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Explore 8 Weeks of RDNA

Here is a video journal of the first eight weeks of the Regenerative Design and Nature Awareness (RDNA) program. You can read the entries chronologically or pick and choose by what topics interest you. Enjoy!

The Regenerative Design and Nature Awareness (RDNA) program is an advanced 9-month program that extends hands-on, skill-based training to help you develop the leadership skills you need to bring sustainability and regenerative practices into your personal and professional lives. Through RDNA, you can learn to design powerful communities, regenerate ecosystems and facilitate positive community change.

More information about RDNA

Weeks 1 and 2: Howling, Lineage and Weaving Villages

During the first two weeks of the 2010 RDNA program, Byron Palmer - Commonweal Garden work trader, RDNA participant, and videographer - and his fellow RDNA participants howl like wolves and get to know the land and each other as they begin building a community.

Weeks 3 and 4: Fire, Site Analysis, Elk and Dirt

In weeks 3 and 4, the RDNA team tracks an elk herd, sets things on fire while practicing primitive fire-building skills, plant vegetable gardens, and improve their site analysis abilities by asking questions like "What plants are here?" and "Where does the water move?

Weeks 5 and 6: Wild Food, Ancestors and Garlic

Weeks 5 and 6 are packed. The RDNAers learn how to plant garlic, make delicious wild food bars with guest instructor Matt Berry, and mitigate erosion on landscapes by slowing, stopping and sinking the water that moves through them. They also share their ancestors' favorite meals and tell stories of their family histories.

Weeks 7 and 8: Tidepool Treasures, Seasonal Gardening, and Working with Water

In Weeks 7 and 8, the RDNAers go tidepooling and harvest a seafood dinner, do a permaculture site analysis, retrofit a habitat pond and install a rainwater catchment system. They also learn that there is more to tracking than following animals.

Weeks 7 and 8

Weeks 7 and 8: Tidepool Treasure Hunt, Seasonal Gardening, and the Incredible Water Storage Tank Challenge

In week 7 the RDNAers start by going out to the beach to learn that there is more to tracking then following animals. Then they go tide pooling and harvest some seafood dinner. They next day they find themselves doing a permaculture site analysis, learning about seasonal gardening and planting garlic! 

In Week 8 the group finds itself working with water. Not only does the group get to retrofit a habitat pond, they also get to install a rainwater catchment system to supply it! So much to learn....so little time. 

 

 

See the other RDNA Video Journal entries.

Weeks 5 and 6

Weeks 5 and 6: Wild Foods, Ancestors and GARLIC

In week 5 The RDNAers learn about wild foods and how to make delicious wild food bars with guest instructor Matt Berry. The team also studies erosion on landscapes and learns how to slow, stop and sink water in order to mitigate the erosion.

Week 6: the group is sent home to research their family histories and prepare a meal that was one of their ancestors' favorites. They they spend all night feeding everyone their family's favorite dish and telling stories of about their family history. The next day, the team circles up to learn everything you could ever want to know about planting garlic!

 

Weeks 3 and 4

Weeks 3 and 4: Fire, Site Analysis, Elk and Dirt

In week 3, the RDNA team works on primitive fire building skills, finding out that it's easier when you learn together!

Following setting things on fire, they hone their skills to assess what is going on with the land, what plants are here, where does the water move, and who is that strange man standing in the corner?

In week 4, the RDNAers track a herd of elk in west Marin, and get their hands in the dirt planting vegetables to take home in grow in their window sills.

 

 

 

Weeks 1 and 2

Weeks 1 and 2: The Beginning of A Story

Byron Palmer - Commonweal Garden work trader, RDNA participant, and videographer - documents the RDNA experience through his eyes. Keep up with Byron and his "Village" with new blogs each week or month.

During weeks 1 and 2, Byron and the RDNAers get to know the land and each other as they begin building a village community.