THE FREE PRESS FOCUS Page A9 SUNDAY, AUGUST 9, 1998 PHONE 564-0005 Where everybody knows your name EcoVillages are appearing around the world promoting ecology and community for the good of the global village we call earth By MICHELLE LANG Free Press staff writer Imagine living in a community where you never have to listen to traffic. Where you wake up in the morning to natural light from the large windows in your home, warmed by solar panels, and trek down to the nearby farm to get fresh fruits and vegetables. Your porch is so big you can socialize with the neighbours if you want to, or take a walk by the pond which raises fish and stores multi-purpose water. It sounds like an environmental utopia. But this is the lifestyle 70 people are living at EcoVillage Ithaca Inc., located two miles west of downtown Ithaca, New York. Dozens of EcoVillages like this one are popping up all over the world. The Global Eco Village Network began in 1995 and has members from over 10 countries. The organization’s October, 1995 conference on “EcoVillages and Sustainable Communities” was attended by over 400 people from 40 countries. EcoVillages like Crystal Waters, near Brisbane, Australia, have 640 acres of property and 200 residents. They are human settlements that are economically, ecologically and socially sustainable. This real life utopia isn’t far off in Prince George if the Eco Village North Society gets its way. The society is attempting to purchase 180 acres of land at the south end of Cranbrook Hill for its own Eco Village. Eco Village North is the society’s proposed community of about 70 people that could grow to 500 and 800 residents in five to eight small communities. The Eco Village would incorporate a “holistic” lifestyle for its inhabitants, providing environmental, economic and social opportunities. The village would include organic farms, woodlots, pastures, a learning centre and businesses based on a “new economy.” An extensive pedestrian trail system would connect the neighbourhoods with the village centre and the agricultural areas. No cars allowed. Potable water would be obtained from wells on the site. As well an alternative sewage disposal and recycling system would be developed. “It’s a trend in planning,” says Birgit Murphy, Eco Village North spokesperson. “I think a lot of people are interested for the same reasons, it provides a lot of answers to social, economic and environmental issues. Governments are recognizing a shift in lifestyle and how we use resources. Sustainability is a big buzz word right now.” Houses in these communities cost about 10 to 15 per cent more than the average house. But money can be saved by build- ing several units at once. As well, residents save on heating and other bills. Solar panels are used for energy to heat the house and water. Sewage disposal would be provided by on-site sewage treatment, probably a waste water recycling program that uses bacteria and microorganisms to purify the water. The water can then be released back into the environment or used for sprinkling or toilet water. EcoVillage housing is built to work with the environment, explains Ms. Murphy, so its residents can conserve energy. For example, building behind trees can provide shade in the summer and when the leaves shed in winter the solar panels get more exposure. But living an environmentally responsible lifestyle isn’t the only attraction to EcoVillages. Ms. Murphy says she is attracted to the sense of community these villages create. “I like the idea of community,” says Ms. Murphy. “I think people are getting more isolated. I’m getting older and I don’t want to go to a senior’s home. EcoVillages are the kind of community where people take care of each other.” Gail and John Curry, active EcoVillage North members, visited the EcoVillage in Ithaca and found that sense of community that Ms. Murphy talks about. In an article they wrote for the EcoVillage North Society’s newsletter, they describe going to dinner with 15 other cohousers because there was no meal in the common house, where people usually congregate. The common house has a dining area, a restaurant-style kitchen, a crafts room, a children’s room, a teen room and laundry. “This was our first impression of EcoVillage at Ithaca - welcoming and friendly,” they write in the article. “There was definitely a sense of community here.” The Currys say their family is interested in cohousing because the community focuses on people, not cars. They feel cars intrude on a community and discourage interaction between neighbours. Ms. Murphy feels a sense of community is developed because the people who live there also plan and design the structure. Whether it is the community of people or the sustainable lifestyle, EcoVillage North believes ecological cohousing is the way of the future. And they plan to make every effort to see their environmental utopia become a reality in Prince George. UTOPIANREALITY Almost everyone agrees an EcoVillage in Prince George is a great idea in theory. But in reality the EcoVillage North Society faces several challenges - land acquisition, sewer and water servicing - before its proposed project can go ahead. The proposed village isn't close to municipal services and a report from the City of Prince George's Development Services expresses fear that'chances of obtaining an adequate water supply for BOO people onsite are very low. ‘ If the well system were to fail, the department estimates the municipal water system would have to be extended by two kilometres at a cost of between $500,000 and $1 million. Birgit Murphy, spokesperson for the society, calls the servicing problems "the big hurdle "for the group. The society is prepared to pay for test wells to be drilled for water and for further research into a sewage disposal system. As well, they have to acquire the 180 acre parcel of land, located at the south end of Cranbrook Hill. The land is owned by the Crown and the city and it is still unknown at this time if it is for sale. If things don't work out In the proposed location, the society says it is willing to look elsewhere. But the proposed site is perfect for its purposes. It provides plenty of room for further development and it is close to UNBC, allowing research partnerships. The south exposure is excellent for solar energy. The EcoVillage North Society will be talking with the city and with the province about acquiring the 180 acres of land in the near future.