Elkington Forest is a 1000 acre forest, 35 minutes north of Victoria, BC. A full 850 acres is conserved as Forest Stewardship Council certified eco-forestry or outright conservation with limited or restricted access. On the remaining 150 acres, half of the land is in food production, and half is developed as three attractive residential Hamlets with a total of 77 homes and 15 eco-businesses.
The trails through the forest, around the ponds, and alongside the agricultural lands are just waiting to be explored. Bring your horse, bike or hiking boots. Miles of trails are right at your back door. And you've got to see these views!
The Living Forest social enterprise is a partnership between the founding charity, the Trust for Sustainable Forestry, and the for-profit corporation, Living Forest Communities. This partnership informs all that we do; from the first vision statement, through the ecologically sensitive design process, to the use of the last dollar earned.
1/3 AC. BUILDING LOTS IN THE FOREST, from $250,000, or
LOT and ECOLOGICALLY DESIGNED CABIN, from $350,000 or
LOT and ECOLOGICALLY DESIGNED HOME, from $550,000.
Courtesy to Realtors.
Contact us now at 250 386 6600 or online for more information.
Meaningful Expectations for 2012
|
06 January 2012
Looking back. Looking forward. Moving deeper! Moving authentically!
Over the past 12 months, we have seen tremendous progress with the Elkington Forest project. We have seen a flood of new sales in the fall, and the construction of new roads and services in December. The photo to the right shows a narrow road being built through the Midlands agricultural area, cutting between fields of salal berries to our agricultural parcels and the planned equestrian facilities. With this new road it will be much easier to get to the 20 new Midland lots, and the land with the best soil for gardening. Very shortly, we will be releasing these 20 lots for sale, and you will want to see them.
This year, we have also taken approximately 200 people up to the property, mostly in groups of 2 - 4. And in that process, we have enjoyed watching the 'ah ha' moment when an understanding flashes across faces and they get that we are doing something completely different. This is not conventional real estate. The picture of John Catterall below, was taken on a brilliant day in early November, and contained several of those 'ah ha' moments.
But then just yesterday, I was freshly reminded of why we are doing this innovative program. For I have no doubt that we will succeed in creating a financially viable residential development and we will sell out the lots and build beautiful homes. We are accomplishing our goals. Within the past 12 months, we put in place all the legal and regulatory mechanisms necessary to conserve the 1000 acre eco-forest. This included the registration of ecological restrictive covenants, completing our annual Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) certification audit, and effecting the legal transfer of ownership of the timber rights to the Trust for Sustainable Forestry. So we have come a long ways in 2011.
And yet, in the midst of our very hectic world of securing development finance and ensuring efficient project management, and effective marketing and sales, I am aware that we still need to continue to move deeper into the basic reason for why we are doing this. The long term value of the conservation community concept lies in the quality of the social community that emerges.
In order for Elkington Forest to be really successful, we want to see it be a place where new entrepreneurial enterprises are successful, where bio-diversity is enhanced, where culture and arts flourish, where there is a high degree of local food production, and where there is a diverse and healthy cross-section of the larger community. We want to see health, wellness, creativity, and a common purpose or mindfulness surrounding our environment.
This will only happen by consciously retaining the larger vision and goals surrounding the Living Forest social enterprise. Fortunately, with our close association/partnership with the Trust for Sustainable Forestry, we have a sounding board, and a collection of wise mentors to monitor our authenticity and transparency.
The Living Forest social enterprise, has in the past month become a Founding Canadian Member of B Corp, see website. We have also completed the Global Impact Investment Rating System (GIIRS), which is an international standard for evaluating the most ecological and socially responsible investments.
As we continue to pursue authenticity and integrity in our daily activities, we welcome those of like mind to come along side of us. We are so thankful for our larger community of supporters, mentors and enthusiasts. As we move into 2012, we will continue to update you on both the physical and economic progress of the development, as well as the advances towards a meaningful social community.
