CRYSTAL WATERS

Established in 1984 in northeastern Australia, Crystal Waters was the world’s first permaculture village. In a region plagued by drought, these 200 residents have created a small Oasis using intricate networks of dams, channels, and rainwater into thriving streams and lakes. It’s very common to see the local wildlife of kangaroos and wallabies hop by. Residents enjoy their own bakery, community center, and a quaint monthly country market. Crystal Waters Website

TAMERA PEACE RESEARCH

Tamera was founded in Portugal with a non-violent life model for cooperation between human beings, animals and nature philosophy. It is now home to 250 coworkers and students who study how humans can live peacefully in sustainable communities, in harmony with nature and most importantly, in relationships among themselves (dealing with topics of jealousy, sexuality, etc.). The village includes a non-profit peace foundation, a “SolarVillage” test site, a permaculture project with an edible landscape, and a sanctuary for horses. Tamera Website

SIEBEN LINDEN

Established in 1997, Sieben Linden named after the seven linden trees on the land is an off-the-grid community of about 150 inhabitants who live on 200 acres of fertile farmland and pine plantations. Sieben Linden focuses on closed energy and resource cycles, natural building with local straw, clay and timber; organic farming; and draft horsemanship for farming and forestry which all accounts for their minimal resource consumption and waste production (roughly 1/3 the German average). Sieben Linden Website

SARVODAYA

Established in 1957, Sarvodaya Shramadana is a non-profit education foundation composed of 15,000 villages in Sri Lanka that work with it. The organization runs on minimal money, preferring to mobilize the volunteer help of retired elders who have the time, skill, and need to be of service to the new generation. The volunteers go out among some fifteen thousand villages offering technical assistance and advice in shifting from a market-dominated model of production to a “no poverty, no affluence” form of sustainable agriculture. Sarvodaya’s visionary statement of rights includes not only water, food, and shelter but, in the spirit of the quest, the right to a beautiful environment and a meaningful life. Sarvodaya Website

FINCA BELLAVISTA

Finca Bellavista is a network of rustic, hand-built tree houses in the mountainous South Pacific coastal region of Costa Rica, surrounded by a jungle that is brimming with life. The off-grid, carbon-neutral tree houses are connected by aerial walkways and include a central community center with a dining area, barbecue and lounge. Gardens, ziplines and hiking trails make it even more of a tropical paradise. Prospective community members can design and build their own tree houses. Additionally, some of the tree house owners rent out their homes, and there are visitor accommodations available. Finca Bellavista Website

ECO TRULY PARK

Located an hour drive from Lima, Peru, Eco Truly Park is an ecological and artistic community founded on the principles of non-violence, simple living and harmony with nature. Both the architecture and the values of the community are inspired by traditional Indian teachings and lifestyles. Eco Truly Park has a goal of being fully self-sustainable and currently boasts a large organic garden. Open to volunteers, the community offers workshops in yoga, art and Vedic philosophy.

Mastering bushcraft: build your own dugout in the mountains

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KEcVcL9celo

This is a tiny house like no other we have seen before. An old bus, no longer drivable, has been transported onto a beautiful section and given new life as an artists tiny home amongst the trees. The bus sits in place almost as if a forgotten relic, slowly being overtaken by the beauty of nature and the surrounding flora. The first signs of habitation shimmer from the spectacular outdoor living area, glistening with thousands of fairy lights which surround the place and add to an otherworldly feeling. Upon entering the bus, there is a distinct feeling as though you’ve been transported to another world. Beautifully styled in a whimsical fashion, the tiny house is immediately warm and welcoming. The large windows help to retain the impression of being surrounded by nature while remaining protected inside the structure. Chelsea, an artist, created this space not only as a place to live, but also a place to create and to be inspired. The result, simply magical.