TAKE AN ECO-VILLAGE VACATION

Enlarge Image Image Gallery Visitors to MOTHER's Show-Hows learn about (left) our root cellar/shelter . . . (center) growing produce hydroponically . . . (right) cordwood construction . . . ( STAFF PHOTOS ) STAFF PHOTOS

Next year, combine a visit to MOTHER's mini-seminars, a chance to do some camping, and the opportunity to see the best sights that the western North Carolina mountains have to offer!

By the time we close the Eco-Village gates for the season (remember that, as you read this, there are still a few beautiful weeks of mountain autumn — till October 31 — for you to take advantage of), we'll have played host, over six all-too-short months, to more than 20,000 visitors. Many of these folks will have taken advantage of the Eco-Village/World's Fair/camping package that allowed them to stay on our property for two days . . . enjoy a daily choice of 10 to 15 Show-Hows (mini-seminars on food, energy, transportation, and housing) . . . and then wrap up their visit with a day's travel-and-admission-paid trip, by chartered bus, to the World's Fair! (We were both pleased and not a little flattered when some people told us they found the Eco-Village visit even more educational and interesting than the big Knoxville exposition!)

BETTER NEXT TIME

All in all, we're pretty happy with the current season . . . but we're already working up some offerings that'll make an Eco-Village visit next year even better! Of course, since our display projects grow and evolve as research progresses, the ShowHows will have more to show. Furthermore, new ideas (and some old ones that have been in the planning stages for years) are constantly getting under way. Here, then, are just a few of the attractions you can expect to find on MOTHER's property in 1983.

First (and perhaps foremost), our long-anticipated Environmental Hall of Fame should be established. At least 12 individuals (one from each year that THE MOTHER EARTH NEWS ® has been published) will be selected, by MOTHER's editors, on the basis of work done to further the protection and preservation of the earth's natural environment. Of course, another honoree will be added each year thereafter . . . and displays commemorating the work of these men and women will be set up.

By next spring, too, we'll have installed an alternative electrical power system at MOTHER's passive solar, earth-sheltered house . . . created a children's recreation area (including a "youngster-powered" energy park) . . . constructed fishing docks on one of our beautiful lakes, along with wading pools for safe water play . . . built a super-low-cost (you won't believe just how inexpensive) earth-sheltered dwelling . . . and put in a demonstration homestead fish farm. And in addition to our improved series of Show-How seminars, we'll offer free hands-on learning programs in the evenings!