O.U.R. Ecovillage — the Valley’s award-winning model for integrated sustainable living and agricultural community design — is celebrating the opening of its co-operative venture on Earth Day, Friday, April 22.
It’s been a long haul for the group, whose aims include land protection, green burial, and an ecological education centre.
Financing has finally been secured for this innovative community to take title of the lands and projects of the 25-acre Shawnigan Lake property.
It all began in 1999 and there’s been lots of work in the intervening years but the idea survived, even through the market crash of 2008.
Even if you’ve been to O.U.R. Ecovillage, there is a lot to see that’s new with many changes just in 2016 alone.
Look for a new lake, four homes ready for occupancy this year, a beautiful commercial kitchen for OUR Zero Mile Meal Eatery, expanded courses, many new outstanding guest teachers and highly recognized speakers coming for 2016, and an onsite homeschool program.
On April 22, the fun all starts at 1 p.m. as the crowd gathers. A special welcome for funders, founders and community heroes will be held at 1:30 p.m. followed by site tours, digital story telling, and finally, at 5 p.m. a community feast and later, an evening program and musical performances.
For more information go to www.ourecovillage.org/courses-events/ or contact Roger at 250-370-7092