Technicians For Sustainability: Tucson Solar System Installers: Solar Hot Water, Rainwater Harvesting, and Solar Electrical Power Upcoming Events »

Watershed Management Group Co-op Bushman Tank Installation Workshop

admin — Tue, 08 May 2012 22:59:33 +0000

Join the Tucson Co-op for a midweek cistern installation. Come and learn about best practices and integrated design for cistern installations. The 660 gallon tank will to provide water to a future vegetable garden. This workshop has multiple benefits. Participants will learn how to install a cistern and can earn hours towards hosting a workshop at your own home, at a discounted rate. The workshop will allow the homeowner to grow fresh vegetables to feed her family with a renewable fresh rain water source. In addition the workshop will also lead to habitat restoration, as the savings made on the home owners water bill will go towards funding restoration of the beautiful Atterbury wash as the savings on the homeowner’s water bill will be paid towards the Conserve to Enhance program which links water conservation with riparian restoration. To sign up for this workshop click here. For further information contact Rhiwena Slack the Co-op coordinator at co-op@watershedmg.org / 520-396-3266
Organizer Website: http://watershedmg.org/civicrm/event/info?id=149&reset=1

Watershed Management Group Co-op Earthworks Workshop

admin — Tue, 08 May 2012 23:12:04 +0000

Please join Watershed Management Group Co-op for an education in simple cost effective passive water harvesting. Earthworks will be installed to redirect roof runoff into water harvesting basins to support existing plants and native revegetation efforts. By using onsite materials we will minimize both cost and environmental footprint to improve habitat, increase shade and build soil in this low density residential site. The workshop will offer both hands on experience of passive water harvesting implementation and transfer of knowledge; workshop leader and registered landscape architect James DeRoussel will lead a discussion on passive rainwater harvesting and native plant selection.
Organizer Website: http://watershedmg.org/civicrm/event/info?id=147&reset=1

Watershed Management Group Driveway Rip

admin — Tue, 08 May 2012 23:01:07 +0000

Join Watershed Management Group Co-op for a free educational Water Harvesting Workshop. We will transform a driveway into a water harvesting oasis with native plants. We will create earthworks to supplement existing water harvesting features which includes a 2,200 gallon cistern, and a kitchen resource drain system installed by Watershed Management Group in 2011. In addition the homeowner and his sons have installed 300‘ of terraces on 7 levels to slow down and capture water causing an erosion problem on steep slopes behind the house. This residence was featured Watershed Management Group’s 2011 home tour, so if you missed that, here is a second chance to see one of the most inspiring sites featured. Workshop leader and registered landscape architect James DeRoussel will lead a discussion on different types of water harvesting features and how they relate to each other to create a truly integrated system. The home owner would also be happy to give a guided tour of his solar photo voltaic system and real‐time consumption monitoring. So come along enjoy a Memorial day weekend workout and see how easy and effective it is to be green.
Organizer Website: http://watershedmg.org/civicrm/event/info?id=146&reset=1

Intro to Sustainable Energy – online class

Tiernay — Tue, 01 May 2012 19:26:49 +0000

The University of Alaska Fairbanks Bristol Bay Campus will be offering ENVI 220: Intro to Sustainable Energy during the Fall 2012 semester and registration is open now. This class is 100% distance delivered and available to anyone in the world with internet access. There are also some scholarships available to cover tuition. Here’s some details:

Description: This course focuses on energy use and production in society. Problems discussed are mainly related to the extent of the sustainability of current practices. The emphasis of the course is on solutions which revolve around energy efficiency and specific renewable energy technologies.

Credits: 3 Instructor: Dr.Tom Marsik Course dates: August 30,2012- December 11,2012 Meeting times: Tuesday, Thursday 6:50pm-8:20pm

This course is part of the newly approved Occupational Endorsement in Sustainable Energy, a 13-credit program offered by UAF (see attached flyer). If you’d like to earn an Occupational Endorsement in Sustainable Energy, register for ENVI 220: Intro to Sustainable Energy or get more information please check us out online: www.uaf.edu/bbesl/sustainable-energy.

To learn more, check out their flier: Intro to Sustainable Energy Fall 2012

“Earth Harmony Workers” Papercrete Workshop

Tiernay — Tue, 17 Apr 2012 20:08:28 +0000

Avalon Organic Gardens is hosting a “Earth Harmony Builders” Papercrete workshop on Saturday, June 2nd from 9am-4pm. This workshop will introduce a natural building technique featuring a fiber-reinforced cement application. By using recycled material such as paper, cardboard, glass, plastic, and natural materials that are readily available in your area—like dirt, sand, clay, grass clippings, and straw—you can learn many ways to apply these materials into the construction and landscaping around your home. With a small amount of cement and lime, natural fibers mixed together create a strong bond that is sustainable and practical in building and is more in harmony with the environment.

Menelik Hume has 35 years in the construction field, with a background in architectural passive solar design. In the past 10 years he has worked and experimented with alternative building practices with the construction crew and designers of “Earth Harmony Builders” at Avalon Organic Gardens & EcoVillage.

Workshop includes:

“How-To” — using a variety of recycled materials in mixing recipes for Papercrete
Learning about slip forming, block making, cobble stones, and stucco
Introducing the age old technique of plaster forming and layering with lime and clay
Discussing the many benefits of fibrous materials in insulation factors, water proofing, and sound reduction
Introducing new building concepts in the use of various reclaimed materials to create form with beauty and harmony

The workshop is six hours, plus time for lunch. Workshop fee is $200 per person and includes an organic lunch. Financial contribution is required; work trade or material barter will be considered. Please make reservations one week in advance. A minimum of 6 participants is required to hold workshop, otherwise subject to cancellation. Larger groups, organizations, schools please call for further information about group rates.

There will be a short presentation and discussion before and after the workshop, with printed materials explaining basic steps, references to materials, books, etc. Please no recording with camera, phone, or video unless pre-approved by written request stating purpose in advance.

This workshop and/or project, directed by our crew of Earth Harmony Builders, can be applied in your area.
An initial on-site consultation may be necessary to plan and prepare this workshop or project to meet your specific needs.
On-site consultation is available for an hourly fee of $75 per person (a team of two will always consult together) plus traveling expenses.

This fee includes the following:

A site evaluation
A Q&A session with the client to assess project needs
A final written evaluation and recommendation, with estimated material costs and hours of labor neededAny drawings, vision plans, pictures, elevation maps, plot plans, landscape designs that are available, and any other material requested by consultant, might be required in advance in order to prepare for an off-site visit. Phone or email time will be tracked and will become part of the consultation fee.

Held at Avalon Organic Gardens & EcoVillage in Tumacácori, Arizona. For more information check out their website or call (866) 508-0094.

2012 Summer Bike Camp

Tiernay — Fri, 18 May 2012 17:10:19 +0000

El Grupo and Bicas are teaming up to present the 2012 Summer Bike Camp, open to kids ages 8 – 13 years old. Participating in Youth Summer Bike Camp is about empowerment, building confidence and above all – FUN! Through this Youth Summer Bike Camp program your child’s confidence, knowledge, and skills increase in a safe, fun and peer-led environment. Activities focus on developing safe-riding skills, mechanical knowledge, and bike handling for each skill level, as well as exposure to health and wellness, environmental stewardship, air quality issues, and recycled art through a series of hands-on experiences.

2012 Dates
Session 1: June 11-15
Session 2: July 23-27
Session 3: October 1-5 (TUSD Fall Break)

Levels
Pedal Coasters (Beginer)
Thrill Cruisers (Intermediate)
Urban Rompers (Advanced)

The workshop is hosted by TFS – kids will be dropped off at our warehouse and will begin and end the day with us. To sign up for the camp and to learn more, visit Bicas’s website or you can register here.

Bean Tree Harvesting, Sprouting, Cooking & Storing Saturday

Tiernay — Fri, 30 Mar 2012 21:05:16 +0000

On June 16th from 8am-1pm, join the Bean Tree Farm for their harvesting day. Learn about the local foods you can harvest here in the desert. Join the workshop, set up by Bean Tree Farm. Check out their website (www.beantreefarm.com) or email them to learn more and register for the class.

Class Description: Did you know that in the Sonoran Desert around Tucson, almost every native plant taller than you that’s not a cactus is a bean (legume family) tree! Mesquite pods, ironwood and palo verde seeds are delicious and nutritious, as are heat-loving tepary beans, grown and tended by many generations of Tohono O’odham farmers. We’ll harvest, sprout, ferment and cook these and other seasonal foods, and share a delicious meal locally sourced from Bean Tree Farm, Greens Goddess, Marana Heritage Farm, San Xavier Co-op Farm and others!We’ll also cover traditions of mesquite medicine.

Solar Oven Demonstration

Tiernay — Mon, 07 May 2012 20:21:20 +0000

Come to the Santa Cruz River Farmer’s Market on June 21st to see a bit more than just fresh, local produce. The farmer’s market is hosting a solar oven demonstration with unique oven designs. Come and check out the bounty and to learn more about ways to use the sun in your everyday life.

2012 Summer Bike Camp

Tiernay — Fri, 18 May 2012 17:13:42 +0000

2012 Dates
Session 1: June 11-15
Session 2: July 23-27
Session 3: October 1-5 (TUSD Fall Break)

Levels
Pedal Coasters (Beginer)
Thrill Cruisers (Intermediate)
Urban Rompers (Advanced)

2012 Summer Bike Camp

Tiernay — Fri, 18 May 2012 17:18:14 +0000

2012 Dates
Session 1: June 11-15
Session 2: July 23-27
Session 3: October 1-5 (TUSD Fall Break)

Levels
Pedal Coasters (Beginer)
Thrill Cruisers (Intermediate)
Urban Rompers (Advanced)