Sustainability is not just a future goal. Dancing Rabbit Ecovillage is doing it, now.

One of the world's foremost experiments in real-world ecological living, it’s 70+ residents have reduced their ecological impact on key metrics by over 90% in areas such as transportation, energy and water use. Creative, cooperative economic models and an entrepreneurial base support the economic sustainability of the village. Education and research are integral to Dancing Rabbit’s goals. It actively shares its ideas and discoveries through visitor programs, publications and other media.

Tony Sirna, who is giving the Nov. 7 talk starting at 5 p.m. in Room 1040 Dana, is a founder of Dancing Rabbit Ecovillage, a community demonstrating sustainable living in northeast Missouri, where 70+ residents have reduced their ecological impact on key metrics by over 90%. Dancing Rabbit got its start at Stanford University in 1993 and Tony has had a hand in almost all aspects of visioning, designing, and manifesting a sustainable village. He has built two straw bale homes, designed and installed Dancing Rabbit's village-wide renewable-energy micro-grid, and has served on the village's Land Use Planning committee for over a decade.

Tony is also on the board of Dancing Rabbit's nonprofit which does sustainability education and promotes Dancing Rabbit and sustainability through the media and online. He is currently working on the design team for an 8000 square-foot LEED Platinum community building which will be certified by the Living Building Challenge. Tony has been on the board of the Fellowship for Intentional Community for over 15 years, and is an experienced facilitator and mediator.

Abstract: Our society is wrestling with questions of sustainability and climate change, with many groups working towards a sustainable future. At Dancing Rabbit Ecovillage that sustainable future is here now. If you want to see what sustainability looks like, join the founder of one of the world's foremost experiments in real world ecological living. Over the last 15 years Dancing Rabbit has built over 25 energy-efficient homes using reclaimed lumber and natural building methods such as straw bale and cob.

By reducing electricity use to less than 10% of the American norm, the village is now a net exporter of renewable energy. Three vehicles are shared among the 75 residents, who drive, on average, only 900 miles per person per year. Food production is integrated into the design of the pedestrian-scale village. Cooperation, a strong gift economy, a vibrant alternative currency, and an entrepreneurial base support the economic stability of the community. Natural ecosystems are preserved and restored on the community's 280-acre land trust. Sustainability is not just a dream. We are doing it now.