Real Estate Partners
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Federal Tax Credit
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LAMAR VALLEY CRAFTSMAN:
The Lamar Valley Craftsman Story
“We build many things during the construction process, trust being the most important.”
Barry Schram started Lamar Valley Craftsman to follow his love of architecture, building, and all things creative. Barry is personally involved with all aspects of the building process, and having a small nimble company like Lamar Valley Craftsman allows him to bring the right people together to make a project shine. Team collaboration between architect, engineer, interior designer, and trade contractors are in place to support his clients’ dreams and visions.
Barry views the builder/client relationship as a sacred alliance, no different than any other professional relationship, in terms of confidentiality and trust. This trust is built by providing a solid building experience through understanding the needs of his clients, exceeding their expectations, and applying stewardship daily on a personal, financial, and professional level with every client. Barry’s faith in his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ governs all areas of this journey.
With these beliefs in place, Barry founded Lamar Valley Craftsman in 2001, with his top priorities being accurate budgets, punctual schedules, good communication, attention to details, and team collaboration. Over the years he has been fortunate to work on a variety of diverse projects that have been unique and challenging, and he has been blessed to have worked with some fabulous clients.
“Building is not just about putting a structure up, it’s an orchestrated performance of skilled individuals, and great execution of the building process is an art in itself.”
Project Highlights: Please refer to the Project Gallery section of the website for full descriptions and photographs of these Lamar Valley Craftsman projects.
- Modern Home Design – Contemporary details highlight this Loveland home, including rammed earth walls, exposed steel beams, geothermal heating and cooling, spray foam insulation and acid-stained concrete floors. Project was U.S. Green Building Council LEED Certified and Energy Star rated with a HERS score of 56.
- Mountain Home Remodel – Remote location and challenging logistics in the foothills of Northern Colorado. Converted clients’ second home/cabin into their primary residence. Spiral log staircase, wood burning masonry fireplace rising 22’ in the great room and redwood slab countertop complement this 70-acre site.
- Old Town Bungalow – Old Town Fort Collins infill and redevelopment consisted of tearing down an existing outdated house on a tight/narrow lot and replacing it with a custom home with in-floor radiant heat and ground and polished concrete floors. Energy Star rated with a HERS score of 54.
- Laporte Solar Home – Passive and active solar home designed and primarily constructed while the clients were living out of the area. Home consists of 5.4 kW solar PV electric system, in-floor radiant heat and solar domestic hot water. Energy Star rated with a HERS score of 34.
Barry is a native of upstate New York, but has always had a love of the West, which was instilled in him by his parents and their family vacations to many of the country’s national parks during his childhood. After obtaining his B.A. in Business Management at The Rochester Institute of Technology, Barry moved to Fort Collins in 1998 to enjoy the good life and adventure of the West in camping, cycling, skiing, and Old Town Fort Collins. Barry loves Old Town and what it represents: community, historic homes, fun people, and good food!
Barry’s greatest moments include marrying Karrie in 2009 (which gained him three sons), and welcoming a new son into the family in 2011. His love of kitchens and great food stems from his formal culinary training at the Culinary Institute of America in Hyde Park, NY.
“For us, the quality of the experience is as important as the quality of the final product.”
LEE BARKER BUILDER;
We pride ourselves on combining old world craftsmanship with sustainable, eco-friendly and modern building materials into a house that you can call “home”.
Lee Barker Builder LLC
At Lee Barker Builder LLC we build a few homes each year for folks who’d like to lighten their footprint on the earth and live in a healthy home. Whether it’s the latest in technology or simply a well insulated & efficient home, we’re here to help you realize your dream. For over ten years we have been building custom, energy efficient, high performance, healthy and sustainable homes in and around the Fort Collins, Colorado area.
Feature Homes
Wayne Residence
John Dengler and Associates Design with a passive solar orientation and radiant heat.
Read More
Goodwin Residence
The Goodwin residence at Serratoga Falls is Lee’s most energy efficient home to date.
Read More
Locklear Residence
Geothermally heated and cooled – no fossil fuels with natural tile and wool carpet throughout.
Read More
Recent Projects & Events
Mountain Living. A Midwestern Style Home North of Fort Collins
The Barbour Ranch. A Montana Style Home in West Fort Collins.
Gallery
(ICS) INSULATED COMPONENT STRUCTURES
SOLARGON DESIGNS by
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SMALL PLANET ELECTRIC VEHICLES
About E Vehicles Bikes Scooters
| Small Planet E Vehicles’ mission is to help make our small world a better place. We primarily attempt this mission by providing sustainable electric vehicles, electric bikes and efficient and fun high MPG electric scooters. We believe electric vehicles and an electric vehicle infrastructure will go a long way to making our small planet a much better place. Other goals for SPEV are to be a growing and profitable company and an advocate and promoter of sustainable transportation. However, in this process, we will keep in mind the Native American Cree proverb, “Only when the last tree has died, the last river has been poisoned, and the last fish has been caught, will we realize that we can’t eat money”. This may be a time and a project when self interest and idealism has converged.
WHY BUY ELECTRIC VEHICLES? Financial | Whether you use an electric bike to augment your car use, or you rely on it completely for your transportation, an Electric Bike can save you a tremendous amount of money. For the cost of one gallon of gasoline at around $3.00, you can recharge your electric bike or scooter about 60 times @ .05 cents each time. A fully charged battery can take you up to 25 miles. 60 X 25 miles = 1500 miles!
CategoriesEnvironmental | Choosing to use an Electric Bike, Electric Car or Electric Scooter is an easy way to help reduce your carbon footprint. You will be reducing pollution in the form of CO2, NOX, tire and brake lining fragments. Did you know that the average car emits one pound of CO2 for every mile driven?
You will also be using less materials, fuel, and infrastructure. Reduced CO2 emissions is most important because scientific opinion is close to unanimous that global warming is already happening. For every 500 miles an E-Bike is used in place of a car, approximately 25 gallons of fuel is saved!
A Simple Lifestyle | For short errands up to a mile and on some congested commutes, E-Bikes can be quicker than a car! The pace of life slows a bit while riding an E-Bike. Stress goes down, enjoyment of life goes up. Because you will actually be riding that bike more often. It’s more fun! Traffic snarls aren’t frustrating and stressful. In fact, the worse the jam, the more gratifying the ride. It doesn’t just feel like you’re “beating the system”. In many ways, you are!
Electric Bikes
To find out more about going electric, visit these web sites:
http://www.pluginamerica.org/ ELECTRIC AUTO ASSOCIATION http://www.eaaev.org/ BETTER PLACE http://www.betterplace.com/ BE CLIMATE SMART http://beclimatesmart.com/ ALL THINGS RENEWABLE http://allthingsrenewable.com/store/ CARBON FOOTPRINT CALCULATOR www.coloradocarbonfund.org |
JOHN BARNETT AND ASSOCIATES LAND PLANNING
Mission of a non-profit community developer:
Meeting the real needs of future citizens, at a reasonable
cost, paying skilled trades-people fairly for their work, and preserving the
ability of the land to produce food and natural resources locally are the hallmarks
of developing a sustainable community. Maximizing affordability, and maximize
opportunities for mass transit, while minimizing resource use, energy use,
carbon footprint are equally essential. Providing external impacts that benefit
neighbors such as scenic beauty, opportunities to participate in community
supported agriculture, and recreational opportunities rather than externalizing
costs such as increased traffic, loss of local agriculture, reduced water
quality, loss of wildlife habitat, depletion of resources, and the loss of
natural places.
cost, paying skilled trades-people fairly for their work, and preserving the
ability of the land to produce food and natural resources locally are the hallmarks
of developing a sustainable community. Maximizing affordability, and maximize
opportunities for mass transit, while minimizing resource use, energy use,
carbon footprint are equally essential. Providing external impacts that benefit
neighbors such as scenic beauty, opportunities to participate in community
supported agriculture, and recreational opportunities rather than externalizing
costs such as increased traffic, loss of local agriculture, reduced water
quality, loss of wildlife habitat, depletion of resources, and the loss of
natural places.
Why can non-profit community developers do this better than for-profits
Most for-profit enterprises exist primarily to generate
financial returns for their investors. To achieve this end, they invest in
areas where they see opportunities for profit. Opportunities to profit are
enhanced by cutting costs, increasing market share and/or increasing apparent
value. Costs are cut by mass production and marketing, using unskilled labor,
mass buying, cutting corners in construction, and minimizing improvements.
Market share is increased by increasing advertising budgets, selling the sizzle
rather than the bacon (selling image and vanity rather than substance). Granite
counter tops rather than energy efficiency. Profit is increased by apparent
value increases by selling high mark-up items like in-home theaters, granite
counter tops, and master bathroom suites rather than energy efficiency,
structural upgrades, and efficient space use. For-profit enterprises succeed
when they develop a piece of land as rapidly as possible. The result is a
monoculture of sprawl.
Non-profits are freer to develop a broader mission statement
and follow their core values and develop sustainable communities. Because they
do not require a high rate of return on investment, they can create and share
more value with their workers, customers and citizens, neighbors, and the
community at large. Furthermore, they can afford to continue providing services
to the communities they create after the development phase.
financial returns for their investors. To achieve this end, they invest in
areas where they see opportunities for profit. Opportunities to profit are
enhanced by cutting costs, increasing market share and/or increasing apparent
value. Costs are cut by mass production and marketing, using unskilled labor,
mass buying, cutting corners in construction, and minimizing improvements.
Market share is increased by increasing advertising budgets, selling the sizzle
rather than the bacon (selling image and vanity rather than substance). Granite
counter tops rather than energy efficiency. Profit is increased by apparent
value increases by selling high mark-up items like in-home theaters, granite
counter tops, and master bathroom suites rather than energy efficiency,
structural upgrades, and efficient space use. For-profit enterprises succeed
when they develop a piece of land as rapidly as possible. The result is a
monoculture of sprawl.
Non-profits are freer to develop a broader mission statement
and follow their core values and develop sustainable communities. Because they
do not require a high rate of return on investment, they can create and share
more value with their workers, customers and citizens, neighbors, and the
community at large. Furthermore, they can afford to continue providing services
to the communities they create after the development phase.
Land Connections for Sustainable Enterprises
As we enter an age of resource limitations, specialization of production on a worldwide
basis will become more limited because of higher transportation costs. The
ability to meet the needs of communities and their citizens will become
increasingly based on what can be produced locally rather than what can be
transported from elsewhere. Communities and people who make plans, lifestyle
changes, and develop skills to provide goods and services locally to fare better
than those who do not. As in indigenous cultures, the unit of organization to
meet needs is likely to be communities rather in today’s society where the
individual and corporations are intended to meet needs.
basis will become more limited because of higher transportation costs. The
ability to meet the needs of communities and their citizens will become
increasingly based on what can be produced locally rather than what can be
transported from elsewhere. Communities and people who make plans, lifestyle
changes, and develop skills to provide goods and services locally to fare better
than those who do not. As in indigenous cultures, the unit of organization to
meet needs is likely to be communities rather in today’s society where the
individual and corporations are intended to meet needs.
Several models of communities have been proposed including “eco-villages”, “transitions
towns”, and others. Following John Michael Greer’s concept of disensus—that we
cannot fully predict the future of limits—we should we should create multiple
approaches to development of communities.
towns”, and others. Following John Michael Greer’s concept of disensus—that we
cannot fully predict the future of limits—we should we should create multiple
approaches to development of communities.
Land Connections
American cities and their surroundings include downtown areas, urban areas, suburban
areas, agricultural areas, managed lands, and wilderness. Each of these areas
provides critical goods and services necessary for the survival and well being
of people living in and around the region. These goods and services can be
provided mindfully, carefully, and sustainably—or they can be they can be
exploited recklessly, carelessly, and unsustainably. Creating communities and
institutions that tie these landscapes together provides great potential for
creating sustainable futures.
areas, agricultural areas, managed lands, and wilderness. Each of these areas
provides critical goods and services necessary for the survival and well being
of people living in and around the region. These goods and services can be
provided mindfully, carefully, and sustainably—or they can be they can be
exploited recklessly, carelessly, and unsustainably. Creating communities and
institutions that tie these landscapes together provides great potential for
creating sustainable futures.
Cities tied to their hinterlands and meeting their needs through a fair exchange could
greatly increase sustainability. While such a future may be ideal, it is
probably impossible to complete even in a small city or town. However,
implementing Land Connections on a smaller scale would allow its citizens to
adaptively manage for sustainable results making changes where appropriate.
With such an approach, people could participate to the level of their comfort
and motivation. Parts of this idea are in place today and are operating highly
successfully. Community supported agriculture, community gardening, and
individual organic gardening; cluster development, green infrastructure, and greenways;
conservation easements; and permaculture all fit this concept. Indeed, Land
Connections borrows extensively from all these concepts.
greatly increase sustainability. While such a future may be ideal, it is
probably impossible to complete even in a small city or town. However,
implementing Land Connections on a smaller scale would allow its citizens to
adaptively manage for sustainable results making changes where appropriate.
With such an approach, people could participate to the level of their comfort
and motivation. Parts of this idea are in place today and are operating highly
successfully. Community supported agriculture, community gardening, and
individual organic gardening; cluster development, green infrastructure, and greenways;
conservation easements; and permaculture all fit this concept. Indeed, Land
Connections borrows extensively from all these concepts.
Definition
Land Connections for Sustainable Enterprise is the consolidation through easements,
agreements, covenants, associations, and other non-coercive tools of contiguous
or non-contiguous lands regardless of jurisdiction for the purpose of creating
sustainable communities within downtown areas, urban areas, suburban areas,
agricultural areas, agricultural areas, and—where appropriate—managed and
wilderness or natural areas. Land Connection is created by the full integration
of producers and consumers as citizen/shareholders in vertically integrated
sustainable enterprises. Such Land Connections for Sustainable Enterprises could be organized around
combinations of land development, redevelopment, agriculture or forest
conservation easements. Additionally, individuals could buy into membership,
buy shares in a CSA, or participate as employees. Since this idea is community
wide, it can be made to accommodate all income levels based only on the
willingness to join.
agreements, covenants, associations, and other non-coercive tools of contiguous
or non-contiguous lands regardless of jurisdiction for the purpose of creating
sustainable communities within downtown areas, urban areas, suburban areas,
agricultural areas, agricultural areas, and—where appropriate—managed and
wilderness or natural areas. Land Connection is created by the full integration
of producers and consumers as citizen/shareholders in vertically integrated
sustainable enterprises. Such Land Connections for Sustainable Enterprises could be organized around
combinations of land development, redevelopment, agriculture or forest
conservation easements. Additionally, individuals could buy into membership,
buy shares in a CSA, or participate as employees. Since this idea is community
wide, it can be made to accommodate all income levels based only on the
willingness to join.
Sustainability
Land Connections for Sustainable Enterprises achieve their purposes by producing
food and fiber locally; reducing energy waste and need; using renewable energy
wherever possible; using non-renewable resources in ways designed to enhance
the ability for recycling; tending the soil to enhance long term fertility,
sequester carbon, and enhance productivity; and reduce all waste through short
cycle recycling. Small business enterprises can be permitted where
appropriate—especially those that are geared toward local consumption, those
that preserve or develop skills likely to be needed in a resource limited
future, and those that enhance sustainability.
food and fiber locally; reducing energy waste and need; using renewable energy
wherever possible; using non-renewable resources in ways designed to enhance
the ability for recycling; tending the soil to enhance long term fertility,
sequester carbon, and enhance productivity; and reduce all waste through short
cycle recycling. Small business enterprises can be permitted where
appropriate—especially those that are geared toward local consumption, those
that preserve or develop skills likely to be needed in a resource limited
future, and those that enhance sustainability.
Downtown Areas
In downtown areas, land uses should generally be diverse within small areas rather
than separated into large scale land use monocultures. This enhances
opportunities for walking and cycling as viable transportation modes while density
in urban areas should be high to facilitate mass transit within walking
distance of most activities. Food gardening in pots on “green roofs, and “green
walls” should be encouraged. Civic spaces should be provided for public
gatherings and farmers’ markets. Greenways should be provided along stream
corridors with water quality ponds and adequate buffers to protect water
quality.
than separated into large scale land use monocultures. This enhances
opportunities for walking and cycling as viable transportation modes while density
in urban areas should be high to facilitate mass transit within walking
distance of most activities. Food gardening in pots on “green roofs, and “green
walls” should be encouraged. Civic spaces should be provided for public
gatherings and farmers’ markets. Greenways should be provided along stream
corridors with water quality ponds and adequate buffers to protect water
quality.
Urban Areas
Urban areas typically have lower densities and more green space than downtown areas urban
areas should also be based on diverse land uses on a walkable scale.
Limitations on sustainability include the isolation of land uses with large
areas of residential, commercial, industrial, and office monocultures connected
primarily by major streets or freeways. Much of the land is used for automobile
movement and storage. What is needed is a land use mix at a finer scale and
with broader potential for onsite and local food production, small businesses,
and energy production. Opportunities for food production increase with the
additional green space in urban areas. Landscaping that is both ornamental and
food producing should be permitted and encouraged. Borrowing on the seven
layered concept form permaculture of below ground, ground cover, herbaceous,
low growing shrub, tall shrub, small tree, large tree, and vines, urban
landscapes can be created that are both attractive and food producing can be
created. Green infrastructure including rain gardens, water quality ponds, and
greenways should be the dominant storm water management method. Where regional
detention ponds provide sufficient space, community gardens can be created in
fringe areas likely to be flooded less frequently than once every five years.
Grazing and wildlife habitat can occur in more frequently flooded areas. In-home
businesses, repair, and craft shops will also improve sustainability as energy
prices rise, taking away “economies of scale”.
areas should also be based on diverse land uses on a walkable scale.
Limitations on sustainability include the isolation of land uses with large
areas of residential, commercial, industrial, and office monocultures connected
primarily by major streets or freeways. Much of the land is used for automobile
movement and storage. What is needed is a land use mix at a finer scale and
with broader potential for onsite and local food production, small businesses,
and energy production. Opportunities for food production increase with the
additional green space in urban areas. Landscaping that is both ornamental and
food producing should be permitted and encouraged. Borrowing on the seven
layered concept form permaculture of below ground, ground cover, herbaceous,
low growing shrub, tall shrub, small tree, large tree, and vines, urban
landscapes can be created that are both attractive and food producing can be
created. Green infrastructure including rain gardens, water quality ponds, and
greenways should be the dominant storm water management method. Where regional
detention ponds provide sufficient space, community gardens can be created in
fringe areas likely to be flooded less frequently than once every five years.
Grazing and wildlife habitat can occur in more frequently flooded areas. In-home
businesses, repair, and craft shops will also improve sustainability as energy
prices rise, taking away “economies of scale”.
Suburban Areas
James Howard Kuntsler has described suburbs as the worst misallocation of resources
ever made by America. Limitations on sustainability come from vast areas of
land use monocultures requiring automobile transportation for connection. Within
the residential areas, vast areas of lawn offer potentially large areas for
food production. These areas are now heavily fertilized, intensively groomed
using power equipment with much of the biomass production which contains
significant nutrients removed to landfills. Low density, single story
commercial and industrial land uses surrounded by parking lots reduce the viability
of transportation modes other than automobiles and trucks. During the Great
Recession, many shopping malls either closed or lost many of their occupants.
Much of this space remains vacant. Sustainable
suburban areas would include all the concepts outlined for downtown and urban
areas. In suburban areas, new homes should be clustered on smaller lots similar
to urban lots. Land not included lots would be set aside as permanent open
space. This open space (50% to 80 % of the land) could be managed as productive
agricultural space for community gardens or as community supported agriculture.
Alternatively, it could be set aside as managed forests and/or wildlife
habitat. Greenways, green infrastructure, and water quality ponds should be the
primary stormwater management facilities. Homesites should provide for food
gardening and home based businesses. Commercial, service, and employment,
centers should be small in scale and within walking distance on most homesites.
They should also have the potential for connection to mass transit even where
it is not now available. Pedestrian access to commercial centers from
surrounding areas and along major thoroughfares should have higher priority
than vehicular access and parking. Extensive green areas should be provided
within parking lots.
ever made by America. Limitations on sustainability come from vast areas of
land use monocultures requiring automobile transportation for connection. Within
the residential areas, vast areas of lawn offer potentially large areas for
food production. These areas are now heavily fertilized, intensively groomed
using power equipment with much of the biomass production which contains
significant nutrients removed to landfills. Low density, single story
commercial and industrial land uses surrounded by parking lots reduce the viability
of transportation modes other than automobiles and trucks. During the Great
Recession, many shopping malls either closed or lost many of their occupants.
Much of this space remains vacant. Sustainable
suburban areas would include all the concepts outlined for downtown and urban
areas. In suburban areas, new homes should be clustered on smaller lots similar
to urban lots. Land not included lots would be set aside as permanent open
space. This open space (50% to 80 % of the land) could be managed as productive
agricultural space for community gardens or as community supported agriculture.
Alternatively, it could be set aside as managed forests and/or wildlife
habitat. Greenways, green infrastructure, and water quality ponds should be the
primary stormwater management facilities. Homesites should provide for food
gardening and home based businesses. Commercial, service, and employment,
centers should be small in scale and within walking distance on most homesites.
They should also have the potential for connection to mass transit even where
it is not now available. Pedestrian access to commercial centers from
surrounding areas and along major thoroughfares should have higher priority
than vehicular access and parking. Extensive green areas should be provided
within parking lots.
Agricultural Areas
Agricultural lands are primarily devoted to food production by intensive tillage. Connection
to more urban areas is via farmers’ markets, CSAs, and other appropriate
mechanisms. Mechanisms such as purchased conservation easements, can both
compensate owners for foregoing the potential for income from amenity
development and, at the same time, guarantee a food producing hinterland for
nearby urban areas. Agricultural areas are those areas
lying outside urban areas with adequate climate, rich and tillable soils and
topography, as well as sufficient water for irrigation where necessary. The sustainable management of such lands to
retain their fertility over long time periods is one of the most essential
factors in being able to maintain civilization over long periods. The use of
such lands for food and fiber production is the foundation for all
civilizations for the last 10,000 years. Prior to the oil age, approximately
30% of the area of farms was used for the production of energy (carbohydrates)
for the animals used as the primary power to work the farm. The remaining 70%
of the land could be used to produce food for people. Prior to the advent of
modern fertilizers, crop rotation, manure, pasturing of animals, growing green
manures, and cycling through forests were the primary mechanisms for
maintaining soil fertility. A clear understanding of nutrient cycling will be
essential to maintaining long term fertility.
to more urban areas is via farmers’ markets, CSAs, and other appropriate
mechanisms. Mechanisms such as purchased conservation easements, can both
compensate owners for foregoing the potential for income from amenity
development and, at the same time, guarantee a food producing hinterland for
nearby urban areas. Agricultural areas are those areas
lying outside urban areas with adequate climate, rich and tillable soils and
topography, as well as sufficient water for irrigation where necessary. The sustainable management of such lands to
retain their fertility over long time periods is one of the most essential
factors in being able to maintain civilization over long periods. The use of
such lands for food and fiber production is the foundation for all
civilizations for the last 10,000 years. Prior to the oil age, approximately
30% of the area of farms was used for the production of energy (carbohydrates)
for the animals used as the primary power to work the farm. The remaining 70%
of the land could be used to produce food for people. Prior to the advent of
modern fertilizers, crop rotation, manure, pasturing of animals, growing green
manures, and cycling through forests were the primary mechanisms for
maintaining soil fertility. A clear understanding of nutrient cycling will be
essential to maintaining long term fertility.
Diversity in crop species and varieties to resist disease, skilled crop rotation to
maintain nutrients, and using green manures to build soil organic carbon to
hold nutrients will be essential. Farming organically to increase carbon
capture will make soils richer.
maintain nutrients, and using green manures to build soil organic carbon to
hold nutrients will be essential. Farming organically to increase carbon
capture will make soils richer.
Managed Lands
Managed lands are those primarily devoted to forestry and grazing. As fossil fuels
become more costly and less reliable, there is likely to be a resurgence of
wood as a fuel. With the continued adverse affects of climate change, we are
likely to see continued disturbance of forest ecosystems from fire, insects and
disease, and storm impacts. We are also to see continued loss of species and
genera similar the American chestnut or American elm. Episodes like the Rocky
Mountain Pine Beetle can cause long term changes in forest composition while
creating vast stands of dead and dying trees. Processing these trees through
small portable sawmills, pellet mills, and firewood cutting operations can
serve both as a means of creating sustainable local forest industries as well
as reducing the combined carbon footprints from the decay of dead trees or
wildfire and fossil fuels which might otherwise be used to heat homes and other
spaces.
Grazing is a way of obtaining food from lands unsuitable for continuous tillage because
of step slopes, rocky or shallow soils, high elevation, or poor drainage.
become more costly and less reliable, there is likely to be a resurgence of
wood as a fuel. With the continued adverse affects of climate change, we are
likely to see continued disturbance of forest ecosystems from fire, insects and
disease, and storm impacts. We are also to see continued loss of species and
genera similar the American chestnut or American elm. Episodes like the Rocky
Mountain Pine Beetle can cause long term changes in forest composition while
creating vast stands of dead and dying trees. Processing these trees through
small portable sawmills, pellet mills, and firewood cutting operations can
serve both as a means of creating sustainable local forest industries as well
as reducing the combined carbon footprints from the decay of dead trees or
wildfire and fossil fuels which might otherwise be used to heat homes and other
spaces.
Grazing is a way of obtaining food from lands unsuitable for continuous tillage because
of step slopes, rocky or shallow soils, high elevation, or poor drainage.
Why Should Land Connection Communities be Created by Non Profits?
Why should land connection communities be created by non profits? In recent
decades, American cities have been primarily designed and built by for-profit
corporations for the purpose of making a profit. The development of land for
the purpose of making a profit involves selecting sites and a mix of uses and
planning, permitting, and constructing improvements as rapidly as the market can
absorb it. The corporations responsible for the development and occupancy of
this space make their decisions based on what their own criteria for profit
maximization. Commercial entities with valuable brands want potential customers
to make no mistake about where they are located and develop their entire site
as a sign. They have clear criteria about demographics, and economic status of
communities where they wish to locate, what traffic counts must be, what their
building design and signage is, what their indoor and outdoor lighting is, what
their parking requirements are, and how they will operate. Over-development of
commercial and residential space is rampant because decisions are made in
isolation. Newer larger shopping centers are built at newer larger street
intersections taking tenants and customers from older smaller suddenly less
accessible centers. This leads to more traffic traveling longer distances. This
is ONLY possible with cheap abundant oil. It also leads to abandoned or
underutilized shopping facilities and bankruptcies as almost as much wealth is
destroyed as is created.
decades, American cities have been primarily designed and built by for-profit
corporations for the purpose of making a profit. The development of land for
the purpose of making a profit involves selecting sites and a mix of uses and
planning, permitting, and constructing improvements as rapidly as the market can
absorb it. The corporations responsible for the development and occupancy of
this space make their decisions based on what their own criteria for profit
maximization. Commercial entities with valuable brands want potential customers
to make no mistake about where they are located and develop their entire site
as a sign. They have clear criteria about demographics, and economic status of
communities where they wish to locate, what traffic counts must be, what their
building design and signage is, what their indoor and outdoor lighting is, what
their parking requirements are, and how they will operate. Over-development of
commercial and residential space is rampant because decisions are made in
isolation. Newer larger shopping centers are built at newer larger street
intersections taking tenants and customers from older smaller suddenly less
accessible centers. This leads to more traffic traveling longer distances. This
is ONLY possible with cheap abundant oil. It also leads to abandoned or
underutilized shopping facilities and bankruptcies as almost as much wealth is
destroyed as is created.
Uses
are generally determined by maximum intensities permitted under local regulations
and/or the presence, proximity, and availability and capacity of critical
infrastructure. With low cost and readily available oil, it is faster and
cheaper to build one story commercial development further from city centers
than to redevelop sites with multi-story structures. Multistory structures in
the urban fringe are built for status such as residential or office or where
long-term commitments to a location justify more expensive investments in a
site. In any event, each site is developed in isolation of all others and the
developer’s commitment lasts only until all the sites are sold. Covenants,
property or home owners’ associations are geared only to on-site and aesthetic
conditions in isolation of their surroundings and other mutual needs.
and/or the presence, proximity, and availability and capacity of critical
infrastructure. With low cost and readily available oil, it is faster and
cheaper to build one story commercial development further from city centers
than to redevelop sites with multi-story structures. Multistory structures in
the urban fringe are built for status such as residential or office or where
long-term commitments to a location justify more expensive investments in a
site. In any event, each site is developed in isolation of all others and the
developer’s commitment lasts only until all the sites are sold. Covenants,
property or home owners’ associations are geared only to on-site and aesthetic
conditions in isolation of their surroundings and other mutual needs.
National homebuilders operate similarly to commercial developers and users. They build
many of the same design models regardless of local climates or resource
availability. National builders often trade on the commodities markets to obtain
building materials from massive suppliers at favorable prices. This undermines
the ability to use local supplies even when they are available.
many of the same design models regardless of local climates or resource
availability. National builders often trade on the commodities markets to obtain
building materials from massive suppliers at favorable prices. This undermines
the ability to use local supplies even when they are available.
Non-profits in the community building business can play their role differently from
for-profit entities. Because they do not require high short term profits, they
can maintain loner term relationships with their communities and can play a
broader role in meeting long term needs of their communities. They can
facilitate farm-to-market networks—whether CSAs, farmers’ markets, or community
gardening. They can facilitate linkages between forest production and users of
forest products. They can provide education and training in sustainability
activities. They can facilitate tool and machinery sharing. They can also tie together the land
connections through ownership, easements, and other appropriate mechanisms to
create the land and resource networks for long term sustainability.
for-profit entities. Because they do not require high short term profits, they
can maintain loner term relationships with their communities and can play a
broader role in meeting long term needs of their communities. They can
facilitate farm-to-market networks—whether CSAs, farmers’ markets, or community
gardening. They can facilitate linkages between forest production and users of
forest products. They can provide education and training in sustainability
activities. They can facilitate tool and machinery sharing. They can also tie together the land
connections through ownership, easements, and other appropriate mechanisms to
create the land and resource networks for long term sustainability.
