The Findhorn Ecovillage is the image of sustainable living, showing people how to live green and use the environment to its fullest without causing harm. It is another step in the right direction and shows that sustainable living is very possible.
At the Findhorn Ecovillage organic produce is grown and used within community members. harvest basket 12x © by daveeza
The village is situated at the Findhorn Bay of Moray and, looking at it, you will see a place that is in tune with the surrounding natural habitat. You will see a beautiful suburban area with great natural surroundings.
When it comes to creating energy, Findhorn Ecovillage has it all planned out. It uses renewable energy and prides itself on this fact. Homes use solar panels for their water heating needs and the four wind turbines supply in the community’s need for electricity. The Findhorn community basically owns their own electricity grid and does not have to rely on conventional energy producing resources.
Energy that is created runs through a substation where supply and voltage is regulated. The energy is used as soon as it is created, but as soon as there is a more than the needed supply, this energy is stored where it can then be used when the immediate supply is not available.
The village also use sustainable harvested wood to supply homes in their heating needs.
To make the homes even more energy efficient, energy saving techniques is incorporated into the design. Passive solar radiation is also incorporated into new homes, which reduce the heating costs.
These are things such as south-facing windows and minimum openings on the north-facing walls of the homes. It ensures warmer homes in the winter and cooler homes in the summer.
Furthermore, a lot of thought goes into insulation methods, non-toxic organic paints, natural clay tiles for roofs and water conservation methods such as low-flow toilets. Furthermore, low-energy light bulbs are used everywhere and rainwater is collected for outside watering needs.
Organic farming is of the upmost importance to the Findhorn Ecovillage. In 1994 EarthShare, a community supported agricultural project was started. It is today over 25 acres and organic crops supply in almost all the needs of those who live in the village. The Findhorn Foundation’s garden market supplies in the vegetable needs of 140 households.
The village also produces organic cheese, meat and eggs. The village effectively reduces food miles and with their dairy facilities, cows, sheep and chicken, this village is truly the picture of sustainable living.