DAWN "NorthWest"
email: dawnvoyager@gmail.com   website:  www.caneloproject.com/dawn

This is your invitation to learn to live on the Earth in a way that takes care of the Earth, care of people and produces a surplus to share.

We offer workshops teaching permaculture strategies, with projects such as harvesting rainwater, building affordable small structures with natural materials, organically growing & harvesting food, land restoration and more. A conscious effort is made to introduce ways of thinking about the design of an entire site, while building and gardening and conserving water and other resources.

We have found that the workshops are a great way to learn about ancient techniques using materials that exist almost anywhere & skills that anyone can learn. Since some of these skills are being lost over generations, it's really rewarding to be able to bring these ideas back to life. Learn about building beautiful, creative, natural, low-cost extensions of the Earth. Special workshops can be organized in advance for groups or upon request.
We also offer consultations and personal consultation on whole site design, & sustainable living!

TAKE A LOOK: some of the workshop titles are linked to photos of past workshops, and descriptions of what we do.
To get more information, email: dawnvoyager@gmail.com

Introduction to Permaculture, Learn how to live, grow food and build sustainably, using permaculture strategies. These strategies will include erosion control, swales, pit gardens, sheet mulching, biomass planting to slow stormwater flow and develop a "food forest". Students will also learn about creating sustainable shelter, utilizing natural building techniques with few manufactured materials, found locally, & use of appropriate technologies. Site assessment and whole site design, including elements which serve multiple functions including both the natural and human activities will be explored. Learn about integrating all the strategies into whole site design. A tour of permaculture sites will be offered, where you can see examples of watershed and land restoration, as well as sustainable design. DATE , details TBA

Growing & Harvesting Food "Forest": Composting, Mulching & Earth Worms. Learn the techniques for successful gardening in this climate, how to conserve water and recycle your kitchen waste & other materials while creating an inch of soil in that barren looking back yard that subdivisions are blessed with; or in any soil in this area. If you thought you could never turn lawn, weed patch or uninviting bare spaces into garden, join us to change those ideas, enjoy building a food forest, enhance your yard and put some earthworms to work. They'll love you for it! (Cost includes simple starter earthworm kit). DATE , details TBA

Simple, Easy, Low Cost Shade Structures Learn some great, practical, low cost, easy to make techniques to shade & extend your outdoor living space even in the hot weather! Use of recycled and locally available materials to build seasonal shade structures and easy to constuct window treatments to keep the house warmer, solar blockers for reducing heat. Build a shade/privacy structure on this site: Date, details TBA.

Rainwater Harvesting Systems  Date: Saturday, October 24, 2009 9 am to 5 pm
Fee $39 Fee: $39 (discount for seniors) Sponsor: Linn Benton Community College, Sweet Home Campus     A hands-on workshop to explore creative ways to conserve resources, save $$$ by harvesting rainwater, intercept storm water flow, stop erosion and restore the natural landscape. Learn how to design and site systems, evaluate rooftop catchment surfaces, calculate supply and demand, and install a rainwater cistern. Build a simple, in-ground catchment basin on-site, to slow runoff and be a source for landscape irrigation. Students will meet at the Sweet Home Center for a brief introduction and will then travel to the near-by work site. Students will provide their own transportation. Contact the Sweet Home Center for a supply list. An up to date resource list, bibliography, and examples of strategies to save a precious resource will be provided.
Instructor: Joelee Joyce, Permaculture Designer and Teacher; for more details: send email to dawnvoyager@gmail.com
To register see Linn Benton Community College (Sweet Home) www.linnbenton.edu
Fall Catalog (non-credit) CRN: 23385    Listed under “Home & Garden”; or call 541 367

Introduction to Building with Natural Materials:   Lean about naturally sourced materials to build structures. We will demonstrate how to use straw bales, cob and adobe, along with earth plasters & finishes. This will be a hands-on workshop to build & sculpt small structures, such as garden walls & benches. An overview of design, structural elements, protection from rain, solar orientation, shading, sizing and scale will be given. Bring your own lunch. Date, site, cost TBA.

Natural Paints & Finishes:  For anyone interested in learning to make your own paints and earthen plasters. These can be made by hand from all natural, low cost, locally available materials and can be used to create & sculpt whimsical and beautiful decorative elements on walls; learn how to apply finishes of clay plasters; try out natural paints made from only a few inexpensive ingredients such as Clay - Natural Pigments - Flour Paste - Soy Resin - Lime - Natural Oils; add fillers such as straw & mica and apply them to almost any type of wall surface including latex, gypsum, cement, sheetrock, earth plaster, or wood. Date, site, cost TBA.

Earthen Baking Oven:   October 10, 2009 9am-5pm Fee: $39 (discount for seniors) Sponsor: Linn Benton Community College, Sweet Home Campus    Enjoy a day learning the basics of building a low cost outdoor earthen oven, including building/sculpting and plastering the walls using clay & straw mixes, with layers of natural insulation. Baking in a wood-fired clay oven adds a distinctive flavor to pizzas, bread, and all sorts of baked dishes. The skills required are simple and require no prior building experience. Handouts with instructions & recipes provided. Students will meet at the Sweet Home Center for a brief introduction and will then travel to the near-by work site. Students will provide their own transportation. Contact the Sweet Home Center for a supply list.
Instructor: Joelee Joyce, Permaculture Designer and Teacher. For more details: send email to dawnvoyager@gmail.com
To register see Linn Benton Community College (Sweet Home) www.linnbenton.edu
Fall Catalog (non-credit) CRN: 23446 listed under “Cooking” Listed under “Home & Garden”; or call 541 367

FUTURE PLANS: Permaculture Strategies to be taught in a series of hands-on, one-day or weekend workshops ! An introductory session will be followed by hands-on workshops in which actual food growing strategies, site assessment, design & improvements, land restoration, rainwater harvesting, natural and sustainable building strategies appropriate for this climate, will be included. Instructor(s) are permaculture designers, instructors and practioners. DATE , details TBA

SPRING 2010: Monthly----2nd Saturdays
INTRODUCTION TO PERMACULTURE/ OPEN HOUSE: Bring Your Own Brunch (BYOB) - GET DOWN TO EARTH/ DAY! Site: TBA,, call to sign up & get time, place and directions!
Get your hands in the mud and try out some earthen plasters on walls made of straw bales, adobe & cob. See demonstrations and get some hands-on experience: MUDDING FUN (EARTH PLASTERS), NO-TILL GARDENING, LAWN BECOMING GARDEN, WATER HARVESTING, LAND RESTORATION PROJECTS, INCLUDING AFFORDABLE BUILDINGS & SMALL STRUCTURES WITH STRAW BALE ADOBE, & COB.

SEND YOUR INTEREST BY EMAIL FOR OTHER GREAT EVENTS IN THE PLANNING STAGES!

Donations for materials, time & effort very much appreciated. WORK EXCHANGE POSSIBLE, AND VOLUNTEERS WELCOME!

See latest changes at www.dawnnorthwest.blogspot.com  

Thank you for building a more sustainable world!