Click Here to Register for this Course
Designing a regenerative culture depends on a harmonious relationship between nature and people, in which observation and thoughtful interaction provide the knowledge and inspiration necessary to being a resilient community. In this program we take the time to listen to the birds, follow the stories of the animals through their tracks and sign, use our hands to grow our food, learn about and practice the art of peacemaking in our interactions throughout and much, much more. Through the collaboration of the Getting Nature Connected Program and the 4 Seasons Permaculture Course, our intention is to provide participants with tools and experience to begin living in a mutually enhancing relationship with the Earth.
The Getting Nature Connected course is presented in Santa Cruz and takes place one weekend a month. Each weekend offers two parts:
* Friday-night and Saturday Getting Nature Connected with Jon Young and staff
* Sunday Four-Seasons Permaculture Design Course with Penny Livingston and the RDI staff
You can register for one or both parts of the series. To register for Getting Nature Connected continue on this website or click here . To register for the Four-Seasons Permaculture course click here or go to regenerativedesign.org.
Building relationship with all our relations
At one time each of us was rooted to the land. Our sense of self, our purpose and our communities were based on an intimate relationship with the natural world. Peering into our lives and culture today, we realize we have lost that connection. What are the implications of being a living part of the natural world, but not having the experience that causes us to understand what it takes to care for it?
Course Description:
Getting Nature Connected is an immersion into building relationships with all aspects of the natural world in a way that produces knowledge of place and weaves our lives with the rhythms of nature. If you trace your lineage back far enough, you’ll find ancestors who were natives ― somewhere. To these indigenous ancestors, holistic awareness of the natural world (tracking) and land tending (permaculture) were so important that they became entwined and engrained in their biology. We can hardly guess what this relationship to land, its living creatures, and people meant to our ancestors since we have come so far from it. What is true for us now is that our mind, heart, body and spirit long for this deep connection to the natural world whether we are aware of it or not. When we re-connect to nature we experience a deep remembering that brings health and vitality to our being in a way that only nature connection can!
Location:
Santa Cruz Waldorf School, Santa Cruz, CA
Dates:
March 2010 – August 2010, 3rd weekend of each month. (Please note, the weekend series will be launched on March 12, 13 and 14th, which is the 2nd weekend of March and includes Sunday.)
Weekend Format:
Getting Nature Connected takes place once a month for 6 months. Each week includes a Friday Night lecture with Jon Young and guests, and continues with all day Saturday adventures in nature connection. To register for Getting Nature Connected click here. (The Pie Ranch Barn Dances on that Saturday night are recommended, but completely optional). On Sunday, a 4-Seasons Permaculture Design Course* will be offered through the Regenerative Design Institute (must register seperately at www.regenerativedesign.org).
Getting Nature Connected recognizes that nature connection doesn’t happen in isolation from friends, family, and community. For that reason, each day of program will also include options for youth to participate in their own adventures (Friday, Saturday, and/or Sunday). Click here for our First Child in the Woods Program.
Daily Schedule:
Friday
(Pre-lecture potluck 5:30-6:15)
Evening Lecture 6:30PM-9:30PM,
Saturday
Getting Nature Connected Adventures 9AM-4PM
Evening Barn Dance and Potluck (optional):
-Potluck 6PM
-Dance 7PM (Donation of $7-20 recommended)
*Sunday (The 4 Seasons Permaculture Course is offered separately from Getting Nature Connected to register or for more details visit www.regenerativedesign.org)
Course Highlights:
Each weekend we will learn through our own engagement with nature and cover the following areas:
• Awareness of hazards in nature
• Using curiosity as a mentoring tool and other tools of natural mentoring
• Mammal track identification and natural history
• Low growing plants, identification and natural history
• Basics of ecology, ecological indicators and keystone species
• Heritage species
• Woody shrubs and trees, identification and natural history
• Earth living skills – shelter, water, fire, food
• Understanding the language of birds and basic bird identification
• Naturalist journaling skills
• Sensory awareness expansion, exercises and applications
Detailed Dates:
Getting Nature Connected kick off Intensive- March 12-14, 2010
April 16 -17, 2010
May 14-15, 2010
June 18-19, 2010
July 16-17, 2010
August 20-21, 2010
Second 6 Month Session
September 17-18, 2010
October 15-16, 2010
November 19-20, 2010
December 17-18, 2010
January 14-15, 2011
February 18-19, 2011
*(The 4 Seasons Permaculture Course begins with a 2-day permaculture weekend. Getting Nature Connected will still be held during this weekend for those not doing the permaculture course.)
Instructors:
Josh Lane, Caitlin Williams, Jon Young and guests
Costs:
$825 for 6 month session including the first weekend intensive.
10% Discount if you sign up before February 15th!
*Our programs utilize a very low participant to facilitator ratio in order to create close mentoring relationships and experiences. Because of this as well as including Friday night lectures with acclaimed storyteller Jon Young, you will notice that the Getting Nature Connected programs are more expensive than the 4 Seasons Permaculture Design Course.
Venue Info:
Stay tuned for camping options. A covered outdoor kitchen is available to all course participants.
Food:
Participants will be responsible for their own food. Potlucking opportunities are recommended.
For training opportunities in 8-Shields Cultural Mentoring (The Village Builder Program) or if you were previously an IATS participant, click here…
To Register for Getting Nature Connected click here
If you have questions call (831) 704-6710.