Courses and Workshops
For 2013, the Lost Valley team is focusing a notch less on courses and workshops and a notch more on getting permaculture systems active on site. This is to further our transition from the conventional infrastructure (and culture) that we inherited from the previous owners in 1989 to more ecological and independent ways. We are working on “walking the talk” more, and will again pick up the speed of educational offerings in due time. Thus, in 2013 we are not offering permaculture courses longer than two weeks. To see our shorter offerings click here: Upcoming Courses. Check back regularly, as we have events and workshops coming up on a regular basis. You may also be interested in our hands-on permaculture Internship Program or weekend Visitor Program.
Course and Workshop Participant Expectations/Qualifications
We are looking for participants who are motivated, have a positive attitude about rural community life, and are interested in combining theory and hands-on practice of sustainability.
People involved in the following fields in particular will find many opportunities for growth: design fields such as landscape architecture, planning, and architecture; ecological fields such as environmental studies, biology, ecology, horticulture, forestry, and natural resource management; social sustainability fields such as human ecology, environmental sociology, and eco-psychology. Anyone who is interesting in starting, designing, or someday living in an ecovillage, intentional community, or green development will find our courses and the experience living here on site especially useful.
Our programs are primarily introductory in nature, and are appropriate for people who are relatively new to the subjects covered (though instructors can add in more advanced content or side conversations as fits the situation/individuals involved). The programs are also a good match for people who have scholastic training in some of the subject areas and who are interested in exploring how permaculture and ecovillage principles can be put into actual practice at the grassroots level. In addition, the programs can be great for those who have advanced experience in certain subject areas of the programs but little or no experience in other subject areas. For these participants, the programs help make connections between specialized knowledge and the other subject areas, helping to create a holistic understanding. What is most important is that course participants are excited to learn, actively participate, and be a positive part of a team.
Community life requires working closely with each other for extended periods of time. Therefore, we seek course participants who work well with others, are positive and supportive in community or group situations, and are enthusiastic about engaging in honest communication and introspection. Community life in general, and particularly at Lost Valley, can be emotionally intense at times, which can fuel growth, but also demands a basic degree of emotional maturity.
Much of our courses take place outdoors, such as active hands-on activities, and require decent physical condition. Please contact us if you are interested and have physical disabilities or significant limitations, and we can discuss options for involvement.
Lost Valley is a working ecovillage as well as a nature sanctuary. To protect ourselves and our land, all participants are required to read and sign a waiver of liability before beginning courses.
Please select the following to see more:
Upcoming Courses
Testimonials from past participants
Financial Aid information
For answers to other common queries, see the Programs FAQs page, which lists our general policies and programmatic information, and has course-specific information toward the bottom. Get informed and get ready!
