| Ecovillage Ecovillages are intended to be socially, economically and ecologically sustainable intentional communities. Most aim for a population of 50-150 individuals because this size is considered to be the maximum social network according to findings from sociology and anthropology[1] Larger ecovillages of up to 2,000 individuals may, however, exist as networks of smaller "Eco-municipalities" or subcommunities to create an ecovillage model that allows for social networks within a broader foundation of support. Eco-village members are united by shared ecological, social or spiritual values (see Intentional community). An ecovillage is often composed of people who have chosen an alternative to centralized power, water and sewage systems. Many see the breakdown of traditional forms of community, wasteful consumerist lifestyles, the destruction of natural habitat, urban sprawl, factory farming, and over-reliance on fossil fuels, as trends that must be changed to avert ecological disaster. They see small-scale communities with minimal ecological impact as an alternative. However, such communities often cooperate with peer villages in networks of their own (see Global Ecovillage Network below for an example). This model of collective action is similar to that of Ten Thousand Villages, which supports the fair trade of goods worldwide. See also Eco-villages on this site. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ecovillage |
| Page 2 of 2 Intentional Community, Limited Partnerships, Cooperative Land Ownership and other Vehicles of Ownership, Economic Cooperation, and Stewardship: A General Introduction Offered by www.YucatanRanchFarmandHome.com Developing and Supporting Sustainable Resource, Land Use, and Living Strategies for People and the Planet |
| (Continued) Real Estate Investment Trust (REIT) Some of the other advantages of land trusts for individuals are: Sales price of the property can be kept off the public records Property taxes are lower if the purchase price is kept private Judgments or liens (such as IRS liens) against an individual's name are not a lien against their land trust property Partners can more easily continue a project if one dies or is divorced Interests can be transferred quickly without recording a deed Managing a rental property is easier when the trustee can be blamed Negotiating a purchase or sale can be easier when the trustee can be blamed Liability on financing can be limited to the assets of the trust Investment trust companies hold property for investment purposes and non-citizens who want long-term access to land in Mexico often establish a Limited Liability Corporation (LLC), but land trust more often refers to a community scale organization. For more on "Buying Property in Mexico", please CLICK HERE. Community land trusts are established to provide low and moderate-income families access to affordable housing while conservation trusts protect environmentally, historically or culturally valuable places. Land trusts are also in place to protect farmland and ranch land.(Emphasis added) Despite the use of the term "trust," many if not most land trusts are not technically trusts, but rather non-profit organizations that hold simple title to land and/or other property and manage it in a manner consistent with their non-profit mission. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Real_estate_investment_trust |
| Global Ecovillage Network The Global Ecovillage Network is a global association of people and communities (ecovillages) dedicated to living "sustainable plus" lives by restoring the land and adding more to the environment than is taken. Network members share ideas and information, transfer technologies and develop cultural and educational exchanges. History Hildur and Ross Jackson from Denmark established the Gaia Trust, a charitable foundation, in 1991. Gaia funded a study by Robert Gilman and Diane Gilman of sustainable communities around the world. The report, Ecovillages and Sustainable Communities, was released in 1991. The report found that although there were many interesting ecovillage projects, the full-scale ideal ecovillage did not yet exist. Collectively, however, the various projects described a vision of a different culture and lifestyle that could be further developed. In 1991 the Gaia Trust convened a meeting in Denmark of representatives of eco-communities to discuss strategies for further developing the ecovillage concept. That led to the formation of the Global Ecovillage Network (GEN). In 1994 the Ecovillage Information Service was launched (see Global Ecovillage Network link below). In 1995, the first international conference of ecovillage members, entitled Ecovillages and Sustainable Communities for the 21st Century, was held at Findhorn, Scotland. The movement grew rapidly following this conference. By 2001, GEN had obtained consultative status at the United Nations Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC). In October 2005, at the conference to celebrate the tenth anniversary of GEN, a group of young adults joined together to found NextGEN (the Next Generation of the Global Ecovillage Network). GEN does not have a verification procedure to select ecovillages or member subscriptions on their website. A Community Sustainability Assessment tool has been developed that provides a means to assess how successful a particular ecovillage is at improving its sustainability.[1] Members The network includes a variety of types of sustainable settlements and ecovillages: Ecotowns, such as Auroville in South India, the Federation of Damanhur in Italy and Nimbin in Australia; rural ecovillages, such as Gaia Asociación in Argentina and Huehuecoyotl, in Mexico. Permaculture sites, including Crystal Waters, Australia, Cochabamba, Bolivia and Barus, Brazil. Urban Rejuvenation Projects, such as Los Angeles EcoVillage and Christiania in Copenhagen. Educational Centres, such as Findhorn Foundation in Scotland, the Centre for Alternative Technology in Wales and the Ecovillage Training Center in Tennessee. Goals The Global Ecovillage Network's aim is "to support and encourage the evolution of sustainable settlements across the world." The network does this through: Internal and external communications services; facilitating the flow and exchange of information about ecovillages and demonstration sites; Networking and project coordination in fields related to sustainable settlements, and Global cooperation/partnerships (UN Best Practices, EU Phare, EYFA, ECOSOC). http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Global_Ecovillage_Network |
| This by no means an exhaustive list of references but we hope it will serve as a beginning as you consider your options and personal goals. We will be adding to this list over time and welcome your comments, suggestions, and questions at any time. Thanks for your time and interest! www.YucatanRanchFarmandHome.com and Maya Neem Farms, Panaba, Yucatan www.PlanetaVerdeMarAzul.org...and/or...www.GreenPlanetBlueSea.com Sustainable Resource, Land Use and Living Strategies for People and the Planet |
| Previous Page Home New Listings Construction Services Links Buying Property in Mexico Tax Free Investments Project Management Services Contact Us |
| Recommended Articles Reforestation: Neem: The Village Pharmacy Land-Based Fish Farming: 1). Tilapia 2). Imagine a World Without Seafood for Supper;It's Nearer Than You Think. |
| We Proudly Offer and Promote Profitable Green Investments! Please also visit our sister site: www.GreenPlanetBlueSea.com |