Our Goals

The two key components to accomplish our educational goals are the creation of a learning center and the construction of a functioning, inhabited demonstration village. The education center and village will operate symbiotically to maximize the practical learning experience.

Sustainable Learning Center

The creation of this center will enable us to expand the educational and research opportunities available to members and the general public by offering:

• Expanded schedule of classes and hands-on workshops in natural building, sustainable site development, and sustainable living skills
• Training center for owner-builders and professional natural builders and designers
• Educational displays for adults and children
• A resource center for books and periodicals, natural building materials, specialty tool lending, and networking
• A living Permaculture laboratory and demonstration site, with emphasis on edible landscaping

Eco-Demonstration Village

The village will provide on-site projects for the learning center’s natural building, permaculture and sustainable living workshops. It will also be a real-life demonstration of sustainable building and living principles, such as:

• Organic food production / edible landscaping
• Alternative water treatment systems
• Rainwater, stormwater and greywater harvesting
• Renewable energy and Reduced Demand
• Natural building
• Appropriately size buildings
• Community, Cooperation, Responsibility and Mutual Support
• Climate-responsive design
• Sustainable, low impact living practices
• Low-energy Transportation Methodologies