[Sdpg] Earth Activist Training Sept 8-22 2004 in Northern CA

[Wesley Roe and Marjorie Lakin Erickson]

Earth Activist Training Sept 8-22  2004  in Northern CA 
http://www.earthactivisttraining.org/

Earth Activist Training is a unique and intensive education. EAT began in 
late 2000 when friends Starhawk and Penny Livingston-Stark, both 
internationally regarded innovators, asked some new questions: "What can 
permaculturalists and activists learn from each other that would make each 
more effective? What skills do people need to know in order to really, 
truly, and realistically 'Save the Planet'?" Penny and Starhawk combined 
their many years of knowledge and created the first Earth Activist 
Training, held in May, 2001. EAT took root and flourished. Using 
permaculture as the foundation, EAT offers students a rich array of 
solutions, tools, and strategies to redesign our world. The curriculum is 
not only immediately useful for students' own lives, but holds real hope 
for our collective future.

The term "permaculture " means a system of sustaining human needs 
(including agriculture, energy, and housing) in ways that are indefinitely 
renewable. Permaculture works with nature, not against her. At EAT, the 
principles and insights of permaculture are extended into progressive 
political organizing. The third crucial element is nature-based 
spirituality that connects heart and soul to one's work. Inclusive and 
non-dogmatic, a spiritual thread is woven throughout EAT (including the 
equivalent of a "real magic 101" class with Starhawk). Together teachers 
Starhawk, Penny Livingston-Stark, and "next generation" Erik Ohlsen bring 
an amazing amount of experience to the course. EAT is a healthy mix of 
classroom theory, hands-on practice, personal growth, community creation, 
and spiritual connection. The students would add that it's damn fun, too. 
Many call it life changing.

At EAT's base is a rigorous 80-hour permaculture design 
course--participants receive a certificate on completion.

Topics include:
Nature awareness techniques (including owl-vision, fox-walking, & the 
language of birds); humans' role in nature; and how to "read" a landscape
Permaculture principles and ethics
Movement building: basics of political organizing, strategy, and direct action
Creating community
Pattern thinking in design, strategy, and movement-building
Diversity in ecosystems and in political movements
Making a spiritual connection with real air, fire, water, and earth
Sustainable agriculture, urban food growing, garden design, planting for 
wildlife, and food forests
Techniques to heal the land: erosion control and bio-remediation
Soil and forest ecology; ecology as economics, economics as ecology
Renewable energy and efficient design
Media strategies
Green building basics and practice
Creative access to land and financing
Consensus process, facilitation, and conflict resolution
How to think like a watershed: collect, conserve, clean, and reuse water
Weaving magic and ritual into action
How to stay grounded and centered in tough situations
Breaking the spell of fear, rage, grief, and frustration
How to renew personal energy, avoid burnout, and find hope for our world

In addition, there usually are "optional offerings" during free times, led 
by fellow students (many of whom are expert in their own fields). Guest 
instructors and a diverse group of students ensure that every EAT session 
is unique.


Independent study credits have been given to regularly enrolled students 
who participated in the EAT program. Check with your degree counselor. New 
College of California also offers credit for the EAT course, which may be 
transferable to your degree.

Mail with your $100 deposit or full payment of $1100-1600. All funds must 
be in US dollars, please (from outside US, please use international money 
orders). To pay your deposit or tuition via credit card (internet PayPal), 
please use the link on our "Finances" page. Space is limited to 50 people, 
so get your deposit in early.
The $100 deposit is non-refundable, no exceptions.

Make checks payable to Earth Activist Training, and mail to:

Earth Activist Training
P.O. Box 291
Cazadero, CA 95421

Questions? contact
Mer, EAT coordinator
<mer at starhawk.org>
Or leave a voice mail message at 707.583.2300 ext 119