The first rural ‘commune' (perhaps). It thrived, grew too unwieldy and withered. Links to many tales, pics and video. On the site, it says:
“In 1962, Gene Bernofsky, Jo Ann Bernofsky and Clark Richert were students at the University of Kansas in Lawrence. Gene and Clark developed a concept they called “Drop Art” (coining the term well before the era-branding slogan, “Turn on, tune in, drop out”). "Dropping" artworks from the rooftop of a loft space in Lawrence, they were making art a spontaneous part of everyday life in the face of a society they saw as increasingly materialistic and war-mongering.
In 1965, they bought a small piece of land near Trinidad, Colorado andcalled their settlement Drop City. They were soon joined by other artists, writers and inventors, and they started building a community that celebrated creative work.”
Drop City's dazzling structures were based on Buckminster Fuller’s geodesic domes and the crystalline designs of Steve Baer, a pioneer in geometric structure and solar energy.
Artist, Duke Choi, has been involved with land-art projects including at the Blue Sun Art Space in Mongolia. Here are a couple of links to his work in sound and images.
Earth First! UK site, but it contains lots of international reports by the people involved in eco-actions.
Earth First! Worldwide, which contains useful links to eco-activities around the globe.
Originally established in Australia by eco-activist, Franklin Scarf. There’s also a Foundation that has been promoting the Charter around the world.
Big aims to save and repair the planet.
New Zealand co-housing community, whose aims are:
Design and construct a cohesive neighbourhood whose layout, buildings and services demonstrate the highest practical standards of sustainable human settlement
Develop and foster a living environment which uses clear communication, decision-making and conflict resolution guidelines that promote tolerance, safety, respect and co-operation
Assist in education and public awareness of sustainability by demonstrating and promoting innovative community design and environmentally responsible construction.
This is the link to their main site and to a video about Earthsong.
Permaculture/eco-living projects in the Highlands and islands of Scotland.
Their on-line site says: “Earth Ways was set up by Ludwig Appeltans to help people re-connect with land and nature. Permaculture, forest gardening, community, nature connection and healthy food are the tools.”
Eco-Village Book:
Website for Professor Karen Litfin’s book of her journey to many of the world’s ecovillages – intentional communities at the cutting-edge of sustainable living. Good hub links to the eco-village sites.
Ecocentro is a hub for permaculture and eco-villages and more. Co-ordinated from Portugal.
An artistic, eco project 63 km outside Lima in Peru that features some ‘amazing spaces’. It is a major tourist attraction as well as being a ‘community’.
They state that:
“We live under the principle of non-violence, simple living and high thinking, and visitors can learn and experience as is possible to live happily and in harmony with nature, with others and with yourself. We look basically open-minded people with a desire to practice tolerance, compassion and patience.”
The video describes it as a ‘Krishna Village’.