The happy tribe

I’m Na, a regenerative designer, earthen builder and educator with the Global Ecovillage Network. I’m passionate about helping people step into action, however big or small. A women’s build I joined back in 2015 was a much needed transformational experience that set me on this path. Offering this workshop is a way of coming full circle and passing that same spark on. Sat 16 to Fri 22 January 2027 This is a hands-on workshop where you’ll learn earthen building techniques and build a tiny house from the earth up, with your own hands. Why tiny? A tiny house requires careful, creative design and asks – what space do we actually need to live? It uses far less material and takes less time to build, so it’s practical and economical. This also allows us to experience all stages of a house build, from design and brick-making to building and finishing. You’ll get your hands into every part of the build. We’ll work with mud brick (adobe), cob and bamboo, then earth plasters and finishes. This workshop is open to women of all ages and abilities are welcome. Come if you’re new and curious, if you want more practice on specific parts of a build, or simply to play in the mud with wonderful people. It’s genuinely good fun. We’ll be in my little forest, a small house on the edge of a village and national park, 20 km south of Chiang Mai, Thailand. You can stay on site in simple earthen dorms or tents, and we’ll share home-cooked Thai food in the cool, bright days of Thai winter. Read more and register here 

August 7–14, 2027 | British Columbia, Canada Experience community and regenerative living on Canada’s spectacular West Coast Spend eight days exploring some of British Columbia’s most inspiring ecovillages, cohousing neighborhoods and regenerative farms as you journey from the fertile Fraser Valley to Vancouver Island and Salt Spring Island. Visit communities including Abundance Community Farm, Yarrow Ecovillage, Fraser Common Farm & Glorious Organics, Creekside Commons Cohousing, O.U.R. Ecovillage and the Quarry Collective & Chorus Frog Organic Gardens. Meet founders and residents and experience a diverse range of approaches to intentional living—from multigenerational cohousing and cooperative farming to permaculture, natural building and innovative models for local food production. Learn firsthand about collaborative governance, regenerative agriculture, ecological stewardship and the successes and challenges of creating resilient communities over the long term. Along the way, connect with local Indigenous culture, walk among the ancient trees of Cathedral Grove, cross the Salish Sea by ferry and experience the slower pace of British Columbia’s coastal islands. With shared meals, workshops and overnight stays in some of the communities, the tour offers an immersive opportunity to experience community life rather than simply observe it. A great fit for: Prospective community members, aspiring community founders, people interested in cohousing, permaculture and regenerative agriculture, and travelers looking to combine meaningful community experiences with the spectacular landscapes of Canada’s West Coast. Learn more about this tour: https://www.ecovillagetours.com/british-columbia

February 8–22, 2027 | Auroville, India Experience one of the world’s most extraordinary intentional communities Spend 15 days immersed in Auroville, an international township in southern India that is home to more than 3,000 people from over 60 nations. Founded with a vision of human unity, Auroville offers a fascinating opportunity to experience an established experiment in conscious, sustainable and community-centered living. Go beyond the typical visitor experience with an insider’s look at Auroville’s neighborhoods, permaculture farms, schools, spiritual centers, sustainable businesses and ecological projects. Meet long-term residents and community leaders, explore pioneering work in reforestation, organic farming, alternative building and education, and visit projects such as Sadhana Forest, Solitude Farm, the Solar Kitchen and Auroville Botanical Gardens. The journey also explores the spiritual and cultural dimensions of life in this part of India, with visits to the Matrimandir, nearby Tamil villages, Pondicherry and the sacred pilgrimage town of Tiruvannamalai. Along the way, enjoy local cuisine, yoga, meditation, beaches and other opportunities to experience the culture and rhythms of southern India. A great fit for: Those interested in intentional community, conscious living, spirituality, sustainability and regenerative practices; prospective community members; community founders looking for inspiration; and travelers seeking a deeper, more meaningful experience of India. Learn more about this tour: https://www.ecovillagetours.com/india