SUNSEED DESERT TECHNOLOGY SUMMARY 2011

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SUNSEED DESERT TECHNOLOGY SUMMARY 2011 PRESENTATION is the Project in Spain of the Sunseed Trust Ltd, a Uk Environmental Charity established 25 years ago.

1 SUNSEED DESERT TECHNOLOGY SUMMARY 2011 PRESENTATION is the Project in Spain of the Sunseed Trust Ltd, a Uk Environmental Charity established 25 years ago. A Board of Directors, mainly based in the UK, is responsible for the development of the Project and employs an enthusiastic and dedicated staff team to achieve the aims of the Project. The objectives of Sunseed are to develop, demonstrate and communicate sustainable and accessible methods of using low impact technology in a rural, semi-arid environment. To do so, Sunseed works in 6 areas/departments: Appropriate Technology, Organic Agriculture- Permaculture, Dryland Management, Ecoconstruction, Sustainable Living, Education and Publicity. Therefore the project concentrates on three main principles: adult education, sustainable development and soil regeneration. Sunseed has been a pioneering organisation in providing education and practical skills in an informal manner, with practical, hands-on methodologies. As a practical project, it shares and communicates with the community- local and international- through a series of workshops, seminars, guided tours, open days and residential courses. Sunseed operates at a local, bio-regional, national, European and international level; it is an international and multicultural project, legally established in Spain and the UK. Since its foundation 25 years ago, Sunseed has welcomed visitors and volunteers from all over the world, who come to learn about sustainable living. Sunseed's educational team is made up of international staff, which currently includes people from: Spain, the UK, Germany, Ireland and Hungary.

Sunseed has developed partnerships and works in colaboration with other European organisations from the UK, Germany, Italy and France, as well as with African organisations in Tanzania, Morocco and

2 Sunseed has developed partnerships and works in colaboration with other European organisations from the UK, Germany, Italy and France, as well as with African organisations in Tanzania, Morocco and Burkina-Faso. Sunseed also has partnerships with European Universities, which include internships for students on European study programs such as Erasmus and Leonardo. Sunseed forms part of the Spanish Permaculture network and UK Permaculture Association and is also a member of the Global Ecovillage Network (GEN). One of its key objectives is to show that sustainable living is possible, especially in a semi-arid environment. To do so there is a focus on low impact technology and products with a low environmental impact. Electricity is generated soley through solar panels. Also, this solar energy is used to heat the shower water, to cook in our solar kitchens and to preserve food. The water is obtained both from the local river using a hydraulic pump, and from the collection of rain water. We recycle, repair, and reuse resources, and so reduce our impact on the environment. We use compost toilets, recycle and purify the waste water, and use the kitchen refuse to make compost for the vegetable gardens. Sunseed is coordinated by a Project Manager and six staff members, coordinators/ educators. The work is divided into six departments with administration assistance. Appropriate Technology promotes investigation, innovation and development of renewable energy, aiming to reduce the environmental impact. The department maintains the systems of the hydraulic pumps, solar panels and the wind turbine. There is potential for further development in the fields of biogas, solar energy and machinery powered by human kinetic energy e.g. through bicycles. Eco-construction is responsible for the upkeep and growth of the centre, the buildings and their environment. This combines construction methods and materials that are ecological, local and traditional. As well as this, the department experiments and investigates new technologies and possible uses for them. There is work with caña (bamboo), agave wood, cob and construction of thermal-mass stoves etc...

Drylands Management- Regeneration Studies the degradation process of the soil through the observation of natural ecosystems and uses these findings in the management of the drylands.

Organic Growing Maintains Sunseed's vegetable gardens and produces some of the food which is eaten at Sunseed. The gardens offer an interactive educational experience of organic growing.

Visitors learn about the importance of respecting natural cycles, the interconnection between all living beings, plants, insects, animals; and with this how to minimise their use of water and make

3 Drylands Management- Regeneration Studies the degradation process of the soil through the observation of natural ecosystems and uses these findings in the management of the drylands. For four years we have studied the use of mycorrizal fungi to develop a simple, lowcost method to maximise the fertility of the soil, and this research can be applied in other desertified zones. Organic Growing Maintains Sunseed's vegetable gardens and produces some of the food which is eaten at Sunseed. The gardens offer an interactive educational experience of organic growing. The principles of Permaculture are used in combination with traditional agricultural methods. Visitors learn about the importance of respecting natural cycles, the interconnection between all living beings, plants, insects, animals; and with this how to minimise their use of water and make compost from their waste. Sustainable Living coordinates a way of living sustainably and with a low environmental impact in the day to day workings of Sunseed. This department manages the food policy to ensure a vegetarian diet that is ethical and healthy, that will include the use of the solar cooker and other appropriate technologies. It oversees the coordination of communal tasks in the household, the preparation of bread, preservation of foods and education about sustainable living at Sunseed. Education, Publicity and Fundraising coordinates the educational aspects of the departments in Sunseed. It oversees the distribution and provision of all the information related to Sunseed, the organisation of courses and events and the creation of networks and maintainance of relationships with other organisations.

Sunseed Activites 2011 COURSES During 2011 Sunseed has carried out 10 residential courses, both weekend and fullweek courses.

Due to the international nature of these courses, they have been carried out in two languages: English and Spanish.

capable of using everything they have learnt.

4 Sunseed Activites 2011 COURSES During 2011 Sunseed has carried out 10 residential courses, both weekend and fullweek courses. 53 adults from different countries in Europe, the USA, Australia, New Zealand and of course Spain, have participated in these courses. Due to the international nature of these courses, they have been carried out in two languages: English and Spanish. All of the courses combine theory and practice, given that via these courses we are trying to transfer knowledge and skills to empower the participants so that, by the end of the course, they feel capable of using everything they have learnt. The themes of the courses were as follows: Bread and Jam- We carried out 2 courses about the artesanial production of sour dough bread and ecological jams. Compost- Learning the principles of making good compost, with different techniques and reusing local materials. Solar cooking- Construction of a solar oven using simple techniques and recycled materials. In tr od uc ci ón Introduction to Permaculture and wild plants - Practical and theoretical course, with diverse dynamics, where participants learnt the principles and ethics of Permaculture, companion planting, polyculture, making compost, mulching, models, designs and the properties, uses, importance and conservation of wild plants. Drylands Management- Theory and practice of regeneration and reforestation of arid zones with trees and productive species: olives, almond trees etc... Construccion de Estufa Rusa de Masa Térmica - kachelofen - Aprender a construir de una estufa de alta eficiencia, económica y ecológica para el hogar.

5 Thermal -Mass stoves- kachelofen building - Learning to construct a highefficiency stove for home which is economical and ecological. Wind turbine DIY- All of the stages involved in making a turbine, from choosing a suitable spot for the turbine to assembly and instalation, maintainance and problem solving. Solar energy- Photovoltaic systemsdesign and installation of systems of photovoltaic panels independent of the electrical system for the home. Basis of Permaculture- Ethics, principals, methods of dryland regeneration, natural construction, applicable technology for home use like construction of hayboxes, and harvesting and preserving food... INTERNAL TRAINING The coordinators- facilitators of Sunseed also participate in courses and training workshops, to update and improve the quality of the service and the educational work they carry out. Here are some of the courses and workshops they have attended: Non-violent communication- 7 day residential course on Findhorn ecovillage in Scotland- UK. Restorative Permaculture and Agriculture with Darren Doherty, 3 day course in Malaga. Threatened Plants of Andalucia, 3 day course in the University of Almeria. Visit to CAT Centre of Alternative Technology, in Wales- UK ACTIVITES- EVENTS Sunseed organises and participates in different types of activites and events, not only courses. This mainly means free activities, to do with education, information and communication.. Guided Tours to Sunseed: Throughout the year Sunseed carries out guided visits to the project, which are open to the public. They are carried out every Tuesday and have also been set up other appointments on various different days and times. During 2011 as a whole, we have received 98 individual visitors. There have also been visits and workshops in different departments, for specific groups. We have hosted: 15 students from Roquetas de Mar High School 30 students from Almeria Hilgh School 3 groups from Greenpeace, with a total of 125 participants, aged between 6 and 18 years old.

There was a workshop about soil fertility and compost in the small garden of the High School, with a group of 15 students. There were 10 days of work between January and March.

6 Open Days. Together with the Pita-Eco-Escuela (another local project) we carried out 2 days of open days. Throughout the whole day there were workshops, talks, videos, guided tours, vegetarian food, live music and more... open to everyone. There was a total of 31 participants. Sorbas High School. There was a workshop about soil fertility and compost in the small garden of the High School, with a group of 15 students. There were 10 days of work between January and March. Sunseed 25th Aniversary In October 2 weeks of activites, workshops, seminars, volunteering, guided tours, documentaries and music was organized to celebrate Sunseed 25 years on from its foundation in... Ecoaltea: Sunseed participated in the Ecoaltea Fair in Alicante, with a stand and two workshops: Preparing natural fertilizers and Presentation of the project. Participation in the winter meeting of the Iberic Network of Ecovillages (RIE) in OlbaCastellon. Participation in bi-monthly meetings from the Local Permaculture group, among others... Visits to other projects Sunseed colaborates with and carries out educational visits to nearby local projects to be able to offer its visitors a richer and more complete vision about issues such as education, ecology and sustainability. Amongst these places we visited: Rodalquilar Botanical Garden Cortijo Los Baños School-farm Cortijo El Campillo. Solar Platform de Almeria Ecoaltea Earthship example of an ecobuilding

STUDENTS VOLUNTEERS - VISITORS As mentioned, Sunseed is dedicated to adult education. These adults come to Sunseed to learn for various periods of time, from 2 weeks to 6 months.

7 STUDENTS VOLUNTEERS - VISITORS As mentioned, Sunseed is dedicated to adult education. These adults come to Sunseed to learn for various periods of time, from 2 weeks to 6 months. They may be visitors, volunteers or students on internship placements, as well as people who come to take part in the practical courses. The profile of these people is very varied and heterogeneous: Students, educators, unemployed, people interested in creating their own sustainable living/ educational project, people on holiday, families, pensioners, volunteers from other environmental/educational projects. They come from many different countries in the European Union ( Spain, France, the UK, Italy, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Austria, FInland etc...) and also from other countries further away ( the USA, Canada, Morrocco, Australia... etc.) During 2011 Sunseed has welcomed 201 visitors/ volunteers. Of these: 142 have stayed for a period of between 1 and 4 weeks. 59 have stayed for a period of between 1 and 6 months. We have accepted 15 students on practical placements, through the Erasmus and Leonardo study programs, as well as other country and universityspecific programs. Projects Development. Sunseed is a project which is constantly evolving and changing, where the coordinators and educators offer a series of activities and projects, and facilitate the acquisition of knowledge through practical work. Equally well, the visitors and students also bring with them their own concerns, knowledge, skills and suggestions. Through the contributions of all the participants of Sunseed, both coordinators and volunteers, the project is able to develop. Projects are constantly guided by, and always under the supervision of, the department coordinators. In Sunseed numerous projects develop throughout the year, for example the constuction of a bridge made of cana (bamboo) or the construction of a bath from recycled material. These projects and many others can be found on our website.

Networking Sunseed is an organisation which works at different levels: Local, bio-regional, national, European, international.

living in general. Because of this we have contact and collaborate with different organisations, groups and institutions.

Local associations: Friends of Sorbas, La Pita-Escuela, Ecologists in Action... International projects: Tribodar in Portugal, CAT in Wales etc.

8 Networking Sunseed is an organisation which works at different levels: Local, bio-regional, national, European, international. It is an organisation which works in different areas: education, organic agriculturepermaculture, eco-construction, appropriate technology, regeneration of arid soils and sustainable living in general. Because of this we have contact and collaborate with different organisations, groups and institutions. Additionally we are part of a variety of different networks, for example: A range of Spanish and European universities. E.g. the University of Almeria, the University of Ca'Foscari Venice (Italy), Brandenbourg (Germany). Local associations: Friends of Sorbas, La Pita-Escuela, Ecologists in Action... International projects: Tribodar in Portugal, CAT in Wales etc... Permaculture networks: local networks, networks covering the Southeast of Spain and others from the UK. The Iberian network of Ecovillages RIE. And many more... During the past year, 2011, we have reinforced our connections with these contacts and created new ones. For more information look at our website

The Drylands Permaculture Farm. 333 David Rd (North), Waggrakine, Geraldton, Western Australia

The Drylands Permaculture Farm inspiring and empowering our communities with the practical permaculture knowledge to build healthy, sustainable livelihoods in dryland environments 333 David Rd (North),