An action-learning immersion in water security, integrated systems & increased resilience at one of the country’s premiere urban permaculture demonstration sites.
PHOTOS: Appropedia and Ashevillage Institute
DATES |
LOCATION |
| July 8 – 14, 2012 | Ashevillage Institute |
| 9am – 5:30pm with some evening presentations | Asheville, NC |
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OVERVIEW
Water is vital for all known forms of life. Although 71% of the Earth’s surface is covered in water, only 2.5% is fresh water, and estimates are that by 2025, more than half the world’s population will be vulnerable to a lack of water. Appropriate water supply and water purification technologies need to be put into action for the sake of humanity and our planet. This one-week, hands-on training brings together water experts with water security enthusiasts to implement a project that provides practical knowledge for integrated water management. This is an experiential exploration of solutions that have the potential to solve some of the world’s most pressing challenges, and that can radically advance human well being and the health of our planet’s ecosystems.
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| “884 million people lack access to safe water supplies; approximately one in eight people. That’s nearly 3 times the U.S. population.” UNICEF/WHO, 2008 |
LEARN
Through hands-on projects, classes, demonstrations and presentations, participants will gain:
Experience installing a system that addresses water security, rainwater management, runoff erosion reduction; integrating systems into a whole cycle that bolster food production, income, and natural habitat;
Firsthand knowledge of water conservation systems, bio- and myco- remediation for water, backyard aquaponics, and integrated food production;
Ability to design systems for rainwater harvesting, remediation, natural filtration and greywater treatment;
Understanding of how to scale systems from household to small community size for increased water security, independence and resilience;
Deepened insight into water science, structure, quality and testing
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HANDS-ON PROJECTS
Our project will be the installation of a canal system that catches 6,000 gallons of rainwater; is naturally filtered using plants and aggregate; produces edible mushrooms, plants and fish that assist in water purification through aquaponics. Participants will engage in hands-on activities, including:
Earthworks and canal refinement
- Convert drainage canal to storm water catchment system
- Install a pond liner
Earthen micro-dam construction
- Create a natural composite system
- Install valves for water diversion
Natural filtration systems installation
- Plug mushroom logs
- Propagate and stock canal with aquatic filtration plants & fish
- Install gravel & sand filtration system
Natural bridge construction
- Harvest, peel & build with sustainable local wood
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| “The mystery of language was revealed. I knew then that ‘W-A-T-E-R’ meant the wonderful cool something that was flowing over my hand. That living word awakened my soul, gave it light, joy, set it free.” – Helen Keller |
MAIN INSTRUCTORS
Lonny Grafman is Founder and President of the Appropedia Foundation, sharing knowledge to build rich, sustainable lives. Lonny has taught courses at universities in three countries and facilitated interactive workshops in many locations. He has worked, and led teams, on hundreds of domestic and international projects across a broad spectrum of sustainability – from solar power to earthen construction, from micro-hydro power to rainwater catchment. Lonny is also an Instructor of Environmental Resources Engineering and Appropriate Technology at Humboldt State University; the co-founder of a summer abroad, full immersion, Spanish language and appropriate technology program in Mexico and Dominican Republic; the Advisor for the Waterpod and the Campus Center for Appropriate Technology; and the Executive Editor of the International Journal for Service Learning in Engineering. Throughout all of these technology implementations, he has found the most vital component to be community.
Ash Aymond is the Site Manager and an Instructor at the Ashevillage Institute, a premiere one-acre Permaculture demonstration center in North America. Ash’s background in engineering brought forward his love for natural systems design, building and teaching. As a mentor and guide to students and sustainable living enthusiasts, Ash has a particular knack for helping complex ideas make sense. He walks his talk by exploring as many aspects of sustainable living as he can get his hands on. Ash cherishes implementing these practical skills in order to build realistic solutions that support community life and show people how to integrate the natural world into their daily lives. Ash has worked and lived at communities that practice and promote ecological living, from Oregon to Asheville, North Carolina, where he currently calls home.
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GUEST TEACHERS
CJ McGrath was captivated by the beauty that surrounded her upon first walking into the woods; followed by great desire to gain more insight into nature. Following this desire, CJ McGrath now has more than 10 years of interdisciplinary experience, with degrees in English and History, Aquaponic certification and a Ph.D. in Horticulture. Having an interdisciplinary background gives her a broad perspective of the world from historic, literary and scientific viewpoints; reinforcing her desire to live sustainably. Following this path, CJ has become particularly passionate about consumer education: Raising awareness in society about how sustainable, organic food production methods benefit the environment, the human body, as well as the wallet. As she brings her experience full circle, CJ is excited to join the AVI team.
Hayley Joyell Smith joins this training as a teacher of the ways of WATER. After earning degrees in Philosophy and Geology from Hanover College, Hayley moved to North Carolina to develop a water education program for local schools. She infuses her passion for exploration and environmental education into leadership and community development, as well as ecological awareness raising.
Janell Kapoor is the Founder and Director of Kleiwerks International. She is an avid mud mama and international movement-builder, designer, and teacher of indigenous building. Janell’s work has inspired hundreds of thousands of people from over 45 countries to build their own homes with what they have where they are. She led the first earthen building trainings in Thailand, Argentina and Turkey, resulting in the establishment of natural building and permaculture demonstration centers, ongoing programs, businesses, regional policy, and ways of life that have the potential to reduce our global energy footprint by more than 90%. Janell founded the Ashevillage Institute. She is dedicated to the champion within each of us, and to the possibility that we may learn to live in balance with ourselves, each other, and this most beautiful planet we are blessed to inhabit.
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| “The water and sanitation crisis claims more lives than any war claims through guns.” U.N. |
ASHEVILLAGE INSTITUTE
The Ashevillage Institute (AVI) is a nonprofit dedicated to sustainable solutions in action. AVI is a one-acre urban permaculture demonstration site with integrated ecological systems that address humanity’s most pressing needs. We grow food and medicinal plants, capture and use rainwater, work with volunteers and interns, offer tours and educational programs. Our goal is to inspire others to do the same on a home and neighborhood scale. The residential site sits between downtown Asheville, NC and 60 acres of wooded parkland and trails. Highlights include:
• 18,000 gallon living rainwater catchment system with bio-myco remediation
• Two naturally renovated houses, one for guests and one for residents
• Aquaponic greenhouse with integrated chicken coop and shower
• Five recirculating aquaponic ponds, bogs, and catchment swales
• Beautiful and organic edible, medicinal, and flowered landscape
• Earthworks that maximize rainwater retention and utilization
• Bees, chickens, soldier fly larvae & mushroom production
• Outdoor kitchen with wood-fired cook stove & oven
• Natural buildings, renovations & mud art
• Woods with camping and meeting space
• Recycled urbanite patio
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FEE
Full package: Includes tuition, materials, beautiful shared accommodations at the Eco-Sweet Retreat (on-site guest house), three organic meals per day. $1,100 total
Local tuition: Includes tuition and materials. Does not include food and lodging. $750
Payment plans: Can be as low as $133 per month over a six month period. Contact us for details.
Deposit: A non-refundable deposit of $300 confirms your reservation. Final tuition payment is due by June 15th, 2012, unless payment plan arrangements have been arranged.
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| “Thousands have lived without love, not one without water.” W.H. Aude |
REGISTRATION
Registration is rolling until the workshop is full. To register, please complete the following:
1) Fill out the survey below and send to info@atabroad.com
2) We will contact you within five business days to confirm availability
3) After you receive confirmation, a NON-REFUNDABLE registration deposit of $300 will confirm your reservation. Please send your deposit to: ‘Kleiwerks International’, 80 Buchanan Avenue, Asheville, NC 28801. Memo: AVI-Water Workshop
4) The remainder of your tuition is due on or before June 15th, unless you have arranged a payment plan.
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SURVEY
The intention of this survey is for our instructor team to get a sense of your skills and backgrounds. Please keep your survey to under one page. Bullet points are fine, this does not need to be an essay. Copy and paste the following questions into an email and send with your responses to info@atabroad.com.
1. Name, phone, email, address.
2. What do you hope to gain from participating in this workshop?
3. How do you intend to use what you learn in this workshop in your life?
4. Have you completed a PDC? If so, when, where and with whom? This is not mandatory.
5. Have you participated in other trainings, or have related experience to subjects in this workshop?
6. Please let us know if you are local or from out of town.
7. Is there anything else you would like us to know?
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CONTACT
Kiva Mahoney
info@atabroad.com
www.ashevillage.org
