Environmental Club Explores Off-Grid Living
The Environmental Club had the amazing opportunity to visit U16 Alpine Coach and Big Dog parent (P’11 and P’13) Jeff Beauregard’s off-grid home in Eustis. Spanning nearly 80 acres, Jeff’s property is an inspiring example of sustainable living in action!
During the visit, Jeff shared his extensive knowledge about building a self-sufficient lifestyle. He and his family renovated their original home and constructed several outbuildings themselves using lumber harvested directly from their land — including a stunning sauna overlooking the river, a sawmill, a wood shed, and a building that houses their solar equipment.
Their solar array, paired with Canadian-made lithium battery storage, powers the property, while an organic garden, fruit orchard, and composting pit support their sustainable way of life.
Students also toured Jeff’s ongoing forest management projects, where he demonstrated selective forestry practices such as mast tree and crop tree release cuts. These methods help maintain a healthy forest and supply future building materials for one of his next projects — a Maple Sugar Shack!
One highlight of the visit was learning about the property’s unique flora, including Tamarack Trees, a rare conifer that changes color and drops its needles each fall.
Jeff is an incredible resource on off-grid and sustainable living and is always happy to share his expertise. Anyone interested in learning more is welcome to reach out to him by email.
A Big Dog thank you to Jeff for welcoming the club to his home and inspiring us all to think more deeply about sustainability and self-reliance.
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