Summaries of Sustainable Initiatives Visited

Due to the wide variety of projects and communities that will be visited, we will separate the different qualities of each initiative into 2 broad categories: Environmental and Social Sustainability. Environmental Sustainability deals with all the things each project has done to create a more harmonious existence with the surrounding natural environment. As well as actions made to increase sustainability and reduce waste.

Social Sustainability is what each project has done as a community and what this sense of community does to strengthen the bonds between them and the surrounding areas. It is what is being done to live harmoniously with each other; to grow and strengthen ties, talents, and abilities to engage citizens to create vibrantly sustainable communities.

(Part A) Prairie Sky Cohousing

To Be Filled In Soon

(Part A) ASH Eco-Home

To Be Filled In Soon

(Part B) Canmore Eco-Home

The Canmore Eco Home was built in 1994 and designed by Michael Kerfoot. The Ride the Wave team visited it on June 23rd. It serves as an example of the possibilities of sustainable living and inspires those who wish to live a healthier, greener lifestyle.

Environmental Sustainability

• Pheonix Compost Toilet, reducing water usage by 50%, as well as creating soil that fertilizes their garden. Consider it a form of prolonged recycling.
• Radiant Slab Heating, which is a large concrete slab underneath the house, reinforced with rebar and hot water pipes. The warmth of the slab radiates through the house, creating a consistent environment.
• Air-to-Air Heat Exchange reduces energy used to heat the outside air. This in addiction to old newspaper insulation and the radiant slab reduces energy needed to heat the house by an astounding 85%
• Low-Maintenance metal roofing
• Eco-minded Architecture (cube design, southern facing windows to maximize absorption of sun energy)
• Urethane coated fiberglass doors
• Attention to detail means every available space has purpose and is used. (shelving, storage, windows etc.)

Social Sustainability

• Andre Gareau gives his time as a town councillor. He also serves on the Canmore Police Committee and the Canmore Housing Committee
• Mary Dumka teaches vipassana meditation
• Both eagerly welcome those who wish to tour the site
• Welcomed entire classes of high school students
• Within the house is a room full of bunk beds, each bed owns its own window. This offers longer visitors a place to rest their heads.

(Part C) Vista Del Lago Development

To Be Filled In Soon

(Part D) Spirit's Reach Development

Ride the Wave met with Donna Rae on June 27th to discuss the Spirits Reach Development beside Columbia Lake.

Environmental Sustainability

• Prohibits the use of gas operated boats on the Columbia Lake, a decision that gives up a certain portion of the market. The developer believes that despite the smaller market created by this decision it is a necessary sacrifice for the sustainability of the lake.
• Using Enviro-custom homes, a building company that specializes in green building practices
• Demands the cultivation of the grass natural to the area despite the less aesthetic look of the grass. Its demands on the local water supply are drastically reduced in comparison to sod.
• Allowed Bill Swann (environmentalist) on to property to assess progress and give suggestions.
• Large lots that increase overall green space that improves integrity of the local environment.
• Use of Geothermal Heating in homes

Social Sustainability

• The Lake House is the focal point of community outreach. The marina is there along with a barbeque. Only non-gas operated boats are allowed their and events are planned around this to increase community.
• The Recreation center that will be in the center of the development will act as a place for residents to come together in the name of numerous events and programs. Classes, dinners, celebrations will all be held at the rec center.

(Part E) I.D.E.A.L. Society

Ride the Wave visited the IDEAL Society on the 28th and stayed until July 1st. It was founded in 1993 and has grown in size and influence.

Environmental Sustainability

• Everything that is grown at the IDEAL Society is organic.
• Raise their own livestock, such as horses, llamas, chickens, and goats.
• Uses composts effectively to reduce waste and increase plant yield.
• Avoids the use of harmful chemicals by using flowers to ward insects away from plants
• Collects the seeds of plants to form a seed bank

Social Sustainability

• Reach outside of their community with summer camp programs, pottery making, and dramatic art classes.
• Own and operate a health and wellness center. As well as offer these services to the outlying areas.
• Entire community come together daily as a family for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Eating together strongly bonds the group and increases the sense of family.
• The many musical talents within the group are shared as often as possible. Like food, music forges strong bonds.
• Form a choir that sings every morning, and shares this gift of sound with concerts annually.
• The entire society shares a strong spiritual foundation. This mutual belief is perhaps their greatest strength. It is the light found within all of their faces.
• Are incredibly welcome and accessible to visitors, they easily welcome newcomers with open hearts and generosity.
• Along with their spirituality are bonded by their cause of prenatal education. ‘The future lies within the heart and womb of the mother’
• Has taken the importance of prenatal education to the United Nations, and in 2004 was registered as a Non-Governmental Organization in the economic and social consul.

(Part F) Yasodhara Ashram

To Be Filled In Soon

(Part F) New Crawford Bay Elementary Secondary School

To Be Filled In Soon

(Part G) Nelson Eco-Home

To Be Filled In Soon

(Part G) West Kootney Eco-Society

To Be Filled In Soon

(Part G) Earth Matters

To Be Filled In Soon

(Part H) Mulvey Creek land Cooperative

To Be Filled In Soon

(Part I) 100 - Mile Housing

To Be Filled In Soon

(Part J) Chawathil First Nation

To Be Filled In Soon

(Part K) Yarrow Ecovillage

To Be Filled In Soon

(Part L) UBC

To Be Filled In Soon

(Part L) Vancouver Community Gardens

To Be Filled In Soon

(Part L) Lighthouse Building Centre

To Be Filled In Soon

(Part M) Zen Zero

To Be Filled In Soon

(Part M) Project Watershed

To Be Filled In Soon

(Part M) Creekside Commons

To Be Filled In Soon

(Part M) Cycling Task Force

To Be Filled In Soon

(Part M) Wild Flour Organic Bakery

To Be Filled In Soon

(Part M) TideChange.ca

To Be Filled In Soon

(Part N) Hollyhock Retreat Centre

To Be Filled In Soon

(Part O) Royal Roads University

To Be Filled In Soon

(Part O) University of Victoria

To Be Filled In Soon

(Part O) Essencia Development

To Be Filled In Soon