Saturday, 12 May 2012

Eco-Housing Courses


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EDUCATION: MANY AVENUES TO EXPLORE

HTTP://WWW.KOANGA.ORG.NZ/EDUCATION


This is a very beautiful site with all manner of links that will be of interest to many of us. Enjoy ~

If you have been following the work of the Institute over the last few years, you will have noticed the ever present move to addressing the wider issues of sustainability. How do we move towards a human ecology that works – long-term. We are faced with the question of re-design.  Doing nothing is not an option, the industrial society we have is on a collision course which will play out sooner or later. This is a discussion that our whole community needs to have, but it seems we are not ready for it yet, as we are still being encouraged to ‘shop’ our way out of it.
The Koanga Institute is committed to addressing core issues of sustainability.  One of these is land use/ownership/stewardship. Treating land as a commodity is not working, we need different models, where we recognise that land and resources are the common heritage of everyone, not just those who are the most effective exploiters of those same resources. At the same time the Koanga Institute needs to address its own requirements for access to land for growing seeds. We have decided to work with the ‘model’ of Community Land Trusts, both as a way to address integrated community development, sustainable land use, and our own needs to grow the seeds we work with.  
Recently we have initiated a new website devoted to developing a Community Land Trust both for us, and willing settlers. You can get involved and/or follow its progress:www.communitylandtrusts.co.nz  


This link i'm sure will be of particular interest to many  : )  Bob Corker on the land has put a lot of thought and research into how best to build a community of people.  You will find his blogs and posts on the site i'm sure of very great value.

PERMACULTURE IN NEW ZEALAND

     
Permaculture in New Zealand's mission is to act as a national hub in promoting and empowering permaculture education, activism and advocacy in Aotearoa NZ.
Our website aims to help people interested in and practicing permaculture within Aotearoa to keep in touch and share information.



 Here's content details for the course running currently in the Hamilton/ Waikato area:
 Modular Permaculture Design Certificate
  • Philosophy and design 
  • Climate and Water 
  • Human Sphere 
  • Community Resilence 
  • Landscape and Site Assessment 
  • Large Animals and Forestry 
  • Small Animals and Orchards 
  • Soils and Gardening December 
  • Built Environments February 
  • Energy and Technology 
  • Urban Development 
  • Design presentations 

Location / Venue: 
A variety of sites throughout Waikato. 

Contact Details: 
Hamilton Permaculture Trust     permaham@actrix.co.nz        078342249


Here is the information for the 2012 Permaculture Design Certificate run in the Hamilton/Waikato area. I'm doing the course this year:

Modular Permaculture Design Certificate
This permaculture design certificate will be run over 12 weekends throughout 2012. Each module beginning at 9am. & finishing at 5pm. The modules will be held at a variety of sites throughout the Waikato, enabling the participants to view different levels of permaculture in practice.
Participants who want to complete the certificate must do the first module at the beginning of the course but can complete the certificate over 2 years and attend modules in other regions. It is also possible to partake in chosen modules as a part time participant without receiving the certificate.

Module fee:
$100 / module for beneficiaries, part time workers & those completing the certificate.
$120 / module for full employment, and participation in chosen modules without completing the certificate.

Contact: 
Hamilton Permaculture Trust 
Ph: 834 2249   Mob: 0211390935 
Email: permaham@actrix.co.nz


1. Philosophy and Design   March 3rd, Hamilton
Introduction to the ethics & principles of permaculture.Explore realistic priorities for reducing your ecological footprint and designing abundance into your life. Design advice is provided to assist you to develop a concept plan for your site, or project that you chose to work at.

2. Human Sphere  April 28th, Ngaruawahia
Cultural values, assumptions and perceptions. Indigenous resource concepts, kaitiakitanga and Maori metaphysics. An understanding of deep ecology. Radical citizenship and social ecology, designing for personal and social transformation. Cooperative decision making, legal structures
and ownership. Conflict resolution.

3. Climate and Water  May 12th, Hamilton  
Global and local weather patterns; climate change. Atmospheric conditions, types of climates and weather. Micro climates – shelter, shade, suntraps, harnessing the wind. Urban weather patterns (acid rain, urban heat sink, wind patterns & tall buildings). Air quality, pollution & re-vitalisation. Introduction to the hydrological cycle. Water conservation, devices and technology. Water harvesting and storage (rain water, dams, and swales).Water quality and quantity, purifying and treatment techniques. Riparian vegetation and aquaculture.

4. Landscape and Site Assessment  June 9th, Raglan
Observation and interactions with nature and the landscape. Natures reoccurring patterns. Techniques for observation; measuring and recording landforms; sectors and aspect. Gathering information of natural conditions, cultural features and requirements. Including water sheds; water catchments & dams. Landscape management.

5. Built Environments Zone 0  June 30, Raglan
Principles of building biology and ecology; orientation and layout for site and surroundings. Building design - (warmth & ambience, insulation, passive & active systems, storage, heat pumps, sound, light & electromagnetism). Building materials and construction (local earth, straw, timber, embodied energy, toxicity, finishings). Reuse & recycling - compost toilets, grey
water systems, water harvesting & storage.

6. Healthy soils and Fertile gardening Zone 1  July 14, Hamilton
Nature of soils and soil structure; soil testing (visual assessment and plant indications). Soil health and fertilisers. Composting; revitalisation aids--seaweed, rock dusts, EM, biodynamic, etc.Gardening layout & design - sun, shelter, water access, companion planting, rotation, green manures; garden preparation digging or no-dig. Weed control & mulching. Plant health & diseases/pests/predators. Aquaculture. Water harvesting & irrigation. Seed saving.


7. Small animals and orchard Zone 2  Raglan, August 11
Selecting trees/vines/berries/crops etc. for climate and site; layout for needs in relation to
facilities, guilds & diversity. Planting and propagation; management for productivity and plant health. Integration with small animals (bees, poultry, pigs). Ecology of plants and animals. Management and care of small animals. Water requirements, swales & irrigation.

8. Large Animals and Forestry Zones 3-5  A rural site, September 8
Animal grazing and soil fertility. Grazing management and animal care (water, stock movement, shelter ,shade & health). Structures - fencing, yards, buildings etc. Forest diversity and habitats, forest effects & services; forest regeneration. Species for firewood, timber, amenity, habitat etc. firewood coppicing; plantation management.

9. Community Resilience  Hamilton, October 13
Possible natural disasters for our bioregion, pest infestation, social-crime, war and
revolution. Recognising risks and hazards. Coping with dramatic and immediate change. Job loss and financial collapse, alternative financial systems. Food storage and natural food and medicine sources. Transition towns.

10. Energy and Technology  Ruapuke, November 3rd
Nature and types of energy. Energy analysis, efficiency and life-cycle of energy. Examples of appropriate technologies (high tech & low tech solutions). Transport & energy alternatives. Energy storage; site specific and community based systems. The 4Rs – reduce, reuse, recycle & repair.

11. Urban Design & Living  Hamilton, November 24
Healthy and sustainable living in cities. Community culture; education and values. Suburban retrofit and reduce your ecological footprint; engaging in local communities and councils. Layout and integration of urban systems; public spaces, transport & circulation, housing, energy supplies & distribution, urban waste cycles, urban food production, storm water, waste water & potable water management.

12. Design Project & Presentations    Hamilton, December 8
  • The design project can be completed individually or in groups.
  • It should be completed in a minimum of 20 hours per person per project.
  • Tutors will be available for feedback throughout the process.
  • Projects can be on subject matter the student is interested in, so long it demonstrates the application of sustainable design principles introduced in the first module. This may take the form of a landscape design for an individual dwelling, a retrofit of a house, work with a community group, setting up a local alternative economic model, etc.
  • It is intended that projects be undertaken in parallel to the course so that designs are built on by progressive learning throughout the course.
  • Students will be required to do a 15 minute presentation of their project to the tutors and colleagues. 
  • Presentations should demonstrate how the design was conceived (design process), the project (final design) and a brief outline on implementation and/ or management.

PERMACULTURE DESIGN COURSE

Permaculture Design Course, Warkworth, 5 November 2011

5th – 19th November 2011 This is an intensive 14-day course where students have the chance to get fully immersed in the permaculture way of thinking and acting while studying on a working permaculture farm.

The course covers sustainable living systems for a wide variety of landscapes and climates. It includes the application of permaculture principles to food production, home design, construction, energy conservation and alternative economic structures and technologies, (plus much more).


EDUCATION FOR SUSTAINABILITY

Rainbow Valley Farm is recognized nationally and internationally as an education centre which offers workshops, courses and tours to share with others the concepts and practices of sustainability. The tutors of the workshops and education programs are drawn from a network of highly knowledgeable and skilled people.  The Rainbow Valley Farm network of tutors and educators continues to grow as new people connect to the spirit and kaupapa (mission) of permaculture.

PERMACULTURE DESIGN COURSE

The heart of our education programme is regular intensive Permaculture Design Courses based at Rainbow Valley Farm, which provide a framework for students to understand Permaculture Principles and gain the skills to implement them in their own environment.  Upcoming Workshops

WWOOFING AT RAINBOW VALLEY FARM

We also host Wwooferswilling workers on organic farms who work in exchange for board and so the farm is always a learning and teaching environment for those who are based here.  More on Wwoofing




ECOFEST NELSON

20 & 21 August 2011,
Nelson
Now in its 11th year! This is THE sustainable living show, and a great reason to visit Nelson. Over 120 different stands representing eco-products, services and innovations on everything from alternative power to sustainable transport and products for the home and body. Supported by FREE seminars and workshops, recycled fashion shows and more....
www.ecofestnelsontasman.co.nz

Sustainable /Earth Building Courses/ Permaculture 

Hawke’s Bay

Various dates
email: info@shbt.org.nz

Sustainable/Energy/Earth Building

Hamilton
Various dates
www.envirocentre.org.nz

Earthbuilding Workshop and other courses.

Nelson Area. Contact Green Horizon Workshops for more information and courses.
Richard and Bella Walker phone: 03-528 4751, email: ess@ts.co.nz

Permaculture

Most permaculture events and courses are detailed on:
http://www.permaculture.org.nz/event


                  MEXICO COURSE

Mexico Learning Experience. Natural Building & Traditional Architecture and Land Restoration & Ecological Living. 

Offer a place of interchange of ideas, experiences and learning in the areas of natural building, permaculture, soil restoration, organic food production, and other themes related to sustainable living. Courses are promoted by the Zopilote Association, Cob Cottage Company, and Proyecto San Isidro. Introduction both to natural building as well as to sustainable living methods. Each day has a general theme: cob, strawbale, light claystraw, etc. – to give a more in-depth experience in a variety of natural building techniques. Past courses have covered thatched roofing, rock construction, cob, strawbale, natural plasters and paints, oven-building, adobe bricks and floors, wattle and daub, alternative energy, water catchment and cleaning, composting toilets and more.

Learn about architecture and natural construction that is rooted in the land. Experience hands- and feet-on a variety of natural building techniques and practices. Participate in a group design-process and model building of a structure. Each day has a general theme: organic gardening, sustainable forestry, erosion control, sewage treatment systems, alternative education, permaculture, responsible consumption, etc. Understand and practice principles and strategies to make their lives more sustainable. Thoroughly think through personal motivations for doing work in traditional societies. Participating in  a group discussions on themes like genetically engineered plants,  use of herbicides and pesticides, ethics, etc.

$1200. Contact; Cob Cottage Company PO Box 942, Coquille, OR 97423; 541-396-1825; email cob@cobcottage.com; website www.cobcottage.com

Sorry, i'm not sure of the date of this course.  I thought it looked interesting anyway  : )   I really like the look of cobcottage.com 


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