Northeast (U.S.) Natural Building and Living Colloquium

The Northeast Natural Building and Living Colloquium is a "conference" I go to every year. It's not everyone's cup of tea. No continuing education credits are offered. There's no high-power, big-project architectural, engineering, interior designing firm reps to hobnob with. There isn't a product expo in a cavernous auditorium. No suits, no ties, no shiny shoes. It takes place outside. You bring a tent to sleep in. Meals are provided (vegan). You get to be with good, mostly laypeople who care deeply about sustainability in the built environment, learning from world-class practitioners about things like strawbale, cob, cordwood, timber framing, straw-clay infill, permaculture, community-supported agriculture, small-scale living roofs, thatching, natural plasters & finishes, and more. You get your hands in the dirt. You go swimming. Evening presentations as good as any I've seen at mainstream green-building conferences — and often better — are given in a circus tent. Then, exhausted, you either relax around a bonfire or hit the sleeping bag to get ready to do it again the next day.

The sixth annual family-friendly Northeast Natural Building & Living Colloquium — Seven full days! — Sunday, July 26 through Saturday, August 1, 2009 — once again hosted by The PeaceWeavers :: Thunder Mountain — Bath, New York A hands-on event with an emphasis on natural building and sustainable living in the northeastern climate. From natural building and permaculture to water and energy conservation... from alternative fuels to sourcing your food locally... this event is for everyone concerned about how their lifestyle impacts our Earth.

More, bigger pictures here

The weeklong, camp-on-site, meals-provided colloquium offers very full (and very fun!) days of teaching, learning, building, and networking. World-class experts, authors, educators, innovators, designers, and builders offer hands-on experience with and educational presentations about "close to the earth" building materials and lifestyle choices. On-site camping and all meals (vegan) are included. Register early for a discount. http://www.peaceweavers.com/bws/ What some of last year's participants had to say: "When I heard about this I knew it was going to be cool, but I've had ten times more fun than I ever thought I was going to. It's like nothing I've ever experienced. I'll definitely be back." — Matt M "I've been getting very interested in natural building, and this was recommended to me as sort of an overall vision of that. It's been great, very useful." — Sue J "Awesome. The timber framing project is great. Great instructor. Incredible group of people. And I had a ukulele lesson! It's very embracing." — Liz J "With fuel depletion, peak oil, and climate change happening, it's easy to understand the many compelling reasons for natural building. This is where it's at for a sustainable future in housing, building design, performance, community design... the whole thing." — Dan M "Connections — connections to people, connections to the natural methods, and ways to learn and grow." — Dave M "The presenters are really awesome — they've got a lot of great information and really seem to know their stuff." — Chris M "This is great! I was sort of expecting 'hippies.'There are people here with progressive ideas, but still planted in reality. People I can really identify with." — Clay D "This is my second year here at this gathering. For me it's a combination of inspiration and vacation, retreat and refuge. Being around people who are thinking the same thing as me ­ mostly ­ except for the crazy stuff ­ is such a gift. I can't imagine not getting here. It would take a pretty big blizzard." — Georgie D "No matter what age you are, or if you have children or not, this is a great place to come and play, or let your inner children come and play." — Alison B "I worked on the strawbale a lot, and I'm really inspired to go home and try it out. I've been really enjoying the company of the people I've been working with." — Emily A "It's out of my own skin a little bit — but this is a place to grow into some new skin. Very refreshing." — Aaron V "I've been coming up here every year, learning a lot about natural building and community. I enjoy the food, and sitting around the campfire is really nice in the evening, talking to people. I just love being up here." — Janice B "The best people in the world are on Thunder Mountain today." — David L