Rainwater Harvesting for Drylands
Turning Water Scarcity into Water Abundance
Slide Show & Booksigning with
Brad Lancaster
Friday, April 21, 2006,7:00 pm Donation $5-$10
Grange Hall , Los Olivos
Although
rainwater harvesting has been
accomplished by humans in virtually every drought
vulnerable regionof the world for
millennia, our society seems to have collective amnesia
about the utility,efficiency,sustainability and beauty of these time-tried practices.
In his newly published book, Rainwater Harvesting for Drylands, Volume 1, Brad Lancaster encourages us to turn water scarcity into water abundance by welcoming rain into our lives, landscape, and soil. Sharing techniques and strategies from around the world, some ancient, some new---including the inspiring story of Mr.Phiri, water farmer from Zimbabwe---readers are empowered to create their own integrated water-sustainable landscape plans.
Rainwater harvesting is the process of capturing rain and making the most of it as close as possible to where it falls. By harvesting rainwater on the land within the soil and vegetation, or in cisterns that will later irrigate the land, we can control erosion, reduce flooding, and minimize water pollution. Living in a world with a finite supply of fresh water that is increasingly polluted this practice becomes especially valuable.
Living on an eighth of an acre in downtown Tucson, Arizona, where annual rainfall is less than 12 inches, Brad practices what he preaches by harvesting over 100,000 gallons of rainwater a year. Brad and his brother Rodd have created an oasis in the desert by directing this harvested rainwater not off their property and into storm drains, but instead incorporate it into living air conditioners of food-bearing shade trees, abundant gardens, and a thriving landscape that includes habitat for wildlife.
Brad Lancaster is a permaculture teacher, designer, consultant and co-founder of Desert Harvesters (DesertHarvesters.org). Brad has taught programs for the ECOSA Institute, Columbia University, University of Arizona, Prescott College, Audubon Expeditions, and many others. He has helped design integrated water harvesting and permaculture systems for homeowners and gardeners, including the Tucson Audubon Simpson Farm restoration site, the Milagro and Stone Curves co-housing projects.
The evening lecture takes place at the Grange Hall 2374 Alamo Pintado Avenue Los Olivos, CA 93441, on Friday, April 21, 7:00-9pm. No reservations are required and Donation $5-$10 . A free all day workshop will also be held on April 22, at the SB City College Campus. The Santa Barbara Permaculture Network and Santa Barbara Ecological Education Coalition/SBCC Adult Education Series sponsor the events. For more information, please call Betty Seaman cobbetty@gmail.com, 805-698-3840 or (805) 962-2571, www.HarvestingRainwater.com, or www.sbpermaculture.org.
***April 22, 10 AM-2 PM. Workshop in Santa Barbara:
Turning Water Scarcity into Water Abundance
Rain harvesting guru Brad Lancaster joins local ecological systems designer Art Ludwig to show how to actualize the potential of your landscape and neighborhood for rain and greywater harvesting. Simple site assessment tools for the home, plus multiple-use water-harvesting earthworks, will be constructed in this hands-on event. Art and Brad will also sign copies of their new books Rainwater Harvesting for Dry lands, Volume 1, Water Storage, and “Branched Drain Greywater Systems.” Santa Barbara City College Earth and Biological Science Building, Room ESB 309, Sat, April 22, 10 AM-2 PM. Wear work clothes. Free admission, no reservations required. Lunch available for purchase.
-end-
Santa Barbara Permaculture Network
(805) 962-2571 sbpcnet@silcom.com www.sbpermaculture.org
"We are like trees, we must create new leaves, in new directions, in order to grow." - Anonymous