River Haven is a new and exciting form of human settlement that is in harmony with nature. Yes, we have a 22-lot housing development. In fact, we may eventually have two housing developments. But that is where the comparison to housing developments, as we know them, ends.
Let us explain ….. Part of River Haven's mission is to preserve a significant piece of land in its natural state. And we have land. Almost 200 of our 250 acres is being maintained as a nature preserve, to provide a safe haven for our indigenous wild animals (coyotes, bald eagle, red fox, deer, pleated woodpecker, sandpiper cranes, bear, etc.) and for our many tree, plant and insect species. We promise that our dragonflies will be among the most beautiful you will ever see! Our land is at the crossover point of two forest zones--the northern hardwood and the southern oak--so we have a wide diversity of flora and fauna. And then there's our river. We have 1 1/2 miles of Hay River frontage, with wild floodplain on the other side. Its beautiful, sandy bottomed, and great for tubing. We have yet to hold one of our board meetings while floating down the river, but we're sure it will happen!
But what about us humans? Another part of River Haven's mission is to provide one or two human settlements that are in harmony with nature. The remaining 40+ acres provide homesites and worksites for our human members, and a safe haven from the everyday world. In the same way that our nature preserve provides sustainably for its wild inhabitants, River Haven aspires to provide a sustainable community life for its human inhabitants. What does that mean? Well, it means both environmental sustainability, and a lifestyle that can be supported almost totally by the richness of the River Haven land. With greenhouse gases figuring substantially in the degradation of our planet, we at River Haven are committed to reducing our dependence on energy sources that produce those greenhouse gases. That means growing much of our own food so that it doesn't have to be trucked to us, heating with wood or solar, and providing our electricity needs with wind and solar power. Come visit us, and take a step into the future.
What is an Eco-Village?
The concept of Eco-village is not simply a return to past "village" style agrarian community life. Eco-Village is a model of sustainable living that involves spiritual, sociological, and physical elements. The Eco-Village model was inspired by technology, post-industrial impact on the environment, human organizations, and most of all, new levels of consciousness. It is a way of harmlessly integrating human activities into the natural world.
What is a Tubing Society?
We take our fun seriously! The beautiful Hay River has a sandy bottom. Our mile and a half of river frontage is perfect for summer recreation, like inner tubing.
Features
- 250 beautiful, rolling acres
- Near Menomonie, Wisconsin
- On the Hay River
- 1.5 miles of river frontage
- 1 hour from the Twin Cities
- Forests, hills, and prairies
- 5,000 sq. ft. Common House with Eco-conscious design
- Miles of hiking trails
- Rustic cabin for rent