Garden fertility out of thin air!
Regenerative Design & Nature Awareness (RDNA)
Sep 9 2008 - 9:00am
Sep 9 2008 - 5:00pm
July 12: RDNA 2008-09 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.
The foundation of this program is rooted in a new and unique form of education that facilitates the learning community to experience the fullness of creativity, curiosity and genius. Participants will develop an intrinsic power and passion for designing through the integration of personal experience, practical skills and theory, supporting them in the development of a lifestyle that regenerates the earth while providing for their needs.
“RDNA offered me the opportunity to deepen my relationship with the natural world & myself. Using sustainable living practices &native technologies I began to sense a way of being in the world that previous to RDNA I did not know existed.”
-Bethany, RDNA 2005-06
"Sometimes i flip through my notebook from class and i am just blown away all over again by all the wisdom and deep teachings we were exposed to in that program. Definitely the best thing i've done in my life up to this point."
-Lydia, RDNA 2005-06
-Lydia, RDNA 2005-06
Read more testimonials of RDNA Program graduates
Core Routines of the Regenerative Design and Nature Awareness Learning Community
These are the some of the primary practices and core routines that help RDNA participants create a lively, rich and fun learning village.
| • observation | • mapping • bird language • deep listening to the land • art of mentoring • art of questioning • applied cultural technology | • ceremony • creative arts & improvisation • design • practical skill building • permaculture principles • AND MANY MORE!!! |
Regenerative Design:
Hands-on projects are a core routine of the Regenerative Design and Nature Awareness program. Throughout the year students will learn about and implement the following Regenerative Design practices:
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Some RDNA class projects include:
Planting a food forest and annual garden, designing and installing a grey water system, design and building a small cob structure, application of earthen plaster and finishes, bio engineering and erosion control, water harvesting, making medicine (salves, tinctures), nutritional cooking from the garden, wild crafting, bee keeping and animal systems.
Wilderness Awareness and Cultural Mentoring:
Throughout the your year with RDNA you will participate in lecture and hands-on learning of Nature Awareness and Cultural Mentoring. Some of the skills and techniques you’ll be immersed in are:
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The RDNA program will also provide the opportunity to learn the key Wilderness Survival and Primitive Skills-- shelter, fire, water, and food.
Course Duration
Over the course of 9 months, students meet for instruction one evening and two full days each week (Tuesday evening through Thursday afternoon) for a total of 30 weeks. Additional days each week are dedicated to research, extracurricular study and project implementation.
Proposed RDNA 2008-09 Schedule
Program begins: September 9, 2008
Art of Mentoring : September 14-20 (attendence required)
Thanksgiving break: November 18th – 20th
Winter Break: December 16th – January 12th
Spring break March 10th – 26th
Program ends: May 28, 2009
Location
The Regenerative Design Program is based at the beautiful Commonweal Garden in Bolinas, CA and at Fox Circle Farm/Riekes Field Station in San Gregorio, California. Given the range of topics covered, some sessions and classes will take place in other locations to best support the student’s learning experience. Some student housing is available on site and nearby (see below).
"I feel so blessed that I chose to do this program rather than go back to a traditional school for graduate studies. I definitely feel like I had my successes and grew a lot in my power as a community member and in my knowledge of the natural world and regenerative design concepts... I feel like I have the ability and skill level to invent and create work for myself, whatever it is I am inspired to do... I have certainly benefited from the connections to potential career opportunities RDNA provides."
- Molly, RDNA Graduate 2006-07
| Enrollment for 2008-2009 RDNA Program: -1st Year and 2nd Year applications are due August 15 Tuition - 1st Year Tuition - 2nd Year (Continuing RDNA students) |
Selected Classes will also be facilitated by Learn more about each member of the teaching team by clicking on their name above |
Application & Deadlines
First Year Students:
To apply, download an application form and return it to us with a $45 application fee. You will be notified within 1-2 weeks of your application results. As you plan your application submission, keep in mind early registration discounts outlined above. Deadline for applications is August 15, 2007.
Returning Students:
Second Year students download your application here .
Ring 4 Apprenticeship download your application here .
Tuition Payments
Tuition payments can be made here via credit card or by downloading this liability waiver and mailing it along with a check payment to:
Regenerative Design Institute
PO Box 923
Bolinas, Ca 94924
Course Cancellation Policy
A full refund minus a $350 non-refundable fee (for administrative fees and classes attended) will be granted through the end of the first week of the program.
Learning Benefits & Outcomes
* Small Group
RDI’s program is committed to a small group size to facilitate a personalized learning experience for each student.
* Field Trips, Offsite Workshops, Theory and Hands-On Experience
We have a global network of affiliated training centers and educational institutions that can supplement training and education in specific topics and regions. These additional opportunities help participants in our training programs acquire a more holistic education through exposure to a variety of climates and cultures.
* Academic Credit
We currently have an collaborative academic relationship with Prescott College (AZ). College students attending accredited institution can participate in our trainings and receive credit from the institution they are attending.
* Mentoring Program
Our mentoring program provides RDI students counseling to assist the student in developing their plan of study. This service will also include placement in appropriate educational and internship programs worldwide.
* Science Research
RDI students have the opportunity to conduct personal research into the profound interrelationships existing in the natural world as well as learn from the existing research programs on natural healing currently in existence at the Institute of Noetic Sciences.
* Budding Community Leaders
RDI's graduates will join a community of inspired leaders with a broad knowledge of what is possible and practical for transforming cities and villages into joyous communities that celebrate inter-dependence with one another and the natural world. By sharing a vision of what is possible and the practical knowledge of how to create it, RDI's graduates will be powerful resource for insuring that our collective future can move forward in a healthy and sustainable way.
* Competence in Whole Systems Approaches
Our organization is unique because we are focused on a sustainable "whole systems" approach to training, education, project design and implementation and diplomacy. We involve ourselves specifically with projects that invite our participation thus ensuring community support for our contribution. We have a proven track record of successfully training community leaders and developing cross-cultural projects that help heal local economies and enable them to thrive.
Graduates of our programs are capable of participating in all phases of sustainable development & diplomacy at home and abroad. Utilizing our unique approach of permaculture our graduates are prepared to professionally serve communities wishing to integrate community-based living economies with new regenerative infrastructures.
Graduates of the program will receive a certificate of completion of the RDNA Program.
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