Every day, we ask ourselves what it truly means to live cooperatively.

The work of building intentional communities, stewarding land, and sharing power is never finished. It is a living experiment—sometimes inspiring, sometimes messy, always real.

From the outside, community can look like an answer. On the inside, it’s a constant process of learning, adapting, and tending to both the land and our relationships.

How do we actually share power? How do we build trust when things break down? How do we repair harm?

These aren’t abstract questions. They emerge from real experiences in ecovillages, intentional communities, neighborhoods, organizations, and families. Through practices like Restorative Circles, empathetic listening, and Nonviolent Communication, many of us are learning how to support each other in the work of cooperating together.

Conflict is a sign that something needs to change. The question is not whether conflict will arise, but how we meet it. May we learn to listen deeply, repair relationships, and grow together. Not if – but when we lean in. May we learn to lean in.

“I often wonder whether our descendants seven generations from now will understand how much effort we put into learning how to live cooperatively.”

“What matters to me is strengthening the health of intentional communities—and the web between them.” –Sabrina Simon

Our hope is that this web of relationships, communities, and connections will grow stronger with each season.

Learning Liberation Docuseries Fundraiser

Learning to live together these bear repeating…

How do we actually share power?
How do we build trust when things break down?
How do we repair harm?

We are excited to share the launch of the Learning Liberation Docuseries fundraiser—an effort to preserve and share the stories of intentional communities and the people striving to create more cooperative ways of living. At its core, this project is about preserving the story of how we are trying to learn our liberation together. Your support will help us document the lived experiences, challenges, and breakthroughs happening across our region. Watch the trailer and support the fundraiser, or explore the project pitch deck for a deeper look at the vision and goals.

Social Permaculture Working Group

A new Social Permaculture working group is forming, dedicated to the ethic of People Care—building trust, sharing power, transforming conflict, and nurturing healthy group culture. Our first collaborative project is to create a Wikipedia article on Social Permaculture, making this emerging field more visible and accessible. Some members will meet in person at the Convergence of Intentional Communities (CIC) this weekend, and we’ll continue the conversation on Zoom on June 30. If you’re interested in shaping the future of social permaculture, join the conversation and help us grow this work.

Virtual Tour of Intentional Communities – June 25 (Free)

Meet a diversity of intentional communities—secular and spiritual, urban and rural, forming and established—during the Virtual Tour of Intentional Communities on June 25. This event is free and open to all who are curious about cooperative living. Register through the Foundation for Intentional Community to connect with people who are building new ways of living together.

Lost Valley Community Weekend – July

Lost Valley invites you to connect, learn, and experience intentional community in practice. Whether you are new to community or a seasoned practitioner, this is a chance to immerse yourself in place-based learning and regenerative culture. For more Community Experience Week visit here.

Hotlum / Mt. Shasta unConference – September

We are beginning to gather interested participants for the next Hotlum / Mt. Shasta unConference in September. Hotlum Eco-Regeneration Camp, on the slopes of Mount Shasta, is a living classroom for earth repair and ecological restoration. We explore the Rights of Nature and what it might mean for land to be recognized not merely as property, but as a living, sovereign being with a voice in its own future. If you feel called to participate in hands-on healing of land and community, express your interest and learn more about the gathering and the vision for this unique event.

As we look ahead, we recognize that learning to live together may be one of the most important skills of our time. Each gathering, project, and conversation adds to the web of knowledge, experience, care, and resilience … that will carry us forward. We invite you to stay connected, participate, and help strengthen the growing network of intentional communities throughout Cascadia and beyond.

Thanks for Reading and Caring!

For regular updates, event details, and deep dives, visit our newsletter archive  to explore upcoming gatherings, ways to stay connected and learning inspiring opportunities.

Hope to gather together with you soon,

The NW Permaculture Team

P.S. More Ways to Get Involved:

• Invite friends to subscribe to our newsletter for ongoing community news
• Add your projects or location to our Directory Map
• Join the conversation on our  Telegram or Slack
• Seeking allies in this work – visit the possibilities here.

Next Newsletter Deadline: June 25 for July

If you have local permaculture-related events, educational resources, or community news you’d like us to share in the late June edition, please send details by deadline (or contact me for flexibility) via the contact form. Here is our new reciprocity page – go gift economy!