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905-355-3000
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Earth Walk Training Programs
Our
programs are designed to address various interest levels ranging from
school groups to graduate students, individual, trades and professional
programs. We are constantly developing new courses for our educational
program and appreciate your input.
WORKSHOP PARTICIPATION - Simply fill our our inquiry form and let us know what workshops you would like to attend and we will add you to the waiting list for the next course and contact you when it is scheduled.. below you will find information about our Educational Philosophy - Workshop Atmosphere - Workshop Materials - Enrolment - Cancellation Policy - Lodging & Logistics -Upcoming Workshops - Proposed Workshops - Becoming an Instructor. So contact us if you have any questions Educational Philosophy Earthwalk believes that people
learn by doing. Instructors are leaders in their fields, bringing the
most up-to-date information in sustainable living skills and technologies.
Classroom and laboratory work is often enhanced by case studies, tours
and practical installations. Workshop and Course Instructors Course Instructors and seminar leaders are coming form near and far to contribute their expertise to the Earthwalk educational programs. They are selected for their knowledge and experience in their chosen field. To learn more about our team of course leaders and what they will be covering you can read the Instructor Bio's and course descriptions. Workshop Atmosphere Classes are small. We work hard and ask that you do the same. Earthwalk stresses safety and consideration. People from different cultures attend our workshops, and we expect that all participants treat people of different backgrounds and abilities with respect. We try our best to make your experience rewarding and enjoyable.
The fee for the workshop includes all course materials. You will receive a workshop notebook, and in some cases additional literature, upon your arrival. In some of the workshops we will be traveling to a remote site, and you may need to be prepared for rustic camping. Enrollment Open to all on a first-come basis. Dates are set once courses are fully subscribed. Class size is limited so please register for the courses of your choice early and we will confirm the date and location of the course with you once it is booked. . To reserve a seat, send your entire tuition. Please check the course description on the web site to make sure there is space available. Workshops are subject to cancellation due to low enrollment in which case the full tuition is refunded. Earthwalk has a limited amount of work-trade intern options available. Cancellation Policy If you cancel prior to 30 days before the workshop start date, 50% of your total tuition is non-refundable. A written cancellation is required. If you cancel within 30 days of the beginning of the workshop, your entire tuition is non-refundable.
Lodging & Logistics Earthwalk is located in Colborne
Ontario, a small town just off highway 401 between Toronto and Kingston.
(exit 497). Located centrally in Northumberland
County, Toronto is an hour and a half to our west and Kingston is an hour
to our east. Many of our workshops are held
in other parts of the country. Local logistics and lodging for each workshop
venue is available on our web site (click on the location). We also have
a "no dog" policy on site. If you must bring your dog, please
make arrangements for him or her to be somewhere else during your stay. New Workshops At Earthwalk Our updated 2011 course schedule will be available soon. It will include
several new additions to our programming including:. 2011 Course Descriptions Permaculture
Workshops Edible Forest Landscaping Introduction
To Permaculture Natural Beekeeping - A workshop that looks at
a more successful and natural approach to beekeeping while looking and
the causes and solutions to colony calapse syndrome. Sustainable
Enterprise Workshops
Solar Water Pumping A two day workshop covering pumping terminologies, PV modules, system sizing, and component selection. Includes pump descriptions and comparisons with information on trackers, linear current boosters, and other associated equipment. The workshop will include laboratory exercises and a system tour. No sessions are scheduled at this time. Photovoltaic Design & Installation Participants will gain technical
skills and a strong foundation of how to design and safely install solar-electric
systems. Participants learn system sizing, site analysis, hardware specification,
and component selection of BOTH stand-alone and grid-tied systems. This
workshop is great for people who are seeking employment within the growing
solar industry, wanting to install it on their own home, or interested
in learning more about this amazing technology. Advanced Photovoltaic's The Advanced PV workshop is
designed to follow the PV Design and Installation or Utility-Interactive
PV workshops with the next level of design criteria, maintenance issues
and troubleshooting skills. Participants must have successfully completed
either our hands-on or online PV Design & Installation workshop or
Utility Interactive PV workshop (with supplemental stand-alone curriculum),
or have the permission of the instructor. Utility Interactive PV Systems Learn how to design and install code-compliant PV systems to safely produce
electricity to tie into the utility's grid. Participants learn system
sizing, site analysis, hardware specification, and component selection
of grid-tied systems ONLY. This workshop is great for people who are seeking
employment within the growing solar industry, wanting to install it on
their own home, or interested in learning more about this amazing technology. Natural Building & Renewable Energy This week long course provides an overview of natural building, and covers how to use solar, wind, and water power to generate electricity for homes. No sessions are scheduled at this time. Residential Wind Power Learn to design and install
residential wind systems, up to 100kWh/day in capacity. The workshop will
cover system sizing, site analysis, installation and safety issues, and
hardware specification. Learn about the different commercially available
residential wind turbines, how they work, and the advantages and disadvantages
of each. Get hands on experience with wind generators, and designing a
wind/PV hybrid system. Home built Wind Generators This workshop will guide students through the process of building a small wind turbine from scratch. Brief sessions each day on wind generator theory will be followed by shop sessions. The workshop group will construct a working wind generator. Micro-Hydro Power This workshop teaches how to design a fully functional micro-hydro system. Learn site evaluation, including how to measure and estimate head and flow. Perform preliminary system sizing for mechanical and electrical power generation of 50-watt to 100-kilowatt capacities. The workshop will include field exercises and tours of operational systems. Sustainable Home Design & Natural House Building Workshops Designing and Building Natural Homes This course covers the opportunities and evolving variations within the field of natural building. Architects, builders, and owners and students will gain an excellent introduction to the art and science of natural building materials, techniques, and design considerations, while also giving participants the opportunity to get their hands on straw bale, adobe, pressed block, cob, natural plasters and more. Advanced Straw Bale Construction If you already know the basics of straw bale construction but want to know more, this is the workshop for you. Our straw bale instructor will give participants the latest information on straw bale construction. The workshop will include brainstorming and experimentation. No sessions are scheduled at this time. Sustainable Home Design Learn the principles behind designing and building residential structures that achieve optimal year-round comfort, reduce energy consumption, improve indoor air quality, and limit environmental impact. No sessions are scheduled at this time. Solar Hot Water Participants in this workshop will learn theory, design considerations,
and installation techniques necessary to install and maintain a solar
domestic hot water system. Straw Bale Design & Construction An in-depth look into the design considerations and the variety of styles and techniques of the evolving field of straw bale construction. Participants will gain hands-on experience with different techniques, discuss and experience different construction and detailing ideas, and try their hand at sample plasters. Solar & Radiant Heating Systems This 3 day course provides critical information to design practical and
efficient solar and radiant heating systems for energy and cost savings
with comfort of under floor heating. Solar Home Design & Natural House Building Learn solar home design principles and natural building techniques in one workshop! This workshop combines the best of our Solar Home Design Principles workshop and our Designing & Building Natural Homes workshop. No sessions are scheduled at this time. Plaster for Natural Homes Learn about plaster as both a building material and an art form. The qualities of earth, lime, cement, and gypsum plasters will be explored in relationship to natural wall systems such as straw bale, cob, and adobe. No sessions are scheduled at this time.
Eco
Transportation Workshops Renewable Fuels Learn the fundamentals of creating a renewable fuels economy. The workshop will cover all types of renewable fuels and alternative transportation. Experts from the field will discuss how we can move away from a gasoline economy, and rely less on foreign oil. A bio diesel vehicle, electric vehicle, and other forms of alternative transportation will be on site. No sessions are scheduled at this time. Bio diesel Fuel Learn the fundamentals of this
alternative fuel source that can be used in any diesel engine. Participants
will make bio diesel fuel with locally available materials, visit existing
small scale production plants, and learn from top bio diesel industry
specialists. Hydrogen and Alternative Vehicles Learn from industry specialists about hydrogen and alternative vehicles. This workshop will introduce hydrogen as a viable fuel which is being implemented today. Introduce yourself to the range of alternative vehicles in existence, and how they can work in conjunction with alternative fuels to build an oil free transportation future. No sessions are scheduled at this time. Electric Vehicle Conversion This workshop will guide students through the complete process of converting
a vehicle to electric power. Classroom sessions will be combined with
hands-on shop sessions. By the end of the workshop, the group will have
completed a running electric car conversion capable of highway speeds
and 60-80 miles range. Sustainable Community Development Eco Community
Design Rural Development Workshops Learn how to help improve the quality of life for people in the developing world, or in lesser developed areas of the industrialized nations. Renewable Energy for the Developing World This workshop explores different applications for renewable energy technologies in developing countries. Participants will learn how to successfully accomplish sustainable development projects with renewable energy. Effective technology transfer methods will be presented, as well as setting up infrastructure and the economics and financing of renewable energy projects. Case studies will be presented on solar cooking, rural household electrification, appropriate building technologies, rural health care and micro-enterprises utilizing renewable energy. No sessions are scheduled at this time. Appropriate Technology for the Developing World This workshop provides an overview of technologies which promote small scale sustainable energy and agricultural practices in the developing world. This workshop is ideal for organizations working in rural areas, people wanting to get involved in sustainable development work, and those who wish to reduce their own ecological impact. No sessions are scheduled at this time. Sustainable Building for the Developing World This workshop covers current technologies being used in developing world environments that address people's housing, water, and sanitation needs in appropriate, ecological, and sustainable ways. No sessions are scheduled at this time. Water Management and Technology This course offers a general
overview of the situation of water in the world, along with the main technological
options for sustainable management. Consisting of a series of combined
seminars and field trips, the program gives participants the basics required
for proper evaluation and monitoring as well as designing simple treatment
systems for different types of water. Solar Electricity for the Developing World Learn to design and install photovoltaic systems for the developing world. Workshop participants learn system sizing, site analysis, hardware specification, and component selection. The workshop covers typical applications and case study examples. Install and upgrade real-world systems with current renewable energy equipment. Ecology, Permaculture, and Renewable Energy This workshop provides an overview of technologies which promote small
scale sustainable energy and agricultural practices in the developing
world. This workshop is ideal for organizations working in rural areas,
people wanting to get involved in sustainable development work, and those
who wish to reduce their own ecological impact. Bio digester and Rainwater Harvesting Produce your own fuel and potable water! IRRI-Mexico is offering an opportunity to receive professional training in bio digester systems, as well is theory and site evaluation of a number of sites for effective rainwater harvesting systems, from homes to large buildings. No sessions are scheduled at this time. Bio Sand Water Filters The workshop offers instruction and hands-on experience in construction of all components of bio sand filters. No sessions are scheduled at this time.
Educators Workshops
Renewable Energy for Educators Educators attending this summer seminar will learn about the impacts that our energy use has on the planet and how to best teach youth about solutions: energy conservation, energy efficiency, and renewable energy technologies. Environmental Issues & Solutions for Educators This workshop is a survey of our dominant environmental issues and the solutions related to those issues and how to incorporate awareness into curriculum. Topics from climate change, to environmental toxicity, to bio diversity, and healthy food security are included in this discussion. Other Workshops Introduction to Renewable Energy This workshop will introduce
renewable energy technologies and strategies to homeowners, contractors,
and renewable energy advocates. The Politics of Energy A one-day look at the history of electricity, energy supply structure, policy issues, global impacts of energy, and the production and use of energy sources. No sessions are scheduled at this time. Successful Solar Businesses If you are considering launching
a business in solar, do not miss this opportunity to meet and talk to
successful solar business leaders in our country. Students will have a
chance to learn what works and what doesn't, and will walk away with the
tools to start their new business. Natural Building & Renewable Energy This week long course provides an overview of natural building, and covers how to use solar, wind, and water power to generate electricity for homes. No sessions are scheduled at this time. Practical Applications for Renewable Energy This workshop focuses on the practical uses of solar, wind, and water power for electric power generation. Solar thermal applications will also be discussed. There will be a special focus on eco-resorts. No sessions are scheduled at this time. Water Management and Technology This course offers a general
overview of the situation of water in the world, along with the main technological
options for sustainable management. Consisting of a series of combined
seminars and field trips, the program gives participants the basics required
for proper evaluation and monitoring as well as designing simple treatment
systems for different types of water. Online Workshops PV Design Online Learn how to design a complete solar electric (photovoltaic) power system
without leaving your home. A six-week, Internet-based, online course of
instruction with text, CD-ROM reference materials and Internet resource
links. The course will be offered five times throughout the year.
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For
more information call our office at 905-355-3000. ![]()
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