Staff

Offered: Saturday, July 5 - Tuesday, July 8

Location: Commonweal Garden, Bolinas

Instructors: Art Ludwig , Penny Livingston-Stark and Brock Dolman

Delve into the magic and miracle of water

Water is the Element of life on Planet Water and the conservation of native ecosystems swimming, crawling, flying and walking with biodiversity is absolutely dependent upon hydrologically intact watersheds.

Join this stellar cast of instructors for a unique workshop on the miracle and magic of water. Learn how to move water on the landscape in ways that heal the earth, eliminate flooding and build soil. Come play, explore and discover how dynamic natural systems operate.

Offered: Wednesday, July 9 - Saturday, July 12

Location: Commonweal Garden

Instructors: Penny Livingston, Art Ludwig and friends

Come play in the mud!

Join us at Commonweal Garden for this hands-on workshop and gain experience with Cob Construction and Natural Finishes. We will focus on the building of a small spiral cob structure, along with, the completion of a hybid straw structure - straw bale/light straw clay/straw wattle. We will explore the art of earthen plasters and learn the details of finishing a building to accomplish elegance, form and style. Other natural building techniques will also be explored.

4 Seasons VII

4 Seasons VII

4 Seasons VII

4 Seasons VII

4 Seasons VII

4 Seasons VII

4 Seasons VII

4 Seasons VII

4 Seasons VII

4 Seasons VII - Permaculture Design Certification Course

Cancer Help Program Tour

Cancer Help Program Tour

Cancer Help Program Tour

Cancer Help Program Tour

Gaia U

Extensions: June 29 (9 AM) - July 2 (6 PM)

IESD, OLE taught concurrently

Celebrate the beauty of the world we eat!

OFFERED: Fall 2008, one Saturday per month

LOCATION: Commonweal Garden, Bolinas, California

INSTRUCTOR: Carin McKay

As we move into the 21st Century, people around the world are exploring how we can design communities and create regenerative healthy lifestyles that are in harmony with all of the Earth’s living systems.

An important part of integrating with the earth is adopting diets that not only ensure human health and vibrancy but also regenerate the earth’s capacity to provide for our children, grandchildren and future generations.

Gaia

Gaia

AOM

4 Seasons VI Last Class

Design Project Presentations and Party

4 Seasons VI

OFFERED:
Fall 2008

INSTRUCTORS: Nathan Meffert, Jon Young, and the Shikari Tracking Guild

LOCATION: TBD

 

If you’ve ever wanted to know what it would take to touch a deer, to stalk a coyote, to photograph a mountain lion, to know a hawk as an individual, this class is for you!

Join us for this amazing four month exploration of bird language, advanced awareness, the Eight Shields of tracking, and the way of the Native Scout! You will discover your place in nature, feed your adventurous spirit, know the animals and plants as friends, and come to know the wilderness as home.

OFFERED: May 2009
LOCATION: Commonweal Garden

INSTRUCTORS: Jon Young, Nicole Young, the RDNA team and Shikari Tracking Guild.

Find out how the most elusive animals in the forest detect danger and move secretly to avoid it – using the language of the birds, the alarm system of the forest. Learn to decipher what the birds are telling us about the location of other animals, and also what they have to say about our own patterns of movement and awareness.

This exciting week will open your senses to the various “shapes” of bird language - rings of movement, sound, and feeling that ripple across the landscape. Learn to move quietly while expanding the circle of your awareness through the power of bird language, a skill that has been passed down through countless generations of trackers around the world.

OFFERED: October 2007 – July 2008 on selected Saturdays

NEXT SESSION: June 14
INSTRUCTORS: Nathan Meffert, Josh Lane, Nicole Young , Jon Young and other special guests of the Shikari Tracking Guild

LOCATION: Pescadero (on second Saturday’s of every month) and Bolinas (future dates to be announced)

Explore the wildlife and natural history of the coast, landscapes through the perspective of holistic tracking and awareness. Routines of sensory awareness and observation skills that foster a deep and powerful relationship with place will be emphasized.

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UPCOMING PROGRAMS:
Spring 2008: Santa Barbara, CA
Fall 2008: Bolinas, CA

INSTRUCTORS: James Stark and Christopher Kuntzsch

"Never doubt that a small group of concerned citizens can change the world. Indeed it's the only thing that ever has." - Margaret Mead

Introduction

As we face the challenges of our changing world, many people are searching for avenues to make a difference - to play a part in transforming our families, communities, and the greater world in which we live. Each one of us has the potential to bring forth our gifts, develop the tools we need to make a difference, and live up to our own leadership potential so we can be of service.

Whether you have prior experience and training, or if have recently felt called to step onto a path of leadership for the first time, this program provides a unique opportunity to deeply explore who you are, who you wish to be, and how you will contribute to others. You will articulate your vision, get in deeper touch with your gifts and develop new tools, routines, mindsets and skills to be more effective in manifesting what you see for yourself and the world.

LOCATION: Commonweal Garden
DATE: July 3rd - 12th, 2007
INSTRUCTORS: Michael G. Smith, Janine Bjornsen , Penny Livingston-Stark, James Stark and more!

Come and join us for a 10 day Natural Building Workshop

• Gain Hands on experience
• Learn about the superefficient wood-fired Rocket Stoves
  
• See inspiring Slide Shows
• Participate in stimulating discussions
• Get involved with networking and collaborating

LOCATION: Commonweal Garden
DATES: Residential Program, September 14 - 20, 2008

In this unique program, Jon Young, founder of Wilderness Awareness School, shares the core dynamics and principles of The Art of Mentoring, and explores the unique educational approach he has developed called the Eight Shields Mentoring Model. This week-long workshop is rich in storytelling and features an on-going dialogue about the nature of awareness and the intricacies of expanding awareness in people who have grown up "disconnected" from nature.

NEXT OFFERED: May 25, from 1 - 4pm

LOCATION: Commonweal Garden in Bolinas

COST: $10 per person, kids free. Fee waived for those who are unable to pay.

Here's a great opportunity if you've been interested in visiting Commonweal Garden and learning more about Permaculture.

James Stark will educate and inspire as he takes you through our 17-acre farm nestled on the edge of Pt Reyes National Park. He will guide you through features like our on-contour production garden, cob constructions, chickens and goats, heirloom orchard, grey water systems, passive solar camp showers, production greenhouse, yurt classroom, and more.

As you tour these features, James will highlight how permaculture principals can be applied in your own life to create sustainable and regenerative home and community environments.

RDNA 2008-2009 Open House dates!

May 21 - RDNA Open House at Commonweal Garden in Bolinas

If you're interested in learning more about the Regenerative Design & Nature Awareness (RDNA) Program, come to one of our Open Houses - meet the staff, visit the program sites, and get a taste of this unique and life-changing education!

Please email your name and phone number here and let us know you will be joining us for the full day of activities. You can also register via phone at 415-868-9681. Upon registration, we will send you more details with directions and what to bring.

Regenerative Design & Nature Awareness

*Beginning in Fall '08, RDNA Students will be eligible to earn a BSc or MSc through registering concurrently with Gaia University International Read More

This advanced 9 month program is a hands-on skill based training devoted to helping students develop leadership skills necessary to further sustainable & regenerative practices in their personal and professional lives. Weaving together the teachings of permaculture design, art of mentoring, peacemaking and the power of holistic tracking, the Regenerative Design and Nature Awareness Program offers a comprehensive exploration of where we came from, where we are now and where we are going. With an emphasis on building meaningful relationships we move into understanding our role within our community as an integral part of the natural world.

Re-design your life, Re-envision the world!

OFFERED - Starts August, 2008 and continues one Saturday per month through July 2009

LOCATION - Commonweal Garden, Bolinas, California

INSTRUCTORS - Penny Livingston-Stark, Lydia Neilson, Lauren Dalberth, David Hage, Matt Berry & special guests

This course is a great opportunity to take a Permaculture Design Ceritifcation Course over a full year nature's rhythms. You will learn how to observe and use the same principles that make ecological systems self-sustaining, and apply them to integrated homes and gardens. In addition, you will learn how to apply these principles to energy systems and water supplies, healthy communities, meaningful and fulfilling work, ecological economies and global political movements for change.