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Illinois Valley News, Cave Junction, Ore. Wednesday, January 21, 2015
Permaculture workshop provides
introduction to natural building
By
Annette McGee Rasch
IVN Senior Contributing Writer
Utilizing ancient cob and cordwood
building techni ues, Certified Permaculture
Designer Hazel Speer wants to teach people
a better way to construct low-cost buildings
that are long-lasting, fireproof, provide
natural insulation and are able to withstand
earthquakes.
“Really, it takes a massive flood to
destroy these structures,” Speer said.
Feb. 8, Speer, co-founder of Treesong
Permaculture nstitute, is presenting a
free workshop from a.m.- p.m. that
will include a slide show providing an
introduction to natural building. Workshop
participants will also visit a planned, cob
construction project.
The workshop, held at the Rusk Ranch
ature Center, at
Redwood ighway,
will also serve as a preview of a atural
uilding raining Camp that Speer will
lead in April and May,
.
“ he free workshop will give people an
all inclusive overview of these processes,”
Speer said. “From initial soil and water
sampling to site design and foundations,
choosing the right location is very
important.”
hough permaculture encompasses so
much more than building, Speer explained
that, “ t’s about a paradigm shift guided
by ethics and principles that includes earth-
care, people-care and fair share, which
means you’re not greedy about earth’s
limited resources. atural building and
appropriate technology is just a piece of this.
he workshop will also cover these broader
principles.”
Many people delve into natural building
by constructing a barn, goat house or other
outbuilding to gain skills and confidence in
the processes, and then decide to go farther.
Speer, an expert in cob construction, has
helped shepherd the building of many such
structures in the area.
“ n our community, with so many
of us getting by on small incomes, these
techni ues offer strategies to become more
self-sufficient while creating economically
viable homes they can be proud of,” Speer
said. “ hose who own or have access
to a small piece of land can utilize these
techniques and principles to construct a
sound building for pennies on the dollar.”
“ here’s so much potential for people
to become empowered, heal their lives and
create sustainable futures,” Speer added.
“Resources are limited and these principles
are really the only way we can effectively
sustain our planet.”
Recycling is a key permaculture
principle and Speer pointed out that many in
the alley are already very innovative and
could utilize discarded or unused materials
just lying around on their properties, or
barter with friends and neighbors, to acquire
supplies for natural building pro ects. n
the process, she says people increase their
connections and find support with both their
own and others’ pro ects.
“Think of the old barn-raising ethic
- that sense of community and labor sharing,
you help me build mine and help you
build yours,’” Speer said.
Some turn to natural building for
health reasons, as trailers are composed of
toxic materials and are prone to molding,
while natural building techniques result in
structures that are healthy to inhabit and
comfortable in all seasons. And nationwide,
increasingly, there is a shift, as municipal
zoning authorities are beginning to recognize
and acknowledge the structural integrity and
soundness of well-designed natural homes.
Speer began her career by reading
about permaculture
years ago and
then really plunged in after apprenticing
in atural uilding with anto vans, a
renowned applied ecologist, landscape
architect and inventor with experience on six
continents. Speer received her certification
through the Cascadia Permaculture nstitute
and also studied permaculture design with
om Ward in Ashland. She continues to
attend workshops, and now, also teaches
these techniques and skills. Speer is
also certified in Optical Surveying for
arthworks Water.
With a background in sculpture, Speer
recognized early on that natural design was
more like an art form.
“ n natural design there are no corners,
everything flows according to the potential
of the site and the materials at hand,” Speer
said. “ t’s about so much more than ust a
s uare building composed of by ’s.”
Speer also promotes family
involvement in building and land
improvement pro ects.
“After one week of training, at
years of age, my daughter Sarah helped us
build our house. This helps children gain
confidence and practical skills,” Speer said.
Speer got involved with the Rusk
Ranch Nature Center when she helped
design playground e uipment for the
organization. he center endeavors to benefit
the community by providing opportunities
for the public, particularly young people,
to appreciate the natural world and instill a
sense of stewardship toward the earth and its
inhabitants.
Many community leaders and
volunteers are involved with the popular
nature center, which is growing each year,
as more resources and varied activities are
offered, according to the center’s xecutive
Director Patty Downing.
“We value the long-term wholeness of
our Valley, and we recognize that people and
nature are inseparable,” Downing said. “We
strive to nurture whole families, multiage
groups and children. And offering instruction
in permaculture and natural building is a
logical progression of our mission.”
he atural uilding raining Camp
will convene for four weekends in April and
May at the Rusk Ranch Nature Center and
costs
. ocal families who register early
can get up to
in discounts and those
who complete the training will receive a
Certificate in asic atural uilding. Adults
or Families with children over years of age
are welcome, as space permits. he camp
has flush toilets, shower, kitchen facilities
and river access. For more information, call
- -
, or go to the Rusk Ranch
ature Center’s website or Facebook page.
(Courtesy photo for The Illinois Valley News)
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