Sustainable Vocations: 

Innovatively Training Youth and Young Adults

To Grow a Green Economy and a Sustainable Future

Santa Barbara and Ventura County, CA (June 6, 2011)  – In its third year, Sustainable Vocations represents a pioneering program that prepares youth ages 15 to 24 for diverse leadership roles that integrate sustainability into their communities and provides a hands-on introduction to the growing green jobs market.  Students graduate with the practical skills, inspiration and empowerment to enhance their employment opportunities and life path while helping to create a more sustainable future for us all. 

Developed by Quail Springs Permaculture Farm (www.quailsprings.org), a nonprofit sustainability demonstration site and education center in the mountains near Santa Barbara and Ventura, the program is accepting applications now for the next session that takes place July 10 – July 30, 2011.

This offering launches a new partnership with The Ojai Foundation that will serve as the program’s host. For over 30 years, The Ojai Foundation has modeled living lightly on the earth and served as a living laboratory of sustainability.

At its core, Sustainable Vocations provides an introduction to the various tenets of environmental stewardship and sustainable living. Topics include:  ecological design, alternative energy systems, conservation and restoration, sustainable agriculture and food systems, natural building, greywater design and rainwater harvesting, ecological literacy and nature awareness.  Additionally, students earn a recognized Permaculture Design Certification that creates additional, post-graduate opportunities.  

Permaculture is an integrative design science for the creation of sustainable human settlements and represents a growing profession worldwide.  Warren Brush, Quail Springs Permaculture’s Executive Director and lead teacher, states, “Permaculture is being utilized in over 135 countries and increasingly being taught in colleges and universities because of its successful approach to creating productive human habitats and green economies while reducing our ecological footprint.”

THE PROGRAM:

Each session of Sustainable Vocations is a 3-week residential program that provides a unique opportunity to live in a community setting. In addition to earning a Permaculture Design Certification and receiving an introduction to various green technologies, Sustainable Vocations also addresses the less tangible qualities that encompass leadership.  Collectively, the program’s goal is to empower participants to be well-equipped, holistic leaders that fully honor nature and integrate sustainability into every component of their life.

Sustainable Vocations offers a diversity of voices and perspectives, as the program’s staff is comprised of teachers with substantial experience in nature-based education for youth.  In addition, Sustainable Vocations leverages the vast sustainability-based resources of our community.  Prominent professionals serve as guest speakers and share their own experience as examples for students.  Sustainable Vocations also visits local eco-businesses and projects to witness sustainability in action. 

To reflect our commitment to accessibility and diversity, scholarships are provided for low-income youth.  The Scholarship Fund was made possible through the previous generosity of the Hutton Foundation, Towbes Foundation, and Santa Barbara Foundation, The Sustainability Project, as well as green business sponsors.  Sustainable Vocations continues to grow a community network of referral, educational and sponsoring partners, as well as relevant program collaborations.

Kolmi Majumdar, program co-founder, states “Sustainable Vocations aligns with the deepest purpose of the green jobs movement by investing in training young people with the critical thinking skills, stewardship ethics, and practical know-how that will empower them to implement solutions and create new approaches to the social and ecological problems and opportunities we face as a society.” 

Network partners include Central Coast Alliance United for a Sustainable Economy (CAUSE), Community Environmental Council, Orella Stewardship Institute, Santa Barbara Permaculture Network, LoaTree, and The Sustainability Project.

For more information on Sustainable Vocations, please visit:  www.sustainablevocations.org  A program flier and brochure are also attached.

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