APPLIED WATERSHED RESTORATION COURSE

with Craig Sponholtz (Dryland Solutions)
assisted by Brenton Kelly (Quail Springs Permaculture)

at Quail Springs Permaculture in Southern California

OCTOBER 7 - 10, 2013
Early bird registration September 6th. Ask about partial work trade spaces.
Contact:  Kolmi Majumdar, email info@quailsprings.org
 
"Craig Sponholtz's Applied Watershed Restoration courses are a must. I was very impressed with the thoroughness, hands-on learning, and Craig's deep knowledge - based on years of real-life experiences. The strategies taught are simple and effective. They build on natural patterns so you work with natural processes not against them. This way nature does the bulk of the work once the structures are in place. I highly recommend these courses for anyone working with the land and water." - Brad Lancaster, author of Rainwater Harvesting for Drylands and Beyond


Applied Watershed Restoration is designed for landowners and land managers, as well as practitioners, farmers, ranchers, restorationists and advanced students of Permaculture. It emphasizes working with, rather than against, nature and will establish the foundational knowledge needed to work effectively with our most precious resource, water.

* Increase your working knowledge of water harvesting, erosion control and stream restoration practices with this four-day, intensive workshop.

* Acquire the critical skills needed to recognize the symptoms of land degradation and their root causes.  

* Learn to identify and prioritize the best opportunities to harvest runoff and improve watershed health. 

* Gain exposure to cutting-edge land-healing methods such as floodwater agroecology, induced meandering, natural channel design and others. 

* Build on your landscape reading skills and learn to recognize the dynamic processes that drive natural systems. 

* Deepen your design skills and learn to incorporate natural processes into designs to increase resilience and adaptability. 

* Develop the confidence and knowledge needed to make informed decisions about any water harvesting, erosion control or water management project you may encounter.  

* Participate in an intensive assessment process that will lead to the design and construction of regenerative projects that will turn erosion problems into water harvesting opportunities at Quail Springs.

 

COURSE TOPICS

Watershed Patterns and Processes - Reading Water Patterns and Processes , Form and Function of Channel Systems, Erosion and Deposition Dynamics, Watershed Health and Degradation

Landscape-Scale Passive Water Harvesting - Passive Water harvesting Features, Traditional Runoff Farming , Agro-Ecological Restoration, Water harvesting Earthworks, Simple Irrigation Systems

Degradation Prevention and Restoration - Watershed Restoration Principles, Restoration Project Development, Low Energy Sheet flow Treatments, In-Channel Grade Control Treatments, In-Channel Headcut Treatments, Bank Erosion Treatments, Watershed Restoration Applications

Watershed Restoration Practicum - Site Assessment and Survey Skills, Restoration Project Design, Project Planning and Logistics, Site Layout, Hands-on Structure Building

 

COURSE INSTRUCTORS

Craig Sponholtz Dryland Solutions, Inc.

Craig founded Dryland Solutions, Inc. in 2003 and continues to design and implement watershed restoration projects throughout the Southwest. Craig has earned a Masters Degree in Agro-Ecological Restoration from Prescott College and a Permaculture Designer’s Certificate at the Permaculture Research Institute in Australia.  He is an expert heavy equipment operator specializing in low impact techniques and the creation of artistic in-stream structures.  Craig spent a decade expanding his knowledge of landscape processes by working throughout the western U.S. with the USDA Forest Service in wildland fire management and prescribed fire use.  Craig has had comprehensive training in numerous stream and wetland restoration methods including natural channel design and induced meandering and continuously learns new techniques to incorporate into his work and teaching.  Craig teaches watershed restoration, passive water harvesting and erosion control techniques internationally and strives to foster beneficial relationships between people and the watersheds they live in by sharing the practical trials, tribulations and insights of his own work.  Craig has used two decades of hands-on experience and numerous collaborations with masters in the field to develop must-know principles that ensure water-related projects are practical, economically viable and harmonious with natural processes.

Craig will be assisted by Brenton Kelly, Quail Springs Farm Director and Land Steward


REGISTRATION INFORMATION

Cost includes instruction, catered meals, and camping accommodations.

Cost: $525
Early Bird: $450 for payment in full by August 26, 2013  EARLY BIRD EXTENDED TO SEPTEMBER 6TH!

Discounts:
Partial Work Trade - Inquire early to learn about and apply for partial work trade positions!
Couples – $100 off for the 2nd registrant

Contact:  Kolmi Majumdar, email info@quailsprings.org