From EcoReality

Contents 1 The Ecology of Wealth 1.1 We all come from water – water cycles through us all! 1.2 I see trees, I see riches! 1.3 Fields of green 1.4 Planning invites collaboration, collective action and co-creation!

The Ecology of Wealth

EcoReality’s new home on this earth has characteristics to woo anyone interested in ecology, food, farming, “environment”, conservation and nature!

We all come from water – water cycles through us all!

For all intents and purposes, EcoReality’s 37 acres are integrated within the “original” Hughes Farm that includes 2 streams, a 1.9 ac. water reservoir, and a fish-bearing natural pond. These water features are essential components of a sustainable permaculture agroecosystem.

I see trees, I see riches!

The larger site boasts 34.7 combined acres of second-growth woodlot, including wide riparian strips around the waterways, and variously-aged forest pieces. On my only walk through this beautiful space on Earth, I greeted Western Red Cedar, Douglas Fir, Alder, Bigleaf Maple and I think I saw Grand Fir and maybe Western Hemlock (and many more, waiting to be greeted).

Fields of green

On Google Earth, EcoReality’s new property is an emerald swath among other not-so-green field spaces on Salt Spring Island. The verdant colour can be attributed to the careful coverage by overhead sprinkler irrigation systems installed by past owners. While expensive (fuel resources for the diesel-powered tractor pumping from the reservoir), this system has benefited the health of grasses and soils. Hay fields boast Timothy and other nutrient-laden blades destined to feed Salt Spring animals, EcoReality’s animals as we work towards a plan for replacing some-to-most of the hayfields with human food over time. Field border plant communities (woody and herbaceous) show variation and intricate relationships developed within the distinct microclimates, slopes, aspects and elevations throughout the site -these promise innumerable niches and habitats for native plant and animal species to be incorporated in a productive holistic site management plan of regenerative agriculture and biodiversity promotion.

The hayfield gives way to “lawn” in a few northern acres bordering the houses, shop and driveways at the site. This lawn contains a small fenced garden area that we aim to expand as soon as materials and time allow. Our rough plan is to grow food this season ad-hoc in the front lawn area near the houses and work up a design for “foodifying” right around the existing (and future house-building) zone “0” at the North and Northwestern edge of the property.

Planning invites collaboration, collective action and co-creation!

Now comes the fun part: the planning process. As part of this, my current goal as Ecology Steward is to provide a report (reminding myself to simplify!) to EcoReality about the natural capital of its new land and how we might set up our human actions to live sustainably with it and within it.

For starters, I’ve been working on a calculation of carrying capacity based on the area of arable fields and woodlots. “Carrying Capacity” is a term used to define the total population of a given species (e.g human) that can be supported indefinitely in a defined habitat without permanently damaging the ecosystem upon which it is dependent. The net productivity of the land (kcal/m2/yr) divided by per capita demand is the calculation I am researching (cited in Hardin, 1991 “Ecological Economics: the Science and Management of Sustainablity”). EcoRealitarians plan to use this estimate as an upper limit that will guide our Permaculture design for the property, as well as our zoning applications to justify site capacity for human residents.

As a snapshot of the process, I will share with you some of the criteria in my calculations, with the goal of spurring your curiousity and entreating your participation and advice:

• Sufficient arable land for production of vegetables, fruits, nuts, pulses (legume/grain), and starches to sustain the number of resident villagers for 90% of their diets (assuming 90% vegetarian diet among residents)
• This calculation is not going to include the number of expected visitors or non-resident members (for now – yet it is part of our goal to sustain food production for the entire community of EcoReality, which includes non-residents and visitors)
• No arable land required for biomass production of oilseed crops for biofuels since we think we can support the fuel needs of the village for transportation and farm equipment operations through recycling waste stream cooking oil as biodiesel made onsite
• Forest products from woodlots to be used for materials, food and medicine

Your comments are most welcome! We hope you’ll have a chance to visit EcoReality soon to experience the majestic nuances of our community’s ecological and spritiual foundation: natural riches!

—Shannon Cowan, Ecology steward