Community-based education is at the crux of relocalization and learning about local adaptations for developing self-reliance and overall community resilience. There are many examples of "The Great Re-Skilling" that is taking place around the world, as more and more are people taking an interest in knowing how to produce the things they need themselves and as a community through activities ranging from food preservation to small-scale energy production. Projects have developed as responses to local and global food security issues, general health and environmental quality, and as a celebration of community spirit, local culture and sense of place.

Here in Halifax, Nova Scotia, a couple blocks from where we live, there's a little organic produce shop run out of the back of one of the houses called Home Grown Organic Foods and with a demonstration organic garden on-site along with a community composter, their ultimate mission is to help people to grow their own food. Bike Again is another community-driven volunteer-run program here in Halifax that offers instruction and resources for anyone interested in taking up cycling. Participants recycle and refurbish used bicycles with the goal of reducing land-fill waste and making cycling accessible to all members of the community.

Relocalize.net feature project - In Twisp, Washington, Partnership for a Sustainable Methow is actively building on their mission "to initiate, encourage and support activities that foster long-term sustainability and well-being in the Methow Valley community."

Classroom in Bloom, one of their ongoing programs, is an outdoor-centered classroom focused on "awakening senses and connecting healthy lifestyles to school cirrculum and food choices...Students of all ages, K-12th graders join in to help make the garden glorious and bountiful. Some lessons taught in the garden include math skills, problem solving, art, creative thinking, building and science education. Food planted in the garden is used both in the school cafeteria and the Foods class, in order to create nourishing lunches with life and nutrition."

Their most recent project is The Local Source, a directory of local skills, goods and services to help relocalize the community. They are currently gathering info from folks who have a skill, good or service; are located in the Methow watershed; and if a business, are owned locally.

For learn more about their projects, visit them online at www.sustainablemethow.net.