Ashevillage Institute in Asheville, NC.
NC120 did an extreme makeover project at Ashevillage Institute in Asheville, NC. An observation deck was built that was 25 ft long x 6ft wide. The deck was constructed from locally harvested black locust lumber. A ~20 ft long x 2 ½ ft wide x 4” deep cement bench was constructed at the bottom of an unfinished retaining wall, which supported the hydro-channel of the rainwater catchment system. An extensive edible arbor and trellis was constructed at the entrance to the backyard. One archway was built over the first step leading up into the yard and was 10ft wide x 8 ft high. A second archway was built to the left of the side door. A 40 foot trellis lead up the yard alongside a brick walkway to another 5 foot wide x 8 foot high archway at the top of the steps. The arbor was constructed from locally harvested black locust wood. An eighth of an acre of the property was covered with over 200 densely abundant, productive, edible, and bio-diverse plants. The landscape integrated a variety of medicinal and edible plants with multiple functions (i.e., nitrogen fixers, dynamic accumulators, and beneficial insect habitat). Clearing, soil amending, plant delivery and placement was part of the project. Utilizing scrap wood and other materials, the team constructed five birdhouses and installed them throughout the property. These birdhouses provided habitat and has added to the beauty and character to the property.
Backyard Solutions for a Sustainable Future
We believe that the cycle of environmental degradation on our planet will be reversed when people feel loved and know that they are truly free. This begins in our local communities where circles of connection between humans, their resources, and the whole web of life are understood and strong. We are committed to building a groundbreaking model for backyard sustainability that will demonstrate the interconnection of all life and teach people creative ways to sustain their families and communities using methods that support a healthy, vibrant, and constantly renewing planet. Not only will the community surrounding the project have access to a beautiful outdoor sanctuary where abundant food and water is produced but people from all over will be able to utilize this “living laboratory” as a way to learn how to bring it home to their neighborhoods.
Imagine doing an extraordinary project in your community that could shift the future of our planet. Here’s the catch. . .it has to be organized in two weeks and implemented in only two days, all of the materials donated, and all of the labor volunteer. Everyone says it is impossible.
On August 2nd & 3rd a group of intrepid leaders from WorldLegacy NC120 Leadership came together to build an extraordinary service
project in the domain of the environment. We joined our voices in response to the question of how can we make the biggest difference for
our suffering planet. We found the Ashevillage Institute, an eco-urban learning center whose mission is to spread awareness about sustainable living solutions through education, demonstration and action.
Our WorldLegacy Leadership Team specifically designed the “Bring It Home Project” to address ways in which ordinary citizens can make a difference in their own backyards through implementing a complex permaculture-inspired design at the organization’s site in Asheville, NC. This included building a complex entryway arbor/trellis system, installing a 40 ft. concrete bench to frame the outdoor classroom space, constructing a 30ft deck over one of the ponds on the property, and installing over 300 herbal/medicinal plants according to the organization’s highly specific landscape design.
This extreme giver project was not only successful but went way beyond what our WorldLegacy NC120 Leadership Team originally envisioned. We raised thousands of dollars in donations and supplies and created a team of almost 70 volunteers for the two days of the project. At the ribbon cutting ceremony, our team stood proud, knowing that we modeled the profound difference a small group of intentional individuals can make to create a tremendous impact on our planet.
Retaining Wall Bench – WOW – it happen! I took a stand and was committed that this will be done in excellence. I had a pledge for $200.00 to get the concrete poured on site by Friday, this was Tuesday. Made a trip to Asheville and met with Brandi of Ashevillage Institute, Concrete Company and a single volunteer. We made the selection on a color chart of Red brick place the call for the concrete and then we waited.
The next day at 7:00 am the calls started – you want it when asked the salesman? In addition they do not have the ability to hose it to the bench area. The salesman Dean Orr got on the phone and found a person to pump it and had the concrete mixed and was ready to deliver it today!
The full price was now $680.00 instead of $200.00 he said. I do it I’ll find the additional funding. I called McGinnis Builders and explained the additional cost. He was willing to meet me halfway in the total cost.
Mean while the concrete is being delivered and pumped to the bench. During this process a neighbor near by walk up and offered to help – he was a concrete finisher – just what we needed! The volunteer Bruce NC122 was so surprised. We you are committed to an action anything is possible!
Later that day I get a phone call from McGinnis Builders and said we got the rest of the job covered by the person that recently purchased my dad’s house. The buyer was so impressed with how I was being in Florida for my dad’s funeral and how I handle my family in the sale of my dad’s house he just had to help.
The bench was done in less than two days from the start to the finish.
My primary responsibility thus far has been on the landscaping part of the project. We have donations of over 200 plants from nurseries around Asheville AND in the Triangle area. I am humbled by the generosity of folks who want to help out on this exciting project; not only the donors of plants, but those who are helping get materials from the donors to Ashevillage Institute. And if one person can’t help, they can almost always suggest someone who can. A great lesson!
Bring It Home:
Backyard Solutions for a Sustainable Future
The WorldLegacy and Ashevillage Institute invite you to an extraordinary project in service to our planet!
On July 1st, an intrepid group of visionaries a part of the WorldLegacy’s Leadership Program decided that they wanted to make a profound difference in our community by creating a project that would tangibly shift the cycle of harm of our planet. As a part of the Legacy Leadership Program, each leadership team creates a project of unreasonable measure and extraordinary result that leaves a legacy in the community where the project takes place. The project is designed in a couple of weeks and must be completed in only two days! So please join us at the Ashevillage Institute for . . .
Bring It Home:
Backyard Solutions for a Sustainable Future
Monday July 19 and Tuesday July 20
8am – 7pm
with a Ribbon Cutting Ceremony on Tuesday at 7pm
Among the projects that will be completed at the Ashevillage Institute are the building of an observation deck over one of the rainwater catchment ponds, constructing an edible entry arbor to the property, and landscaping the entire front and back of the houses, just under half an acre, with edible and medicinal plants.
We need your help to make this project possible! ! !
We are currently seeking volunteers for the two days of the project with all levels of experience.
We specifically need experienced carpenters to help with the deck and arbor builds and landscapers with local plant/permaculture knowledge.
JOIN THE MOVEMENT OF BACKYARD SUSTAINABILITY! ! !
Click on this link to give a 100% tax-deductible donation!
We are also seeking supplies including locust posts and decking, as well as oak and rhododendron; various medicinal/edible/aquatic plants, and soil amendments including fish emulsion and finished compost.
Please contact Liana Johannaber @ 828.777.0331 OR lianawithwings@gmail.com with questions and to confirm your participation!
The seeds of transformation had been planted at Ashevillage before we arrived, we were the ones that helped them grow and what an amazing transformation it has been!! The Ashevillage Institute is such an inspiring place for what is possible in your own backyard. I am blown away by all that we were able to accomplish in such a short period of time. All of the projects turned out even better than I could have imagined. This is a huge gift to the community and I am so honored to have been a part of it.
I traveled from Chapel Hill to Asheville with my children to assist with this WorldLegacy project, just we have done with other projects in the past. My children are the ones who benefit most from my involvement in these service projects because they learn how to give of themselves without expecting anything in return; they always say how much they love being around the leaders who create these projects because they can feel the love and joy that is generated. Now that’s the kind of world I want my children to live in!