by Brandy Gallagher

Well my whole newsletter report started out to be about Climate Impacts but after two nights of no sleep....well yeah we have to talk about a whole new beginning for OUR year - as Katara has just had PUPPIES!

2018 has already taken off with a whole new pace for OUR ECOVILLAGE with the United Nations representatives and trainers of the "Sustainable Development Goals" and international Trainer of Trainers coming in this weekend. There is an alignment of vision, values, and possibilities that are leading OUR ECOVILLAGE into becoming more of what we always have been - a space for personal and global transformation. There is a different feel here in the quality of the day. You can sense something potentiated in the journey that has been seeded, tended, and is now blossoming. This is very challenging to describe -- we invite you to come and see for yourselves....[READ MORE]

by Gracelynn Lau

at O.U.R Ecovillage! 

Harvard-trained theologian Stephen Jenkinson and founder of Orphan Wisdom School in Ontario is coming to O.U.R. Ecovillage this June!

We are so honored to be hosting Jenkinson for this one-day book reading and talk in the Cowichan Valley. This event is part of the international tour for his new book "Come of Age: The Case for Elderhood in a Time of Trouble"

Once the leader of a palliative care counselling team at Toronto's Mount Sinai Hospital, Jenkinson has been teaching internationally and redefining what it means to live and die well. Jenkinson argues that elderhood is a function rather than an identity–it is not a position earned simply by the number of years on the planet or the title “parent” or “grandparent.” 

In this book reading event he will explore "the great paradox of elderhood in North America; how we are awash in the aged and yet somehow lacking in wisdom; how we relegate senior citizens to the corner of the house while simultaneously heralding them as sage elders simply by virtue of their age." 

Don't miss this chance to immerse yourself in his lyrical prose, storytelling and insights! To encourage more dialogue on sustainable wellness in our community, we are offering a special early bird rate before April 30! Bring your own lunch or you can book a natural, local hand-crafted lunch at OUR Eatery! 

We're excited that Sarah Smith, R. Ac and Samantha Caissie, RMT are joing our team. They will start offering treatment in the Healing Sanctuary this April. 

Sarah is a registered acupuncturist who practises Japanese style acupuncture which combines classical Chinese medical principles with modern pathophysiology. She also use a wide range of therapy techniques including Moxibustion (infrared heat plant therapy) magnets, ion-pumping cords, cupping, meridian message, and Japanese needles. Japanese style acupuncture is now available for booking at the village!  

Samatha is a registered massage therapist, with a background in horticultural therapy. She is taking cilents at the village on Friday; Sam is also working with Gracelynn to develop a integrative ecotherapy program in the garden. Stay tuned!   

In November I shared a piece about repairing our earthen floors in the Sanctuary. The oil seal eventually dried and we recently finished the job with a coat of specially formulated natural wax from Claylin. Check it out!

We’ve used old metal roofing sheets before as rainscreen on the walls of the Art Studio. With a little ‘outside the box’ thinking there are other fun possibilities with this material. Have a look at the plumbing cover in the bathhouse and the dividing walls between stalls in El Banco, the composting toilet at Taj2.  

Speaking of composting toilets: Gord Baird will be teaching a hands-on workshop on legal composting toilet options in August.

The latest effort is a retaining wall along the edge of OUR pig run. In this case the material of choice is old tires filled with gravelly soil. OUR volunteers have been preparing the work by digging and setting the line. We’ll include a school group in the building of a tire wall- a long lasting strong edge to form the boundary between chickens and pigs.

More pictures next time...with Pigs!
Finally an invitation: I (Elke Cole) will be joining Athena Steen for a workshop series on Natural Plasters. 

We have plenty of walls to create on- join us and leave your mark in the Village!