Craik: From Dream to Eco-reality
By Paul Stinson
Where can you find a 6000 square foot strawbale demonstration building that utilizes recycled building materials as well as state of the art technology in reducing water and energy waste (while providing space for a restaurant, golf pro shop, gift shop and meeting rooms)?
Where can you find a forest of tens of thousands of young trees on former marginal cropland, including a 65 acre demonstration planting of poplars, a phytoremediation project designed to help treat waste water, and multiple display gardens?
Where can you find a hemp field that recently hosted a camp-in music festival featuring local talent as well as other bands, DJs, fire dancing and drum performances?
Where can you find a group of otherwise regular people not only dreaming of possibilities for a more sustainable and environmentally friendly lifestyle, but actually putting ideas into action, without hesitation?
Craik is home to the Craik Sustainable Living Project, a registered nonprofit organization with the mandate to promote healthy, high quality living without destroying the environment on which we depend. CSLP sprang from the vision of Dr. Lynn Oliphant for a sustainable living village in Saskatchewan. These values of sustainable living have been embraced by the leadership of the Town and R.M. of Craik, a growing number of people and businesses within Craik, as well as throughout the Midlakes region along Highway 11 (Louis Riel Trail), and beyond.
The tying together of vision and implementation has resulted in the beginning of the development of our province’s first ecovillage, which will become home to the next generation of Saskatchewan pioneers.
It has also attracted the attention of forward-thinking businesses like Vancouver’s Hemptown, which plans on building a hemp processing facility in the community for its latest product, Crailar. Construction is planned to begin by 2007. Other interests for development in the area include biodiesel, alternative waste water treatment, market gardening, orchards, waterfront property for homes and cabins, and a family-run bed and breakfast for visitors to the area.
For more information on these or other related projects and activities, or to become involved, visit www.craikecovillage.ca, email This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it , or visit the Craik Town and R.M. office, 130 km north of Regina along Highway 11 (Louis Riel Trail).
Contact information
Solar Garden Restaurant (open 8am-9pm daily):
306-734-2299
Pelican Eco-Tours (for tours of the Eco-Centre):
306-734-7777 or email
This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
Meeting room bookings: 306-734-2299
Golf bookings: 306-734-2364
Paul Stinson (B.Sc., B.Ed.) has taught in Saskatchewan for 10 years, and is actively involved with the Craik Sustainable Living Project. Along with his wife, Crystal, he is eagerly looking forward to moving to the Craik area to raise their children and live sustainably on the land.
