[Scpg] Schumacker College England Design for Life: Permaculture, Biomimicry and Sustainable Living March 9-28, 2003

[Wesley Roe and Marjorie Lakin Erickson]

Hello there,

Thanks for contacting us.

I am enclosing details of the course Design for Life below. Our website
address is www.schumachercollege.org

With best wishes

Sebastian Kelly
Schumacker College England
Morag Gamble who is coming to do the Ecovillage Workshop Jan 18 & 19 is 
also teaching in a course at Schumacker College below

MAX LINDEGGER, MORAG GAMBLE & JANINE BENYUS
Design for Life:  Permaculture, Biomimicry and Sustainable Living

March 9-28,  2003
Course fee:  £1500


COURSE CONTENT

Weeks 1 & 2 ­ Max Lindegger & Morag Gamble      Ecodesign, Ecovillages and
Local Food
Systems

Sustainability is now a mainstream issue, but there is still a vital need
for real change and positive
action.  The question is 'how'?  How do we develop systems that nurture
sustainable communities and
sustain life?  A radical shift is required in our approach to the design of
human settlements and food
systems.  How we connect with the world around us and form relationships is
significantly influenced
by the places in which we live. Settlements are far more than a collection
of buildings. They affect
our choices and decisions, consumption patterns, environmental impact,
well-being, security and
sense of identity and belonging.

These two weeks will focus on ecologically sustainable design principles,
practices and management
and explore ecodesign in a participatory and holistic way.  Ecodesign draws
on all fields of
knowledge and from traditional wisdom to create new patterns for sustainable
human systems that
support the connection with soil, soul and society.  This course offers
practical solutions to address
underlying and interconnected problems faced in both rural and urban
communities, in the North and
South. Real solutions already exist and this course aims to explore the
possibilities. Also, through
deepening our collective understanding of ecological systems, it is possible
to facilitate the
emergence of new approaches to sustainable settlement design that provide a
platform for new
directions and positive change at all levels that engage and mobilise
community participation.

We are all designers of the environments in which we live.  The direct
experience gained through
field work and collaborative projects, supported by theory, dialogue, global
case studies, field
excursions and good food, will enable participants to apply ecodesign
principles in their own homes,
communities and workplaces.  There will also be time to awaken the senses,
reconnect with the
natural world, and experience the process of inclusive and intuitive design.

Week 3 ­ Janine Benyus      Biomimicry: Innovation Inspired by Nature

Imagine solving a design challenge by asking yourself: What organism or
ecosystem has grappled
with, and solved, this very same problem? Want a life-friendly adhesive?
Consult the barnacle's time-
honored recipe. A solar-powered desalination device? Study the blueprint of
a mangrove's root
membrane. A less toxic way to manufacture fibers? Ask the spider how her web
is woven. An
agriculture that enhances rather than depletes soil fertility? Ask the
prairie. This final week of the
course will give participants the opportunity to understand and try out
Biomimicry, the conscious
emulation of life's genius.

Biomimicry is a design discipline that seeks sustainable solutions by
studying and then emulating
nature's time-tested strategies. Biomimics around the world are consciously
asking "What would
nature do here?" to help them find products, processes, and policies—new
ways of living—that are
well-adapted to life on earth over the long haul. The resulting designs are
beautiful, functional, and,
not surprisingly, sustainable as well. Their models are organisms that
manufacture without "heat,
beat, and treat" methods, and ecosystems that run on sunlight and feedback,
creating opportunities
rather than waste.

Besides helping our species earn a longer stay on the planet, biomimicry has
the potential to change
the way we view and value non-human nature.  It encourages us to view nature
not as a source of
goods, but as a mentor, a source of wisdom. In this week, participants will
have a chance to explore
deep patterns of biological design, review the latest biomimetic research,
and apply this method of
inquiry to their own design challenges. Through dialogue and actual
problem-solving exercises, we
will imagine how biomimicry could transform the way we move, power, house,
teach, and heal
ourselves and the Earth.  Janine will describe what's new in the field, and
(with the help of a satchel
of natural teachers) engage participants in a discussion of what's possible.


ABOUT THE TEACHERS

Max Lindegger, a mechanical and civil engineering designer by training and a
qualified
permaculture designer since 1981, has worked on the design and/or
implementation of over
750 ecological properties, including the UN Habitat Award winning Crystal
Waters
Permaculture Village.  Max works as a consultant for the development of
ecological town
subdivisions and villages throughout the world.  He is a founding Director
of the Global
Ecovillage Network (GEN) and the Regional Co-ordinator of the Oceania/Asia
Secretariat
(GENOA Inc). He teaches courses on ecological sustainability, ecovillage
design and
Permaculture, and has provided his expertise in over 35 countries including
eco-design
courses in 24 countries.  He is author/co-author of The Best of
Permaculture, Permaculture: An
Alternative Agricultural System, Conceptual Permaculture Report for Crystal
Waters, Owners
Manual for Crystal Waters and various articles in magazines, newspapers and
journals.

Morag Gamble is Director of an innovative environmental design and education
organisation,
Sustainable Futures.  She has over a decade of combined practical and
professional experience in a
dozen countrie and works actively to help raise awareness about,
understanding of and commitment
to sustainability - ecological, agricultural, social, cultural and economic.
She works with
communities, women, children, farmers, educators, NGO's, local governments,
professionals and
individuals. She teaches from the field to the university lecture halls. Her
aim is to assist individuals
and communities to develop appropriate strategies, skills and tools to work
effectively towards
ecological sustainability and positive change.  Morag's focus recently has
been in the Asian- pacific
region where she is leading a team in the development an ecoliteracy
curriculum that complements
the National curriculum (aimed at upper primary school children).  She leads
courses in sustainable
village design and community development, sustainable land management and
permaculture.  She
has piloted seed-saving programs, sustainability demonstration sites,
permaculture schools, local
food networks and has been central in the establishment of a pilot
sustainable village development
program in the west of Bali.

Janine Benyus is a life sciences writer and author of six books, including
her latest--Biomimicry:
Innovation Inspired By Nature.  In Biomimicry, she names an emerging science
that seeks
sustainable solutions by mimicking nature's designs and processes (e.g.,
solar cells that mimic
leaves, agriculture that looks like a prairie, business that runs like a
redwood forest).  Janine's other
titles include an animal behavior guide entitled Beastly Behaviors and three
ecosystem-first field
guides: The Field Guide to Wildlife Habitats of the Western US, The Field
Guide to Wildlife
Habitats of the Eastern US, and Northwoods Wildlife: A Watcher's Guide to
Habitats.  She
ghostwrote The Bodywise Woman: Reliable Information about Physical Activity
and Health for the
Melpomene Institute for Women's Health Research.  Janine graduated from
Rutgers University, New
Jersey, with degrees in Natural Resource Management and English
Literature/Writing.  She has
worked as a backcountry guide as well as a "translator" of science-speak at
several research labs.
She now writes popular books in the life sciences, consults with sustainable
business and government
leaders, serves on the Dream Team at Interface, Inc., and gives talks about
what we can learn from
the genius that surrounds us.  Janine's next book will explore home as
habitat, taking a biological
look at human habitat selection, nest building, and "What makes us feel at
home?"  Her natural
habitat is Montana's Bitterroot Valley, where she's passionate about
protecting wildlands and
promoting smart growth (that is, when she's not sculling, backpacking, or
skate skiing).


ACCREDITATION

This course is expected to be approved for accreditation by the University
of Plymouth.  Those with
appropriate prior qualifications who wish to register for credits may, if
they complete the course
successfully, achieve 10 Masters Level Credits which are internationally
transferable under the Credit
Accumulation and Transfer Scheme.  (Currency at Masters Level: 10 UK Credits
= 3 US Credits = 5
European Credits)  Course aims and objectives will be sent out with the
joining packs to all those
registering for this course. If you require the aims and objectives in
advance, please let us know and
we will forward a copy.

The assessment process can be fairly flexible.  Candidates will need to 1)
submit a summary of what
they have learnt on the course; 2) submit a report or produce another piece
of work that reflects on
how the course content applies to an issue of their choice (such projects
have included pieces of
sculpture and the production of games and plays); and 3) attend an interview
at the end of the course
with the College tutor and University moderator.  The credits will be
granted by the University of
Plymouth and certificates will be issued at a later date.  There will be an
additional fee of about £120
for those taking Credits to cover the associated costs.  Further details
will be provided at the start of
the course.

SCHUMACHER COLLEGE
COURSE APPLICATION FORM

Please print out this application form, fill it in and return to: The
Administrator, Schumacher College, The Old Postern, Dartington, Totnes,
Devon TQ9 6EA, UK  Tel: +44 (0)1803 865934 Fax: +44 (0)1803 866899 Email:
schumcoll at gn.apc.org (Please note that we cannot accept applications by
email.) Web: http://www.gn.apc.org/schumachercollege/

This application form is also available on the website.

Please fill in a separate application form for each course you wish to
attend, and continue any of your answers on a separate sheet if necessary.
It would be helpful if you could use a pen or typeface that we can easily
distinguish from the rest of the text:

Title of course:

Your first  name:
Last name:

Mailing address:

Telephone number:
Fax number:
Email:

Date of birth:
Gender:
Nationality:

How would you describe your occupation? Please give a simple word or
phrase, even if your situation is not straightforward:


What benefits do you hope to gain from attendance? Please describe in as
much detail as possible why you wish to commit yourself to this particular
course.

Thank you for your interest in Schumacher College.  Enclosed is further
information on the course you have enquired about and an application form.
Below we describe a little more about what you can expect when you attend a
course at the College.

DAILY LIFE AT THE COLLEGE
Each day starts with the opportunity for a period of meditation before
breakfast. After breakfast there is a brief meeting for everyone, followed
by a period during which participants help with preparing food, cleaning the
buildings and other tasks.  (Besides this morning work, people are involved
once a week in preparing supper and in clearing up after meals.)  The rest
of each weekday morning is devoted to work with the teacher(s).  Lectures,
discussions and small groups are used, and attention is given to ensuring
that the learning atmosphere is as creative as possible.  Gaian philosophy
and deep ecology are fundamental to our work at Schumacher College, and
College staff will give an introduction to these concepts. Afternoons
provide opportunities for field trips to the coast or Dartmoor, craft work,
walks, private study and tutorials.  Evenings offer a variety of talks and
informal meetings, possibly arising out of the day's work, or an opportunity
for participants to give presentations based on their own life and work.
Wednesday evening is our "Open Evening", when members of the local community
are invited to listen to a talk and meet the participants.  Friday evening
is usually a 'soiree' - a home-grown party.  Weekends are not scheduled in
order to allow time for private study and contemplation, informal
discussions, walks in the beautiful grounds of the Dartington Hall Estate,
visits to local places of interest or time with friends and family within
reach.  (Experience has taught us that the intensity generated by the
weekday programme makes advance planning of weekends inappropriate.)

The "work" aspect of the course - cooking, cleaning, gardening and so on -
is an essential part of the College life.  Embedding the intellectual
discussions in the everyday business of taking care of the buildings and
each other promotes a level of reflection and understanding in which the
whole person - their values and life concerns as well as their thinking
mind - is involved.  Equally, we prize the mood and 'feel' of discussions as
highly as their intellectual content.  The natural development of a trusting
spirit of community is central to the purpose of the College.

RESOURCES AVAILAB LE
The College is based in a medieval building (the Old Postern), within which
most of the facilities are located:  teaching rooms; the dining room,
kitchen and snack area; a library with 4000 books relating to ecological
issues; a meditation room; an audio-visual room with a wide selection of
videos, including talks by past College teachers; and a computer for
participants to send and receive emails.  A separate building houses a craft
workshop, another

area for relaxation and listening to music, and a small number of computers
for basic word-processing.  Course participants sleep in accommodation
blocks across the courtyard from the Old Postern.  All the buildings are
surrounded by a mixture of lawns, trees and wildlife areas, providing the
opportunity (in favourable weather) for games, sunbathing or quiet
reflection.

The Old Postern is based on the Dartington Hall Estate, famous for its
beautiful gardens which are a short walk up the hill from the College.  The
Estate also hosts a wide range of cultural activities, including films on
most nights in the Barn Cinema and regular concerts (classical, jazz, folk
and international) in the Great Hall.  There are many lovely walks through
woodland and alongside the River Dart which can be started directly from the
College grounds.  The lively and historic town of Totnes is two miles away
and can be reached along a cycle/footpath or using the regular bus service.
A limited number of bicycles are available for use by course participants.

CLIMATE CARE
We aim to attract a broad international mix of course participants, but we
are also aware of the environmental costs of long-distance travel.  Because
of this, we have introduced a scheme whereby a contribution is made to the
Climate Care fund based on the amount of greenhouse gases emitted by
participants’ travel to and from each course.  We calculate the total cost
of the carbon offsets for each course and then divide this by the number of
participants.  We ask each participant, if they are able, to then pay the
average sum that results (usually between £5 and £10).  This money is
invested by Climate Care in energy efficiency projects, renewable energy
technologies and a limited number of forestry projects which help wildlife
conservation and do not disadvantage local people.  More information on how
the scheme works can be found on Climate Care’s website:  www.co2.org.


We hope this has given you a good idea of what Schumacher College has to
offer, but if you have any further questions, please do not hesitate to
contact us.  It would be helpful to us in assessing demand for the course if
you could let us know as soon as possible if you wish to book a place.
Please note that a deposit of £150 is required to secure a place, unless you
are applying for financial assistance.  If you send your deposit at least
two months before the start of the course, you will receive a 10% reduction
on the total course fee.  We will contact you two months before the course
is due to start to confirm that it is running; please wait until this time
to make your travel arrangements.

With best wishes,


Sebastian Kelly/Heather Gillard
Administrators









Please write something about your current interests and concerns.








For health and safety reasons, please indicate any illness, disabilities or
ongoing medical treatment you are receiving which college staff should know
about:


BEDROOMS are usually single. Please indicate below if you prefer to share
with a friend or partner who is also attending the course. There are shared
bathroom facilities. Wheelchair access can be arranged. Two ensuite rooms,
for which a small extra charge will be made, may be available, to meet
particular needs.

NO SMOKING is permitted in the building, including bedrooms.

I would like a single __ twin __ double __ bedroom.
If twin/double, my partner's name is:

THE DIET is wholesome and varied vegetarian, but not vegan. If your diet
requires any special preparation or ingredients, we need to know in
advance, so please give details here:


Please tell us how you first found out about Schumacher College:

TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF BOOKING
1. Deposits are not refundable. The full course fee is payable six weeks
before the start of the course provided we have confirmed that the course
will run; any travel or other arrangements made before or after this point
are at your own risk. If having paid the full fee you wish to cancel more
than four weeks before the start of the course, 25% of the fee will be
refunded. Later cancellations will attract no refund. (You are advised to
consider the possibility of insuring yourself against losses due to your
having to cancel.)
2. Unless we have been notified explicitly of any dietary or other
requirements, and have agreed to them, we cannot guarantee that they will
be met.
3. Schumacher College reserves the absolute right, any other communication
notwithstanding, to reject an application without explanation, or in
exceptional circumstances to require a participant to leave the course (at
a minimum of 24 hours notice), if in the opinion of the Director his or her
continuing attendance would not be in the best interests of the other
participants or the College.
4. If Schumacher College has to cancel a course, or if the advertised
teacher does not attend, all monies paid will be refunded (unless you
choose to accept any substitute we may offer), but no liability can be
accepted for any consequential losses.

PAYMENT
The full course fee is payable six weeks before the start of the course,
provided that we have confirmed that the course will definitely run.
Cancellations are rare, but please make no irreversible arrangements until
the course has been confirmed. We cannot be responsible for any costs or
consequences that you incur. Details of full course fees will be found with
the individual course descriptions. The full fee includes all tuition,
accommodation, meals and field trips; there are no additional payments,
unless you are taking Masters Level Credits. You should make your own
provisions for personal expenses.

PAYMENT OPTIONS
1. Pounds sterling cheque, drawn on a UK bank, made out to: THE DARTINGTON
HALL TRUST
2. Sterling banker's draft, made out to: THE DARTINGTON HALL TRUST
3. Visa or Mastercard, in pounds sterling. It costs Schumacher College
almost 3% of the course fee to offer a credit card facility. Please add 3%
to the full course fee if you wish to pay by credit card, and complete the
credit card payment details at the bottom of this page.

Chosen method of payment (please tick one option):
Cheque __ Bankers draft __ Credit Card __

BURSARIES
We try to provide bursaries for those who cannot afford our full fees. If
you wish to apply, ask for a copy of our Bursary Policy and then apply,
indicating the essential level of support you need, why it is requested,
and addressing the issues raised in the Bursary Policy. Please note that we
are not able to give any financial assistance for travel expenses.
I would be able to contribute _______ pounds sterling and request a bursary
for the balance of _______ pounds sterling.

DEPOSIT
The deposit required to reserve a place is 150 pounds sterling. If applying
for a bursary or scholarship, do not send a deposit with your initial
application. If the fee is to be invoiced to a company or organisation,
please give details. Please read the payment conditions at the top of the
page.

PLEASE CHOOSE ONE OF THE FOLLOWING OPTIONS:
I enclose my deposit of 150 pounds sterling (The balance of the fee is
payable six weeks in advance of the course.)
OR
I enclose the full fee of ______ pounds sterling.

I hereby confirm my application, agree to pay the balance of the course fee
(if any), and agree to the conditions stated above.


Signed ____________________________________ Date:


FOR CREDIT CARD PAYMENTS, PLEASE FILL IN THE FOLLOWING INFORMATION:
Visa/Mastercard, please give 16-figure card number:
Cardholder's name and Initials:
Valid from:
Expiry date:

Cardholder's signature:

(PLEASE DELETE ONE OF THE FOLLOWING, AS APPROPRIATE)
I authorise you to debit my account for a deposit of 150 pounds sterling +
1.5% facility charge = 152.25 pounds sterling
OR
I authorise you to debit my account for the full fee of ___________ pounds
sterling + 1.5% facility charge = ___________ pounds sterling.

----- Original Message -----
From: "Wesley Roe and Marjorie Lakin Erickson" <lakinroe at silcom.com>
To: <admin at schumachercollege.org.uk>
Sent: Wednesday, January 08, 2003 6:29 AM
Subject: message from the website


 > hello
 >
 > Permaculture Course  taking place in end of March with folks from Crystal
 > Waters is it listed on your webpage. Morag Gamble will be here next week
 > teaching in Santa Barbara Jan 18 2003. Could you send me a web link or a
 > email copy of the Course to share with our Permaculture Community
 > thanks wes roe Santa Barbara Permaculture Network
 >