Living as Nature: Reflections from the Cooplink Day test

In the past, humans often lived in harmony with their environment — shaping landscapes while strengthening biodiversity. Ecovillages today aspire to do the same. The Dutch Ecovillage Network (GEN-NL) promotes this vision, working toward formal recognition of ecovillages as “nature areas” where both humans and more-than-humans can thrive.

On October 4th, 2025, during the Cooperative Living Day organized by Cooplink, Koen de Kruif (GEN-NL & De Beuk), Ad Vlems (Ecodorp Boekel), and Zoë van Eldik (BIOTraCes) hosted a lively session on living as nature. About 25 participants from cooperative housing initiatives joined to explore how communities can live in ways that restore and co-create biodiversity.

After a short check-in, Zoë introduced the scientific idea of socioecological systems — showing how most human-centred design still harms ecosystems. Ad shared the inspiring story of Ecodorp Boekel, which transformed a monoculture farmland into a flourishing polyculture village. Koen explained how recognizing ecovillages as a form of nature could open new possibilities for sustainable development — particularly when building near protected Natura 2000 areas.

Participants then explored an innovative idea: the zooperation — a cooperative model where both human and more-than-human interests are represented. Using “more-than-human character cards” created by Jay Marisca Gietzelt, participants embodied birds, mammals, landscapes, and other beings to imagine what it truly means to live with humans.

Their discussions led to concrete ideas for ecovillages that wish to be recognized as nature areas:

  • Recognize the rights of nature and include nature’s voice in decisions

  • Limit artificial light and sound

  • Monitor ecological well-being through “icon species”

  • Build with nature, even in infrastructure

  • Teach children that humans are part of nature

  • Learn from global examples like urban national parks in London

By the end, participants felt inspired — ready to rethink how we design, govern, and inhabit our shared ecosystems. As Koen and Ad demonstrated (see photo), sometimes embodying nature helps us remember: we are nature. 

Learn more about BIOTraCes mission here.

Koen de Kruif and Ad Vlems getting into character during the “Living as Nature” session