Category Archives: Education

Building Systems, Earthship, Education, Natural Building, Our Journey

Fireside Chats are Returning

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We are pleased to announce the return of Fireside Chats at theDoighouse Learning Center ltd.

TheDoighouse Learning Centre team is developing this year’s fireside chats program. Our 2021 lineup includes panel discussions, local sustainability champions, lots of discussion, opportunities to win prizes like a night’s stay in the Earthship.  The fireside chats will be held the second Wednesday of each month.

Our 2021 programming will open February 10th with “Building an Earthship in a Coastal Rainforest”; a moderated speaker panel including the owners and others who’ve played a significant role in theDoighouse Earthship build project.

We’d like to invite you to join us on February 10th, 2021 on zoom for our kickoff.

Come learn about our journey, hear from a panel of natural building practitioners, and connect with other people interested in cultivating a life in harmony with people and planet. We look forward to seeing you there –   Tickets available on Eventbrite.

EVERYONE WELCOME!
If you’re unable to donate for whatever reasons, please contact Susan at thedoighouse@gmail.com and she will provide you with a ticket.

What you can expect

  • Insight into natural building in a Coastal BC rainforest
  • Space to pose questions and connect with our panel of speakers
  • The chance hear from many different perspectives
  • A sense of community with others passionate about sustainability

Our Panel

  • Susan & Tony Doig – theDoighouse learning centre
  • Mark Fleischhaker – structural engineer
  • David K – amazing volunteer and teacher
  • Hans L. – international volunteer
  • Jay Need – Kiwi Built Ltd builder
  • Keith Tatlow – architect
  • Cecilia Jaques – Sustainability consultant & panel facilitator

This fireside chat will be focused on theDoighouse construction, linking it with the UN Sustainable Development Goals – specifically:

  • #3 – Good Health & Well-being,
  • #11 – Sustainable cities and communities
  • #12 – Responsible consumption and production
  • #15 – Life on Land

The event will be moderated by Cecilia Jaques, MSc, BA with the zoom panel session running from 7:00pm – 8pm.

Participation is by donation, with tickets available on Eventbrite.

Community Garden, Education, Gardening, Permaculture

Gardens on the Go Earthship Workshop Series

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2021 Gardens on the Go
Earthship Workshop series

Although we love hands on, in person classes, the first three sessions will be held as on-line Zoom classes from 1pm to 3pm. As things evolve with COVID-19 safety protocols we will continue to evaluate the situation and will hopefully be able to offer classes in person at theDoighouse.

Instructor Bio:

Connie Kuramoto has been teaching Horticulture for over 30 years, and gardening for even longer.  She was a technician and instructor for Vancouver Island University for 20 years, and currently teaches on contract for North Island College and Gaia College, as well as numerous workshops and talks throughout Vancouver Island and beyond.

Connie has worked in the Horticulture Industry in Greenhouses, Market Gardens, Florist Shops, Farms, and has managed her own Horticulture Training and Service Business, Gardens on the Go for nearly ten years.  Her zoom sessions are filled with information and growing tips.

 Series Dates and Topics

February 6, 2021 – SOLD OUT
Zoom 1-3pm
Pruning Basics: Learn the rules that make pruning fruit trees easy!

Join Connie Kuramoto, long time Horticulture Instructor and learn to prune those fruit trees! Using the keep it simple principle, Connie will introduce you to just a few rules that will give you confidence in your fruit tree pruning adventures. This class will introduce you to pruning theory during a two hour Zoom class. Bring your questions. Send pictures and questions about pruning to Connie at connie.kuramoto@gmail.com.
Register here

March 13, 2021 
Zoom 1-3pm
Building a Garden Bed: Learn to build a sheet mulched garden bed right on top of what you have now, whether lawn weeds, or bare soil. No building skills required.

Join this class to learn to brew up some good nutrition for your soil. Using easy to grow plants and plants gathered from the wild, as well as inexpensive microbial solutions, you can blend and brew some nutritious garden teas that your soil microbes and your plants will thrive on. We will talk about using common weeds to make brews, as well as compost tea and microbial blends. Bring your questions! There will be time to answer questions after the session, as well as by email.
Reserve here

April 24, 2021 – Garden Teas & Brews: Learn to make your own garden fertilizers using easy to find materials.

Getting started on gardening can be easy with the no dig sheet mulched garden bed method. This method will turn any area of your yard into a garden in one afternoon. Grow fantastic vegetables, herbs, or flowers, with a minimum of effort and weeding using inexpensive and easy to source materials. Get a jump start on a garden this year. Food prices are expected to rise significantly and using this method you can build your bed and plant into it the same day. All questions will be answered either during class, or afterwards. Come and join us and join the ranks of thousands of gardeners growing fresh nutritious food for themselves and their families.
Register here

Book online for February, March and April sessions and HOLD THE DATES for the remainder of the series:

  • May 8, 2021 – Building an edible Mother’s Day planter
  • June 19, 2021 – Planting a winter garden
  • July 24, 2021 – Composting, and building a worm bin
  • August – no class
  • September 25, 2021 – An Earthship Greenhouse planter
  • October 23,  2021 – Propagation

Email thedoighouse@gmail.com and let me know if you would like to be put on our ‘reminder’ list.

If you are interested in a private tour of theDoighouse Earthship and Gardens it is still available by appointment only.

Children welcome with supervision.