At Cob Cottage Company in Oregon Kara Stiff trained in cob, an ancient technique using clay, sand and straw, with stone or recycled concrete for the foundation. They built rounded houses that seemed right out of a fairy tale, using materials that were freely available just about everywhere, non-toxic, cozy and beautiful. There wasn’t a … Read more
The general idea of ecobricks is very simple: gather recycled plastic and pack it as tightly as you can into a plastic bottle. This then becomes a building block, which can be used in a variety of ways. The ecobrick movement is gathering momentum as plastic pollution has made global headlines. It has become an … Read more
The Mohicans, have a unique collection of treehouses and cabins nestled in the quiet woods of Ohio’s Amish country 70 miles northeast of Columbus, Ohio. Kevin and Laura Mooney conceived of this novel resort concept after viewing the Discovery Channel’s “Treehouse Masters” show. These arboreal structures sport a rustic appearance but they are masterfully crafted … Read more
I have recently noticed several articles claiming that a much greater use of wood for constructing urban buildings, rather than more industrial products, such as steel and concrete, would make a major impact on sequestering carbon, and thus help mitigate climate change. My first thought when I hear this is, “What about the affect of … Read more
Emma lives in the wild woods of Wales, where she is close to nature , with no running water, electricity, or internet. For Emma, this way of life is all about building a closer relationship to nature while also creating a lifestyle where she is free of the pressures of the modern world. Her simple … Read more
86 smallholder farmers are celebrating their completion of a four-year Forest Garden program designed to end food and financial insecurity while eliminating farmer-caused deforestation. Nonprofit Trees for the Future educates and trains farmers to protect their land, diversify the crops they produce, and optimize their available space. “The energy today was electric. The entire community … Read more