TURTLE FEATHER CENTRE for SUSTAINABLE LIVING

AriDynamics - Current Classes and Lectures...

Copper Mountain College Courses - Spring 2009

Pre-registration is requested (760) 366-3791 or toll free (866) 366-3791

$20.00 fee per class

Basic Off-Grid Power Solutions

The sun shines over 300 days a year in the high and low deserts.  It's free, so put it to good use!  As utility companies charge more for installations, in particular to remote cabins and land, a simple "off grid" power solution makes more sense economically and ecologically.  This class will discusss basic use planning and system design using a small and expandable 200 watt system installed on a cabin in Wonder Valley as an operating model.  This system powers an array of lighting fixtures, a stereo, water pump and computer in a full time studio space and cost less than $1500.00 to install. There are always alternatives and solutions!

Saturday 21st February 9AM till Noon

Passive Solar Energy

People have inhabited arid regions successfully for thousands of years using low technology and ecologically sane techniques...and so can we!  This class will discuss in basic terms, passive solar heating and cooling, solar water heating, desert coolers and non-mechanical "refrigeration", structure retrofits such as shading, wraps (includinng straw and adobe), and wind chimneys (the ultimate passive cooling device)! 

Saturday 7th March 9AM till Noon

Sustainable Water Practices

Water is the new frontier!  This class examines the relation between water and the land during drought cycles and in arid climate zones as well.  Learn about "tried and true" simple practices used throughout history all over the world. Rain catchement and storage, the proper and healthy use of grey water, areas of possible water, selecting landscaping with conservation in mind and preserving this "most precious" of resources!

Saturday 21st March 9AM till Noon

Arid Landscaping and Simple "Dry" Farming

This class explores the relationship between arid ecosystems and small scale agriculture, both "kitchen" gardens and for truck (small farms).  Learn how Native Americans and the ranchers, miners and homesteaders who followed managed native ecosystems and practiced small scale agriculture with little water and limited resources.  This class will cover "crop" selection, sand and hay for growth media, simple desert composting, reuse of water, what to do about salts and basic soil ammendment solutions...explained in simple terminology.

Saturday 4th April 9AM till Noon

LECTURES...

There are no lectures currently scheduled for this time period.  Please check schedules at a later date.

PUBLICATIONS...

Simple.Sustainable.Living is a bi-monthly column published by The Sun Runner - The Magazine of Southern California Desert Arts and Entertainment.  Articles review simple and sustainable alternatives to so called "modern" living in both an informative and entertaining form.

"Dry Farming" currently appears in Jan/Feb issue of Countryside and Small Stock Journal.

ON-LINE PUBLICATIONS and NEWSLETTERS

The Turtlefeather Press publishes short brochure type handout material on simple living.  These materials are usually distributed free of charge to any location requesting them.

The Turtle Island Journal will soon be available on-line and through this site.  This is the centre's own quarterly publication which will cover topics such as simple living, health and ecological issues. 

Expect the first issue to appear early Summer 2009!