The Kailash Ecovillage, A Shining Green Star for Portland

    At the intersection of 7th and Cora in southeast Portland, you'll find a unique community marked with a buzzing bee and flower mural on the pavement of the crossroads. Visitors and guests are welcomed to the entrance of Kailash Ecovillage with fruit trees lining the street. The village is surrounded by vine-covered fences that create a lush microclimate within the community. The residents of the Kailash Ecovillage fully embrace what it means to live ecologically friendly and sustainably. 

Kailash Ecovillage 

Kirsten Dirksen on September 26, 2021. “Rundown Apartments Reborn as Food-Forest Coliving Agritopia.” *faircompanies, September 27, 2021. https://faircompanies.com/videos/apartments-stalled-then-became-a-restorative-ecovillage/.

    The ecovillage is a testament to the relationship between humans and the natural environment. Modern life is far removed from the natural processes of the earth. Kailash residents have a harmonious and highly impressive coexistence with the natural world. Environmental responsibility is at the forefront of the model. 

    Kailash Ecovillage has an extensive organic farming setup for its residents. Each family or unit has a farm lot and is responsible for growing a variety of produce. Food insecurity is not an issue at Kailash and the residents share with one another for a balanced diet of food. 

    The garden beds around the site are fertilized with compost from a mix of food waste, human manure, and wood chips. Although unconventional, the sustainable system works well for Kailash and it follows all proper handling and application. Although unconventional, not every member of the village must participate in the composting activities. 

Humanure Composting Station at Kailash

“Composting.” Kailash Ecovillage. Accessed November 20, 2023. https://www.kailashecovillage.org/composting.

    The architecture at Kailash has been carefully designed with a commitment to sustainability. The buildings feature passive solar design, energy-efficient technology, and a water catchment system. Another key element of the ecovillage is its easily adaptable model that can be replicated and remade anywhere in the world. 

    While the Kailash Ecovillage is very cautious about minimizing the community's impact on the environment, the village also celebrates its efforts to mindful living. Mindful living is another one of Kailash's efforts to bring its residents closer to the natural world. The serene surroundings offer the perfect atmosphere for peaceful living. Mindfulness practices like meditation and yoga bring well-being to the residents of Kailash. 

    When first reviewing Kailash Ecovillage, I found the means and methods of the model to be unconventional and a bit strange. After breaking the village down into its functioning parts and pieces, I've come to find that it is far from unconventional. In fact, it is about as conventional as nature can get. Humans are natural beings and belong to be one with the environment and nature. The residents of Kailash are embracing this and celebrating it. In turn, they have simplified society down to what they really and truly need. This has created a self-sustaining and ecologically friendly home for many residents.