Backyard Skills / Collaboration
Sat, August 28th, 2010 at 1:00 PM
Composting 101
The Ecology Center and Element have collaborated on a fun and ecologically enriching D.I.Y. Summer workshop series.
Join us, August 28th 1PM, for a DIY composting and worm bin construction workshop. Ever wondered how to turn your food scraps into black gold? Interested in befriending a tribe of Red Worms?
Farm of Fork on OC Register
Mon, August 30th, 2010 at 12:00 AM
Thank you to all those who participated in this weekends Farm to Fork workshop for kids, including Meg of Earthroots Field School and the OC Register.
"Where does food come from? Young visitors to The Ecology Center in San Juan Capistrano got to answer that question for themselves Saturday and make a meal of what they found in a program called "Farm to Fork." The goal of the course, instructor Meg Hiesinger said, is to teach children how to eat healthy and appreciate their food."Regardless if you are a hands-on learner or like to learn through reading, cooking has aspects for all types of people," Hiesinger said."
Backyard Skills / Sourdough Bread Baking
Sat, September 4th, 2010 at 1:00 PM
Back by popular demand, The Ecology Center is once again offering Sourdough Bread Baking with Chris Blank. Yes, sourdough bread will be baked (and enjoyed) during class and all students will take home prepped started to apply their new backyard skill at home. Tuition is $30 for non-members and $27 for members of The Ecology Center.
Please register in advance as space is limited. You may register online (click here) or call 949.443.4223 to sign up!
Backyard Skills / Center for Living Peace
Sat, September 25th, 2010 at 1:00 PM
Backyard Skills at The Center for Living Peace
Workshops highlight creative strategies and solutions that foster sustainability in our everyday lives. All events are held at The Center for Living Peace, on the third Saturday of each month. 4139 Campus Dr., Irvine, CA 92612
Backyard Skills / Wild Edibles Plant Walk
Sat, October 2nd, 2010 at 11:30 AM
Whether purposefully planted in a backyard garden or naturally growing in the wild, edibles are everywhere! Join Caroline Colesworthy on this nature walk where you'll learn about edibles that exist all around the places we live, work and play. Cost is $27 for members of The Ecology Center and $30 for non-members.
Backyard Skills / CSA Basket Cooking
Sat, November 6th, 2010 at 1:00 PM
Join us for a lesson in seasonal cooking featuring the goodies found inside a CSA Basket from South Coast Farms. $30 for non-members, $27 for members of The Ecology Center.
Backyard Skills / Center for Living Peace
Sat, November 20th, 2010 at 1:00 PM
Backyard Skills at The Center for Living Peace
Workshops highlight creative strategies and solutions that foster sustainability in our everyday lives. All events are held at The Center for Living Peace, on the third Saturday of each month.
11/20/2010: Pine Needle Baskets with Jodi Levine of Earthroots Field School.
Weaving with natural materials awakens us to the intricate and inextricable web of life we are all woven into. From material collection to creation, basket making is a tradition that opens our hearts to feel gratitude for the gifts of the earth and the creative expression of those around us. Participants will use locally harvested pine needles, raffia and needles to start a basket, which may be completed at home. $25, plus $10 materials fee
4139 Campus Dr., Irvine, CA 92612
Backyard Skills / Beeswax Candlemaking
Sat, December 11th, 2010 at 1:00 PM
Made of natural materials, beeswax candles burn clean and much longer than candles derived from petroleum. Did we mention their fantastic smell? Get ready to pour and get giving!
Journal Making at the Center for Living Peace
Sat, January 15th, 2011 at 1:00 PM
The Ecology Center & the Center for Living Peace present
Backyard Skills at the Center for Living Peace
Join us, January 15th, 1-3pm with Sasha Ritter and Shannon Lindsey-Frugis from LoveArt& for journal-making 101. Why not make your 2011 Journal! Create your own mini-journal or sketchbook using hand-made mulberry bark paper, natural hand-made cotton paper and recycled materials. Using your hands, your heart and natural materials connects you to the simple, peaceful rhythm of our planet and our community. Keeping a journal or sketchbook provides a way for us to reflect, contemplate and appreciate our lives and the things around us.
Please note: all ages are welcome and encouraged to sign up for this class where students learn to harness the power of the wind in a fun, creative and peaceful way. Workshops highlight creative strategies and solutions that foster sustainability in our everyday lives.
All events are held at the Center for Living Peace, on the third Saturday of each month. 4139 Campus Dr., Irvine, CA 92612
Backyard Skills / Fruit Tree Care 101
Sat, February 26th, 2011 at 1:00 PM
It's about time to get planting and caring for your fruit trees. Join us, for a special Backyard Skills with Doug Hibbard on fruit tree care 101. In this special Backyard Skills, we'll be learning all about fruit tree grafting and pruning.
Workshops includes taking home your grafted tree. $10 + $10 materials fee. $25 + $10 materials fee if you sign up day of class.
Backyard Skills / Water Workshops
Sat, April 2nd, 2011 at 1:00 PM
Backyard Skills is our monthly D.I.Y. workshop series, delivered in conjunction with The Ecology Center's demonstrations in Green Living. Workshops highlight creative strategies and solutions that foster sustainability in our everyday lives. All events are held at The Ecology Center, on the first Saturday of each month.
In partnership with Hurley's H20 initiative, our Backyard Skills Water Workshops provide the skills to design water systems which preserve this precious resource.
All events are held at The Ecology Center, 32701 Alipaz St., San Juan Capistrano.
Register online at theecologycenter.org or in advance by calling The Ecology Center at 949.443.4223. Sign up for our 4 class pack for $75 plus materials fee.
Backyard Skills / Drought-tolerant Garden Design
Sat, May 7th, 2011 at 1:00 PM
Join us, May 7th, 1pm, for a Garden Design 101 on drought-tolerant landscaping. The first half of the workshop we'll explore all the basics in what it means to garden "California Friendly". The second half we'll be learning some simple plant propagation techniques and making a potted succulent garden to take home.
Register online at theecologycenter.org or in advance by calling The Ecology Center at 949.443.4223.
Backyard Skills Brooklyn photos
Sat, May 21st, 2011 at 12:25 PM
The Ecology Center was invited to teach a Backyard Skills workshop in Brooklyn by Holiday Matinee. For our first event in NYC, we were greeted by over 100 eager participants ready to make the perfect urban garden, terrariums!
Thank you again to Holiday Matinee and Ford for your support in making this happen. We met many incredible friends along the way, and can't wait for our return. See you soon NYC!
View all the photos on our Flickr, as well as Holiday Matinee's.
Veggie Box Construction
Sat, June 4th, 2011 at 1:00 PM
Grow your own veggies.
Join us, Saturday June 4th, 1pm for a special Backyard Skills workshop - design and build your own container garden. In collaboration with furniture designer Elliott Marks, we'll be designing unique new container gardens. The workshop will run through the entire process from construction through planting basics. Everyone will leave with their very own garden!
Seedballs and Compost Teas
Sat, July 9th, 2011 at 1:00 PM
Plan for the future.
Join us, Saturday July 9th, for a comprehensive garden fertility workshop including two hands-on DIY skills; seedballs and homemade compost teas. Seedballs are fun guerilla gardening accessories but also work great teamed up with cover crop seed to help bring fertility to your organic garden soils. Compost teas might be the cheapest and easiest way to fabricate your own homemade garden fertilizers!
$15 (MEMBERS)
$25 (NON-MEMBERS)
Backyard Skills is a D.I.Y workshop series delivered in conjunction with The Ecology Center’s demonstrations in green living. Workshops highlight creative strategies and solutions that foster sustainability in our everyday lives. All workshops are held at The Ecology Center.
Worm Bin Construction
Sat, August 6th, 2011 at 1:00 PM
Work with Worms.
Join us and construct your very own worm bin. Worm bins make composting vegetable scraps very easy, yielding a high quality organic fertilizer for your indoor and outdoor plants. This Backyard Skills workshop is FREE for San Juan Capistrano residents.
$15 + $20 MATERIALS FEE (MEMBERS)
$25 + $20 MATERIALS FEE (NON-MEMBERS)
Backyard Skills is a D.I.Y workshop series delivered in conjunction with The Ecology Center’s demonstrations in green living. Workshops highlight creative strategies and solutions that foster sustainability in our everyday lives. All workshops are held at The Ecology Center.
Brew Your Own
Sat, October 22nd, 2011 at 1:00 PM
If you’ve always wanted to learn the age-old process of making one of the earth’s tastiest beverages, then this is the workshop for you. Join us for a Backyard Skills all about brewing beer at home.
Jeff Williams of O’Shea Brewing Company will be here to teach us the ins and outs of becoming the brewmaster of your own home. Home brew kits will be available to purchase at the workshop.
Farm to Fork
Sat, November 5th, 2011 at 10:30 AM
Beginning with an exploration of The Ecology Center’s veggie garden and ending with the preparation of small-plate meals alongside professional local chefs, this children’s program emphasizes the journey real food takes from “Farm to Fork”. Parents may choose to stay through the duration of class or drop students off. Recommended for children ages 6 to 12.
In this month's Farm to Fork backyard baker, Chris Blank, will be teaching the kids how to make puff pastry meals, both savory and sweet.
The Ecology Center Programs