Rainforest Commons

Hello, welcome to our page!! In 2021 a huge flood eroded the river bank that the community is on where we lost land 60 feet of land and two structures (no one was hurt). We decided that it would be dangerous to have a full time community live on the land. We however continue to visit and tend to the land throughout the year and the land is part of our strategy of resiliency in an ever changing and tumultuous world. We prioritize sustainable living through community interdependence, and hope to provide space for everyone’s gifts to blossom. A primary focus of ours is living out a consciousness that is courageously focused on being present and attentive to the world- the ways in which it’s beautiful, and the ways in which it is scary, sad, and unjust. We see this presence as necessary to inform our vision and actions toward transformation in the world and any hope for a sustainable future. We are focused on embodying a community-oriented climate justice model both on the land and off-site involving food forestry, off grid living, and rural organizing. We are minimizing our fossil fuel use, trying to grow and forage our food, and live in hand made tiny homes on 5 acres on the Bogachiel River, in the Bogachiel rainforest. Our community members have a range of focus and passions such as music, meditation, martial arts (Aikido, Tai Chi, and BJJ), herbalism, permaculture, foraging, gardening, Nonviolent Communication facilitation, community organizing, gift economy, support for people who are incarcerated, decarceration, and transformative justice. We strive to honor the uniqueness of each individual, while acknowledging and responding in compassionate ways to the effects social structures have on our identities and lives. We see ourselves as a sanctuary for all, especially those who experience marginalization and oppression. When you come out here you can expect to be treated with respect and compassion. This space is cultivated for self-expression, creativity, and play! We deeply value action that comes from a place of purpose and joy, rather than obligation. A few questions we ask people to answer to apply as a guest for this community so there might be some clarity for us about what you are fired up about in life: -What draws you to be a part of this community space?-How do you embody your values in the world?-What is your focus in life? What do you hope to bring into your life by joining our community?-What are your plans for leaving? Where do you intend to go once your visit is complete? If you are planning to visit, please have a way to arrive and depart from Forks, WA. These are values that we share: anti-racism, anti-fascism, anti-ableism, anti-sexism, lgbtq+ inclusive, anti-authoritarian, co-operative, sharing, conflict resolution, decolonization, anti-imperialism, trauma healing, anti-capitalism, anti-state, gift economy, and the abolition of prisons/police/colonial courts/borders/slavery/and all currencies. Based on our experience in our community, if you are not willing to work through conflict, it won’t be a good fit for you living out here. Conflict is part of life and living in community and we strive to move through conflict more skillfully each time it comes up. An important disclosure is that, though we are in the process of building up our off-grid infrastructure, we have wood heat, water catchment, an outdoor shower, and very limited electricity. Another thing to consider is that we live 20 minutes from Forks, WA and 1.5 hours from Port Angeles. It’s a very common experience to feel lonely out here because of how far we are from other friends and family. One of the remedies for this loneliness is to be in community together: sharing stories, playing music, cooking, gardening, swimming in the river, sharing feelings, sharing dreams (the ones from sleep and the ones for the future), creating art, and sharing skills. Other points if affinity include- Herbalism, music making, crafting, food preservation, Nonviolent Communication, abolitionist organizing, rural organizing, the Land Back movement. Thank you for stopping by and reading what we have to say! We look forward to meeting you!! :)