EVS in Findhorn
Elliott Saxby
Projects starting in 2010 suitable for EVS volunteers
Each of the projects below would welcome a volunteer’s contribution. The projects have the ability to turn into something greater if the volunteer chooses to advance it from its current forecasted design.
1. Cluny Gardens. Reduce CO2 emissions through food awareness.
The volunteer will create a demonstration and education garden showing how much food and diversity can be included in the size of an average back garden. They will learn how to prolong a growing season through using a Polly tunnel. The volunteer will be supported to connect with and involve the local Forres Transition Town movement who are working on Town allotments to reduce CO2 emissions. Learning outcomes for the volunteer will include how to reduce carbon emissions for a sustainable future, organic gardening (alternative methods to pesticides) for sustainable development. They will contribute to the development of the local community through strengthening the local sustainability and creating an educational resource for visitors demonstrating how people can lower their carbon emissions while growing local, healthy organic food. The volunteer will be supported to turn the garden into an educational resource creating simple information signs to show how it reduces CO2 emissions, e.g: Comparison of the food miles, packaging and pesticides of a shop bought tomato to this tomato plant. The volunteer will also work alongside the garden team who look after the grounds of the education centre.
2. Park Garden. Fruit and nut trees for sustainability
The volunteer will work with the Park garden team to plan and create a fruit and nut tree educational walk for schools and visitors. The volunteer will develop a nursery to start growing the trees. Learn about the nutritional values of the different fruit and nut trees and their uses. They will create educational material on their value for health and sustainability to encourage a healthy lifestyle and as one part of the solution to the Global challenge of climate change. The Volunteer will plan where to plant the different trees to create an interactive tour that they will lead guests and other interested people on. As the trees grow the tour will become more interactive and used more widely. The educational material they create will be used to show the diverse use of the trees and to encourage people to grow them in their own homes, towns and cities. The volunteer will also work alongside the garden team who look after the grounds of the education centre.
3. Park Garden. Reinvigorating the local bee population
The volunteer will be involvement in reinvigorating the local bee population that is declining and posing a huge threat to local agriculture and horticulture. Activities would include communication with local beekeepers, research into how to increase the local bee population and then implementing what was learnt. The benefits to the local community are increasing the bee population which is posing a serious threat to local food supplies. Learning opportunities for the volunteers: getting to know the local community, communication with local bee-keepers, learning about bees, bee-keeping, health benefits of the bee-products.
The volunteer will connect with the Co-operative supermarket who have initiated their Nation wide “Bee Plan”. The Volunteer will work with and implement the Co-operative’s 10-point bee plan in the local area and develop it further to meet the local needs and optimise the local resources. How the project develops further than the Co-operative’s plan will depend on the volunteers initiative. Suggestions and possibilities that the staff they are working with will provide will include: local on site school visits to young people to be inspired about bees, working with the local Transition Town Forres movement to include bees in their allotment and town plans. For further information on the Co-operatives “Plan Bee” go to: http://www.co-operative.coop/ethicsinaction/takeaction/planbee/what-The-Co-operative-is-doing-for-bees/
The volunteer will also work along side the Park gardening team who look after the grounds of the Ecovillage and education centre.
4. Cullerne Garden. Chickens replace tractors
Contributing to the building of an educational chicken tractor. A chicken tractor is a specialised movable home for chickens enabling them to work the land instead of machinery, directly offering practical solutions to the global challenge of climate change and sustainable development. The set up will act as an educational resource for adults and children with possible local School visits for younger children. The volunteer will have input throughout the process, connecting with the local Schools to discover how to arrange site visits. Volunteers will have the opportunity to learn about permaculture gardening, practical skills about gardening, animals, and experience in environmental education through supporting visits and tours. Their involvement will directly benefit the local community through the improvements in sustainable development in relation to growing food and using less energy. Other benefits to the local community through the educational projects include educating people of all ages on nature-friendly agriculture and co-operation between people and nature.
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Next Generation of the Global Ecovillage Network
Charitable status no VR 3821 P.
www.nextgen.cc
ell...@nextgen.cc
The Findhorn Foundation
Scottish charity number SC007233
www.findhorn.org
elliot...@findhorn.org
Elliott Saxby
Skype name: elliott.saxby
00441309 692022
00447717736937