Sustainable Communities


The Earth does not belong to us.
We belong to the Earth.
Chief Seattle

What are ecovillages and what do they include?

An eco-village is a human scale, full-featured settlement which integrates human activities harmlessly into the natural environment, supports healthy human development, and can be continued into the indefinite future.

Eco-villages can include:

  • Alternative energy
  • Green technology
  • Ecological building
  • Permaculture
  • Community building
  • Mediation
  • Conflict resolution
  • Mind and body work
  • Complementary healthcare
  • Creative activities
  • Spiritual/Cultural practices
Rainbow over the summer kitchen at the Prairies Edge Eco-Village

Where are Eco-Villages in the world?

Everywhere! Eco-villages exist all over the world in many sizes and forms. The Global Eco-Village Network site is a great resource for finding out more about eco-villages around the planet.

The Prairies Edge Eco-Village is one of many eco-villages in Canada. Located in southern Manitoba, just west of the stunning Whiteshell Provincial Park which borders Ontario.

Linsea Allen-McCoy, community member of Prairies Edge, was a guest speaker at the youth and sustainable living workshop held this March. Linsea presented a marvellous slide show of photos from her community. The photos on this page have been taken at the Prairies Edge by community members Linsea, Daniel and Jeremy.

The Prairies Edge Vision Statement :

" We are inventing a village of food and energy self-reliance in harmony with the natural world that surrounds us. We choose to live simply and co-operatively, fostering a concensus-based culture which encourages positive relationships and personal health in mind, body and spirit. We strive to learn and teach the skills necessary for small scale organic agriculture, ecological building techniques, alternative healing arts and appropriate technology systems."


Yummy Organic Brocoli!
Summer Garden
Jeremy at the tool shed.

The houses at the Prairies Edge are built from mostly recycled and natural materials. The community members often do demolition work at older homes and farms and salvage the re-usable materials. Some of the homes are also constructed using a straw bale building technique.

There is a workshop at the village that thanks to the renewable energy from the wind turbine now has electric tools as well as hand tools.

Below are some photos of houses at the Prairies Edge.

Straw Bale house
The latest straw bale home at the Prairies Edge.
Linsea's cozy tree house.
Windmill and Workshop
Recycled building materials need a home too!
I know there is strength in the differences between us, and comfort where we overlap.
Ani DiFranco

The Prairies Edge has worked closely with the Northern Sun Farm Co-op in developing their practices and technologies.

"We work closely with our sister village, the Northern Sun Farm Co-op. As they precede us by 20 years, they are more than friends, they are mentors. We have learned how to build solar ovens, wood stoves, LED head lamps, and solar electrical systems with their generous help. They have taught us how to care for gardens and animals, how to butcher meat and preserve food for the winter. We share inspiring celebrations like winter solstice and community singing. They have facilitated the development of our social systems, such as consensus decision making and creating bylaws. Though we live at different locations (about 90 minutes driving), we are, in a sense, one community."

Below are some photos of the green technologies that have been engineered and used by both the Prairies Edge and the Northern Sun Farm.

Solar Oven in the garden. This solar oven was constructed from mostly recycled materials. It is situated on a pivot so that it can be turned to face the sun as it moves in the sky. The temperature can get up to 450 degrees and there's lots of room inside for many items to be cooked.
Thermal mass wood stove. This wood fuelled stove is designed so that as wood is burning in the small inner chamber the rocks surrounding the chamber are being heated. These rocks will hold and slowly release the heat into the house long after the last of the firewood has burned out. This makes for safer overnight heating and also reduces the amount of wood being burned.
Solar dehydrator. This solar dehydrator directs the heat of the sun into the well ventilated chamber where herbs, fruits and veggies (fresh from the garden) can be dried for storage.

The Prairies Edge accepts WWOOFer's (Willing Workers on Organic Farms) and Internship programs. To see more about the Prairies Edge and the volunteer programs they offer visit their website.

Different farms and villages around the world will provide room and board in exchange for work. WWOOF is only one of many organizations that offer work exchange programs. To find out more about WWOOF visit:

Below is a list of resources and directories for eco-villages in the Maritimes, Canada and abroad.

There are also many non-profit organizations/educational centres here in the Maritime provinces that are working toward more sustainable communities. Visit these websites to learn more about them