[Scpg] 2 0 0 3 SUSTAINABLE LIVING COURSES in Hopland Ca and Pomona
Wesley Roe and Marjorie Lakin Erickson
lakinroe at silcom.com
Wed Jul 16 06:17:19 PDT 2003
http://www.solarliving.org
2 0 0 3 SUSTAINABLE LIVING
COURSE DESCRIPTIONS in Hopland Ca and Pomona at Real Goods Solar
Living Center
Sustainable Living 5-Day Intensive at Real Goods
Hopland CA
Day 1 Passive Solar and Ecological Design
David Arkin, Project Architect for the Real Goods
Solar Living Center, shares the basic tools
to help you design your own sustainable dwelling.
Course emphasis is on passive solar
design features and includes discussion of site
analysis, energy efficient design,
cost-effective alternative construction methods,
recycled and non-toxic materials, and an
overview of renewable energy options. David leads
the class on an in-depth tour of the Real
Goods Solar Living Center, incorporating it into
the class as an exciting learning model for
innovative ecological design.
Day 2 Introduction to Permaculture
In this exciting class, we explore the fundamental
principles and ethics of permaculture
design in order to broaden our concept of how human
settlements can synergistically fit into
the natural world. Take part in a pragmatic
exploration of how to integrate food, water,
landscape, and shelter in ways that are energy
efficient and that enhance the surrounding
environment to create a regenerative system. Taught
by Penny Livingston or Brock Dolman.
Day 3 Sustainable Wastewater Design
Bill Wilson of Environmental Planning and Design
and friends present a comprehensive look
at on-site, decentralized methods for treating and
recycling greywater and sewage at the
individual home or community. Sophisticated
technical as well as low-tech and natural living
systems design, composting toilets, political
considerations, permitting, and integrated
planning with storm water and potable water systems
will be covered, along with a tour of
greywater, pond and reed treatment systems at the
Solar Living Center and other nearby
wastewater and sewage treatment sites.
Day 4 & 5 Introduction to Photovoltaics
This two-day workshop covers the basics of
electricity, load analysis, system sizing, and the
components of various systems. Hands-on session
includes wiring of a photovoltaic system
and an extensive tour of the solar and wind energy
systems at the Real Goods Solar Living
Center. Day two provides a detailed look at
component options and system design, including
the integration of wind and hydro sources,
generators, and utility intertie systems. Students
will have the opportunity to design their own
site-specific system. Taught by a pool of
instructors who have worked for decades as solar
consultants, contractors and installers.
October 13-17, $575 (Register Now!)
Sustainable Living 9-Day Intensive The Center for
Regenerative Studies at Cal State Pomona
Day 1 -- Alternative Building Materials & Methods
Kenneth Haggard, architect and principal of San
Luis Sustainability Group, shares the basic
tools to help you design your own sustainable
dwelling. Course emphasis is on passive solar
design features and includes discussion of site
analysis, energy efficient design,
cost-effective alternative construction methods,
recycled and non-toxic materials, and an
overview of renewable energy options.
Day 2 -- Straw Bale
In this popular class, Kenneth Haggard will guide
us through design considerations for straw
bale. We will explore foundation systems, framing
for windows and doors, and roof-bearing
assemblies. Building codes will be discussed and
basic construction methods demonstrated
through hands-on construction of a bench. Learn the
latest innovations in this constantly
evolving building technique!
Day 3 & 4 -- Permaculture & Aquaculture
You will study the five elements of community
design (food, waste, water, energy, and
shelter) and learn about regenerative design,
ethics, and review case studies. We will utilize
The Center for Regenerative Studies' gardens and
buildings to demonstrate experiments in
process, and culminate with a hands-on experience
that will include planting a demonstration
project permaculture garden. You will explore how
to integrate food, water, landscape, and
shelter to move beyond enhancement of the
surrounding environment and to create a truly
regenerative system.
Day 5 -- Wastewater/Greywater Systems
A comprehensive survey of on-site, decentralized
methods for treating and recycling
greywater and sewage for individual homes and the
community will be presented. You will
learn about technical/low-tech natural living
systems design, composting toilets, political
considerations, permitting, and integrated planning
with storm water and potable water
systems. We will tour the wastewater/greywater
systems at The Center for Regenerative
Studies. Taught by Bill Wilson and Dr. Bill Roley.
Day 6 -- Biodiesel
Biodiesel is simple to use, biodegradable,
non-toxic and essentially free of sulfur and
aromatics. It can be used in existing diesel
engines with no noticeable loss in performance.
It is proven to reduce unhealthy emissions
associated with petroleum. This renewable fuel
offers an immediate opportunity to improve air
quality and reduce our dependence on foreign
oil. In this hands-on class, you will learn the
process of making fuel from restaurant "waste"
oil and discover how to build your own small-scale
biodiesel processor.
Day 7 -- Hydrogen Energy - the Emerging Fuel Source
Hydrogen, a renewable and sustainable source of
energy, could be usable in any fossil fuel
application. It can be produced from water using
solar or wind energy without detrimental
environmental effects. It can be produced from
biomass or biological processes. This class
will examine properties and uses of hydrogen,
hydrogen production, storage, fuel cells,
safety issues, and more. Taught by Mark von Wodtke,
President, Energy Harvester, Inc., the
sessions will draw upon the expertise of Dr. B.
Samuel Tanenbaum, Professor of
Engineering, Harvey Mudd College; Jerald A. Cole,
Partner, Hydrogen Ventures, LLC; and
Dr. Bob Zweig, Founder of Clean Air Now.
Day 8 & 9 -- Solar Electric 101: Introduction to
Photovoltaics
This two-day workshop covers the basics of
electricity, load analysis, system sizing, and the
components of various systems. Hands-on session
includes wiring of a photovoltaic system
and an extensive tour of the solar and wind energy
systems at The Center for Regenerative
Studies. Day Two provides a detailed look at
component options and system design,
including the integration of wind and
hydroelectric sources, generators, and utility intertie
systems. Students will have the opportunity to
mock-up their own site-specific system.
Taught by a pool of qualified instructors who have
worked in renewable energy for decades as
solar consultants, contractors, and installers.
August 2-10, $1,095 or $135 per day if taken
individually (Register Now!)
Rural Water Development at Real Goods Hopland
A one-day hands-on class that will cover a broad
spectrum of water system development
issues for residential property. Topics will
include development of surface water sources such
as springs, and pond building, or development of
underground sources by well drilling. We’ll
cover various ways to store, purify, and deliver
your water, and will explain the good and bad
points of all common pump types. High-efficiency
solar-powered pumps will be covered in
detail, and the class will include hands-on
assembly of both surface and submersible
solar-powered pump systems. Cost effective solar
water heating will also be covered. Taught
by Doug Pratt.
August 30, $125 (Register Now! )
Rural Land Development -- Living Your Dream
To Be Announced
Taught by Doug Pratt.
September 13, $125 (Register Now!)
Fruit Horticulture
Learn to grow high-quality fresh fruit. Bill will
teach techniques to improve the output of your
harvest. We will conduct site analysis; discuss
soil improvement; how to choose the best
fruits for each site-specific microclimates;
discuss growing common and unusual species;
proper planting techniques; organic pest and
disease control; and pruning. The hands-on
portion of the class will include pruning, and
diagnosis of tree, shrub, and vine health. Taught
by Bill Palmer-Taylor, founder of Urban Orchards of
Boston.
August 10, $90 (Register Now!)
Sustainable Gardening Workshop 5-Day Intensive
Day 1 Soil Management, Advanced Composting, and
Cover Crops
This intensive hands-on course is designed for
people wanting to expand their knowledge
about nutrient specific composting, soil
management, and the inter-relationship of each to
enhance soil biology. Learn how to identify soil
problems, to collect samples and understand
soil tests, as well as how to select and use
compost and other soil amendments to improve
the health of your soil. Determine the compost
characteristics that are best for your soil
situation and how to use cover crops to improve
your soil. Taught by master composter,
Linda Cushman.
Day 2 Edible Landscaping
This class delves beyond growing vegetables and
fruits to planting aesthetically pleasing
combinations of plants, all of which are edible or
medicinal. Bill will share information on
many little known and native edibles (flowers,
fruits, leaves, stems, and roots); how to select
the correct plants for your place; how to create
micro-climates using slopes, buildings, and
shade patterns; and how to care for plants once
planted. A survey of low-maintenance
landscapes will be used to illustrate the concepts.
In the hands-on section, we will create a
landscape at the Solar Living Center by arranging
plants mindfully while identifying ideal
growing conditions. Taught by Bill Palmer-Taylor,
Founder of Urban Orchards of Boston.
Day 3 Fruit Horticulture
Learn to grow high-quality fresh fruit. Bill will
teach techniques to improve the output of your
harvest. We will conduct site analysis; discuss
soil improvement; how to choose the best
fruits for each site-specific microclimates;
discuss growing common and unusual species;
proper planting techniques; organic pest and
disease control; and pruning. Bring your
questions and particular interest. The hands-on
portion of the class will include pruning, and
diagnosis of tree, shrub, and vine health. Taught
by Bill Palmer-Taylor, founder of Urban
Orchards.
Day 4 Biointensive Food Production & Winter Crops
Create true security at home by learning to grow
your own fruits, vegetables, and grains in
the most efficient manner possible. Biointensive
gardening provides you with large yields of
food while using just a fraction of the area,
resources, and energy of conventional methods.
This method is comprised of four individual,
mutually enhancing techniques that work in
unison-double digging, intensive planting,
composting, and companion planting. It is a whole
system in which all aspects work in harmony to
ensure peak production. Join our certified
"Grow Biointensive" teacher, Machei Matysiak, as he
leads hands-on demonstrations and
discusses the four principles.
Day 5 Harvest: Seed Saving
Prepare your garden year-round. Take care of the
soil by incorporating cover crops and sheet
mulch into your fall beds. Get going on seed saving
by learning gathering, sifting, sorting,
and storage techniques. Seed saving enables you to
develop seed suited to your area, to
help protect heirloom varieties, and allows you to
save and share your seed from year to
year. Move beyond gardening basics into full circle
gardening! Taught Sarah McCamant.
September 8-12, $475 or $125 per day (Register Now! )
Space is limited and many of the most popular
sessions fill up quickly.
Register for a workshop online, by phone
(1-707-744-2017) or write:
Solar Living Institute
PO Box 836
Hopland, CA 95449.
or email sli at solarliving.org
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