Michigan Ecovillages and Intentional Communities Tour

Description

Michigan Ecovillages and Intentional Communities Tour: July 17-24, 2025 Discover sustainable living practices on Michigan's first "Ecovillages and Intentional Communities Tour," running July 17-24, 2025. This free, eight-day event offers a unique opportunity to explore existing and developing ecovillages and intentional communities across Michigan, highlighting successful community-building and ecological innovations. Organized by Tom Stanton of Community Energy Solutions, LLC, the tour aims to showcase "well-proven solutions that are poised for implementation in all communities." While there's no set definition for an ecovillage, most incorporate local agriculture (including permaculture), land-use protection, and energy-efficient building practices. Tour Highlights: • July 18: Benzonia, Cedar, and Traverse City - Focus on local community energy futures, food systems, and economic development, with visits to GrowBenzie and Telford Farm. Includes a presentation from the Leelanau Energy Project. • July 19: Boyne Falls and Traverse City - Tour GasTechno Corporation's "energy center" for bio-energy production, local agriculture, and biofuel development. Features a presentation on community investing options by Chris Miller of the National Coalition for Community Capital (NC3). • July 20: Crystal Mountain and Grand Rapids - Learn about sustainable practices at Crystal Mountain, and hear a presentation from Jim MacInnes, PE, on ways to transition to a clean energy future through electrification. Later, visit a new Tiny Home Neighborhood in Grand Rapids aimed at addressing homelessness. Daily agendas and RSVP forms are available on the July Events Calendar: https://www.communityenergysolutions.info/events.