An ecovillage is a small community of united people sharing a common goal, based on ecological values. An ecovillage tends to maintain a global balance while respecting the principle of not taking from the earth more than we can return.
The ecovillage’s model is an answer to a complex problem of integration of the human habitat in the natural ecosystem, by the integration of viable communities based on durable development. The concept of the ecovillage is already put into practice in several countries.
The concept of the ecovillage puts the emphasis on:

• The ecological construction
  
• The renewable energies systems
  
• The local production of biological food
  
• A viable economy
  
• A collective decision-making process
  

To resume, an ecovillage is above all, a way of life which respects the individual, the collective and the environment and that enables to incarnate the values of respect, solidarity, interdepency and of sharing between the residents as well as with the whole community.

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The word ecovillage is a term widely used all over the world to represent different models of communities. Here is the definition of the term “ intentional community” and what is the distinctness of the "ecovillage".

An « intentional community » is a gathering of individuals who have chosen to live together according to mutual values which do not necessarily include ecology and sustainable development values. They can share, for example, social, economical, spiritual or political values.

That notion is more or less away from the real definition of the term ecovillage. In order to get closer, an intentional community must have as a vital concern ecology on a daily basis and include values of environmental respect in its overall planning.

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For the environment :

• Keeping of biodiversity
• Protect and restore the natural habitats
• Develop a model of agriculture and forest management
• Use effenciently the energy, the water and materials
• Promote an ecological way of life based on durable development
• Giving value to a better use of natural resources by the reduction, recuperation and the reuse.

For the human being:

• Giving a better quality of life based on the satisfaction of fondanmental needs
• Creating a favorable environment for the intellectual, emotional and spiritual fulfillment
• Providing a belonging and secureness sense promoting an active participation to the common effort
• Diminishing the load of individual work
• Reducting the expenses, allowing to the individual more time for his recreations and his social relationships
• Improving physical and mental health thanks to a healthy way of life
• Participating actively to the social and economical life of the community

For the community:

• An efficient way to bring back the younger generation to the rural region
• Stimulating rural economy
• Developing the cultural life in our countries
• Allowing research and development on viable communities under the form of a new model brought to Quebec’s society

The range of possible activities in an ecovillage is determined by its dweller’s longings and is generally governed by a notarized charter. Here are a few examples of potential activities favouringthe economical viability of an ecovillage:

• Ecological agriculture
• Conversion of agricultural and breeding products
• Education center for the young generation and their families (ecological, summer camp, green classes, agriculture, human development, etc…)
• Territory planning
• Hostelry and shelter service
• Integral health center and of resourcefulness
• Ecological construction service
• Training workshops in different fields

The ecovillage’s goal is also to create connections with the local dwellers by exchanging products and services.

It is important to keep in mind that the ecovillage’s dweller is free to create his own economical viability on the grounds or by working elsewhere

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At the group’s level :

• Specifying the vision and the goal to attain
• Finding the persons to constitute the group’s core ( 2 to 5 persons)
• Selection of the decision taking mode
• Consolidation of the group

At the legal level :

• Creation of a charter for the ecovillage
• Creation of a non-profit corporation for the land trust
• Creation of a trust account where each person deposits money in order to buy a land.

At the physical site level  :

• Finding the most auspicious land
• Consultation with a agronomist from the department
• First contact with the municipality
• Purchase of the land
• Planning of the whole lay-out
• Contact with the architect(s)
• Contact with specialized woodman in ecological houses
• Construction of the community center

One of the most adapted models to the concept of an ecovillage is the one of “habitable land trust”. This model already exists in the United States and also in many canadian provinces

An habitable land trust is a non-profit corporation democratically managed and created in purpose to protect the land for the benefit of the community. The land trust then becomes the owner of the land by the intervention of either a purchase or a donation with the intention to keep its title in a permanent way.

A management commitee is elected and constituted by the residents of the community as well as a portion of members issued of ecological organisms. The committee members are elected for a limited time, assume the legal responsibility and see to its good functionning.

Habitable land trusts are efficient tools for people who wish to integrate programs of planning and durable development.

Normally, land trusts offer long-term renting for its residents. Even though they don’t own the land, they can be owners of the installations, the buildings and the infrastructures

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The implantation of ecovillages in Quebec would involve a new form of zoning adapted to its particularities.

This new « indigo zoning » would include the preservation of natural qualities of the earth by the protection and regeneration of the ecosystems and the agricultural development by the use of respectful methods for the environment.

This new zoning would thus permit the cohabitation of different human activities perturbing the least possible the natural balance.

This new zoning could include the following features:

• At the building level:
  • Planning around the houses in order to support the local fauna and flora.
    
  • Ecological constructions adapted to Quebec’s climate.
    
  • Energy control and creation of strict norms for the heating.
• At the agriculture level:
  • Biological and rustic agriculture
    
  • Natural reinsertion of the animals in their environment
    
  • Respectful control of the resources of the forest, lakes and rivers.
• At the human activity level :
  • Controlling plan of transportations
    
  • Control of the purchases, garbage and used waters
    
  • Effectuation ot the principle of Reduction, Reuse and Recuperation

In full emergence, ecovillages operate thanks to the people ready to invest together in order to create a life style where are at the honor the respect of environment, mutual help and micro-eco-enterprises. This approach is not yet in the mores of our society. However, in the environmental context who is beginning at the worldwide scale, the ecovillage is a logical solution for a future where it will be possible to function according to collective principles.

The ecovillage’s concept is meant for those who want to realize their dreams of building an ecological house, live in the country, cultivate bio and live in a common surroundings. However, in order for an ecovillage to uprise, implication is necessary. In a project of this calibre, it is essential to have the capacity of self motivation, to listen to the others, self expression and above all take action. An ecovillage is based on mutual help and overstepping, keeping as a guiding line the respect of the environment and of the heritage left for the next generations.