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Welcome to the website of Natuurlijk Leven (translation: living naturally). Natuurlijk Leven is the philosophy of the young Frisian visual artist Yby Potlatch (1976). It is a self maintaining, environmentally friendly and animal friendly project as well as an art friendly and colourful example of paradise in the heart of Friesland (The Netherlands). Natuurlijk Leven is in the middle of 100 hectares nature reserve of Staatsbosbeheer, alongside the Offemear.
Natuurlijk Leven
Living in balance with yourself and your environment. An inspiring movement that aims to grow, develop, make progress - a movement that wants to create a positive change on this planet. Natuurlijk Leven has her own vision, her innate strength to improve the world. Natuurlijk Leven is a philosophy, not a religion or religious conviction. Natuurlijk Leven has a house and garden in Friesland that serve as an example, showing possibilities of how to live animal and environmentally friendly.
On the location there are an old miller's home which is renovated with environmentally friendly materials and a piece of land, which will hold a vegetable garden and herbs in the near future. When the project is finished, it will be opened tot the public. On appointment those interested can visit this interesting place.
Yby Potlatch
Yby, also known as 'the wild woman of Wyns', has her own philosophy about life. She thinks much can be approved on this world. Innumerably much animal suffering and pollution are caused by humans and their exaggerated materialism and egocentrism. Not enough attention for the environment, animals and nature. In her example-house in Wyns she has created her own paradise for animals, trees, plants and human beings. A paradise as she would like to see the entire world. Natuurlijk Leven aims to shake many people awake in this way. With help of others Yby Potltach wants to 'overwhelm' people with positive energy.
What is Natuurlijk Leven
Natuurlijk Leven is a drugs-free, alcohol-free and smoke-free place. The environment, the animals, nature, development, spirituality, self-maintaining life, healthy ways of living, organic and vegan food, but also her art of paintingis part of it. Potlatch would like to inspire people and show them that there are different ways to go in life.
Environmentally friendly and innovative
The Natuurlijk Leven project shows, amongst other things that living ecologically sound is realisable for everyone. Environmentally friendly means like solar energy and wind energy can generate enough energy to provide a household with power. The energy prices will only increase in the coming years. Transition to durable energy sources is necessary!
Besides that, the regulation for building or renovating a house to will be much more strict in the future.
In the old miller's home several energy and environmentally friendly products are applied, like loam (clay), wood fibre insulation, solar panels, compost toilet, insulation shells, second hand material, FSC wood, durable heater. Also other animal friendly and durable objects can be found like clothing from ecological materials, the bugaway (animal friendly insect mover), shaking lamp, vegan walking shoes.
Moreover the project shows that in the modern society of nowadays, it is very well possible to live (partially) self maintaining, also when one doesn't live in the countryside. At Natuurlijk Leven, you can see that a modern and ecologically sound life go together very well.
Natuurlijk Leven will keep searching for the newest techniques, techniques that are not harmful to the environment and will try to apply these in the project.
In balance with the environmentLiving ecologically sound, doesn't only mean working with environmentally friendly materials and materials that use little power etc., it also means that one lives in harmony with nature. Natuurlijk Leven wants to create a liveable environment for humans, animals and plants.
What you can experience, see and taste at Natuurlijk Leven
At Natuurlijk Leven you enter the world of Yby Potlatch. A world the way she likes it to be. It is her own shaped paradise full of love for the environment, the animals, trees and plants. Beside the environmental aspects (see above) the visitor so to speak walks through a painting that is alive. Her house and her garden are her studio. You can see her works of art and objects both inside and outside. It are expressions of love, joy, happiness, passion and friendship as well as those of
mental and physical pain, anger, grief for animal torture, pollution, chopping down trees and molestation of humans.
Potlatch wants to reach her goal by sharing knowledge and provide information about durable building, health, nutrition, environmentally friendly and animal-friendly products. One can also get acquainted with works of art. Those who are interested can (by appointment) come and have a look at Natuurlijk Leven, where Potlatch will tell about here philosophy and the environmentally friendly
materials and techniques that she has used and wants to use in the
future. Not only those, but also other sense organs like the taste buds will be in the spotlight. Organic vegetables, fruit and herbs from the own garden can be tasted.
Other things that can be experienced:
Where?
Natuurlijk Leven is located in the middle of a bird breading area of Staatsbosbeheer in the Frisian Wyns (Friesland, The Netherlands). There is no path to the house, visitors need to make a trip across the grass-land which takes approximately eight to ten minutes.
Self maintaining
The project needs to be fully self maintaining. It already has:
In the near future cultivated organic vegetables, fruit and herbs are grown.
When opened to the public
Potlatch has come a long way so far with Natuurlijk Leven, but it isn't finished yet. The objective is to open Natuurlijk Leven to the public within two years. By then, those interested can visit this interesting place on appointment.
As soon as the date of opening is known, you will be informed via this website.
During the brooding season from 15 March till 15 June, Natuurlijk Leven is closed to the public.
Target group
Everyone, as from young to old, who is interested in or wants to apply him or herself to an environmentally and animal friendly world.
Reputation
Many magazines and newspapers (in The Netherlands and Belgium) have already written about this project, the media have plenty of interest for Natuurlijk Leven. And with them several sponsors who are willing to support this initiative and.. this is yet the beginning….
Because Potlatch wants much more than that. She does not only want to spread her philosophy in The Netherlands, but preferably all over the world.
In balance
Natuurlijk Leven = living in harmony with yourself and with your environment. Everything is one. Everyone and everything is connected. Natuurlijk Leven: a place where you can meet yourself and others.
Information
For more information you can contact Yby Potlatch.