Community of the Franciscan Way

Tropical Dry Forest Permaculture Design & Regenerative Stewardship Certification (PDC)12-Day Intensive | 120 Hours | Costalegre, Jalisco, Mexico APPLY AT XOCHIRAIZ.COM Join us for an immersive Permaculture Design Certificate course set in the tropical dry forest bioregion of coastal Jalisco. This 120-hour intensive blends internationally recognized PDC curriculum with hands-on regenerative practice — combining ecological design, agroforestry, natural building, and community stewardship into one integrated learning experience. Lead Faculty Jorge Luis Gtz. Olarte (Arborescencia RedGenerativa) – Regenerative Design, Soil Biology & Agroforestry Ozzy Lusth (Survior & Xochiraíz) – Wilderness Resilience & Survival Skills Dave Collins (Capacha Coastal Conservation Center) – Bioarchitecture & Ecological Development What You’ll LearnThe course moves through six progressive phases: Permaculture & Ecological Literacy – ethics, principles, and reading the tropical dry forest landscape Water & Soil Systems – keyline design, water harvesting, living soils, and compost systems Horticulture – food garden design, propagation, and biological pest control Regenerative Food Systems – tropical agroforestry, food forest design, and guild planting Ecological Infrastructure – bamboo bioarchitecture, bioclimatic farm design, compost toilets, greywater, and rocket stoves Integrated Design Studio – team-based final design projects covering watershed strategy, agroforestry, food forest layout, infrastructure, and phased implementation Daily RhythmMornings begin with optional surf/yoga and journaling, followed by field practicums and hands-on workshops. Afternoons include design studio and construction lab work, with reflection circles, communal dinners, and evening talks, films, or campfire discussions rounding out the day. Final ProjectParticipants work in teams to produce a full regenerative design package — landscape analysis, water plan, agroforestry design, food forest plan, ecological infrastructure, and bioclimatic farm plan — presented to a faculty review panel on the final day, followed by a closing ceremony, certificate delivery, and community feast. CertificationGraduates receive the Tropical Dry Forest Permaculture Design & Regenerative Stewardship Certification (120 contact hours), hosted by Capacha Coastal Conservation Center and Tierralegre, A.C. Curriculum integrates international PDC standards with tropical ecology, agroforestry, ecological restoration, bamboo bioarchitecture, bioclimatic design, GIS/photogrammetry, and regenerative leadership. Highlights Hands-on bamboo construction (temazcal, bathhouses, sculpture) Tropical dry forest silviculture practicum Community mapping and design project for Ekoa Green Community Talent show and sea turtle release

Hi, I am the architect of the Meadow Woods Cohousing Community in Bremerton, WA.   I love the way this community has flourished over the years, maybe in some small part due to the sensitive design of the homes and common house.    If you need to discuss some of the issues related to land use and architectural design, please give me a no-obligation, no-cost, call to discuss your project.  I use a 3D cad program so your members can quickly and easily see the results of our collaborative design efforts. I offer a 20% discount to cohousing communities.  My contact information: Website: www.NWArchitect.org,   Email:  Pa************@***il.com,   Phone:: 360-525-3843

The Wise Acres Community is a cohousing neighborhood in Indianola, Washington. We currently have two openings: a 5-bedroom house and a 1-bedroom cottage.  In Wise Acres, we gather for dinners, parties, and other events in our common house and tend a community garden together. We look out for each other, make decisions by consensus, and share the work of stewarding the land. One house available for rent has 4 bedrooms, plus a study that can be used as a bedroom. The kitchen and great room face east and south, with high windows that invite lots of natural light. The single-story home has a wood-burning stove in the living room and a whole-house A/C heat pump. Unfurnished. For photos and a floor plan of this house, click here. The other home available for rent is a 1 bedroom 650 sq ft cottage with skylight and a forest balcony. The tranquil, three-story house is suitable for those with good physical mobility.  For photos, click here. Wise Acres is walking distance from the beach in a small, friendly town that is 6 miles from the ferry to Seattle. Here’s a link to the Wise Acres community website.  We are seeking to rent to a household that wants to participate fully in community life. For more information, call or text 360 860 0644.

La Querencia is an established, multigenerational cohousing community of 28 private homes in northeast Fresno, California. Homes of different sizes are available for sale or rent, at prices well below those of many other cohousing communities—especially in California. We each have our own homes and lives while also sharing meals, gardens, celebrations, a common house, a pool, and the work of caring for the community together. See current homes, prices, photos, and details: https://www.laqcoho.org/available-homes We offer monthly virtual information sessions and in-person tours for people who would like to get to know the community. Tour information is available through our website: laqcoho.com.

Camphill Academy offers practice-integrated postsecondary programs in Inclusive Social Development, with concentrations in Curative Education, Social Therapy, and Social Agriculture & Biodynamics. Learn through hands-on experience in inclusive communities where people of diverse abilities live, learn, work, and grow together.  As a Camphill Academy student, you can begin earning college credits toward bachelor’s degree programs—with no tuition costs! Enrollment is open for programs beginning in Fall 2027! Visit www.camphill.edu for more information and to apply.

Ready to actually visit some communities? Take the next step on your journey towards intentional community living. Join an Ecovillage Tour! ✓ All-inclusive guided trips ✓ Visit a variety of communities, cohousings & ecovillages ✓ Meet community founders & residents ✓ Learn group governance, permaculture, eco-living & more ✓ Make lifelong friends within your traveling group ✓ Possibly find your next home within a thriving community! About Ecovillage Tours The only transformative travel experience that brings you to regenerative intentional communities. Find your next home, get guidance on how to start a community, or simply have a values-aligned vacation. www.ecovillagetours.com Upcoming Trips Costa Rica | Jan 16-24, 2027; Jan 30 – Feb 8, 2027; Apr 11-20, 2027 India | Feb 8-22, 2027 New Zealand | Mar 10-19, 2027 Spain | May 1-8, 2027 Portugal | May 15-24, 2027 Vermont | Jul 17-24, 2027 Pacific Northwest | Jul 28 – Aug 4, 2027 British Columbia | Aug 7-14, 2027 Italy | Sep 30 – Oct 9, 2027 North Carolina | Oct 9-16, 2027 See all the pricing, lodging, and itinerary information on the webpage for each tour. Or explore them all at https://www.ecovillagetours.com/upcoming-tours

Would you like to join an intentional community but don’t know how? Feel overwhelmed by the number of communities out there? Not sure if there is one that’s a fit for you? CommunityFinders is here to support you on your path to community living. You can find your community by: Taking the free Community Types Quiz to learn which of the most common types of community is a fit for you. Booking a 1:1 consultation with a Community Matchmaker to receive recommendations for communities that are a fit for you. Joining the Money and Community Mini-Course to find out which communities are within your budget. Reading the book Intentional Community to help you understand your options and decide whether community living is right for you. Our goal is to help community seekers become community finders — people with confidence that their community match is out there and they will find it. Looking forward to working with you to find your community! Please be in touch, Cynthia Tina Founder communityfinders.com What communitarians are saying: “Cynthia helped me clarify the intentional communities that fit me, better get to know them, and finally choose one that I’m now a member of. I have no doubt anyone on a community journey will find great value in her guidance.” – Alan Stillman “Out of potentially thousands of communities, Cynthia matched me with very similar values revealed on their websites. I am in the process of applying to visit the number one recommendation. I’m excited and thankful for Cynthia‘s skills. Beyond well worth.” – Tommy Teeple “Due to her extensive community experience, she could offer many insights, provide useful tips and present selected communities to me that she had visited herself.” – Antonia Von Hassell

Description: Willits, CA, Pacific Northwest rainforest system. Forest Haven is seeking forest lovers who value solitude. We have several areas in the main compound and a few tucked away in private. Space is designed for your RV / Tiny Home / +++. We will add power and water for each new Steward’s space. Land: 40 acres(17 hectares), 3ac for humans. Year-round creek at base of parcel. Heavy trees, 40 meter-ish high. Conifer mix. With a large south-facing common garden.   New forest stewards have agreed to prioritize tree health. This means each person here will have a say in whether we cut any single tree. We never cut for wood or sale.  Stewards agree to walk the forest daily as our one required 20-minute group activity.    Limit the number of dwellings to 3-5 Total. There are 8 common buildings, with 3 having flush toilets and one with a hot shower, washer and dryer. We are 100% off-grid.  We have a natural spring and solar. The full-size common kitchen is large enough to process the garden harvest and more. Remote workers and retirees’ welcome. Full online and cell service available.    Forest Haven is currently a private forest reserve.   If 2 households sign on, it will become a 501(c)(3). Each person’s “donation/rent” will be tax-deductible. This is a private forest reserve going public as a nonprofit.    Please inquire if you want to help in a small way using basic permaculture methods to improve our forest’s health, message me to learn more.