Sustainability is a concept that has been around for ages. However, in a world threatened by climate change, it is an idea gaining traction. The adult Sustainable Practices program at Mother Lode is designed to help clarify and define various approaches to sustainability and provide some hands-on examples of what you can do to make our planet a better place. Plus, you might save a few bucks at home if you implement some of these ideas.
Conservation and Weatherization Workshop
When the idea of “going green” is discussed many people automatically think of “Solar Power”, which is a great idea. However, for the average household the first step to creating a green home is conserving as much energy as possible.
During this program methods of insulating your home and creative systems to conserve energy will be discussed. Simply reducing the amount of “vampire power” being used in your home, or putting a timer on your electric hot water heater, are a couple of inexpensive solutions to reduce the amount of energy your home consumes. Simple and inexpensive are key terms for this program.
If your primary interest is solar power, we won’t disappoint you. We will cover the differences between the various types of solar power and how they can be integrated into your life. Areas covered will include photovoltaic cells, solar thermal, solar hot water heaters plus active and passive forms of solar heating.
Solar Hot Water Heater Workshop
One of the largest energy requirements in the home is for heating water (approximately 1/3 of total energy use). The purpose of this workshop is to provide information on the application of passive solar heating to provide hot water for just about any location.
Several methods will be covered from the “plug & play” products currently on the market to the actual construction of a found materials solar hot water heater. Included in these discussions will be tips for installation plus other suggestions for these devices such as radiant floor heating. Materials covered in this workshop will be applicable to both electric and gas hot water heaters.
The tools and skills you need for this workshop are not as complex as they may seem. If you possess basic mechanical skills and a rudimentary understanding of plumbing, you can do it!
Organic Solar Garden and Solar Cooking Workshop
Aren’t all gardens solar powered? Yes, they are. From an energetic standpoint, the conversion of solar energy into electricity by photovoltaic cells is similar to the conversion of light energy into food for the plant. In traditional gardens this is an exclusively top down approach. Sunlight comes down from above and thru the process of photosynthesis in the plant’s leaves, translates this energy into growth of the plant.
The Mother Lode garden augments this top down process with a ground up solar component as well: solar heated root beds. Researchers at Rutgers University have shown that by pumping heated water thru a series of pipes in the root zone you are able to heat the soil, extend your growing season, and increase your harvests by more than 100%. This process works for small and large applications. Just ask the Cleveland Browns. Their football field uses forty miles of piping to incorporate this technique.
Along with organic growing techniques we will build and explore solar alternatives for cooking. Part of the workshop will be devoted to constructing simple ovens that just about anyone, anywhere can build. So if you have a great recipe let us know beforehand and we will see if we can prepare it with a solar oven.
For pricing and availability please refer to the Mother Lode Event Calendar.
