Rehydrating the Landscape: Water Harvesting Earthworks With Lindsay Dailey and Warren Brush
November 18-21, 2010 at Quail Springs Permaculture Farm, near Cuyama, California Water is the foundation of any productive system; without reliable water sources, sustainable human settlement is not possible. As we increasingly experience the challenge of drought, drained aquifers, and irregular rainfall, resilient water systems are becoming a crucial component of both rural and urban landscapes. Soil is the most effective place to store water, and humans have manipulated earth, creating earthworks, for thousands of years to infiltrate water in to the landscape. In this cutting edge course, students will learn to harvest water in earthworks that slow, spread, and sink water to prevent and repair soil erosion, build topsoil, recharge ground water, and store water for use during the dry season. The class will blend theory with hands-on practical application, and students will learn landscape hydration strategies appropriate for both urban and rural applications. During this exciting 4-day workshop, we will design and install various forms of earthworks and associated plantings. Topics include: - earthworks design and surveying methods, including the use of Google Earth, contour maps, and leveling equipment - directing earthworks machinery - building and planting swales - designing and building gabions and bio engineering the remediation of degraded stream beds - appropriate planting on newly created earthworks - infiltrating graywater from showers and laundry in to the soil, using the California Greywater Code We will also discuss keyline design, pond-building, and topsoil building methods that increase the infiltration of water and nutrient. Location and Context The course will take place at Quail Springs Permaculture Farm in the high desert of Southern California in the Cuyama valley, which receives from 6-10" of rain annually, and is a unique venue to learn about water. You will experience how the residents of Quail Springs are creatively addressing their water challenges, and have successfully increased their spring flows as a part of their design for a sustainable human settlement that is actively returning water to the landscape while still growing food and raising animals. Who is this course for? This course is appropriate for farmers, land managers, permaculture designers, policy makers, activists, and anyone interested in learning to become a practical part of the solution around water. About the Instructors Lindsay Dailey is a permaculture designer and educator from San Francisco, California, part of a new generation of permaculture teachers working on the edge of what permaculture can do to restore landscapes and create abundance. Lindsay has worked passionately in the realm of sustainability education since 2001. She is a founding member of Villa Sobrante, an urban permaculture and natural building demonstration site and community in the East Bay. She also founded Earth Repair, a regenerative design and education firm inspiring people to build topsoil and rehydrate the land while growing useful and edible plants. She has trained extensively with some of the most inspiring and effective permaculture teachers in the world: Geoff Lawton, David Holmgren, Darren Dougherty, Brock Dolman, and Penny Livingston-Stark. Lindsay works extensively in a range of bioregions, farms, watersheds and city environments, and has studied and designed diverse water harvesting techniques in the U.S., Mexico and Australia. http://www.villasobrante.blogspot.com/ Warren Brush is internationally recognized as a Permaculture designer, teacher and lecturer. For over 20 years he has worked extensively to foster people's discovery, expression and integration of their inherent gifts into the land and communities that sustain them. He is cofounder of Quail Springs Learning Oasis and Permaculture Farm and Wilderness Youth Project, and the founder of True Nature Design, a Permaculture consultation firm that works extensively in North America, Africa and other countries worldwide. Warren's experience includes nurturing youth and adults in learning place based awareness and initiatory processes, and has worked extensively with many constituencies of youth and adults, including former child soldiers in West Africa. To find out more about his work please visit: www.permaculturedesign.us, www.quailsprings.org, www.sustainablevocations.org www.mentoring4peace.com Recommended Prior Training/Experience: A Permaculture Design Certification (PDC) course is highly recommended prior to taking this course. However, other substantial experience or training that would prepare one to engage with the course material is acceptable in place of a PDC. Cost (includes instruction, meals, and camping nearby): $375 early bird by October 8, 2010. $475 thereafter. Early registration is advised. Work trade: Inquire early about partial work trade spots. Referral offer: Receive $30 off the course fee when a participant registers who was referred by you! Couples: $50 off the 2nd participant's fee. Families: Please inquire about family rates. Quail Springs' PDC Graduates: Receive $50 off the course fee. _______________________________________________ Sdpg mailing list [email protected] https://www.arashi.com/mailman/listinfo.cgi/sdpg
