In addition to courses, classes and workshops, the organization currently has eight main programs:
Green Jobs Training, program “Training the “Green Collar”
workforce of tomorrow”…
Growth in the Green jobs sector is currently out pacing most, if
not all others in the world economy! Its true and very evident if
you look at global business trends today and research such as this
one recently published by the United Nations - International Labour
Organization (ILO) http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/ireland/2009/0123/1232474675628.html
The “green-collar economy” is big money, and it's booming.
“Green” is currently the fourth largest market sector
in the United States.
Green-collar jobs involve environmentally friendly and or restorative
products or services. Examples include; environmental engineering,
ecological designers, construction work on green buildings, organic
farming, solar panel manufacturing, waste reduction, recycling, alternative
transportation, etc.
MELC's Strategic Partner Program with Gaia University
Beginning in the winter of 2008, MELC will provide Gaia University
with a regional campus and registered office offering classes, courses,
workshops and programs appropriate to various credit pathways of college
students. In line with the Òaction learningÓ context practiced by
the university, MELC will not only provide these students with an
in-depth education and experience in many environmental and sustainable
community subjects, but also give them an opportunity to apply what
they have gained to accredited degrees and diplomas. For more information
on Gaia University and this program please visit the webpage
International Sustainable skills Camp (ISSC) program
At a time of Global warming, Peak oil, monopolized water and food systems, huge species and habitat losses, rapidly decreasing natural resources and unsustainable global practices, we need to provide current and future leaders throughout the world with the knowledge, skills and experiences needed to lead more just and sustainable lives and communities!
Working with the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural
Organization (UNESCO), the Mendocino Ecological Learning Center
is proud to offer the public this solution oriented program free of
charge! Now in its 4th year, the ISSC is an environmental and sustainable
(Green) living skills education program. The curriculum is designed
for 20-40 students and covers many subjects in Ecology and Sustainable
Communities, including:
Permaculture
Ecological Design
Sustainable water and food systems
Green building and construction
Renewable energy
Additional subjects relating to sustainable communities
International Sustainable Skills Camp students learn:
Sustainable Living ethics, principals, techniques and methodologies
How to design, restore and manage more sustainable water systems and ecologies
About producing Organic food for residential use and/or small scale farms
How to build more sustainable housing, shelter and structures
Hands-on fish production, Aquaculture, Aquaponics and Living Machines
How to manage, reduce, reuse, recycle and even eliminate waste
About renewable energy generation, conservation, pollution reductions and/or elimination
How to make changes in their own lives and communities that minimize or
eliminate their contributions to global warming and climate change
Mendocino Sustainable Skills Camp (MSSC) program
The Mendocino Sustainable skills Camp (MSSC) is a local community education program. The curriculum is designed for up to 75 students per program and covers the same subjects as the ISSC program but with a local emphasis.
The projects completed during this program are used as educational
tools for the public and students of future programs and courses.
With the intension of spreading these solution oriented teachings
and skills throughout Northern California, this program also provides
staff to assist community members in the creation of similar classes,
neighborhood meetings, work weekends, community projects and celebrations.
Organic Garden Design and installation Service
The Mendocino Ecological learning Center (MELC) is offering an Organic
food garden design and installation service, intended to provide local
residential and community gardens. Learning to grow food within our
community and with respect to our bioregion is an empowering step
towards sustainability and healing relations with each other and the
earth.
Recently there has been an interest in the county to begin developing
more community, victory, school and demonstration gardens. This “locally
grown” movement seems to be gaining strength, from renewed focuses
on environmentally friendly initiatives, dwindling resources and rising
food costs.
We are here to Help! We offer fast and affordable garden design and
installation services intended to produce a much local organic food
as affordably as possible. These are small to medium gardens installed
quickly and efficiently with the goal of installing as many as possible
in the Willits/Ukiah area.
Besides, it is fun to get fresh vegetables every week, all through
the season, and to plan your meals around whatever is fresh at the
time!
Now that “Organic” foods have gone corporate (you can
find so-called Organic foods in Wal-Mart. Now the world’s largest
supplier), many of us are looking to local gardens because:
• Locally grown food is fresher, tastier and healthier!
• Local food is better for the planet (Less miles transportation,
packaging, energy, etc.)
• Local growers are more honestly “organic” (yes,
that means I don’t trust Wal-Mart, Safeway, etc.)
• Many of us want to support local businesses whenever we can.
• Gardens are created as places to grow our food, but also as
places for people to come together, develop relationships with each
other, their community, food and the earth.
Brookside School Farm and CSA program
Working with Brookside School and Brookside Energy Farm CSA (Community
Supported Agriculture) www.energyfarms.net/willits,
MELC has joined this program designed to give students the educational
and real life experiences needed to create and maintain sustainable
communities of water, soils, plants, animals and people though a creative
and experiential curriculum. Brookside Energy Farm's program for kindergartners
through adults includes such topics as Permaculture, water systems,
ecology, food security, community supported agriculture, localized
economies, environmental issues, health, nutrition and sustainable
urban planning. Additional program activities include: building live
soils, planting, harvesting, processing and storing foods, small animal
husbandry, marketing with a CSA farm, producing value added goods
(such as soap, eggs, herbal preparations, garlands, art, etc.), creating
a cottage industry, and more.
Youth Education Program
Since 2006 this program has been working with the local youth groups and organizations providing classes and presentations given by MELC staff and instructors. The Center itself (MELC) center serves as a classroom, demonstration site and hands-on educational facility, providing youth with wilderness hikes and nature walks, outdoor activities and Eco-adventures (ropes courses, rock climbing walls, etc.). In this program children and young adults work on many beginner and/or entry level projects relating to Ecological Design and Localization. Students learn the importance of more sustainable environmental, social, cultural and economic systems and how they can help create a more just, sustainable community and world. In addition to youth groups and organizations, the Center is now working with several local schools.
Willits Senior Center Organic kitchen Garden Program
This year we are very excited about the opportunity to work with
the Willits Senior Center. The goal of this program is to design,
develop and assist in maintaining an organic “Mini-Farm”
intended to provide fresh produce to the center’s kitchen. We
hope that this program will provide more than just healthy food for
the community at the senior center.
MELC's Horticultural Therapy Program for people with disabilities
MELC's HT program is designed for people living with disabilities
and/or those recovering from illnesses or injuries. Examples of people
this program is intended for include: those who have had spinal cord
injuries, experienced traumatic brain injuries or had orthopedic injuries,
aging adults, stroke survivors, people with chronic or terminal illnesses
and those with mental illnesses, etc. This program not only teaches
students how to garden organically, raise small livestock and animals
in ways that are accessible to people with disabilities, but also
inspires, motivates and helps students get out of their beds or depressive
states of mind, while learning how to live more sustainably enjoying
the outdoors and/or gardens in the process. Similar programs are occasionally
(rarely) offered by physical therapists, psychiatric hospitals, rehabilitation
centers, and long-term residential care facilities requiring special
medical insurance or costly charges and fees. Not only is this program
different and unique in its environmental structure, it also is offered
to those with disabilities, injuries, diseases and conditions absolutely
free!
GMO free Corn production, preservation and distribution program
MELC acts as a regional seed bank for the Schools of Chiapas Mother Seeds in Resistance program www.schoolsforchiapas.org. Since MELC is located in Willits, California, a GMO free city and county, it is a perfect opportunity to grow, prepare and preserve traditional Mayan corn organically and free of GMO.
The main goals of this program are:
Organically grow healthy and beautiful traditional Chiapas corn varieties in "GMO free" Mendocino County.
Harvest, package and save open-pollinated seed.
Act as a regional seed bank.
Sell seeds to farmers and residents who sign an agreement and ethical use guidelines intended to maintain an unpolluted genetic material free from genetic manipulation or contamination.
All proceeds from seed sales will be used to support the program and purchase
GMO test kits. These test kits are used in the "Mother Seeds in Resistance
from the Lands of Chiapas" program in Chiapas, Mexico.
Intern Program
Since it was founded in 2003, the Mendocino Ecological Learning Center has had 10 internship positions (interns), mostly university students and we hope to increase the number of internship positions and opportunities in the future. Internships empower students or individuals by providing them with a more integrated and hands-on experience and education. Internships are offered to those seeking a deeper involvement in the CenterÕs work. Some internship positions are "full season" residential and follow basic live-in guidelines.
Please contact us for times and positions available.