Our community is inspired by the legacy of Rachel Carson (1907-1964) whose early fascination with nature led her to pursue an extraordinary career as a scientist, writer and educator.  Childhood walks with her mother on their Western Pennsylvania farm instilled in Rachel Carson a ‘sense of wonder’ about the natural world that in turn inspired a life-long devotion to environmental stewardship.  A science degree from Pennsylvania College for Women started Rachel Carson on a journey to become a leading scientist and spokesperson for environmental concerns. Rachel Carson taught us to see ourselves as part of nature, not a controller or even just a protector, but as inter-dependent with it: as reliant on the world we live in as it is on our good stewardship.  We are founding the Rachel Carson EcoVillage on the premise that people have a valuable and purposeful role within the environment and that our presence can enhance the vibrancy and resilience of complex living systems.   Our vision is a world where people value connections with each other and nature and human life contributes to the life of the planet.  As a community and as individuals, Rachel Carson EcoVillage at Providence Heights embraces ecologically creative living.  Our mission is to create a community in Pittsburgh where people and nature thrive.  We believe that people have a valuable and purposeful role within the environment and that our presence can and should enhance the vibrancy and resilience of complex living systems.  We aim to accomplish our mission by: building a 35-unit cohousing ecovillage on land given to us by the Sisters of Divine Providence.practicing constructive and compassionate communication so that we can govern our community equitably and effectively as a sociocracy. attracting people who share a desire to participate in the community and also value the differences among each other. cultivating a low-energy, low-carbon lifestyle. contributing positively to the health and resilience of our natural ecosystems.