Author: Saul Of-Hearts


This Biologist Wants To Set Aside Half of The Earth To Protect Biodiversity

Posted on June 13, 2016 by

Edward O. Wilson’s new book, Half-Earth, offers a timely proposal for the conservation movement: dedicate half of the planet’s surface to nature, and we’ll be able to hold off the… Read More


Do You Know Your Watershed?

Posted on June 10, 2016 by

Last month, I took part in Oregon State University’s online permaculture class, taught by Andrew Millison. While permaculture design certificates can cost upwards of $750, this class was free, open… Read More


The “Moved to Act” Climate Leadership Intensive Comes to Dancing Rabbit

Posted on June 7, 2016 by

This August, the Dancing Rabbit Ecovillage in Rutledge, MO, will host “Moved to Act,” a climate leadership intensive offered by Aaron Murphy and other instructors. The event takes place from… Read More


Switzerland to Vote on Basic Income Referendum June 5

Posted on June 2, 2016 by
2 Comments

This Sunday, June 5, Switzerland will be the first country to vote on whether or not its citizens should receive a universal basic income (UBI) of $2,600 per month. The… Read More


How These Co-op Bars Are Reinventing the Idea of a “Public House”

Posted on May 30, 2016 by

“Have a pint – change the world,” is the motto of the Oregon Public House, a co-operatively owned, non-profit bar in Portland, OR. According to co-founder Ryan Saari, the city… Read More


Here’s How You Can Participate in Global Sharing Week June 5-11

Posted on May 26, 2016 by

Shareable.net and The People Who Share are collaborating on this year’s Global Sharing Week, which will take place from June 5-11, 2016. Originally launched as Global Sharing Day, the event… Read More


Moving Through Times of Transition

Posted on May 23, 2016 by

What is it that keeps a community’s identity consistent over time? Is it the people? The place? The culture? Here at Foster Village in Portland, OR, we’ve had around a… Read More


SimpleREV Brings Minimalism and Intentional Living to the Twin Cities

Posted on May 19, 2016 by

In October 2014, I attended the first annual SimpleREV conference in Minneapolis, MN. For two days, around 50 or so attendees shared stories about downsizing, living life with less “stuff,”… Read More


How These Collaborative Networks Foster Inter-Community Connection

Posted on May 16, 2016 by

As interest in community living grows, it’s important that we make it easy and accessible for people to get involved with their local co-ops and coliving spaces. For many people,… Read More


Midwest Sustainable Communities Conference July 2-4 at Dancing Rabbit

Posted on May 12, 2016 by
2 Comments

UPDATE from the organizers: “This year’s conference has unfortunately been cancelled. We are postponing until 2017 to have more prep time and invite even more speakers and guests. Stay tuned!”… Read More


Can Platform Cooperatives Empower Everyday Workers?

Posted on May 9, 2016 by

Last week, I wrote about OuiShare, a European organization that’s spearheading the push for a more equitable sharing economy. One of the concepts on the agenda at this year’s OuiShare… Read More

Filed Under: All Blog Posts

OuiShare Pushes for A Fairer Sharing Economy

Posted on May 5, 2016 by

For years, OuiShare has been one of the leading voices on the sharing economy in Europe, and has helped put the concept of collaborative consumption and peer-to-peer economies on the… Read More


European Projects Explore Cohousing for LGBT Elders

Posted on May 2, 2016 by

Over the past year, a U.K. group called Tonic Housing has been exploring ways to offer safe, affordable housing to older members of the LGBT community. Supported by several charitable… Read More


NextGEN Hosts The Youth Ecovillage Summit in Quebec June 9-12

Posted on April 28, 2016 by

NextGEN North America has opened registration for the third annual Youth Ecovillage Summit, which will take place in Quebec, Canada from June 9-12, 2016. The event will be hosted at… Read More


Job Openings at the New Economy Coalition (Plus Event Registration for Common Bound)

Posted on April 21, 2016 by

One of the great things about the growing interest in intentional living is how easily groups like FIC can connect and collaborate with related organizations. From neurodiverse cohousing networks to… Read More


Portland’s Village Building Convergence Returns June 3-12

Posted on April 21, 2016 by

For 16 years, the City Repair Project has been gathering annually for the Village Building Convergence, a 10-day event focusing on permaculture and placemaking in Portland, OR. Even residents who… Read More


Three Tucson Communities Open Their Doors For National Cohousing Day

Posted on April 18, 2016 by

National Cohousing Open House Day is coming up in just over a week, and dozens of communities will be welcoming guests for tours and other free activities. You can check… Read More


Millennials Are Embracing Cohousing – Of A Different Kind

Posted on April 14, 2016 by

It may have been only a matter of time before the millennial generation turned its attention to cohousing. As car and home ownership among young people has declined, and as… Read More


The Write A House Program Builds Artistic Community in Detroit

Posted on April 7, 2016 by

Launched in 2012, the Write a House program in Detroit has been creating a writers’ residency like no other. After buying up vacant homes, the organization renovates them – with… Read More


Lightning in A Bottle Shares 2016 Theme and Activities

Posted on April 4, 2016 by

Lightning in a Bottle, the annual arts, music, and yoga festival in Southern California, announced its 2016 theme and workshop leaders. According to Grateful Web, “The Village’s 2016 theme, Tree… Read More


Former Residents Call on Black Bear Ranch to Unsettle The Klamath River

Posted on March 30, 2016 by

Eight years ago, when I moved out to the West Coast for the first time, I wasn’t yet aware of the intentional community movement. I’d always imagined living collectively, but… Read More


A Permaculture Card Game Is Raising Funds on Kickstarter

Posted on March 28, 2016 by

Food Forest, a card game designed to teach kids about permaculture, is raising funds on Kickstarter. As of this writing, it’s two-thirds of the way toward its $10,000 goal and… Read More


Free Online Permaculture Class Starts May 2!

Posted on March 25, 2016 by

Interested in learning more about permaculture but don’t have any hands-on experience? Have friends or family who want to know what it is you do on your eco-village or urban… Read More


Life in an urban eco-village

Posted on March 23, 2016 by

Hi, I’m Saul, the new Social Media Manager here at FIC. I’m excited to join the team from my home at Foster Village, an urban eco-community in Southeast Portland, OR!… Read More