2025 Spring Ecosystem Restoration Weekend Workshop Series
Workshops coordinated by Starrlight Augustine, Ph.D. (Institute of Ecotechnics director and Synergia Ranch agroecology farm manager)
March 21-23 “Building Erosion Control Structures”
April 11 – 13 “Building Erosion Control Structures”
April 25-27 “Building Erosion Control Structures”
May 16-18 “Growing Erosion Control Hedges”
June 13-15 “Building Erosion Control Structures”
Special Guest Teacher March, April and June: Jan-Willem Jansens (Ecotone Landscape Planning LLC)
Special Guest Teacher May: Josh Weybright (Bright Way Soil Health)
Description
This is series of five workshops which can be attended in full or for select sessions. Register to attend below. Over the course of four of the workshops (March, April and June) we will collectively design a site restoration plan and construct low-tech erosion control structures using wood and on-site farm materials, with guidance and feedback from Jan-Willem Jansens. We will broaden our comprehension of water cycles, climate, and agroecology within this fragile environment.
Over the course of the May workshop we will focus on technics of growing erosion control structures under the guidance of Starrlight Augustine and Josh Weybright. We will cover topics of establishing native grass hedges and native native diverse pollinator hedgerows on agricultural land. Participants will get hands on practice planting, preparing soil, as well as theoretical considerations around mitigating wind erosion using hedges. Aspects around how to monitor the plants will covered as well.
Throughout social sessions in all workshops, we will explore political/ cultural and financial structures through lenses of decentralized governance using examples from classic anarchist texts as well as various cultural and biological systems.
Altogether, through this work we will enhance our shared knowledge of how modest and precise actions taken today can affect soil health, biodiversity, cultural and social well-being, and resilience of food resources. Now and for future generations.
For whom
Suitable for anyone who enjoys good food and outdoor activities in friendly company. Interested individuals can explore resilience in soil health, local food, cultural, and political systems. Great for networking or simply being present. Register below.
Accommodation and food
Come for (part of) the day or camp at the orchard with options for RV or van parking. Prepare for New Mexico’s weather with suitable sleeping/ tenting gear. Farm-fresh and/or local ingredients for meals are provided. You participate in cooking and cleaning. You leave the land and the spaces better than you find them. Bring necessary food for specific diets or allergies. Meals are prepared and tidied up collectively, with duties shared among everyone involved. Non-alcoholic refreshments and ingredients are provided. Water, coffee and tea will be consistently available in the dining area.
Building Erosion Control Structures
March 21, 22 & 23 (guest teacher Jan-Willem Jansens March 22nd)
April 11, 12 & 13 (guest teacher Jan-Willem Jansens April 11th)
April 25, 26 & 27 (guest teacher Jan-Willem Jansens April 25th)
June 13, 14 & 15 (guest teacher Jan-Willem Jansens June 14th)
Theory blends with practice over the course of 3 months (March, April and June). Starrlight and her team coordinate crews between the sessions where Jan-Willem teaches. Jan-Willem first dedicates a day to planning and design (March 22nd). He subsequently intervenes three times over the course of the workshop to review, evaluate, and direct corrections for work done in his absence. The sessions led by Jan-Willem are as follows:
Saturday March 22nd : 9 am – 5 pm “Reading the landscape, planning and design of the application of the techniques for soil health and erosion control”. Walk in pairs, observation study, 20 minutes writing, sketches, poems, etc.- express and feel the landscape, and from there get into planning and flagging out of work to be built. Guided practice in the construction of a few demo erosion control structures.
Friday April 11th : 1:00 – 5:00 pm review of the work done March 23 (Sunday): tweaking what was built, flagging and building more structures to be replicated in subsequent workshop crews
Friday April 25th : 1:00 – 5:00 pm review of the work done Apil 12 and 13: tweaking what was built, flagging and building more structures to be replicated in subsequent workshop crews
Saturday June 14th : 9:00am – 5:00 pm review and corrections of the work done over the course of this workshop series. Group discussions.
Growing Erosion Control Structures
May 16, 17 & 18 (guest teachers Starrlight Augustine and Josh Weybright)
The power of grasses, shrubs and trees to hold soil and protect areas from winds is known. How to successfully establish windbreaks in this tough climate? During this week-end we will go over theoretical and technical aspects of establishing and growing native grass hedges and well as diverse native pollinator hedgerows. We will go over soil preparation, planting as well as monitoring of the plants.
Friday:
12:45 Arrivals
1:00 – 5:00 Afternoon crew
5:00 – 6:00 Personal time/ setting up for camping
6:00 – 7:30 Cooking and Preparing dinner, lighting sauna if available
7:30 – 9:30 Social & Political studies dinner, Clean-up
Saturday:
8:00 meet up at Common Dining room
8:00 – 8:45 Breakfast
9:00 – 12:00 Morning Crew
12:00 –12:45 Lunch with political studies
1:00 – 5:00 Afternoon crew
5:00 – 6:00 personal time
6:00 – 7:30 Cooking and Preparing dinner, lighting sauna if available
7:30 – 9:30 Social & Political studies dinner, Clean-up
Sunday:
8:00 – 8:30 Meditation
9:00– 9:45: Breakfast
10:00 – 12:00 morning crew
12:00 – 12:45 Lunch with political studies
1:00 – 2:30 afternoon crew
2:30 – 3:00: tea coffee with comments and observations
3:00 departure
Register here below to join. Engage in the entire workshop or select sessions. Free of charge (donations towards our work welcome).
2025 Ecosystem Restoration Series
Registration for 2025 Agroecology/ Ecosystem Restoration Weekend Workshop Series