About the OCSL

Operating since 2009, the Omega Center for Sustainable Living (OCSL) integrates our award-winning building and the campus’s state-of-the-art natural water reclamation facility—the Eco Machine™—with a robust environmental education program, focused on a whole-systems, place-based approach to problem solving that considers the connections between society, nature, and individuals.

History

The OCSL opened in 2009 with the construction of our Eco Machine™, a natural wastewater reclamation facility designed in partnership with acclaimed biologist, John Todd. Since then, the OCSL has been dedicated to sustainability, social, and environmental justice, and building an effective response to our changing climate both in terms of mitigation and resilience.

Many leading thinkers have taken part in OCSL workshops and conferences, including Vandana Shiva, Wangari Matthai, Jane Goodall, Maude Barlow, Winona LaDuke, Paul Hawken, Bill McKibben, and Al Gore.

The OCSL has been actively engaged in local, regional, and international efforts—from UN conferences and events and the UNFCCC Education, Communication, and Outreach Stakeholders Community (ECOS), to serving as a founding organizational partner of the Dutchess County BOCES Center for Sustainability and Climate Education.

Supporting Climate Education

Dutchess BOCES, together with Omega and other local organizations, has established the Center for Sustainability and Climate Education to serve 13 school districts representing nearly 39,000 students.

article

BOCES & Omega Are Expanding Climate Education

Founder

Robert "Skip" Backus

Robert "Skip" Backus is CEO Emeritus of Omega Institute, the United States’ premier holistic learning center, offering innovative educational experiences that provide an integrated approach to personal and social change. Backus has provided visionary leadership for the OCSL, creating and promoting innovative conservation efforts, including campus recycling and composting, sustainable purchasing and support of local agriculture, water conservation, and 100% sourcing of campus electricity from wind and solar technology.

Staff

Michael Craft

Michael Craft serves as senior strategist and oversees programming for the OCSL. Previously, he held the role of business and program development strategist, which strongly influenced the development of Omega’s mission, workshops, and conferences. An experienced trend tracker, copywriter, and author, he has also taught successful workshops in tai chi and meditation for many years.

Our Teachers

Marcus Bridgewater

Marcus Bridgewater is an educator, motivational speaker, and plant enthusiast.
Abrah Dresdale

Abrah Dresdale is a visionary social permaculture designer, educator, and culture-shift consultant.
Resmaa Menakem

Resmaa Menakem is a psychotherapist specializing in the effects of trauma on the human body.
Sherri Mitchell

Sherri Mitchell is an indigenous rights activist, teacher, and transformational changemaker.
Vandana Shiva

Vandana Shiva, PhD, is a world-renowned environmental leader, eco-feminist, author, and thinker.
Connor Stedman

Connor Stedman, MS, is an ecological designer, farm planner, and climate educator.

We have the responsibility to dream our future generations into being.

Sherri Mitchell

Study with Sherri

It’s important that we begin to create a generation of engineers who look to the natural world and say, 'What is it that you know?'

John Todd

Creator of the Eco-Machine

Visit

The OCSL is one of the greenest buildings in America. We treat 100% of Omega's wastewater with zero chemicals and zero net energy.

We welcome all visitors—students, teachers, activists, contractors, architects, elected officials, and others—who want to learn more about natural water reclamation, sustainable living, and green building.