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July 2023 by Shelly Krehbiel
I completed the Permaculture Design Certification course this spring in the 12-week Saturday sessions format. I was looking to learn more about how to be a better care-taker and to live in consciously connected ways with the land around me (even if that land is in the city!). I also knew I wanted an in person experience.While I definitely found those things at Lost Valley, I also experienced a really nurturing and kind space where I could explore, lean in to what called me, recognize new strengths, and develop community.I learned a lot of really practical things. I also now find myself thinking about how the design and systems principles can be applied to many parts of life I didn't think about before - implications for business, the arts, and life in general. I opened up into new ways of defining wholeness, growth and connection. And, I milked a goat!The instructors, the setting, the guests and the references were very knowledgeable and helpful. They established a safe space for learning, questioning, and growth. Though all the participants came from various backgrounds and perspectives, the Lost Valley team helped us share our knowledge and experience to learn from each other as well. Highly recommend!
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July 2023 by Gen Ohta
The Permaculture Design Course at Lost Valley exceeded my expectations!Going into this experience I knew I was very fortunate to get certified in permaculture from an elite institution. The experience far exceeded my expectations. It transformed me as a person because it compelled me to unlearn and learn new concepts and perspectives.If you are on the fence about doing your permaculture design certification course at Lost Valley, I’d say go for it. You won’t regret it and you’ll get to meet a bunch of kind and knowledgeable individuals along the way
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July 2023 by Briana Hemry
I have been searching for something that my soul felt like it needed to engage in and learn for a few years, and through word of mouth, I heard about Lost Valley and their Permaculture course. I felt it within me that this was what I truly needed.I wasn't quite sure what to expect, but it is an experience that has changed my perspective on a lot in life. Though permaculture is an ever changing and very large topic to cover, I feel LV did a wonderful job weaving logical, spiritual, and indigenous wisdom together. I always left class with so many things to ponder and my cup feeling so full of hope and gratitude.Obviously, the people and the instructors that were a part of this experience made it what it was, and they are some amazing humans. I highly recommend this course to anyone who is interested in learning about how we can be in a caring relationship with other beings and the land that holds us.Thank you, Lost Valley, I'm sure I will be back for more ?
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July 2023 by Jennifer Brock
I recently finished the spring PDC at Lost Valley. I enjoyed learning from a variety of instructors and will continue integrating all the information for a long time afterwards. It was helpful to see real examples of permaculture design at LV and in the surrounding Eugene area. Additionally, being a part of the Sunday land projects was well worth the extra time and cost. We participated in things like biochar production, selective tree thinning, and using a scythe to make fermented silage, but also bringing out our inner child, honing our intuition, and practicing mindfulness.I learned so much more than permaculture during my time at LV. I met many incredible people who broadened my view of what is possible for humans. The land there is so magical - the deep forest, the creek, 400-yr old oaks, and the camas meadow in bloom. It was refreshing to see first hand the respect that went into caring for this land and the gratitude for the indigenous people who were the original caretakers.I’m very grateful for my experiences there and highly recommend taking a course with Lost Valley.
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April 2023 by Ky Noone
Lost Valley Educational Center and Ecovillage is a beacon of community, ethical land stewardship, and education in the Eugene area plus North America at large. I had the pleasure of taking a Social Forestry Course there this month, and had such a wonderful time living in the community for a short while for the duration of the camp and growing my connection to such a lovingly stewarded forest and ecosystem. They provide meaningful education, all stemming from a regenerative lens. The course price was very affordable and accessible to me, which I appreciated.If you are interested in growing your connection to nature, and experiencing a community-based sustainable way of living, I cannot recommend Lost Valley enough. They are a shining hope in the midst of difficult times.
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April 2023 by Christopher Mulder
Just attended their Social Forestry Camp! Nathaniel is an incredible teacher and it was a true learning experience immersed in the land. Highly recommend their educational opportunities. Will be back soon!
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April 2023 by Setesh Free
I lived & worked here for 6 years. The opportunity for growth is infinite. The land is incredible. The courses are organized well with thought and care. I recommend if you're interested in learning more about yourself, living with others, and living with the earth.
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January 2023 by BENJAMIN HOLAHAN
Lovely people, living and sharing permaculture community lifestyle, surrounded by our beautiful temperate rainforests. Truly wonderful. Growth happens quick here!
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January 2023 by George Hersh
I have been an intern and a resident at LV an the experience was great. LVEC is a wonderful example of humans doing their best to explore more sustainable and harmonious ways of living. Plus that creek tho...
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December 2022 by Wes Barstad
Attended the HSS summer 2022 course out at Lost Valley. Well worth the time and expense, I'm still mulling over and digesting the many wonderful experiences I had out there. The group of students of which I was a part, the educational director and all the instructors, as well as all the residents at Lost Valley made me feel welcome. It was inspiring to see and take part in an intentional community, particularly the way it functions in decision making and communication among members. I hope to be able to make it back to Lost Valley at some point to live full time. For anyone interested in the educational courses, particularly the HSS, I recommend them highly.
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September 2022 by Cash Compton
I lived at Lost Valley for 3 months while doing the Holistic Sustainability Semester and it was nothing short of amazing. I'd say I learned how to be a good human. In the US today I think only a small handful know how to holistically and sustainably fulfill the role of "good human". There are many great humans at Lost Valley, though. If you're open to being vulnerable, growing, healing, and experiencing a lot of love then LV is the place for you! Huge thanks to education director Nathaniel for facilitating such a wonderful summer for us.
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September 2022 by shannon crandell
Lost Valley is a very special place, I feel so blessed to have found my way here through the 2022 HSS (Holistic Sustainability Semester), I highly recommend choosing to come here and attend this course, it was such an amazing and valuable experience. The gratitude I feel is far beyond what I can express in words for this beautiful place and all the people I have met here. I have never felt more connected and nourished by a place and people in my life, such a wonderful gift that I will forever carry with me.
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September 2022 by Nina Corabi
Experiencing the holistic sustainability semester at Lost Valley, was beautiful. EYES/ears/nose and heart opening. Mind expanding. It was like having little taste tests of some of the ways/practices, that can lead to a more fulfilling life.I got to meet incredible shiny human beings, who each taught me so much.So much love.And the land at Lost Valley! I hold close to my heart. I think of the creek and the forest often.Overall, the course was perfect, imperfections included.Just what I needed. Great learning experience.
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September 2022 by Chandler Passafiume
Let me start by saying that I just completed the Holistic Sustainability Semester, and it was by far the most impactful and meaningful experience of my life. The land, once stewarded by the Kalapuya people, is a wise healer, and creates an environment well-suited for learning, growth, and well-being. I would recommend the HSS, or even a visit to Lost Valley, to anyone who wishes to open their heart, expand their mind, and free their spirit.Lost Valley is a place where education and deep-rooted love meet. The land is a wise teacher who brings beautiful souls together to nurture them every day. The teachers are wonderful and inclusive, wise and beautiful human beings with powerful connections to nature. They are fountains of compassion and emotional awareness, teaching from experience. A joy to be around and learn from.So much is taught, but even more is learned, and everyone who comes here to learn is certain to receive more gifts than they can carry alone and so they must be shared with the world.
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June 2022 by Erica Dallman
I'm writing this review from the perspective of a resident of Meadowsong Ecovillage. This review is not reflective of the Education department, which has been doing lots of great work, and is worth checking out.Like most co-living spaces, LV may be the right fit for some folks. As a young leftist woman, it wasn't the right fit for me. Though it's home to some great individuals, the organization as a whole felt chaotic and emotionally draining. I’ve created a list of pros and cons, for easy digestion.Pros:- Community living- A study of self-governance structures- Financially accessible+ cheaper-than-average rent+ Opportunities to earn rent-discounts- Focus on permaculture- Great land stewardship department- Great education department- A good place to meet people if you’re new to OR- Access to nature- Access to education programs- Opportunities to rent spaces (yurt, big workshop, classrooms)Cons:- Very poor orientation for new residents- Lack of welcoming/community-building/value of new residents’ skills+ It was pretty difficult to break into any social circles at LV. I’ve heard that the quick turnaround of new residents is difficult for more long-term residents, but in my experience, if new residents feel isolated and unappreciated, they are more likely to leave.+ There was no community event to welcome new folks (I think this should happen at least once a season)+ There was no practice of learning or keeping track of new residents’ skills. Many talents went unused because the org either didn’t know about them or didn’t think to use them.- Confusing systems/disorganization of documents & protocols- Little to no systems of accountability+ When an older man crossed physical (& other) boundaries with multiple young femme people, the community prioritized that man’s comfort over the feelings of respect/security of 5+ women/femmes. Very few members of the community ever reached out to these women to hear their stories/concerns. As a community that claims to prioritize consent, this was extremely concerning. This was the first time I realized I felt unsafe/unsupported at LV, and lost faith in my ability to feel safe there again.+ When a different older man harassed a pool of volunteers and staff members for months, no processes of accountability were taken, and to my knowledge, he was never asked to stop. Nearly all staff/leadership left soon after, leaving the community in even more disorganization/disarray.- Extreme resistance to justice work+ In my experience, when words like “justice,” were spoken, a decent amount of folks responded in fear, defensiveness, or anger. Though I understand the fear of shame/cancel culture, it didn’t need to be present in order for certain folks to strongly resist any sort of justice/sensitivity training. Trying to implement such training caused the incredibly new “Justice, Equity, Diversity, & Inclusion,” Circle to receive borderline harassment, stopped by no one in the community. I do not recommend this community for POC w/ race-related trauma or women/femmes with SA trauma.- A lack of a common goal.+ Many individuals arrive at LV with a vision in mind. When you first arrive, you think, “fantastic—I can do anything I want here!,” but with a lack of a cohesive vision, your personal vision is bound to butt heads with the other 40+ there. This is something LV is working on, and I hope they're successful.I'm grateful for the lessons I learned & people I met during my 9 months at LV. I hope any resident reading this knows that this review isn't personal, however LV has a history of blocking out challenging feedback instead of learning from it. I hope that changes. If there were standard processes for exit-interviews or feedback forums, I would have taken that route first. I know LV is going through a difficult transition right now, but so many people have left LV heartbroken and discouraged in the past year+, and I think it’s time to start listening.Best wishes.
