1. Mindfulness of our energy consumption and sources
We encourage people to share vehicles when possible
We encourage the use of renewable and earth friendly energy sources, such as solar, wind, hydro, person power, and geothermal
Homes will be designed to maintain a comfortable temperature
Food will be grown or purchased locally, when possible, to reduce the energy use related to transportation
Heating and cooling of our buildings will use renewable innovative and primitive technologies (for example, ice boxes.)
2. Working together to increase both efficiency and fun
Members are encouraged to offer and ask for help
A formal “community work” policy will be created detailing specific work responsibilities of community members
Tasks will accommodate the needs and abilities of every member
Work Parties will be organized for large projects that require a lot of hands
Children will be invited to help when possible and appropriate
Community members will participate in maintaining community spaces
We will hold space at regular meetings to discuss and assess community work needs
3. Work out a fair and generous exchange for goods and services
We encourage the use of alternative economies such as bartering, time banks, gift circles, swaps, etc.- extending to the larger community when possible and appropriate
Explore the possibility of community currency (aka… eco bucks)
4. A safe and child-friendly environment
Village Design features will take into consideration the safety and well-being of children in a semi-public village. Examples include delineation between public and private space, walking paths, elimination of hazards that could endanger an unsupervised child, room to roam, and the inclusion of child-specific spaces
Shared meals will include healthful food free of chemicals, GMOs, and excessive sugar
Children will have opportunities to express their thoughts, ideas, and concerns
Adults will behave appropriately and respectfully around children, as addressed in the Living with Children Policy
5. Use permaculture principles and practices when raising food, animals, and raw materials
We will grow as much of our own food as possible
We will create perennial food forests
We will foster an environment of health and humane care for all farm animals
We will work towards recovering lost wisdom related to food preservation, seed saving, optimal yield
We will create a sustainability model regarding village consumption and trade, as well as excess for donating
6. An Open and Sharing Community (transparency)
Any information that will help other budding ecovillages such as policies, manuals, failures/successes will be shared openly and generously
We will adopt a method of communication (NVC) that encourages honesty, positivity, and solution-based thinking in which all members will have training
We will adopt a system of communication and conflict resolution that empowers people to address immediate concerns
Policies, rules, expectations, meeting minutes, etc., will be in a public space for all to access
Expectations regarding public spaces will be clearly posted, and verbalized in a kindly way to those who cannot read
A large bulletin board will be centrally located
We will maintain a website, newsletter, and/or blog
7. An aesthetically appealing, inspiring, and uncluttered environment
We will develop a LOOSE policy around individual home design & upkeep expectations (like discouraging vehicle graveyards, littering, noise pollution, etc) that are Earth Harmonious
We will ensure the village design takes into consideration the need for beautiful spaces, and encourages the creation & preservation of spots of art, or stillness, or "participation," such as an old gnarled tree, or a mural, or labyrinth, or a meditation nook, or chimes hanging from a tree
We will strive to keep clutter to a minimum -- let everything be either necessary or loved. A place for everything, and everything in it's place
We will invite visiting visual & performing artists to our community and encourage "creating" as barter
We will continually check in with members to get ideas for what they think will enhance the aesthetics of our village
We will keep common spaces low maintenance using permaculture techniques
8. Continually examine our ideas and practices to be dynamic and forward-moving
We will have an annual re-examination of best practices regarding aspects such as energy efficiency, permaculture design, and agricultural methods.
We will review and amend policy as needed
We will attend and host conferences, workshops, speakers, and other events to keep us up-to-date and informed
We will set short and long term goals for our community and review them often
9. Encourage connection within the village and to the larger community
Communal/cooperative spaces may include: intentionally crossing pathways with thoughtful placement of homes and community buildings; tool shack; village lending library
Semi-public spaces may include: village gardens (from which we might choose to offer space to the larger community); a reading library; book groups; food coop/CSA
Public spaces may include: places for public demonstrations/workshops; an energy producing playground; a café; a farm stand
Tours, gatherings, and events such as group meals, music and drum circles, movie nights, work/project days, etc., will allow for a convergence of ideas and greater connection
10. Adopt self-sustaining and interdependent practices
We will produce as much of our own food as possible
We will continue to educate ourselves in self reliant practices
We will support families who chose to homeschool
We hope to maintain internal roads so the town doesn’t need to
The design of our village will take into consideration our impact on community resources.
11. An Affordable and Economically Sustainable Community
Small, efficient homes will reduce the individual’s financial responsibilities (building, heating/cooling, maintenance, etc.)
Work parties, when possible, will reduce the labor cost of large projects
Food can be grown, bought in bulk, or bartered to decrease the cost to individuals
Shared spaces and items will reduce the need for individuals to each purchase the same item or build the same space. (community workshop, a shared truck, portable saw mill, shared well)
The possibility of volunteer labor, donations, grants, current use, and creativity could mitigate community dues
12. Preserve and Restore Ecosystems using permaculture concepts and principles
We will minimize consumption and waste
We will create natural wildlife habitat throughout the Eco-Village design
We will maintain respectful observation of Eco-systems in order to understand how they function best
We will leave a portion of the Eco-Village that is untouched or visited very rarely
13. Respecting our impact on the larger community
We will communicate with abutters on all plans that may impact them
We will develop relationships with local food sources and businesses
We will keep abreast of local town issues
We encourage people to share vehicles when possible
We encourage the use of renewable and earth friendly energy sources, such as solar, wind, hydro, person power, and geothermal
Homes will be designed to maintain a comfortable temperature
Food will be grown or purchased locally, when possible, to reduce the energy use related to transportation
Heating and cooling of our buildings will use renewable innovative and primitive technologies (for example, ice boxes.)
2. Working together to increase both efficiency and fun
Members are encouraged to offer and ask for help
A formal “community work” policy will be created detailing specific work responsibilities of community members
Tasks will accommodate the needs and abilities of every member
Work Parties will be organized for large projects that require a lot of hands
Children will be invited to help when possible and appropriate
Community members will participate in maintaining community spaces
We will hold space at regular meetings to discuss and assess community work needs
3. Work out a fair and generous exchange for goods and services
We encourage the use of alternative economies such as bartering, time banks, gift circles, swaps, etc.- extending to the larger community when possible and appropriate
Explore the possibility of community currency (aka… eco bucks)
4. A safe and child-friendly environment
Village Design features will take into consideration the safety and well-being of children in a semi-public village. Examples include delineation between public and private space, walking paths, elimination of hazards that could endanger an unsupervised child, room to roam, and the inclusion of child-specific spaces
Shared meals will include healthful food free of chemicals, GMOs, and excessive sugar
Children will have opportunities to express their thoughts, ideas, and concerns
Adults will behave appropriately and respectfully around children, as addressed in the Living with Children Policy
5. Use permaculture principles and practices when raising food, animals, and raw materials
We will grow as much of our own food as possible
We will create perennial food forests
We will foster an environment of health and humane care for all farm animals
We will work towards recovering lost wisdom related to food preservation, seed saving, optimal yield
We will create a sustainability model regarding village consumption and trade, as well as excess for donating
6. An Open and Sharing Community (transparency)
Any information that will help other budding ecovillages such as policies, manuals, failures/successes will be shared openly and generously
We will adopt a method of communication (NVC) that encourages honesty, positivity, and solution-based thinking in which all members will have training
We will adopt a system of communication and conflict resolution that empowers people to address immediate concerns
Policies, rules, expectations, meeting minutes, etc., will be in a public space for all to access
Expectations regarding public spaces will be clearly posted, and verbalized in a kindly way to those who cannot read
A large bulletin board will be centrally located
We will maintain a website, newsletter, and/or blog
7. An aesthetically appealing, inspiring, and uncluttered environment
We will develop a LOOSE policy around individual home design & upkeep expectations (like discouraging vehicle graveyards, littering, noise pollution, etc) that are Earth Harmonious
We will ensure the village design takes into consideration the need for beautiful spaces, and encourages the creation & preservation of spots of art, or stillness, or "participation," such as an old gnarled tree, or a mural, or labyrinth, or a meditation nook, or chimes hanging from a tree
We will strive to keep clutter to a minimum -- let everything be either necessary or loved. A place for everything, and everything in it's place
We will invite visiting visual & performing artists to our community and encourage "creating" as barter
We will continually check in with members to get ideas for what they think will enhance the aesthetics of our village
We will keep common spaces low maintenance using permaculture techniques
8. Continually examine our ideas and practices to be dynamic and forward-moving
We will have an annual re-examination of best practices regarding aspects such as energy efficiency, permaculture design, and agricultural methods.
We will review and amend policy as needed
We will attend and host conferences, workshops, speakers, and other events to keep us up-to-date and informed
We will set short and long term goals for our community and review them often
9. Encourage connection within the village and to the larger community
Communal/cooperative spaces may include: intentionally crossing pathways with thoughtful placement of homes and community buildings; tool shack; village lending library
Semi-public spaces may include: village gardens (from which we might choose to offer space to the larger community); a reading library; book groups; food coop/CSA
Public spaces may include: places for public demonstrations/workshops; an energy producing playground; a café; a farm stand
Tours, gatherings, and events such as group meals, music and drum circles, movie nights, work/project days, etc., will allow for a convergence of ideas and greater connection
10. Adopt self-sustaining and interdependent practices
We will produce as much of our own food as possible
We will continue to educate ourselves in self reliant practices
We will support families who chose to homeschool
We hope to maintain internal roads so the town doesn’t need to
The design of our village will take into consideration our impact on community resources.
11. An Affordable and Economically Sustainable Community
Small, efficient homes will reduce the individual’s financial responsibilities (building, heating/cooling, maintenance, etc.)
Work parties, when possible, will reduce the labor cost of large projects
Food can be grown, bought in bulk, or bartered to decrease the cost to individuals
Shared spaces and items will reduce the need for individuals to each purchase the same item or build the same space. (community workshop, a shared truck, portable saw mill, shared well)
The possibility of volunteer labor, donations, grants, current use, and creativity could mitigate community dues
12. Preserve and Restore Ecosystems using permaculture concepts and principles
We will minimize consumption and waste
We will create natural wildlife habitat throughout the Eco-Village design
We will maintain respectful observation of Eco-systems in order to understand how they function best
We will leave a portion of the Eco-Village that is untouched or visited very rarely
13. Respecting our impact on the larger community
We will communicate with abutters on all plans that may impact them
We will develop relationships with local food sources and businesses
We will keep abreast of local town issues