We continue to be inspired and disturbed, optimistic and pessimistic, excited and depressed. Seems that we are also not alone in these oscillating waves of emotion. But what is clear is that it’s emotion in the form of love, passion, and fulfillment that is driving us towards a sustainable future and giving meaning to our lives. We feel driven to do what it is we do. Check out the end of this post to see our latest ideas…
So here’s a quick snapshot for the goings on here at Eco-Sense.
A busy summer building the cob bathroom (with composting toilet) at the local lake. So far we have about 150 hours of volunteer time invested.
Donations are being accepted to the “Highland Park and Recreation Association”. Tax receipts issued for amounts over $50.
There has been a great deal of publicity on this project (and composting toilets) including the Goldstream Gazette, CBC radio, Monday Magazine, and Chek TV. It’s been busy around here!
We have completed the cold storage (root cellar) here at Eco-Sense and had a series of workshops throughout the summer. We have met so many wonderful people that have become friends. The little cob building is so beautiful decorated with frogs, lizards, snakes, and dragonflies. Thanks to all that helped and learned.
Harrowsmith’s photographer was here on a holiday Monday at 6am to photograph our home at sunrise. The issue will be out next spring. The home is looking great with all the gardens.
We have been interviewed by a few people who are writing books, and filming documentaries trying to create a more sustainable and fun world. Check out the trailer for the upcoming documentary film “Powerful” by David Chernechenko”.www.livinglightly.ca/powerful/
Gord built a solar dehydrator
We are busy canning and drying food from our garden to support our goals of eating local…not too mention the cost savings in line with our small income.
We installed an earthen floor in a bathroom at Highlands Twin Flower Park. Ann was without a vehicle for the commute home, so she simply walked home a couple times…over some mountains and through a valley in Thetis Lakes Park. She loved it.
We have made up bobcat cob, and more rototiller cob and have even done some cob delivery to Victoria for the building of a cob bench.
Eco-Sense is busy applying for grants to fully study the energy systems of our home. We will keep you posted.
Gord gave a course at Our Ecovillage www.ourecovillage.org on grey water resource recovery and the living biofilter.
· We changed our filter for the grey water system. Wow working great. Check out all the worms in the old filter.
· We are spending our fall doing some desperately needed paid work as well as a few projects here at Eco-Sense such as building a wood shed and a cover over the back door to the house. We are also hoping to squeeze in a short kayak trip early this fall.
· We continue to be involved in various community groups. The Highlands Sustainability Task Force, the Community Centre Task Force and the Highlands Stewardship Foundation.
· TOURS: Next public tour is Sunday Sept 6th, 2009 from 10am to 12:30pm. $20. There will also be a public tour Sunday Oct. 4th, 2009, but we will take the winter off for public tours. Private tours and consultations may still be booked. Please check out the website for rates.
And finally…what if…
· What if there was a large parcel of land near Eco-Sense that had lots of arable land for farming, grazing land for animals, protected wetlands, trail access to the Galloping Goose, and a spectacular valley with magnificent rocky viewpoint outcroppings.
· What if this could potentially become a permaculture farm (agricultural reserve) with 10 small dwellings
· What if these dwellings could become a sustainable net zero energy, net zero water, and zero waste community.
· What if the land was co-owned by the residents and the dwellings were individually owned
· What if these dwellings were luxuriously simply…Simply luxurious earthen buildings; some cob, and some post/beam light/clay. All local, all natural, all less life stuff…MORE LIFE STYLE.
· What if this was affordable?
· What if Eco-Sense was the developer?
If this vision sounds as interesting to you as it does to us…
Comments?
