Past Workshops

Buildings

• Building and remodeling in harmony with the sun: We will cover site, orientation, and design considerations for building and remodeling projects, with passive and active solar energy systems in mind. (David Boyce, Minnesota Renewable Energy Society, Inc.)
  
• Certified forests and wood products in Minnesota: What is Forest Stewardship Council certification? How and where can I buy FSC-certified products? We'll also discuss local forest certification activities and resources. (Kathryn Fernholz, Dovetail Partners)
  
• Choosing and buying a healthier, more energy-efficient home: Is there a way to approach the home buying process from a healthier and more energy-efficient perspective? Learn tips and strategies for finding or transforming a home to fulfill your "greener dreams." (Gina Vermilyea, Coldwell Banker Burnet)
  
• Designing an energy-efficient and healthy new or remodeled home: We'll cover things to think about before you build or remodel--size, shape, materials, insulation, and heating, ventilation and cooling systems. (Jimmie Sparks, Neighborhood Energy Connection)
  
• Energy enhancements for older windows: Learn how to make your original windows much more energy-efficient. Find out how to tell a good storm window from the rest. We'll discuss solutions for common problems. (Paul Schmidt, Restoration Window Systems)
  
• Green building 101: This presentation will cover the fundamentals of green building--from site selection to finish materials. Learn about the nationally recognized LEED for Homes green building criteria. (Rachel Maloney, Natural Built Home)
  
• Green remodels: Putting you in the driver's seat: Find out what to expect from a green remodeling job. How much should it cost? What are cool materials and methods? Also hear about a new way to significantly cut remodeling costs while being green. (Bob Alf, Bob Alf Construction, LLC)
  
• Greening your home through remodeling: A step-by-step review of a typical home and the methods, materials, and techniques that can be employed to improve energy-efficiency, durability, indoor environmental quality, water consumption, and land use. (Michael Anschel, Otogawa-Anschel Design Build, LLC)
  
• Remodeling and building a healthier home: Learn how to design and build or remodel a healthier home, according to building biology. Reduce harmful volatile organic chemicals, mold, and electro-magnetic fields, using healthy materials. (Oram Miller, Environmental Design and Inspection Services)
  
• RoofBloom: Put a green rooftop on your garage: Learn to create a green rooftop on a garage or other outbuilding. We'll cover the steps, including planning, identifying local materials, and installation. (Corrie Zoll)
  
• Sustainable kitchens and baths: Learn about sustainable design choices you can make to create a kitchen or bath that is greener, functional, and efficient. (Mary Jane Heinen, Whole Builders)
  
• Whole tree architecture: Redefining our relationship with forests: Learn why whole trees are stronger than lumber. We'll discuss how to change forestry practices from mining old trees to gardening young trees, and how to build durable and beautiful structures from the "back forty." (Roald Gundersen, Whole Tree Design Build)
  

Energy

• Empower your neighborhood to make a difference: Join with your friends and neighbors to create or support a renewable energy project. Hear about the triumphs and pitfalls of the Twin Cities' most recently installed community-sponsored solar project, in the Linden Hills neighborhood of Minneapolis. (David Boyce, Minnesota Renewable Energy Society, Inc.)
  
• Geothermal heat pump systems: Learn the basic operating concepts of a geothermal system for heating and cooling. We'll also explain the types of geothermal systems and their operating cost savings. (Brian Urlaub, GeoComfort)
  
• Renewable energy in the city: You can use renewable energy systems to power your home--even in urban areas. Learn how to determine which systems will work at your site and what they may cost. We'll focus on equipment options available for solar electric systems. (Tehri Parker, Midwest Renewable Energy Association)
  
• Saving energy: The best investment you can make: Look at the costs and saving for major and minor energy improvements. We will discuss insulation, air sealing, heating and cooling systems, water heaters, doors and windows, and home energy performance auditing. (Jimmie Sparks, Neighborhood Energy Connection)
  
• Solar made simple: Learn everything you need to know about solar heating and solar electric options for your home and business, including financial incentives. (Ralph Jacobson, Innovative Power Systems)
  
• Ten ways to save energy in your home: Energy is hot! While we develop new energy sources for the future, learn how we can significantly affect our cumulative energy usage with simple conservation and efficiency strategies in our own homes. (Terry Webster, State Energy Information Office, Dept. of Commerce)
  
• Using trees for energy conservation: Learn how to plant and cultivate trees to maximize the energy-efficiency of your home. Strategic planting, as well as pruning of existing trees, can decrease your home heating and cooling costs. (Rebecca Seibel-Hunt, Majestic Tree Care, Inc.)
  
• Wind energy for home and farm: An in-depth workshop on planning a small wind turbine installation. Topics will include technology, economics, on- vs. off-grid, working with your utility, and applying for permits. (Brian Antonich, Windustry)
  

Food & Agriculture

• Adventures in artisan cheesemaking: Overview of one cheesemaker's path into farmstead cheesemaking, insights into the rewards and challenges of cheesemaking, and advice for potential cheesemakers. (Jodi Ohlsen Read, Shepherd's Way Farms)
  
• Caring for our soil: Children grades Kindergarten through 6th grade will investigate the importance of dirt for growing food, and the techniques modern farmers are using to protect and replenish soil. Children will create a drawing/collage. (Haruko Ruggiero, Midwest Food Connection)
  
• City chickens: Would you like to enjoy freshly laid, home-produced eggs every morning? Come learn all about the awesome, practical world of chickens and other fowl and how to care for them in the Twin Cities! We will cover housing, care, eggs, and much more! (Peter Willcutt, Urban Agrarian, Twin Cities Chickens)
  
• Cold climate grape and wine production: A basic introduction to techniques to aid in the growth of grapes and wine in the Upper Midwest. Topics include site selection, cold climate grape varieties, equipment needs, and basic wine making. (Paul Neyers, Doppeleichen Vineyards)
  
• Common wild food plants of Minnesota: Learn about the identification and preparation of some common gourmet wild fruits, nuts, and vegetables. Participants will get to see the actual plants and sample some of them. (Sam Thayer, Forager's Harvest)
  
• Growing heirloom foods: Heirloom plants offer the characteristics of superior taste, improved plant health, and greater variety. Learn about saving seeds to preserve our genetic plant diversity. (David Massey, Northwoods Organic Produce)
  
• Local fair trade: Working together for health, justice, and sustainability: Farmers, farm workers, retailers, and consumers are coming together to create local fair trade--a new way of business that benefits everyone in the community. Learn how to get involved. (Erik Esse, Local Fair Trade Network)
  
• Save the Planet and Improve Your Health, One Bite at a Time: Learn how an organic plant-based living foods nutrient-rich diet is a better standard of a low-impact lifestyle with proven life-giving results in a healthier, stronger, disease-free, more beautiful YOU! (Eric Rivkin, Viva La Raw Project)
  

Household Products & Practices

• Does recycling really make a difference?: Does recycling make a genuine difference or is it just a feel-good activity? Learn about how recycling and waste reduction are solutions to the environmental problems you care about. (Dianna Kennedy, Eureka Recycling)
  
• Got pests? Controlling home pests without harsh chemicals: Receive free information and a kit on how to control pests and protect your family. We'll also briefly cover safe pesticide use. (Collie Graddick, Minnesota Dept. of Agriculture)
  
• Indoor vermiculture: Demonstration of indoor food composting using worms. (Ellen Sandbeck, Laverme's Worms)
  
• Sharing meals, babysitting, and home repair in your neighborhood: Learn about ways to share the work and fun of daily household tasks, and build friendships and community at the same time. Stories and tips from three people who formed a co-operative meal group, a babysitting co-op, and a work party group. (Andrea Erickson)
  
• Shop local, shop smart: Explore the economic, environmental, and aesthetic reasons for buying locally. We will suggest ways that citizen consumers can identify and support their own locally owned, independent businesses. (Tim Dykstal, Metro Independent Business Alliance)
  
• Shop SMART to save money and reduce trash: Ever wonder about the cost of all those individually packaged drink and food items and how much waste they make? Attend this session and do a packaging comparison to find a better way to buy. (Dan Schoepke, Washington County Dept. of Public Health & Environment)
  
• Why fair trade matters to the green consumer: Learn seven ethical and environmental principles of fair trade and hear stories of how fair trade has impacted the lives of specific people. (Mindy Ahler-Olmstead, Ten Thousand Villages)
  

Lifestyles & Recreation

• Ecotourism in Voyageurs National Park: Ecotours in Voyageurs National Park are healthy, fun, inexpensive, and effective ways to conserve and protect the region's water and air quality, while at the same time promoting life-long learning. (Chris Hemstad, Boreal Explorations EcoAdventures)
  
• Feng shui: Simplicity and the impact of clutter: According to feng shui principles, if your space is cluttered, it is likely your life exhibits a corresponding sense of disarray. Learn to identify the various forms of clutter and how the weight of it may be preventing you from moving forward. (Carole Hyder, HPSS Global, Inc. )
  
• Green careers in a changing world: Green career opportunities are unlimited! But where are they and how do you snag one? What action can you take now to get on your green career track and work for a sustainable world? (Barbara Parks, Green Career Tracks)
  
• Green event and wedding planning: Go green for your next party! Explore ways to make weddings and other events of all sizes more socially and environmentally friendly. (Laura Fryberger, Flings Event Design)
  
• Having and raising a healthy, organic baby: Is it possible that we can give the gift of a healthy, sustainable life to our babies and ourselves? We'll explore the trials and tribulations with help from the audience. Come join us for this fun, positive, and wide-ranging exploration. (Terry Gips, Alliance for Sustainability)
  
• No child left inside: Help yourself and the kids in your life unplug and enjoy the outdoors. Discover resources for convenient connection with nature. Gain confidence and skills to explore, play, and benefit from nature. (Chris Heeter, The Wild Institute)
  

Sustainability Education

• Achieving social sustainability: Explore how we can meet people's fundamental needs using the Natural Step Framework and Max-Neef's fundamental needs theory. Find out how to break our consumption addiction. (Terry Gips, Alliance for Sustainability)
  
• Biomimicry: Discovering nature's inspiration: Let's observe the vast wonders of the natural world, and imagine how to use the natural world every day to inspire our ideas, products, relationships, services, and lifestyles. (Nancy Durkee, Biomimicry Guild)
  
• Community and socially responsible investing to create positive change: Find out how you can make positive social changes by investing in your community. (David Reiling, Sunrise Community Banks)
  
• Greening your congregation: Learn how to engage and motivate members of your congregation to adopt sustainable building and operational practices, to promote education and action campaigns, and to connect sustainability with spiritual values. (Robin Linde, Congregations Caring for Creation)
  
• Nature and the human condition: How artists see our world: Join this roundtable discussion of artists, curators, and critics as they explore the interconnections of art, people, and the outdoors. (Roslye Ultan)
  
• One cool community: Turn down global warming in your community: Learn how to mobilize your neighborhood, club, school, church, union, or business to reduce global warming and empower city leaders to act. Policy templates, tools, methods, reference materials, and actions provided. (Doug Pierce)
  
• Sustainability 101: Everything you always wanted to know: Learn what sustainability is and how it can benefit your life and work. We'll explore several key approaches: Natural Step Framework, Natural Capitalism, and the Union of Concerned Scientists' most effective consumer choices. (Terry Gips, Alliance for Sustainability)
  
• Take the Minnesota energy challenge: Learn fun, easy ways to reduce your carbon footprint by organizing your friends at work, on your block, at school or in your congregation. Receive a free energy challenge kit. (Sean Gosiewski, Alliance for Sustainability)
  

Transportation

• Bicycle commuting: A step-by-step guide to learning about gear, clothing, route finding, bike security, riding in traffic, and preparing for the first ride. Presented by the author of the "Twin Cities Bike Map." (Doug Shidell, Little Transport Press)
  
• Bicycle touring 101: This workshop is aimed at anyone who has ever thought about self-contained bike touring. We will talk about gear options, route selection and distances, preparation ideas, and general motivation! (Megan Holm, The Hub Bike Co-op)
  
• Bicycling and walking in your community: Transportation is too important to be left to traffic engineers! Learn what you can do to make your city or neighborhood more livable--allowing walkers and bikers to move freely without fear. (Steve Clark, Transit for Livable Communities)
  
• Biofuels and sustainability: Biodiesel, ethanol, and beyond: Just how sustainable are today's renewable fuels? How sustainable may they become? How can consumers/citizens support a clean, secure, and long-term energy and transportation system? (Reed Aubin, Sundays Energy)
  
• Paint the pavement and create a public square!: Learn how neighbors work collaboratively to make a public "place" on an intersection by painting the street. This creates an environment that fosters more biking, walking, and neighbor interaction. (Molly Cave, Paint the Pavement)
  
• Peak oil: Preparing for an energy-constrained world: Worldwide oil production will reach a maximum (a peak) and then decline in our lifetimes. Learn about peak oil and the need to transition away from fossil fuels to low-carbon, sustainable lifestyles based on renewable energy. (Brian Merchant, MnPostCarbon)
  
• The advantages of hybrid car technology: Gain a clear understanding of current hybrid technology,as well as future innovations, including E85 combinations and plug-ins. What are the myths, what is the reality of a hybrid automobile's performance? (Pat Stanley, Walser Toyota)
  
• Where you live matters: It is possible to live without a car or with one less car. We'll discuss what transit-oriented development is and how to find it in the Twin Cities metro area. (Fred Dock, Meyer, Mohaddes Associates)
  

Yard & Garden

• Building a rainbarrel from recycled materials: Learn how to build a simple, functioning, 55-gallon rainbarrel from (mostly) recycled materials. (Bernie Waibel, Seward Neighborhood Group)
  
• Do-it-yourself organic lawn and landscape care: Learn how to care for your lawn and landscape without using toxic chemicals! Find out what to do ,when to do it, where to get supplies, and services. Discover the secrets to organic weed control. (Bob Dahm, Organic Bob)
  
• Landscaping that combats climate change: Explore garden designs and soil and water strategies based on permaculture principles that increase carbon capture and help you produce nutrient-dense foods in your own backyard. (Paula Westmoreland, Ecological Gardens LLC)
  
• Lawns to ecologically vibrant landscapes: A typical house lot can be an exciting food production system, but it's often beyond our design experience. This workshop will take you through a process for a home lot, creating something that yields good food and joy. (Bruce Blair, Permaculture Collaborative)
  
• Low-impact landscaping: Learn about ways to reduce storm water runoff and pollutants leaving your property. We'll cover cost-share and planning advice, as well as rain gardens, permeable driveways and patios, native landscaping, and green roofs. (Shawn Tracy, Association of Metropolitan SWCDs)
  
• Stabilize your shoreline with native plants: Familiarize yourself with the terminology, tools, and technology to keep your shoreline in check using native plants. Learn about requirements, planning, resources, methods, and see some local examples. (Jenn Morrow, Hild & Associates, Inc.)
  
• The soil-plant-human-climate connection: Come unearth the deeper story of soil. Restore ecological health to our yards, gardens, and families. Dig into the critical relationships of microbes, minerals, plants, and people. (Dr. Guy Trombley, Ecological Tea, Permaculture Business Guild)
  
• The whys and hows of backyard composting: Learn the reasons for composting household and backyard wastes. We'll cover the methods and how-tos of successful composting. (Tom Hutsell, Ramsey County Master Gardeners)