Peace and Environment News* May-June 2005
|
Peace and Environment News * May-June 2005 |
by Sharon Boddy
Four years ago, staff officials and residents of the Town of Craik and the Rural Municipality of Craik began developing a long-term plan for a sustainable community-based project. The project emerged from a shared concern to address climate change in a way that would also stimulate the local economy. The Craik Sustainable Living Project (CSLP) was born.
The CSLP has a grand vision: to build an ecocentre and ecovillage, promote sustainable agriculture, provide a resource library and opportunities for environmental education, and work with local schools on climate change projects.
But what truly sets the CSLP apart is that Craik, northwest of Regina, Saskatchewan, has a population of less than 1,000 people. "Small towns don't tend to get caught up much with all the bureaucracy," said Shirley Eade, the town administrator. "Craik has always had a strong sense of community and we're used to volunteering."
The Eco-Centre opened last summer and is the "heart" of the CSLP project. From its recycled timber posts and beams and strawbale walls to its passive solar and geothermal heating system, the Eco-Centre is a model of sustainability. It's used for environmental education seminars and town meetings, has a golf course, clubhouse, and a restaurant, and the town plans to lease space to other area businesses to make the building economically self-sufficient. The Eco-Centre also features a rainwater capture system, composting toilets, and environment-friendly interior finishing techniques.
Surrounding the Eco-Centre will be a new sustainable housing development, known as an "ecovillage." Craik donated 127 acres on which about a dozen families will build energy-efficient homes, and the families must also generate all or part of their income in a sustainable way. "In return for the land, split into five- to 20-acre plots, they will need to provide us with a business plan," Ms. Eade explained.
But the town isn't stopping there. In a move to draw new businesses to their community, the town provided 80 acres of prime industrial property as an incentive to Hemptown Clothing Inc. to build a hemp fibre mill in Craik.
The mill, the first of its kind in Canada, will produce a new industrial hemp fibreglass product named Crailar in honour of the town, and will employ about a dozen people. Hemptown sees the mill becoming a tourist attraction and has plans to include a retail store on the site. "Craik can be commended for their economic and environmental initiatives," said Jason Finnis, Hemptown's president. "This is clearly a community of the future."
The company plans to source its hemp requirements from local farmers and has given several talks at the Eco-Centre to area farmers about hemp growing requirements and the different types and varieties that are available.
A pilot project in four schools aims to identify and gather educational materials on climate change for elementary and high school students living within rural agricultural communities. The project will also include a demonstration of renewable energy technologies such as solar and wind.
Craik is now working on an integrated sustainable community plan to guide future growth that will incorporate land use planning, development, water and waste management, and energy use. It is studying The Natural Step (TNS), a planning framework developed in Sweden, which provides a practical, step-by-step set of planning guidelines that can be used to direct social, economic, and environmental actions.
A successful working model of rural sustainability in Saskatchewan could serve as a catalyst for similar projects throughout western Canada. It seems that anything is possible for this little town that could.
Learn more about the Craik Sustainable Living Project at www.craikecovillage.ca.
Sharon Boddy is a writer based in Ottawa.
Converted May 26, 2005 - Lg
To follow up on this article, contact the author or the organizations/individuals mentioned; do not contact the Peace and Environment Resource Centre - we cannot provide follow up or contact information. This article is an archival copy of the printed one in the Peace and Environment News (PEN). Viewpoints expressed should not be taken to represent the opinions of the Peace and Environment Resource Centre, the PEN, or our supporters.
