From Concept to Commons

BACKGROUND

About five years ago I met Barry and Pam at the Atlantic Wildlife Institute, which is located about 15 KM outside of Sackville on a large property bordering the headwaters of the Tantramar River. At the time, AWI consisted of about a dozen buildings, each designed for a specific type of animal care.

The Institute takes in wildlife in the same way that a researcher would take air or water samples. Each animal tells a story and through hands-on care and possible release, we can learn about the causes of displacement, most of which are due to human actions. However, caring for animals is not enough. What is learned has to be passed on to others, so that the entire community can work to maintain the diversity of species necessary for life. There’s more information on the AWI website. Too often, environmental knowledge gets passed on only to those who are already committed, so AWI also reaches out through programs such as youth at risk. AWI is really about learning.

OUR FIRST MAJOR PROJECT

In order to create a focal point for learning activities, we decided to build a learning centre a few years ago. It would be slightly removed from the wildlife care facilities, so that the animals would not be bothered (AWI is not a zoo). We were able to build the Wildlife Learning Centre, at a cost of almost $400,000 through the support our many partners. This project showed us what we could do by working in collaboration with government, the private sector, academia, and the community.

The success of this project started several conversations. For example, we knew that with the limited staff that we had, we could not get our message out to everyone. We also wanted to start a network that would help to get science-based practices out to everyone who might come into contact with wildlife, ranging from the general public to veterinarians. For instance, many of the animals that arrive at AWI should never have been disturbed in the first place.

We wanted to build a more public office that would connect with the community and act as a node in the embryonic network. The idea was to create an environmental services centre in Sackville, which was already home to the Canadian Wildlife Service, Bird Studies Canada and other environmental groups. In 2005 we started talking to community groups and interested individuals and from these conversations our idea grew.

Almost every group that we met with had the same issue. They all needed space to do their work or to operate their programs. Few had dedicated buildings and they were constantly looking for low-cost locations. Many were operated out of someone’s house. The problem was that most lacked the consistent funds to pay rent on a long-term basis.

A COMMONS

It was at this time that I became interested in the notion of the “Work Commons” and watched with interest as Rob, Dan, and Cynthia created the Queen Street Commons in Charlottetown. I saw how individuals could purchase memberships for $35 a month and that with sufficient members, a work commons would be financially sustainable. Why not merge the idea of a work commons with an environmental centre, based on some form of cooperative? From this idea we progressed to the concept of three pillars (environmental, cultural, entrepreneurial), reflecting the makeup of our community.

With this concept, we were able to get a business plan funded by our Town Council and generate more support from businesses and organisations. As of today, we are in the process of securing a piece of property thanks to the generosity of Irving Oil.

There is a real need for physical space in our community. Non-profit organisation need a place to work and meet but cannot afford a dedicated space. The Commons will allow several non-profits to share office space. Home-based business need a place to meet with other people, or host meetings. Our Commons will be a place for the community to build; a gathering place for emerging businesses to form partnerships & friendships, and an appealing setting to think and interact with other creative people.

A COMMON POINT FOR STAFFING

I believe that a Commons would be a valuable addition to any community. It would be the place to build our own sense of community, something that has been lacking in many of our industrial age towns and cities. A common venue could also help with that other component that is missing from most non-profits: core funding.

Any non-profit organisation in this country will tell you that funding for administration and overhead is almost impossible to secure. You can get program funding or infrastructure funding but no money for administration or day-to-day operations. However, if you have a Commons, you now have the common physical space to share staff. One person can work for several non-profits. Instead of going after small pockets of funds, non-profits located in a commons can collaborate and seek funding together, because they now have a single physical address.

The path appears to be one of first providing valued programs and services, followed by collaboration and network building. Then you build physical infrastructure so that you can cooperate even more and grow your services. So far, we have been successful on this journey and I look forward to eventually breaking ground. Thanks to everyone who is working to make it happen.