"O.U.R. Eco village is a sustainable educational center and a presentation ground situated in the Cowichan Valley on Vancouver Island, British Columbia. Their activities are rooted in Permaculture standards and give educational opportunities for natural architecture, sustainable food production and leadership. Situated on an amazing 25 acres near Shawnigan Lake, Eco village began working in 1999 with a dream to create an exemplary sustainable village community based on social, ecological, and economic well being. The land movement is having its time once again. A few hundred thousand elderly ex-hippies or maybe enduring hippies who met way back in the 1970's have now been joined by a younger generation, many of whom have abandoned the cities in the past few years as economic conditions have worsened. Some were forced out because of debt, others because of insecure jobs. They used the downturn to re-appraise their values; they're sick of traffic, pollution, and a consumer-driven society; they've lost all trust in bankers and politics, and are looking for a better way."