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Camino Verde: A Peruvian Odyssey (PDC)

Dates: July 7 - 14 2010, with travel on the July 6th and the 15th

Location: Tambopata river basin in Madre de Dios ("Mother of Gods"), Peru

Instructors: Nathan Meffert, Katie Hellerman-Meffert and guest instructors

Click the "GO" button to enroll! 
A return to the Amazon has been a year in the making for New Leaf Regenerative Design...

"When we [Katie and Nathan] first visited Ecuador a year ago, we were awe-inspired by the health and vitality of the jungle people and their culture. They had everything they needed within a stone's throw - all the medicine, food, community, and economy one could ever want. This state, we realized, was not the result of 'circumstance', but of mindful tending by thousands of generations. This was true sustainability and abundance. And - a particularly destructive front of the modern world was pressing in on this paradise.

"On returning to the states, it became a passion for us to return for several purposes:
  1. It was a paradise, and we had only begun to explore its wonders
  2. There was much more to learn - these people had lessons for economy, culture, and ecology that would take generations to fully understand
  3. There are bridges that need to be built: it seems that both worlds have something valuable to offer the other. What? And how?
  4. As leaders in our field, how could we do our part to ensure that the unavoidable forces of change sweep over lands and villages in a way that proves to be regenerative for both worlds?
"We are heading, this time, to the Peruvian Amazon, where we will spend our days and nights in and amongst the dense jungle foliage, at the most temperate time of year, exploring, feeding our sense of wonder, harvesting the fruits of the jungle, and creating paradise with Camino Verde."

This world-recognized course covers sustainable living systems design for all landscapes, climates, and cultural contexts. Permaculture is a complete design system, based on principles of ecology and sustainability that can be used to create healthy, resilient, economically stable, and productive homes, businesses, and
communities. Permaculture designers start with the assumption that we can make our imprint on Earth, culture, and economy a positive one,and design from that premise.

This course is a truly unique experience! This once-in-a-lifetime offering will be among the first of its kind to fully the integrate principles and practices of permaculture with the principles and practices of advancedholistic nature awareness.

"..the landscape invites us in. Birds and monkeys form a part of daily life, the river washes us clean, and we enjoy (if we are lucky) some of the jungle's many delicious fish. Nighttime orchestras serenade us and local plants fill our bellies. The rainforest offers to transform us."
Participants will come away with a clear understanding of how to use the practices of nature awareness and permaculture design as the foundation of truly regenerative interaction with land, community, and economy. This course produces community leaders, with strong foundational nature connection, observation, and ecological design skills. Students will have the opportunity to connect to a global network of permaculture, regenerative design, and nature awareness contacts and projects. Graduates receive a certificate in permaculture design, the foundation of further learning in this field.

Here's Robin Van Loon's (founder and president of Camino Verde) vision for how he sees the week going...

"A week of Permaculture Design in Baltimori involves a healthy dose of time spent observing the natural forest first and foremost. The soil and the climate of Madre de Dios makes rainforest the only sane option for 'land use', and we take plenty of time to get familiar with the complexity of the landscape. We also take a good look at agroforestry models used commonly in the region, and how they compare to the wild forest. Neighbors give us a tour of their farms using cover crops and trees. Then we begin to consider alternatives... ways for the farm to take on more of the character and strengths of the wild forest.

"Meanwhile, the landscape invites us in. Birds and monkeys form a part of daily life, the river washes us clean, and we enjoy (if we are lucky) some of the jungle´s many delicious fish. Nighttime orchestras serenade us and local plants fill our bellies. The rainforest offers to transform us."

Location
This course takes place at Camino Verde

Travel To and From Camino Verde
Travel from Puerto Maldonado to Camino Verde is a 4-hour boat trip both ways, so we are scheduling a travel day before and after the course. We'll meet at the dock in Puerto Maldonado early in the day on July 6 and travel to Camino Verde. We will enjoy dinner there in the evening. The course couse will start on the next day, and will run through July 14. There is an additional travel day scheduled for July 15. You will enjoy breakfast at Camino Verde and depart via boat for Puerto Maldonado in the late morning. Schedule all additional travel around this itinerary.

Food and Lodging
Lunches will be provided on Friday and Saturday. Camping is available for a fee on site, but spaces are limited. Arrangements can be made with hosts in the local area (see this list) at various rates. Camping and other commercial lodging options are available in the surrounding area.

Map
Coming soon!

Our Unconditional Money Back Guarantee
We are so confident that you will be satisfied with our work that we are offering to work with you on trial. If, after completing all exercises and course sessions, you are dissatisfied, for any reason, with the service you receive, we will give you a FULL refund - no questions asked.

Course Fees
$1700

Deadline for Enrollment
MIDNIGHT ON JUNE 7, 2010!

Refund Policy
Cancellations up to 2 weeks before the course begins will be refunded, excluding a $100 processing fee. No refunds are given after that date.

How to Apply
  1. Pay now in our secure online store by following this link.
  2. When you have finished with the payment process, download an application by following this link, PRINTING THE FORM THERE, and sending it to us at the address listed below!
New Leaf Regenerative Design
6373 Challis Road
Brighton, MI 48116

For further information, contact info@newleafregenerativedesign.com.