Eco-Road Trip – Biosphere 2
Biosphere 2 – Summary:
- Who: N/A
- What: Toured the University of Arizona’s Biosphere 2 research complex
- When: Thursday, April 5
- Where: Oracle, AZ
Quick Resources:
- Biosphere 2 Webpage
- Biosphere 2 Facebook Page
- Biosphere 2’s Mars Colony Experiment – Business Insider Article
My Route:
Planning my Eco-Inspired Road Trip Blog Post
My Travel Story:
Rushing over from the Wind Spirit Community in Winkelman, I barely made it to the last group tour at the University of Arizona’s Biosphere 2, the world’s largest enclosed earth system science research facility, in Oracle, AZ.
The tour began in the ‘actual Biosphere’ (Earth) so I had to walk through the on-site housing facility, known as “The Village,” which comprised of 28 furnished 3-to-5 bedroom casitas for students and faculty, and incorporates sustainable practices like rainwater harvesting and solar energy.
Eco-Road Trip – Manzanita Village Cohousing
Manzanita Village Cohousing & Sunset Drive – Summary:
- Who: Art Gorski
- What: Visited Manzanita Village Cohousing; Drove to Prescott to see the Ecosa Institute; Drove back to Mountain Shadow Resort
- When: Wednesday, April 4
- Where: Prescott, AZ; Scottsdale, AZ
Quick Resources:
- Manzanita Village Cohousing Webpage
- Manzanita Village Cohousing Facebook Page
- Ecosa Institute Webpage
- Ecosa Institute Facebook Page
My Route:
Planning my Eco-Inspired Road Trip Blog Post
My Travel Story:
My third and final scheduled stop after Arcosanti was Manzanita Village in Prescott, Arizona.
I met my host, Art Gorski, at the main parking lot, and we went down to the main lodge in the center of the housing complex.
Eco-Road Trip – South Coast Botanic Garden
South Coast Botanic Garden – Summary:
- Who: N/A
- What: Toured the South Coast Botanic Garden
- When: Monday, April 2
- Where: Los Angeles, CA
Quick Resources:
- South Coast Botanic Garden Webpage
- South Coast Botanic Garden Facebook Page
- South Coast Botanic Garden Features
My Route:
Planning my Eco-Inspired Road Trip Blog Post
My Travel Story:
My original plans for the day to visit CalEarth were miscalculated and fell through, and so did last minute plans to see local friends.
So I searched for other destinations in the area, and came across the South Coast Botanic Garden, which was originally an open-pit mining operation turned city landfill turned botanical gardens.
Eco-Road Trip – Santa Barbara PT. 2 & Seal Beach
Santa Barbra PT. 2 & L.A. Traffic/Seal Beach – Summary:
- Who: Joey Tully
- What: Attended Easter Sunday service and hiked the property at Sunburst Sanctuary
- When: Sunday, April 1
- Where: Santa Barbara, CA; Los Angeles, CA; Seal Beach, CA
Quick Resources:
- Santa Barbara Webpage
- Old Mission Santa Barbara Webpage
- The Santa Barbara Bloom Project Webpage
- The Santa Barbara Bloom Project Facebook Page
- Los Angeles’ notorious traffic problem explained in graphics – CNN Article
- City of Seal Beach Webpage
My Route:
Planning my Eco-Inspired Road Trip Blog Post
My Travel Story:
I was in surreal state from the morning at Sunburst Sanctuary as I headed back toward Santa Barbra on Easter Sunday.
The day before I heard about an Easter gathering at the Old Mission Santa Barbara and drove over to check it out. This mission grounds were beautiful, and people set up picnic blankets across the front lawn and around the rose garden.
Here’s a quick video tour of the Old Mission grounds on Easter Sunday! (more…)
Eco-Road Trip – Forestiere Underground Gardens
Forestiere Underground Gardens – Summary:
- Who: N/A
- What: Stumbled across and toured the Forestiere Underground Gardens
- When: Saturday, March 31
- Where: Fresno, CA
Quick Resources:
- Forestiere Underground Gardens Webpage
- Baldassare Forestiere Biography Webpage
- Fresno Visitor Information Webpage
My Route:
Planning my Eco-Inspired Road Trip Blog Post
My Travel Story:
Driving to Fresno, CA, was completely unplanned, but still in the direction of my travels to Santa Barbara. The city reminded me a lot of Lubbock and Amarillo in West Texas, so I wasn’t terribly impressed with this desert city.
However, when I looked for permaculture related sites and community gardens in the area – the Forestiere Underground Gardens came up in my search results, and I was more than impressed with this unexpected destination.
Eco-Road Trip – Berkeley’s Ecology Center & Gardens
Berkeley’s Ecology Center, EcoHouse & Community Gardens – Summary:
- Who: N/A
- What: Visited the community gardens near the Ecohouse; Stopped at the Ecology Center
- When: Friday, March 30
- Where: Berkeley, CA
Quick Resources:
- Ecology Center Webpage
- Ecology Center Facebook Page
- Ecology Center Factsheets & Links
- Ecology Center EcoHouse Webpage
- American Community Garden Association Webpage
My Route:
Planning my Eco-Inspired Road Trip Blog Post
My Travel Story:
After leaving the Ecovillage Farm Learning Center, I made my way to the heart of Berkeley, CA, to see some local community gardens and the Ecology Center.
My first stop was the EcoHouse, a demonstration home and garden located in a North Berkeley residential neighborhood. Because the house is a private residency, I was unable to tour it. (more…)