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230 People LIVING COMMUNALLY: TOUR of Ithaca EcoVillage — Ep. 051

Flock Finger Lakes・52 minutes read

The Eco Village at Ithaca, founded in 1991 on 176 acres near Cayuga Lake, houses a community of 230 people in three neighborhoods with a focus on sustainable living and community-oriented living. Inspired by co-founders Joan Boker and Liz Walker, the Eco Village promotes a cross-generational, inclusive environment and integrates with the broader region socially, economically, and environmentally.

Insights

  • The Eco Village at Ithaca, founded in 1991, consists of three neighborhoods named Frog, Song, and Tree, totaling 100 households, emphasizing a cross-generational, inclusive environment with distinct characters and green building technologies.
  • Inspired by a walk for the environment by co-founders Joan Boker and Liz Walker, the Eco Village strategically located near downtown Ithaca promotes community-oriented living, part of a global eco-village and national co-housing movement, with a diverse, intergenerational community focusing on sustainability, consensus-based governance, and fostering a strong sense of community through shared resources and initiatives like food distribution and mutual aid support.

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Recent questions

  • What inspired the founding of the Eco Village at Ithaca?

    The Eco Village at Ithaca was inspired by a walk for the environment organized by the co-founders, Joan Boker and Liz Walker, from Los Angeles to New York City in 1990. This walk sparked the idea of creating a sustainable community that promotes eco-friendly living and community-oriented values.

  • How many neighborhoods make up the Eco Village at Ithaca?

    The Eco Village at Ithaca consists of three neighborhoods named Frog, Song, and Tree. Each neighborhood has its own distinct character and was built at different times using green building technologies. Together, these neighborhoods house a total of 100 households and create a cross-generational, inclusive environment within the community.

  • What is the governance structure like within the Eco Village at Ithaca?

    Governance within the Eco Village at Ithaca involves consensus in two neighborhoods and dynamic governance in the third. This governance structure emphasizes participatory decision-making, allowing residents to have a say in the community's operations and future direction. It fosters a sense of community involvement and collaboration among the residents.

  • How does the Eco Village at Ithaca promote sustainable agriculture?

    The Eco Village at Ithaca supports sustainable agriculture by leasing four organic farms within the community to farmers at the cost of taxes. These farms are an integral part of the eco-village's commitment to promoting food production on-site and fostering agricultural sustainability. Additionally, the eco-village operates a Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) program, feeding a thousand people weekly during the growing season.

  • What type of homes are found in the Tree neighborhood of the Eco Village at Ithaca?

    The Tree neighborhood, built in 2015, utilizes passive house building technology for energy efficiency and sustainability. All-electric homes in the Tree neighborhood are powered by solar panels, operating at net zero energy. This focus on sustainable building practices and renewable energy sources aligns with the eco-village's commitment to environmental conservation and reducing its carbon footprint.

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Summary

00:00

"Eco Village at Ithaca: Sustainable Community Living"

  • The Eco Village at Ithaca was founded in 1991 on 176 acres near Cayuga Lake, housing three neighborhoods, a co-housing community of 230 people, and four organic farms.
  • The common house serves as a community center with facilities like a children's playroom, home offices, high-speed internet, laundry, and solar panels.
  • The Eco Village consists of three neighborhoods with distinct characters, built at different times using green building technologies.
  • The neighborhoods are named Frog, Song, and Tree, with a total of 100 households and a cross-generational, inclusive environment.
  • The Eco Village was inspired by a walk for the environment organized by the co-founders, Joan Boker and Liz Walker, from Los Angeles to New York City in 1990.
  • The term "Eco Village" was coined in 1989, and the co-housing model, based on community-oriented living, originated in Denmark in the 1960s.
  • The Eco Village at Ithaca is part of a global movement of eco villages and a national co-housing movement, with about 175 co-housing communities in the US.
  • The Eco Village's vision attracted motivated, community-conscious individuals who invested in the project, raising $400,000 to purchase the land.
  • The Eco Village strategically chose its location near downtown Ithaca to minimize commuting and promote farming and food production on-site.
  • The Eco Village incorporated as a 501c3 nonprofit before purchasing the land, partnering with local experts to navigate legal hurdles and infrastructure development.

19:29

Eco-village Development: Sustainable Living and Community

  • American development typically involves 90% development and 10% open space, as mandated by the town of Ithaca.
  • The eco-village was able to purchase land at half price, $400,000, due to a neighbor's bargain-hunting skills.
  • Infrastructure was absent on the purchased land, necessitating the raising of $400,000 in cash within two weeks.
  • A five-day envisioning gathering in June 1991 kickstarted the planning for the eco-village, with land acquisition occurring in June 1992.
  • The eco-village's layout includes three neighborhoods on 10% of the land, with housing densely clustered to promote community.
  • Four organic farms within the eco-village are leased to farmers at the cost of taxes, supporting agricultural sustainability.
  • The eco-village operates a Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) program, feeding a thousand people weekly during the growing season.
  • The eco-village aims to integrate with the broader region socially, economically, and environmentally, avoiding isolation.
  • Governance within the eco-village involves consensus in two neighborhoods and dynamic governance in the third, emphasizing participatory decision-making.
  • The eco-village maintains a diverse and intergenerational community, attracting young families and singles alongside older residents.

39:03

Eco-village: Sustainable Living and Community Diversity

  • The eco-village has an annual tradition that led to their insurance being canceled due to a photo on their website.
  • The homes in the eco-village are passive solar with 14-foot high window walls on the south side and triple-glazed windows from a factory in Winnipeg.
  • The eco-village ordered pallets of windows from the factory and had a deal due to designing and building everything similarly.
  • The eco-village planned for 500 people in communities of 30-40 for optimal human interaction.
  • Soft skills like communication and non-violent communication are crucial in the eco-village for resolving conflicts.
  • The eco-village has different legal entities for different purposes, each with its own structure, budget, and decision-making process.
  • Residents pay a monthly co-op fee that covers taxes, infrastructure upkeep, and a capital fund for future repairs.
  • The eco-village posts available homes on their website under rentals and sales sections.
  • Over time, residents have rented out rooms in their homes for extra income, creating mini-communities within the eco-village.
  • Rentals in the eco-village bring in a more diverse population, including younger individuals, single parents, and people of color.

59:14

Eco village fosters community, sustainability, and support.

  • Eco village residents are farmers, emphasizing the importance of being close to the land and community.
  • The community supports each other financially, offering microloans or no-interest loans to those in need.
  • Trust among community members allows for various experiments and initiatives, like supporting low-income neighbors during the pandemic.
  • Food distribution efforts have been significant, aiding around 350 low-income individuals through mutual aid boxes and food pantries.
  • The Tree neighborhood, built in 2015, utilizes passive house building technology for energy efficiency and sustainability.
  • All-electric homes in the Tree neighborhood, powered by solar panels, operate at net zero energy.
  • Personalities vary in the community, with some residents sticking to their neighborhood while others engage across all areas.
  • Landscaping at the eco village is maintained by a dedicated team, focusing on perennials for minimal watering and beautification.
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