Help Build a Straw Bale "Troll House" at The Ithaca Children's Garden
Cornell Cooperative Extension of Tompkins County and the Ithaca Children's Garden invite you to help build a playhouse of local, natural materials this June. The Troll House will feature a local stone foundation, straw bale and timber walls, natural plasters, and a living roof. Its whimsical style and kid-sized scale will provide a unique play space for children and visitors to the garden. Plus, it will offer the public an easily accessible demonstration of building that uses natural, local, non-toxic materials and promotes the health of people and the planet. Two hands-on natural building workshops will be offered in conjunction with its construction. How can you get involved? * Participate in one or both natural building workshops on Straw Bale Construction and Living Roofs (details below) * Volunteer at a work party (details below) * Make a tax-deductible donation to the Ithaca Children's Garden, c/o 615 Willow Ave., Ithaca, NY, 14850 to offset building costs NATURAL BUILDING WORKSHOPS Straw Bale Construction Sat., June 7, 10 am to 5 pm and Sun., June 8, 1 to 5 pm Ithaca Children's Garden (Cass Park on Rte. 89) This two-day, intensive workshop will include discussions, demonstrations, and hands-on learning under the guidance of experienced natural builders Aaron Dennis and ej George of Tugley Wood Timberframing. Learn straw bale construction basics, foundation systems, wall building, roof attachment, and natural plastering techniques. The workshop fee is $150/adult, which supports instruction and project costs. Space is limited. This workshop is suitable for adults and older youth (no fee) with an accompanying adult. Dress for the weather. Wear sturdy shoes and bring work gloves. Tools to bring if you have them, but not required: tool belt, hammer, tape measure, utility knife, and pencil. Food and beverages provided. For information or to register, call 272-2292. Advance payment required! Living Roof Workshop Sat., June 21, 1 to 5 pm Ithaca Children's Garden (Cass Park on Rte. 89) Living or green roofs offer benefits like capturing rainwater runoff, regulating building temperature, and providing wildlife habitat. Participate in the installation of a living roof. Learn about membrane materials, growing media, plant selection, and installation procedures. Instructors: Lexie Hain and Marguerite Wells of Motherplants green roof nursery. Workshop fee $25/adult. Advance payment required. Space is limited. For more information or to register, call 272-2292. VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES Natural Plaster Work Party Mon., June 16, 10 am to 1 pm A hands-on chance to work with lime-clay plasters including sculptural elements. (Due to the mildly caustic nature of lime, this is not suitable for children.) Finishing Work Party Mon., July 7, 10 am to 1 pm Help plaster on a final layer of lime render and play with pigments to decorate the Troll House. For more information, please call 272-2292 or email <mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]>[EMAIL PROTECTED] _______________________________________________ For more information about sustainability in the Tompkins County area, please visit: http://www.sustainabletompkins.org/ RSS, archives, subscription & listserv information for: [email protected] http://lists.mutualaid.org/mailman/listinfo/sustainabletompkins free hosting by http://www.mutualaid.org
