Earth Stewards Exploratory Learning Cohort
How can we inhabit our ecologies wisely?
Are you tired of greenwashing and fake 'solutions' to the ecological crises of our times? Do you feel overwhelmed by the entangled global challenges we face, yet unsure where you can direct your efforts to create positive change? Do you want to deepen your relationship with the land where you live, while nurturing ways of life that subvert extractive colonial systems?
No one has all the answers—but we will get farther if we embark on the adventure together. With guidance from local Elders and Knowledge Keepers, we will:
- Meet in lək̓ʷəŋən (Lekwungen) territory, on Mondays and Thursdays throughout May and June, at Oak and Orca Bioregional School, for dinner, discussion, and activities
- Go on field trips to learn from awesome local initiatives (including travelling to O.U.R. Ecovillage for a weekend-long retreat/permaculture workshop May 23-25)
- Challenge each other with varying perspectives
- Take on projects according to our interests (individual or collaborative)
- Treat "mistakes" and “failure” as rich learning opportunities (we are boldly interacting with a complex reality here!)
All expenses are covered for the weekend trip, dinners will be provided from local restaurants, and we can access workshop instructors and project materials (thanks to grant funding via Videa).
If there are specific things you already know that you'd like to learn or do, we may be able to support you (feel free to mention in the signup form)! Examples of the kinds of projects we could work on, according to individual and group interests:
- Help plan, prepare, and construct an edible schoolyard
- Conduct original scientific research on urban soil contamination and remediation
- Discover ways that plants can replace consumer products
- Find a local waste stream that we can turn into a useful resource
- Craft survival / camping gear from upcycled and natural materials
This learning cohort is for participants age 18-30. However, if you are not within that age range, feel free to email or fill out the application anyways—there may still be ways for you to participate.
Meeting dates:
May 5, 8, 12, 15, 19, 23-25 (O.U.R. Ecovillage trip), 29
June 2, 5, 9, 12, 16, 19, 23, 26
(Some workshops and field trips may take place outside of the above dates)
Due to limited space in the cohort, it's a good idea to sign up as early as you can!
Not sure yet if you want to sign up? Feel free to email Seth at seth.b@oakandorca.ca with any questions.