Garden delights!
SWOT Analysis of Crawford Bay School- Permaculture Workshop, August, 2011
Strengths
Community involvement- enthusiasm
Infrastructure in place- energy efficiency
Aesthetics, good climate, remoteness
Close (central) to ferry-access
Strong baseline- pristine
Connection to nature
Sustainability, art, culture
Adult education- multi purpose
Perception of school
Human resources- passionate people
Innocence of children
Weaknesses
Remote
School as centre- red tape
Water limited- wells, rainwater, minerals
Low population
Weak economy
Cost of maintenance
Road pollution
Large initial investment, not replicable in other areas
Opportunities
Summer use of school
Winter garden
Work with Creston and Nelson
Develop a planning team which can be taken to other communities
Leadership- School of the environment- have the right people
Foreign students
Therapy centre
Learn through doing- attract children to hands-on, wood shop,
Alternate school for kids with difficulties
Eco-business incubator
Art/gardening/farm school in summer
Threats
Peak oil, climate change, economic collapse
Declining population
Wild fire
Growing economic threats
Retirement community- gentrification
Resurgence of mining
Predators
Jealousy in school division
Present educational system