Project Overview
The most basic elements of the La Paz Eco Village project are those who are a part of it, living in peace and harmony with each other and the natural world around us.
Eco Villages by their very nature imply living (or learning to) in as ecologically sound a way as possible and this project is no exception. There are a myriad of viable alternative options for each facet of the Eco Villages' everyday life and the best approaches for them will be discussed, various aspects presented with ideas of how to include them, and counciled upon in order to reach common agreements (a good general consensus) if the council of all those involved feels that whatever that is presented should be included.
Generally speaking, organic food production is the norm with Eco Villages and the site we would like has never had any chemicals used upon it, so is as organically intact as possible to start with. Bio-Intensive and Perma-Culture techniques seem to be the preferred approach to the gardening aspects of the project according to the input so far given. The area is also a treasure trove of natural flora and fauna, beneficial herbs which can be used and the benefits of which can be learned, as well as taught. Part of the purpose for being is to co--create a viable model of sustainable living and part of that process is to diseminate and share all that we may learn and demonstrate the methods we may use as proven ways to achieve this.
Additionally, the project site sits right next to the Sierra de la Laguna National Park (thee largest such park in Mexico) and World Heritage Bio-Reserve (UNESCO) so that all water comes from as pristine sources as can be. The site itself has adequate water resources to supply the communities' needs, albeit some development of water storage for use in the dry season would be advisable (some such storage is already in place), although there is a permit to draw 5,000 cubic meters of fresh water via extraction from subterranean sources if need be.
There is rather strong agreement by those expressing an interest as being parts of the community that the arts (in all forms) should be an integral part of the community. From actual production of the various forms, thru to teaching, creating events on site as well as in the region...., is the desired approach for this aspect of the Eco Village. Such of course would also supply self and/or collective employment, as well as income for those participating in this facet of the community.
As part of the purpose for this project is to minimize our carbon footprint, alternative energy sources will be used and the project site is already set up for the use of solar energy, just lacking the panels. Wind, methane, bio fuels (largely for vehicle needs) and other methods would also be considered. And of course research and development of other potential sources encouraged. Complete energy independence is the objective and an integrated model can be developed and shared with others wishing to create, or improve, their Eco Village projects, as well as be applied to local individual homes and businesses owners which are more energy conscious so that it would hopefully become the way of the future energy use needs in general.
Another purpose for the Eco Village would be as a gathering place, via events, bringing people and like minded projects' participants together to share their efforts and demonstrate their successes in whatever their fields of expertise. Four events per year, on the Equinoxes and Solstices, and possibly others in between would be the ideal. This would also bring into play feasible & proven ideas which may also be included into the La Paz Eco Village. The projected size and scope of such events will be Council based upon general consensus agreements. We do already have a vast global network which we can work with (about 20,000 people, groups and networks worldwide in the existing outreach network available).
The La Paz Eco Village will also serve as a focalizing/coordinating/networking center for many events, projects, relief efforts... around the world, which Rainbow Hawk already has in place, is very actively involved with and would more than welcome others to do volunteer work with him. Much of that can be seen on his Facebook page via the links and groups posted, as well as those of the more than 3,900 friends listed there.
As communications and the arts are to be important parts of this project, those potentially involved are in accord that a Multi Media Studio would be a great asset for the community and it's outreach efforts, as well as attract many very talented individuals and groups for recording music and creating videos.... on site. This also has the potential of generating funding for various projects needs as a cottage industry as well.
Long term funding is of course a serious consideration, besides the initial investments needed to purchase the site and developing adequate infrastructure for those living here, for visitors, guests and volunteers.
Cottage industries producing in environmentally friendly ways will run the gambit based upon what individuals and collectives wish to create and have the abilities and resources to do so. Arts & Crafts are a natural for creative people and most who have expressed their desire to be a part are already skilled and often involved with them already. As an organic farm it will produce a surplus past the communities immediate needs which can be locally marketed. Fashion using natural textiles has been another thing mentioned and the showing of them can be done at events on site, via the internet and marketed in this States' stores.... as well. Design and construction of environmentally sound housing outside of the community itself is another option which can be explored. Eco-tourism is another strong possibility, both on theEco Village site itself, neighboring ranchos with their consent and via trips into the Sierra de la Laguna Bio-Reserve (that is pretty strictly protected and would require special permissions), which can also educate participants in that about our local eco-systems, its' treasures of bio-diversity and endemic species only found here. The conscious harvesting of natural herbs, educating people about their uses.... is another naturally available resource which can be explored. Just to list some of the obvious cottage industries we can do, but certainly not limited to those.
A non-profit organization will be set up to help administer the ecovillage and its members' operations. This includes a Learning Center where the members of the community themselves will be teaching courses and workshops to others on the concepts of permaculture and sustainable living, whether designed for living in such a community or in rural, urban and suburban areas. These workshops will provide both a source of revenue for the community and a healthy stream of helping hands in the many projects of the community.
An all inclusive Holistic Health Care component is something else many mention as desirable and essential for the communities needs itself. Most people expressing an interest in being parts of the community are in the least fairly knowledgable in that field and some have a great degree of expertise in their specific areas of holistic healing and preventative medicine. Although not specific as a cottage industry, this can also generate incomes for those involved, though the general feeling appears to be that such should be done on either a donation/or sliding scale basis, free to those in genuine needs without the resources to pay for such services, though may be able to do work/trade in exchange as an option.
Eco Villages by their very nature imply living (or learning to) in as ecologically sound a way as possible and this project is no exception. There are a myriad of viable alternative options for each facet of the Eco Villages' everyday life and the best approaches for them will be discussed, various aspects presented with ideas of how to include them, and counciled upon in order to reach common agreements (a good general consensus) if the council of all those involved feels that whatever that is presented should be included.
Generally speaking, organic food production is the norm with Eco Villages and the site we would like has never had any chemicals used upon it, so is as organically intact as possible to start with. Bio-Intensive and Perma-Culture techniques seem to be the preferred approach to the gardening aspects of the project according to the input so far given. The area is also a treasure trove of natural flora and fauna, beneficial herbs which can be used and the benefits of which can be learned, as well as taught. Part of the purpose for being is to co--create a viable model of sustainable living and part of that process is to diseminate and share all that we may learn and demonstrate the methods we may use as proven ways to achieve this.
Additionally, the project site sits right next to the Sierra de la Laguna National Park (thee largest such park in Mexico) and World Heritage Bio-Reserve (UNESCO) so that all water comes from as pristine sources as can be. The site itself has adequate water resources to supply the communities' needs, albeit some development of water storage for use in the dry season would be advisable (some such storage is already in place), although there is a permit to draw 5,000 cubic meters of fresh water via extraction from subterranean sources if need be.
There is rather strong agreement by those expressing an interest as being parts of the community that the arts (in all forms) should be an integral part of the community. From actual production of the various forms, thru to teaching, creating events on site as well as in the region...., is the desired approach for this aspect of the Eco Village. Such of course would also supply self and/or collective employment, as well as income for those participating in this facet of the community.
As part of the purpose for this project is to minimize our carbon footprint, alternative energy sources will be used and the project site is already set up for the use of solar energy, just lacking the panels. Wind, methane, bio fuels (largely for vehicle needs) and other methods would also be considered. And of course research and development of other potential sources encouraged. Complete energy independence is the objective and an integrated model can be developed and shared with others wishing to create, or improve, their Eco Village projects, as well as be applied to local individual homes and businesses owners which are more energy conscious so that it would hopefully become the way of the future energy use needs in general.
Another purpose for the Eco Village would be as a gathering place, via events, bringing people and like minded projects' participants together to share their efforts and demonstrate their successes in whatever their fields of expertise. Four events per year, on the Equinoxes and Solstices, and possibly others in between would be the ideal. This would also bring into play feasible & proven ideas which may also be included into the La Paz Eco Village. The projected size and scope of such events will be Council based upon general consensus agreements. We do already have a vast global network which we can work with (about 20,000 people, groups and networks worldwide in the existing outreach network available).
The La Paz Eco Village will also serve as a focalizing/coordinating/networking center for many events, projects, relief efforts... around the world, which Rainbow Hawk already has in place, is very actively involved with and would more than welcome others to do volunteer work with him. Much of that can be seen on his Facebook page via the links and groups posted, as well as those of the more than 3,900 friends listed there.
As communications and the arts are to be important parts of this project, those potentially involved are in accord that a Multi Media Studio would be a great asset for the community and it's outreach efforts, as well as attract many very talented individuals and groups for recording music and creating videos.... on site. This also has the potential of generating funding for various projects needs as a cottage industry as well.
Long term funding is of course a serious consideration, besides the initial investments needed to purchase the site and developing adequate infrastructure for those living here, for visitors, guests and volunteers.
Cottage industries producing in environmentally friendly ways will run the gambit based upon what individuals and collectives wish to create and have the abilities and resources to do so. Arts & Crafts are a natural for creative people and most who have expressed their desire to be a part are already skilled and often involved with them already. As an organic farm it will produce a surplus past the communities immediate needs which can be locally marketed. Fashion using natural textiles has been another thing mentioned and the showing of them can be done at events on site, via the internet and marketed in this States' stores.... as well. Design and construction of environmentally sound housing outside of the community itself is another option which can be explored. Eco-tourism is another strong possibility, both on theEco Village site itself, neighboring ranchos with their consent and via trips into the Sierra de la Laguna Bio-Reserve (that is pretty strictly protected and would require special permissions), which can also educate participants in that about our local eco-systems, its' treasures of bio-diversity and endemic species only found here. The conscious harvesting of natural herbs, educating people about their uses.... is another naturally available resource which can be explored. Just to list some of the obvious cottage industries we can do, but certainly not limited to those.
A non-profit organization will be set up to help administer the ecovillage and its members' operations. This includes a Learning Center where the members of the community themselves will be teaching courses and workshops to others on the concepts of permaculture and sustainable living, whether designed for living in such a community or in rural, urban and suburban areas. These workshops will provide both a source of revenue for the community and a healthy stream of helping hands in the many projects of the community.
An all inclusive Holistic Health Care component is something else many mention as desirable and essential for the communities needs itself. Most people expressing an interest in being parts of the community are in the least fairly knowledgable in that field and some have a great degree of expertise in their specific areas of holistic healing and preventative medicine. Although not specific as a cottage industry, this can also generate incomes for those involved, though the general feeling appears to be that such should be done on either a donation/or sliding scale basis, free to those in genuine needs without the resources to pay for such services, though may be able to do work/trade in exchange as an option.