A Forest For Us | Life as Art: Exploring Communities Worldwide

Esalen Institute, Big Sur, CA

~October 25, 2012~ The Tour: The drive down Highway 1 from Big Sur to Esalen Institute is majestic in the way the Himalayas are. Rugged and raw, the essence of the elements is crisp in the air, sea and rocky cliffs. We didn’t really have directions, but it didn’t matter, as there are very few other buildings or roads so it was easy to spot. We checked in at the front gate and made our way down to the main lodge where we got a map of the...

Starvation Alley Farm, Long Beach, WA

~ October 24-27, 2011 ~ The Tour: Starvation Alley Farm is a family owned and operated cranberry farm just off of Cranberry Road in the eccentric beach town of Long Beach, WA. John and Debbie Oakes purchased their property a few decades ago and for many seasons have run a fishing boat up to Alaska. They had always driven by the bogs but never had any intention of becoming cranberry farmers until one fateful day when the owners of the bogs got...

Inglehaven Ranch, Ukiah, CA

~ October 22/23, 2011 ~ The Tour: MacGruder Ranch is a 2,400 acre free-range, grass-fed cattle, sheep and pig ranch a few hours north of San Francisco, CA. The family has farmed the land for 5 generations. The original Italian-style farmhouse still stands at the entrance to the property and hosts a newly-renovated kitchen perfect for entertaining guests. Mac and Kate MacGruder, their daughter Grace and her husband Ben Provan are passionate...

Lost Valley Educational Cente, Dexter, OR

~ October 8th 2011 ~ The Tour: We arrived at Lost Valley a bit late and missed the main tour that Amber, the property and facilities manager had offered to take us on. So we embarked on our own adventure instead. With maps on hand and a few tips about good spots to visit. The first thing we came across was a group of students learning how to take soil samples to determine what the land could best be used for. This included the instructor waving...

Heartaculture, Eugene, OR

~ October 5/6, 2011 ~ The Tour: We were welcomed to Heartaculture by Kara and Claire, Kara’s energetic, helpful and exuberant daughter, and their feisty canine friends. The land Heartaculture is nestled on was originally purchased 5 years ago by a group of 7 founding members. After a year and a half, and many intense discussions facilitated by outside mediators brought in to help, they decided to part ways and two of the original...

Mission & Vision

Our Mission: Enable people, spaces and communities to express their full potential.

Our Vision: Vibrant communites that are models for sustainable, healthy, engaged ways of living. Spaces where environment and people coexist in balance, and where people act with integrity, respect and honesty.

We believe that living in community provides the best opportunities for personal growth and healthy, sustainable living. We are creating a place where we can build these opportunities.

Cornerstones of Community