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Eco housing https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ecohouse

An Eco-house (or Eco-home) is an environmentally low-impact home designed and built using materials and technology that reduces its carbon footprint and lowers its energy needs. .An Eco-house could include some or all of the following: Higher than normal levels of thermal insulation. Better than normal air-tightness.

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I have been passionate about sustainable living and eco-friendly housing for years. My dream is to live in an eco-community. In my mind, it is called Eco-Haven. A community of sustainable housing with a variety of size, designs, and privacy.

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Ecovillages are communities of people drawn together by the common goal of living more sustainably. Their commitment and practices vary from ecovillage to ecovillage but all share the bond of not being satisfied with the status quo. Ecovillagers seek to live in harmony with the environment and develop their land with an eye on protecting vital natural systems and on fostering good relations with neighbors, both of the human and animal variety. They farm and garden, pool their buying power to save money, and may share other community resources like cars and tools. Does every house on the block really need to have its own lawn mower?

The modern-day ecovillage has its roots in the communes that first popped up in the '60s and '70s. As the environmental movement was born and matured, more eco-centered communities started forming. In 1991, sustainability experts Robert and Diane Gilman wrote "Ecovillages and Sustainable Communities," a study on ecovillages undertaken on behalf of Gaia Trust that helped lead to the formation, four years later, of the first ecovillage conference that took place in Findhorn, Scotland. That event led to the founding of the Global Ecovillage Network and to countless ecovillages all around the world.

We scoured the web in search of five American ecovillages that have taken root and thrived. Whether you're reading because you're just curious about ecovillages or are looking for a new place to call your eco-home, these five make for a good read.

Dancing Rabbit Ecovillage

The Dancing Rabbit Ecovillage was started in 1997 with the purchase of 280 acres of land in northeastern Missouri and has grown into a group of neighbors dedicated to building a place where people respect the environment and work to make their community a better place. They grow a lot of their own food and often prepare big meals together. Homes built at Dancing Rabbit must follow sustainability guidelines concerning the house design, building materials and techniques used, while residents get around off the farm using one of the cars from their private car share service, all of which are powered by biodiesel.

EcoVillage at Loudoun County

EcoVillage at Loudoun County sits on 180 acres of land in Loudoun County, Va., over half of which is set aside as conservation land. Residents enjoy trails and shared space and facilities like their planned Common House, which will provide space for community meals and events. All the homes are built according to green standards and guidelines and are much more environmentally sound than your conventional home. Their website has a great selection of photographs and more information on buying one of the few lots still available.

Sawyer Hill EcoVillage

The Sawyer Hill EcoVillage in Berlin, Mass., is the merged community of two cohousing groups, Camelot Cohousing and Mosaic Commons. Sawyer Hill is set on 65 acres of land near Worcester, Mass., and has shared facilities owned by residents like a dining hall, workshops, workout facilities, and play space for kids. Twenty-five of the 65 acres have been set aside in a conservation easement, and there are trails throughout the land.

EcoVillage at Ithaca

EcoVillage at Ithaca is one of the older eco-villages in the U.S. and was started in 1992 after the founding residents purchased 175 acres of land in Ithaca, N.Y. Today there are two 30-home cohousing units with a third in the planning stages. Residents have built organic CSA vegetable and berry farms and community gardens, and set aside 55 acres of land in a conservation easement. They organize weekly community dinners and share in the maintenance work required for their common space.

Villages at Crest Mountain

The Villages at Crest Mountain is located near one of my favorite cities, the progressive bastion of Asheville, N.C. They are a newer ecovillage and have just eight homes built but have sold twice that number of lots. The homes are built around a central courtyard of gardens and open space. Phase two of the development will add 22 acres of homes.

Click for Photo Credits

Photo credits:

Dancing Rabbit: The Year of Mud/Flickr

Ithaca: arimoore/Flickr

Loudoun County, Crest Mountain, Sawyer Hill: Provided by respective websites

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Ecovillages are communities of people drawn together by the common goal of living more sustainably. Their commitment and practices vary from ecovillage to ecovillage but all share the bond of not being satisfied with the status quo.

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JUST FIVE OF THE BENEFITS OF BUILDING ECO-FRIENDLY

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JUST FIVE OF THE BENEFITS OF BUILDING ECO-FRIENDLY

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Building in an environmentally friendly way has many benefits, along with being both incredibly rewarding and cost effective too. Not only are you helping to look after the environment but you'll also enjoy lower bills, increased energy efficiency and your home will require less maintenance over time. With a wealth of information and support available, it is now easier than ever before to create a greener and more energy efficient home.

Green can mean different things to different people but in today's environment, planning a 'sustainable build' always makes good economic sense. Our philosophy is to always put 'Fabric First' and we show how to get your technical specifications right so that they save you money for the lifetime of your home.
Sue Dewhirst, PassivHaus Designer and SAP Assessor

Water and energy efficiency
Energy prices are steadily increasing year by year, and with a growing population, the demand and costs for energy are only set to increase. Incorporating energy efficient systems throughout your home will noticeably cut the price of your bills, and the initial setup cost will soon be earned back through the savings you'll make.

Less maintenance
Sustainability is key when building an eco home, the aim is to construct a home that lasts and has as little effect on the surrounding environment as possible. Green building materials are often more durable and require much less maintenance over time, helping your home to look newer for longer and saving money on costly repairs. This extended lifespan and little need for upkeep can also help to significantly reduce your home's environmental impact.

Healthy indoor environment
Most standard quality products contain harmful substances to some degree, whether this is in the materials they are made from or used during the manufacturing process. One of the biggest benefits of choosing to build with eco materials is that they are free from these harmful chemicals, finishes and potential environmental pollutants. This makes them safer to build with and creates a healthier home environment for your family.

Lower carbon footprint
Reducing our carbon footprint is something that we should all be taking into consideration. It's important that we take steps now and start working to reduce our negative impact and help to sustain the environment for our future generations.

Higher property value
Buyers are increasingly starting to see the benefits that eco-friendly homes offer, from lower running costs to a more sustainable and future proof way of living. Green homes are now highly sought after, and as such attract a much higher property value than their non-green counterparts. Investing in an eco-friendly home now means you'll be one step ahead for the future.

Building 'green' is about being sensible. By understanding your lifestyle needs, you can avoid waste and research appropriate products to get it right first time.
David Hilton, Heating & Energy Consultant

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5 benefits of making your home eco-friendly

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Building in an environmentally friendly way has many benefits, along with being both incredibly rewarding and cost effective too. Not only are you helping to look after the environment but you'll also enjoy lower bills, increased energy efficiency and your home will require less maintenance over time.

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The Saettedammen community is made up of a range of singles, couples, retirees, and families with children. Every family has privacy in a home with its own bedrooms, baths, and kitchen.

The land is cooperatively owned, but residents own their homes - a structure similar to a condominium association in the U-S. The cost of homes here is comparable to other homes in the area, but an average sized household pays about $3,500 dollars a year for communal resources.

Saettedammen started 46 years ago and is recognized as the first cohousing community in the world. Britta Bjerre and her husband, Arne, were among the first families to move in.

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Cohousing communities help prevent social isolation

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Groups in Denmark and the U.S. are choosing to live in intentionally intergenerational communities, which emerged to strengthen social ties between aging seniors and their younger counterparts who are balancing work and family. People living in them say the model fosters an interdependent environment and helps everyone feel more comfortable with the process of getting older.

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Joshua, a physical therapist, got a job at the local health center in the town's commercial hub before they moved in. It's where the first buildings went up. There's also a restaurant and coffee shop, a small grocery store, and a brand new school

And this is all strategic - it's early in the project, but Kitson's goal is to build a self-contained town: provide robust local businesses with job opportunities so residents will be less likely to jump in a car and leave.

In fact, Joshua's new commute is just a five minute bike ride.

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In an attempt to "do it the right way," developer Syd Kitson is building Babcock Ranch, an 18,000-acre planned community just north of Ft. Meyers, with hope that it can operate almost entirely on solar power. So far about 200 people have moved in, though Kitson is aiming to lure as many as 50,000 in coming decades, while setting a precedent for responsible development.

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Author: Lois Arkin Published in
Communities Magazine Issue #156

This advice was originally prepared for the book Eco-Villages and Sustainable Communities: A Report for Gaia Trust by the Context Institute (1991), Robert and Diane Gilman. At the point that this was written, I had been engaged in L.A. Eco-Village planning processes for about four years, but had not yet begun LAEV at our current location, nor was there an intentional community when these advisory points were written. Now, after living in an intentional community for almost 20 years, at times with up to 40 persons, here are the original 10 pieces of advice from 1991 and how I refined the advice in 2005 and again in 2011.

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My Advice to Others Planning to Start an Ecovillage

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Author: Lois Arkin Published in Communities Magazine Issue #156 This advice was originally prepared for the book Eco-Villages and Sustainable Communities: A Report for Gaia Trust by the Context Institute (1991), Robert and Diane Gilman. At the point that this was written, I had been engaged in L.A.

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7 Principles of Xeriscaping - FRONTSTEPS

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Last week we discussed the benefits of [...]

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90% of the steel manufactured today is recycled, and it can be recycled endlessly in a way that wood cannot. The majority of steel plants are now also electric arc furnaces, which are less energy intensive.

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90% of the steel manufactured today is recycled, and it can be recycled endlessly in a way that wood cannot. The majority of steel plants are now also electric arc furnaces, which are less energy intensive.

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Wildfires Are Getting Worse, So Why Is the U.S. Still Building Homes With Wood?

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With climate change driving more destructive fires, some builders are pushing for steel to replace wood in U.S. home construction

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Future-proofing homes: Efficient & Resilient

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Future-proofing homes: Efficient & Resilient

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Future-proofing homes for Climate Change:

Anticipating future climatic challenges and constructing resilient buildings to withstand them should be an important consideration when building any new home - but we're often told that "a Green Home costs more", and too many people then decide in the face of resistance from regular home builders that a new home meeting code and their budget, is good enough. We think that opinion has had it's day.

Whether or not we agree on the causes of climate change, and whether building more efficient homes can help slow or reverse that process, we can at least do our best to do better, to build better homes by knowing which options make better structures without adding extra cost and in the process build-in resilience to extreme weather conditions because it's our home and family who are most impacted when climate conditions and mother nature throw us a curve-ball.

While it is impossible to know exactly what the future holds, some of the earlier predictions about the impacts of climate change are already happening, and modern building practices should reflect that. While one single event cannot be attributed solely to climate change, the type and frequency of events we are seeing are exactly what was predicted by climate scientists and can no longer be ignored.

If a 'once in a century' storm now comes by a couple of times in a decade, we need to factor that in when deciding where and even how we build. Higher global temperatures means more moisture in the air, more turbulent air, and consequently more violent and unpredictable storms. For example, this month in Anchorage Alaska (Jun/Jul 2019), temperatures reached 90°F for the first time since records began, causing authorities to cancel the traditional July 4th fireworks, and prompting Anchorage's mayor, Ethan Berkowitz to comment "This is unprecedented." But is it? Or is it really inevitable as Climate Change marches relentlessly on?

Let's look at the facts; Anchorage just had 34 days in a row of above-average temperatures - "an exceptional run," said Brian Brettschneider, a climatologist at the International Arctic Research Center. In Kotzebue though on the shores of northwestern Alaska, that above-average trend has extended for 105 days and counting.

Fact: As the nation's fastest-warming state, according to the Fourth National Climate Assessment Alaska is experiencing many of the effects of a heating planet. The state's temperatures are rising at twice the global average rate, with spring temperatures averaging about two to five degrees warmer than those of half a century ago.

Fact: One of the more visible changes in the state is the retreat of ice on the Bering and Chukchi Seas, which this year disappeared weeks earlier than normal in some areas. the effects are far reaching as Ice reflects sunlight more than open water, so the ice melting early has an exponential warming effect in the area. Surface temperatures on the seas are about four degrees above normal, while some areas are beating the norm by 10 degrees. "For sea surface temperatures, that's just astronomical," said Rick Thoman, a climate specialist at the Alaska Center for Climate Assessment and Policy.

Can we afford to build Resilient homes?

We are already paying for our inaction through tax dollars directed at disaster relief, reduced production in many industries, and increased drains on power grids and resources. Most directly perhaps, would be through home insurance rates which are creeping up to cover the added claims we are seeing. And in some cases like flooding, you aren't automatically covered so if you're in a low-lying area be sure to check the small-print on the policy.

Property values are also being affected, as homes built in low-lying areas that have either seen or are at risk of seeing flooding will have significantly less appeal to a buying market that is becoming increasingly more aware of global climate issues.

In California, the wildfires that claimed so many lives and homes prompted insurance claims for 2017 & 2018 topping $15 Billion - and we all pay that directly or indirectly.

We have now hit the ominous 400ppm (parts per million) mark of carbon in the atmosphere, the point that climate scientists have often identified as the point of no return. Despite that grim forecast, the talk we hear is about reducing emissions to a few percentage points below levels that was already much too high, and someday in the future. That is comically insufficient and darkly amusing at best. Modern society has simply handed the issue to our kids to deal with, as collectively we are unwilling to make any sacrifices ourselves.

And as we have committed ourselves to emptying one of the biggest carbon lockers on the planet with pipelines stretching from the Alberta oil sands across the continent, there is still one way you can help your kids out since our elected policy makers are failing to do so - let them inherit a house that can handle the mess we are leaving them.

The question should probably be:

"Can we afford not to build more resilient homes?"

Future-proofing homes: Efficient & Resilient

Since a home built today should be around at least many decades, it is worth anticipating the possible challenges we might have to face in an uncertain future climate. Resources are becoming increasingly more scarce and expensive, so the less energy you need to operate a home the better. Would you rather invest money now for a better home, or burn money in the future in energy biils?

Better known Green building certification programs such as Passive House and LEED are a great start, but some other programs that may be on the fringe at the moment like Powerhouse Positive Energy Buildings, Living Building Challenge (LBC) rating or Net Zero Energy or ZNE labelled homes are the future for efficient & resilient construction.

Increased durability and performance measures may add some upfront costs to a building project, but as they can help save on operational and maintenance costs most household's monthly outgoings are going to be similar. As Energy costs & maintenance will see dramatic increases in the future it only makes sense to protect your investment by building something better, more comfortable, and that will last by being both Efficient & Resilient

Remember, "Built to Code" means "Built to Minimum Code"

It is easy to believe that a brand new house that has met a provincial building code is ready to face climate challenges, but that is far from the truth. Building code continues to improve minimum performance requirements (albeit slowly) as it is being driven by innovation and market demand among other things. Ultimately though, building code is historically a follower not a leader, even if many in the construction industry are lobbying to change that. As the challenges a home will face in the changing conditions brought about by Climate Change continue to increase in magnitude, we are best to factor that into our designs right now. Just because North American building codes likely won't recognize that for another 30 years isn't a reason to ignore facts - when building a new home today, we should be building better homes, using proven techniques and materials and insisting on better value for money from our hard-earned dollars. If we want a better Green Home, we are the ones who have to make that happen - and here at The EcoHome Network, we're all for making Green Building easier.

Climate change isn't just coming anymore, it's here. Data shows that since 1980, extreme weather events around the globe have doubled. The frequency and severity of extreme events like storms, floods, droughts, hurricanes, tornadoes and wildfires are almost exactly double what they were just a few decades ago.

When building a new home, what is Resilient?

What you can't see in the home, the quality behind the paint - the very building envelope, is considerably more important than the material in the countertops or the colour of the cabinets, because 15 years from now the cabinets will be torn out and replaced as fashions change, but you certainly don't want to tear down the walls or be pulling insulation out of the attic to change it or to stuff more in. The structure, everything you can't see behind the paint and finish, is the most important part of building a home. Get the building envelope right first, then get the aesthetics and the useability right, and you'll be living in a great home now, and in the future. The time has come to expect far more from a new home than granite counters or double vanities, but then we know that, don't we?

The potential challenges a house may face will vary by climate, but the main concerns that could lead to increased damage to homes would be periods of extreme heat and humidity ; heavier rain fall and in a shorter amount of time; heavier snow loads; high winds; more frequent and sustained power outages and the migration of harmful insects like termites to new climates.

Conclusion: Why we need resilient homes?

Recognizing which issues you are most vulnerable to and factoring that into your design can result in a more resilient home, which will last longer and add value. Any question about cost in that process should be carefully considered and calculated in relation to actual and projected savings over the homes lifespan. Having a resilient home will also offer improved security to your family. As we move into an uncertain future, our kids will need all the help we can give them, and being able to will them an autonomous and durable house in the future is a great start.

I'm going to end this with a quote, because this young lady has captured the hearts and minds of such a widespread demographic for "telling it as it is:"

"Our house is on fire. I am here to say, our house is on fire. [...] I want you to act as you would in a crisis. I want you to act as if our house is on fire. Because it is." Greta ThunberginNo One is Too Small to Make a Difference

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Resilient homes: Future-Proof building for a changing Climate

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The structure, everything you can't see behind the paint and finish, is the most important part of building a home. Get the building envelope right first, then get the aesthetics and the useability right, and you'll be living in a great home now, and in the future.

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Rainwater harvesting is collecting the run-off from a structure or other impervious surface in order to store it for later use. 

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Rainwater harvesting is collecting the run-off from a structure or other impervious surface in order to store it for later use. 

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Rainwater harvesting is collecting the run-off from a structure or other impervious surface in order to store it for later use. Traditionally, this involves harvesting the rain from a roof. The rain will collect in gutters that channel the water into downspouts and then into some sort of storage vessel. Rainwater collection systems can be as simple as collecting rain in a rain barrel or as elaborate as harvesting rainwater into large cisterns to supply your entire household demand.

The idea of rainwater harvesting usually conjures up images of an old farm cistern or thoughts of developing countries. The reality is that rainwater harvesting is becoming a viable alternative for supplying our households and businesses with water. It's not just for the farm anymore! There are many countries such as Germany and Australia where rainwater harvesting is a norm. Due to the green building movement, you will be seeing rainwater harvesting systems become more popular here in America.

The collection of rainwater is known by many names throughout the world. It ranges from rainwater collection to rainwater harvesting to rainwater catchment. In addition, terms such as roofwater collection or rooftop water collection is also used in other countries.

We believe that rainwater harvesting is a viable technology in an urban setting. All that is necessary to take advantage of this resource is to capture the free water falling on your roof and direct it to a rainwater storage tank. By doing this, you can take control of your water supply and replace all or at least a substantial portion of your water needs. Rainwater harvesting systems can be configured to supply your whole house and/or your landscape needs.

Rainwater harvesting is important for several reasons but one of the biggest is the fact that we are tapping out water conservation gains inside our homes so we need to start looking outdoors for more opportunities.

The following graph shows the gains that have been achieved with our indoor water fixtures through the combination of governmental standards and innovation by fixture companies. As you can see, we don't have much more room to go in terms of achieving more efficiency gains with our indoor fixtures. What's next... the 0.2 gallon per flush toilet? Probably not!

This phenomenom is known as the law of diminishing returns. So where will the next revolution in water conservation take place? We believe we offer services in the areas where this revolution will take place.

You can essentially use rainwater anywhere you use tap water. The idea of using drinking water to flush our toilets and water our lawns is wasteful and irresponsible, especially in light of population growth and water shortages across the country. Rainwater collection is a technique to green your home and to lessen your environmental footprint.

There are basically three areas where rainwater can be used:

Irrigation use

Indoor, non-potable use

Whole house, potable use

Here are some ideas for specific uses of rainwater:

Hand water your lawn and garden

Connect rainwater collection system to irrigation/sprinkler system

Wash your vehicles

Wash your pets

Refill your fountains and fish ponds

Refill your swimming pool

Replace the use of tap water with rainwater to wash your driveways and sidewalks (if you don't use a broom)

Use it for all indoor non-potable fixtures (toilets and clothes washer)

Use it for all potable needs when properly filtered and disinfected

Use it for industrial processes instead of municipally treated water

The amount of rainfall that you can collect is governed by the following formula:
1″ of rain x 1 sq. ft. = 0.623 gallons
To calculate the amount of rainwater you can collect, you need to know your annual average precipitation for your area. You can use the precipitation map below to find an approximate amount for your area.

So you're convinced that you want to start collecting rainwater at your house. Below you will find the resources to educate yourself on the best method for harvesting rainwater in your situation. You will also find information about the basic components of a rainwater collection system. Even though rainwater catchment is an old technology, there have been many improvements over time through product innovations.

The only thing that differs in the following methods is the scale of the system. They all follow the same principles but differ on aesthetics and actual water conservation effectiveness. Click the pictures for a closer look.

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Rainwater Harvesting 101 | Your How-To Collect Rainwater Guide

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Rainwater harvesting is collecting the run-off from a structure or other impervious surface in order to store it for later use. Traditionally, this involves harvesting the rain from a roof. The rain will collect in gutters that channel the water into downspouts and then into some sort of storage vessel.

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Natural pools are a wonderful way to add an aquatic attraction to your garden without the huge environmental impact that a traditional swimming pool creates. 

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Natural pools are a wonderful way to add an aquatic attraction to your garden without the huge environmental impact that a traditional swimming pool creates. 

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Pool's out for summer! Say no to energy-guzzling, chlorine-drenched swimming pools and yes to natural swimming pools that you can make yourself. I don't mean icky, slimy ponds that smell like sweaty feet; meet the new generation of stunning natural pond pools.
Picture by Living Pools
Natural pools are a wonderful way to add an aquatic attraction to your garden without the huge environmental impact that a traditional swimming pool creates. Say goodbye to all that harmful chemical water and wasted energy for cleaning, heating and filtering your pool and say hello to a clean, natural pool.
Picture by Water House Pools
Natural pools consist of a swimming area and a regeneration area. The regeneration area consists of filtration in the form of sand and stones and water plants. These plants absorb impurities from the water and clean it the natural way. Plants also prevent the formation of algae.
Picture by Water House Pools
You will also be creating a natural oasis for local wildlife such as dragonflies which will keep mosquitoes in check. You still need a pump, but you can use a solar-powered one for complete off-grid pools.

No need to cover your pool in the winter; just convert it into a natural ice rink!
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About

Nikki is an author and writer specializing in green living ideas and tips, adventure travel, upcycling, and all things eco-friendly. She's traveled the globe, swum with sharks and been bitten by a lion (fact). She lives in a tiny town with a fat cat and a very bad dog.

Check out our Books!

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Pool's out for summer! Say no to energy-guzzling, chloride drenched swimming pools and yes to natural swimming pools that you can make yourself. I don't mean icky, slimy ponds that smell like sweaty feet; meet he new generation of stunning natural pond pools.

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Or convert to a salt water pool with a high-efficiency programmable pump and solar heating. 

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Or convert to a salt water pool with a high-efficiency programmable pump and solar heating. 

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Green hair and red eyes - they're a sure sign of summer in Tucson, when temperatures are soaring and pools are swimming in chlorine.

More Tucsonans are choosing to go eco-friendly when it comes to caring for their pools and spas, which can mean cutting the chlorine and turning to salt and even ground crab shells to keep water sparkling.

When Tucsonans Noah and Judith Sensibar built their pool two years ago, they included an automatic cover to minimize evaporation. They use a salt chlorine generator and ultraviolet light to keep their solar-heated pool clean.

"The chlorine made us all itch," Noah Sensibar said. His boys - Elijah, 15, Gabriel, 10, and J.J., 6 - spend lots of time in the pool with friends, and they appreciate the "soft" water experience created by the salt.

"And we lose almost no water or chemicals," Sensibar said.

Kurt Papke replaced his more traditional system two years ago with a high-efficiency programmable pump and solar heating. He also converted to salt water.

Thanks to the pump, Papke's electric bills have gone down, and his home is in the top 10 percent of the neighborhood in energy efficiency, according to his Tucson Electric Power bill.

He said his pool-care system requires less maintenance, and while there was an initial investment, it saves money in the long run. "It's good for the planet to save energy and it's also putting money in your pocket."

Homeowners are looking to reduce the environmental impact of their pools while saving money, say local pool care professionals.

"We call it going green, which in our business isn't always a good thing," said Grant Ross, owner of Cabana Boy Pool Works. "But this is a good green."

Ross, who said he services a couple of hundred pools a week - including Papke's - said more homeowners have converted to salt systems, which recycle salt to produce chlorine. He installs IntelliChlor salt chlorine generators, which cost about $1,600, including installation.

In the last couple of years, the pool care industry "has been making a move towards energy efficiency and eco-friendly products that are good for your skin and body," Ross said. He said salt-cell generators top the list in terms of popular products.

"Salt is added to pool water," he said. "As it passes through the filter and return lines it goes through the salt-cell generator and passes through a pair of electrodes and it gets sparked," Ross said. "The salt breaks down and it produces chlorine."

The salt does not evaporate, and eliminates the need for buying manufactured chlorine tablets.

"You get what is called a smooth swim - no irritation, and your hair isn't going to turn green. You have an enhanced swimming experience," Ross said.

He said swimmers enjoy the slightly salty water. "You don't feel like you are in the ocean," Ross said.

He also uses a product called SeaKlear Mighty Pods, which use byproducts from crab shells and turns them into a petroleum-free water clarifier. They come in a pod similar to dishwashing liquid and are dropped into the pool skimmer basket, where they "polish" cloudy water, Ross said.

"For a long time, the pool business was slow moving as far as the innovation side - there was always a filter, a pump, chlorine tablets," Ross said. "Out of the recession came a lot of innovation - ways to do things better."

Carl Ragel, owner of Natural Pools & Gardens who helps maintain the Sensibar's pool, has been installing more salt generators and ultraviolet light systems to sanitize pools.

"There are other ways to sanitize your pool that cost less," Ragel said of the UV systems. "But there are a lot of folks who are interested in having less chlorine in their lives and this is a great solution."

Ragel has been installing UV devices in pools since 1999. They are installed in-line with pool equipment and use a UV lamp to neutralize micro-organisms like bacteria and algae

"You can reduce the amount of chemicals you use substantially," he said. "Everybody is shooting for a chlorine-free solution but all you can do realistically is reduce it."

He said the UV light "knocks out any kind of bacteriological pathogens in the water." As the water filters, it is hit by UV light on its way back to the pool, preventing pathogens from reproducing, Ragel said.

The UV devices cost about $850, but reduce the amount of money spent on chemicals.

"Customers are all very happy with the feeling of less chlorine on their skin," he said.

Scott Lake, owner of Aqua-Man Pool and Spa, said about 80 percent of his customers use salt-chlorine generators.

"There is a big difference in the way the water feels," he said.

He said more customers are also using programmable, highly-efficient pumps, which cost $1,200 to $1,500, about twice the cost of a traditional pump.

"People end up recouping that from their energy savings," he said.

Contact local freelance writer Gabrielle Fimbres at gfimbres@comcast.net

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The jojoba plant is a great, natural native shrub good for hot, dry spaces.

If you'd like some privacy and screening from your neighbors, here are some great options for shrubs and small trees to plant.

Homeowners are making room in their budgets to prioritize kitchen remodeling and renovations. Here's a rundown of some key trends.

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Gabrielle Fimbres Special To The Arizona Daily Star

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Green hair and red eyes - they're a sure sign of summer in Tucson, when temperatures are soaring and pools are swimming in chlorine. More Tucsonans are choosing to go eco-friendly when it comes to caring for their pools and spas, which can mean cutting the chlorine and turning to salt and even ground crab shells to keep water sparkling.

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(Sustainable Water Management Emphasis)

With cities becoming more and more crowded and leash laws becoming more restrictive, many concerned dog owners are looking to the creation of dog parks as a solution to their need for a place to spend quality time with their pets. But just what is a "dog park" and what benefits can one bring to your city or town?

A dog park is a public park, typically fenced, where people and their dogs can play together. Similarly, a dog run is a smaller fenced area, created for the same use, that is often located within an existing park. As the names imply, these places offer dogs off-leash play areas where their owners can enjoy a park-like setting and the chance to socialize with other canines and their owners. Dog parks, which are sometimes managed by park users in conjunction with city or town officials, are being established all over the country and offer a wealth of benefits to dogs, dog owners and the community as a whole.

A. Knowledge & Technology of Dog Parks (Basics vs. Cutting Edge)

Design

To properly plan and build any project, developers, owners, architects, engineers, contractors, suppliers, and trades workers involved in the design and construction of the project must communicate with each other in a clear and concise manner. The developer / owner must fully and accurately communicate the building needs to an architect o being the building process. An architect should be able to list to an owner and accurately interpret their needs and requirements into a building design and plan. An architect must ensure that the building design conforms to all structural, building, mechanical, electrical, and fire protection codes.

When working on a sustainable project, additional consultants may be needed. Two examples of project consultants for this type of design would be LEED® Accredited Professional (AP) and a commissioning agent. A LEED® Accredited Professional (AP) is a consultant with extensive knowledge of green building practices and the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) rating system. A commissioning agent maybe also be used. A commissioning agent ensures that all building systems perform according to the design intent and the owner's operations needs.

Landscape and Irrigation Options

Basic

Using regular sod throughout the dog park

Provide boot scrapers before leaving the site (prevents dirt run off)

Use decomposed granite for mud free, easy clean up

Biodegradable doggie waste bags

Cutting Edge

Synthetic Grass

http://www.asgi.us/public-library/how-is-artificial-turf-grass-made

Artificial grass and synthetic turf, long valued for their use for sports fields, have found their place to be used on other types of projects. Artificial grass solutions can help reduce irrigation water use, pesticides and fertilizers. If properly installed, artificial grass surfaces can improve drainage, enhance the form and function of any area, virtually eliminate erosion, enhance storm water management solutions and decrease dust, weeds another pests.

Problem with using synthetic grass throughout the dog park is if animals defecate upon the surfaces, feces should be removed as soon as possible and surfaces must be cleaned and sanitized with basic household products and irrigated to keep fresh and clean. Also, synthetic grass can become very hot if not located in a shady area. Again if it

This is not a water sustainable product for a exterior dog park, unless it is designed in a place where it will remain cool and not be defecated on. If installed at a dog park, this product could require additional water use than the project would want to use.

The following is a link for Artificial Grass and HOA Guideline PDF document that goes into more detail of this product.

http://issuu.com/ArtificialGrass/docs/asgi_calif_hoa_guide

L.A. Dogworks in Hollywood uses artificial grass at his 7,500 s.f. facility, but it is an indoor park, where the weather won't affect it. See the following link for additional information regarding the L.A. Dogworks.

http://www.asgi.us/62/artificial-grass-and-doggy-daycare.html

Idea of Dog Waste into Compost (Case Study out of Ithaca, New York) As the plastic bags with dog waste began piling up for a trip to the landfill, dog owners in Ithaca, N.Y., home to both Cornell University and Ithaca College, began wondering if there wasn't a more environmentally sensible way to dispose of the dog poop. Turns out, there is. At one of the city's dog parks in the Treman Marine State Park, dog waste is being turned into compost, an early trial with already-intriguing results. Visitors can use special corn-based bags to pick up after their dog. After putting the bag and its contents into large bins near the park's entrance, a local compost company, Cayuga Compost, ventures to the park weekly to empty the bins.

Cayuga's Mark Whittig said the two-year-old collection of pet nearly done composting. The first year's collection of nearly 12,000 pounds of dog waste, a $6,000 project funded by private donations, is now about one pickup truck worth of compost. In early 2011, samples will be sent to a lab to test for pathogens and determine nutrient profile for possible usage.

"It's unique material, not in its characteristics, but in its origins. That makes it interesting waste is commercially. There's an opportunity for a nonprofit like the dog park to use it as a product for fundraising," said Whittig, whose company is still collecting 250 pounds of dog waste each week from the dog park's bins.
http://www.recmanagement.com/feature_print.php?fid=201101fe02

100% Permable Site (Case Study at Santa Monica Airport Park)

The goal was to be "100% Permeable." That required the parking lot to be permeable as well, and since it was located higher than the park it would present a flooding problem in the rainy season. They used permeable asphalt, not concrete. It was an experiment that required exploration, however time was of the essence since it was a civil problem that needed handling. Unfortunately, it worked too well. The parking lot captured all the water, however there wasn't enough base material so it bubbled up. After a series of storms, the ground was saturated. It was decided to put in an area drain to make sure all the water could be effectively captured and now it works very well.

http://www.landscapeonline.com/research/article/11304

Reclaimed Water Use' While recycling is a term generally applied to aluminum cans, glass bottles, and newspapers, water can be recycled as well. Water recycling is reusing treated wastewater for beneficial purposes such as agricultural and landscape irrigation, industrial processes, toilet flushing, and replenishing a ground water basin (referred to as ground water recharge). Water recycling offers resource and financial savings. Wastewater treatment can be tailored to meet the water quality requirements of a planned reuse. Recycled water for landscape irrigation requires less treatment than recycled water for drinking water.

Having the water used on site (either for the fountains (designs) or the actual use for irrigation and wash stations, being reclaimed / recycled water.

Reclaimed Water Use for Humans & Canines

The following is a link to a news artile in the New York Times dated November 27, 2007 in regards to the current studies that certain cities in the United States are conducting in regards to the from "toilet to tap" concept. This could be a possibility for dog parks to use this concept (if approved) to further lessen the use of water throughout the dog park design.
http://www.nytimes.com/2007/11/27/us/27conserve.html

B. Contribution to Water Sustainability

Design Options (Past, Present & Future)

1. Design intent to utilize the current land and native landscape.

2. Possible Xeriscape designs to reduce water use throughout the park

3. Utilize native plants that are already on site.

4. Utilize native plans for the area (if new landscape is needed for the design)

5. Dog wash stations

1. Using recycled water.

2. If reclaimed water is not used in those areas, then design intent for water to be drained to an area, like a bio-swale, to remove the silt and pollution from the surface runoff water.

Adapting to Urban Development Design

The following are sustainable design options that were found online that designers are coming up with for dog parks

1. Lighting options, including solar-powered lights, for both security and nighttime access

2. Mulch-filled area that invites dogs to sniff and dig

3. Hardscape and softscapes materials should promote rain water absorption, not runoff.

4. Trash and recycling cans to be located at the park and clear signage and direction given to public.

5. Employ green and sustainable practices wherever physically possible and financially fesible

6. Follow rain water Best Management Practices (BMP)

7. Natural management of rain water through swales, rain gardens and rain water collection systems

8. Permeable pavers

9. Rain garden composed of native plants

10. Rain water collection tanks

11. Built items like trellises constructed from certified wood and/or bamboo

12. Restroom designs to include "green" features such as rain water collection, a grey water system and roof solar panels

13. If native material has to be removed during construction, reuse that material throughout other areas in the project. Example: Use cut wood from trees as seats under canopies.

14. Dog waste light generator device. Such a device would transform dog waste into energy (methane) through a publicly fed methane digester. Once the dog waste is mixed using a hand crank, energy is formed to produce light. Currently, park leaders are discussing a partnership with Arizona State University Polytechnic to challenge students in the science and technology field to develop such a novel system.

15. Reuse, recycle, repurpose. Prairie Pastures sits on the site of a former zoo, which has been reborn as a doggie wonderland: A former monkey cage lives on as Splashy Waters, an area for wading pools in warmer months, and a former petting-zoo barn serves as a covered venue for educational and other events.

http://www.soaringeagle.20m.com/about_1.html Dog Park Projects (Examples of)

Jackass Acres K-9 Korral in 'New River', 'Arizona'opened in 2007. This 2.5 acre site uses native plants throughout the park and it has no grass. Desert landscaping cuts down on the water use along with using drought resistant trees. For rain water, they have gentle sloped park which guides the rainfall into a drain that prevents flooring during the summer monsoon seasons when downpours can be heavy in Arizona. Animal sculptures scattered throughout the park are made from old automobile parts. Tables and chairs are made from fallen tree limbs. Turf is recycled from the NFL. In keeping with the dog motif, an old fire hydrant, salvaged from a dump, was scrubbed and painted bright colors. An old TV antenna holds the American flag at the park's entrance. Solar power operates the water fountains, the automatic entry door, and all the lights.The following is a link to a brochure regarding Jackass Acres: http://www.arizonafoothillsmagazine.com/features/features/314-jackass-acres-americas-first-and-only-sustainable-dog-park.html

Animal Community Center located in Milpitas, California, opened March 28, 2009. This community center includes a solar systems expected to generate 40 % of the center's energy needs from renewable sources. Provide an efficient kennel-cleansing system to ensure proper disinfecting and reduce water use. Provide a reflective "cool" roof to reduce energy costs. Provide stained concrete flooring to reduce the chemicals and water needed for cleaning and lower energy bills. Provide on-site bio-swales to clean rainwater runoff before water enters the sewage system and install artificial turf and native plans in the dog park to lower the demand for irrigation. http://www.veterinarypracticenews.com/vet-breaking-news/2009/03/30/humane-society-opens-green-animal-community-center.aspx and http://www.asgi.us/361/milpitas-dog-park-goes-for-leed-gold-sports-artificial-turf-play-yard-for-dogs.html

Cosmo Dog Park located in Gilbert, Arizona. Instead of having an ugly drainage basin collecting water from the new highway, community planners in Gilbert, Arizona decided to make the most of the 16 acres by creating Cosmo Dog park. See link below to read more about the history and also the use of stair like steps in lieu of rip rap to slow down the drainage water. http://landsharkcommunications.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/01/PRB-Jan-2010.pdf The following is a link to a site plan of Cosmo Dog Park http://www.gilbertaz.gov/eservices/parks/pdf/maps/cosmo0408b.pdf

West Bend Dog Park located in West Bend, Wisconsin. Over a period of 12 years beginning in the mid-1990s, plans for a dog park in West Bend, Wis., had come before the city council three times. And thrice the resolution was rejected.

In 2008, however, a groundswell of support began forming for a dog park in the town of 30,000 in southeastern Wisconsin. A more formal and organized grassroots movement, K9 Friends of West Bend, approached the city council once again and laid out plans for a comprehensive dog park. This time, the council agreed. The city identified underutilized property and, last summer, opened the 10-acre West Bend Dog Park, the city and county's first off-leash dog park. "It was something our citizens wanted in our community, and it certainly was an amenity lacking," said Melissa Lipska, a landscape architect with the West Bend Park, Recreation, and Forestry Department. Spotted in a densely wooded area with mature oak and hickory trees as well as prairie spaces, the property features rolling hills and trails for both dog and human exploration. In the rear of the park, a kettle (a glacial land feature) holds large boulders. "This was not an open field that had no other use or something along the side of a road that could fit no other purpose," Lipska said. "This is an absolutely beautiful piece of property." The K9 Friends maintain the space, including lawn mowing and litter removal, with an extensive volunteer army, while the city has added an assortment of benches and picnic tables to make the space even cozier for visitors.

Above and Beyond: The park utilizes its compelling natural terrain to its fullest. Of the entire West Bend park's 39 acres, the dog park's 10 acres features the best mature stand of woods with fences and trails carefully planned and constructed so that no quality trees were removed. "Our best asset to our dog park is not something that we could construct, but something that we were able to contribute to the dog park, and that was naturally beautiful wooded rolling hills and prairie," Lipska said. Wish List: West Bend is currently researching lighting options, including solar-powered lights, for both security and nighttime access. http://www.recmanagement.com/feature_print.php?fid=201101fe02

The following is a link to the Dogchannel.com website where magazine Dog Fancy states the top 40 dog parks throughout the United States. http://www.dogchannel.com/dog-magazines/dogfancy/dog-fancy-amusement-bark.aspx

C. Where does Water Conservation Design in Dog Parks fail?

Recycled Water - How do dogs react to the water

D. Adoptive and Implementation Limitations

Major limitations for widespread adoption and implementation is the cost to design the parks. Many of the dogs parks that were found during this research were built by non profit organizations, some with City funds and others from private money, donations, raise money by charging a membership fee or a cost at the gate.

There were many challenges in the planning for a park. Solidifying the program required many community meetings, plus assessments of maintenance costs in keeping with the city budget, plus compromises that possibly have to be made between sports enthusiasts, picnickers and dog owners. Other issues that could arise in designing these dog parks in regards to the locations that are found could be who exactly is going to be allowed to use the park. This was an issue that came up while designing the Santa Monica Airpot Park.

E. Future of Dog Park Sustainable Designs

The information that was found about dog parks and their design is to not just accommodate the canines, but to accommodate the owners and make a "dog park" into a place where communities can come together, enjoy the outdoors and socialize. The designs of the parks can also assists cities with their Master Plan programs. If the parks are designed and developed in collaboration with community volunteer s the result could be a multi-functional, sustainable, accessible neighborhood park.

Todd Reubold, a regular guest at the Minnehaha Dog Park in Minneapolis, calls the expansive setting of the Minnehaha dog park a "doggy oasis in the middle of the city." Tucked alongside the west bank of the mighty Mississippi River, the Minnehaha Dog Park features a half-mile-long sandy beach juxtaposed against wooded trails, inviting idyllic adventures when Mother Nature smiles upon the Twin Cities. In winter, frozen waterfalls make the park a winter wonderland for humans and dogs alike. Minnehaha, however, is but one of six dog parks scattered throughout Minneapolis, with many residents able to walk to the parks with their canines in tow before taking off the leash and letting Fido run wild. Across the country, dog parks such as those in Minneapolis serve as an important amenity for canines and their owners, providing the opportunity for dogs to exercise and socialize off-leash. They are a particularly important public resource for disabled and elderly handlers who often have companion animals yet sparse opportunity for those dogs to interact with their four-legged friends. "The socialization and exercise aspect available at the dog park is different than in any other environment," said Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board spokesperson Dawn Sommers. "It's a place for dogs to be off-leash, socialize, exercise and have fun in a safe and free environment." While any dog park-most generically defined as a fenced-in area allowing dogs to run about-is a welcome community amenity, a number of parks around the nation go well beyond the norm. Some integrate dynamic natural elements; others incorporate human-made artistry that serves both practical and aesthetic purposes. Some champion socialization and programming opportunities; others bring a social consciousness to the park setting, touting such causes as dog adoption or innovative energy alternatives. Some revitalize a downtrodden area with energy and movement; others embrace an area's historic or natural character and blend into the landscape. Each in its own way does something to separate itself from the pack and, in the process, inspire new ideas in others. Dog parks, like the Santa Monica Airport Park, helps to address Santa Monica's long-term need for more open and green space in an environmentally conscious way, incorporating sustainable features for planting, irrigation, and site and sports lighting as well as storm-water management techniques.

By Marissa J. Roman on March 13, 2011 at 5:09

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Designing for a Water Sustainable Dog Park

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Designing Sustainable Dog Parks (Sustainable Water Management Emphasis) With cities becoming more and more crowded and leash laws becoming more restrictive, many concerned dog owners are looking to the creation of dog parks as a solution to their need for a place to spend quality time with their pets.

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In desert areas like Phoenix, Arizona, xeriscaping allows gardeners to plant native xerophytes such as ocotillo. Supporters of xeriscaping say it can reduce water use by 50 or 75 percent.

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In desert areas like Phoenix, Arizona, xeriscaping allows gardeners to plant native xerophytes such as ocotillo. Supporters of xeriscaping say it can reduce water use by 50 or 75 percent.

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This lists the logos of programs or partners of NG Education which have provided or contributed the content on this page. Powered by

Encyclopedic Entry Vocabulary

Xeriscaping is the practice of designing landscapes to reduce or eliminate the need for irrigation. This means xeriscaped landscapes need little or no water beyond what the natural climate provides.

Xeriscaping has been embraced in dry regions of the western United States. Prolonged droughts have led water to be regarded as a limited and expensive resource. Denver, Colorado, was one of the first urban areas to support xeriscaping. That citys water department encouraged residents to use less of the city's drinkable water for their lawns and gardens.

Xeriscaping has become widely popular in some areas because of its environmental and financial benefits. The most important environmental aspect of xeriscaping is choosing vegetation that is appropriate for the climate. Vegetation that thrives with little added irrigation is called drought-tolerant vegetation. Xeriscaping often means replacing grassy lawns with soil, rocks, mulch, and drought-tolerant native plant species. Trees such as myrtles and flowers such as daffodils are drought-tolerant plants.

Plants that have especially adapted to arid climates are called xerophytes. In desert areas like Phoenix, Arizona, xeriscaping allows gardeners to plant native xerophytes such as ocotillo.

Supporters of xeriscaping say it can reduce water use by 50 or 75 percent. This saves water and money. In Novato, California, residents were offered conservation incentives (reductions in their water bills) to convert from traditional lawns to xeriscaping. The citys water department estimated that the houses that chose xeriscaping saved 120 gallons of water a day.

Another main component of xeriscaping is installing efficient irrigation methods. Drips and soaker hoses direct water directly to the base of the plant and prevent the water evaporation that sprinklers allow. More efficient irrigation is also achieved when types of plants with similar water needs are grouped together. A xeriscaped landscape needs less maintenance than an area landscaped with grass and water-intensive plants.

Drought-Tolerant Plants

The most common example of a xeriscape-friendly plant is the cactus, which has hundreds of different species that are native to North and South America. Cacti have evolved many physical adaptations that conserve water. For example, their prickly spines, the cactus version of leaves, protect the plants from water-seeking animals. Their large, round stems have thickened to store large amounts of water. Their waxy skin reduces water lost to evaporation.

Cacti are far from the only plants appropriate for xeriscaping. Other drought-resistant plants include agave, juniper, and lavender. Many herbs and spices are used in xeriscaping, such as thyme, sage, and oregano. Some plants used for food are drought-resistant, such as black walnuts, Jerusalem artichokes, and sapodilla, a sweet fruit native to Mexico.

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Writers

Kim Rutledge
Tara Ramroop
Diane Boudreau
Melissa McDaniel
Santani Teng
Erin Sprout
Hilary Costa
Hilary Hall
Jeff Hunt

Illustrators

Mary Crooks, National Geographic Society
Tim Gunther

Editors

Jeannie Evers, Emdash Editing
Kara West

Educator Reviewer

Nancy Wynne

Producer

Caryl-Sue, National Geographic Society

Sources

Dunn, Margery G. (Editor). (1989, 1993). "Exploring Your World: The Adventure of Geography." Washington, D.C.: National Geographic Society.

Last Updated

Jan. 21, 2011

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Writers

Kim Rutledge
Tara Ramroop
Diane Boudreau
Melissa McDaniel
Santani Teng
Erin Sprout
Hilary Costa
Hilary Hall
Jeff Hunt

Illustrators

Mary Crooks, National Geographic Society
Tim Gunther

Editors

Jeannie Evers, Emdash Editing
Kara West

Educator Reviewer

Nancy Wynne

Producer

Caryl-Sue, National Geographic Society

Sources

Dunn, Margery G. (Editor). (1989, 1993). "Exploring Your World: The Adventure of Geography." Washington, D.C.: National Geographic Society.

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This lists the logos of programs or partners of NG Education which have provided or contributed the content on this page. Powered by Encyclopedic Entry Vocabulary Xeriscaping is the practice of designing landscapes to reduce or eliminate the need for irrigation. This means xeriscaped landscapes need little or no water beyond what the natural climate provides.

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I found out that the name Eco Haven is taken.

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I found out that the name Eco Haven is taken.

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At EcoHaven, LLC we provide an array of ecological services catered to individual and environmental needs. We believe a sustainable future is worth investing in and work to ensure your vision is financially attainable and successfully implemented.

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At EcoHaven, LLC we provide an array of ecological services catered to individual and environmental needs. We believe a sustainable future is worth investing in and work to ensure your vision is financially attainable and successfully implemented.

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Eco Haven is taken! However, they offer admirable services.

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Eco Haven is taken! However, they offer admirable services.

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A new movement is creating affordable housing options with clean air, energy efficiency, and climate resilience in mind. 

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A new movement is creating affordable housing options with clean air, energy efficiency, and climate resilience in mind. 

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https://www.greenamerica.org/your-home-detoxed/turning-crisis-creation-green-affordable-homes

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Caption for header photo: Residents and community health workers of Seattle's Yesler Terrace development. Community health workers are trained in "Breathe Easy" air quality practices by the American Lung Association. Credit: Seattle Housing Authority.
A new movement is creating lower-cost housing options with clean air, energy efficiency, and climate resilience in mind.

Whether you're a young adult apartment-hunting for the first time or an experienced home owner, most Americans can anticipate the challenges of finding an affordable place to live. In 2017, a third of Americans lived in housing that was not affordable to them-meaning their housing cost more than a third of their income.
In addition to the financial strain from increasing housing costs, our built environment has a direct impact on our health, yet research shows that low-income communities are disproportionately exposed to health hazards in the home.

The green affordable housing movement emerged from a desire to simultaneously address economic disparities, environmental sustainability, and human health. Leaders in the movement are pioneering the development of housing that is affordable, safe, and conducive to a climate-friendly future, and it has already shown positive ripple effects in society.

In March 2018, Congress passed an omnibus spending bill that increases Low Income Housing Tax Credit (LIHTC) allocations by 12.5 percent each year for four years (2018-2021). While this increase certainly helps grow affordable housing, it falls short of the large-scale investments we need at the local, state and federal level to meet our nation's needs.

About 4.8 million American households receive some form of subsidized housing assistance from the Department of Housing and Urban Development's (HUD) and cost-burdened households who do not participate in HUD programs are likely to seek affordable housing targeted to their income. The advent of green affordable housing in the past 30 years shows that policymakers, housing developers, and community leaders are in empowering positions to change the environmental health conditions for millions of Americans.

Defining the Affordable Housing Crisis

Big cities like New York and San Francisco no longer dominate conversations around affordable housing, because the number of cost-burdened Americans has doubled since the 1960s, according to a 2018 Harvard University report, and the impact is felt across American cities from Birmingham to Toledo.

HUD defines "lower income" as 80 percent of the median income of the area where one lives, and "very low income" as 50 percent of the median. From 1987 to 2015, the demand for affordable homes swelled as the population of very low-income renters in the US grew by 6 million.

But as demand rose, the US homeownership rate among young Americans aged 25 to 34 declined from nearly 50 percent in 2005 to 35 percent in 2015, according to US Census data. Today in big cities like Austin, Las Vegas, New York, and San Francisco, homeownership rates have settled around 50 percent. As consequence, the number of people renting in the US is higher than at any other point in the last 50 years.

Economic and social policy think tank the Urban Institute attributes these trends to stagnated livable wages, limited access to credit, student loan debt, the Great Recession and changing attitudes about homeownership.

Across America, swift renovation of urban neighborhoods has led to increased costs of living in those neighborhoods, known as gentrification. Gentrification is accompanied by an influx of higher-income people, as they move into trendy developments and shop at new businesses. But for residents who've lived in an area beforehand, often well-established communities of color, gentrification means displacement as property values rise to the point of unaffordability.

In 2018, Miami became the first city to study "climate gentrification" or the movement of higher income people living in coastal neighborhoods to more secure, inland areas. Miami Mayor Francis Suarez signed a resolution to study the effect of climate change on housing prices, with the goal to inform the city on measures that will allow residents to stay in their communities in spite of the rising sea levels crowding inland neighborhoods.

In 2017, the Prevention Institute published a report that defined "green gentrification" as processes in which enhancements like parks and bike trails can attract luxury developers to a neighborhood and unintentionally lead to gentrification. Though the report reveals how complex the issue of gentrification can be, it asserts that preventing gentrification is possible by making equity a core principle of green affordable home developments.

Nationally, rent prices have increased by 2.8 percent from 2016 to 2018 and today's median rent is $1,445, according to the real estate database company Zillow. When considering these factors and the slow pace of new affordable homes being built, which is at a new low, it's easy to understand why advocates call our current predicament a crisis.

Last year, HUD Secretary Ben Carson introduced the Make Affordable Housing Work Act, which would require those who receive housing subsidies to pay 35 percent of their income on rent and triple the minimum monthly rent for families with the lowest income from $50 to $150. Carson said that increased rents will motivate residents to find higher paying jobs and therefore, curb dependency on government assistance. While Carson's proposal has not yet been approved by Congress, it has illuminated the vulnerable state of lower income residents' housing.

In response to Carson's proposal, Diane Yentel of the National Low Income Housing Coalition told the New York Times that the demand for affordable housing wasn't about dependence and that "today's housing crisis is squarely rooted in the widening gap between incomes and housing costs."

For our nation's lowest income populations, lack of affordable housing could have serious consequences, and force people to choose between bills, which can lead to eviction, job loss, and homelessness.

Financial institutions also play a role in the housing market. Over the last decade, there have been numerous Department of Justice (DOJ) cases concerning mortgage lenders and banks that have put a disproportionate financial strain on people of color.

In 2012, Wells Fargo agreed to a $175 million settlement following a DOJ investigation that found 34,000 incidents in which the megabank had charged African Americans and Latin Americans higher mortgage rates and fees compared to white customers with similar credit backgrounds. As homeownership continues to be a foundational building block for household and generational wealth, such practices contribute to economic divides between Americans.

Key Features of Green Affordable Housing

Solar panels, which create on-site energy generation, so residents only pay a small percentage of their energy needs to a utility company.

Energy-efficient appliances like refrigerators, washer/dryers, and dishwashers use less energy and reduce bills.

EPA-certified Energy Star appliances are commonly used in affordable housing

LED lights use less energy and last longer than traditional incandescent or even fluorescent bulbs.

Low-flow fixtures attached to showerheads, toilets and faucets save water and reduce the cost of water bills

Low-emissivity windows (usually called Low-E windows) have a special coating which reflects interior temperatures back inside, keeping homes warmer in the winter and cooler in the summer.

Insulated walls keep heated or cooled air in, and outside air out, meaning residents can save on heating and cooling bills.

The Green Affordable Housing Movement

Walker Wells, a leader in the field of sustainable building and neighborhood development, traces the green affordable housing movement's roots to the United Nations' 1992 Earth Summit held in Rio de Janeiro. There, inspired by the concept of sustainability and its relationship to economy, equity, and the environment, organizations like Global Green began forming. Today, Global Green leads research and community-based projects, including those in affordable housing that aim to address society's need for affordability and the environment's demand for sustainability simultaneously. Wells joined Global Green in 1999.

"One of the things that we acknowledged early in our work was that we were experiencing urbanization," Wells says. "People were increasingly moving to cities, and instead of demonizing city governments and businesses, we should help them improve their practices."

Global Green takes part in the green affordable housing movement by advising housing developers, project managers, and government agencies and providing resources for energy-efficient appliances, energy monitoring, green building materials, and design that maximizes access to natural resources like daylight and fresh air. Energy efficiency is a common priority for green affordable housing, because reduced energy use cuts the cost of electricity, heating and water bills.

In 2007, Global Green and the nonprofit Community Housing Works debuted Solara, a 56-unit multifamily affordable apartment complex in Poway, California.

Solara was one of the first affordable home developments to not only incorporate these features, but also produce a high percentage of on-site solar energy generation. Two years after its debut, Global Green researchers found that the development had produced 87 percent of its total electricity needs on-site with solar panels. Solara also helped Global Green cement the financial strategy of bundling tax credits (including LIHTC), utility incentives and rebates to fund similar projects, which was replicated at the Los Vecinos development in Chula Vista, California.
Caption: Residents at Los Vecinos housing development in Chula Vista, CA. Credit: City of Chula Vista.
In the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina, Global Green launched its Holy Cross Project in New Orleans' Ninth Ward, one of the communities hit hardest by the storm. The project created the Community and Climate Action Center, which serves as an emergency shelter and educational space for climate-resilient practices like water management by showing residents how to use rain barrels and plant rain gardens. The project has also built four LEED-certified homes that have saved residents $1,200-$2,400 a year in utility bills since 2012. The next wave of the Holy Cross Project will be the construction of affordable mixed income rental units built with solar panels, energy monitoring systems, and energy-efficient appliances.

Breathing Easier in Affordable Homes

Green affordable housing has the potential to restore environmental health and justice in communities and improve the overall quality of life in the home. For those living in low-income housing developments, the risk of exposure to environmental health hazards is three-fold when considering the site the housing itself is built on, the building materials used, and the actions property managers take to protect residents. Considering property management is especially relevant to residents who receive HUD housing vouchers and live in privately-owned housing in which renting to a negligent HUD-contracted landlord could mean prolonged exposure to health hazards like black mold, vermin, and leaks.

In 2017, the EPA and HUD confirmed that about 70 percent of Superfund sites-contaminated areas considered to be a hazard to human health-are near low income housing developments. While both agencies have committed to collecting more research on this issue and the EPA has begun cleanups on some lead-contaminated sites across the country, further steps remain to be seen.

The National Center for Healthy Housing estimates 5.7 million Americans live in "substandard housing conditions," or those that cause significant illness, injury or death. In 2018, the World Health Organization (WHO) identified substandard housing as a contributor to various health conditions and provided home environmental guidelines for water and air quality, asbestos, lead and indoor gas emissions.

"People with lower incomes and people of color tend to live in areas that have a greater burden of outdoor air pollution," says Robin Dodson, an environmental exposure scientist with the Silent Spring Institute. "But I think when we discuss total exposures, we need to include indoor air pollution and chemicals like hormone disruptors and carcinogens which can build up in the home and are equally important."

In 2017, Dodson and a research team conducted a study on subsidized housing in Boston that had been renovated to meet certain green standards, mostly for energy efficiency. Collecting samples pre- and post-occupancy, the research team was able to narrow down pollutants that came from the building itself and those that came from tenants' personal items. In the end, TDCIPP (a cancerous flame retardant), benzophenone (a hormone disruptor), and dibutyl phthalate (a type of phthalate) were all detected from the building, which Dodson says demonstrates the need to broaden green building standards so that they go beyond ruling out VOCs and also eliminate other hazardous chemicals.

Though there are regular HUD inspections for interior air quality and HUD-sponsored developments aiming to meet green building standards, the intention to promote healthy air quality could be stronger and ultimately varies across communities. It's also important to note that while energy efficiency can't account for all health risks, there is a relationship between energy efficiency and health.

"For example, most of our projects have a bathroom fan that's on at a low speed all the time, and it's not using a lot of energy because it's very small. The benefit is that it pulls humid air in the bathroom which can cause mold," says Wells. "And we also need the fan on because we've sealed up the building in other places to save energy. So there's a trade-off between the energy spent and the air quality benefit."

Seattle's "Breathe Easy Homes" are an example of a strong move toward green air quality standards. Built in 2007, the Seattle Housing Authority, King County, and University of Washington developed affordable homes created around techniques to improve air quality including fresh air ventilation systems, fans, airtight wall construction and insulated windows. After construction, the number of residents who made an asthma-related visit to the clinic decreased from 62 percent to 21 percent in a period of three months.

For Wells, this is the kind of evidence-based impact that shows green affordable housing can make a difference, by giving residents some breathing room financially and in their personal health.

"People may not be conscious of all these green features, which is probably good because if it's done well it should just be part of the building, but what they get is the degree of care put into the project," says Wells. "And what we get from an emotional level is that the residents feel like they're valued, like we spent a lot of time making a high-quality place for them to live because they're a person of value."

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Turning Crisis into Creation with Green Affordable Homes

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Caption for header photo: Residents and community health workers of Seattle's Yesler Terrace development. Community health workers are trained in "Breathe Easy" air quality practices by the American Lung Association. Credit: Seattle Housing Authority. Whether you're a young adult apartment-hunting for the first time or an experienced home owner, most Americans can anticipate the challenges of finding an affordable place to live.

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ARE PASSIVE HOUSE AND GREEN BUILDING RELEVANT IN A TEMPERATE CLIMATE?

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ARE PASSIVE HOUSE AND GREEN BUILDING RELEVANT IN A TEMPERATE CLIMATE?

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ARE PASSIVE HOUSE AND GREEN BUILDING RELEVANT IN A TEMPERATE CLIMATE?

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PODCAST: I love Rich Williams’ enthusiasm for what he does. Even if you don’t live in the temperate climate of San Diego, you can learn a lot about the relevance of concepts like Passive House for a better performing home.

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PODCAST: I love Rich Williams’ enthusiasm for what he does. Even if you don’t live in the temperate climate of San Diego, you can learn a lot about the relevance of concepts like Passive House for a better performing home.

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141: Are Passive House and Green Building Relevant in a Temperate Climate? - Home Style Green

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Rich Williams from Alliance Green Builders explains why Passive House is relevant even in a mild, temperate climate.

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"All ZED homes are built with a governing principle of CAFEET, my guide proudly told me, which means Cost, Aesthetics, Function, Ease of execution, Environmentally friendly, and Time."

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"All ZED homes are built with a governing principle of CAFEET, my guide proudly told me, which means Cost, Aesthetics, Function, Ease of execution, Environmentally friendly, and Time."

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Video: Ghanaian Company Builds Affordable Eco-Friendly Houses With Mud

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Video: Ghanaian Company Builds Affordable Eco-Friendly Houses With Mud

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Ghanaian Company Builds Affordable Eco-Friendly Houses With Mud

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8 Types Of Sustainable Homes To Consider In 2022 [Pictures]

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Are you thinking about building or buying a sustainable home? Check out the various types of sustainable homes in this guide - Click Here!

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The main and most obvious benefit of using a bioethanol fire is, of course, the fact that it is much more eco-friendly than a traditional fossil fuel fire. As the fuel is plant-based, the flames burn cleanly without releasing harmful substances into the air. 

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The main and most obvious benefit of using a bioethanol fire is, of course, the fact that it is much more eco-friendly than a traditional fossil fuel fire. As the fuel is plant-based, the flames burn cleanly without releasing harmful substances into the air. 

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Looking for an alternative to traditional gas, log and electric fires? A bioethanol fire might just be the very thing you need. If you've never heard of a bioethanol fire, or if you'd like to learn more about what they are and the benefits they carry, you're in the right place. We've put together the answers to all the most frequently asked questions about these incredible fires so you can decide if they are the right choice for you. Let's start at the very beginning:

What are bioethanol fires and how do they work?

As the name suggests, a bioethanol fire is an alternative source of real-flame heat that runs on bioethanol fuel as opposed to gas or logs. Bioethanol fuel is a natural, ethanol-based fuel produced from plants such as sugar cane or maize, and is, therefore, a much more eco-friendly alternative to traditional burning fuels.

Bioethanol fires work by simply pouring bioethanol fuel into the burner and lighting it, so it's much more straightforward than you may have initially thought. The fuel will then burn for 4-5 hours or until extinguished, which is done by closing the lid and starving the flame of oxygen. The fire can then easily be topped up with more fuel once cooled (which takes 10-15 minutes) if you need the fire to burn for longer.

What are the benefits of bioethanol fires?

Bioethanol fires carry a great many benefits as an alternative to traditional fire sources, but here are the main advantages:

Eco-friendly

The main and most obvious benefit of using a bioethanol fire is, of course, the fact that it is much more eco-friendly than a traditional fossil fuel fire. As the fuel is plant-based, the flames burn cleanly without releasing harmful substances into the air.

No gas or electricity needed

As these fires run purely on bioethanol fuel, there is no need for any further power or fuel sources from gas and electricity, which helps to cut costs and keeps everything refreshingly simple.

Easy to install

If you've looked through our range of bioethanol fires you may have noticed one key element of a traditional fireplace is missing: the flue. As the fuel burns cleanly and releases no smoke or fumes, there is actually no need for bioethanol fires to have a flue. This, in turn, makes them incredibly easy to install and much more flexible in terms of where they can be placed.

Stylish and contemporary

Due to the lack of restrictions on placement and design, bioethanol fires come in a huge range of sleek, stylish and contemporary designs. Perfect for anyone looking for something a little different for their home or garden, the contemporary styling of bioethanol fires are a breath of fresh air for modern interior design.

Efficient and adjustable

Bioethanol fires are able to heat large rooms efficiently and effectively, and the output can be adjusted in most indoor fire designs with the help of a slider on the fuel box (note, not all designs carry this feature). This can be placed fully open, half open or a ¼ open, which will affect how much fuel is burned and how long the fuel lasts, as well as the level of flame output.

Are bioethanol fires expensive to run?

The short answer is no, bioethanol fires are not expensive to run when compared with the cost of running wood or gas fires. However, the cost of running a bioethanol fire can vary depending on the cost of the fuel you use and how far open the box slider is during use (if applicable). Bioethanol fuel costs, on average, around £2.50 per litre, though prices do vary across brands and sources, and a litre lasts an average of 3.5 hours with the box slider fully open, while it can last up to 5 hours or more with the slider only ¼ open.

The quality of the fuel can also affect costs and efficiency. Cheaper fuels do, of course, reduce running costs in the short term, though these fuels are often more flammable and therefore burn out more quickly, which actually increases running costs over time. A good compromise is to seek out good quality fuel and buy in bulk (if you plan on using your bioethanol fire regularly) as you can often find excellent discounts for bulk fuel purchases.

Are bioethanol fires safe indoors?

Yes, you can buy specially-designed indoor bioethanol fires that are perfectly safe to use indoors. While bioethanol fires do produce carbon dioxide, this substance is only produced in small amounts and is a natural by-product of any real fire. What's more, bioethanol fires are far safer to use indoors than traditional fires due to the fact that they don't produce any smoke, ash or carcinogenic substances, so you're not breathing in any of these nasties in your home.

Of course, like any flammable fuel, care does need to be taken while handling bioethanol fuel and using the burner. All fires are only as safe as the procedures they are used with, so make sure you follow all instructions and guidelines to ensure you are filling and using your bioethanol fire correctly.

How long does bioethanol fuel last?

The length that bioethanol fuel lasts varies on the settings in which you are burning the fuel. Usually, one litre of bioethanol fuel will last for 4 hours if it is burning on the maximum heat setting. However, if you burn the bioethanol fuel on a minimum setting then the fuel can burn for up to 8 hours. If you shut off the fire, then the fuel will preserve until you wish to light the fire again.

Do bioethanol fires give off heat?

Yes, bioethanol fires produce real-burning flames that give off plenty of heat, making them a fantastic, like-for-like alternative to traditional gas or log-burning fire for heating homes and gardens. No artificial flames or heat-free imitations here!

Now you have everything you need to know about these amazing fires, you're ready to choose your brand new bioethanol fire and wave goodbye to the restrictions and nasty emissions of gas and log fireplaces. Explore our range of indoor bioethanol fires and outdoor bioethanol fires here at Moonlight Design and discover showstopping, unique designs for your home or garden.

Got more questions about bioethanol fireplaces? Give our team a call on 020 8925 8639 and we'll help you with any enquiry.

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What Are Bioethanol Fires? Benefits and Everything You Need to Know

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Looking for an alternative to traditional gas, log and electric fires? A bioethanol fire might just be the very thing you need. If you've never heard of a bioethanol fire, or if you'd like to learn more about what they are and the benefits they carry, you're in the right place.

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Some wonderful international EcoVillages

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An eco-village is defined by Global Ecovillage Network as, "An intentional or traditional community using local participatory processes to holistically integrate ecological, economic, social, and cultural dimensions of sustainability in order to regenerate social and natural environments."

They are essentially designed communities which strive to produce the least possible negative impact on the natural environment through intentional physical design and resident behaviour choices. They are consciously planned through locally owned, participatory processes to regenerate and restore its social and natural environments. An eco-village mostly ranges from a population of 50 to 250 individuals, although some are smaller, and traditional eco villages are often much larger. Larger ecovillages often exist as networks of smaller sub-communities.

While The Global Ecovillage Network lists almost 500 self-identified eco-villages around the world, from a network of remote villages in Sri Lanka to the popular Cristiana in Copenhagen, an autonomous commune of 850 people; we have picked 7 of the best ones for you to see what goes around and what needs to be learnt from these communities. With a rise in climate crisis (no, I will not call it climate change anymore), there are also 300+ Transition Towns and a growing number of green-focused co-housing communities, but few self-identify as eco-villages.

As the community's website says, the Findhorn Foundation is "a spiritual community, eco-village and an international centre for holistic learning, helping to unfold a new human consciousness and create a positive and sustainable future." Widely perceived as "the mother of all eco-villages", it began in 1962 as an experimental architectural community project based at The Park, in Moray, Scotland, near the village of Findhorn. Due to the village's extraordinary results, now its members serve as consultants for the United Nations and multinational corporations. The village itself is a constantly evolving model used as a learning environment by a number of university and school groups as well as by professional organisations and municipalities worldwide.
Also Read: 12 Eco-Friendly Things You'll Definitely Need When You Travel
Started in 1978 with a small group, Tamera is one of the largest and oldest eco-villages in Europe. It is located on 335 acres (1.36 km2) in the Alentejo region of southwestern Portugal, which is just 2 hours away from Lisbon. The community believes in a future without war, in love without fear, and work to build Terra Nova by creating Healing Biotopes as centres to research and model a new planetary culture, with strong ethical foundations. Tamera is a peace research village with the goal of becoming "a self-sufficient, sustainable and duplicable communitarian model for nonviolent cooperation and cohabitation between humans, animals, nature, and Creation for a future of peace for all." The village today is a community of around 200 that attracts visitors from all over the world.

The Federation of Damanhur, or simply Damanhur, is a commune, eco-village, and spiritual community situated in the alpine foothills north of Piedmont, Italy. Founded in 1975 Oberto Airaudi with around 24 followers, the community today has roughly 600 residents live in 30 communities, called "nucleos," spread across a spectacular subalpine valley in northern Italy. Each of these nucleos' in the Federation is devoted to a specific field: solar energy, seed saving, organic meat production, education, healing, etc. The community is a centre for spiritual, artistic and social research known throughout the whole world. Damanhur may be the world's most fast-paced, high-tech eco-village. Why? For starters: It has its own molecular biology lab that tests for genetically modified food, it has a smart-phone for every member and a highly successful complementary currency - the credito.

Sekem (named after the ancient Egyptian hieroglyph for "vitality") is an eco-village with 4 long-term dimensions for sustainability: culture, ecology, social, and economic. This agricultural and social settlement was founded by Dr Ibrahim Abouleish in 1977 with the idea of sustainable development and giving back to the community. Located on the desert land in Belbes, 60 kilometres northeast of Cairo, Sekem today has grown strong and prosperous, both economically and socially. Almost 40 years after its inception, the 2,800 hectares of the village's green crops supply successful textile, natural medicines and herbal tea businesses that employ 2,000 people. All of this has been possible because of Sekem's holistic approach and its ethical code of conduct.

In 2003, Sekem was awarded the Alternative Nobel Prize, the Right Livelihood Award as "a business model for the twenty-first century," combining social and cultural development with commercial success.

Auroville is an international township in the south of India near the former French colony Pondicherry which aims to embody the ideal of human unity - and its ecological work comes as a consequence. It is the largest existing eco-city attempt in the world, where "men and women of all countries are able to live in peace and progressive harmony above all creeds, all politics and all nationalities." Auroville (City of Dawn) was founded in 1968 by the Mother (Mira Alfassa) in accordance with her dream a place where humanity can live united, in peace and in harmony with nature, beyond of all beliefs, political opinions and nationalities. Today, Auroville is home to over 2,000 people from 43 different countries and is one of the few places on Earth where biodiversity is actually increasing. With 50 years of experience and the support of the Indian ministry and international institutions like UNESCO, Auroville has now managed to build a social and economic system that is approaching stability. This kind of social security and cooperative today allows residents to meet most of the food and material needs and even receive a pension. The residents also have free access to education, basic medical care, sports and the many cultural activities of Auroville.

Eco Village at Ithaca is a community of people seeking to create positive solutions to the social, environmental and economic crises our planet faces. Envisioned in 1991 and brought to life in 1996, this suburban cohousing community today promotes experiential learning about ways of meeting human needs for shelter, food, energy, livelihood and social connectedness that are aligned with the long-term health and viability of Earth and all its inhabitants. Covering 175 acres, it is located in the Finger Lakes region in upstate New York and provides the setting for a healthy, socially rich lifestyle focused on minimizing the ecological impact of humans. It is an intentional community and non-profit educational organization that invites you to live, learn and grow. This vast sanctuary boasts two community-supported agriculture (CSA) farms and 160 residents, 60 of whom are children.

Eco Truly Park is a magical self-sustaining artistic community located right next to the sea on the Chacra y Mar beach, a district of Aucallama, in the province of Huaral, one hour by bus or car (63 km) north of the capital city, Lima. This beautiful Peruvian Pacific coast ecological, the artistic community has a group of cute mud houses that offer a return to natural, healthy living inspired by Vaisnava principles. In the last 18 years, the members of this community have developed unique organic awareness cultivation and ecological program. The community is built 2.5 m above sea level and consisted previously of completely sandy, unworkable land. Today their community is visited by residents and volunteers from around the world who would like to travel to this retreat to experience living together in harmony with their surroundings.

As climate change accelerates, we need communities like these are trying to create viable models of sustainable, human-scale communities. Have you been to any eco villages? Tell us about your experiences in the comments below!
Originally published at https://travel.earth

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What is an Ecovillage? Here Are Some Of The Best International Ecovillages

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An eco-village is defined by Global Ecovillage Network as, "An intentional or traditional community using local participatory processes to holistically integrate ecological, economic, social, and cultural dimensions of sustainability in order to regenerate social and natural environments." They are essentially designed communities which strive to produce the least possible negative impact on the natural environment through intentional physical design and resident behaviour choices.

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The Global Ecovillage Network is a registered charity: SC043796 and has consultative status in the UN – ECOSOC.

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The Global Ecovillage Network is a registered charity: SC043796 and has consultative status in the UN – ECOSOC.

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The Global Ecovillage Network (GEN) catalyzes communities for a regenerative world. GEN is a growing network of regenerative communities and initiatives that bridge cultures, countries, and continents.

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The Global Ecovillage Network (GEN) catalyzes communities for a regenerative world. GEN is a growing network of regenerative communities and initiatives that bridge cultures, countries, and continents.

GEN builds bridges between policy-makers, governments, NGOs, academics, entrepreneurs, activists, community networks and ecologically-minded individuals across the globe in order to develop strategies for a global transition to resilient communities and cultures.

What is an Ecovillage?

An ecovillage is an intentional, traditional or urban community that is consciously designing its pathway through locally owned, participatory processes, and aiming to address the Ecovillage Principles in the 4 Areas of Regeneration (social, culture, ecology, economy into a whole systems design).

Ecovillages are living laboratories pioneering beautiful alternatives and innovative solutions. They are rural or urban settlements with vibrant social structures, vastly diverse, yet united in their actions towards low-impact, high-quality lifestyles. Read more about ecovillage definitions in our Glossary.

Who is in the GEN Network?

GEN is composed of 5 regional networks, and the youth arm, NextGEN, spanning the globe. The network is made up of approximately 10,000 communities and related projects where people are living together in greater ecological harmony.

Some network members include large networks like Sarvodaya (2,000 active sustainable villages in Sri Lanka); the Federation of Damanhur in Italy and REDES in Senegal; as well as small rural ecovillages like Gaia Asociación in Argentina and Huehuecoyotl in Mexico.

It also includes urban rejuvenation projects like Los Angeles EcoVillage and Christiania in Copenhagen; permaculture design sites such as Crystal Waters, Australia, Cochabamba, Bolivia and Barus, Brazil; and educational centres such as Findhorn in Scotland, Centre for Alternative Technology in Wales, Earthlands in Massachusetts, and many more.

Learn More About GEN

Read more about the Global Ecovillage Network:
Vision, Mission, & Goals GEN Glossary Organisational Structure Our Work Partners

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About GEN - The Global Ecovillage Network (GEN) bridges countries, cultures, and communities!

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The Global Ecovillage Network (GEN) catalyzes communities for a regenerative world. GEN is a growing network of regenerative communities and initiatives that bridge cultures, countries, and continents. GEN builds bridges between policy-makers, governments, NGOs, academics, entrepreneurs, activists, community networks and ecologically-minded individuals across the globe in order to develop strategies for a global transition to resilient communities and cultures.

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Foundation for Intentional Community (FIC) is a registered 501(c)(3) non-profit organization. Our main office is located at Dancing Rabbit Ecovillage, MO, USA. Stewarding the communities movement for over 30 years!

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Arizona's current 'Ecovillages.' The one I imagine is closer to or in the city. It would be part of urban living. 

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Arizona's current 'Ecovillages.' The one I imagine is closer to or in the city. It would be part of urban living. 

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Beth Ann Morrison is a Ph.D. student at Arizona State University’s School of Sustainability. At the Happiness and Sustainability Lab, she and her colleagues examine how urban neighborhoods and people in general can increase quality of life through sustainability.

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GLOBE - The residents of Wind Spirit live on 16 acres surrounded by citrus and olive trees, stony hills and played-out mines. They've built their homes from materials ranging from a dirt-straw concrete mix called cob to canvas teepees to buses painted blue, purple and yellow. Outdoor sinks have signs requesting visitors use tree-friendly soap. All the bathrooms have compost toilets.

Wind Spirit, tucked between Winkelman and Superior, just south of Tonto National Forest, is an "ecovillage," where residents live by a public set of ever-changing guidelines for respecting each other and the land.

"It seems so much with the environmental movement that people are concerned about the environment, but they don't want it impacting their lives because they're used to these certain conveniences," said Don Clark, who founded Wind Spirit with two friends.

"I want to live a lifestyle I can feel good about." Wind Spirit is one of many alternative communities throughout Arizona, often called intentional communities. Although their goals range from spiritual to musical, many focus on ecology and sustainability.

"Since last year, the volume of people inquiring has doubled," Clark said. "A lot of people are saying they don't like what's going on, so they're looking for alternatives."

A recent storm had knocked out electrical power, shutting down Wind Spirit's water pumps. Clark's partner, Sarah Edelman, had to drive to Globe to get parts, but she hopes their solar panel project will change things in the next few months.

"We'll never need to be on the grid for the well pump anymore, and that's going to be great," Edelman said.

Edelman is used to such challenges. She moved a year ago from another ecovillage outside Tucson called TerraSante Village.

"It's community," Edelman said. "Sharing resources, sharing infrastructure, buildings and food ... everybody's responsible. ... It's sometimes hard to find people that come ready-made like that."

Communal living has a long history, but many ecovillages have increased their networking with a sense of urgency. Online resources, such as the Fellowship for Intentional Community and the Global Ecovillage Network, help with that effort.

Sky Blue is executive director of the 30-year-old Fellowship for Intentional Community, which provides informational materials and a global directory of communities, ranging from monasteries to neighborhoods that share tools and have monthly potlucks.

"Intentional community is the broad umbrella term," Blue said. "There are different kinds of intentional communities, ecovillages being one of them. The values part is where the "intentional" in "intentional communities comes in."

Blue lives in a secular, income-sharing community in Virginia. He thinks many outsiders cling to outdated stereotypes of hippie communes, even if the motivations are accessible.

For communities that identify as ecovillages, Blue sees "dimensions of sustainability: cultural, economic and ecological."

"They're very holistic in nature, bringing together all the different aspects of life and also addressing it," he said. "They're also essentially a response to a critical analysis of society."

Bruce Scher opened TerraSante Village after reading a climate change article in "Scientific American." He bought land southwest of Saguaro National Park and started building in 2005.

"I liked the idea of a space that wasn't relegated to some gutter," Scher said. "The kind of people who have been marginalized to a certain degree, either by economic circumstances, economic choice or wanting to live in an alternative way that isn't all commercialized ... none of that was my personal experience - a lot of people, that is their experience."

TerraSante's residents nicknamed it a "laboratory for sustainability." It sits in the desert as a member of the Sacred Earth neighborhood, 160 acres of "meta community."

Permanent and nonpermanent residents include business professionals, self-styled inventors, native-seed vendors, seasonal campers and, once, a group of traveling hippies interested solely in repairing bicycles.

The Krieters recently moved to TerraSante from Harmony and Health, a community across the road. Leo and Amy Krieter, their son Timothy, 5, and Amy's daughter, Reana, live in an enormous Army tent pitched atop wooden construction palettes, more of which will eventually become walls and additions.

"Our long-term goal is to be able to set up solar panels, be independent, be able to pick this up, take it down wherever we want, whenever we want," Leo Krieter said.

"My family and I, we've been looking for a calmer way, a better way. When we first started living in the community, I was way overweight, way unhealthy, still dealing with military experiences."

Krieter credits TerraSante with helping him lose weight, helping his wife quit smoking and giving his kids a place to live "free without judgment." A recent arrival, Jason Romanowski, 32, has been babysitting Timothy and living in a tent the Krieters loaned him. Reana attends high school nearby, which requires a drive to the bus stop and an hour-long bus ride.

The Krieters' reuse of materials for their new home aligns with other TerraSante projects. Plastic tubs are cut and repurposed for funnel gardening. Metal pipes are tuned for experimental music, or windmill development. One resident collects and sells native seeds from the surrounding desert.

In Arizona, California, Colorado and New Mexico, the Fellowship for Intentional Community lists 68 ecovillages, with even more across the country and internationally. Some only have one or two members as they begin to form. One in Paonia, Colorado, is meant for the elderly.

The Community for Mindful Living, based in Berkeley, California, coordinates projects nationally and internationally. For ecological values, the residents, "strive to live more sustainably by embracing permaculture principles ... treading lightly on our planet."

The ecovillage label often gets paired with other descriptions, such as cohousing, communes, spiritual community or coliving.

Beth Ann Morrison is a Ph.D. student at Arizona State University's School of Sustainability. At the Happiness and Sustainability Lab, she and her colleagues examine how urban neighborhoods and people in general can increase quality of life through sustainability.

"(Ecovillages) are experimental," Morrison said. "I love to see people exploring what new possibilities are there, maybe not new but alternative. The critique I have for doing things outside the city is that while it's good for demonstrating what can be done ... it doesn't question the status quo. I kind of call those gated communities, even if they don't look the same as what comes to mind with that term."

Morrison sees problems with land ownership, indigenous cultural appropriation, lack of diversity and the attitude that many equate sustainability with sacrifice. In her mind, climate change isn't an "oncoming catastrophe," just a reality to which "people will have to adapt."

Some Arizona ecovillages experiment with sustainable practices, but Morrison said living differently does not always mean making a difference.

"To go off into the middle of nowhere and remove yourself from larger society," she said, "when you do have privileges and access to resources that you could otherwise be mobilizing. ... Unless you're doing something on a deeper level or a broader level, it's a sheltered environment, it's very private."

For Morrison, unsustainability stems from inequality. She prioritizes collaborative designs, community building and resource sharing in neighborhoods as a more impactful way to address the problems that inspired TerraSante, Wind Spirit and others.

"Then you can start creating together, and envisioning new amazing things, like the ecovillage," Morrison said. "Then gather the resources you need to start to make it."

Even with the limitations and challenges of a rural ecovillage, however, Scher and Clark believe their sustainability models are doable.

TerraSante and Wind Spirit develop innovative food systems. At TerraSante, Scher experiments with "fortress gardening," essentially fenced gardening that helps him protect their food from pests and weather.

"One of my fun projects was to try and create all the ingredients for summer salsa growing in the garden," Scher said. "It was a challenge because cilantro is so hard to grow in the summer."

Wind Spirit can grow a wider variety of food compared with TerraSante Village's desert surroundings. In addition to its citrus and olives, the community has several chicken coops, each with a protected feeder that the chickens have learned to open but sparrows can't.

Breezy Wilson lives in a cob house at the top of a ridge in Wind Spirit and uses a solar dehydrator to turn orange slices into "citrus chips." She and her partner took on cooking for the community, specializing in vegan diets.

"Lots of veggies and fruits and nuts and seeds, and I try to put a lot of high protein foods out there without there being meat involved," Wilson said. "Chia seeds, flax seeds, pumpkin seeds, sunflower seeds. ... We go to Tucson and go to Sprouts or Natural Grocers for whatever the land doesn't provide."

Many residents of TerraSante and Wind Spirit worry that mainstream living habits will not last, and their sustainable practices will become essential.

Parts of the United States have already dealt with this reality. The "New York Times" reported on Louisiana residents who will abandon a coastal town because of climate change. A research paper submitted to Elementa predicts that 4 and 13 million people in the United States will be exposed to rising seas by 2100.

In the near future, Scher predicts, "similar environments that are going to be sprouting up all over the world as the climate changes. People are going to be on the run, they're going to be refugees.

"If you look at what the scientists are saying and the data says, we're heading for that scenario of really difficult habitation on planet Earth. We're getting a jump on that, creating a space where we're going to start looking at this stuff. How do we live in a marginal environment?"

This story is part of Elemental: Covering Sustainability, a new multimedia collaboration between Cronkite News, Arizona PBS, KJZZ, KPCC, Rocky Mountain PBS and PBS SoCal. For more stories from Cronkite News, visit cronkitenews.azpbs.org.

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Arizona's 'Ecovillages' take sustainability to personal level

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GLOBE - The residents of Wind Spirit live on 16 acres surrounded by citrus and olive trees, stony hills and played-out mines. They've built their homes from materials ranging from a dirt-straw concrete mix called cob to canvas teepees to buses painted blue, purple and yellow.

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Are you an academic searching for an ecovillage as a case study for your survey?
Are you a student intending to write an academic paper on an ecovillage?
Are you a journalist interested in reporting on an ecovillage?
Or are you an ecovillage community or member receiving requests from students or researchers asking to study your ecovillage?
The GEN Research Working Group wants to support your research endeavor by providing a basic guide including information on the status of the field and research protocol. Please read the following information before you approach an ecovillage or the GEN network:

We, representatives of the Global Ecovillage Network (GEN) welcome your intention to research or report as a journalist on ecovillages. We kindly ask you to carefully read first the following information before contacting the ecovillages you wish to approach. This will make things easier for both you and our member communities.

First step: Understanding the existing field of research on ecovillages

Ecovillages are increasingly approached by science, politics and media from almost all areas of science and research or in many different sub-disciplinary aspects. Ecovillages seem to be increasingly interesting as "all-round laboratories" of the future. Thorough research has already been conducted. An increasing number of publications are available to refer to. At this time, GEN can only provide basic information. However, we appreciate receiving more information from in order to update and improve this website.

Please read and refer to the large variety of exciting, quality research and literature that has already been published. There is likely to be existing research that can improve and sharpen your research question. We have brought together the following links for information on the current status of the field of ecovillage research:

Links to academic research websites on communities and ecovillages:

Links to research networks around communities and ecovillages:

Links to research projects on ecovillages

Links to research networks of like-minded movements:

Second step: Approaching and visiting ecovillages for field research

For approaching the ecovillage you are interested in, please visit an officially announced information day or weekend, if offered. This is the most authentic way to get to know an ecovillage. Take enough time to connect to the ecovillage, as this is the basis for profound research.

Ecovillages are generally not able to afford accommodation and food for students and otherwise provide support your studies. You should look for resources on your own or ask your university. Be prepared to pay as a guest.

Please read the requirements and guidelines on social empirical field work at your university and in the literature on scientific methods. These can give direction on how to deal with privacy, approaching interviewees and publishing data.

You should let the organizers know about your research project in advance and they may be able to put you in contact with experts who you can connect with when you are there.

If you want to raise the interest of an ecovillage, it is recommended, and will be highly appreciated, if you can offer a favor in return. For example, you can offer to contribute through volunteering like other guests in the kitchen, garden etc. or offer your skills in facilitation or minute-taking, etc.

Please let GEN know about your work by sending an e-mail to research@ecovillage.org

Third step: Documenting your research

It is very important to us to keep a record of existing research and reports. Ecovillages are often quite interested in a view from the outside and appreciate your work. At the same time, this can also help your reputation.

Please send an e-mail on your finished work/ publications to research@ecovillage.org

Please set up a profile and upload your research report or publications on researchgate or academics and use ecovillage as a keyword.

Email Listserve of the GEN research working group

If you want to connect to other researchers around ecovillages, for networking on conferences, calls, and/or research funding, you are welcome to subscribe to our email listserve. Find more information see the bottom of this page.

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Protocol for Ecovillage Research - Global Ecovillage Network

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GEN Research Research Protocol Aims & Work Who are we? Are you an academic searching for an ecovillage as a case study for your survey? Are you a student intending to write an academic paper on an ecovillage? Are you a journalist interested in reporting on an ecovillage?

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Ecovillages are alternative and community-based society models in the form of uniformly self-reliant communities.

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Sometimes, when we hear about EcoVillages, the first thing that comes to our mind is the place that consists of natural and spiritual surroundings, living between self-healing and returning to basics, respect for the environment, respect for the community and self-sufficiency. Is it Heaven or Reality?

Ecovillages are alternative and community-based society models in the form of uniformly self-reliant communities. Social groups formed on a common interest, with a well-organised preference for humanity and nature. An aspect of self-sufficiency and ethical principles, sharing, democracy and equality. They are the natural habitat that places humankind back at the heart of the environment.

Each Ecovillage is unique

There is not just one kind of Ecovillage, but almost as many as there are instances: like oriented towards agriculture, autonomy, ecology, with a social, economic or cultural plan, geographically remote from everything or combined with a village, or even in a city in the form of a dedicated district, with primary contexts which give a different value to each plan (architect, places, surface, climate, resources, etc.).

Principles of Ecovillages which supports healthy living and sustainability for Wellbeing

1- Basic principles of Ecovillages:

Love for nature: A practice to balance between man and the land, maintain or restore local biodiversity, protect natural habitats, sustainability is getting food, optimize the use of natural resources, setting up a sustainable model of forest management, promote a lifestyle based on sustainable development. The heart of ecovillages activities is always around nature, the environment and ecology!

Live together: On paper, the idea is beautiful, but be careful; however: what is a strength can also be a difficulty; by that, we mean all the constraints linked to community life and collective decision-making. A significant challenge in our world nourished by individualism, sometimes a source of failure, when "living together" is more complex than all the fundamental issues related to the environment or sustainable development.

Ecology: Ecology is at the heart of ecovillages, but so are people. Without people, without families, without communities, there are no ecovillages. It is a whole community, between standard, democratic, and equality in the decision-making process, distributing tasks, sharing thoughts, and pooling expenses: community practices that promote personal development, social ties and intergenerational exchanges.

2 - General Objective:

Create a community of people who love and respect their natural environment, want to recover their healthy being at work, love their peers and communism as a social structure.

3- Specific Objectives:

There are many specific objectives that Ecovillages focus upon, which is essential from the community growth point of view and their surroundings.

- To have a place and resources that develop the community

- To give life to an uninhabited village or town

- To rehabilitate nearby village or town while respecting the culture of the area

- To create the necessary infrastructures for our needs

- To form a supportive organisation for the economic activities of the community

- Promote a healthy life with some organic food to eat

- Create a place to share ideas, workshops, courses, etc. for the benefit of community people

- Achieve the maximum possible self-sufficiency and sustainability from the community

- Minimize the environmental impact - ecological footprint

- Achieve maximum dynamic independence through clean and renewable energy

- Create an educational space for our children, teaching them the love of nature and their peers

4- Living Area:

The community looks for an isolated village or town to develop their action plan, giving life to create without people. The community needs housing where its members can live, places where we can carry out our economic activity (farms, fruit trees, workshops, classrooms, etc.)

5- Social Structure:

The social structure of Ecovillage is based on a community in which free members form with voices and votes in the assemblies. Therefore, everything related to the ecovillage and its cooperative is decided by a direct democratic vote.

Each year, the community can plant the number of trees equivalent to the kg of CO2 that ecovillage sends into the atmosphere during economic activities (vehicles, tools, gas, etc.)

6- Energy and Water:

The mission of Ecovillages is to have maximum energy independence through clean and renewable energy, also responsible for consumption.

Water for us is a treasure; without it, no living being could live, so the community takes care of it and does not waste it.

Community creates a system to collect rainwater to use in the orchards and for cleaning, etc.

7- Food:

Diet is based on predominately vegetables and fruit, always coming from organic farming and as long as the community grows.

To be free and develop the activities, the community need a healthy diet without chemical pollutants and can also use plants and natural medicinal remedies to cure the ills.

8- Economic Activities:

The community members will form the cooperative union to develop various economic activities to support the community.

sale of organic vegetables and fruit

sale of organic and free-range eggs

sale of handmade soaps

sale of organic honey

sale of organic bread

sale of organic cheese and milk

sale of natural medicinal and aesthetic remedies

farm - a training school for children from nearby towns, etc.

9- Personal Growth

The community allows casting our views and opinions to develop ourselves as personal growth. The Ecovillage community also encourages the individuals to perceive change, behave, and live with everyone in the community.

10- Social Relations With the Neighbors

In the same way, the community will try the good coexistence between all the community members; they will also look for good relations with the immediate neighbours, to whom they offer support and solidarity selflessly.

Communities create a barter network with neighbours to be more self-sufficient in the environment, creating a network of support and trust for exchanges of food, tools, etc.

For Growing with the same purpose, Orchard Ecovillage supports Good and Healthy Living and Sustainable Development for living a New Norm of Life. Where you can Live, Play, Grow, Learn and Work at the same place. The mission of Orchard EcoVillage is to develop sustainable, affordable communities and create a healthy world for people.

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How Does Living in an EcoVillage Impact your Wellbeing?

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Sometimes, when we hear about EcoVillages, the first thing that comes to our mind is the place that consists of natural and spiritual surroundings, living between self-healing and returning to basics, respect for the environment, respect for the community and self-sufficiency. Is it Heaven or Reality?

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With up to a half-century of empirical experimentation, ecovillages offer an evidence base that can be utilised to benefit the wider society.

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With up to a half-century of empirical experimentation, ecovillages offer an evidence base that can be utilised to benefit the wider society.

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Abstract

Overarching policy objectives for national wellbeing are currently being developed by national governments, replacing the objective of economic growth. Maximising the quality of people's lives, their happiness or subjective wellbeing has, however, been the conscious strategy of ecovillages. With up to a half-century of empirical experimentation, ecovillages offer an evidence base that can be utilised to benefit the wider society. In order to facilitate the research needed for appropriate government policies to deliver a high level of national wellbeing, this paper attempts to shed light on some twenty different elements-the common attitudes and practices of ecovillages-which have allowed them to succeed in this endeavour. Further research on the wellbeing of ecovillages is suggested to enable the wider society to focus on the process of achieving a higher level of wellbeing for sustainable development.

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