Workshops

Workshops are scheduled in three different sessions during the day on Saturday, January 16, 2010.

****                                                                                                                                                                                                 Session I   11:00 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. (5 Concurrent workshops)

Session II   1:30 p.m. – 3:00 p.m.  (3 Concurrent workshops)

Session III  3:30 p.m. – 5:00 p.m. (3 Concurrent workshops)

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Session I   11:00 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. (Concurrent workshops – Manor House and Main Hall)

ENVISIONING SUSTAINABLE COMMUNITIES –  Billiard Room, Main Hall

Michael Tavel,  AIA –

This workshop will look at three types of examples of sustainable communities and discuss their relevance to Estes Park:

First, it will look at traditional towns and cities, including Swiss Alps mountain towns, for how they are sustainable from the standpoint of denser, walkable urban environments that are connected to local, regional, and international public transit.

Second, it will review the example of Greensburg, Greentown.  Greensburg was destroyed in a tornado in 2007.  Immediately, the community decided to rebuild and rebrand itself as a model green community, with green buildings, green infrastructure, and green jobs in a green economy.  The effort has generated much philanthropy and publicity.

Third the session will review the design of Geos, a 25-acre sustainable urban neighborhood planned for Arvada, Colorado.  Geos is projected to be America’s largest net-zero energy neighborhood.  It has won seven design awards including a national honor award.  Geos uses stormwater to irrigate landscapes, integrates passive and active solar, high performance buildings, urban agriculture, and connects people with natural processes within a dense, walkable, urban mixed-use village.

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CLARITY AND OPPORTUNITY IN TURBULENT TIMES  –  Ranch Room, Manor House

Sandy Cruz, High Altitude Permaculture

Changes are afoot!  Like the tai chi master who deftly uses her adversary’s energy to advantage, how can we dance with the current transitional moment to thrive and flourish?  In this participatory workshop, we will consider our options and take some first steps toward strategic transformation.

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GRUB POLITICS & ECO-CULTIVATION  – Lower Level, Concert Hall

Ashara Ekundayo,  BluBlak Media, Blue & Yellow Logic, The Growhaus

How come I can only get chips, white bread, and a 40oz at the corner store?  Join us for an experiential session engaging the interconnectedness of class, race and culture in relation to food, and explore solutions for growing community and economic sustainability through urban farming.

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INNER TRANSITION: WITHOUT IT, NOTHING CHANGES  –  Library, Manor House

Carolyn Baker, Ph.D.  Speaking Truth to Power

This workshop will use storytelling with a drum to assist us in discovering the inner treasure that we must access for experiencing inner transition. No matter how much we prepare and organize externally, authentic change can only happen as a result of inner transition. Group discussion and Q & A will also be incorporated.

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COMMUNITY EMPOWERMENT – EDUCATION THAT INSPIRES ACTION  –  Manor Hall, Manor House

Trathen Heckman, Daily Acts Organization

In 8 years, powered mostly by thousands of volunteer hours Daily Acts has organized over 250 sustainability programs from backyard permaculture gardens and greywater systems to collaborating on a 25,000 sq foot model garden at City Hall in Petaluma California. Hear how these programs have strengthened local and regional leaders and model sites, while influencing municipal policy. Learn to cultivate the local citizens, leaders and models, which are critical to a sustainable future.

In this workshop we will discuss how these models can be applied locally to inspire and build community, engage local government and business and regenerate ecosystems. We will discuss how such local efforts can have a national impact through the Transition Town movement. We will have a break out session to assess local challenges and opportunities and to brainstorm next actions!

Topics Covered:

• • Personal ecology and transformational leadership
  • Creating model sites and households
  • Creating a Sustainability Tour and Workshop Series
  • Setting up a Community Garden Wheel Program
  • Working with local government

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Session II   1:30 p.m. – 3:00 p.m.   (Three concurrent workshops in the Manor House)

WIND POWER REALITY I  – Ranch Room, Manor House

Dan Fink & Dan Bartmann    Forcefield

Wind is the most difficult renewable resource to harvest. Most people interested in home renewable energy systems don’t understand what wind power can do for them–and more importantly what it can’t. If you’ve ever wondered how wind turbines work and why they look like they do, these fun and informative seminars are for you! Part One will cover the basics of how wind power works, including different wind turbine designs and sizes, what they cost, how much energy they can produce, and mounting and siting requirements. You’ll also learn how to avoid wind power scams, and how wind energy systems compare to solar.

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VOICES OF YOUTH  –  Manor Hall, Manor House

THE EAGLE ROCK STORY Eagle Rock School & Professional Development Center

“What does the term sustainability mean to students?  Why does it matter?  What is Eagle Rock School doing about it?  Who cares?  Here’s your chance to find out.  A panel of Eagle Rock students will answer these questions while giving you a tour on the path of learning and life at Eagle Rock.  This workshop will go inside the school to see what it’s all about.   You will learn why the school was founded; what defines our philosophy and value system; how different programs work; how and why restorative justice is used to address behavior issues and resolve conflicts.   You’ll hear about classes, residential life, diversity and cross-cultural experiences, and you’ll learn what it takes to become an ERS graduate.  Come and find out what we’re up to.  Questions will be taken from the audience.”

PONDEROSA HIGH SCHOOL PEACEJAM CLUB Ponderosa High School, Parker CO

During this workshop the PeaceJam students will share their national award winning video they submitted for the Pearson Foundation/PeaceJam Global Call to Action Challenge, as well as the experience of spending two days with Nobel Peace Laureate Rigoberta Menchú Tum!

They will also talk about the projects they have done over the past three years:

• Starting a school-wide recycling program
• Promoting an energy management program
• Planning and participating in an electronics recycling event
• Touring the Waste Management Recycling Facility with the Mayor of Nairobi, Kenya
• On-going work with The Gathering Place, Denver’s only daytime center for women and children experiencing homelessness and poverty

PeaceJammers will also share how being involved in PeaceJam has changed the way they look at their role as active and contributing citizens of the world.  Additionally, they will share their experiences of motivating other youth and community members to be involved in these progressive causes.

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GHOSTS, EARTH ENERGIES AND ELECTROSMOG IN THE ESTES VALLEY – Library, Manor House

Peter MacGill & Cathee Courter    Weness

This workshop looks at the interrelationships of ghosts, earth energies, electrosmog, and living people  in the Estes Valley. Historically, Native Americans had a rich connection to nature spirits as well as to their deceased ancestors, all the richer in our area because one of its higher purposes is nature/human communication. It is not surprising that the Estes Valley is still filled with astral entities (ghosts), nature intelligences, and people who have the talent to perceive their energies. However, instead of honoring dead ancestors, we now advertise their presence as metaphysical entertainment. Instead of opening our sensitivities to love this unique land, we fill the airwaves with electromagnetic fields that hinder our abilities to perceive the subtle energies around us. The electronic information being spread through air and earth is greatly affecting our health, other species, natural energy flows in the land, and our ability to feel a sense of place.

We are the tribe here now, responsible for the quality of our community-building with the more-than-human world. In this workshop we will explore both scientific and spiritual repercussions of our diminishing capacity for intimate relationship.

This is a cell phone free event.

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Session III   3:30 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.   (Three concurrent workshops in the Manor House)

WIND POWER REALITY II  –  Ranch Room, Manor House

Dan Fink & Dan Bartmann    Forcefield

Wind is the most difficult renewable resource to harvest. Most people interested in home renewable energy systems don’t understand what wind power can do for them–and more importantly what it can’t. If you’ve ever wondered how wind turbines work and why they look like they do, these fun and informative seminars are for you!  Part Two will elaborate on the basics from Part One, and go into detail about what’s actually involved with installing a wind power system for your home.

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REVIEW REDUCE RENEW:  INTRODUCTION TO REDUCING YOUR ENERGY BILLS  – Manor Hall, Manor House

John Beaupre   Standard Renewable Energy

If you are interested in reducing your home’s energy consumption, an Energy Audit is a great first step.  But the audit itself doesn’t save energy: you have to implement the recommended solutions.  This session will discuss typical energy efficiency problems in Colorado homes and help identify the practical solutions for energy savings.  We’ll discuss reviewing your home’s energy usage through energy audits, monitoring systems, and basic billing analysis. We will identify current market energy saving options for the home, including lighting, heating, and cooling systems, proper ventilation, insulation, weatherization, and window replacement options.  After saving money through efficiency and conservation, the next step is creating power with an on-site renewable energy resource like solar electric (photovoltaic), solar water heating (thermal) and wind power. By taking the 3 simple steps to energy efficiency – Review, Reduce, and Renew – you can finally take control of how your home uses energy! http://www.sre3.com

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A COMMUNITY VISIONQUEST  – Library, Manor House

Lynette Marie Hanthorn & Michael Brownlee   Transition Colorado

What is the future that is calling to us on the other side of the Transition? What could life in Estes Park look like, feel like, taste like, and smell like by 2030?

Despite the daunting challenges ahead—fossil fuel depletion, climate change, and economic instability—there is a wonderful future for our community that is longing to emerge in and through its citizens, a future that is very different from the present or the past.

In this workshop, we will dream and vision together, seeking to discover the possible future. We will set aside our concerns and our expectations to open up to something new. (Rob Hopkins says that life after oil can be far better than it is now. What could this mean?)

Join Lynette Marie Hanthorn and Michael Brownlee of Transition Colorado for an exhilarating journey into the future of Estes Park!

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