or 1 to 2, etc (1 hour work for 1 hour teaching) - this may vary on a location by location basis . Hosts/ teachers receive help on their property and students learn while doing . >>> http://www.pdc-exchange.net/
Training Permaculture Teachers by Rosemary Morrow, designed by Alba Teixidor, is a free step by step guide to assist holders of a Permaculture Design Course to become effective and inspiring teachers . https://www.bluemountainspermacultureinstitute.com.au/product/training-permaculture-teachers/ Rosemary Morrow The Earth User’s Guide to Permaculture Rosemary Morrow’s definitive guide to Permaculture Design Principles . This revised and much expanded edition will resonate for many non-scholarly learners and those who primarily seek direction for practical work . >>> http://www.bluemountainspermacultureinstitute.com.au/product/the- earth-users-guide-to-permaculture/ Permaculture: Earth care, people care, future care is a visionary quarterly magazine that will give you the tools needed to create productive and resilient homes, gardens, economies, relationships, schools, farms and communities . Articles include no-dig gardening, food forests, cutting edge community projects, renewable technologies, regenerative agriculture, DIY projects, health and wellbeing . . full of solutions, projects and pioneering ideas from the very best of the permaculture movement . An ideal research tool for teachers, students, designers, practitioners and activists alike . >>> https://www.permaculture.co.uk Free Resources 50 free downloadable documents/books are available at: >>> https://shop.permaculture.co.uk/ebooks.html
Eco Village Voice – Issue #2 – 2020 41 Water Makes Us Wet An Ecosexual Adventure With a poetic blend of curiosity, humor, sensuality and concern, this documentary chronicles the pleasures and politics of H2O from an ecosexual perspective. Travel with Annie Sprinkle and Beth Stephens, and their dog Butch, in their E.A.R.T.H. Lab mobile unit, as they explore the role of water. Ecosexuality shifts the metaphor “Earth as Mother” to “Earth as Lover” to create a more reciprocal and empathetic relationship with the natural world. Along the way, Annie and Beth interact with a diverse range of folks including performance artists, biologists, water treatment plant workers, scholars and others, climaxing in a shocking event that reaffirms the power of water, life and the earth. See more info at: https://watermakesuswet.org and even more about other projects at: https://sexecology.org
Vows For Marrying The Earth
Earth, we vow to become your lover. With these steps, Let us reach your love.
Through our senses we will become your lover.
Everyday we promise to breath in your fragrance. And be opened by you. Let us not be severed from your love.
Everyday we promise to enjoy your colors. And be surprised. Let us not be severed from your love.
Everyday we promise to taste you And be moved. Let us not be severed from your love.
Everyday, ears to the ground, we listen, and are changed.
We promise to love you until death brings us closer together forever.
We are consecrated to you, Earth, through this dirt that we will become. Photo from the documentary © 2017 Annie Sprinkle & Beth Stephens
36 www.ecovillagevoice.comEco Village Voice – Issue #2 – 2020 Feature Video Eco Village Voice ‘Encounters’
Steve Cran and Morag Gamble are leading permaculture educators . Both are prominent residents here at Crystal Waters Permaculture Village . . we found a moment to have a rare encounter . Enjoy! Steve Cran is a veteran permaculture teacher with over 3 Morag Gamble presents a free permaculture gardening decades mostly training people in conflict zones, disaster toolkit with tips on how to create a thriving edible garden zones and poverty stricken communities in many difficult with ease: https://ourpermaculturelife.com/resiliencecare/ situations . Steve is developing (CAP) the Centre of Advanced – and her 4 part series exploring “what is permaculture Permaculture at Crystal Waters Permaculture Village . Read and how to weave it into your life and livelihood” is updates and next course announcement on following pages . available online here: https://bit.ly/OPL4partseries Photo – Michael Photo Ney
More info: https://www.greenwarriorpermaculture.com Click this image to view the video... or and see also a recent webinar: https://youtu.be/yL2ZRAbNA1E https://youtu.be/RxNLWIZvCFw:
Eco Village Voice – Issue #2 – 2020 43 The Centre of Advanced Permaculture (CAP) Late 2020 Update – by Steve Cran
As we began work on CAP in November 2019 fierce bush fires raged across Australia, hot winds torched our site and we were in the midst of a severe drought . The 1-hectare block was mostly dry dusty earth and many trees had succumbed to the drought . It looked more like hell than heaven . Each morning I sat in a small copse of trees and meditated on what was needed and slowly a picture emerged in my minds-eye on what we would need to do to the land, soil and plants to restore life to this parched block . All photos – Michael photos Ney All
The first major step was earthworks . The compacted New volunteers arrived in our community but few had any ground needed to be opened up so when it did rain we gardening skills . Each day we worked and they gained new would capture the rain and hold it in the ground . A skilled skills on the job as we fertilized the ground, planted seed builder, farmer and machine operator, Craig Dornbush, and seedlings and mulched all bare earth . Through the arrived with an 8-ton excavator and we pegged out and mulch, vegetables began appearing and our team began dug several large swales around the slopes and seeded to see the wonders of permaculture healing our land . them with parrot mix . We completed the swales a day or Our buildings were cleaned out and repurposed into so after, then the rain came and breathed life into our site . a pavilion for training and our small octagonal “Carousel” I’ve learned we need to trust nature and work with nature . turned into a “Healing Hub” – a space for the many healers In my experience when you genuinely have an intention to at Crystal Waters to focus their skills . We also rebuilt an area partner with nature, nature always responds in kind . in the main building as a kitchen and workshop space . Next we dug out our terraced, community-sized At the end of March the weather began cooling and vegetable garden facing Northeast . Surprisingly, the soil our garden really began to thrive . Volunteers each took under the compaction was dark and fertile . With my small home what they needed for food each day and some days team of volunteers we cut local solid tulda bamboo and we cooked a feast from our garden’s produce for lunch . The constructed the garden’s fences . Money was in short supply swales grew sunflowers, sorghum, rye and other grains in so we built most of what we needed with local resources . long curving green lines wrapping around the site . At 2 meters high these bamboo fences would also act as Using reclaimed materials, our small team built trellises for vine crops . the “Chookopolis”, our poultry pen . From my cousin in In January 2020, Covid-19 hit and our country was Bundaberg we got “Stevo”, a leghorn rooster and several locked down for the first time in living memory. hens as a permaculture example of poultry production . Continues over...
44 Eco Village Voice – Issue #2 – 2020 Chickens on our site really enhanced our permaculture paradise and visitors began admiring our regal rooster and his girls . Children love collecting the eggs and helping feed the chooks . Each day we plant, mulch and weed our system enhancing what we began with . Using earthbags and mudcrete we built an outdoor circular classroom and a set of “Learnscaping” features where seating is built into the landscaping so students can sit for a class . Every small project contained some kind of edible plantings . One young lady has taken on planting native flowers as a source for her flower arranging business and already she is selling some of what grows here . Last week we tripled the size of her plantings as they have proved successful and Our Centre of Advanced Permaculture will soon over time they really enhance the beauty of our project . The take on trainees for our 10-week mentorship program for native plants need watering only once a week and thrive in people wanting to become teachers or project managers in the local weather conditions . Permaculture . This is a school being built by the students and In August 2020, we held our first public one-day in 10 short months we are able to teach from working models workshop all about “Prepping for the home”. and feed the participants from our site . (See next page.)
This was designed to give people a taste of the self- In my 30 years of permaculture training and front line sufficient lifestyle . The day’s activities included eating a aid work I see this type of permaculture field school as the wonderful selection of organic food from the garden . We most effective way to train people . The world now needs have recently added a 30-metre archery range, which will permaculture more than ever as our global economy is give our students a great social outlet and training, which collapsing . Many people have no jobs to go back to and enhances student’s focus . there are still climate problems looming . Our current projects ongoing are a new terraced garden Permaculture is the best toolbox for us to repair our and a nursery we’ll call the “Farm-acy” which will produce planet, feed us and our families and build a new network a variety of medicinal plants so people can purchase of localization hubs as the new “Share Economy” to medicine plants for their own home version of this replace the old “greed economy”. medicine garden . We also have a pad cut so we can retrofit an old water tank into a sauna . This will assist practitioners Visit us at Crystal Waters Permaculture Village and with detoxification in our Healing Hub . come to CAP to have a look at our island of the future.
VIDEO – What Local Means To Me >>> https://youtu.be/ZzxK29EL4J4
Eco Village Voice – Issue #2 – 2020 45 46 Eco Village Voice – Issue #2 – 2020 Permaculture Field Mentorship A 10-week intensive led by Steve Cran
So many people now, in all countries, are finding out their previous job or even profession no longer exists. The Covid-19 global shutdown has crashed the world’s economy . As the Earth’s population comes to realise there is no going back to the old “normal”, some people are now looking for a new set of skills . What skill set could carry them through to the next economy, through climate events, food shortages, civil unrest and a general breakdown of the old system?
One excellent option for smart people is to train to become At the Centre of Advanced Permaculture (CAP) we offer a a permaculture teacher or a permaculture project manager . 10 week “Permaculture Field Mentorship” program. This Permaculture offers many solutions for our current crisis . field training gives new trainers hands-on mentoring As a permaculture practitioner you can grow your own food, at our unique facilities at Crystal Waters Permaculture repair the damaged ecosystems, build houses from natural Village in Conondale, Qld, Australia. materials or waste materials . You can raise animals, poultry To teach Permaculture, you must know permaculture . and fish . Using what’s at hand, permaculture people can Our 10-week, live-in, intensive course gives students not make themselves and their family resilient and self-sufficient . only hands-on skills, but also the overall daily, weekly and To really make a difference in today’s world you could train monthly routine to run long-term permaculture projects . to become a Permaculture Teacher. Students learn to manage and maintain many types of After being a permaculture specialist and teacher on-farm systems from cropping to animal husbandry and for over 3 decades, I must say I’ve lived an extremely produce a wide range of organic produce – improving adventurous life since I this permaculture journey began . health and wellbeing . >>> https://greenwarriorpermaculture.com They also participate in the running of workshops and I’ve worked successfully in outback Aboriginal short courses . Apart from daily routine students learn to communities, rural towns and farms, and rebuilt build with bamboo, mud-crete and stone . Digging gardens, communities after conflicts in East Timor, Uganda and planting trees and attending the plants in our polyculture Ethiopia . I’ve even rebuilt communities after Earth’s largest nursery are just some of the activities we use to instill tsunami in Indonesia as well as rebuilding villages in the effective field skills . Philippines after the Earth’s largest typhoon . The backbone of this course is climate adaption Having lived and worked in the field for years at a time technology. We train all of our students to redesign I learnt so much from the people in those tortured lands . . communities, houses, farms and even cities – to be and the best thing I did for those countries was to leave resilient and sustainable in the face of global events. behind effective local Permaculture trainers . Heeding what How does that sound for a new career? is happening across our home planet now we can see the Students work and live on-site near our community world is going to need legions of Permaculture trainers to sized garden and poultry system . Our food is straight from help humanity adapt to our changing climate and produce the farm and students will learn how to prepare nutritionally their own needs from what they have . People may survive dense food from what they grow . Learn proficiency in farm what is heading our way but Permaculture gives them a tools, building tools and craft tools. Some students may chance to thrive and enjoy the transition to new ways . choose an option to learn archery and natural hunting . This 10-week program is a $5000 AUD investment in your future. Students can begin their training at anytime as we use a “chain training” system where they are given a mentor and at some stage they become a mentor for newer students . Some students may elect to take a 1 week break in the middle of their course so they can visit some of the many natural wonders in our area .
If you want to manage your own permaculture project, or become a permaculture teacher, we welcome you to sign up for this course. Enquiries: Steve Cran Phone: +61 491 076 616 Email: [email protected]
Eco Village Voice – Issue #2 – 2020 47 WILVOS – Wildlife Volunteers Association WILVOS volunteers provide rescue, rehabilitation and release services to injured, orphaned and distressed native animals. Working closely with many other wildlife services and organisations including the Australian Wildlife Hospital, local vets, local businesses, the Sunshine Coast University, local councils and the police, we receive thousands of calls and rescue requests a year. https://wilvos.org.au/ Emergency Hotline: +61 7 5441 6200 Donations over $2 are tax deductible. https://wilvos.org.au/donations-bequests/ Other Organisations
Koala Rescue QLD – Tel: 0423 618 740 https://www.koalarescueqld.org/
Bat Conservation and Rescue – 0488 228 134 https://www.bats.org.au
RSPCA QLD – Tel: 1300 ANIMAL https://www.rspcaqld.org.au/
WIRES – Tel: 1300 094 737 https://www.wires.org.au/
Wildcare – Tel: +61 7 5527 2444 https://wildcare.org.au/
Wildlife Rescue Queensland (WRQ) https://wrq.org.au/
Eumundi Wildlife Rehabilitation Centre http://bit.ly/eumundi-wildlife
Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary – Tel: 07 5534 0813 https://currumbinsanctuary.com.au/hospital
Granite Belt Wildlife Carers – Tel: 0418 144 073 https://www.gbwildlifecarers.org.au/
Twinnies Pelican & Seabird Rescue – Tel: 0421 476 561 Landsborough Tel: +61 7 5439 9995 https://www.facebook.com/twinniespelicans
Wildlife Rescue Sunshine Coast – Tel: 0458 682 152 https://www.facebook.com/WildlifeRescueSunshineCoast
www.ecovillagevoice.comEco Village Voice – Issue #2 – 2020 Don’t get too close! Many Thanks by Sammy Ringer Editor’s Note
I’d been a Wildlife Volunteer (WILV0) for some years so Sammy was a former television writer who ‘retired’ to Maleny I knew all about it, of course . Don’t humanise them, don’t many years ago thinking she’d found peace and quiet . think of them as pets, don’t expect them to live because Instead – she found wildlife! And the wildlife in our area many of them don’t . But the Pee-wee was different . I called gives her thanks! him Peepee . He was a bumptious character. From day one, he was hopping onto the hand, onto the (Ed .) As i was watching news about the devastation of the shoulder, chittering and pecking and insisting on his food . fires, and for weeks reading wildlife sanctuaries stories of By day two he was house trained, knew feeding hours and losing all their animals, my heart went out to them all and was laying on the charm . However, he was still a juvenile, far I know may readers will feel the same . It’s the brave and too young to cope on his own . tireless wildlife carers, such as Sammy - and MANY others too On day five, he escaped from the aviary and fluttered – are caring, rescuing our unprotected fauna . up into a tree . Hitting myself round the head for my stupidity, I’m sure it’s often a thankless task, but please help if you I debated whether to get a ladder or wait and see what he can . I’ve given a bit of petrol money at the service station in did . I got the ladder, a handful of mealy worms and a small Maleny to directly help Sammy get around and they welcome prayer of hope and edged towards him . such donations . If you can donate to the organisations listed He gobbled the worms and chreeeked and I gently lifted here, I am sure they need it – and can use it now while waiting him down and put him back in the aviary . If only they were for our Government to kick in funds . all that easy! The time came for a soft release and I began to So, Sammy and ALL wildlife carers. THANK YOU ! leave the aviary door open . Intrepid “Pee-Wee” and WILVO Sammy Ringer
He kind of liked that and decided to divide his time between the great outdoors and my house . Each night at dusk, he would fly in and plonk himself on my shoulder . When it was really dark, I would take him out to the aviary, bid him good night and place him on his branch . Though the aviary door remained open, he seemed to realise that this was where he was to sleep . Over time, his morning chreeking became a warbling . I fancied that he was calling out to a lady Pee wee down the road and waited for him to fly off and join her . He didn’t . He warbled and chreeked and sat on my shoulder at dusk and went to bed each night . Then, one Thursday between 4 .30 and 5pm, he was gone . Simply gone... And he hasn’t come back. And though I shouldn’t mourn him, I do . But – perhaps I shouldn’t . After all, if you were a handsome teenage Pee-wee https://wilvos.org.au/ with a new mate, would you visit the step-mother-in-law? Emergency Hotline: +61 7 5441 6200
Eco Village Voice – Issue #2 – 2020 49 Forty Years of The Crystal Waters Community The Past • The Present • The Future by Bob Sample
I’d like to start by saying that I am often strong in expressing my opinions. I am aware that there are people who have different opinions and I accept that. My memories of some things are very sharp, of others not so clear. My intention is not to tell the “history of Crystal Waters” but rather tell what my experience was living here. – Bob Sample – October 2019
I am very conscious of expressing recognition and The Past gratitude to the traditional First Nation custodians In the very early days of the community the Crystal Waters land did speak to me in a very meaningful way . It spoke of of this land, the Junibara and Gubbi Gubbi (Kabi the purpose of people moving here . It seemed simple at the Kabi) peoples . time, but now has much greater meaning . “People will come I often hear recognition of the “past, present, here to rediscover their connection to each other and their and emerging” custodians of country . The concept of connection to the land” . Yes, it seemed simple at the time, custodianship resonates strongly with me . Since my teen but I now know that “connection to each other” is to have years I have rejected our cultural concept of ownership . I have empathy understanding and compassion for all humans, not not “owned” anything of significance, be it land, horses or just fellow community members; challenging but possible . other items that were important in my life . In my mind I had I now also know that the “connection to the land” is a custodianship of them that allowed my interaction with, not just to the soil, but also to all plants, reptiles, insects, access to them and a responsibility to care for their welfare . birds and animals on the land . I now understand that “the My first experience of this Conondale area began fifty land” is not just the 250 hectares of Crystal Waters, but years ago . Very quickly I had a sense of this Upper Mary our Planet Earth . It was in fact a profound teaching very Valley becoming “my country” . It related not just to the relevant as we approach 2020 . land now Crystal Waters, but to the entire valley, and still First Nation people refer to “past, present and does . I cannot experience our First Nations people’s sense emerging” custodians of country. When I moved onto of “country” as it has so many generations of history, but the land, now known as Crystal Waters, I assumed the because of my own experience, I certainly understand it . responsibility of custodianship . Even during the many years living away from Crystal It is a responsibility so neglected by Australians Waters, I continued to visit regularly to connect with generally . Only recently with the pressure of climate change country . As I walk around, it “speaks to me” . I feel the ley upon us is mainstream Aussie culture realising the need for lines, I feel the high energy points . It nurtures me . custodianship and care of country .
50 Eco Village Voice – Issue #2 – 2020 As the Crystal Waters Community formed in 1978 the I would like to now focus on the Crystal Waters responsibility of custodianship soon embraced a group of Community, its past, its present, and its future . The people . At times I had to speak strongly against selling one community has gone through various phases or cycles . Very of the three land titles . We were asset rich and cash poor quickly in mid-1978 around fifteen people joined me and my as a community . I felt strongly that the integrity of the land partner on the land . It was a time of magic for me . We shared depended on it remaining as a whole . I felt my sense of meals together, we established vegetable gardens together, custodianship . We remained cash poor . we planted fruit trees, milked a cow and a goat and cared for That sense of personal custodianship finished when I the horses together . We sat and talked through issues and transferred the titles to the Permaculture Village Trust (not reached a consensus about decisions to be taken . sure of the entity) so that the Crystal Waters Permaculture By late 1980 we realised that we needed a legal entity . Village group title subdivision could be enacted . The formation meeting for the Crystal Waters Community Like our First Nation people I accept that custodianship Cooperative was overwhelming in terms of the number of of country is an ongoing responsibility . There are many people who came to support us; not the 20 to 25 we expected, present residents of Crystal Waters who know they have but around 100 . Very quickly the number of residents this responsibility towards our land, but I am aware there increased . As is the case more recently, people came with very are many who give it little thought . Yet if we think in terms different expectations and hopes about community living . For of “past, present and emerging” we have no option but to some it was an escape from mainstream society, for others it accept that responsibility . was a chance to build a better society . Some just came to drop When I moved onto our land in 1977 it was very out and heal . Deep and meaningful friendships were forged . overgrazed and poorly maintained . Three neighbours each In 1983 I moved to Sydney to deal with “unfinished leased one of the three titles . They had no incentive but to business” with my parents and returned late in the year to get as much from it and put as little as possible into the land . find a great deal of conflict and disharmony . Every year and sometimes twice a year the ridges of pasture We had lengthy meetings to try and resolve the issues were burned . It was over-stocked with cattle . I moved onto but with little result . At what proved to be the final meeting the land with a conservative stock of forty horses . There of the then eighty plus residents, I proposed that everyone has never been a “strategic burn” since then . Trees have should ask themselves the question “am I here for what I can revegetated the ridges . gain from Crystal Waters or for what I can contribute” . In our earliest days we adopted a policy of “organic” The coming weeks were some of the saddest of my life . farming practices: no hormone sprays, no artificial fertilisers . Very special friends packed their belongings and moved out . Care of the land was a priority . We very quickly saw that the We were left with around seven or eight members of Crystal kangaroos, wallabies and fauna in general could not feel safe if Waters Community . we had dogs and cats here . Some community members found Those of us who remained decided we needed more other homes for their dogs; some dogs were old and allowed to security for people to settle long-term and to build dwellings finish their lives here . I viewed this as part of our custodianship here . I approached Max Lindegar and Robert Tapp . They of the land . With the establishment of the CW Permaculture suggested a group title subdivision of about thirty blocks Village these policies were adopted into the new structure . designed with Permaculture principles . Continues over...
Eco Village Voice – Issue #2 – 2020 51 We had insufficient money to pay their fees, so they Money had been put aside for this function . The Deck agreed to do the design work when not doing paying Building was constructed . Over the years, expenses incurred consultancy . They each were to take a block of the by the Coop exceeded income and the Body Corporate subdivision as fees . This process had not progressed far when contributed finance to maintain the viability of the Coop . Max phoned me to say he had a group with him who were With two legal entities, decision making for the looking for land to establish a community . They had people community became a difficult if not impossible process . and money, we had land . It seemed a good combination . Many times, important issues were discussed at length After discussions and negotiations Max and Robert were without decisions being reached . Crystal Waters gained the joined by Geoff Young and Barry Goodman to complete a reputation of a “talkfest” venue . design for an expanded group title subdivision . It was council approved and eventually state approved also . Infrastructure The Present of roads, dams, power supply and a water system began I think it was in 2015 that I became aware that the “energy for when sufficient deposits were paid on the residential blocks . change” was growing at Crystal Waters . I spoke about this with It was very mixed feelings for me as I watched land for quite a few people but not much action was evident . Now I can which I had a very strong emotional attachment being so see that the seeds for change were being sown . They needed dramatically changed with excavations for dams, trenches to be nurtured and encouraged to grow . dug for pipes and bitumen roads constructed . But I somehow Since then much has happened to excite me about this knew it was the right thing . As people moved onto their blocks process of change . Several new people have moved into the the major task of building dwellings and making them liveable community; some purchasing blocks others with differing began . Looking back now that was the immediate past . rental living arrangements . Many are younger people with Part of that era included the very difficult decision for fresh ideas and energy . The number of children has increased Vanessa and I to choose between letting go of our 100 plus dramatically . The bakery has changed ownership and is horses and staying at Crystal Waters – or moving away from thriving . The Flowerpot Coffee Shop is a wonderful facility . the community with them . Quite a few new residents did Yoav and Bec’s creative food is appreciated by many . For a not like the horses being on the Permaculture Village land while, community meals were strongly supported each and we understood this . As we’d begun a business, “Horse Friday evening . Trek Australia”, and a successful breeding program, and my A proposal for a Centre for Advanced Permaculture has family were very successful endurance riders . So, we made been submitted to and approved by the Coop . Many residents the difficult decision to leave Crystal Waters . expressed strong support for this . Group discussions are The community had begun a process of establishing taking place about issues that have been unresolved in the the Coop with its ownership of Upper and Lower Lot 1 and past . Proposals for the Crystal Waters Cooperative to become The Eco Park visitor’s area blocks . The Body Corporate and a viable business are being formulated . A business directory the Coop were two separate legal entities with different for Crystal Waters and Conondale Area is functioning well – responsibilities; the Body Corporate to act for landowners, https://cwac.com.au/ Also a comprehensive survey called the Coop to provide services for the general community . the Growing Local Project has been put together to gain
52 Eco Village Voice – Issue #2 – 2020 Photos supplied by Bob Sample supplied by Photos
knowledge about our community . Gatherings have taken that will come to our dwellings when requested and take place to explore new ways of community decision making . us to our destination . I observe the role being played by our Recently a group of people who have migrated to Australia First Nation peoples in mainstream culture . Despite their as refugees visited CW . Soon some First Nation Elders will severe disadvantage in so many remote communities, many visit and talk with us . outstanding First Nation people are speaking out or playing The present is very much a time for exploring the what a significant role in our society . and how . It is more than a time of discussion; it is a time for Older people such as academic and author, Prof. Marcia strategic planning and action . I have a mantra for CW I have Langton, educator and author Chris Sarra, journalist Stan used during the past two years . It is “creativity, spontaneity, Grant, sportsman Adam Goodes, author Bruce Pascoe (Dark and freedom of spirit” . I repeated it often . Perhaps this is Emu), plus numerous younger health and legal professionals adding to the present energy of change . as well as entertainers and artists, are being recognised . I love that they are grounded in their indigenous culture The Future and languages but are fully functional in our mainstream I am very aware that our mainstream culture has become culture and with English . Crystal Waters has a role to play increasingly dysfunctional . Homelessness and poverty, mental as First Nation people move our extreme consumerism/ illness, relationship breakdown and violence, substance technology obsessed society back into a balance . abuse and addiction, suicide . So many indicators confirm Australians will recognise our responsibility for this dysfunction . The mainstream media and our national accepting custodianship of country and our long 45,000+ politicians distract us from these important issues . They year history as a nation . I am aware of First Nation people highlight what we should fear . They make promises of a more adopting virtual reality headsets to use with troubled youths . prosperous future and encourage compulsive consumerism . The young people are “taken to” a campfire setting with I am also aware of many individuals and groups who elders to listen to dreaming stories and discussions that help are involved in unselfish and deeply empathetic projects . with mental health issues and suicide prevention . Projects to help others both within Australia and overseas . Increasingly people will attend courses at Crystal Waters This applies to some Crystal Waters residents who have and take the knowledge out into mainstream society . We’ll projects in remote Indigenous communities, in Africa, in employ methods and techniques that reverse the present Cambodia and other Asian countries . climate change, land degradation and species extinction The potential exists at Crystal Waters to provide an trends . Use of a Foundation/Property Trust entity will see the example of a community that is a truly self-sustaining Crystal Waters Community expand beyond the boundaries of “Eco” Village . We’ll integrate some of those disadvantaged our present land and our population of will steadily increase . minorities into our community . We’ll generate income All this is possible . We need only the will and vision to for many who live here . Food production on the land will make that, and even more, a reality . It’s an exciting period increase and we’ll utilise modern technology such as Block for our species on Planet Earth, in Australia and at Crystal Chain and Crypto-currency in creative ways . We will even Waters . I am truly delighted and excited to be part of this have self-driving electric vehicles for use around the land era of change.
Eco Village Voice – Issue #2 – 2020 53 The Birth of Crystal Waters An Astrological Interpretation by Richard Giles
The Rat is the first zodiac sign in the Chinese astrology system of 12 animals; so 2020 is the beginning of a new 12 year cycle.
A contradictory combination of sensitivity, rebelliousness, independence and idealism makes up Crystal Waters Ecovillage, all courtesy of astrology’s interpretations.
Crystal Waters Permaculture Village was officially born The Cancer Homemaker Photo: Evgeni Tcherkasski via unsplash 29th June 1988 at 3.56pm AEST – documented by a letter Crystal Waters was born in a degree of the Water sign Cancer with date and time, signed by the Queensland minster of so its a homemaking entity and even, dare I say it, a mother the day who gave the approval . Obtaining this date and figure in that it connects us with our mothers (through the timing came with the help of one of the original village link to the Earth as Mother) which fits well with the notion designers Barry Goodman, who kept the original . as why Crystal Waters was founded . Some readers will not give any credence to Astrology Cancer rules the oceans, water and the Moon . Cancers but regardless of that, as an astrologer of 30 years I are very effected by Moon phases, so it wouldn’t be get to know it works in spite of the scientific critiques . surprising for us as a community to respond to Moon cycles . This astro-star links system has a history going back Cancers respond easily to the moods of others around thousands of years With. that date and time confirmed them soaking up emotions like a sponge . That means I constructed a chart to explore what astrology reveals that if many on Crystal Waters are happy then it affects about our community . Understanding the astrology of a everyone else – if many get snitchy then the mood affects person, a business, or a country is all based on the same us all . Cancer rules things such as bakeries, boats, homes, principles . With a date, time and place chart you can do lakes and plumbing . We have our very own bakery and a interpretations . There is one school of astrology studying lot of lakes/dams which are probably not used enough for the destiny and character of countries and politics named a Cancer collective . And we have our own plumbing, the ‘mundane astrology’ . water reticulation system .
54 Eco Village Voice – Issue #2 – 2020 Cancers have quite a lot of trouble separating themselves As a community, we’re a double Sagg with Cancer Sun, from their early childhood experiences and so there can two signs at variance with each other and clash over what be many issues here about support, and early experiences . makes us feel fundamentally at ease . Two are ruled by Fire Cancers work better when they listen to their own intuition and the other is ruled by Water so there’ll be some internal than they do their intellects - good lesson there . struggle between the need to feel secure and safe and the Next most important in a chart is the Moon, determining need to do your own thing, and be free . your emotional links to self, the way you emote and the The Moon is in a tight formation of planets with routines that formed your early life with your roots in the Saturn, Uranus and Neptune all in Saggie/Capricorn . This family and the past . Crystal Waters’ chart has the Moon in combination is quite a testing one with Saturn being the Sagittarius . This is very interesting because of the fact that ruler of authority, systems and the father, and Uranus being the orginal founder Bob Sample is Sagittarian and a horse the ruler of independence and doing things differently . Here man . There were up to twenty horses or more on the property we have a classic case of a rebellious consciousness trying in early years . The chart has an Ascendant in Sagittarius (the to work through the father influence and come to terms Zodiac sign on the eastern horizon at the moment of birth) with changing the way in which the system works . Uranus which is also very appropriate, especially when you consider indicates the group has the energy to lift the consciousness Bob Sample, the original owner, is Sagittarian by birth . of traditional ways to a new dimension of action . The Ascendant determines your visible appearance and the way in which others see you . Sagittarius is strongly associated with the horse and the need for freedom in Richard Giles education, the religious and philosophical fields and is also has been an astrologer associated with internationalism . Sagittarius rules publishing, for 30 years, and a dreams and travel . The world is all one family to a Sagittarian . commentator on ABC The Moon (ruled by Water) in a Fire sign is a challenging . radio programs, as well as It means we have a strong need to do our own thing in our writing astrological articles own homes and with the Sun in Cancer and Moon in Sagg for many independent its likely people will do their own building and renovating in Australian magazines . their homes not always following the rules . Being regulated is Richard is a Feng Shui something Sagittarians don’t like . Many buildings will reflect consultant in people’s their owners’ own notions of independence . A lot of homes homes and properties in SE here are radically different in building style as well as the Queensland and Northern support systems that run them – self-sufficiency will be key . NSW . He also writes a yearly The Moon rules the general public so we are out there analytical forecast for the affecting the public with our community model and offering Chinese New Year . an alternative way of building and living .
Eco Village Voice – Issue #2 – 2020 55 International Research Colloquium on Ecovillages & Resilient Lifestyles
The YEEES Project and the Global Ecovillage Network warmly invite you to participate . . Register now at: https://yeees-project.org/digital-research-colloquium/ For our second online colloquium on 21 OCTOBER 2020 we invite Dr. Rebeca Roysen as a guest speaker on the topic of Ecovillages as sustainability “classrooms”, and we count on the participation of Dr. Daniel Greenberg, who has extensive experience in the subject . Due to the growing interest in research about community life and sustainable lifestyles, and the lack of systematization and forums on this subject, we are creating a space for interaction and constructive dialogue among researchers that study ecovillages and other resilient lifestyles and establishing a research group . Researchers, master students and interested PhD candidates are very welcome . The aim is to increase data sharing, exchange experiences, identify knowledge gaps and opportunities for collaboration through a series of thematic online sessions taking place on – always at 16:00 CET on: 21 October 2020 – 25 November 2020 – 16 December 2020 NOTE: Register once for all sessions. Click here to check your time zone. Rebeca Roysen Daniel Greenberg, Ph.D holds a PhD in Sustainable Development and an MSc in founded the non-profit Living Routes (in 1999), which Social Psychology . She is a Volunteer Lecturer at the Centre partnered with UMass-Amherst to run study abroad for Advanced Studies of Cerrado at the University of Brasilia programs based in ecovillages around the world . Over 1,500 (Centro UnB Cerrado – CER/UnB) . students were transformed by these immersive experiences . She lives with her daughter in the Aratikum ecovillage Daniel left Living Routes in 2012 to start a new social venture at Instituto Biorregional do Cerrado (IBC) since 2016 and is called Earth Deeds and recently CAPE Custom Academic the current Coordinator of IBC’s pedagogical eco-centre . Programs in Ecovillages . Daniel has been a leading advocate She is also a member of the Global Ecovillage for sustainability within international education and the Network (GEN) research group . Her research interests Ecovillage movement . He chaired Sustainability Task Forces are: sustainability transitions, social practice theories, for NAFSA: Association of International Educators and the ecovillages and other grassroots innovations, higher Forum for Education Abroad, is co-founder and past Board education and transdisciplinarity . Member of Gaia Education, and served as President of the >>> https://www.amazon.com/author/rebecaroysen Global Ecovillage Network from 2015-2019 . >>> https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Rebeca_Roysen >>> http://www.cape.consulting/
The YEEES Project The Global Ecovillage Network (GEN) Yields of Evocative Entrepreneurial Approaches on is a growing network of regenerative communities and Environment and Society (YEEES) fosters the development initiatives that builds bridges between policy-makers, of innovative entrepreneurial approaches . As an international governments, academics, entrepreneurs, NGOs, activists, project, we connect a variety of universities from Germany community networks and ecologically-minded individuals and Southern Africa (South Africa, Namibia, Mozambique) across the globe in order to develop strategies for a global via implementing two interconnected centers seen as transition to resilient communities and cultures . GEN international networks: the YEEES Training Center an YEEES catalyzes communities for a regenerative world . Research Center . >>> https://yeees-project.org/about/ >>> https://ecovillage.org/
56 Eco Village Voice – Issue #2 – 2020 Eco Village Voice What’s online & coming up
Eco Village Voice has been testing online systems and gathering crew. Big plans are shaping up to grow our online community – now that we have a wider global social media presence and increasing circulation . This issue of the magazine was delayed due to the health issues (not COVID) of myself, editor, Michael Ney – I’m on the mend now, and thanks for your patience . It certainly has been a strange year and we are not in the clear yet . . 1000 deaths daily in USA with the pandemic, and high numbers elsewhere too! The economy is faltering on a global scale and obviously it is going to take time to recover . Let us not forget the entire planet is also in a continuing ecological crisis . . and that is what our publishing platform is all about! What can we do to reverse the damage and find more sustainable ways for our human civilisation to continue . Here’s what we’re offering the world... The Magazine So, Eco Village Voice will be released on a quarterly basis from now on . . with the next issue arriving in January 2021, followed by April, etc . Newsletters Eco Village Voice intends to continue with free monthly newsletters from November 2020 . Previous newsletters: https://ecovillagevoice.com/news Membership We welcome you to become a member of our online community . See options here: https://ecovillagevoice.com/ecovillagevoice-signup Podcasts & Webinars We have a range of very special guests coming over next few months . See our previous recordings at: https://ecovillagevoice.com/podcasts Have you seen previous podcasts? Morag Gamble (Permaculture Education Institute), and Mike New (Wild Community) in conversation – https://ecovillagevoice.com/evvp001-intro
Claire Ogden & Andrew McLean (Eco Villages Australia in Maleny QLD), hosted by Nicole Hartley Bradford of “Awakening the Village” in Canada . – https://ecovillagevoice.com/evvp002-intro
Lois Arkin and Diana Leafe Christian discuss Los Angeles Eco-Village, its early days, structure and features – https://ecovillagevoice.com/evvp003-intro and Webinars We’re proud to present Steve Cran – the Centre of Advanced Permaculture . See his 2 hour webinar here: https://ecovillagevoice.com/webinars ...and more coming soon!
ALSO ... Ecovillage Film Festival – see page 31. For news and updates stay tuned to: https://ecovillagefilmfestival.com
Eco Village Voice – Issue #2 – 2020 57 Permaculture Education Book Review with Morag Gamble by David Silverman
What happens when new communities movements succeed and begin to shape policy? In Organic Revolutionary, author Grace Gershuny traces her journey from her beginnings as a back- to-the land pioneer in communalist and buddhist communities to her rise as a leading voice for organic farming in the crucible years of struggle as the United States official responsible for defending the best of organic practice in the shaping of the US Organic Agriculture standards .
Our Permaculture Life Blog has over 400 permaculture articles, how-to’s, masterclasses, podcasts, recipes and more.
u https://ourpermaculturelife.com.au
Our Permaculture Life YouTube Channel has 200+ permaculture clips and short films - practical garden guides, plant information, garden tours, masterclasses, conversations with interesting permaculture people . . . and more.
u https://youtube.com/c/ moraggambleourpermaculturelife
Permaculture Educators Program Along the way Gershuny loved and lost and loved again, A comprehensive online Permaculture Teacher’s grew farms and families, magazines, communities, course including a Permaculture Design and schools and movements that have reshaped our world Teacher certificates with members on 6 continents. for the better . As ecovillages emerge onto the world This program is led by Morag Gamble. scene as centers for learning and models for ecological For each student who joins, she donates a course transitions, how will ecovillagers translate our small to a community leader in the global south. scale community practice and global networks into policy and placemaking in a world of government u https://permacultureducationinstitute.org regulation and corporate control? Gershuny’s unique perspective and down to earth, personal tale from the frontlines of the organic movements transforming the industrial order makes for an inspiring, must-read biography . For ecovillagers committed to reaching out to the mainstream while promoting the core values and practices that nurture the communities we love and the world needs, here’s a great guidebook to becoming the change-agents we want to see in the world . >>> https://www.organic-revolutionary.com/about Permayouth Black Rose Books, 244 pages, © 2019 Free permaculture online festivals and Paperback: 978-1-55164-675-6 gatherings for youth aged 11-18. Hardcover: 978-1-55164-677-0
u https:/permayouth.org Ebook: 978-1-55164-679-4
58 Eco Village Voice – Issue #2 – 2020 Robin’s Recipes Robin Clayfield Leek, Pumpkin and Orange Sauce Dynamic Groups
• The Art and Skill of Creative Facilitation and Learning • Training Teachers, Facilitators and Group Leaders • Holistic Methodology and Heart Centred Practises
Offering globally and locally… • ‘Dynamic Groups, Dynamic Learning’ Courses, Ingredients Consultancy and Mentoring * 4 cups of cooked pumpkin (cook with • ‘Dynamic Decision Making’ Community 3 leeks chopped in circles and sauteed Governance and Problem Solving in some coconut or olive oil with • Visioning and Team Building Workshops a tiny bit of water • Keynotes, Conference Presentations + * 2 oranges, juiced Designed Sessions to Your Brief * 1 clove of garlic, finely chopped • Books, Resources and Kits for Teachers, * 1 tsp honey Facilitators and Change Agents • Permaculture and Social Permaculture Method – Books and Courses Blend all ingredients and serve heated up and poured • Ceremony, Ritual, Heart Circles + over steamed vegies, rice or as a healthy replacement ‘Dynamic Relationships’ Processes for peanut sauce in any Gado Gado recipe .
See Robin’s Gado Gado recipe in her book ‘You Can This delicious recipe is just one Have Your Permaculture and Eat It Too’ on page 110 or of many from Robin’s book simply arrange a mix of cooked and raw vegetables “You can have your and some marinated or sauteed tempeh in a tasteful Permaculture and pattern, as per the photograph, top with the sauce and eat it too!” garnish with sliced avocado . Get the 3rd edition – Vegies to use... only $38 AUD include steamed potato, sweet potato, sliced in circles, https://dynamicgroups.com. steamed beans, steamed or raw broccoli, raw capsicum au/books-products-2/you- permaculture-eat-too/ and tomato wedges, snow peas, red onion in thin slices, shredded cabbage (wombok is best) or shredded lettuce Phone: +61 7 5494 4707 or mixed salad greens, sprouts etc . Some recipes use Email: [email protected] tofu, eggs and other in season vegetables . Web: https://www.dynamicgroups.com.au
Eco Village Voice – Issue #2 – 2020 59 Resources for Democracy compiled by Ernest Marcum & David Silverman Ecovillages on the Frontline... Ecovillages and intentional communities have played central roles in struggles for freedom against authoritarianism and fascism around the world . Today is no different . Here are some threads from that history of ecovillages and intentional communities on the frontline, from the Movement for a New Society and the many communities it inspired in the 1960s, to the growing networks weaving the regenerative ecovillage and social movements of 2020 .
Training for Change >>> https://www.trainingforchange.org – based in the U .S . offers training and workshops for community organizers and activists from all over the world, in movement building for social justice and radical change, as well as in non-violent direct action to protect elections and oppose growing authoritarianism . For founder and lead trainer George Lakey, this work builds on his experience as a member of the Philadelphia Life Community, the founding intentional community of the historic Movement for a New Society (MNS) that introduced Gandhian non-violence to environmental and communities movements in the 1970s and has inspired much of today’s ecovillage movement worldwide . See Lakey’s most recent book ‘How We Win – A Guide To Nonviolent Direct Action Campaigning’ . Click cover image to download . >>> https://www.mhpbooks.com/books/how-we-win/
One important influence on MNS was Murray Bookchin’s “Note on Affinity Groups” in “Post Scarcity Anarchism” – https://b-ok.cc/book/981542/6bbee3 – which introduced modern communities to the essential organizing lessons of the Spanish anarchist communities of the 1930’s . Bookchin’s work is continued today through the Institute for Social Ecology (ISE) >>> https://www.social-ecology.org Today Institute for Social Ecology offers training on campus and online, and collaborates with bioregional and communalist networks such as Symbiosis >>> https://www.symbiosis-revolution.org/ From its beginnings, ISE’s trainings and collaborations have shaped ecovillages worldwide . The ideas and practice of social ecology provide a basis for the democratic development of ecovillages and larger municipalities, which challenge the looming threats of ecofascism and authoritarianism, i .e . in “Ecofascism Revisited” by Janet Biehl and Peter Staudenmeier . >>> https://www.akpress.org/ecofascismrevisited.html
Social ecologists helped organize the first prototypical urban ecovillage/co-op in the US, the Loisaida East 11th Street co-ops, NY, USA, which Dan Chodorkoff, the current head of the Institute for Social Ecology captured in the fictionalized account ‘Loisaida’ . >>> https://www.amazon.com/Loisaida-Dan-Chodorkoff/dp/0983206325
Cooperation Jackson (Jackson, MS, USA) – their principles shown in the diagram >>> https://cooperationjackson.org/
Rojova in the Kurdish regions of Syria, Zapatistata communities in Chiapas, Mexico and many more . – Rojava Today: Where is the Movement Now? >>> https://youtu.be/bG6wnKCzmr0
60 Eco Village Voice – Issue #2 – 2020 New Society Publishers is another offshoot of Movement for a New Society, continuing to publish critical books on ecovillages and democracy, including Human Permaculture, Ithaca Ecovillage, and Finding Community, by our own EVV Co-Editor Diana Leafe Christian and the organizing group . >>> https://newsociety.com/books/f/finding-community
Einstein Institute founder Gene Sharp was also deeply influenced by MNS . Dr . Sharpe is the author of the three volume set ‘The Politics of Nonviolent Action’, and, ‘From Dictatorship to Democracy: A Conceptual Framework for Liberation’ . His strategy of peaceful resistance inspired velvet The process tools and lessons learned in revolutions that toppled dictators on four continents . ecovillages & intentional communities Today, the Institute offers toolkits for community like the Life Center continue to benefit based nonviolent action that have been used by movements in the larger society, as millions worldwide in opposing authoritarian regimes . Andrew Cornell has documented in his >>> https://www.aeienstein.org book “Oppose and Propose!”. >>> https://www.akpress.org/ The premiere global meeting place for communities opposeandpropose.html and movements organizing to undertake social change action can be found in another MNS influenced successor, Nonviolence International >>> https://www.nonviolenceinternational.net/about – which recently hosted an essential global panel of activists and scholars, on community responses to authoritarianiism . >>> https://www.nonviolenceinternational.net/ democracy_defense
Positive News When much of the media is full of doom and gloom, instead Positive News is the first media organisation in the world dedicated to quality, independent reporting about what’s going right . Pioneers of ‘constructive journalism’ – a new approach in the media – is about rigorous and relevant journalism focused on progress, possibility, and solutions . Published daily online and the Positive News print magazine is published quarterly . >>> https://twitter.com/PositiveNewsUK >>> https://positive.news
Eco Village Voice – Issue #2 – 2020 61 Podcasts, Videos & Webcasts compiled by Ernest Marcum
Beginning with this instalment we’ll include video and webcast presentations along with conventional audio- only podcasts where the visual content is incidental and the works are primarily ‘listenable’. Recent studies have found that on average, more listeners get their podcasts from Youtube than from Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts or Spotify, depending on demographic, with that percentage steadily increasing. Have you found a podcast you’d like to share? Please let us know about it... [email protected]
The ChangeMakers Podcast Mother Earth News Podcasts Warming World . . stories about people trying to change Now based in Topeka Kansas, USA, A crowdspeaking platform for individuals the world . “Since 2017 we have been Mother Earth News is a print and digital to rally together to spread a climate travelling the world reporting on amazing publication that turns 50 this year, and change related message every week . change makers. One week you are in now produce podcasts too featuring >>> http://warming.world/en/ Moscow hearing about anti-Putin activists, down-to-earth eco-celebrities and then you jump to Standing Rock, then to the experts – covering a variety of topics Hong Kong protests and later to the March of interest to ecovillagers, ranging for our Lives students in Parklands.” from raising chickens, goats, llamas, https://www.youtube.com/channel/ ducks and bees, to gardening, canning UC4ncsy6Aoi0Vb12rGXG7RQQ and food preservation, how to install windmills and passive solar and home A Regenerative Future is a podcast series Latest episode is ‘Theory of Change’ business startup, to medicinal plant by permaculture educator Matt Powers . – a broadly used term to describe identification and Kombucha brewing . Experts worldwide share their wisdom the process by which movements or >>> https://www.motherearthnews. on repairing ecosystems . organisations conceive how they will com/podcast >>> https://soundcloud.com/ achieve the change they strive for . regenerativefuture Published October 15, 2020 . OR - https://itunes.apple.com/us/ >>> https://www.youtube.com/ podcast/permaculture-tonight/ watch?v=oaPwDJzwAVQ id996293969?mt=2
Kiss the Ground has become a premier online educational hub for regenerative agriculture, offering an online “pathway” for anyone to find resources and their unique way forward in contributing to this expanding global movement .
Kiss the Ground educates millions of people across the globe and provide pathways for everyone to participate in the movement . Through our Stewardship and Farmland programs we directly support farmers and their adoption of regenerative agriculture and cultivate leaders who can implement change at a community level and within the key sectors of business, policy, media, and education . We also create inspiring media, strong partnerships, and shift policy . https://kisstheground.com/
62 Eco Village Voice – Issue #2 – 2020 New Stories for Climate Action Ernest Marcum Documentary Australia Foundation will host an inspiring online pitch event is a journalist, photographer and ntroducing new environmental documentaries and invites your support to create filmmaker based in Maleny, QLD . a collective impact . Meet the teams behind the films and hear how they are using He writes about the transition to the power of documentary storytelling to drive climate action . a global sustainable, regenerative Tune in on Thursday, 19 November 2020 from 12:30 pm to 2:00 pm AEST culture, media activism and practical >>> https://www.eventbrite.com.au/e/new-stories-for-climate-action- strategies for social change . tickets-121990166873
The Urban Farm Podcast Library Healing in Community With over 450 episodes this series is A podcast series from NEXTGENNA your connection to the food revolution . Ecovillage Youth Network (North America) . Twice-weekly conversations with some https://www.nextgenna.org/podcast.html of the best, most innovative regenerative Ecovillage Ithaca during Pandemic with Nathan Scott farmers and home gardeners, interviews A recent episode of the Healing in Community podcast series, Nathan with up and coming urban growers, and Scott (Director of LEARN@EcoVillage), explores how an ecovillage of over 200 inspiration from healthy-food visionaries people responds to the Covid pandemic, and are they prepared for chaos of around the globe . this scale in the future? New episodes most Fridays . >>> https://soundcloud. >>> https://www.urbanfarm.org/blog/ com/nextgenna/ecovillage-ithaca-during-pandemic-with-nathan-scott podcast-library/
This documentary is born from a quest to discover a regenerative culture. It’s an invitation to discover a new way of life... a way of life measured by the rhythms of nature, the depth of human connection, the vast horizon of human potential . It’s the way of life in ecovillages . Filmed at the European Ecovillage Network’s annual European Ecovillage Gathering, – during 2 years explorating communities in Europe, the film takes us on a journey around the mandala of regeneration: how ecovillages relate to the social, economic, ecological and cultural dimensions of sustainability . It offers pathways towards a new way of seeing the world, and a new way of living together . >>> https://communitiesofhopefilm.org
Eco Village Voice – Issue #2 – 2020 63 Eco Village Voice Ad Rates Email: [email protected]
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https://ecovillagevoice.com/advertisingEco Village Voice – Issue #2 – 2020 A Message from Solreta I know many of us are feeling devastated and heart broken at the moment with the many things that are happening on earth, especially the catastrophic bush fires in Australia.
I have long had a vision of Mother Earth rising from devastation... regenerating with the pure heart power of the people, connecting and coming together, with a common prayer and goal to make the earth green and whole again. Hearing the beautiful sounds of the animals returning. Feeling the fertile soil under our bare feet.
We can all do this in our own unique way.
Some of us are visionaries, divine gardeners, animal guardians, humanitarians.
Each job is important and a part of the whole.
The veils are dropping – the truth is being revealed.
We each have an opportunity to grow and connect much deeper than ever before with Gaia and all her beautiful creatures. Let us rise to this monumental task and take our place as guardians in this corner of the galactic neighbourhood we call Earth.
Please share and hold a positive vision of Gaia rising from the ashes, like the magical Phoenix, each time you meditate or close your eyes to go to sleep, hold the vision of the earth whole, green, healthy, at peace, feeling loved by us, brimming with nature and wildlife again. We are all one. Enjoy these nature sounds... >>> https://youtu.be/8myYyMg1fFE
Solreta is an internationally known psychic and is available for soul readings. >>> https://www.solretapsychicreadings.com/ Photo: James Wheeler – Unsplash Wheeler James Photo:
Eco Village Voice – Issue #2 – 2020