Events

May 10 to June 7

Unplug and reconnect during Ampersand’s internship program.
This month is designed to offer time to explore, reflect, and connect with the natural environment. You will also receive plenty of guided instruction in natural building and sustainable living.
Interns are expected to contribute 20 to 25 hours a week towards the building of this summer’s project, the community bathroom. The sustainable bathroom includes earth building, a composting toilet, passive solar design, rainwater use, and a greywater system. There will be mentorship and guidance and also some solo work time.

We are looking for a couple (any gender combination) to share the small non-electric strawbale guesthouse as their residence. The outdoor kitchen will serve as the location for cooking and sharing meals. The hands-on building work will be traded for the instruction and shared residence. Interns will cover their own food expenses and get a 20% discount on Ampersand classes offered during the internship.

To apply for this internship, please send us a letter of introduction
including any experience with living in community, sustainable
living, and natural building, the reason for your interest in the
internship, and any of your background, experiences and dreams you
wish to share.

We would be happy to answer questions about the internship, preferably by phone. 505 780-0535

Rhoyal Roads University, Victoria, BC

Instructor Interdisciplinary Team of local Green/Natural Builders, LEED Project Developers, Alternative Energy and Systems designers, Futurists…and you!

http://ourecovillage.org/our-activities/education-2/royal-roads-university/

Tuition $63 CAD

Whether building community, building buildings, or building any kind of sustainable relationship …this is a participatory discussion for folks who wish to contribute to the development of a “Sustainability Mecca” in this local bio-region. Southern BC is becoming widely known as the Green Building capital and the south islands in particular have incredible innovation examples. With unique multi-featured green rezoning projects, conservation communities, sustainable food projects, LEED awarded buildings and neighbourhoods, and a wide example of ecological and green design….the community will come together to describe a number of examples and then to discuss how we might showcase this work in a more collective way. Possibilities include bringing together an international tour and developing a “Building As If People Mattered Conference” …..we each can be part of the process. The day includes a panel discussion with a wide variety of professionals who work on premier showcase projects locally.

Please bring your project work, literature, info booth, and consulting contact for sharing at this event.

HomeGrown HideAways: Berea, Ky.

Instructor Jessa Turner

www.HomeGrownHideAways.org

Tuition: $335

This workshop will be an experimental cabin using Cob as infill on angled, geodesic wall sections. Participants will learn to identify appropriate materials and proportionalities for creating strong and beautiful earthen structures. We will also cover fenestrations and the use of bottles and other colored glass to create the effect of stained-glass.

Aprovecho Research Center

Instructor Erica Ann Bush

http://www.aprovecho.net

Tuition: $300

Come learn about natural building and earthen wall finishes in this 3-day hands-on workshop. We will turn the earth beneath our feet into healthy, beautiful, loveable surfaces. The course will cover harvesting local materials, processing raw materials for various types of plasters, and applying a three-part system including scratch coat, finish coat and pigmented clay paints or aliz. Time permitting, we will also cover basic artistic finishing techniques including burnishing, texture/relief and carving. Please bring good work clothes and boots and rain gear and prepare for all to get muddy. Let’s get plastered!

HomeGrown HideAways: Berea, KY.

Instructor Jeff Bousquet

www.HomeGrownHideAways.org

Tuition: $225

This workshop is a simple garden wall that demonstrates EarthBag basics including sourcing of materials, design specifications, and filling, stacking, tamping, and mortaring of filled bags. We will also be incorporating fenestrations, arches, and decorative glass.

HomeGrown HideAways: Berea, KY.

Instructor Jessa Turner

www.HomeGrownHideAways.org

Tuition: $225

In this course, participants will learn how to create and apply beautiful hand-finished clay plasters on a variety of wall surfaces. We will cover appropriate materials and ratios, mixing, pigmentation, and application, Students will be given the opportunity to add sculptural details to finished walls. This is a continuation of Natural Plasters I.

HomeGrown HideAways: Berea, KY.

Instructor Josh Bills

www.HomeGrownHideAways.org

Tuition: $225 + Textbook

In conjunction with Appalachia-Science in the Public Interest, the Ky Solar Partnership, and the Mountain Association for Community Economic Development, HomeGrown HideAways is pleased to offer a hands-on Solar Water Heater Installation workshop. This workshop will be presented in accordance with NABCEP standards and follow the NABCEP Solar Thermal Task Analysis. Pre-Requisite and Textbook Purchase Required. More Details Coming Soon!

HomeGrown HideAways: Berea, KY.

Instructor Nathan & Jessa Turner

www.HomeGrownHideAways.org

Tuition: Free

HomeGrown HideAways will be part of the Berea Solar Tour, sponored by Appalachia – Science in the Public Interest, the Ky Solar Partnership, and Sustainable Berea. Come see the results of the summer workshop series and speak with educated professionals about all things sustainable. Learn what you can do to make a difference in your household!