In 2004, we formed Enright Ridge Urban Ecovillage (ERUEV) as a retrofit urban ecovillage. We began on Enright Avenue (thus the name), with plans to expand to three other streets. We formed a non-profit organization in 2007, using the Enright Ridge Urban Ecovillage name. We formed the non-profit in order to be able to receive funds from foundations, to have a structure to work under, and because it was the structure that I knew a lot about, having been a director of non-profits for more than 30 years.

ERUEV has a specific focus, the city. More than half of people now live in cities. To be sustainable, we first need to stay clustered in these cities or we will spread out and destroy land that is needed for agriculture, for other species, and for beauty and awe. There are many ecovillages worldwide, but most of them were built from the ground up, and in rural areas. While these are extremely valuable, our focus is to develop an ecovillage in the city. We are not starting from the ground up. We are working to convert a typical, existing city neighborhood to a livable, ecologically-centered place. To be sustainable, we need to use the present structures and layout of existing neighborhoods in our cities. Ecologically, we cannot afford to build everything new from virgin resources. In truth, our existing cities and neighborhoods can become wonderful, sustainable places to live. This is part of a new story.

A large percentage of Homo sapiens have evolved over thousands of years to believe that the Earth is here for our species, that we are superior to all other species, and no other species have rights. With this attitude we have been able to significantly increase our population. However, in the process, we have plundered and destroyed many species and are harming many of Earth’s capacities to support our own species. It is not being done out of hate and hostility, but out of a story that worked for humans that is no longer working, and could lead to our own destruction.

We are at a time in history when we need to develop a new story about Earth. The new story needs to understand our total interdependence on Earth. It needs to reflect on the amazement of Earth and the honor we have been given to be the Earth conscious of itself. This story needs to underlie all the decisions we make. We will do this not out of guilt or fear, but out of our stunned amazement at the wonder of Earth. We need to develop the new story very quickly. The Urban Ecovillage is part of this new story.

~ Jim Schenk