The PeaceWeavers, a non-profit educational organization, will host its 6th Annual Natural Building Colloquium, called "Building With Spirit," from July 26th through August 1st at the Thunder Mountain Retreat Sanctuary in Bath, N.Y. The sanctuary, located at 8125 Crouse Road, will be the site of workshops, how-to demonstrations and presentations on topics pertaining to natural building, like alternative fuels, log cabin construction, living roofs, building with hemp and a host of other topics.
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The event aims to better our environmental impact by teaching individuals about more sustainable building and living practices. The sessions will be taught by experts in the fields of green building and renewable energy, hoping to reduce the greenhouse gas emissions that plague the environment.
Currently, residential, commercial and industrial buildings account for 48 percent of the annual greenhouse gas emissions, according to a Systemic Evaluation and Assessment of Environmental Performance report. Moreover, the construction of a new home produces five tons of waste, creating the need for greater awareness of these sustainable building initiatives. "Natural building aims to reduce impact at the source thus decreasing the role that the building sector plays in global warming," said Kevin Connors, principal architect of "Building With Spirit."
This event will teach participants all about resource-efficient methods of construction and using renewable materials, like earth or straw, that doesn't create more pollution or consume more fossil fuels. Participants won't just learn about these things, however -- they get their hands dirty with personal experience using these building styles. "'Building With Spirit' provides an excellent foundation for people to expand their knowledge and enthusiasm for participation in what has grown to be a multi-trillion dollar global restoration economy," Connors said.
The event isn't all work and no play though. At night, participants break for a nice meal and a chance to do yoga, listen to music, or just bond with the other people with whom they're spending the week.
Since the event takes place completely in the great outdoors, participants should arrive between 1PM and 5PM on Sunday, July 26th to set up their campsite. Opening ceremonies will begin at 5PM, followed by dinner. Registration costs $725 for adults, $525 for college students and $325 for kids aged 5 to 17. There are discounts for registering before July 15th! For more information or to get a registration form, head over to the PeaceWeaver's Web site for the colloquium.
(Photo courtesy of Paula Connors, the PeaceWeaver's director of outreach for Buffalo.)
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The Three Little Pigs
Once upon a time there were three little pigs and the time came for them to leave home and seek their fortunes.
Before they left, their mother told them " Whatever you do , do it the best that you can because that's the way to get along in the world.
The first little pig built his house out of straw because it was the easiest thing to do.
The second little pig built his house out of sticks. This was a little bit stronger than a straw house.
The third little pig built his house out of bricks.
One night the big bad wolf, who dearly loved to eat fat little piggies, came along and saw the first little pig in his house of straw. He said "Let me in, Let me in, little pig or I'll huff and I'll puff and I'll blow your house in!"
"Not by the hair of my chinny chin chin", said the little pig.
But of course the wolf did blow the house in and ate the first little pig.
The wolf then came to the house of sticks.
"Let me in ,Let me in little pig or I'll huff and I'll puff and I'll blow your house in" "Not by the hair of my chinny chin chin", said the little pig. But the wolf blew that house in too, and ate the second little pig.
The wolf then came to the house of bricks.
" Let me in , let me in" cried the wolf
"Or I'll huff and I'll puff till I blow your house in"
"Not by the hair of my chinny chin chin" said the pigs.
Well, the wolf huffed and puffed but he could not blow down that brick house.