Sustainability Field School Blog

Below you'll find the location-based blogs compiled by students from the 2012-2016 Sustainability Field Schools. Use the drop-down menu below to filter the blogs by year. You can also explore the each blog post on the Cascadia Sustainability Experience Map.

But, what is sustainability?

Submitted by camo on

When the Cascadia Sustainability Field School visited Vancouver (in May, 2014) we had a chance to reflect on the variety of ways “sustainability” is imagined.

Our first foray into the city was a downtown walking tour lead by well- known Vancouver urban superstar, former city counselor etc. Gord Price. For Gord, sustainability represented a formidable challenge for a city that was founded on movement (of goods, information and people) and the exploitation of resources. Vancouver, it could be said, was about exploiting the hell out of heaven.

Sustainable Mating

Submitted by richg on

In Vancouver BC driving just doesn't make sense anymore. The city is almost entirely walkable and when you can't walk the public transportation system is efficient, cheap, and well organized. 

Industry Meets Artistry

Submitted by saundersk on

What was once was an area heavily used for industry has been transformed into a vibrant local gem. Minutes the hustle and bustle of the city of Vancouver, Granville Island is a popular destination for both local residents and tourists. Our task was to find out how the area has become what it is today, as well as discover why the conscious decision was made to allow automobiles access to the island.

An enlightening experience at O.U.R Ecovillage

Submitted by basi-primeaus on

From learning how to cob, to farm using the philosophy of permaculture, and how to build structures following the traditional timber framing method. The day spent here was educational and spiritual. Learning to listen to and work with the land and each other to build a sustainable community. In the words of Brandy Gallagher, "By the community, for the community, through the community..."

-Learning to Cob with Pat-

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