Signs of Sustainability: Barbara Valocore
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| Photo by Ilene Cutler. |
Lifebridge Sanctuary—Barbara Valocore
The Lifebridge Foundation is a 22-year-old
project created with the lofty goal of promoting the concept of the
interconnectedness of all life. Under the guidance of Barbara Valocore, the
Co-founder and President of the Foundation, Lifebridge Sanctuary was built on a
hilltop overlooking the Rondout Valley and adjacent to Mohonk Preserve. The
Sanctuary is a place where groups who are working in the diverse fields of
science, art, education, spirituality, health and community building can conduct
workshops and gatherings. These mostly non-profit, service-oriented groups are
treated to the site’s awesome beauty and invited to hold responsibility for it
while they are there. Guests compost, recycle, learn to live in community without
excessive use of resources, and accept the role of stewardship of the green
certified building (Co-Op America Certified) and the wild and cultivated land
surrounding it.
Lifebridge Sanctuary is an example of
how to live in the 21st century. A 13.2 Kilowatt solar array
provides 85% of the energy for the facility. There are fruit trees and bushes
and a plan for a 20-year permaculture project to develop the forest garden. Barbara,
who is at home both on a stage performing opera and with her seat on a tractor,
plants and maintains a thriving and productive biodynamic vegetable garden —a
testament to the diverse talents of human beings. Each person attending an
event or retreat at Lifebridge Sanctuary comes into conscious consideration of
the interconnectedness mission because, while engaging their hearts and minds
in lofty directions, they are in a facility that invites them to observe and participate in the regeneration of the environment.
Barbara explained: “The oneness of all
life is no vague or abstract concept, but an established scientific fact. We
know that our DNA is two clicks away from that of a butterfly and science has
proven that matter is really energy and not solid at all. When we really think
about what interconnectedness means, a shift is bound to happen that will lead
to a more sustainable and resilient community.” In 2012 Lifebridge Sanctuary
was awarded a Signs of Sustainability Award for its tremendous example of how
to be a steward of our natural and human resources.
Posted by Chris Hewitt
on 11:51 AM.
Filed under
People in Your Neighborhood
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