When you think of a modern "sub-division," what comes to mind? Treeless cul-de-sacs? Expansive golf courses and expensive country clubs? Brand new homes with over-manicured lawns? Well, EcoVillage Ithaca (EVI) and others like it are attempting to redefine what it means to live in a small neighborhood outside of the city.

While many say the trend began with the communes of the 1960s, the eco-village movement within the United States gained most of its founding momentum in the early 1990s. Since then, people have been attracted to the communal nature of the villages and the quality of life they offer.

While ecovillage enthusiasts are quick to point out that these groups are not communes, one can see why the assumption could be made. The members of EVI share nearly everything- from transportation to food production; ownership is not the name of the game in these communities.
In fact, EVI now runs its own independent organic farm that supplies most, if not all, of the community’s produce needs. Members share all the gardening work, including planting, tending and the final harvest. Further, the collective also cooks and eats together several times a week, reducing the energy that goes into food preparation and clean up.

Spanning 175 acres, EVI has everything from individual homes and a small pond, to community spaces and ‘green places’ for the kids to roam free-range.

Founded in 1991, EVI has since grown to over 160 members and 60 homes. Most of the homes are duplexes, to save on energy, and many share amenities, such as a root cellar for storing their harvested goods. The houses also utilize passive solar design, energy efficient lighting technology, double insulated windows and a recycling and reuse program that dramatically reduces the amount of waste they produce.

As one can imagine, the chance to belong to such a community does not come cheap. In EVI, homes can reach as high as $300,000.00, but many residents say the quality of life is well worth the money. Aside from providing a place to live, EVI provides its members with something much more valuable: a sense of community and shared ideals. Being part of something they can be proud of is one of the trade-offs that make the price to live in EVI that much more acceptable.

As great as EVI is for its members, it also contributed to various community outreach programs and even works with nearby Cornell University. At Cornell, members of EVO teach classes on subjects like environmental collectives, hoping to open the eyes of as many people as possible to the wonders of living in an ecovillage.

Like I said before, EVI is not the only Ecovillage out there. According to the Global Ecovillage Network, a global organization dedicated to the living of sustainable lives, (GEN), there exists over 379 ecovillages worldwide, with over 47 located in the United States. Further the GEN website states that "ecovillages, by endeavoring for lifestyles which are successfully continuable into the indefinite future, are living models of sustainability, and examples of how action can be taken immediately. They represent an effective, accessible way to combat the degradation of our social, ecological and spiritual environments. They show us how we can move toward sustainability in the 21st century."

A large part of what the ecovillage movement is about is setting examples. Many members if the ecovillage community want people to know that living a sustainable life is not only possible, it is also rewarding. Ecovillage members chose to see what they are doing not as an isolated, righteous action, but as a guide for others.

Further, many Ecovillage members believe that an ecovillage is a paramount place to raise a family. As one author puts it,

An ecovillage is a place where being a kid is fun - where children may roam all over, without fences, without danger from fast-moving vehicles; where they may learn from just being, watching and participating… [an] ecovillage envisions a world of people living sustainably, an Earth based education, thinking independently, making decisions cooperatively, and nurturing healthy children. Living in [an] EcoVillage offers children (and adults, too) a great opportunity to experience natural environment and life lessons that will enhance their emotional intelligence and observation.

Above all, I believe that an ecovillage provides a community in which to raise a new generation of environmentalists. A generation who not only believes in sustainable principals, but also who knows little else. By creating this generation of "eco-children," ecovillages are helping to ensure a future generation of progressive minded adults with the skills and mindset to promote sustainable living on nearly every level.

To Learn more about EcoVillages, or to find one in your area, check out

Global Ecovillage Network

Wikipedia: Ecovillage

Answers.com: Ecovillage