Whole Systems Approach to Ecological Design

This module will introduce the fundamentals of restoration ecology, ecological footprint of the built environment, regulatory environment, project planning - vision, values and principles, strategic objectives, performance targets (sustainability indicators), design specifications, delivery vehicles and monitoring.


Appropriate Technology Water

Natural wastewater treatment systems enhance the forces nature uses to reduce pollution by harnessing the metabolic processes of living ecologies to break down and digest organic wastes in water. Engineered ecologies provide a high degree of biodiversity, resulting in stable and robust processes. These processes involve establishing diverse life forms in new combinations of species within engineered settings to meet specific requirements. Nature is both mother and teacher.

Simple natural treatment technologies and construction methods will be explored, including recycling systems for treated effluent. Process calculations will provide sizing information. More highly engineered systems, which use less land than simple systems, will be explained.

Organic Agriculture and Local Food

This module explores the role of food in community, from the way we relate to the land on which it is produced, to the celebration of life that is eating together. We will discuss and experience different approaches to the production and distribution of food as shared from the experience of participants in the training. We will visit and work on farming and gardening projects in the locality and will cook a meal together for which we will have harvested the vegetables ourselves.

Topics include:
The basic principles and practices of organic and biodynamic food production
How to build and maintain a mulch garden
How to create a Community Supported Agricultural (CSA) scheme
Food as nutrition and as a central community ritual
Urban growing and distribution integrated into the social fabric of the settlement
Composting of organic solid wastes


Appropriate Technology Energy

This module will provide an overview of methods using renewable energy sources and their practical applications and costs. We will compare and contrast renewable sources and conventional sources: costs, installation/running, benefits, disadvantages, pollution, carbon footprint, convenience and availability.

Topics include:
Requirements for appropriate technology
Renewable energy sources including -
Bio fuels and biomass
Solar energy
Wind power
Wave power
Hydroelectric power


Appropriate Technology Green Building

This module is an introduction to the principles of ecological building and retrofitting. It will provide enough information so that students will be able to evaluate building materials and methods in terms of environmental standards for energy and resource conservation.

Topics include:
The use of low cost indigenous construction techniques as well as conventional construction
Construction types - timber frame, straw bale, cob wall, rammed earth, breathing wall construction, adobe, earthships etc.
Simple ways of using nature's renewable energy sources

The Gaia Education Design for Sustainability is being introduced at this time to complement, correspond with, and assist in setting a standard for the United Nations Decade of Education for Sustainable Development 2005-2014.

Please complete the Application Form and Enrolment Questionnaire to book online.
Send an email.

Training fees
Income related price for Week 3 only (click here for more information): £475 / £545 / £635
For the whole programme: £1675 / £1925 / £2235

Fees include tuition, accommodation, vegetarian meals and field trips.

Convert to your own currency using The Universal Currency Converter

*If you cannot afford the full fee, you can apply for a bursary when completing the Application Form. A limited number of bursaries, funded by trusts and the Findhorn Foundation itself, are available to suitable applicants. Applications for financial assistance should be made as soon as possible. This will enable us to assess all applicants and allocate funds in the fairest possible manner.

*If you can afford to pay more than the full fee for this programme you can make a donation to the bursary fund when completing the Application Form. Your donation will be gratefully received and used to help those who cannot afford the whole fee.

Michael Shaw's field is ecological design. He is a founding member of The Ecovillage Institute at Findhorn and is a resident trustee of the Findhorn Foundation. He pioneered the Ten Stones ecovillage and cohousing community with others in Vermont, USA. An engineer by training, he has been involved in all phases of the development and implementation of natural wastewater treatment and bioremediation systems including Restorers since 1989 with Ocean Arks International (OAI). With Dr John Todd, founder of OAI, he is the author of two wastewater treatment patents.

Galen Fulford has great enthusiasm for ecological design and a contagious belief that working with natural processes can simultaneously reduce our environmental impact and increase the vitality and efficiency of our human systems. He is a co-founder of the Ecovillage Institute and his experience in ecological engineering combined with his skill in working with diverse cultures and situations has led him to manage complex ecological engineering projects in the USA, India, Bolivia, Hong Kong and Russia. Galen is a founder of the One Water Network and coordinates hands-on trainings in practical solutions to the problems of water scarcity, contamination and land degradation.

---

I experienced the EDE programme in a way that changed my dreams into plans, or should I say my life into something that could be useful. I have now the skill, tools and ideas for starting rebuilding Iraq from the rural areas together with my good people, I hope... - Dr Ali Al-Dabbagh, Phoenix Rising, Iraq The EDE course in Findhorn was the most comprehensive teaching on integral ecological design I have seen available worldwide. Richness and diversity of teachings, practical techniques, facilitators and resources as well as a deep respect and honour to both inner and outer dimensions of sustainability. Excellent spirit of participation as well. I hope and wish more people gain this invaluable experience. We desperately need it! - Pymalion Karatzas, Greece