Ecovillages are urban or rural communities of people who strive to integrate a supportive social environment with a low-impact way of life. To achieve this, they integrate various aspects of ecological design, permaculture, ecological building, green production, alternative energy, community building practices, and much more.

Ecovillages are living models of sustainability. They represent an effective, accessible way to combat the degradation of our social, ecological, and spiritual environments. (source)

In 1998, ecovillages were first officially named among the United Nations’ top 100 listing of Best Practices, as excellent models of sustainable living. (source)

Ecovillage Videos

Ecovillages: A Movement for Lived Sustainability (14:55)

 

Ecovillage Books

  • Beyond You and Me, Kosha Joubert & Robin Alfred, Editors. Green Publishing, 2007. The “Social Key” ecovillage anthology produced by GEN’s Ecovillage Design Education (EDE) Program. Also available as a download.
  • Creating a Life Together: Practical Tools to Grow Ecovillages and Intentional Communities, Diana Leafe Christian. New Society Publishers, 2003. Bookstores. isbn: 9780865714717
  • EcoVillage at Ithaca: Pioneering Sustainable Community, Liz Walker. New Society Publishers, 2005. Bookstores.
  • Ecovillage Living: Restoring the Earth and her People, Hildur Jackson & Karen Svensson, Editors. Gaia Trust, 2003.
  • Ecovillages: A Practical Guide to Sustainable Communities, Jan Martin Bang. New Society Publishers, 2005. Bookstores.
  • Ecovillages: Lessons for Sustainable Community. Litfin, Karen T.  isbn: 9780745679501, publisher: Polity
  • Ecovillages: New Frontiers for Sustainability, Jonathan Dawson. Green Books/Chelsea Green, 2006. Bookstores.
  • Finding Community: How to Join an Ecovillage or Intentional Community, Diana Leafe Christian. New Society Publishers, 2007. Bookstores.

 

Online Resources