Protect Les Valley & Live Sustainably at PRESENCE

Do you long for a genuine experience of community - a feeling of belonging, of living in deeper connection with nature and the people around you?

In a lush valley in North Bali, where water flows from a sacred spring and elements of "Old Bali" are preserved in local village life, an accidental experiment has been quietly unfolding...

People from various countries have been drawn here by the special atmosphere and the deeply restorative effects they experience. A few have stayed and call it home, others find themselves returning over months or years — somehow it just feels so good to be there.

And with this gentle flow of visitors, an experience of small-scale community life has emerged — not a contrived "eco-village" — but a possibility of genuine connection in the living context of a unique Balinese village, where the land provides food and the jungle and waterfall are held sacred...

In keeping with the Balinese philosophy of Tri Hita Karana (connection to Earth, Humanity, and Spirit), the people of Les want to protect this precious land and be an example of ecological sustainability.

We are cultivating a Regenerative Living & Learning Space

What we’re already doing at PRESENCE:

Future Intentions:

In order to bring these intentions to life, we’re looking to lease a precious slice of land next to our current space, which is currently at risk of being purchased by developers.

History of the land in jeopardy:

This land has been held sacred for (at least) hundreds of years. The original land temple of the valley stands quietly at the center. For the past decade, the land was lovingly stewarded by the first foreigner to live in the valley. Hundreds of guests have stayed in the 5 simple open-air bungalows, connecting with nature and experiencing “social harmonic resonance and group coherence” through intentional community events, music fires, and silent gatherings.

Here & Now, we urgently need your support—to secure this land from potential developers, and help preserve the special atmosphere of Les Valley now, and for the future.

Interested in experiencing a Community / Eco-village ... but not ready to dive in full-time?

Level 1: “Affinity” $200 Contributor

You live in Bali or elsewhere in the world and feel inspired to connect with a community you can visit for short periods, a place where you can rest deeply in nature and come away enriched with authentic experiences and real human connections.

Value offered:

Level 2: “Locavore” $250–$500

You are an individual, family or business in Bali, or a frequent visitor to Les, and want to support the sustainable flourishing of this special valley and the human connections which thrive here.

Value offered:

Level 3: “Change-Weaver” $1,000–$2,500

You are a teacher, retreat organizer, or would love to participate in a soul-nourishing space for group retreats, and build a resonant relationship with the “sense of place” community connections which this special valley can support and bring alive.

Value offered:

OR

Plus

Level 4: “Custodian” $5,000

You would like to help us create this project in an impactful way.

Value offered:

Level 5: “Investor” $10,000+

You want to support the thriving of Les and this project in an impactful way, and to receive your financial investment back again, over a period of 5 years.

All contributors can choose to have their name (or a fun anonymous nickname!) on our Board of Supporters at Presence Tea Garden.

With grace and gratitude,

PRESENCE Family

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PREVIOUS FUNDRAISER :

Native To Life was founded in 2022 and exists as an offering of perspective for those on a journey into deeper connection with Life, Nature, Presence, and Oneself—all of which are synonymous. It was born from a question posed to NTL Founder, Michael Zeff, around a sacred fire.

This year, Native To Life has branched out: we are now stewards of a rootsy half-acre jungle garden and retreat/event space at Les Waterfall in North Bali, known as PRESENCE. This is a space in which to deepen and expand our offerings in collaboration with a wider community of change-makers and change-seekers.

See website: http://www.presencebali.com

Acquiring stewardship of this precious land and bringing this vision to life has come with a great variety of expenses. We're reaching out for support in our current startup & launch phase of PRESENCE.

What we're looking to support:

Medicine Garden Cafe @ PRESENCE (expand existing structure & equipment) - $1000

Regenerative Learning Gardens & food forest initial planting $500

Hiring Balinese Local Staff (Part Time, Fair Wage) - $750 / month

Structural Improvements (plumbing, flooring repairs) - $500

Community Outreach & Ecological Education Projects - $500