Greetings,
Seeking a group of like-minded individuals to begin planning and forming a sustainable community in Northwest BC, in the temperate region between Terrace and Burns Lake, with the aim of purchasing and breaking ground within the next 2-3 years.
Why?
As anyone who follows the topic is likely aware, climate change and ecological collapse has crossed into potentially irreversible territory and the impact of this on industrial agriculture and associated supply chains represents a considerable existential threat by the early to mid 2030’s. While the long-term prospects for humanity are increasingly dire, the mid to short term window in BC is unlikely to see considerable existential threats other than wildfire – for people willing to “collapse now, and avoid the rush” ie: be well established before just-in-time delivery infrastructure fails. If you’ve read Jem Bendells “Deep Adaptation”, published in 2018, we’re on the same page.
That being said, it is abundantly clear that only a resilient community will be adequately prepared to deal with these conditions. No person will survive as an island moving forwards, as division of labor and diversity of skills will be a necessity when faced with chaotic growing conditions and failing supply chains for basic necessities. As such, now is the time to bring diverse skills together and set the groundwork.
How?
I’m hoping to form a group of similarly educated and rational individuals who are interested in pooling our financial resources to purchase and develop a low impact community on a large rural acreage, with a heavy focus on sustainable permaculture, food forestry, and developing shock-resistant crops. I believe that the northwest corner of BC, the Skeena-Bulkeley region, will prove resilient to medium-term disruption from the warming climate (with a positively modified growing season), and is somewhat buffered from the wildfire threat which covers the provincial central & eastern interior.
The size of land to purchase will be determined by where we decide to cap our membership, keeping in mind potential future growth. For a membership of 15 for example something in the range of 500-1000 acres of mixed clearance and woodland, with a deep water supply or significant surface source, would be ideal. Thankfully, undeveloped large acreages remain very affordable in this region.
When?
Ideally we would as a group possess sufficient resources to sign the cooperative paperwork and purchase the land by 2022 at the absolute latest. Current trends indicate significant disruption to society by the early 2030’s, and a buffer period of five to six years where we can leverage outside supply chains as we find our feet and build our community and ramp up food production capacity is a necessity. This is especially critical as it is unlikely that all members will possess the resources to be present full-time during the snow free months, and initial construction + agricultural development may be slowed until full-time habitation occurs.
This is a lifeboat. Food security, net-zero living expenses, and deep community resiliency in the face of extreme conditions is our goal.
This is a lifeboat. Food security, net-zero living expenses, and deep community resiliency in the face of extreme conditions is our goal.
Email a brief description of yourself, what you can contribute to this venture, why it interests you, and any further details you believe to be relevant.
A few people (not elected by the broader community) make the major decisions.
Power and responsibility are shared relatively equally among members.
Members maintain separate personal finances with minimal sharing.
Join fee: $50000
Monthly fees/dues: $1000
Labor required: 25 hours/week
Members with pre-existing debt: Yes (some debt)
Community economics to be determined. Primary required contribution will be towards group purchase of land, cost to be divided evenly between all stakeholder units. Ongoing costs include any potential land mortgage & annual property taxes.
Costs associated with purchase of community amenities, such as equipment or agricultural necessities, to be shared evenly among all stakeholders and purchase determined by consensus on utility. Monthly contributions from all members go into community fund for the above purpose.
Common House, Garden(s), Greenhouse(s), Library, Workshop, Outbuilding(s), Swimming pond or pool, Outdoor Kitchen, Tractor & Farm Equipment, Fire pit, Gym or sports area, Internet
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