tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29810316675246381802024-03-05T19:09:47.846-08:00Surfers Without BordersPromoting Practical Solutions to Ocean Pollution through Sustainable DesignSWoBshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08161414403059411227noreply@blogger.comBlogger33125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2981031667524638180.post-48131134972341507132012-04-10T01:20:00.017-07:002012-04-10T03:33:47.346-07:00What Would Buddha Do?<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilvmeQfJJoDbc6HMCHwCL3EOkSEsnhIDI3WlyfEQsLn1inM0PNvfwqu8mWeuStxXUb1YU8xNa4T9Rpsi_aRcuEP9RMLz6ff5oPZgtgaUjff1CHjVj5Th75-ZkCJSABFOoL_yMMjLyFvrY/s1600/buddhamoon.jpeg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 292px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilvmeQfJJoDbc6HMCHwCL3EOkSEsnhIDI3WlyfEQsLn1inM0PNvfwqu8mWeuStxXUb1YU8xNa4T9Rpsi_aRcuEP9RMLz6ff5oPZgtgaUjff1CHjVj5Th75-ZkCJSABFOoL_yMMjLyFvrY/s400/buddhamoon.jpeg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5729687350932606226" border="0" /></a><br />Tonight is the full moon. <span style="font-weight: bold;">It is Buddha's Moon.</span> The moon that he was born on, reached enlightenment, and died. Kind of cosmic.<br /><br />What have we learned since his birth? Since his enlightenment? Since his death?<br /><br />We now stand at the crux of our "civilization". We have made it over 2000 years since Christ and the Buddha were born. <span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;">What do we have to show for it?</span><br /><br />It seems that we are in the last grips of our separation from Nature. Collectively <span style="font-weight: bold;">we are making every effort to take every last bit of valuable resource from the earth.</span><br style="font-weight: bold;"><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdvnP0w9cUXypkKglC02mDYCMP3wpKpLvIXHTjLPqp0HJnMpfJcwgHDXDf0AEXDeUk9zR5ixW3Jf22q_CayPpW28Nkg2PcZrSeMlJHQWXejgF7RXcfV4PlHxVXN8S1elwEndUQWTdCvqo/s1600/tar-sands-before-after.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 287px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdvnP0w9cUXypkKglC02mDYCMP3wpKpLvIXHTjLPqp0HJnMpfJcwgHDXDf0AEXDeUk9zR5ixW3Jf22q_CayPpW28Nkg2PcZrSeMlJHQWXejgF7RXcfV4PlHxVXN8S1elwEndUQWTdCvqo/s400/tar-sands-before-after.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5729687353379153042" border="0" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size:78%;">Tar Sands Devastation<br /><a href="http://www.ecohustler.co.uk/2012/03/04/garth-lenz-the-true-cost-of-oil/">www.ecohustler.co.uk</a><br /></span></div><br /><a href="http://www.ted.com/talks/garth_lenz_images_of_beauty_and_devastation.html">Tar sands</a> in Canada and the Keystone Pipeline. The 3rd largest <a href="http://amazonwatch.org/work/belo-monte-dam">hydroelectric dam</a> ever in the Amazon. <a href="http://www.nbr.co.nz/article/nz-help-map-future-seabed-mining-pacific-nn-94459">Sea bed mining</a> off of the New Zealand coast. <span style="font-weight: bold;">When will we learn?</span><br /><br />After almost a month in New Zealand <span style="font-weight: bold;">I can't help but be a little pessimistic about our path, our fate.</span> NZ is supposed to be the last "100% pure" country left. It seems even they are struggling with staying pure.<br /><br />Currently there are <span style="font-weight: bold;">mining leases to remove over 5 billion tonnes of sand from the sea floor off </span>of the west coast of the North Island of NZ. The black sands of the west coast contain high levels of iron ore, which is proposed to be shipped to China for processing, then likely sold back to NZ for huge profits.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZxp5-oIEWAnQP_l-_yi94D-3qYt0MWtz5otr5AXL8uQ1fhZaXVxZTvcTz3ukxsxQ0ioY8cKtrwHTHjq9YCqi4rg0_XmkWaLXE_-rLmMrP2Uzm3R1wZRK-HN0N5ouRjEBe7kV0C9LAbEo/s1600/seabed+mining+leases.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZxp5-oIEWAnQP_l-_yi94D-3qYt0MWtz5otr5AXL8uQ1fhZaXVxZTvcTz3ukxsxQ0ioY8cKtrwHTHjq9YCqi4rg0_XmkWaLXE_-rLmMrP2Uzm3R1wZRK-HN0N5ouRjEBe7kV0C9LAbEo/s400/seabed+mining+leases.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5729696150405861778" border="0" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size:78%;">Seabed prospecting areas off of NZ</span><br /><a href="http://www.blacksands.org.nz/new/ttasman.htm"><span style="font-size:78%;">www.blacksands.org</span></a><br /></div><br />Fish and Chips is one of the most iconic Kiwi meals. If seabed mining goes through you can take the fish out of that meal. Furthermore, the west coast is home to the <span style="font-weight: bold;">critically endangered Maui's and Hector's Dolphin</span> (called popoto by the Maori).<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMpaP_jQuAd7Y0v7qdnkgYsWPMctUz_6qGb3JBN7BfmhyphenhyphenX7AO7ePorRrYa26sOBigRI0rdoy58vu0Qdgo7sLihapent0E_JgguLHz7cL2BagkAAwrkcRVMBQaWHA06tzRgdp6XJLQVZp8/s1600/maui.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 245px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMpaP_jQuAd7Y0v7qdnkgYsWPMctUz_6qGb3JBN7BfmhyphenhyphenX7AO7ePorRrYa26sOBigRI0rdoy58vu0Qdgo7sLihapent0E_JgguLHz7cL2BagkAAwrkcRVMBQaWHA06tzRgdp6XJLQVZp8/s400/maui.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5729694608042044098" border="0" /></a></div> <div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size:78%;">The Maui's Dolphin- the world's smallest and rarest-<br />lives off the west coast of the North Island of New Zealand. </span></div><br />The popoto is the smallest and perhaps the cutest dolphin in the world, and is <span style="font-weight: bold;">on the brink of being the third cetacean species to go extinct</span> in modern times, after the Atlantic Gray Whale and the Chinese River Dolphin.<br /><br />We came to NZ to teach a<a href="http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.328743930507976.70316.109305829118455&type=3"> Permaculture Design Certification course</a> at <a href="http://www.solscape.co.nz/">Solscape Eco-retreat</a> in Raglan, Whaingaroa. This was an incredible experience and super inspiring. We had 15 graduates complete the course, and now there are 15 more people in the world who made the commitment to <span style="font-weight: bold;">live more in balance with nature</span>.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjE13gP3tNQkjIUttvfYMVBiaBHWQi6GsWZPhZheUVkeMiLDPxVlaOd_z4TOMajR4woQQ1Qu4f3ooVpors9YpFGkyN7_55-IE-0Q3iobjZYOH7_fwW6YQVNsIbYYGblgfmXj6J0YYcWgo0/s1600/IMG_0039.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjE13gP3tNQkjIUttvfYMVBiaBHWQi6GsWZPhZheUVkeMiLDPxVlaOd_z4TOMajR4woQQ1Qu4f3ooVpors9YpFGkyN7_55-IE-0Q3iobjZYOH7_fwW6YQVNsIbYYGblgfmXj6J0YYcWgo0/s400/IMG_0039.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5729699932048230514" border="0" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgo7gyvfngdh74WGvMxCpoPEpez1-ZByKeslzhS5kyjVwxd1Uxbl88BX7bKrkq1kwfbEhrgs8068SR_cyIPXiau24mly4MB6rEyoo20w9W0ceL9OlAPskDqvsEY3K3IlwD7pUonE7F2YD0/s1600/IMG_0608.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 299px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgo7gyvfngdh74WGvMxCpoPEpez1-ZByKeslzhS5kyjVwxd1Uxbl88BX7bKrkq1kwfbEhrgs8068SR_cyIPXiau24mly4MB6rEyoo20w9W0ceL9OlAPskDqvsEY3K3IlwD7pUonE7F2YD0/s400/IMG_0608.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5729699947118188418" border="0" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPOSPkZmNxB6EQkijDBcZTjj0GCCWHEEvh7uYXjJSSKImLPZ8yxXvnDhxJgQM0XQ7Nk77eAqfYo9BmuTx8vJb1UY4EwzRf2yTKDRNkeZtGz0ip1tQHNATGSz8UA5iipDxDFT4R85XH2MU/s1600/IMG_0115.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPOSPkZmNxB6EQkijDBcZTjj0GCCWHEEvh7uYXjJSSKImLPZ8yxXvnDhxJgQM0XQ7Nk77eAqfYo9BmuTx8vJb1UY4EwzRf2yTKDRNkeZtGz0ip1tQHNATGSz8UA5iipDxDFT4R85XH2MU/s400/IMG_0115.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5729699953192004434" border="0" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjVVho8n7nF8VK6bDDYdjQDYMRu9tIDgQsEZd1mepHfVEJmnm6nqqHIIKsGfjcxUg0HgSPC7pE_HVrrIs2HhStID0i7kRDfub_RXO-l32dALkQt7Q_v-Gh7qOk_hYKTxzEzsO8Ch1FdDo/s1600/IMG_0451.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 220px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjVVho8n7nF8VK6bDDYdjQDYMRu9tIDgQsEZd1mepHfVEJmnm6nqqHIIKsGfjcxUg0HgSPC7pE_HVrrIs2HhStID0i7kRDfub_RXO-l32dALkQt7Q_v-Gh7qOk_hYKTxzEzsO8Ch1FdDo/s400/IMG_0451.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5729699941392146610" border="0" /></a><br />We were very fortunate to be here at the same time as the crew from <a href="http://www.s4cglobal.org/">Surfers For Cetaceans</a>- Dave Rastovich, Lauren Hill, and our friend from home Chadd Koenig. They are true inspirations and leaders in the surfing world to bring awareness to issues beyond the next swell and the latest competition results.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPsnC33WB6ExqJMF8gbdgAfEPHOzvrutErPgtGUTP73l3LUYAPUm6Vo-csiqurCZ0iyd3OAxkbFwpHn41BZnyVpdG71rGt_OLG6xSelKNbkfhjVdrbvcBVFtgMbwJjtHfL0UwV94IDVUI/s1600/IMG_0290.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 289px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPsnC33WB6ExqJMF8gbdgAfEPHOzvrutErPgtGUTP73l3LUYAPUm6Vo-csiqurCZ0iyd3OAxkbFwpHn41BZnyVpdG71rGt_OLG6xSelKNbkfhjVdrbvcBVFtgMbwJjtHfL0UwV94IDVUI/s400/IMG_0290.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5729702547089567458" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:78%;">Chadd Koenig, Dave Rastovich, Aubrey Falk, and Loren Luyendyk</span><br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7TW1EHgiokMptVuWnqDWQ6Emv4fY3-Z8POgBbXkM-t1E0E3c17Y5AoZAeFbAQVoStMHAmqrYbu9PwqtigG7Yeq7_e5SGuPFbgvHdVEj_VYSEguxRE3zsXHG9rMVPP7Ebznc3FE9pcca4/s1600/P3090955.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7TW1EHgiokMptVuWnqDWQ6Emv4fY3-Z8POgBbXkM-t1E0E3c17Y5AoZAeFbAQVoStMHAmqrYbu9PwqtigG7Yeq7_e5SGuPFbgvHdVEj_VYSEguxRE3zsXHG9rMVPP7Ebznc3FE9pcca4/s400/P3090955.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5729703908048844242" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:78%;">Peggy Oki and her <a href="http://www.peggy-oki.com/cu_origami_bkgd.html">origami whales</a></span><br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNKPq8GwJe_xlKiMI7eKQhJRBuEJXHGvCIuzf_o4EeThGuLwPHJeaAcQ_BTfXlXLGMmELxwjdPc8SivpTJzrx0icAjO9wkFcH__vK3X6UZ8QZ-RQrT5KvmqIbZl3FFL61xnnUqL2V_YrA/s1600/IMG_0342.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNKPq8GwJe_xlKiMI7eKQhJRBuEJXHGvCIuzf_o4EeThGuLwPHJeaAcQ_BTfXlXLGMmELxwjdPc8SivpTJzrx0icAjO9wkFcH__vK3X6UZ8QZ-RQrT5KvmqIbZl3FFL61xnnUqL2V_YrA/s400/IMG_0342.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5729702557279182594" border="0" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size:78%;">The recycled raft race was a blast!</span><br /></div><br />Together we participated in the <a href="http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.328751410507228.70318.109305829118455&type=3">Maui's Dolphin Day</a> and a very moving "protest" with the group <a href="http://www.blacksands.org.nz/">KASM</a> (Kiwis Against Seabed Mining) where we met a representative of <a href="http://www.ttrl.co.nz/">Trans Tasman Resources</a> (the contract company to explore for iron sands) at the one lane bridge out of town.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvkTSHBqQ6-OuI16ybPchUuhFC9apgyUny3s5F_0a4j_d4a3-8isa1HRleUavbsmFxU5ghIACmyxESQHZ0I-UGCib998OVzc2MaUTjeKjr06QBeReAHG2M9UBups1sDSUUgNNH0FPXJ5E/s1600/IMG_0392.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvkTSHBqQ6-OuI16ybPchUuhFC9apgyUny3s5F_0a4j_d4a3-8isa1HRleUavbsmFxU5ghIACmyxESQHZ0I-UGCib998OVzc2MaUTjeKjr06QBeReAHG2M9UBups1sDSUUgNNH0FPXJ5E/s400/IMG_0392.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5729702588782352898" border="0" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size:78%;">Locals speak their mind<br /><br /></span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLCKykEX9IA59yrHITyXN8MYM3NSuDxGFN_FdcCHFME6mV1YJBTf59579iB5_H0_wTR6EudOqqvIBF17UdDJ442bUgCrCmx2TyqXP9amSy1hp3nykB9XeG-NwdLhiD6JCfclRj5pzkEzs/s1600/IMG_0398.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLCKykEX9IA59yrHITyXN8MYM3NSuDxGFN_FdcCHFME6mV1YJBTf59579iB5_H0_wTR6EudOqqvIBF17UdDJ442bUgCrCmx2TyqXP9amSy1hp3nykB9XeG-NwdLhiD6JCfclRj5pzkEzs/s400/IMG_0398.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5729703892317505506" border="0" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizbt9gBGCVQp8mlbvacFaAyrVXbVMp1wDHGOd6UJX1skftMOLGeWwxRkyu0aZFklfgHgGIHD60M_SsouysJiJfUafTVt2LWhyphenhyphenMlpnC7Xm84rg6XONm36jItKaieXHXWLXbcJB5b-APloo/s1600/IMG_0408.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizbt9gBGCVQp8mlbvacFaAyrVXbVMp1wDHGOd6UJX1skftMOLGeWwxRkyu0aZFklfgHgGIHD60M_SsouysJiJfUafTVt2LWhyphenhyphenMlpnC7Xm84rg6XONm36jItKaieXHXWLXbcJB5b-APloo/s400/IMG_0408.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5729703896840176322" border="0" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size:78%;">Over 200 people turned up in silent protest</span><br /></div><br />We blocked his passage, and children escorted him across in silence with signs shouting our position on seabed mining. He had just come from the marae, telling the local Maori TTR's plans- <span style="font-weight: bold;">not asking permission.</span><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXWYxde7XLpnYOeRAVx5A8zpndAozuHmffZYXVK0-gOFOW3CIryJVoP4zO_o7eUc1zTpeXuepHRW9ddPvgluQNxoGzqqNYaexaCcajjtqtznzHlB5_x_ckW3v9MjxisKQMWto9vXoEV4k/s1600/IMG_0433.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXWYxde7XLpnYOeRAVx5A8zpndAozuHmffZYXVK0-gOFOW3CIryJVoP4zO_o7eUc1zTpeXuepHRW9ddPvgluQNxoGzqqNYaexaCcajjtqtznzHlB5_x_ckW3v9MjxisKQMWto9vXoEV4k/s400/IMG_0433.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5729703902568697538" border="0" /></a><br />Folks, there are other alternatives out there. We do not need to mine the seabed for iron ore. <span style="font-weight: bold;">Steel is so 20th century.</span> We had a chance to tour a farm for the future that was growing a controversial crop of the past.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFlnR3HXde1nG19qePsm7eM9gXfYdVHaoud_U_DFkqu2B8m6d1JS7MePZXiJl-H3Va-yzvIb5O_muEUpfAZFVnWRDQZZBSa45lJMCvsorno8VcTE0KUDzFQLe_s4ryJVpmsU1gXxv3aGs/s1600/IMG_1104.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFlnR3HXde1nG19qePsm7eM9gXfYdVHaoud_U_DFkqu2B8m6d1JS7MePZXiJl-H3Va-yzvIb5O_muEUpfAZFVnWRDQZZBSa45lJMCvsorno8VcTE0KUDzFQLe_s4ryJVpmsU1gXxv3aGs/s400/IMG_1104.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5729706132675134034" border="0" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size:78%;">Dave Jordan </span><br /></div><br />The <a href="http://www.facebook.com/pages/Waikato-Hemp-Project/214955418574397">Waikato Hemp Project</a> and the <a href="http://www.hempfarm.co.nz/index.html">Hemp Farm</a> is the daring and visionary mission of Dave Jordan. Dave has seen environmental destruction firsthand, having been a wilderness guide for 30 years. He had a realization that <span style="font-weight: bold;">the solution to our environmental and health woes were not to be found in a lab or a pill, but in the oldest cultivated crop known to humanity.</span><br /><br /><div style="text-align: right;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvPlDkjis6_YzYnbFfT6TjArkMHwQpIM3PbNBJ8WN5VvY2l9ZXWSdhfRaxPSWjaTDba5NuzkMS-0o1EC0W09yRDiSK5vV3iUeg8RJCtMrBOGyXlbf8m-TAQXwe7O8uGZ8kit1xPVnWitA/s1600/IMG_1020.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvPlDkjis6_YzYnbFfT6TjArkMHwQpIM3PbNBJ8WN5VvY2l9ZXWSdhfRaxPSWjaTDba5NuzkMS-0o1EC0W09yRDiSK5vV3iUeg8RJCtMrBOGyXlbf8m-TAQXwe7O8uGZ8kit1xPVnWitA/s400/IMG_1020.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5729706108394380434" border="0" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size:78%;">No THC means this is NOT marijuana</span><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size:78%;"><br /></span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQ5k3Pmz7esfRzCaiHUU9l7XHxKk3EHeQdBHfFihgLGCr6tHXzTw_ddtpqhXH7-yPdqXewQ9Z7OuMS2KhlYaqe1OrcfpvYDZTWsoNwxveN9-mzWEo7J-3-ABcGU6ArYamspyT3RRf65kQ/s1600/IMG_1039.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQ5k3Pmz7esfRzCaiHUU9l7XHxKk3EHeQdBHfFihgLGCr6tHXzTw_ddtpqhXH7-yPdqXewQ9Z7OuMS2KhlYaqe1OrcfpvYDZTWsoNwxveN9-mzWEo7J-3-ABcGU6ArYamspyT3RRf65kQ/s400/IMG_1039.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5729706118500942290" border="0" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size:78%;">Field of dreams...</span><br /><br /></div>Hemp is renowned as one of the easiest solutions to the global crisis we have created. <span style="font-weight: bold;">A complete crop, offering food, fuel, fiber, and shelter that is far superior to our current options.</span><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEje-CrARYFGfmqOxS7Da9oIjDTKzxnbeEexxvIijs34VqA8SLKau8KYA6ezELFhCyOqJl3gUH4jKM7X0tLAGr0TlM36JIaingHSNBqcslHqAgJ9w8TFkB0iZVwVRdEO4eRb-VUQQbyDleQ/s1600/IMG_1086.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEje-CrARYFGfmqOxS7Da9oIjDTKzxnbeEexxvIijs34VqA8SLKau8KYA6ezELFhCyOqJl3gUH4jKM7X0tLAGr0TlM36JIaingHSNBqcslHqAgJ9w8TFkB0iZVwVRdEO4eRb-VUQQbyDleQ/s400/IMG_1086.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5729706128002062498" border="0" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size:78%;">This is what we were after- nutritious seeds</span><br /><br /></div>The seed may be the <a href="http://www.hempfarm.co.nz/health.html">most nutritious food known</a>, containing essential amino acids and oils. The <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hemp#Fuel">fuel</a> is a byproduct from the crop, an alcohol distillation of the "waste". The fiber is far stronger and softer than cotton, requiring a fraction of the chemicals to produce. And shelter can be made from the hurd, or central part of the stem, when mixed with slaked lime it forms <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hempcrete">hempcrete</a>- mold resistant and fire proof.<br /><br />We helped Dave and our friend Paul Peterson harvest the crop. This is a completely legal crop mind you- not the one your thinking. It was an amazing opportunity to participate in a <span style="font-weight: bold;">potentially ground breaking event.</span> It was the largest hemp harvest in the southern hemisphere this year.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEji_bRNNhxP6S2ymmxty8dzuWyiXoT9iquYf4kHR1K-d5ruDd8hN0cSSsy5TTO_CV33lqqDJhhVsu7u-JpKuoqIJtG76xumA1nQ0IX3qZ83WbQPxpbZIIf0QwzH6b1g2mmchOSPPixmFVQ/s1600/IMG_1239.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEji_bRNNhxP6S2ymmxty8dzuWyiXoT9iquYf4kHR1K-d5ruDd8hN0cSSsy5TTO_CV33lqqDJhhVsu7u-JpKuoqIJtG76xumA1nQ0IX3qZ83WbQPxpbZIIf0QwzH6b1g2mmchOSPPixmFVQ/s400/IMG_1239.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5729709626899152882" border="0" /></a><br />Still we need to do more. We need to act now and fast. Perhaps the best way to act is by following the Buddha. <span style="font-weight: bold;">Be here now. Be love. Be compassionate. Be.</span><br /><br />Being includes being one with all things. <span style="font-weight: bold;">Being includes respecting life and the earth as our mother.</span> Being includes living more in harmony with nature.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaMoy7a_7fOacRbsVSRkgM5HXpuUQ4X7FyHWGGL_LASjFoBbkJ7DPyQuHUuXkithIibpdkImGOA5W9sOPTsjDp68VABpdHp5HeFmXArzRwPDsNYeYcAmYkBeG4hlyhhw2H2YNEl7MMEJU/s1600/IMG_1285.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaMoy7a_7fOacRbsVSRkgM5HXpuUQ4X7FyHWGGL_LASjFoBbkJ7DPyQuHUuXkithIibpdkImGOA5W9sOPTsjDp68VABpdHp5HeFmXArzRwPDsNYeYcAmYkBeG4hlyhhw2H2YNEl7MMEJU/s400/IMG_1285.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5729709632527044882" border="0" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size:78%;">The sun may be setting on our civilization, unless we act now</span><br /></div><br />This is not woo-woo hocus pocus new age hippy ranting. <span style="font-weight: bold;">This is reality.</span> This may be our last chance to change course. Because what we do to the earth we do to ourselves. We need to stop the self flagellation in the form of mining, consumerism, rampant growth, and unconscious acts. <span style="font-weight: bold;">We need to take care of the earth, and each other.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;">Please take action to protect NZ resources, even if you are not from there:</span><br /><br />Take the visual petition to protect the Maui's Dolphin:<br /><a href="http://www.lets-face-it-dolphins.com/">http://www.lets-face-it-dolphins.com/</a><br /><br />Sign the petition to be sent to NZ Prime Minister John Key to protect the habitat of the Maui's Dolphin:<br /><a href="http://www.avaaz.org/en/petition/Save_The_Maui_Dolphin/">http://www.avaaz.org/en/petition/Save_The_Maui_Dolphin/</a><br /><br />Join KASM:<br /><a href="http://www.blacksands.org.nz/new/join.htm">http://www.blacksands.org.nz/new/join.htm</a>SWoBshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08161414403059411227noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2981031667524638180.post-78481607923541293352012-01-08T23:36:00.000-08:002012-01-14T10:02:21.637-08:00Message in a Bottle<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"> </span><span style="font-weight: bold;">6 R's of Responsibility</span><br /></div><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgG4tSr2wPjqaR7Ppv7wilePK_wJs05155vg_9OHyeelKq4OMMIvheb1lvMmoW6D4XgIRv609Wmb7oSERvBQzz1POvyp0VB581z3pRexlP9gYBfkCKWNT2zXQIVWDmGMi-ZBB69K7Dti6c/s1600/P1070597.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgG4tSr2wPjqaR7Ppv7wilePK_wJs05155vg_9OHyeelKq4OMMIvheb1lvMmoW6D4XgIRv609Wmb7oSERvBQzz1POvyp0VB581z3pRexlP9gYBfkCKWNT2zXQIVWDmGMi-ZBB69K7Dti6c/s400/P1070597.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5695535094085602258" border="0" /></a><br />Above is a picture of a bottle I filled with <span style="font-weight: bold;">bits of plastic pulled out of the kelp</span> after a large swell this week. It only took 30 minutes to fill it.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_uX7H2oogrta9QGAGwy9ECPrg8WBNCfgTk4se_0A_CcSxlOdwH2bErgriWIWKDClxX_s_7QArCQBfscQnJaueXrTMg3XQheTwMlMd38tEtV_cgHF3ffB_SIwLuz3ynyaH8WRP26l3Yv4/s1600/P1060586.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_uX7H2oogrta9QGAGwy9ECPrg8WBNCfgTk4se_0A_CcSxlOdwH2bErgriWIWKDClxX_s_7QArCQBfscQnJaueXrTMg3XQheTwMlMd38tEtV_cgHF3ffB_SIwLuz3ynyaH8WRP26l3Yv4/s400/P1060586.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5695535707042637474" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:78%;">a good swell...<br /></span></div><br />Never before have I seen so many little pieces of <span style="font-weight: bold;">styrofoam and bottle caps</span> on the shore in our area of California. Or maybe this is the first time I have noticed, though I doubt that. I have been looking for a while now.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjx372fvgXNiq4IF7r5B5OFMagyCmZwDousJfYGoAXH1373cRtXM38ufEp2v7H82BZDZ7DXf6h_Fuz-FoZCS6KRz2CzbkEl5fl-jXjrQF99pGOnPqnTob6dhlYCghsSttoJTv2_v82vEbU/s1600/P1070599.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjx372fvgXNiq4IF7r5B5OFMagyCmZwDousJfYGoAXH1373cRtXM38ufEp2v7H82BZDZ7DXf6h_Fuz-FoZCS6KRz2CzbkEl5fl-jXjrQF99pGOnPqnTob6dhlYCghsSttoJTv2_v82vEbU/s400/P1070599.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5695535713611129970" border="0" /></a><br />This is 2012 is folks. If this really is the last year of our civilization, how would we want to go out? <span style="font-weight: bold;">With bits and pieces of plastic as our epitaph?</span> Or do we want to create something different, and write a new story?<br /><br />The <span style="font-weight: bold;">message in the bottle</span> tells the story of all the individual pieces and their journey. A bottle cap blown overboard during a fishing adventure. A shotgun shell casing fired into the air for a prank. Styrofoam packaging that carried the burgers on the grill to the beach barbecue. Balloons launched in the air to celebrate a wedding.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglET9OZ05RwkputAhokfy03BZ41-NppJMPFOx2z7ci0UR6DPlHQA_vQeq51jzBcWXo591F6EzEe2lrL5YSvw9jvav2B-3zegc8alvftCQflNU7U3rTCajf-hZ1seIZccArGGwwRrqHpQ0/s1600/P1070596.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglET9OZ05RwkputAhokfy03BZ41-NppJMPFOx2z7ci0UR6DPlHQA_vQeq51jzBcWXo591F6EzEe2lrL5YSvw9jvav2B-3zegc8alvftCQflNU7U3rTCajf-hZ1seIZccArGGwwRrqHpQ0/s400/P1070596.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5695535705733994754" border="0" /></a><br />Some stories were cut short. A lighter that was consumed by a fishing bird will not speak of its journey to us until it washes up in the carcass of a starved cormorant. The floating bits of styrofoam that looked like fish eggs never made it to the bottle, but they <span style="font-weight: bold;">made it to our plate in the belly of that Alaskan salmon</span> we had for dinner.<br /><br />What do all these stories have in common? We are all a part of it. <span style="font-weight: bold;">Every one of us contributed to the message in this bottle.</span> And we can all listen to the story and write a new chapter: one in which we choose not to use plastic if possible.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">It's double time.</span> We need to double the 3 R's of recycling.<br /><br />Here are the 6 R's of Responsibility:<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Refuse to use it.</span><br />Ask for no bag at the store, or no straw at the restaurant.<br /><br />When you can't refuse it,<br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Reduce your use of it.</span><br />Buy <a href="http://www.lushusa.com/shop">shampoo not in a bottle</a>.<br /><br />When you can't reduce it,<br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Re-use it.</span><br />Take old shopping bags to the store to fill them again, or pull them out of the recycle bin in front if you forget.<br /><br />When you can't re-use it anymore,<br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Repurpose it.</span><br /><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BWPU5WNgQ2w">Make art with it</a>!<br /><br />When you can't repurpose it,<br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Recycle it.</span><br />Turn it into <a href="http://www.patagonia.com/us/common-threads/recycle">clothing</a> or a <a href="http://www.chicobag.com/">Chico Bag</a>!<br /><br />When you can't recycle it,<br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Reclaim it.</span><br />Plastic is oil- <a href="http://www.e-n-ergy.com/">it makes energy</a>.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;">Did you get the message? The ocean did.</span><br /></div><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEge0c45upU_OfbiZsnhL5iAFzTDLagSGnbcDS0bZXnlXoiCRjBVMCi9m9U2q61Seck3HzFOL662j2obzVmdHmgisHOzNxI7_psewYXwOQFKBR-KzBuvrTDXdzFuctl9QAVHodwYXdL_AmQ/s1600/P1060584.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 294px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEge0c45upU_OfbiZsnhL5iAFzTDLagSGnbcDS0bZXnlXoiCRjBVMCi9m9U2q61Seck3HzFOL662j2obzVmdHmgisHOzNxI7_psewYXwOQFKBR-KzBuvrTDXdzFuctl9QAVHodwYXdL_AmQ/s400/P1060584.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5695536759015003730" border="0" /></a>SWoBshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08161414403059411227noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2981031667524638180.post-49060121343082665642011-11-13T21:59:00.000-08:002011-11-20T17:09:55.501-08:00Baja Surf and ServiceBaja California residents live a pretty good life, at least the ones who live outside the major borders cities of Tijuana, Rosarito and Ensenada. Overcrowding and poor sanitation plague these areas, along with violence perpetuated by drug cartels. It is not always a pretty sight…<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgK5D68551VJWcQ_yw4p6JYXby5OF_vm0imHjXwLjx-TOvxO46G9iHDZ1GlTUycrE1ABBI1KLmxg-uHxrW1fypwz1CzgUpqhX7b9hFZTEDbEPjXt0DvufwLs3tgD2Qduu1H84N83fnKT3A/s1600/PB040090.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgK5D68551VJWcQ_yw4p6JYXby5OF_vm0imHjXwLjx-TOvxO46G9iHDZ1GlTUycrE1ABBI1KLmxg-uHxrW1fypwz1CzgUpqhX7b9hFZTEDbEPjXt0DvufwLs3tgD2Qduu1H84N83fnKT3A/s400/PB040090.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5674728521698209714" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:78%;">Some pretty sketchy looking and smelling water after a little rain in Tijuana</span><br /></div><br />Several hours south of Ensenada, away from the overflowing sewage systems and the shadow of drug lords, lies the peaceful ocean-side town of Ejido Erindira. A farming community, residents enjoy the bounties of both the land and sea, though tuna farming in Ensenada has impacted local fisheries, as baitfish are indiscriminately harvested for tuna feed.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLd-8av7GsjfykKejaH54wcM9lIEQJD2A84UNYfRifr5_t4-OVgEUzluC8unL6GrHgu32UgLtmYH4lAYpaT_mA2u7X4pde43nnx20XFRil_XctDoazZp0B3IJGv4v6HGXuQE9RuqEbIG4/s1600/PB050137.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 96px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLd-8av7GsjfykKejaH54wcM9lIEQJD2A84UNYfRifr5_t4-OVgEUzluC8unL6GrHgu32UgLtmYH4lAYpaT_mA2u7X4pde43nnx20XFRil_XctDoazZp0B3IJGv4v6HGXuQE9RuqEbIG4/s400/PB050137.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5674740704561605874" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:78%;">Looking South from the hill over town<br /></span></div><br />Erindira has a population of around 2000 people, and previously lacked adequate medical facilities to treat the locals. People needing treatment had to make the over 2 hour trip to Ensenada. This all changed several years ago when the Palomar chapter of the <a href="https://www.flyingsamaritans.net/Web/Sams/default.asp?">Flying Samaritans</a> opened a <a href="https://sites.google.com/site/erendiraclinic/home">medical clinic</a> to service the local community.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiniqeoUlETcUHKHjYr6dF772iMAeOjie-BwFh83sdzg4s6VNNmD73lqat5CEKJTxNEqRCPc9u4d8ndGxzdIvcLjkp3zq8HxxHIywSl0k9zq6CyUihlCtHA9bu27mDKXBJbJn2Gk5JgxVg/s1600/PB050106.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiniqeoUlETcUHKHjYr6dF772iMAeOjie-BwFh83sdzg4s6VNNmD73lqat5CEKJTxNEqRCPc9u4d8ndGxzdIvcLjkp3zq8HxxHIywSl0k9zq6CyUihlCtHA9bu27mDKXBJbJn2Gk5JgxVg/s400/PB050106.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5674728545339337842" border="0" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7orrMFXscvX_I14Sx00LK6dFp4d8wR5NeyCxhzUCeYpEoK-fIOohOdH85CpRTrdKj1xU_Squu250yCKIZaJ2zLiEcpqHqCsNVs0rvJZtvSFGNOEu4wcedHbyo4iCcafTAQTzaXwBYQg4/s1600/PB050114.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7orrMFXscvX_I14Sx00LK6dFp4d8wR5NeyCxhzUCeYpEoK-fIOohOdH85CpRTrdKj1xU_Squu250yCKIZaJ2zLiEcpqHqCsNVs0rvJZtvSFGNOEu4wcedHbyo4iCcafTAQTzaXwBYQg4/s400/PB050114.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5674729381835244194" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:78%;">The local constable with the ribbon un-tying ceremony</span><br /></div><br />We were invited to join the Flying Samaritans for the inaugural opening of a dental clinic, the second part of a comprehensive health plan for the town. The clinic is the result of many years of hard work, and lots of donated dental equipment.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4jdYL3-tcfxeYp_Rw_tSqXxHEoQl37eJgUvJfB3pHmDRRykconAYYJOchgdEug9eEaizp4L4ZE0DqPt_FpMMWS9KIwctWgk_kzYPWJWJrFYpR-fN-g56ua0Z9FzM4lgpMsM3KVwvMxhU/s1600/PB040091.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4jdYL3-tcfxeYp_Rw_tSqXxHEoQl37eJgUvJfB3pHmDRRykconAYYJOchgdEug9eEaizp4L4ZE0DqPt_FpMMWS9KIwctWgk_kzYPWJWJrFYpR-fN-g56ua0Z9FzM4lgpMsM3KVwvMxhU/s400/PB040091.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5674728528023110610" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:78%;">Oswin Schandera making last minute adjustments and clean-up before the big day</span><br /></div><br />Our team was led by Verena Schandera, a medical student at UC San Diego, her parents Oswin and Kristina, and Ethan Fox, a practicing dentist. Verena’s fellow medical student and friend Tyler Morrison invited SWoBs Founding director Loren Luyendyk and practicing Chinese Medical Doctor Brian Falk to join them.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuvQP5dfd0pfHdITsoCShK8g5WMtpvSf7hxx3_0B3hmZhV5D9HpxNTj6xpUoHUvoDXutsN8uXOKxxCXT3x9neh4nfKHhwjFY3NE56byua-3053ymkaSyf6TJqVQImDTF8UGof6lv0ways/s1600/PB050126.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuvQP5dfd0pfHdITsoCShK8g5WMtpvSf7hxx3_0B3hmZhV5D9HpxNTj6xpUoHUvoDXutsN8uXOKxxCXT3x9neh4nfKHhwjFY3NE56byua-3053ymkaSyf6TJqVQImDTF8UGof6lv0ways/s400/PB050126.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5674730633070424658" border="0" /></a><br />Saturday morning we dawn patrolled the clinic. People were already lined up to receive free dental care, and we proceeded to admit them. We processed 50 patients, but needless to say that was far too many for Ethan to treat in one day. Obviously dental care is a real need for this community.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiax9DIwD5Cbt1sDDoAYE_IGdMkTsova-LmNU2gnVhf0ycKyEk8Khp1UgzxxFdhM_zlrUxmEyHMOTWNIkQhQuSja_VpviFkfkcc83YWeGZf-1l46Jh8pFiIV75Bm7JDyhgOURECOpztc_k/s1600/PB050134.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiax9DIwD5Cbt1sDDoAYE_IGdMkTsova-LmNU2gnVhf0ycKyEk8Khp1UgzxxFdhM_zlrUxmEyHMOTWNIkQhQuSja_VpviFkfkcc83YWeGZf-1l46Jh8pFiIV75Bm7JDyhgOURECOpztc_k/s400/PB050134.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5674730641794815410" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:78%;">Tyler Morrison taking pulses</span><br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhegCNHdiTMiG5_AwSp5ta7ihg_Xe_UGTPoAV9hrYJkdEmfiIQW-EOP2KmJq-Dn5cLvqQ7D0eY1ZF3ZNjHGDSv_yVjytIfQ_KQJ_dwvkYTQg5VKksOdEAZCITrSxHklocrvQ_eBAnSfHOo/s1600/PB050122.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhegCNHdiTMiG5_AwSp5ta7ihg_Xe_UGTPoAV9hrYJkdEmfiIQW-EOP2KmJq-Dn5cLvqQ7D0eY1ZF3ZNjHGDSv_yVjytIfQ_KQJ_dwvkYTQg5VKksOdEAZCITrSxHklocrvQ_eBAnSfHOo/s400/PB050122.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5674729386685165522" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:78%;">Verena Schandera and Ethan Fox with a lucky patient!</span><br /></div><br />While Ethan drilled and pulled teeth, Brian performed the less invasive work of treating people with acupuncture. The locals were very receptive to this kind of therapy, and found the results promising.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZhEZB2gFbl0IyCx5aFSUAMOCrphyphenhyphenf1MPXmvos_MSbjQCdCyXdUafXLGdXKfmnmdCD9Qsv1IuJTc8Hrwei-I_UA7L59aE7XyKFk39BH0vvce8WqIyqMRbkQMcyKtzyT5GsaEz0i3V5EDY/s1600/PB050133.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZhEZB2gFbl0IyCx5aFSUAMOCrphyphenhyphenf1MPXmvos_MSbjQCdCyXdUafXLGdXKfmnmdCD9Qsv1IuJTc8Hrwei-I_UA7L59aE7XyKFk39BH0vvce8WqIyqMRbkQMcyKtzyT5GsaEz0i3V5EDY/s400/PB050133.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5674730636355673714" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:78%;">Brian Falk performing acupuncture </span><br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzICpF5Elz13qJPpFe-Suti2EIjcbjNBko_g8D_c1u-rjAssZU3iiCmU7axQdQ6GGy3GpNTDe5zXnjG8IzMr5MrE_znFITeKwUx7GxZdRt40Ctz5KDqVSm-lEHNUVsb3wA06W1NGb9MQc/s1600/PB050174.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzICpF5Elz13qJPpFe-Suti2EIjcbjNBko_g8D_c1u-rjAssZU3iiCmU7axQdQ6GGy3GpNTDe5zXnjG8IzMr5MrE_znFITeKwUx7GxZdRt40Ctz5KDqVSm-lEHNUVsb3wA06W1NGb9MQc/s400/PB050174.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5674741281471843090" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:78%;">Loren Luyendyk helped to admit patients and taught children about dental hygiene</span><br /></div><br />The night after the big day we were treated to a meal of local authentic Baja Fish Tacos. Local clinic volunteers Alonso and Linda prepared a meal fit for kings and queens, or doctors and dentists in this case…<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhe2kCTk0l9jxzrxP370WJl0yjJGtOjrQpLCCdGesr0nzQbtaDaYS1HZyRHZ3C8WrGNGvA6l3sokcM56-6GlE-A2mOLP7QlPTuJeeodiAW8ApKmh45fA6j-bB15Y0dyR8S_blHlo_5J2uI/s1600/PB050188.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhe2kCTk0l9jxzrxP370WJl0yjJGtOjrQpLCCdGesr0nzQbtaDaYS1HZyRHZ3C8WrGNGvA6l3sokcM56-6GlE-A2mOLP7QlPTuJeeodiAW8ApKmh45fA6j-bB15Y0dyR8S_blHlo_5J2uI/s400/PB050188.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5674741285944193666" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:78%;">¡Bien Sabroso!<br /></span></div><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHiDmZ9YZwZvY3zz9MBCJKvM11eZgn6zbCpAHGfGnDkBAv6E5ZdWr04DhdQwAnYaEjE8gMeSg9u3zYdqS3Yu4kQFB2EoPIualR9Vanie4f4N7KLHmfvgwndygMQ-CZsAcEomp_CVlPmeE/s1600/san+diego+and+mex+132.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 225px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHiDmZ9YZwZvY3zz9MBCJKvM11eZgn6zbCpAHGfGnDkBAv6E5ZdWr04DhdQwAnYaEjE8gMeSg9u3zYdqS3Yu4kQFB2EoPIualR9Vanie4f4N7KLHmfvgwndygMQ-CZsAcEomp_CVlPmeE/s400/san+diego+and+mex+132.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5674748803321979634" border="0" /></a><br />We had the pleasure of staying at a super-chilo hostel by the sea called <a href="http://www.coyotecals.com/">Coyote Cal’s</a>. Overlooking the bay and the coast to the south, the hostel boasts super luxurious accommodations and awesome outdoor spaces.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicSlfQYXvuHEcbvJG6eWJCeksI7rKu73UgfD_Oe1ngRzvuvTytcI08-Q1il_RPSYLkFvdagY6zsW_Y1JFmJR_bGGTsdGQgVlhVOjXkYR_q-hm46y9ML79qnrINmh7kxwSWaZoRIZlEcpQ/s1600/PB050099.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicSlfQYXvuHEcbvJG6eWJCeksI7rKu73UgfD_Oe1ngRzvuvTytcI08-Q1il_RPSYLkFvdagY6zsW_Y1JFmJR_bGGTsdGQgVlhVOjXkYR_q-hm46y9ML79qnrINmh7kxwSWaZoRIZlEcpQ/s400/PB050099.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5674728536181862802" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:78%;">Coyote Cal's at sunrise</span><br /></div><br />Following the clinic day, we had a chance to explore the coastline north of Erindira. Miles of rugged cliffs punctuated by isolated and empty coves tempted us to jump in the sea. We found a promising little break and had a few waves to ourselves before our journey back home.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsJf9lVB-05QMZklpVJh2rt1SkO58HxQWABwJ5bmVF5CcdzZUiJnCTrFScChT0xXq1JzC9dQtxXcBlJW1bSiQDJD1lpy_bO6zupqiHUbKl476jrqfyV2VsJ3G1t1bP5qduxBTeFpTjK5s/s1600/PB060219.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsJf9lVB-05QMZklpVJh2rt1SkO58HxQWABwJ5bmVF5CcdzZUiJnCTrFScChT0xXq1JzC9dQtxXcBlJW1bSiQDJD1lpy_bO6zupqiHUbKl476jrqfyV2VsJ3G1t1bP5qduxBTeFpTjK5s/s400/PB060219.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5674741982322957746" border="0" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9gs-k-lKyISSYPVCsxO0V0-qvduwLB9xTEZM6cofL759PhciNdXaUtdKXTL3nkk7CjHOgSnDBZZi24A3bQF7yAmAWuVY2h8TtlxapdXXY3aeU8AyQL1lTpNWG1eDXJZfbDO7MnwkoK4A/s1600/PB060213.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9gs-k-lKyISSYPVCsxO0V0-qvduwLB9xTEZM6cofL759PhciNdXaUtdKXTL3nkk7CjHOgSnDBZZi24A3bQF7yAmAWuVY2h8TtlxapdXXY3aeU8AyQL1lTpNWG1eDXJZfbDO7MnwkoK4A/s400/PB060213.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5674741303871697490" border="0" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgf9pvy_7yVR1dIQFO_0PueIp3ohVH8RFYT4JmwsczIBtyHlg4xf_rISoPy6OaPOdWgtHiIRWsUS6aEZkV_0NKoL0o-PUB3TQ4kMB6aaX7wloh0a19F9YRYsq6YBG65mW7BXrxm6LPoQT0/s1600/PB060224.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgf9pvy_7yVR1dIQFO_0PueIp3ohVH8RFYT4JmwsczIBtyHlg4xf_rISoPy6OaPOdWgtHiIRWsUS6aEZkV_0NKoL0o-PUB3TQ4kMB6aaX7wloh0a19F9YRYsq6YBG65mW7BXrxm6LPoQT0/s400/PB060224.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5674741987226842098" border="0" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKr4DIr_p029mGi6NkYkvtjEqE9bzoDkpCL7R5WPkzVi7wq6qryM0QIW6cBoxGv8gQu8vcmzZEoA61cfmGnv0cg2RZaFItdHHwNh_Qdhi8GLwwqgF7skUQcSV6cRCzLthynqo_prWANh0/s1600/PB060206.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKr4DIr_p029mGi6NkYkvtjEqE9bzoDkpCL7R5WPkzVi7wq6qryM0QIW6cBoxGv8gQu8vcmzZEoA61cfmGnv0cg2RZaFItdHHwNh_Qdhi8GLwwqgF7skUQcSV6cRCzLthynqo_prWANh0/s400/PB060206.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5674741302081160962" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:78%;">Brian Falk, Tyler Morrison, and Loren Luyendyk</span><br /><br /></div>Reflecting on the needs of the community, we realized that they may have all they need, now that the two clinics were operational. The challenge is staffing. Still, people seemed happy and healthy. One thing that struck us however was that only a few people in the town were growing food.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqoFLpn54tQN7UF4lPDBjjKYICzVVswA3faH3kLV__7UU4OIp5AibmSCxBuTz-yfTvYPX79GHw9rslNkrVJzS6dvQ1hUT8rruYhdyEFX6N7hidQQGL83_zwz16s5Kl_fOhDcjkcr1flQ0/s1600/PB050168.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqoFLpn54tQN7UF4lPDBjjKYICzVVswA3faH3kLV__7UU4OIp5AibmSCxBuTz-yfTvYPX79GHw9rslNkrVJzS6dvQ1hUT8rruYhdyEFX6N7hidQQGL83_zwz16s5Kl_fOhDcjkcr1flQ0/s400/PB050168.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5674740716138759570" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:78%;">One house had some swales to catch water. They had mangoes, guavas, bananas, olives, figs, and nopales.<br /></span></div><br />A California company leases the community land for vegetable farming, and according to anecdotal reports, they are happy to share the crops with locals as long as they don’t strip the fields. Though we also heard that they pay low wages and do not offer health care, hence the clinics.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkjtRyNHFkKt0nF1xluFlaqGhJGHKak4vKRFNEs6yZqYjOP4G3fqUxfxJaLNEcMsf-NvefQAsuXR9Z0mJanDQupWwTcvFJKvoMULWN0nmhuXzbgdEnnPqbtxl60uX6bc6OSTodJcmvhmo/s1600/san+diego+and+mex+119.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 225px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkjtRyNHFkKt0nF1xluFlaqGhJGHKak4vKRFNEs6yZqYjOP4G3fqUxfxJaLNEcMsf-NvefQAsuXR9Z0mJanDQupWwTcvFJKvoMULWN0nmhuXzbgdEnnPqbtxl60uX6bc6OSTodJcmvhmo/s400/san+diego+and+mex+119.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5674743763369836834" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:78%;">Those are fields of cabbage headed to California</span><br /><br /></div>Baja is more of a desert than California, and wells are dug deeper every year. Furthermore, food comes in from afar and is not always during winter months due to poor road conditions.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbH1493dGEKrKlx4ITzxTFdnfEoATe9cPryPX5Z3_shmS-7um26OZ4f7ucluOBKkACJ_PKZr7h2QMkiNAklhAnsnu41AjXL8ONDJKl86DgOrifaZ5Xy1tB6BJDrNtpZStPjvbQjTywVFI/s1600/PB050156.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbH1493dGEKrKlx4ITzxTFdnfEoATe9cPryPX5Z3_shmS-7um26OZ4f7ucluOBKkACJ_PKZr7h2QMkiNAklhAnsnu41AjXL8ONDJKl86DgOrifaZ5Xy1tB6BJDrNtpZStPjvbQjTywVFI/s400/PB050156.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5674740712871687522" border="0" /></a><span style="font-style: italic;font-size:78%;" >Dudleya sp.</span><br /></div><br />We are planning a rainwater harvesting installation at the clinic, coupled with a rain garden filled with edible plants. We hope to stimulate the idea of rainwater harvesting and home-scale food production with a simple system composed of parts that are inexpensive and readily available in the town.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg85t7n6CdmN4BR4m8ISFguJeGJsq4oeUcgsRVkmMZ9JHEg0PdgKXakQ2kYte_Rb2I57QOlXUFrs5EJo1cnqMdBaUTCuT9p2YYoaYD5BED4ipPQ3COOqExZJBy8huxdHxzUjOnQo9wH69w/s1600/PB050150.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg85t7n6CdmN4BR4m8ISFguJeGJsq4oeUcgsRVkmMZ9JHEg0PdgKXakQ2kYte_Rb2I57QOlXUFrs5EJo1cnqMdBaUTCuT9p2YYoaYD5BED4ipPQ3COOqExZJBy8huxdHxzUjOnQo9wH69w/s400/PB050150.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5674740707474510130" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:78%;"><span style="font-style: italic;">Ephedra sp.</span>. Medicinal plants were growing wild on the outskirts of town</span><br /></div><br />Our next trip is on the 16th and 17th of December 2011. Please contact us at surferswithoutborders@gmail.com if you would like to join us on another journey for Surf and Service!SWoBshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08161414403059411227noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2981031667524638180.post-91257984996167594662011-10-11T16:02:00.000-07:002011-10-13T22:26:43.648-07:00Save the Humans!<span style="font-weight: bold;">TransparentSea II</span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">The Voyage of Surfers For Cetaceans (S4C)</span><br /><a href="http://www.transparentseavoyage.com/">http://www.transparentseavoyage.com/</a><br /><br />Whales and dolphins are majestic creatures, no doubt. They are the romanticized <span style="font-weight: bold;">elders of the ocean</span>, teachers in silent ways to their human children. They are also <span style="font-weight: bold;">indicators of our stewardship</span> of the planet, showing us how we relate to the ocean and its creatures.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5UEtkqiUdMN0I1dNUUQsngoZFhed15bA7OtDF1hEiaw_xDnsIwiU2olf6_l38uS5f-oFWRuAiJd6_AnpNS0lvsTf3DDB3QnqKDvhatrVUiLpzHekk97tHCoehkG7wHC99d4_Amvho-wg/s1600/PA030690.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5UEtkqiUdMN0I1dNUUQsngoZFhed15bA7OtDF1hEiaw_xDnsIwiU2olf6_l38uS5f-oFWRuAiJd6_AnpNS0lvsTf3DDB3QnqKDvhatrVUiLpzHekk97tHCoehkG7wHC99d4_Amvho-wg/s400/PA030690.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5662379746198890802" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:78%;">Trimarans at the ready for the TransParentSea Voyage</span><br /><br /></div>They are not immune to our influence. Commercial whaling and <a href="http://www.thecovemovie.com/">dolphin kills</a> continue to this day in most parts of the world. Many people rely on whale and dolphin meat for food, and many other useful products come from them.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXxi6vYCvbHFsHwgD3hzqSOWWTAgl6YiX-LARCSrUYpMIks268_z53zToiCQVz6amHixkyzId7g_0ldbbJIljujpE5nfSCMQdW6gOZZDncGHnOMib71Cz080uAtyj1_1_7rf6V8wjdaIk/s1600/PA010621.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXxi6vYCvbHFsHwgD3hzqSOWWTAgl6YiX-LARCSrUYpMIks268_z53zToiCQVz6amHixkyzId7g_0ldbbJIljujpE5nfSCMQdW6gOZZDncGHnOMib71Cz080uAtyj1_1_7rf6V8wjdaIk/s400/PA010621.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5662378648113228994" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:78%;">Dolphin-safe sailing with the S4C crew</span><br /><br /></div>They are other sources for these products, however. Much more sustainable and humane sources. Mainly from plants.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLmav6Ty-YfGTvuOm5wf_r9NT94RNyloyGPum8b1-KFZY8I5kF137xA6wXbNwBvOjaA-0RKM8stjp7L-QpKRAkmu4pswWdcWHurRgHRpCrr5vuNqnkBXRZi9CwKZpoAtnr2xs3qGCP_ls/s1600/Ship%2526Whale_SBChannelCircled.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 246px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLmav6Ty-YfGTvuOm5wf_r9NT94RNyloyGPum8b1-KFZY8I5kF137xA6wXbNwBvOjaA-0RKM8stjp7L-QpKRAkmu4pswWdcWHurRgHRpCrr5vuNqnkBXRZi9CwKZpoAtnr2xs3qGCP_ls/s400/Ship%2526Whale_SBChannelCircled.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5662377725671242466" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:78%;">Did you buy anything on that ship?</span><br /><br /></div>In Southern California, the issues facing whales and dolphins are not from spear and harpoon, but from Chinese trinkets and giant ships. Due to the protection of these species in our waters, their populations have grown, along with humanity's use of their home the sea.<br /><br />There has been an <span style="font-weight: bold;">increase in whale strikes in recent years </span>due mostly to the large container ships that transport goods in the global marketplace. California shipping lanes have become the feeding ground for an increasing number of blue whales, due to large populations of krill in theses areas.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1twgEvBaP0z7v7OJaKKqx3nGccLlNHuRwEL9qV9-X8xxVGeTtNih6sZocEo_VGePQKf5MhDkv-Wxa0ePQ9UfMpxvd8IyzIZH6DcbyATT_l1OvdOF4T7emMy6dnp5FlJAu0jEYRhg-KKc/s1600/P9290484.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1twgEvBaP0z7v7OJaKKqx3nGccLlNHuRwEL9qV9-X8xxVGeTtNih6sZocEo_VGePQKf5MhDkv-Wxa0ePQ9UfMpxvd8IyzIZH6DcbyATT_l1OvdOF4T7emMy6dnp5FlJAu0jEYRhg-KKc/s400/P9290484.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5662377730046607554" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:78%;">Dave Rastovich and <strong style="font-weight: normal;">Kristi Birney, Marine Conservation Analyst with the EDC</strong><br /></span></div><br />A Santa Barbara organization, The <a href="http://www.edcnet.org/learn/current_cases/save_the_whales/index.html">Environmental Defense Center</a> spoke at the recent launch party for Surfers For Cetaceans (S4C) about the issue of whale strikes in the Santa Barbara Channel, and what we can do about it.<br /><br />Turns out the whales are being struck by the very container ships that bring goods to us from other lands. Four blue whales were <a href="http://redondobeach.patch.com/articles/ship-strikes-threaten-blue-whales#youtube_video-8022983">confirmed killed</a> due to ship strikes last year, though the number is thought to be higher.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1twgEvBaP0z7v7OJaKKqx3nGccLlNHuRwEL9qV9-X8xxVGeTtNih6sZocEo_VGePQKf5MhDkv-Wxa0ePQ9UfMpxvd8IyzIZH6DcbyATT_l1OvdOF4T7emMy6dnp5FlJAu0jEYRhg-KKc/s1600/P9290484.jpg"></a><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_M2iIKhSmTGc_f2t_FE5L9QjYD4aONDVL4Z9ziFxXCajGnUoedipSNRQA1XPrBdYMezCz0qhYOUlK8UZg78uTLvfp0ieviL5DoWQgE774U0f9OgQh5kvsogxMU1K7rt_r7Hsv1BiUT6Y/s1600/P9290501.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_M2iIKhSmTGc_f2t_FE5L9QjYD4aONDVL4Z9ziFxXCajGnUoedipSNRQA1XPrBdYMezCz0qhYOUlK8UZg78uTLvfp0ieviL5DoWQgE774U0f9OgQh5kvsogxMU1K7rt_r7Hsv1BiUT6Y/s400/P9290501.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5662377736144224402" border="0" /></a><span style="text-decoration: underline;"></span><span style="font-size:78%;">Sandy Lejeune from SB Surfrider tells Dave of the development issues affecting the Gaviota Coast</span><br /><br /></div>So, the more food and trinkets we buy from overseas, the more whales are in danger from being hit. Seems like a good reason to buy local and grow your own?!?<br /><br />In that vein SWoBs are launching a <a href="http://www.surferswithoutborders.org/Learn.html">hands-on workshop series</a> to address the issue of relocalization, and how sustainability can help the whales, oh, and the humans too!<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfstLNYSk_1uit5CGqsAW-gr8Kylh_R72OxkVsgr7IvlJyCrb98WOgjDF0A_kXGmB6k6okYwivl30Xh5UIRP86ckTYwOqX4yglo2Jui6k0qxU_RVfaUBptkMqCgEoLDSjt9Uyp5k_XfJs/s1600/PA010595.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfstLNYSk_1uit5CGqsAW-gr8Kylh_R72OxkVsgr7IvlJyCrb98WOgjDF0A_kXGmB6k6okYwivl30Xh5UIRP86ckTYwOqX4yglo2Jui6k0qxU_RVfaUBptkMqCgEoLDSjt9Uyp5k_XfJs/s400/PA010595.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5662378252770791922" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:78%;">The Crew about to launch from Gaviota State Beach</span><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size:78%;"><br /></span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkg5qvNnuvJbPSxR20q5p7nwhuepEqrGSDzjhOL1S9vAcc3CjqBSznnDu_mkl8RDt5_lX62Yg822l0Lz8fKBKeo0zLFmSDxQyVvpeTq75trUHF_yyzhdYi_YP4ezEpYv9-917i1VhWoC4/s1600/PA010559.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkg5qvNnuvJbPSxR20q5p7nwhuepEqrGSDzjhOL1S9vAcc3CjqBSznnDu_mkl8RDt5_lX62Yg822l0Lz8fKBKeo0zLFmSDxQyVvpeTq75trUHF_yyzhdYi_YP4ezEpYv9-917i1VhWoC4/s400/PA010559.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5662378245259029730" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:78%;">During the beach clean-up prior to launch we found tons of trash stuck in the bushes!</span><br /></div><br />S4C embarked on the TransParentSea Desert Whale Voyage on the 1st of October from Gaviota State Beach near Santa Barbara. The voyage is a multi-media journey including sailing, surfing, music, art, and education about whales and the ocean.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwXOPKO_dKEeqCVyTKR5GMutVVVlHy_LdR89PSFlkDiaOO12WjncRzWunU1hWvz3mg3nsOY-otXc3nQJQZSSyYkjmyajq_vX_Azf0qee920vs8ngF-_X_I2A96Sz7sHVY8SDPHNd4wN2I/s1600/PA010578.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwXOPKO_dKEeqCVyTKR5GMutVVVlHy_LdR89PSFlkDiaOO12WjncRzWunU1hWvz3mg3nsOY-otXc3nQJQZSSyYkjmyajq_vX_Azf0qee920vs8ngF-_X_I2A96Sz7sHVY8SDPHNd4wN2I/s400/PA010578.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5662378255165888450" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:78%;">SWoBs Founder Loren Luyendyk and S4C Crew member and pro surfer Chris Del Moro just about to launch</span><br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgibQdzSHLAM0ZqaxoJZ16W76gAdvFiDdaMmvCEitMMKFDtnqpRq1lWVNpGuODq9HWAT0pyuzphmFFSzG73Bye5e-3wktJNCPzqeAGYCKy-6el40H2IBoGPXS0JAiZ0T9uQ2rRiuAQUuE0/s1600/PA010632.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgibQdzSHLAM0ZqaxoJZ16W76gAdvFiDdaMmvCEitMMKFDtnqpRq1lWVNpGuODq9HWAT0pyuzphmFFSzG73Bye5e-3wktJNCPzqeAGYCKy-6el40H2IBoGPXS0JAiZ0T9uQ2rRiuAQUuE0/s400/PA010632.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5662378653296946994" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:78%;">SB Local Chad Koenig has paddled the channel before, and is doing it again. All the way to Mexico!</span><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMqNmBavvIZ3vUuFm3b37mCfdW5AjdVsSjqzwaf3vLFQngaMdlh1sgOG6-DOuk4KWc_Ptr1svP1O_K-mhQkguqUZBDsSToc9XpdHAxcBPXsvAc1dbpDic9ica9OmHm___L07gUGlmHnvo/s1600/birch.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMqNmBavvIZ3vUuFm3b37mCfdW5AjdVsSjqzwaf3vLFQngaMdlh1sgOG6-DOuk4KWc_Ptr1svP1O_K-mhQkguqUZBDsSToc9XpdHAxcBPXsvAc1dbpDic9ica9OmHm___L07gUGlmHnvo/s400/birch.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5663214327779708258" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:78%;">Our buddy John Birchim of <a href="http://www.jayawave.com/">Jayawave</a> SUPped along with us for a bit. He makes beautiful alaias.</span><br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpO4v7u-LjMRyH9FH3AaeU4aES6jG6LeGeygmsW7MP6I0vTA1eTt66hobiiAJTMBcy5PR6sx-Yue1BYaaf4s_DXZnUwOckVWG1hbcuhUfg8PlKsBszhjawbrfr26fSutMZ9X-l9LiogFM/s1600/PA020678.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpO4v7u-LjMRyH9FH3AaeU4aES6jG6LeGeygmsW7MP6I0vTA1eTt66hobiiAJTMBcy5PR6sx-Yue1BYaaf4s_DXZnUwOckVWG1hbcuhUfg8PlKsBszhjawbrfr26fSutMZ9X-l9LiogFM/s400/PA020678.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5662378667039908994" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:78%;">SWoBs Co-Founder Aubrey Falk on the trimaran in the middle of the SB Channel</span><br /></div><br />SWoBs represented and had the great fortune to join in on the journey for the first several days. We jumped on board the Hobie trimarans for a glide along side our ancestors the dolphins.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpO5tQEbgbO4YlvCHmtHY1PPscX1x_VKiFph2Ux_VjcXr7y5ljUE6LlnGs2skOafWncVOlWLP-MYo_ajDLJRMsX8QuAj7KnMAr0doaJUH62qsnUmeBoJ9vEp-Uj_3soPXSwFEKiniuAWo/s1600/PA020667.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpO5tQEbgbO4YlvCHmtHY1PPscX1x_VKiFph2Ux_VjcXr7y5ljUE6LlnGs2skOafWncVOlWLP-MYo_ajDLJRMsX8QuAj7KnMAr0doaJUH62qsnUmeBoJ9vEp-Uj_3soPXSwFEKiniuAWo/s400/PA020667.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5662378656269425602" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:78%;">Chad being greeted by cetacean friends</span><br /></div><br />We <a href="http://transparentseavoyage.bandcamp.com/track/day-1-these-20-miles">played music</a> around the campfire, painted murals, and even caught a few waves. The crew continued on south, to Malibu, and eventually will reach the Mexican Border and the birthing grounds of the California Grey Whales.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqGkYjbScLJH-2vkLRuuEeWBLEAHX-9-07cbBi5qencJ4-b4IdX7prdEd5eU748MZ4qgdZAF3_Iy4B1wWvGFF6hIdD9DCO-zb0CDmrV_pbkHxOr_hcvQyMfqrt-9IGYnXEKg4-_yoeR74/s1600/PA040711.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqGkYjbScLJH-2vkLRuuEeWBLEAHX-9-07cbBi5qencJ4-b4IdX7prdEd5eU748MZ4qgdZAF3_Iy4B1wWvGFF6hIdD9DCO-zb0CDmrV_pbkHxOr_hcvQyMfqrt-9IGYnXEKg4-_yoeR74/s400/PA040711.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5662379747385513666" border="0" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbCDCS4csQ5mth63CL5bIPoocC5H0IcTd2nJpmRUrVJf3UL_11f3diiMk8DRMEmnb7wj2YNtFrvQfMQu-BkEsHtQdoz36Y31m8WpDu9CuGWjGov7PVhvrGI1YlkST1Cdv2ZTYAvaZzAOc/s1600/PA040721.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbCDCS4csQ5mth63CL5bIPoocC5H0IcTd2nJpmRUrVJf3UL_11f3diiMk8DRMEmnb7wj2YNtFrvQfMQu-BkEsHtQdoz36Y31m8WpDu9CuGWjGov7PVhvrGI1YlkST1Cdv2ZTYAvaZzAOc/s400/PA040721.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5662379754600011170" border="0" /></a><br />Stay tuned for more!<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhG9-Pxevxus2viBMySQu0CJ3_31KioY0bSP1V-_axz8R39gXxSDYiHtVq6U4KRYfvxDsdN4k0a03F1luO4sUvocl6-YHk18gMz-KXXkUnpbsCj3wsl6BEVuv1RjQIS3gzegoarswFrx0o/s1600/P9300547.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhG9-Pxevxus2viBMySQu0CJ3_31KioY0bSP1V-_axz8R39gXxSDYiHtVq6U4KRYfvxDsdN4k0a03F1luO4sUvocl6-YHk18gMz-KXXkUnpbsCj3wsl6BEVuv1RjQIS3gzegoarswFrx0o/s400/P9300547.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5662378241856753138" border="0" /></a>SWoBshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08161414403059411227noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2981031667524638180.post-32666067137484994782011-09-21T15:05:00.000-07:002011-09-21T15:39:19.410-07:00The Wizard of Aus<div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0sMOyvjgKkoUv7WnfOEBTJDuH7BNDsBPbW1_caZWMZAtN1MX_nXzZPPz1RIRett-QsiBezC1XHu6ifEDZzBJqK2CG8u_5jQ0nPmKtHBzGJIjaP2O6IOyuP_6T-F93RV1uKuglzb25qdU/s1600/P8130029.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0sMOyvjgKkoUv7WnfOEBTJDuH7BNDsBPbW1_caZWMZAtN1MX_nXzZPPz1RIRett-QsiBezC1XHu6ifEDZzBJqK2CG8u_5jQ0nPmKtHBzGJIjaP2O6IOyuP_6T-F93RV1uKuglzb25qdU/s400/P8130029.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5654938597142260738" border="0" /></a><a href="http://tomwegenersurfboards.com/">Tom Wegener Surfboards Factory</a><br /></div><br /><style> <!-- /* Font Definitions */ @font-face {font-family:"Times New Roman"; panose-1:0 2 2 6 3 5 4 5 2 3; mso-font-charset:0; mso-generic-font-family:auto; mso-font-pitch:variable; mso-font-signature:50331648 0 0 0 1 0;} /* Style Definitions */ p.MsoNormal, li.MsoNormal, div.MsoNormal {mso-style-parent:""; margin:0in; margin-bottom:.0001pt; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:12.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman";} table.MsoNormalTable {mso-style-parent:""; font-size:10.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman";} @page Section1 {size:8.5in 11.0in; margin:1.0in 1.25in 1.0in 1.25in; mso-header-margin:.5in; mso-footer-margin:.5in; mso-paper-source:0;} div.Section1 {page:Section1;} --> </style> <p class="MsoNormal">Tom Wegener has lots of energy.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>He lights up like a grommet when he starts talking about surfing, skating, gardening, or sustainability.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>This is good, because it takes this amount of energy to pretty much single handedly bring back finless surfing.</p><br /><p class="MsoNormal"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWSvt-r1HW_xrnWYhCr4lBJf80WM0qz_dg_CYIeMJOj_p7FQbYjPtEHJ4Uk7vLPnxcjio0N9cKOeknMhfkShNSXQ_wY6zNFN0O3mwrFHuanMYyT3qzml3K3ui8uKtVDSqmi-ObvgojusI/s1600/P8130013.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWSvt-r1HW_xrnWYhCr4lBJf80WM0qz_dg_CYIeMJOj_p7FQbYjPtEHJ4Uk7vLPnxcjio0N9cKOeknMhfkShNSXQ_wY6zNFN0O3mwrFHuanMYyT3qzml3K3ui8uKtVDSqmi-ObvgojusI/s400/P8130013.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5654937900695532450" border="0" /></a></p><p class="MsoNormal"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPjhF_vhzkC449SiUJ3JeLPwXpsTcvgPYzu_mFVQJ2Y0uf8RAZ2pzu104wqdjBtWX4QjcZylwV4sqH4MckzQ2JMA2Mbs8QGIJVxLVgUnA4zwDZPe6lINO0DWjnTjQtZXpRadz0LewnOC4/s1600/P8130019.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPjhF_vhzkC449SiUJ3JeLPwXpsTcvgPYzu_mFVQJ2Y0uf8RAZ2pzu104wqdjBtWX4QjcZylwV4sqH4MckzQ2JMA2Mbs8QGIJVxLVgUnA4zwDZPe6lINO0DWjnTjQtZXpRadz0LewnOC4/s400/P8130019.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5654938584310389634" border="0" /></a></p><p style="text-align: center;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:78%;">The evolution of a species.<br /></span></p><p style="text-align: center;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:78%;">The <a href="http://www.surfindustries.com/surfboards/seaglass.php">SeaGlass Project</a> in the middle is a new finless epoxy board that Tom has developed with GSI.<br /></span></p><p style="text-align: center;" class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal"> </p> <p class="MsoNormal">Tom is mostly responsible for the rebirth of the <span style="font-weight: bold;">alaia</span>, the basic but challenging finless plank boards ridden by Hawaiian chiefs of old.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Through tons of research and experimentation, he has perfected the <span style="font-weight: bold;">simplest and purest wave sliding vehicles</span> possible.</p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGPrcAXHdfAiWW0naD3SlbOeVIrQMX67aHPT_Zevb5hBPRDOUYTppwKu-bFplcgkCXrU429gs1j-07lcP5gvQhzulHjLelUJavWEGRYqVEg4r6L3Dm_opW3J2EBNrBCcJmPNVhwTJsJ70/s1600/P8130003.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGPrcAXHdfAiWW0naD3SlbOeVIrQMX67aHPT_Zevb5hBPRDOUYTppwKu-bFplcgkCXrU429gs1j-07lcP5gvQhzulHjLelUJavWEGRYqVEg4r6L3Dm_opW3J2EBNrBCcJmPNVhwTJsJ70/s400/P8130003.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5654937894192505378" border="0" /></a></p><p style="text-align: center;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:78%;">Tom showing off some old school belly boards made of thin plywood<br /></span></p><p style="text-align: center;" class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal"></p><p class="MsoNormal"> </p> <p class="MsoNormal">On top of bringing the soul and stoke back to surfing, he has brought an <span style="font-weight: bold;">awareness of our sports impact on the environment</span>.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>His alaias are made from <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Paulownia">Paulownia</a> wood, which is grown in nearby New South Wales.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Sustainably harvested and hand made, the wood needs no treatment before hitting the waves.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Local, organic, <span style="font-weight: bold;">no resin or toxic chemicals</span>- these are the <span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;">least toxic boards you can buy.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjokVvPYKgPc1mr0z47Hl920H0qVaCBnw7V5bi7bUXDByR0tH7AD9epFhTvYfUPd6NpPxPgF7KXvetfczzljTmUjREresoOh4bVy3ui36oW0m-WNAWaFpeJfe8xgeCXCy6UDcW5y4OGf2w/s1600/P8130025.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjokVvPYKgPc1mr0z47Hl920H0qVaCBnw7V5bi7bUXDByR0tH7AD9epFhTvYfUPd6NpPxPgF7KXvetfczzljTmUjREresoOh4bVy3ui36oW0m-WNAWaFpeJfe8xgeCXCy6UDcW5y4OGf2w/s400/P8130025.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5654938587537575250" border="0" /></a></p> <p style="text-align: center;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:78%;">Tom with his custom longboard hand shaped with locally grown Paulownia wood</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPjhF_vhzkC449SiUJ3JeLPwXpsTcvgPYzu_mFVQJ2Y0uf8RAZ2pzu104wqdjBtWX4QjcZylwV4sqH4MckzQ2JMA2Mbs8QGIJVxLVgUnA4zwDZPe6lINO0DWjnTjQtZXpRadz0LewnOC4/s1600/P8130019.jpg"><br /></a></p> <p class="MsoNormal"> </p> <p class="MsoNormal">Tom has taken his mastery of craftsmanship to the next level with full sized boards made much in the same way boats are.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>He will hand shape you your very own eco long or short-board at his Creation Plantation in Noosa Heads.</p> <p class="MsoNormal"> </p> <p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjx28RjK-saqwEtls5Vkp-HJcwJhq2lege0vA65CtmQJKGO_2O9VobcBj1mXzlFh7TpUSJe2z-r9qtLI92iufqUFXQDbU297rwdR7r0FXHv5mR-4BnZI68xrPW0Xtq0ilmitUqfXpGzLts/s1600/P8130007.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjx28RjK-saqwEtls5Vkp-HJcwJhq2lege0vA65CtmQJKGO_2O9VobcBj1mXzlFh7TpUSJe2z-r9qtLI92iufqUFXQDbU297rwdR7r0FXHv5mR-4BnZI68xrPW0Xtq0ilmitUqfXpGzLts/s400/P8130007.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5654937896320201074" border="0" /></a></p><p style="text-align: center;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:78%;">The Creation Plantation</span></p><p style="text-align: center;" class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal">The ancient shop looks as if it is going to fall over from relaxation, though it holds sturdy, housing his tools and endless boards and blanks.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Climbing on the roof to access the upper level, he shows us a custom he is working on.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Wood shavings are much nicer than polyester.</p> <p class="MsoNormal"> </p> <p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5_s5sUh3XVFLl5qIZkdbfnym98WSms9pHQBZu6apYHv58hKDr-V2n2Z5DHY4sbInTBsgMTgV4FcWbKCv33fTUlzrJafKPakCepXvdHoYTTn65DKl03aDPQVLwJwrkWOFehaewJ8QpX4g/s1600/P8130032.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5_s5sUh3XVFLl5qIZkdbfnym98WSms9pHQBZu6apYHv58hKDr-V2n2Z5DHY4sbInTBsgMTgV4FcWbKCv33fTUlzrJafKPakCepXvdHoYTTn65DKl03aDPQVLwJwrkWOFehaewJ8QpX4g/s400/P8130032.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5654939148983047538" border="0" /></a></p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal">He gave us a short tour of his Plantation, the chicken, his trees, the pond, the compost.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Such a cool zone dedicated to growing surfing in the organic way.</p> <p class="MsoNormal"> </p> <p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEha_iZfUONW25RXkyvvtxOADMS5dYiyQITXNYpPvD3ga646q_WmuL8HOGc5QW5rQspL1o1H6EFreabshDAywfWKs4io9g8ArQYdWV1HeRdUOCuuiI0J3YFrffY0HSGbsP1kBZvRbZjE6c8/s1600/P8130035.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEha_iZfUONW25RXkyvvtxOADMS5dYiyQITXNYpPvD3ga646q_WmuL8HOGc5QW5rQspL1o1H6EFreabshDAywfWKs4io9g8ArQYdWV1HeRdUOCuuiI0J3YFrffY0HSGbsP1kBZvRbZjE6c8/s400/P8130035.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5654939153503723170" border="0" /></a></p><p style="text-align: center;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:78%;">Loren and Tom discuss permaculture</span></p><p style="text-align: center;" class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal">Noosa Heads is Tom’s spot.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>On any given day you can find him on anything from a 10-foot tanker to the finless 5-foot <a href="http://www.surfindustries.com/surfboards/seaglass.php">SeaGlass</a>.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>You can find his custom boards at <a href="http://tomwegenersurfboards.com/">Noosa Longboards</a>, and order a custom slider for yourself!</p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal">Some other links to super eco-surfing gear:</p><p class="MsoNormal"><a href="http://www.jayawave.com/">JayaWave</a>- The Art and Soul of Trees. Santa Barbara, California<br /></p><p class="MsoNormal"><a href="http://wavetribe.com/">WaveTribe</a>- Green Surf Company. Ventura, California</p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p> <p class="MsoNormal"> </p> <p class="MsoNormal"> </p>SWoBshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08161414403059411227noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2981031667524638180.post-64286469087184530632011-07-25T04:54:00.000-07:002011-07-25T08:01:07.222-07:00Permaculture New Zealand<span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;">What does it take to take care of ourselves?</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Sustainability</span> is a real buzz-word, used to the point of exhaustion. But truthfully a lot of what we hear about sustainability is just a ploy to sell us something, some new product that is “green” or “eco”.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgT2nHfMtthpDMb5hrnTy2y5bfe1R2i-585SmMYhrihEaT_nqWIjWyFi2pPIDpHBoeyxwyFxBtvV-FxTNR9xs7Q-l3_MHElLqQJk_SoCXPuGXeEeupb_ZkCWcuaiOtS8ABCeOfsKcjWzE8/s1600/IMG_1524.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgT2nHfMtthpDMb5hrnTy2y5bfe1R2i-585SmMYhrihEaT_nqWIjWyFi2pPIDpHBoeyxwyFxBtvV-FxTNR9xs7Q-l3_MHElLqQJk_SoCXPuGXeEeupb_ZkCWcuaiOtS8ABCeOfsKcjWzE8/s400/IMG_1524.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5633258400153585874" border="0" /></a><br />So what is sustainability? From <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sustainability">Wikipedia</a>: “Sustainability is the capacity to endure. In ecology, the word describes how biological systems remain diverse and productive over time.”<br /><br />So in a sense, <span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;">only Nature is truly sustainable.</span><br /><br />So how do we create systems that remain diverse and productive over time? <span style="font-weight: bold;">By mimicking Nature.</span><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimU3l1ej_Iqq0F1YMSN703BJvsVU8eg6B0pMDBzgbVZbhmIZetFLBeLxPPjB687jK5gKHScu5gVkIj1MbjZixW0ieQ_Y9nlo0vzZEH2r9SlZbpTR0REWUoKHHXd4U98mnJyylZnPq8mpE/s1600/P7033122.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimU3l1ej_Iqq0F1YMSN703BJvsVU8eg6B0pMDBzgbVZbhmIZetFLBeLxPPjB687jK5gKHScu5gVkIj1MbjZixW0ieQ_Y9nlo0vzZEH2r9SlZbpTR0REWUoKHHXd4U98mnJyylZnPq8mpE/s400/P7033122.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5633263571282957810" border="0" /></a><br />However, it seems like the world is going the opposite way, with WalMart selling the same products the world over, and Monsanto creating foods that are not only foreign in nature, but are genetically identical and proprietary. On top of that, they are planting these experimental crops in pristine and sensitive places, like <a href="http://www.naturalnews.tv/v.asp?v=9AA86CDB80D6E089A192CD908A2039BB">Hawaii</a>, <span style="font-weight: bold;">polluting local seed-stock forever</span>.<br /><br />And now the <a href="http://www.organicconsumers.org/articles/article_22449.cfm">US Organic Elite has surrendered</a> to agricultural giant Monsanto and their Frankenfoods. In a statement released recently, Organic Valley, Stonyfield Farms, and Whole Foods said that we must accept GMO’s (genetically modified organisms), and work with them.<br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">What? Did I really read that? </span><br /><br />Turns out <span style="font-weight: bold;">over 2/3rds of Whole Foods’ products contain GMO’s</span>, unlabelled.<br /><br />This is not healthy food. <span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;"> Boycott these companies.</span><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1LWE2dHvi_C30rHyksYAATrJI160aNbgmIaWKnIUvdae6JlvVJsKmVTtQelXQxR93qxt2X4H9-crNMYWYZvgCU4na6I4OmTIGQXEfAkEv8ASEoUNVLYpg5l6hZsHT_qXjzS4EyuB4UAM/s1600/P7043282.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1LWE2dHvi_C30rHyksYAATrJI160aNbgmIaWKnIUvdae6JlvVJsKmVTtQelXQxR93qxt2X4H9-crNMYWYZvgCU4na6I4OmTIGQXEfAkEv8ASEoUNVLYpg5l6hZsHT_qXjzS4EyuB4UAM/s400/P7043282.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5633267721962937890" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;">Perhaps 10% of the world feeds itself.</span> The rest of us rely primarily on centralized distribution from industrial farms (organic included). And the same goes for our water and energy supplies. This is a sticky situation.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGQmQrjbS5aiS_MrFgA2Qq7qm6_ioNXAmaTtIlV7zeiMUutWTc9oLeUyigVClpEeON_qGwN51XBpAjVRYHrGaotBSrIyyLJaovdKe1g7dYIv5uUeaEBK-iYrJUY2jdsvu6UYTtcZ4s1DY/s1600/P7033137.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGQmQrjbS5aiS_MrFgA2Qq7qm6_ioNXAmaTtIlV7zeiMUutWTc9oLeUyigVClpEeON_qGwN51XBpAjVRYHrGaotBSrIyyLJaovdKe1g7dYIv5uUeaEBK-iYrJUY2jdsvu6UYTtcZ4s1DY/s400/P7033137.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5633264575375148450" border="0" /></a><br />On the contrary, Kiwis are historically self-reliant, in particular with respect to feeding themselves. New Zealand is particularly suited to growing a wide variety of crops, thanks to a mild climate, good soils, and abundant water. The Maori were (and still are) incredible farmers, growing produce for the new colonies in the South Pacific.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjk4GSCOgynaly1TILmsR1-shuFt4z_QSeIDhAzkuTIgqJJ_W8dci_UveZGgR1CS820R6fTgfQ90PhDLuEoCN-Zy-25iHZzX6kfoOutnfM3DWhXy7gL_CNb4d2cPOXvNqigaFVrrFhmva0/s1600/P7013003.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjk4GSCOgynaly1TILmsR1-shuFt4z_QSeIDhAzkuTIgqJJ_W8dci_UveZGgR1CS820R6fTgfQ90PhDLuEoCN-Zy-25iHZzX6kfoOutnfM3DWhXy7gL_CNb4d2cPOXvNqigaFVrrFhmva0/s400/P7013003.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5633271953258223666" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:78%;">We felt like we were on the set of Lord of the Rings...</span><br /><br /></div>We had a chance to visit some amazing places and farms that are <span style="font-weight: bold;">re-creating local economy and regional resilience.</span><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjosWMixDQ2KopTey2sBk9dTAFqadmftw_aYes1Vq8p5uTqHtQDE6oUs5ObXBPbXxtQH3o7tFxlIWFiddNYNr4e1qYXS5W8o_oCizc2w3VG-wLM8UNAxa7taLVOeESz4BZxVs-tY9V629o/s1600/P7013040.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjosWMixDQ2KopTey2sBk9dTAFqadmftw_aYes1Vq8p5uTqHtQDE6oUs5ObXBPbXxtQH3o7tFxlIWFiddNYNr4e1qYXS5W8o_oCizc2w3VG-wLM8UNAxa7taLVOeESz4BZxVs-tY9V629o/s400/P7013040.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5633272714280528866" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Lothlorien Winery</span> was the first Certified Organic orchard in New Zealand, back in the ‘70s. Started by Dale Demulemeester and friends, they decided to plant peaches and feijoas (pineapple guavas). The peaches sold great, but soon went out of production. The feijoas continued to thrive, so they planted more.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhf4I6W7GRBjHYacpvWdXHN3DlsctlbFxv3fmzDCVJ36lsrmh_e-xG6n4kjxJsvUorx6bWvpzQ5wAEmxv3cs3foongXgZzKtwvLhyphenhypheniKBf6ZU3R7qah6SnRsSKy2Re3goD8E4H0ztAO-L0Y/s1600/P7013001.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhf4I6W7GRBjHYacpvWdXHN3DlsctlbFxv3fmzDCVJ36lsrmh_e-xG6n4kjxJsvUorx6bWvpzQ5wAEmxv3cs3foongXgZzKtwvLhyphenhypheniKBf6ZU3R7qah6SnRsSKy2Re3goD8E4H0ztAO-L0Y/s400/P7013001.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5633271953499164162" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:78%;">No roads to the house is quite refreshing</span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicAwXszGxDps3tTPjwF1dY6vUs_9hvo6DcG7pW0cfmxvn5IdgPXuNBCfAZxwTnsNjHDTINr91-5rjs5A8spWFFtG7LHuXapAprfZWlHKA6rQ-l6x89kM4m7lXx-6i6moI9BO1F_fleysY/s1600/P6292968.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicAwXszGxDps3tTPjwF1dY6vUs_9hvo6DcG7pW0cfmxvn5IdgPXuNBCfAZxwTnsNjHDTINr91-5rjs5A8spWFFtG7LHuXapAprfZWlHKA6rQ-l6x89kM4m7lXx-6i6moI9BO1F_fleysY/s400/P6292968.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5633271472287566978" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:78%;">The "fridge"</span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiofx9zu-mnKtRthRJvV_6NGk1eTtJabl2ctbwc0mZVfxdUnqZo8BINDdXFT_FaP55vW-e4MuM4rlgjz2b2O7j1662HQb6CALWL_6RPzeVfw57KAOzWI9akO2juNAp8ceHwUeYInvye38I/s1600/P6292971.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiofx9zu-mnKtRthRJvV_6NGk1eTtJabl2ctbwc0mZVfxdUnqZo8BINDdXFT_FaP55vW-e4MuM4rlgjz2b2O7j1662HQb6CALWL_6RPzeVfw57KAOzWI9akO2juNAp8ceHwUeYInvye38I/s400/P6292971.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5633271946559932978" border="0" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoF85qwKB4noBJ1nMEwqH8fZCbIUHnd9OiwHqn1mx5SNyAVx1cVj9VAaHdpjcj86Xmcm6aglEfWW_1_h0_Gc-VsZ6DZ42Ei5bmNhyp_iYlOMid-5YvqHIC0bMLCFrtkiZupaLFhTvYUR8/s1600/P6292962.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 298px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoF85qwKB4noBJ1nMEwqH8fZCbIUHnd9OiwHqn1mx5SNyAVx1cVj9VAaHdpjcj86Xmcm6aglEfWW_1_h0_Gc-VsZ6DZ42Ei5bmNhyp_iYlOMid-5YvqHIC0bMLCFrtkiZupaLFhTvYUR8/s400/P6292962.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5633261291003846738" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:78%;">Jo grows bananas, in NZ!<br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhil9-Ktzg_VK_QDCiGr19TJY33GftkU8xsh7-RkKjxG8pUid-DyGqLmiWyw5h444Ukk9peLjgmHoF5EL18jOL8W7zCbC5KTAnzr90HI1PoL4qrv7-z9MKWNiscbCf02naKLJTFeMEHRdE/s1600/IMG_1538.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhil9-Ktzg_VK_QDCiGr19TJY33GftkU8xsh7-RkKjxG8pUid-DyGqLmiWyw5h444Ukk9peLjgmHoF5EL18jOL8W7zCbC5KTAnzr90HI1PoL4qrv7-z9MKWNiscbCf02naKLJTFeMEHRdE/s400/IMG_1538.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5633272706803361442" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:78%;">Dale and a little milk for your coffee, straight from the udder</span><br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhil9-Ktzg_VK_QDCiGr19TJY33GftkU8xsh7-RkKjxG8pUid-DyGqLmiWyw5h444Ukk9peLjgmHoF5EL18jOL8W7zCbC5KTAnzr90HI1PoL4qrv7-z9MKWNiscbCf02naKLJTFeMEHRdE/s1600/IMG_1538.jpg"><br /></a>Now many hundreds of seedling trees are gracing the gently slopes of the Puhoi Valley. These trees are all genetically different from each other, and this imparts disease resistance to the farm and also a fine flavor to their wine. That’s right, <span style="font-weight: bold;">organic sparkling feijoa wine</span>.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0iO_MHvZxtLNHjDBP98kGM7RAD4maf1Z5LxYdpMWACzLEEdqI8z6A05Ttsmqo90fWufT4FbRCVWQsMnZDoNHGdY6vWZbgL6F8hlz0rHyGzxeU0D9qPkBUYe2zWnEsbEPuh0Ok5CjKMsM/s1600/IMG_1532.jpg"><br /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTXKvkr_E-5n20qnZ0-cSoUyRRUf-H4keLNVWNScDZlV3HfRehHiHey2CgxHUeC3fLU1G7wkqFAz3qLcxptPggQa9JmKSIdOTvror7qDZdSecnavNiSriV7Fm_Kg4A_Onk_h6ddAYdiUo/s1600/IMG_1534.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTXKvkr_E-5n20qnZ0-cSoUyRRUf-H4keLNVWNScDZlV3HfRehHiHey2CgxHUeC3fLU1G7wkqFAz3qLcxptPggQa9JmKSIdOTvror7qDZdSecnavNiSriV7Fm_Kg4A_Onk_h6ddAYdiUo/s400/IMG_1534.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5633271466530194306" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:78%;">Unfortunately you will have to travel to NZ to sample- no exports :(</span><br /></div><br />While alcohol may be a luxury, lets be frank, it can be medicinal. One sip of this amazing concoction puts an ear-to-ear grin on your face. Best of all, its organic, truthfully.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgC7nsDoR8M5aGJpUxAQEJR1gztT1fN21xVF2qivDz3Myz4T_VPvyzESirTnG62k-CEOysGCu8Z0cMOpzhWyXo6PILgECxjmdsOFpuErfGaZmT3kGLlLYIP-Ig75Q-kNeGAKweVDkVi2qk/s1600/IMG_1531.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgC7nsDoR8M5aGJpUxAQEJR1gztT1fN21xVF2qivDz3Myz4T_VPvyzESirTnG62k-CEOysGCu8Z0cMOpzhWyXo6PILgECxjmdsOFpuErfGaZmT3kGLlLYIP-Ig75Q-kNeGAKweVDkVi2qk/s400/IMG_1531.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5633271038497139954" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:78%;">Eli Demulemeester and a crate of liquid gold</span><br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0iO_MHvZxtLNHjDBP98kGM7RAD4maf1Z5LxYdpMWACzLEEdqI8z6A05Ttsmqo90fWufT4FbRCVWQsMnZDoNHGdY6vWZbgL6F8hlz0rHyGzxeU0D9qPkBUYe2zWnEsbEPuh0Ok5CjKMsM/s1600/IMG_1532.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0iO_MHvZxtLNHjDBP98kGM7RAD4maf1Z5LxYdpMWACzLEEdqI8z6A05Ttsmqo90fWufT4FbRCVWQsMnZDoNHGdY6vWZbgL6F8hlz0rHyGzxeU0D9qPkBUYe2zWnEsbEPuh0Ok5CjKMsM/s400/IMG_1532.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5633258406842427970" border="0" /></a><br />Wine is not the only crop at Lothlorien. They have many citrus, pecan, macadamia, banana, avocado, a dairy cow, chickens, and vegetable gardens tended by Dale’s wife Jo. They also planted pines and eucalyptus on barren slopes 30 years ago, and now they are being harvested by the next generation to build their homes.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUc8LOid7A9Z5FCAavig30lnEiQ0R1Y_a89IV0y5TO1_3ZlfMbOvzaDwpPc3ni0S6EEbCXfTZ1ZjMsER123K4ekwZGcw-8PadXaOBkLddnXfCtcF2EznjFTfKraPcXloNRi31po25u7jQ/s1600/P7013009.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUc8LOid7A9Z5FCAavig30lnEiQ0R1Y_a89IV0y5TO1_3ZlfMbOvzaDwpPc3ni0S6EEbCXfTZ1ZjMsER123K4ekwZGcw-8PadXaOBkLddnXfCtcF2EznjFTfKraPcXloNRi31po25u7jQ/s400/P7013009.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5633271956394754258" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:78%;">Eucalyptus flooring grown on site</span><br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlncebi8hqV5PrFB95t6PMGhQa1lAHkvGbdkKbV1vMcklI3atCHyd-CsZ0z6_Uf_LkDA0yX0gvMA6a_qE7CckWFBHWEBXBXyFO1a9WyJcs4guwH4r5xJmJXccRZ5l1VV3fojgRKqoi44I/s1600/P6292966.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlncebi8hqV5PrFB95t6PMGhQa1lAHkvGbdkKbV1vMcklI3atCHyd-CsZ0z6_Uf_LkDA0yX0gvMA6a_qE7CckWFBHWEBXBXyFO1a9WyJcs4guwH4r5xJmJXccRZ5l1VV3fojgRKqoi44I/s400/P6292966.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5633271469524653730" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:78%;">What is behind the doors we left for the next generation?</span><br /></div><br />Three generations of the Lothlorien clan live and work on the farm, tending trees and making wine. Eli and his brother and sister along with their families are taking the reigns of the farm from Dale.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgu9hxl-QENMJW_fjJSXSOE3nhkYmqzyriQ9qFMIVnn3j1dkASVmoQktBRQalqtFTMYlibqupkUTHd5o0S0ozmaajqS914m_Amf6EQx_a4W4JYuSzzZ2ozuQsMmvWkoCwhqQVwL_9fj0yE/s1600/P7013037.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgu9hxl-QENMJW_fjJSXSOE3nhkYmqzyriQ9qFMIVnn3j1dkASVmoQktBRQalqtFTMYlibqupkUTHd5o0S0ozmaajqS914m_Amf6EQx_a4W4JYuSzzZ2ozuQsMmvWkoCwhqQVwL_9fj0yE/s400/P7013037.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5633261296765869330" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:78%;">Koko, Kim, Eli, and Tally Demulemeester</span><br /></div><br />We then made our way south to Whaingaroa, the harbor more known for its surf spot than <span style="font-weight: bold;">sustainability movement</span>. Turns out its quite a little pocket of regional resilience.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgh-ozCHusGMPIznWJywNKCbOmKdhVYVrdnZ3-NLG3vje3SF_4U2gMIc2pYcWr1SG4JcyCK0eai5Ljoy-GdHs4YWQNTWaNgStBLp5pZiqZlG_sVN99TxJBJ_t5UHbQc1mMvyG3qYHpibSg/s1600/P6262884.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgh-ozCHusGMPIznWJywNKCbOmKdhVYVrdnZ3-NLG3vje3SF_4U2gMIc2pYcWr1SG4JcyCK0eai5Ljoy-GdHs4YWQNTWaNgStBLp5pZiqZlG_sVN99TxJBJ_t5UHbQc1mMvyG3qYHpibSg/s400/P6262884.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5633259258558390866" border="0" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYBtjTwaCfsSv6ThhGR_X1wHUnA1Zf_3o6RRI6LIbyaoYv98zk2zpiMoPUOJJWj521V5dd2iSxnpTO_9M1I7cMApW9kfy4C4HZ_m9kvaEMICl8i63S6JhsePcTrcmTXx200oFxCKOeG_4/s1600/P6282934.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 268px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYBtjTwaCfsSv6ThhGR_X1wHUnA1Zf_3o6RRI6LIbyaoYv98zk2zpiMoPUOJJWj521V5dd2iSxnpTO_9M1I7cMApW9kfy4C4HZ_m9kvaEMICl8i63S6JhsePcTrcmTXx200oFxCKOeG_4/s400/P6282934.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5633281032271108066" border="0" /></a><br />Local crew are stepping up, with city parks turning into <span style="font-weight: bold;">food forests</span>, and organic farms popping up all over the region. They are also looking into microfinance and waste issues.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWbjaaAOR4ouVNUeg9VshqYKbllAPUpuQ6b2uBZ3DsD1U0jlVozcKDHfn3Y8bfjIwwZKB-ROOaHk3-KjG0ymoqhyouWQaQBua6c9f3VfdLrGskt96Z_kThJHw6N0qAER_LWZIgVS8PxoQ/s1600/P7043157.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWbjaaAOR4ouVNUeg9VshqYKbllAPUpuQ6b2uBZ3DsD1U0jlVozcKDHfn3Y8bfjIwwZKB-ROOaHk3-KjG0ymoqhyouWQaQBua6c9f3VfdLrGskt96Z_kThJHw6N0qAER_LWZIgVS8PxoQ/s400/P7043157.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5633264574360439714" border="0" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj72JFl8ZwvTSz_1Dg4DxB0tzVWTWOoU3nRRcz8xh74rgWLlupz0s_P3u-fVW5KW1pyJ3xsbZbXi7BzCu4hThT7rL60aijBfqbZr-a-vUupSsbJF3ZPcrNScfG3S0JEFr3erOAVA0vXz4g/s1600/P7043165.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj72JFl8ZwvTSz_1Dg4DxB0tzVWTWOoU3nRRcz8xh74rgWLlupz0s_P3u-fVW5KW1pyJ3xsbZbXi7BzCu4hThT7rL60aijBfqbZr-a-vUupSsbJF3ZPcrNScfG3S0JEFr3erOAVA0vXz4g/s400/P7043165.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5633265747909199170" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:78%;">A young food forest in a local city park</span><br /></div><br /><a href="http://www.xtremewaste.org.nz/">Xtreme Waste</a> was conceived by <a href="http://www.regeneration.org.nz/in_your_region/waikato">Liz and Rick Thorpe</a>, the goal to reduce the local waste stream to zero. This is a feat in itself, deserving a separate blog entirely. As if this wasn’t enough to keep them busy, they also double as small-scale permaculture farmers.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjN1vxv8APQtuP9jcjVQ6ERNi5f3-62MgF1vtdef2XkX1IJ8dyX-FXxEdw5o4-XXlHFZtDpN5XAZJH2yGLxySUKiQo1bM7qvGrEYVsWa81jMlFUBvmDdtl3Rubru7OEFzjfmTxD-HqeN8M/s1600/P6272895.jpg"><br /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhU1qptXvuavNonUZItIc6KV1UCXtiAvdA5iwD8u9DeVMoCZ7LLPhsTstCBRecGoLBA8APOxmp1CIZLxdsSXVgOfUfAcPWsQKziG93NPE5obqOtQmdL8wgKZNvfvKBaOgPFgnOkWRI77UY/s1600/P6272897.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhU1qptXvuavNonUZItIc6KV1UCXtiAvdA5iwD8u9DeVMoCZ7LLPhsTstCBRecGoLBA8APOxmp1CIZLxdsSXVgOfUfAcPWsQKziG93NPE5obqOtQmdL8wgKZNvfvKBaOgPFgnOkWRI77UY/s400/P6272897.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5633260031500936466" border="0" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjN1vxv8APQtuP9jcjVQ6ERNi5f3-62MgF1vtdef2XkX1IJ8dyX-FXxEdw5o4-XXlHFZtDpN5XAZJH2yGLxySUKiQo1bM7qvGrEYVsWa81jMlFUBvmDdtl3Rubru7OEFzjfmTxD-HqeN8M/s1600/P6272895.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjN1vxv8APQtuP9jcjVQ6ERNi5f3-62MgF1vtdef2XkX1IJ8dyX-FXxEdw5o4-XXlHFZtDpN5XAZJH2yGLxySUKiQo1bM7qvGrEYVsWa81jMlFUBvmDdtl3Rubru7OEFzjfmTxD-HqeN8M/s400/P6272895.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5633259263801780978" border="0" /></a><br />Mixed fruit orchards surround a beautifully hand made house, ducks grazing beneath to keep the growth at bay and provide eggs. They plant vegetable crops like garlic, which we helped to separate for planting in a family style community atmosphere. They open the farm up every Tuesday to anyone who wants to come out and help.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNGpRCkS9Ux8LFqrqnLX7aSv8k2KHvl0IPZNaFHrUhFDkosqlwfxt3wRAC_yLoHJZDeDrnvCvYqKXl3vv89TCfrK37OkNXmD9Ms0XwoayjT-QC3cpHU1PPyQyYQSe21WbHfy-V-yru304/s1600/P6272906.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNGpRCkS9Ux8LFqrqnLX7aSv8k2KHvl0IPZNaFHrUhFDkosqlwfxt3wRAC_yLoHJZDeDrnvCvYqKXl3vv89TCfrK37OkNXmD9Ms0XwoayjT-QC3cpHU1PPyQyYQSe21WbHfy-V-yru304/s400/P6272906.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5633260038730918530" border="0" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYsevNhCnZ_gQxfMFNfOIowlSKb3gQQevC4m8XTmkQXtaD4cM6EjEs9huOyliZCjUIkiN-VTO0NYaY84GO8W9k_pcewdcmmaxLa3gXWUTXuinIeE9-iXNQ9YNAIzpmrmf7nWsf9Ff8VuY/s1600/P6272908.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYsevNhCnZ_gQxfMFNfOIowlSKb3gQQevC4m8XTmkQXtaD4cM6EjEs9huOyliZCjUIkiN-VTO0NYaY84GO8W9k_pcewdcmmaxLa3gXWUTXuinIeE9-iXNQ9YNAIzpmrmf7nWsf9Ff8VuY/s400/P6272908.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5633260037408114850" border="0" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidEcsY-RLk7M3QCzws-ZENCViisDxuuOj8paD1ZGysEVdKCpCP0DPzfw0N5dYBtIwawC08gMh_OBO0-hvGJw0hTn3wuZMlLf8_C6XM7fBtX_NA5WQh-PTLpTcH7lzSqgvV9IH-stH4ozc/s1600/P6272891.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidEcsY-RLk7M3QCzws-ZENCViisDxuuOj8paD1ZGysEVdKCpCP0DPzfw0N5dYBtIwawC08gMh_OBO0-hvGJw0hTn3wuZMlLf8_C6XM7fBtX_NA5WQh-PTLpTcH7lzSqgvV9IH-stH4ozc/s400/P6272891.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5633259265290841458" border="0" /></a><br />Community is the cornerstone to local resilience, and this is also demonstrated in a big way at <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sc6lIkObEjE"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Kaiwhenua Gardens</span></a>, run by Lynne and Kaiwaka Riti. <span style="font-weight: bold;"> Kaiwhenua translates directly to “Land of Food”</span>, and Kaiwaka is the “Canoe of Food”, feeding the local whanau, family.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJ39dBM4CqeBNcrDBJy2Xkqj0KOlVg6DNnIkgmWX0uuHyIHhu6SnhVdUfh710OebBTh-Ia5SjwF_ZvKVzIYpkaMDLHNI982hyoTKlgP3qukyNcaNPAZC23Oga0k_4r_lJySqebcwI1urE/s1600/P7043286.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJ39dBM4CqeBNcrDBJy2Xkqj0KOlVg6DNnIkgmWX0uuHyIHhu6SnhVdUfh710OebBTh-Ia5SjwF_ZvKVzIYpkaMDLHNI982hyoTKlgP3qukyNcaNPAZC23Oga0k_4r_lJySqebcwI1urE/s400/P7043286.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5633267722106152034" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:78%;">Kaiwaka Riti, tupuna of organics</span><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgimEKY3klGm7aQykkyQjL79bFmKG9VUQkmzVafkknP6GjqeaDHJL9yLovDyXXc7BrCFinKUvy2arI725wHYBoI4m6hWVr5XkS82LyoLLpiCroFKx4JkaS5q-AnKpKH-iRCUnkGjqZBwro/s1600/P7043249.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgimEKY3klGm7aQykkyQjL79bFmKG9VUQkmzVafkknP6GjqeaDHJL9yLovDyXXc7BrCFinKUvy2arI725wHYBoI4m6hWVr5XkS82LyoLLpiCroFKx4JkaS5q-AnKpKH-iRCUnkGjqZBwro/s400/P7043249.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5633265754103961234" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:78%;">Kai Whenua Gardens- Land of Food</span><br /><br /></div>Kaiwaka has started a revolution in the local area, <span style="font-weight: bold;">by empowering young Maori</span> who have lost their culture to the culture of the street and gangs <span style="font-weight: bold;">to get back on the land and cultivate it</span>. It is an amazing thing to see his passion and inspiration for his culture or whakapapa.<br /><br />We arrived at Kaiwhenua the same time as local school kids came to get their hands dirty. We weeded around, and sampled delicious young carrots.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsqKTCp6OqrnmuQ_mlsN4atsSckoDwNRjSb2GUJ5zxnAiYuC-ZStlx-UZITTfE-B7w7BjtKeDbNOLrDCcDqnObZbFJeZcKaqa9dKhO9pVsBBFfmrwydVzlsdwFSM3XAtZ-OLtLIKkVU2k/s1600/P7043181.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsqKTCp6OqrnmuQ_mlsN4atsSckoDwNRjSb2GUJ5zxnAiYuC-ZStlx-UZITTfE-B7w7BjtKeDbNOLrDCcDqnObZbFJeZcKaqa9dKhO9pVsBBFfmrwydVzlsdwFSM3XAtZ-OLtLIKkVU2k/s400/P7043181.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5633264580308186322" border="0" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYJLG5EdDuKGB_ny-ctB0VrPtwhEb-TftOhtyj6hpupoBEiWveThvqeICY32Xe2DX38Wlfe43grB2dnTmZ58Dem7Cpv0XZHmbauXigXVVyJe5H6FWpsiUJLtmtqhI9rFer2rY6smWM3fo/s1600/P7043182.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYJLG5EdDuKGB_ny-ctB0VrPtwhEb-TftOhtyj6hpupoBEiWveThvqeICY32Xe2DX38Wlfe43grB2dnTmZ58Dem7Cpv0XZHmbauXigXVVyJe5H6FWpsiUJLtmtqhI9rFer2rY6smWM3fo/s400/P7043182.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5633265748160948978" border="0" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUmIyIzc_6VzsQ6WD87oITQLtxXNgFg7MuzmrZixkdDYOT2mH8kCQo3JZvW0ruefbolGrGZpUWaTi0lbXg3FWDQ1uUvLHmZO8LN6LHNqAu7DR2TmIiicWmzb1G206qn9lZPHL5cZlHxmo/s1600/P7043187.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUmIyIzc_6VzsQ6WD87oITQLtxXNgFg7MuzmrZixkdDYOT2mH8kCQo3JZvW0ruefbolGrGZpUWaTi0lbXg3FWDQ1uUvLHmZO8LN6LHNqAu7DR2TmIiicWmzb1G206qn9lZPHL5cZlHxmo/s400/P7043187.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5633304666251271650" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:78%;">Possibly more eating than weeding took place...</span><br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUmIyIzc_6VzsQ6WD87oITQLtxXNgFg7MuzmrZixkdDYOT2mH8kCQo3JZvW0ruefbolGrGZpUWaTi0lbXg3FWDQ1uUvLHmZO8LN6LHNqAu7DR2TmIiicWmzb1G206qn9lZPHL5cZlHxmo/s1600/P7043187.jpg"><br /></a>We got a tour and met the kunekune pigs, who were happily weeding out kikuyu grass from under some trees. Kunekune are traditional Maori pigs, and are the only breed that can live off of grass exclusively.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCG2-MvmfzeIQMlOEIZqL2KvZ33OpRwV2L3HN08UZ8jspWaNMUi05w2mAAoNswYGc8dWlbT5Q31ENJ_16hqhNg-U779junzFzpiPrAyPXNF6hCX3IE262Y_go0WwIVG-SqR5HSJPItBnc/s1600/P7043278.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCG2-MvmfzeIQMlOEIZqL2KvZ33OpRwV2L3HN08UZ8jspWaNMUi05w2mAAoNswYGc8dWlbT5Q31ENJ_16hqhNg-U779junzFzpiPrAyPXNF6hCX3IE262Y_go0WwIVG-SqR5HSJPItBnc/s400/P7043278.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5633265756261263298" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:78%;">Possibly the ugliest, and cutest animal at the same time </span><br /></div><br />Kaiwhenua is also part of a new certification structure based on traditional Maori values. <a href="http://teatawhai.maori.nz/research/hua_parakore.html">Hua Parakore</a>, Pure Produce is a movement to take back the organic food standards from corporate interests.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgl7oJW6YktE3GVGcYwh8H2XaIE9-7G3pWk3UdZ-xx6AUS3F6rDbzaBDb-imfWmFQptoniX8HuN0lEY1l_PTlAKCzaqugwXMU3qmZz2ieXpYvWPQ1EEUtPrV23vS5LGCsMb9UXvaYMT0UI/s1600/P7043288.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgl7oJW6YktE3GVGcYwh8H2XaIE9-7G3pWk3UdZ-xx6AUS3F6rDbzaBDb-imfWmFQptoniX8HuN0lEY1l_PTlAKCzaqugwXMU3qmZz2ieXpYvWPQ1EEUtPrV23vS5LGCsMb9UXvaYMT0UI/s400/P7043288.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5633267727711586386" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:78%;">Keepin' it Clean and Green in NZ!</span><br /></div><br />Just down the road at the base of the point is another example of a <span style="font-weight: bold;">community in action</span>, this time an eco-retreat turned Permaculture Demonstration Site called <a href="http://www.solscape.co.nz/index2.html">SolScape</a>.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqWT-Z02-stemO7udOt0zAx6PkHb3LphbG5oOGdvLsMgL8Zw6ZbfvIsdlkHRpQ_aQ9eVUtYeo0wbkCTqKumk978iDkawC1xS8K24xm-Js70ALhDEXN292mFo2zvno_ig5Vi4YgNWrvZgE/s1600/P7033074.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqWT-Z02-stemO7udOt0zAx6PkHb3LphbG5oOGdvLsMgL8Zw6ZbfvIsdlkHRpQ_aQ9eVUtYeo0wbkCTqKumk978iDkawC1xS8K24xm-Js70ALhDEXN292mFo2zvno_ig5Vi4YgNWrvZgE/s400/P7033074.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5633262903539544930" border="0" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiErz-5f8x4u3R8HkW1LnBTJrlhdybp0wVpo1nEQ7ujVBBvX4J5ftgKnUWrHuZXW85SJl_2Z4pfHAO8jDiEtSWDMYc3wOks_vnGo0wMXGOFVseS72TdXgyHDTgAjwTEWWpOWBGzF-VQv1I/s1600/P7093345.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiErz-5f8x4u3R8HkW1LnBTJrlhdybp0wVpo1nEQ7ujVBBvX4J5ftgKnUWrHuZXW85SJl_2Z4pfHAO8jDiEtSWDMYc3wOks_vnGo0wMXGOFVseS72TdXgyHDTgAjwTEWWpOWBGzF-VQv1I/s400/P7093345.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5633271033083252946" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:78%;">Phil McCabe of SolScape holds up on of his experimental Earth Bricks</span><br /></div><br />SolScape has been run by Phil and Bernadette McCabe for the last ten years as a backpackers with an eco twist, and now they are ready to take it to the next level. A collaboration with <span style="font-weight: bold;">Otago University</span> created the <span style="font-weight: bold;">Practical Sustainable Living</span> curriculum to be taught on site overlooking the majestic Tasman Sea.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZXd7o1VOteFjmkhkXJaX9WmzXlzw0H3QXDm0uczN9lhT4BQ_eJHdUuG8PLg37u62vgneaIP5RDWWLdmzo0-HevRaTMgwutPbchCKXp1aCFShyphenhyphenQmSKTO0PdM76VwrS_yGrIJMV8b4icpo/s1600/P7033072.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZXd7o1VOteFjmkhkXJaX9WmzXlzw0H3QXDm0uczN9lhT4BQ_eJHdUuG8PLg37u62vgneaIP5RDWWLdmzo0-HevRaTMgwutPbchCKXp1aCFShyphenhyphenQmSKTO0PdM76VwrS_yGrIJMV8b4icpo/s400/P7033072.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5633262897534530738" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:78%;">Cool Caboose room</span><br /><br /></div>The property is 10 acres of mixed native bush and accommodation, with more and more vegetable gardens replacing the grass, and chickens running free. Recycled cabooses make cool rooms, and communal kitchens have earthen ovens built during <span style="font-weight: bold;">Permaculture Design Courses</span>.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGFAEpRQ7QRwaQbI6yvDnAjt9643dTmGysCtZimw_EQq_vGStfrCnaPOuZi6tm2rNhAw5to691ImRKk-Novjp6e1DkXIhJOmEevrRvSVrhuqlYKwWBKUDAzu5anEn6V8WVBOW5c7VPeVo/s1600/P7093340.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGFAEpRQ7QRwaQbI6yvDnAjt9643dTmGysCtZimw_EQq_vGStfrCnaPOuZi6tm2rNhAw5to691ImRKk-Novjp6e1DkXIhJOmEevrRvSVrhuqlYKwWBKUDAzu5anEn6V8WVBOW5c7VPeVo/s400/P7093340.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5633268116291236178" border="0" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQHWmGV5y3qz6mV_xxAU-i-vHjlAoThudwHBa_68qjI4k1rKw-tULpa1WOQtyjb2BRWJf5nBvD9ZmjULh1M4kXeIowmaXlJ_Ui1KmzEBsFGtM6T_uP-NGpRVSxTo0lUrhY_D_YIch1XkQ/s1600/P7033071.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQHWmGV5y3qz6mV_xxAU-i-vHjlAoThudwHBa_68qjI4k1rKw-tULpa1WOQtyjb2BRWJf5nBvD9ZmjULh1M4kXeIowmaXlJ_Ui1KmzEBsFGtM6T_uP-NGpRVSxTo0lUrhY_D_YIch1XkQ/s400/P7033071.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5633261301431156450" border="0" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJJErHVDM4_ARgtFKPSIFGqqkU4avhJrsLlQY2mvDfAFhCK1OGikU4vO_U_Dvquw6M1vQJtWgJDy2rSeYoUQLIYcJJ_BumuMOPf1eQ6PbA8oAnQaAQSeMoxIofM7PmlGB04Nob7tidRBY/s1600/P7033076.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJJErHVDM4_ARgtFKPSIFGqqkU4avhJrsLlQY2mvDfAFhCK1OGikU4vO_U_Dvquw6M1vQJtWgJDy2rSeYoUQLIYcJJ_BumuMOPf1eQ6PbA8oAnQaAQSeMoxIofM7PmlGB04Nob7tidRBY/s400/P7033076.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5633262901960117698" border="0" /></a><br />We had a chance to join Phil for a tour with a group of American high school students with Global Adventures. We saw the eco-batch made from local and recycled materials, the earth bag domes, and the tipi site with solar hot water and composting toilets.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVp5X_LuUja42Y5DD_XiGi9BoRaSwMN_QnaX1DwKBRmO99kWqidI-y466tfVRxGMxdB9g3-1EfVHP1qcJzfOwMn8EvVURFIuKM05ahGF6byI1X6R6ZJ8SDuToLy3s0-1brgs0pY1hj2wc/s1600/P7093335.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 268px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVp5X_LuUja42Y5DD_XiGi9BoRaSwMN_QnaX1DwKBRmO99kWqidI-y466tfVRxGMxdB9g3-1EfVHP1qcJzfOwMn8EvVURFIuKM05ahGF6byI1X6R6ZJ8SDuToLy3s0-1brgs0pY1hj2wc/s400/P7093335.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5633268113931517250" border="0" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOSovqhCZBu1jwL-VkUsT_icrTgDcQL1boLMRYzx02vcB-PFmfKxAJ0dKOH9ixTD0AN5FOrjc0lPclQ-miXT-CFGoxDCRW6kPfZz4RNvjOBNi_U51PzSwNkPCL6ktmmPTzgjky8sbOVjQ/s1600/P7033105.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOSovqhCZBu1jwL-VkUsT_icrTgDcQL1boLMRYzx02vcB-PFmfKxAJ0dKOH9ixTD0AN5FOrjc0lPclQ-miXT-CFGoxDCRW6kPfZz4RNvjOBNi_U51PzSwNkPCL6ktmmPTzgjky8sbOVjQ/s400/P7033105.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5633263567661535826" border="0" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiy9z-zWo0UzDaYpPZVkUwW-OjMQe1DDbXUrFUQFWNgbggxbeuwy-l1WoWGVIoGXzrFsn7TWy-vtMRQHI95Ne0iLNHysTnmL_g_91NE6Px43tPUxzTBDJxIeyk828Ttsdc5UDg0s4e_SGE/s1600/P7033106.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiy9z-zWo0UzDaYpPZVkUwW-OjMQe1DDbXUrFUQFWNgbggxbeuwy-l1WoWGVIoGXzrFsn7TWy-vtMRQHI95Ne0iLNHysTnmL_g_91NE6Px43tPUxzTBDJxIeyk828Ttsdc5UDg0s4e_SGE/s400/P7033106.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5633263570986286242" border="0" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHbp810Tfc9yVHzC0iBduk2jHED82cy0Ae4VTQJh-TErR-xnl2sbZLYZh62n9qKENl11qznoj8AwoCdluErST2mpjKqRa8LuGhHsfsU9MX_2VgTgu2ajCyeoKdVJrkht5dN_Z1zPJQBjY/s1600/P7053292.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHbp810Tfc9yVHzC0iBduk2jHED82cy0Ae4VTQJh-TErR-xnl2sbZLYZh62n9qKENl11qznoj8AwoCdluErST2mpjKqRa8LuGhHsfsU9MX_2VgTgu2ajCyeoKdVJrkht5dN_Z1zPJQBjY/s400/P7053292.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5633268106161371826" border="0" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6HzrJh0q_VByidWpBDuS7Uydd97dNLeARkIPAKkzheWKJWkXTGNWhr2z6vTTCQhjaijXDpKaLa-PgcocdzL1EQm2ycymmVRFh_l54t8txRpCLLCvUHCXrAl8Npar6iRyNAznIMUr6pao/s1600/IMG_1548.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6HzrJh0q_VByidWpBDuS7Uydd97dNLeARkIPAKkzheWKJWkXTGNWhr2z6vTTCQhjaijXDpKaLa-PgcocdzL1EQm2ycymmVRFh_l54t8txRpCLLCvUHCXrAl8Npar6iRyNAznIMUr6pao/s400/IMG_1548.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5633259260045454658" border="0" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgujH1PVSzTu2SfPqtQS5NQWRCNL5Bg7vUBsv-BjjmXr3eW_9ooJBZKjK01k5-660tdqrY1sBb9I2U0EubfJk_gMygMfY8ZkIF5sQGafwXyGZw4O83Vj0gwIcR1g57qfI0RYm_vzxmfS4k/s1600/P7053300.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgujH1PVSzTu2SfPqtQS5NQWRCNL5Bg7vUBsv-BjjmXr3eW_9ooJBZKjK01k5-660tdqrY1sBb9I2U0EubfJk_gMygMfY8ZkIF5sQGafwXyGZw4O83Vj0gwIcR1g57qfI0RYm_vzxmfS4k/s400/P7053300.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5633268113168235394" border="0" /></a><br />SWoBs is in discussion with SolScape about hosting <span style="font-weight: bold;">Permaculture Surf Retreats </span>on site. Participants will surf in the morning and learn in the afternoon, and a project will be created in the local community to help with local resilience. Stay tuned for more!<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQXMJN7Lxsf25Iw39SD65VC9lfbj3DuaMqQ9wGtqjyHXxglM5aHPjanK97hvtOFzqC2M9xaKV2ZnM24eleANVP8zUfettv4Mu-ZtV05IW00_dzbOinUI-6d9gclolTlmGB1dZAIJXAPhM/s1600/P7033089.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQXMJN7Lxsf25Iw39SD65VC9lfbj3DuaMqQ9wGtqjyHXxglM5aHPjanK97hvtOFzqC2M9xaKV2ZnM24eleANVP8zUfettv4Mu-ZtV05IW00_dzbOinUI-6d9gclolTlmGB1dZAIJXAPhM/s400/P7033089.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5633262905119906274" border="0" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIu4CCZFfjyW8fVAZKRDxGczj-G2NUKURyrPvWSz9grr4VCgmQXxMJJFPsLlCMOGRjfMUOdHMvuZ8-IZv5aB7D-O8sARENeZsWKkJ6Ur0fvpHQSL9-NcHvmbZvr28XlIydDql8qM22zZE/s1600/P7033096.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIu4CCZFfjyW8fVAZKRDxGczj-G2NUKURyrPvWSz9grr4VCgmQXxMJJFPsLlCMOGRjfMUOdHMvuZ8-IZv5aB7D-O8sARENeZsWKkJ6Ur0fvpHQSL9-NcHvmbZvr28XlIydDql8qM22zZE/s400/P7033096.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5633263567987488034" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:78%;">We got our hands dirty while in Waikato</span><br /><br /></div>We also wanted to mention our new friends with <a href="http://www.newzealandsurftours.com/index.php">NZ Surf Tours</a>, Judd and Ramona. We had the fortune of meeting them at Ahipara as hosts at the <a href="http://www.endlesssummer.co.nz/">Endless Summer Lodge</a>. Look them up and you are guaranteed to have a great adventure in Northland!<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4__OJJEij4uzmXlgbd53YzmM7uxLX33868fYfP5ijxk5CqQpRw8Lkjm3oy2wi4-TYK7mSlFXB3vcQ5VfaGt_WilsS-xiG1lCsUqmql3KEbnrnbCP0yNzrPvMXpiH7ce55-c4vy0TObu4/s1600/P6212813.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4__OJJEij4uzmXlgbd53YzmM7uxLX33868fYfP5ijxk5CqQpRw8Lkjm3oy2wi4-TYK7mSlFXB3vcQ5VfaGt_WilsS-xiG1lCsUqmql3KEbnrnbCP0yNzrPvMXpiH7ce55-c4vy0TObu4/s400/P6212813.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5633272707664246962" border="0" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUIfYhVFACEQYBff5qdD4QdaIYh3SLN5zqA7lJmHdxR8kzuzO9XwRKZnfcGIqKceGacweKJClPpEAK5x8y-H9KQY4Ywz0QTDbA261YxOVSWLhis7w66QhjV4ZXjF5xkMFkpUiz1F_qR7E/s1600/IMG_1511.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUIfYhVFACEQYBff5qdD4QdaIYh3SLN5zqA7lJmHdxR8kzuzO9XwRKZnfcGIqKceGacweKJClPpEAK5x8y-H9KQY4Ywz0QTDbA261YxOVSWLhis7w66QhjV4ZXjF5xkMFkpUiz1F_qR7E/s400/IMG_1511.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5633258401908607618" border="0" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center; font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;">That's all for now, thanks for reading!<br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUIfYhVFACEQYBff5qdD4QdaIYh3SLN5zqA7lJmHdxR8kzuzO9XwRKZnfcGIqKceGacweKJClPpEAK5x8y-H9KQY4Ywz0QTDbA261YxOVSWLhis7w66QhjV4ZXjF5xkMFkpUiz1F_qR7E/s1600/IMG_1511.jpg"><br /></a>SWoBshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08161414403059411227noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2981031667524638180.post-11554853915618881242011-06-20T00:21:00.000-07:002011-06-20T02:53:02.970-07:00Permaculture Down Under<div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgF1wV_5CR14DC-alkrPNezQyoTeF1xXa6peb9hqJKSL8DZNnxPyoA28eiNuQTR6n3Uo9r4P6F8YiuygJok-TaHxpHpH8x_-O8NSCxetApf6Jv1jf4mlYCqNeQ5xfCQ9IHQcQNXL5VPhHA/s1600/IMG_1474.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgF1wV_5CR14DC-alkrPNezQyoTeF1xXa6peb9hqJKSL8DZNnxPyoA28eiNuQTR6n3Uo9r4P6F8YiuygJok-TaHxpHpH8x_-O8NSCxetApf6Jv1jf4mlYCqNeQ5xfCQ9IHQcQNXL5VPhHA/s400/IMG_1474.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5620226067980640914" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:78%;">Take the Green Road</span><br /><br /></div>Australia is the birthplace of permaculture. In the late 1970’s Bill Mollison and David Holmgren put pencil to paper and coalesced the ideas and practices of indigenous farmers and modern experimentalists into a series of books, most notably the <a href="http://www.tagari.com/">Permaculture Designers Manual</a>.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwpn5yTyXrtHX3gu0pP_Jd8uF7r69wXblr9agMFsUwG-XY-FK0VC2gNUm7JBzbzIW3pdEn1uDqAm7sGyMPM9MwU1oMMK3vwhJIERoHucxq81Y4oPMXq64iNMpsKaRA4VPD1NhlXK9yfpA/s1600/PermacultureADesignersManual.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 303px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwpn5yTyXrtHX3gu0pP_Jd8uF7r69wXblr9agMFsUwG-XY-FK0VC2gNUm7JBzbzIW3pdEn1uDqAm7sGyMPM9MwU1oMMK3vwhJIERoHucxq81Y4oPMXq64iNMpsKaRA4VPD1NhlXK9yfpA/s400/PermacultureADesignersManual.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5620221720322502098" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:78%;">The Big Black Book</span><br /><br /></div>Some have said that if information was density, then this book would be a black hole. 700 pages of very small text and wonderful illustrations, this is the <span style="font-weight: bold;">Bible of Sustainable Design</span>. Each sentence is a book unto itself.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEju4GxtrHwNMgrw4SQ6S90VjybaMg-LACE1GL2oCGxnk2UBJu-4e8Xpoiqr-aGAU5Jc1hAoqbNheUxJiE1EOReJ2WR9stmYRPvdiY1k5y3jQ6O7ERy-_EgohXYM4YNf7Ut968BH1TBt7Ls/s1600/IMG_1499.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEju4GxtrHwNMgrw4SQ6S90VjybaMg-LACE1GL2oCGxnk2UBJu-4e8Xpoiqr-aGAU5Jc1hAoqbNheUxJiE1EOReJ2WR9stmYRPvdiY1k5y3jQ6O7ERy-_EgohXYM4YNf7Ut968BH1TBt7Ls/s400/IMG_1499.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5620204571401987874" border="0" /></a><br />Northern New South Wales is where permaculture took root, with communities like <a href="http://crystalwaters.org.au/">Crystal Waters</a> sprouting up to put into practice the theories and techniques espoused in the Good Book. We had the pleasure and honor to visit two other sites, both designed and managed by Permaculture Legends and Pioneers.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisFGolo-RYeiZxQ1KmAyDEMbG1Hf7QxpYNklaTBxBKnzzYqZPVxh2bOKoPtPZpdVTDoMjRq1Z2fmcY_nuMV1Q5zsLtatUg1MU1rMnE_Qv9lWBsuR1MPgpIjkwslSsUUf23VXQ8xoXD7rk/s1600/P6102496.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisFGolo-RYeiZxQ1KmAyDEMbG1Hf7QxpYNklaTBxBKnzzYqZPVxh2bOKoPtPZpdVTDoMjRq1Z2fmcY_nuMV1Q5zsLtatUg1MU1rMnE_Qv9lWBsuR1MPgpIjkwslSsUUf23VXQ8xoXD7rk/s400/P6102496.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5620214771450834002" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="http://permaculture.com.au/online/">Djanbung Gardens</a> is located in the town of Nimbin, New South Wales. Djanbung means platypus, and is the name given to the site by the local Bundjalung people. Though we never saw a platypus, this area is indeed perfect for the amphibious marsupials, as it is full of water and muddy ponds.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKEpMTQwI8r7eh45-AdTfSvteO277ZdYvj40vT8w_NaOmuF86AfkApJP179xGi1it4y2nOsjwHXtfdbWOT_SvDX2tkab4RBNWcdA74t_vDONDT2DJ3-aiN52gQ-GbzWNU_weEn8ppmvM4/s1600/P6102530.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKEpMTQwI8r7eh45-AdTfSvteO277ZdYvj40vT8w_NaOmuF86AfkApJP179xGi1it4y2nOsjwHXtfdbWOT_SvDX2tkab4RBNWcdA74t_vDONDT2DJ3-aiN52gQ-GbzWNU_weEn8ppmvM4/s400/P6102530.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5620215985961060242" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:78%;">A djanbung, or platypus, graces the walls at Djanbung Gardens</span><br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwMfMFjJdRIcqd15cZmZTRi1c-4FzKGbz8TgFtCcDTBClXPc5BlEYWBcwvpgFLiv7JA-jrKLugGMwxdRrklDU1BqzIBk4WiRHKasjfQ1Ut4cxReksFHmpkZpo-o3RJ-_eSeG20o5PRMeI/s1600/IMG_1506.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwMfMFjJdRIcqd15cZmZTRi1c-4FzKGbz8TgFtCcDTBClXPc5BlEYWBcwvpgFLiv7JA-jrKLugGMwxdRrklDU1BqzIBk4WiRHKasjfQ1Ut4cxReksFHmpkZpo-o3RJ-_eSeG20o5PRMeI/s400/IMG_1506.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5620214751739979826" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:78%;">Robyn Francis, the First Lady of Permaculture, and steward of Djanbung Gardens</span><br /></div><br />Djanbung is the home of the <a href="http://permaculture.com.au/online/">Permaculture College of Australia</a> and the leading lady of PC, Robyn Francis. With her patient and able hands, along with the help of her many students, Djanbung has been converted from a once boggy site to a verdant farm with orchards, gardens, and giant bamboos towering overhead.<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaXQrQIL0SkYRDMdrNlXQHY_mg-bKJlYq89-TIfw6_ehIDJbZN28r_T5fuO6Jjwp8aRggw5_wqv94McIh3PdzWOjjebGjzXO2LnOlf0dSqNynhOb2FhLmUIEFiUc5sdbQxdP6Gp7lOjms/s1600/P6102502.jpg"><br /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIDfqRp-mU626AR_MKusW-3hjvrO48WGeJ3GOo2JJ_gRqfDZ_ChZSxT6f220fWeL8MZRu_z106z-nDMpSEzxYfKEpyHkm-LJ3zFEsqfIVRMp_AYzsAWk9syflHOoY2AnvhY1dgLOlC2a8/s1600/IMG_1497.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIDfqRp-mU626AR_MKusW-3hjvrO48WGeJ3GOo2JJ_gRqfDZ_ChZSxT6f220fWeL8MZRu_z106z-nDMpSEzxYfKEpyHkm-LJ3zFEsqfIVRMp_AYzsAWk9syflHOoY2AnvhY1dgLOlC2a8/s400/IMG_1497.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5620203581884820050" border="0" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDqcuz8uzvesNDzJJMz7bUXXeQ9McAdx1-7mCkmJt6aqz-Jt1FvCKwWQ2eXzTctqcRey5OtSkQuRxUP3tP9Id2JLRp-3RWyUxWvvWxuf9lBern9_MH-StCDeuzFt_jo4WXfPpZvzT9LYo/s1600/IMG_1505.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDqcuz8uzvesNDzJJMz7bUXXeQ9McAdx1-7mCkmJt6aqz-Jt1FvCKwWQ2eXzTctqcRey5OtSkQuRxUP3tP9Id2JLRp-3RWyUxWvvWxuf9lBern9_MH-StCDeuzFt_jo4WXfPpZvzT9LYo/s400/IMG_1505.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5620204586559279298" border="0" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9hManF6ELEdR-WM5hDmE29JZ7fSliZy3my4nUJDSHyDrskS3wqyVfv-cRaXSfYeHmbk5xj4-tv8HGyd9i0ZofkfMnVCI7aqI4J0PLMyE3vzSiJ2PZpKc6wU3qOq0UUKGDWLDhp-XWxqU/s1600/IMG_1494.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9hManF6ELEdR-WM5hDmE29JZ7fSliZy3my4nUJDSHyDrskS3wqyVfv-cRaXSfYeHmbk5xj4-tv8HGyd9i0ZofkfMnVCI7aqI4J0PLMyE3vzSiJ2PZpKc6wU3qOq0UUKGDWLDhp-XWxqU/s400/IMG_1494.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5620203573029002178" border="0" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPnA9Z1mNHonm2knr5Yghj_-pWDsaqfaLz6qiiTP-oIu_1UyAltsJdzIqyd3YcgX3xZyp60tkmuDhZfJRbqUYMJJp9E6H8OyNayiMIOqqeXjyNB3SCv9ws84s7l4HelRKc8cCkEefvOFE/s1600/IMG_1507.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPnA9Z1mNHonm2knr5Yghj_-pWDsaqfaLz6qiiTP-oIu_1UyAltsJdzIqyd3YcgX3xZyp60tkmuDhZfJRbqUYMJJp9E6H8OyNayiMIOqqeXjyNB3SCv9ws84s7l4HelRKc8cCkEefvOFE/s400/IMG_1507.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5620214763250748658" border="0" /></a><br />SWoBs attended the Djanbung annual Open Day themed <a href="http://permaculture.com.au/online/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=244:simple-steps-to-a-better-tomorrow-djanbung-open-day-2011&catid=69:campus-blogs&Itemid=100012">“Simple Steps to a Better Tomorrow”</a>, for a series of short workshops on everything from <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Biochar">BioChar</a>, community development, bamboo construction, <a href="http://www.soilfoodweb.co.nz/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=78&Itemid=56">compost tea</a>, and last but not least the incredible <a href="http://www.eyesofgaia.com/">work in the Amazon by Nicola Peel</a>. SWoBs also had the pleasure of giving a short demonstration of our work, including our video <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KdHTx2RFFVo">“Plastic Seas”</a>.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaXQrQIL0SkYRDMdrNlXQHY_mg-bKJlYq89-TIfw6_ehIDJbZN28r_T5fuO6Jjwp8aRggw5_wqv94McIh3PdzWOjjebGjzXO2LnOlf0dSqNynhOb2FhLmUIEFiUc5sdbQxdP6Gp7lOjms/s1600/P6102502.jpg"><br /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnhn4uTKhDaz6p-uzLMFNaK1g65nvPyyEbLu6ix5VdHlCi0ly110e6MFK0XX0JUNumpNlaNyaLzBLvHHah9bd6IsuOY6pGvbVU0p_CaEX_3X5h7dKccD5LAPwWY5qZKi9O7wizHDakBW4/s1600/P6102516.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnhn4uTKhDaz6p-uzLMFNaK1g65nvPyyEbLu6ix5VdHlCi0ly110e6MFK0XX0JUNumpNlaNyaLzBLvHHah9bd6IsuOY6pGvbVU0p_CaEX_3X5h7dKccD5LAPwWY5qZKi9O7wizHDakBW4/s400/P6102516.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5620215972019428626" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:78%;">BioChar made from Eucalyptus twigs and macadamia nut shells</span><br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOsWlsdwx-bsGpdOnGMjy1gciieAvVc3NCPfZ7KQvkJ02jI5xsI5Oy5SvrlQlkNQ2-0wbthLkt-S3yUEip-2trZLd5lsVB0jaOK9YkIJUWr1P6fCQBFjN9HM43FhLbMQZCw7oMj73Kuk4/s1600/IMG_1489.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOsWlsdwx-bsGpdOnGMjy1gciieAvVc3NCPfZ7KQvkJ02jI5xsI5Oy5SvrlQlkNQ2-0wbthLkt-S3yUEip-2trZLd5lsVB0jaOK9YkIJUWr1P6fCQBFjN9HM43FhLbMQZCw7oMj73Kuk4/s400/IMG_1489.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5620203559702484786" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:78%;">Bamboo construction</span><br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgH-H_zpWwqIMLW4mt0OCLa4nwuy6-SuNskflq1ze7KoQUuojPjWep2lyvIDcydigsIGs6JV-ML-9GDeAfaEgMRl_sD06J8H_PisYVgA6USiow4EAfmVWAgUy0jEX97_as_Y8WZSx576QI/s1600/IMG_1502.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgH-H_zpWwqIMLW4mt0OCLa4nwuy6-SuNskflq1ze7KoQUuojPjWep2lyvIDcydigsIGs6JV-ML-9GDeAfaEgMRl_sD06J8H_PisYVgA6USiow4EAfmVWAgUy0jEX97_as_Y8WZSx576QI/s400/IMG_1502.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5620204574130903938" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:78%;">Compost Tea demonstration</span><br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaXQrQIL0SkYRDMdrNlXQHY_mg-bKJlYq89-TIfw6_ehIDJbZN28r_T5fuO6Jjwp8aRggw5_wqv94McIh3PdzWOjjebGjzXO2LnOlf0dSqNynhOb2FhLmUIEFiUc5sdbQxdP6Gp7lOjms/s1600/P6102502.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaXQrQIL0SkYRDMdrNlXQHY_mg-bKJlYq89-TIfw6_ehIDJbZN28r_T5fuO6Jjwp8aRggw5_wqv94McIh3PdzWOjjebGjzXO2LnOlf0dSqNynhOb2FhLmUIEFiUc5sdbQxdP6Gp7lOjms/s400/P6102502.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5620214780393074498" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:78%;">Organic vegie seedlings for sale</span><br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQjtuYakqh1_R-fMu45oZvjBJ6WawZqZ_HrIWNo3G3LWwHrfwfPXRlcSb_jyubLVRK36wKRXnYUdF6B1CptvVWPmvxZuQS3PJkmiHVEyuIeYXEIZwnrtJn3MQe2tu6SMYyZjeHAXBpXUU/s1600/P6102513.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQjtuYakqh1_R-fMu45oZvjBJ6WawZqZ_HrIWNo3G3LWwHrfwfPXRlcSb_jyubLVRK36wKRXnYUdF6B1CptvVWPmvxZuQS3PJkmiHVEyuIeYXEIZwnrtJn3MQe2tu6SMYyZjeHAXBpXUU/s400/P6102513.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5620215962591141154" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:78%;">Treats from the garden including Robyn's Own Tabasco Sauce- delicious!</span><br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikw-DnvMW6JhMYpgaSh0hSQ6z72vnEbE07ykRETO4qtDJNup0_G5EHL6L4-2YC0wedQU6z1a6JXtY_TbnclJOIudhfxTCBZr-8HYiFgJLvFU6uBtb5hTXNHjPbd8faoy1DUhCZkOHAxSo/s1600/P6102539.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikw-DnvMW6JhMYpgaSh0hSQ6z72vnEbE07ykRETO4qtDJNup0_G5EHL6L4-2YC0wedQU6z1a6JXtY_TbnclJOIudhfxTCBZr-8HYiFgJLvFU6uBtb5hTXNHjPbd8faoy1DUhCZkOHAxSo/s400/P6102539.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5620218595538180434" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:78%;">SWoBs gave a short presentation to the group</span><br /></div><br />Just over the hill to the east lies another inspiring example of sustainable design on the ground- <a href="http://permaculture.org.au/">The Permaculture Research Institute of Australia</a>. Started by Geoff Lawton in the late 1990’s, the farm known as Zaytuna is over 60 acres of rolling hills now dotted with ponds and swales, harvesting every drop of rainwater falling on the site.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjaX71sAecEV0WsLJvrb0QoS6Xdk5zi0ekkxjgr7J3orLx4wWQnJrNENbKcb6yNZ_WVTCe_Al8EZvZiD4geYZRlOvMVNp7bh6eBa-QBhUhdKMekWwJFwaZvk1-J3WRZEPcN-MKpylUYUs/s1600/IMG_1443.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjaX71sAecEV0WsLJvrb0QoS6Xdk5zi0ekkxjgr7J3orLx4wWQnJrNENbKcb6yNZ_WVTCe_Al8EZvZiD4geYZRlOvMVNp7bh6eBa-QBhUhdKMekWwJFwaZvk1-J3WRZEPcN-MKpylUYUs/s400/IMG_1443.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5620223179126380642" border="0" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfBIxwEc0Om0E8wSzzZqaLsKzigN3N5w9DLkhnqDnglMftjHcK5UKkhYX-yjroiCgxsH3B1VUjZYsrYO5nt8_poyhSoXTux6UJJk7dg1D9gAVZYQlP-SJCcUw3lYZf5-YdnZFmr1sFxNg/s1600/IMG_1456.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfBIxwEc0Om0E8wSzzZqaLsKzigN3N5w9DLkhnqDnglMftjHcK5UKkhYX-yjroiCgxsH3B1VUjZYsrYO5nt8_poyhSoXTux6UJJk7dg1D9gAVZYQlP-SJCcUw3lYZf5-YdnZFmr1sFxNg/s400/IMG_1456.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5620224714339635282" border="0" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVW_b-Uevf5VB9bWk9JCNJmvys2fN_4qdR-gR_h_qY_3bJPU9lHF8sy0IXhcCKd9MWFddTiE-9PEU6bgpYzrTXdEGcY_ZVp_Q0eao6A9QJj1yAFDTMNL1tszUxlifMiKm_SHWZCGHhxBw/s1600/IMG_1471.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVW_b-Uevf5VB9bWk9JCNJmvys2fN_4qdR-gR_h_qY_3bJPU9lHF8sy0IXhcCKd9MWFddTiE-9PEU6bgpYzrTXdEGcY_ZVp_Q0eao6A9QJj1yAFDTMNL1tszUxlifMiKm_SHWZCGHhxBw/s400/IMG_1471.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5620224730955837058" border="0" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSGDNRCe2zcmqmrfBcEMDxiqqIGUEwwQ13qduMHrm5XoYH6m4xozu9alkcb6-m6t8DpEyGO-n7Vh_Q8uQ-qwLhyvWWORdrCwAb-AJH_uzJR5G4WB40iktOhiedgRcCfhz_clDV669d__E/s1600/IMG_1481.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSGDNRCe2zcmqmrfBcEMDxiqqIGUEwwQ13qduMHrm5XoYH6m4xozu9alkcb6-m6t8DpEyGO-n7Vh_Q8uQ-qwLhyvWWORdrCwAb-AJH_uzJR5G4WB40iktOhiedgRcCfhz_clDV669d__E/s400/IMG_1481.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5620226077671276434" border="0" /></a><br />SWoBs Founding Director Loren Luyendyk attended a 5 day Teachers Training Course held on site, along with other interns participating in a 10-week program. In between and before classes students had a chance to tour the site and see experimental permaculture techniques, including a <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rocket_stove">rocket stove</a> powered hot shower!<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOJJ0iVmhJ24FTAcOgEeQf_voTJomO6FevtdkWS38TXSAacelS9wm7-FBPGJoiuP5WyJV_Ib-FvFDVsME6jvkBtym7dYUVGYXNf-ZrehmbxtlmJ1ViPcz-J5JMolOF7SSeYBfsnaREZLw/s1600/IMG_1460.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOJJ0iVmhJ24FTAcOgEeQf_voTJomO6FevtdkWS38TXSAacelS9wm7-FBPGJoiuP5WyJV_Ib-FvFDVsME6jvkBtym7dYUVGYXNf-ZrehmbxtlmJ1ViPcz-J5JMolOF7SSeYBfsnaREZLw/s400/IMG_1460.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5620224725345755650" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:78%;">The rocket stove shower rocked!</span><br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0rdVm2KhRrktxCnHfM14xkfl6jCcklnjYpXOU6TwYGUuzieqGjfteD1dahQ_rh8r_Z7DJMLshARIdysT2mxQ-1xXv4sAxsaDadQQ9JNLlD5mTkaH3FylhlQUIRkQJoHYEy7tikDEsl88/s1600/L1130670.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0rdVm2KhRrktxCnHfM14xkfl6jCcklnjYpXOU6TwYGUuzieqGjfteD1dahQ_rh8r_Z7DJMLshARIdysT2mxQ-1xXv4sAxsaDadQQ9JNLlD5mTkaH3FylhlQUIRkQJoHYEy7tikDEsl88/s400/L1130670.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5620227900550128850" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:78%;">Chris with the super beefy solar power system</span><br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtgzF5a84kxyVGMtFuiGAIuoftz4dBEX25-7cbpBXuMcP0M2uO-lOKkiiJ6kjg21kMGVe1QEYWrFZb6s0Uk5p_1pnXT5Iv_mFqNTz3MshQwcMrMtGiU1K44R_bvpU1yodvNpHsBbBeaOw/s1600/IMG_1476.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtgzF5a84kxyVGMtFuiGAIuoftz4dBEX25-7cbpBXuMcP0M2uO-lOKkiiJ6kjg21kMGVe1QEYWrFZb6s0Uk5p_1pnXT5Iv_mFqNTz3MshQwcMrMtGiU1K44R_bvpU1yodvNpHsBbBeaOw/s400/IMG_1476.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5620226073442618658" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:78%;">Nursery to propagate fruit and native trees</span><br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpkkMXgdmBEJBI22FjB-P0QsStJDBmbqOibuzcMP75IyNHhmT2vljpJm2sYlu4GnleBFQYz8HfyAwAel1vhIufUYtCljmD4tDqXk3MbaQ6deCYlIe96U4-DEWW5j-45jLbhfC_Vy1zdTs/s1600/IMG_1486.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpkkMXgdmBEJBI22FjB-P0QsStJDBmbqOibuzcMP75IyNHhmT2vljpJm2sYlu4GnleBFQYz8HfyAwAel1vhIufUYtCljmD4tDqXk3MbaQ6deCYlIe96U4-DEWW5j-45jLbhfC_Vy1zdTs/s400/IMG_1486.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5620227896032133330" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:78%;">The graduating class!</span><br /></div><br />Zaytuna is a veritable encyclopedia of earthworks. Swales catch rainwater and channel it into many ponds, which connect in series to become its own watershed. Ponds are stocked with fish, including perch and bass. Native eels make their way into the artificially natural system, and bamboo and fruit trees are planted along the edges to take advantage of the moisture and microclimate.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNXWXDU0bx1ZPRP44e6eDrfQtXoCbqk_A16cbxpbQW5XmvLPOoZ1xIYMli8ZAd9EOeo7EZKii7-YBJWsIWIwYsIAOeo829FT0ngOpENclSYmG_9du99uPeBOSlIXUllPuQuZCFyYK_hCc/s1600/IMG_1484.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNXWXDU0bx1ZPRP44e6eDrfQtXoCbqk_A16cbxpbQW5XmvLPOoZ1xIYMli8ZAd9EOeo7EZKii7-YBJWsIWIwYsIAOeo829FT0ngOpENclSYmG_9du99uPeBOSlIXUllPuQuZCFyYK_hCc/s400/IMG_1484.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5620226086740141266" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:78%;">A new swale before planting</span><br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjs9JAHZyHiRVs6U4xaEKer0f2HWSAY8OmzYZ0oyZIKM5VmJ6sp0D4dnY27LgtTDxeWroSDGUnU5WvZqT2_2DDkUfpE-phqSw-PVirrL2YrjqGIChn8Oacl4dW4n-IzxdeSw81rjrGrB74/s1600/IMG_1457.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjs9JAHZyHiRVs6U4xaEKer0f2HWSAY8OmzYZ0oyZIKM5VmJ6sp0D4dnY27LgtTDxeWroSDGUnU5WvZqT2_2DDkUfpE-phqSw-PVirrL2YrjqGIChn8Oacl4dW4n-IzxdeSw81rjrGrB74/s400/IMG_1457.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5620224718075598274" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:78%;">After planting...</span><br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhn-5HlXsKTlSkkKP7zCLRDydTMlVWTY21ERJf83bZXDSnREqL71pVl6eHIzYcmE66xefl7N1psaImq4C5RVn_Bij4HNJN4J261d3tXuQB6SS3E0qg1zL3G7Xt0QYAGTaJi9ggHYVGwiDY/s1600/IMG_1453.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhn-5HlXsKTlSkkKP7zCLRDydTMlVWTY21ERJf83bZXDSnREqL71pVl6eHIzYcmE66xefl7N1psaImq4C5RVn_Bij4HNJN4J261d3tXuQB6SS3E0qg1zL3G7Xt0QYAGTaJi9ggHYVGwiDY/s400/IMG_1453.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5620223190420574306" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:78%;">The ponds are connected by swales, and are filled with fish</span><br /></div><br />This area is perfect for permaculture. Plenty of rain and fertile soils make the region possibly the most productive and diverse climate, supporting a range of crops from apples to mangos. Plus there is heaps of surf. Pretty much heaven…<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZT0hgIFqP9SkaC-htd4ZKwQ2WprZRkk35KvXas4Dqh2CsLnN6KDtf8EFfzFH3JLRI9EZlzWoL_707QE3y50VLSyqa8iDAqHakiXAFSYspDRFaTxPFZ7wceJi2P0ZNPuXGemQgXm68OsY/s1600/P6022391.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZT0hgIFqP9SkaC-htd4ZKwQ2WprZRkk35KvXas4Dqh2CsLnN6KDtf8EFfzFH3JLRI9EZlzWoL_707QE3y50VLSyqa8iDAqHakiXAFSYspDRFaTxPFZ7wceJi2P0ZNPuXGemQgXm68OsY/s400/P6022391.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5620233303326074898" border="0" /></a><br />SWoBs have returned to NZ for another stint, to tour more permaculture sites and catch a few more waves. Stay tuned for round 2. Hope you had a great International Surfing Day!SWoBshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08161414403059411227noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2981031667524638180.post-40116474045480622912011-06-08T21:36:00.000-07:002011-06-08T22:30:42.494-07:0010 Ways to Celebrate World Ocean's DayHappy World Ocean's Day!<br /><br />In celebrating the Oceans, we must act. We must act to protect them from ourselves. Sorry to be a bummer, but we have some work to do.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMoLg8KtEjH0gjGCL10FTB4zxZlLI5qylKvJbzHKuCHv2Z0hGNqL6TuDU-OhlzOpG4RTP5gB5loIX7wTGJUNPPd7Sz4DAUledayjia62QNXv23oSIe3t36nVCzXkVeM2y52Hnk-ZkjV9M/s1600/P5302338.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMoLg8KtEjH0gjGCL10FTB4zxZlLI5qylKvJbzHKuCHv2Z0hGNqL6TuDU-OhlzOpG4RTP5gB5loIX7wTGJUNPPd7Sz4DAUledayjia62QNXv23oSIe3t36nVCzXkVeM2y52Hnk-ZkjV9M/s400/P5302338.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5616083385122053266" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:78%;">The pot of gold at the end of the rainbow- the Ocean</span><br /></div><br />The world’s oceans are under attack, from all of us. Everything we do affects the ocean- everything. It’s the drain of the planet, the lowest point on Earth. From the food we eat to the cars we drive, to where we shop- the ocean pays the price for our lifestyles.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqTjl2PpYcExKVmn917DNn8vGAV2H_uj8xiahHszE3qL860AuBDVMAJ55I7fThmhCXAfj6oSIsvm2lqkPS3GIblZtySo3DPhZQM6KFVIFjSfMy-1hqqUPzbsXnhIyItIIeBVHY6RA79OA/s1600/P5302297.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqTjl2PpYcExKVmn917DNn8vGAV2H_uj8xiahHszE3qL860AuBDVMAJ55I7fThmhCXAfj6oSIsvm2lqkPS3GIblZtySo3DPhZQM6KFVIFjSfMy-1hqqUPzbsXnhIyItIIeBVHY6RA79OA/s400/P5302297.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5616083380726488834" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:78%;">How fortunate are we, to play in the Sea?</span><br /></div><br />In honor of World Ocean's Day, we wanted to share some ideas about what we can do to help the situation. Apathy will not serve us now, nor our children. So in the spirit of eternal optimism, we made a list.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">10 Ways to Celebrate World Ocean's Day:</span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">1. Eat organic and local food. Better yet, grow your own.</span> Plant plants and lots of 'em. The amount of CO2, chemicals, and oil we can save from getting to the ocean if we grow at least some of our food is astounding.<br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">2. Ride a bike, walk, or skate- to the Farmer’s Market</span> to get the organic produce you cannot grow on your plot of land.<br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">3. Become (at least mostly) vegetarian.</span> Enjoy local meat that is sustainably produced, like chicken. Quit or seriously cut back on eating marine fish- the ocean is running out of them, plus they are too polluted anyways.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIu6Ass2NwFE6KUCHywhyeu3KADiDykbh8xdr-Xoch9Jd4OcksoGpL3ff5Ad1k16kx7dzWbAa9DMJdNrYgSyzMpMprv07fwzQGZAArYGrIQMiD3oyEm5sf7COGH0FnO2hCINMptOQR1ew/s1600/P6022384.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIu6Ass2NwFE6KUCHywhyeu3KADiDykbh8xdr-Xoch9Jd4OcksoGpL3ff5Ad1k16kx7dzWbAa9DMJdNrYgSyzMpMprv07fwzQGZAArYGrIQMiD3oyEm5sf7COGH0FnO2hCINMptOQR1ew/s400/P6022384.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5616083534789355394" border="0" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiE-2UpBHbwB0ELJkzIrTT77ESw812EPtyEA65MO4lWRCgDKuL1A3Sh7fuHexFu93uJsiGiLL1n1YhFPxAOSgWsPYaX5YB9hyfl6b3M8Qyhxs8h93leHYUJ7-pO-ghTMzD2GPP5PAjCIfY/s1600/P6022408.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiE-2UpBHbwB0ELJkzIrTT77ESw812EPtyEA65MO4lWRCgDKuL1A3Sh7fuHexFu93uJsiGiLL1n1YhFPxAOSgWsPYaX5YB9hyfl6b3M8Qyhxs8h93leHYUJ7-pO-ghTMzD2GPP5PAjCIfY/s400/P6022408.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5616084073265629298" border="0" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFMBiQvYnKpcnMTlmbSh53XF_L5orNd4TsCwyG6ff0ewY7vvLph76pS_wfL8qGxhiMjxYWHRv81mKvnlODqmxVnBM_85ahQGJf9Gx_eGcrKM3hKRwLtBjWacy25AUkAty45TyY30Q4c5I/s1600/P6022396.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFMBiQvYnKpcnMTlmbSh53XF_L5orNd4TsCwyG6ff0ewY7vvLph76pS_wfL8qGxhiMjxYWHRv81mKvnlODqmxVnBM_85ahQGJf9Gx_eGcrKM3hKRwLtBjWacy25AUkAty45TyY30Q4c5I/s400/P6022396.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5616083955261055474" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:78%;">Plant a tree. Plant lots of trees.<br />SWoBs joined the Tree Planting Day at Lennox Head Surfing Reserve to promote Global Cooling. </span><br /></div><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">4. Refill your water bottle and refuse to use single use plastic bottles. </span>Plastic water bottles are just dumb. Plus you get poisoned from them, and it is probably just overpriced tap water.<br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">5. Bring a re-useable bag to the Farmer’s Market.</span> Plastic is just silly. Save a dinosaur.<br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">6. Buy organic clothing, preferably <a href="http://www.twojupiters.com/">made from hemp</a></span> in the country you live or nearby. Cotton is poisonous too, actually the most chemical intensive crop we grow. All those chemicals leach into your skin when you or your kids wear it.<br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">7. Support eco-friendly businesses,</span> like our friends at <a href="http://www.jayawave.com/">Jaya</a> and <a href="http://www.wavetribe.com/Default.asp">WaveTribe</a> who make and sell eco surf products.<br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">8. Petition your local Government</span> or the “powers that be” to not sell out our land and water to large corporations. Kill the beast.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDQdjQ3PfiXP0Y2IskYAnFCsx7C6Qld3LJjvKLnclcuqX1TbC_0uKIjK5027N_noeZGuyNApUkuwx0zPis8NVVDprRUHRf76wlY3AZzu8Cydd57f8CGC1r3oX4HjxtybeEiAJnt7s77n8/s1600/P5302249.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDQdjQ3PfiXP0Y2IskYAnFCsx7C6Qld3LJjvKLnclcuqX1TbC_0uKIjK5027N_noeZGuyNApUkuwx0zPis8NVVDprRUHRf76wlY3AZzu8Cydd57f8CGC1r3oX4HjxtybeEiAJnt7s77n8/s400/P5302249.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5616083374954137346" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:78%;">Aubrey Falk (l) and Loren Luyendyk (r) of SWoBs with Howie Cooke of <a href="http://www.s4cglobal.org/">Surfers For Cetaceans</a> in the middle.<br />Howie is on the frontline of protecting whales from slaughter.</span><br /></div><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">9. Turn down the heat in your house, or the air conditioner.</span> Put on a jacket or open a window fer Chrissakes.<br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">10. Pick up some trash when you go outside.</span> Whether its on the beach or on the sidewalk, it will end up in the ocean. The creatures in the ocean don’t know what to do with our mess, so take responsibility for your fellow messy human friends and Keep It Clean!<br /><br />Undoubtedly you have your own list, or thought of something that we should add. If you have a great idea and would like to share it, please do. <span style="font-weight: bold;">Send comments to surferswithoutborders@gmail.com</span>, and we will post them in our next blog with credit if you want.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3ST7fK9SF3UTkX2uXiTKpLiYe80QkI3MmbKNY4SkcIc_NKJ80d0-2oMZ8rDM1m3VGosc0YQCxuZ75LZTwbqLlzkUdbv3DDtKiAykPrYSI1mQ_WQid0PjyKgYp5dJu7I4apGSoR3m6-yo/s1600/P6052456.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3ST7fK9SF3UTkX2uXiTKpLiYe80QkI3MmbKNY4SkcIc_NKJ80d0-2oMZ8rDM1m3VGosc0YQCxuZ75LZTwbqLlzkUdbv3DDtKiAykPrYSI1mQ_WQid0PjyKgYp5dJu7I4apGSoR3m6-yo/s400/P6052456.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5616084077950093026" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;">We all have the responsibility to honor the Ocean. After all, we wouldn’t be here without it.</span><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3ST7fK9SF3UTkX2uXiTKpLiYe80QkI3MmbKNY4SkcIc_NKJ80d0-2oMZ8rDM1m3VGosc0YQCxuZ75LZTwbqLlzkUdbv3DDtKiAykPrYSI1mQ_WQid0PjyKgYp5dJu7I4apGSoR3m6-yo/s1600/P6052456.jpg"><br /></a>SWoBshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08161414403059411227noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2981031667524638180.post-40315210820038981492011-05-22T00:53:00.000-07:002011-05-22T07:39:50.027-07:00Got Coal Seam Gas?<div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwZtSQYvTdmzOd0n9e8JP4SN-pPqEJbJB21bB_mcmtAwM30mertWeBOB3zfuWtfFMZIQH6lUM2f7hh_wJqX2V3O3STErSVBAtpGFoa8NLWSUZT2WvDBlSKp-mucvH-qxMlsT-CjsLoFt0/s1600/P5111959.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 237px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwZtSQYvTdmzOd0n9e8JP4SN-pPqEJbJB21bB_mcmtAwM30mertWeBOB3zfuWtfFMZIQH6lUM2f7hh_wJqX2V3O3STErSVBAtpGFoa8NLWSUZT2WvDBlSKp-mucvH-qxMlsT-CjsLoFt0/s400/P5111959.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5609499754653499378" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:78%;">Follow Bunjalung Lore and Everything will be fine:<br />Don't Fight, Don't Steal, and Don't be Greedy</span><br /><span style="font-size:78%;"></span><br /></div><span style="font-weight: bold;">SWoBs Down Under Episode 3: Australia East Coast- Got Gas?<br /><br /></span>Australia is an ancient continent, with lots of new things going on. The red soils tell the story of aeons of evolution, continuing to support abundant life. Natural Resources are abundant, including timber, precious metals, and coal.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjMmEwdJZn0hdryevkTN73nvqqZNBIvM8uPC6I0IZXce5NHs4rUDaIG4wk6M81yEXqy4xgXGSc-qa_5YTskJPD8_CmFeGwPnzOqKLcmMiGrWjQXK4asLq-HcSFzf7eeRE927awvyzCza0/s1600/IMG_1330.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjMmEwdJZn0hdryevkTN73nvqqZNBIvM8uPC6I0IZXce5NHs4rUDaIG4wk6M81yEXqy4xgXGSc-qa_5YTskJPD8_CmFeGwPnzOqKLcmMiGrWjQXK4asLq-HcSFzf7eeRE927awvyzCza0/s400/IMG_1330.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5609459714180640482" border="0" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8gKAlQnmjduTvNWamsMpJANWYD_-klZUadg59a9XjKhEA8lnuOoQyHk4psLT5JXe5EAyri5_Dhx4vDZLHO4ylSnii1B2UHwyhqlzjlBARIeNszLDylgJKphfk5Pw0DgWa-IP75fRnaXo/s1600/P5121986.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8gKAlQnmjduTvNWamsMpJANWYD_-klZUadg59a9XjKhEA8lnuOoQyHk4psLT5JXe5EAyri5_Dhx4vDZLHO4ylSnii1B2UHwyhqlzjlBARIeNszLDylgJKphfk5Pw0DgWa-IP75fRnaXo/s400/P5121986.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5609499732682585906" border="0" /></a><br />On the outskirts of town, Eucalyptus forests brimming with flocks of parrots line the road and kangaroos graze in the grass. “The Bush” as the forest is called, is still alive in this area, though mainly second growth after the cedar logging industry of the 1800’s.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRj3Ok1cjWLg9zIyMglsH-NlRRFMdTdvB5gosg40Pro_80wXRy3UxNPng8jbrG3clLscy4rPg1gHRPHCcKsatw6t9VFOZXolq_xJoUJhsifDO6DWGI8W8yyUL6iuN3SoZuox9vf_bKf1I/s1600/IMG_1359.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRj3Ok1cjWLg9zIyMglsH-NlRRFMdTdvB5gosg40Pro_80wXRy3UxNPng8jbrG3clLscy4rPg1gHRPHCcKsatw6t9VFOZXolq_xJoUJhsifDO6DWGI8W8yyUL6iuN3SoZuox9vf_bKf1I/s400/IMG_1359.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5609461227104191394" border="0" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFZiUWZbL83aO_K3lN0N5md4OxV3bcnXO0zQU3VNbZ0CYV-_QejKGE_yoFiSN1dPO3MJR3O1JvT2bRWFA7ppeR7ujwGignaODLFNou3gZdzK92tZfG6X8N0zaZtRztXVpEESzrYt4wF9E/s1600/IMG_1362.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFZiUWZbL83aO_K3lN0N5md4OxV3bcnXO0zQU3VNbZ0CYV-_QejKGE_yoFiSN1dPO3MJR3O1JvT2bRWFA7ppeR7ujwGignaODLFNou3gZdzK92tZfG6X8N0zaZtRztXVpEESzrYt4wF9E/s400/IMG_1362.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5609461232089749250" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:78%;">Parrots and Pandanus are common in Northern NSW</span><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div>The East Coast from Sydney north to Queensland is an almost continuous forest dotted with hamlets and the occasional big city. Though the cities don’t feel too city, they hold lots of people.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiw8GXYdR6LWM5T0AvOy3x0raGHwmZzQn-UgrZrEx1jteXdAGnopPmSN9uz_gk0QFeol8ijwieHlBZ5D0HD0L1E_2Gjp362iSG3KESltsVuAwix2hTOh5m67KQRr8hbLbNJWcbnV-Xp43E/s1600/IMG_1352.jpg"><br /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwNKY91J5SBFDEJyMlEU2rJuh0f5nhE7Fos2zmzofJfzA0eAV3Yu2067d9RoNw7Xogrm6q7OiJOAysLdY3LT0OW62yiw-R6lyPmJHNrZh_yKshD95wtueb-hZ_nVbG6RRpW_dHxBCtuNQ/s1600/IMG_1348.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwNKY91J5SBFDEJyMlEU2rJuh0f5nhE7Fos2zmzofJfzA0eAV3Yu2067d9RoNw7Xogrm6q7OiJOAysLdY3LT0OW62yiw-R6lyPmJHNrZh_yKshD95wtueb-hZ_nVbG6RRpW_dHxBCtuNQ/s400/IMG_1348.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5609459726846665426" border="0" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiw8GXYdR6LWM5T0AvOy3x0raGHwmZzQn-UgrZrEx1jteXdAGnopPmSN9uz_gk0QFeol8ijwieHlBZ5D0HD0L1E_2Gjp362iSG3KESltsVuAwix2hTOh5m67KQRr8hbLbNJWcbnV-Xp43E/s1600/IMG_1352.jpg"></a><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgE34ZUtSBhNm7X_grM8bMVWU8DKXokSK7wp5oDg75ZB0Go43O7fpwkPUSN5X-5GZUZvqcxhL26mH6Tr5mlaJc3z4S0E2KUSxgb1GxEIM4YtZHv650lVqj36vAV963mXtrRuCa2RZdeVn4/s1600/IMG_1364.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgE34ZUtSBhNm7X_grM8bMVWU8DKXokSK7wp5oDg75ZB0Go43O7fpwkPUSN5X-5GZUZvqcxhL26mH6Tr5mlaJc3z4S0E2KUSxgb1GxEIM4YtZHv650lVqj36vAV963mXtrRuCa2RZdeVn4/s400/IMG_1364.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5609461235463290114" border="0" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiw8GXYdR6LWM5T0AvOy3x0raGHwmZzQn-UgrZrEx1jteXdAGnopPmSN9uz_gk0QFeol8ijwieHlBZ5D0HD0L1E_2Gjp362iSG3KESltsVuAwix2hTOh5m67KQRr8hbLbNJWcbnV-Xp43E/s1600/IMG_1352.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiw8GXYdR6LWM5T0AvOy3x0raGHwmZzQn-UgrZrEx1jteXdAGnopPmSN9uz_gk0QFeol8ijwieHlBZ5D0HD0L1E_2Gjp362iSG3KESltsVuAwix2hTOh5m67KQRr8hbLbNJWcbnV-Xp43E/s400/IMG_1352.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5609459734590913330" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:78%;">The Ocean is so beautiful</span><br /></div><br />The ocean is a way of life for many here- Aussies are right into beach-going and surfing. They are into lots of things nature and sporty, and are always keen to “get amongst it”. The Bush rules in Australia, and many people enjoy it on the weekends, or lead a rural lifestyle.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyPFeyRYwh6fkIvZ_R94Ky1QPCkrA3QFAegrgsACFAs8DcwB3K35hJ2NYOXNwtIAEr6aesOUmW6A-eSxZAnyQP0Y9f4qtPmBtPFg57NoSFkytaovWOxGm0IRQ0UmHeQZ9XqjCq98CU19M/s1600/IMG_1383.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyPFeyRYwh6fkIvZ_R94Ky1QPCkrA3QFAegrgsACFAs8DcwB3K35hJ2NYOXNwtIAEr6aesOUmW6A-eSxZAnyQP0Y9f4qtPmBtPFg57NoSFkytaovWOxGm0IRQ0UmHeQZ9XqjCq98CU19M/s400/IMG_1383.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5609461242745672450" border="0" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZ9UYgOjqf8AYQQF_0NVt_RcbEMQUte1I9KDZv5q5StMJ4KDfqRWjtxZC-8JAYLPweopn_3H43gBjY4lyK9o7Gmo0C6qiccT4vQVvzG2MTl4fhQCJlUzNC8TbjvTt8A0_8m3ysSts8RQ8/s1600/IMG_1342.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZ9UYgOjqf8AYQQF_0NVt_RcbEMQUte1I9KDZv5q5StMJ4KDfqRWjtxZC-8JAYLPweopn_3H43gBjY4lyK9o7Gmo0C6qiccT4vQVvzG2MTl4fhQCJlUzNC8TbjvTt8A0_8m3ysSts8RQ8/s400/IMG_1342.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5609459720989025202" border="0" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi17wYIrxqvBH5AxFgZLIJGxaO4gsG2L8nroE4QrKX5Ak9p4zmRYDwJzmYu7oGmegBn8oJSkQa7Wx5JPdyCFIOnrl-JcdO3DK6i9c70GcN3LFksvKOdv7zPUHBjWppk5g2RXrjgtQIifhY/s1600/P5051838.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi17wYIrxqvBH5AxFgZLIJGxaO4gsG2L8nroE4QrKX5Ak9p4zmRYDwJzmYu7oGmegBn8oJSkQa7Wx5JPdyCFIOnrl-JcdO3DK6i9c70GcN3LFksvKOdv7zPUHBjWppk5g2RXrjgtQIifhY/s400/P5051838.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5609505707162330722" border="0" /></a><br />For this reason, awareness is rising about an environmentally treacherous industry that is making it’s way from the Good Ol’ US of A to Australia- that of <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Coalbed_methane">Coal Seam Gas (CSG) Mining</a>.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6pGms8CBxG9rWtUTGCh22owgntx5IigoYEWziiDUDp8irbsn9AG3J-EQWxn5iBbFX1MzR1a1l8-OE83pXnftOeWRHP8Vyb5jcXn50wgni2c6cw9ha3hH0qHiA1cCypqm1mZoYRqR8eI8/s1600/wellbore.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 260px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6pGms8CBxG9rWtUTGCh22owgntx5IigoYEWziiDUDp8irbsn9AG3J-EQWxn5iBbFX1MzR1a1l8-OE83pXnftOeWRHP8Vyb5jcXn50wgni2c6cw9ha3hH0qHiA1cCypqm1mZoYRqR8eI8/s400/wellbore.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5609491681258302578" border="0" /></a><br />Masquerading as a "clean" solution to our growing energy needs, CSG mining is anything but. In the USA, over <a href="http://www.eia.doe.gov/dnav/ng/hist/na1170_nus_8a.htm">500,000 gas wells</a> are currently in use, with a significant increase projected for the near future. Many of the communities surrounding these wells have reported startling and <span style="font-weight: bold;">downright scary experiences associated with the mining</span>.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnaLKU91OwGjrwCGjHinaksz1o23DgJF8O97eP5UHP976KRNQsU21MUlpa1bLfjo4AuvIn8ilqR50GdfXLm-WxBsDakwvtktc_V2-54fURHo5AYLM4liwycIPEvFhgNLxjwvIaJbC83oU/s1600/Gas+wells+USA.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 236px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnaLKU91OwGjrwCGjHinaksz1o23DgJF8O97eP5UHP976KRNQsU21MUlpa1bLfjo4AuvIn8ilqR50GdfXLm-WxBsDakwvtktc_V2-54fURHo5AYLM4liwycIPEvFhgNLxjwvIaJbC83oU/s400/Gas+wells+USA.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5609491690583228962" border="0" /></a><br />In the documentary film “<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h3VIRF1jf-g">Gasland</a>”, the process and the results of Coal Seam Gas mining in the United States is examined. This is a must see for anyone concerned about this issue.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgT4rtgVd1GlEhDzQfIp9mFSgEC_4OHiKqm2wFQ74M-zV55jyh8P6K8IMntTd_CTGG0WuYoqTGYiKXfjMdfXD_28884JVF96x2P_6HQgFSdy8TM32s-_gq5txG0NBtHXs93Urj38dKN6HY/s1600/gasland.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 312px; height: 230px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgT4rtgVd1GlEhDzQfIp9mFSgEC_4OHiKqm2wFQ74M-zV55jyh8P6K8IMntTd_CTGG0WuYoqTGYiKXfjMdfXD_28884JVF96x2P_6HQgFSdy8TM32s-_gq5txG0NBtHXs93Urj38dKN6HY/s400/gasland.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5609508916108967250" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">What the Frack?</span><br />Coal Seam Gas is also called Coalbed Methane, and the gas surrounds and fills porous coal deposits. In order to extract the gas, a well is drilled into the coal bed and a liquid is pumped into the well bore which fractures the earth around the well, freeing the gas and causing it to rise to the surface. This practice is called Hydraulic Fracturing or “Fracking”.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5kLqyZM_390NLJtP34CK5txpwE6_VC2hlzN8Z00NuEvBkVWoHFlX9I3YraHwejRM2oZlBbbCK-K6rQQit304bqHSkMSN3a14YKInmwZGw9nPdkvEOLA_H2yo_6Sw2xiVPI2f6BAK2mtc/s1600/marcellus_hydraulic_graphic_090514.gif"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 324px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5kLqyZM_390NLJtP34CK5txpwE6_VC2hlzN8Z00NuEvBkVWoHFlX9I3YraHwejRM2oZlBbbCK-K6rQQit304bqHSkMSN3a14YKInmwZGw9nPdkvEOLA_H2yo_6Sw2xiVPI2f6BAK2mtc/s400/marcellus_hydraulic_graphic_090514.gif" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5609495402547638610" border="0" /></a><br />This sounds great in theory, but in practice <span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;">fracking is almost an inevitable nightmare of side effects</span><span style="font-style: italic;">.</span><br /><br />Since the wells often drill down many thousands of feet (up to 12,000 ft or 3500 m), they may penetrate many <span style="font-weight: bold;">underground water reserves</span> on the way. The fracking process destroys the layer between coal deposits and aquifers, causing the gas to rise into the groundwater, polluting it with methane.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0gVWUh3NOdlvPH4UjLmOkfxUnQEhdCVqREH3pkonfQdvNI_qnhOfq_NOZUPUBEBdZzMiBOR5m5jmbz_RNacsQnBBFzN5NQzpTQp7xP2L1MQQStmwfn8QMDfNNyFr7HprKWlrmIg5i0QE/s1600/QGCGasfieldnearChinchilla.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0gVWUh3NOdlvPH4UjLmOkfxUnQEhdCVqREH3pkonfQdvNI_qnhOfq_NOZUPUBEBdZzMiBOR5m5jmbz_RNacsQnBBFzN5NQzpTQp7xP2L1MQQStmwfn8QMDfNNyFr7HprKWlrmIg5i0QE/s400/QGCGasfieldnearChinchilla.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5609508921898296658" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:78%;">A spider's web of wells dotting the landscape of QLD, Aus</span><br /><br /></div>The fracking fluid itself is a proprietary blend of over <span style="font-weight: bold;">600 chemicals </span>that are not registered or even declared by the industry. In the USA, a the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Energy_Policy_Act_of_2005">2005 Energy Bill</a> exempted Oil and Gas Companies from the Safe Drinking Water Act, which meant they could basically pump whatever they wanted into the wells with little or no oversight from the Environmental Protection Agency.<br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">(US former Vice President Dick Cheney, who was also the former CEO of Halliburton, was an author of the bill. Conveniently, Halliburton invented the fracking process and is the major installer of CSG wells. <span style="font-weight: bold;">There really is no difference between the Oil and Gas Companies and the Government that is supposed to regulate them.</span> )</span><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhETpCqXTzREzoBeQoupiTB73VTvg_Druw9KR5Fv2hvrt_zUJH5ucJo6ZtMnViuix9LewSCcLaIhD4tHLfnnp05wu6IewTod8YcDon6fukf55q50idfEoQUfD0fSaC-cYPgqHXzpl2G9Mc/s1600/csg+well.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 225px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhETpCqXTzREzoBeQoupiTB73VTvg_Druw9KR5Fv2hvrt_zUJH5ucJo6ZtMnViuix9LewSCcLaIhD4tHLfnnp05wu6IewTod8YcDon6fukf55q50idfEoQUfD0fSaC-cYPgqHXzpl2G9Mc/s400/csg+well.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5609512707538048514" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:78%;">A typical well site with associated infrastructure and effluent ponds</span><br /></div><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Water Water everywhere but not a drop to drink</span><br />The fracking fluid may also end up in the groundwater and surface waters as a normal practice and from <a href="http://washingtonindependent.com/108373/pennsylvania-fracking-explosion-contaminates-water-farmland">accidents during drilling</a>. Up to several million gallons of water are used per frack, with up to 18 fracks in the lifetime of the well. That is around 50 million gallons of water per well, contaminated with untold chemicals, pumped straight into the groundwater, on purpose. Read the <a href="http://articles.latimes.com/2011/may/09/opinion/la-ed-fracking-20110509">LA Times article</a> about concerns over fracking.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjjUMOHWZlcaMI0frhT-F9Swt9FePxdZG0-ozCa0h5-U2E6jH-RGGg348mnFf1GnbwZvEMUg-ZhFWMul9-lacNHIR6Etl1BEvfYpBW5UI46tYq2CPcUgtsgLPs9qKwruXlnbsFTuCu2s4/s1600/Venoco+Leases+Ca.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 379px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjjUMOHWZlcaMI0frhT-F9Swt9FePxdZG0-ozCa0h5-U2E6jH-RGGg348mnFf1GnbwZvEMUg-ZhFWMul9-lacNHIR6Etl1BEvfYpBW5UI46tYq2CPcUgtsgLPs9qKwruXlnbsFTuCu2s4/s400/Venoco+Leases+Ca.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5609541995303373234" border="0" /></a>This is apparently happening in our home-town of Santa Barbara as well. A recent <a href="http://www.independent.com/news/2011/may/05/county-curious-about-venocos-oil-extraction-techni/">article in the SB Independent</a> by our dear friend Ethan Stewart sheds light on the dark cloud that is approaching our seaside community. Apparently, local oil company Venoco Inc. has been using fracking in several gas wells in SB County without telling anyone at the local level… <span style="font-style: italic;">no bueno</span>.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjn1GItaB7w52VM2yk4KaBCZGZ8PVYocHBErnxNTxfxgt51FSoYSWLJVbTS6L7LCwWLc4trxWigTCs8CAg1Fj7bCdzCjBjAL_291iBMk1yJ7uIazYT4n-SPmpt4KJPnOsesCwrwJgzwFww/s1600/Venoco+Monterrey+shale.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 284px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjn1GItaB7w52VM2yk4KaBCZGZ8PVYocHBErnxNTxfxgt51FSoYSWLJVbTS6L7LCwWLc4trxWigTCs8CAg1Fj7bCdzCjBjAL_291iBMk1yJ7uIazYT4n-SPmpt4KJPnOsesCwrwJgzwFww/s400/Venoco+Monterrey+shale.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5609541999806722866" border="0" /></a><br />It looks as if Venoco hopes to "exploit" the Monterrey Shale formation, hailing it as the most productive "shale play" in the US. The formation goes from Santa Barbara to Sacramento and passes through some of the largest aquifers in the state.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivPlHsZUounCM0ohXj2yC1nwNPpjU6a8gabEbB0RGBL-pD2PmmwJNgsUk6elnoJOkLV39rIlTRqZKF_EidfkiAekUyI2M8-u6WvG5T8-OszF464CK_WLmIs08tu3F94J2wO-VvZ_7OOuY/s1600/Venoco+proposal.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivPlHsZUounCM0ohXj2yC1nwNPpjU6a8gabEbB0RGBL-pD2PmmwJNgsUk6elnoJOkLV39rIlTRqZKF_EidfkiAekUyI2M8-u6WvG5T8-OszF464CK_WLmIs08tu3F94J2wO-VvZ_7OOuY/s400/Venoco+proposal.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5609544086598520466" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;">CSG Mining is about the worst thing you could possibly do to the Earth, which includes us.</span> Basically, the water table becomes polluted immediately. People living near CSG wells are experiencing unbelievable consequences to their water supplies, including severe health problems like severe body pain and brain tumors. Many water wells near CSG wells are so polluted with natural gas that the <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4ApZkNsXfJE&feature=related">tap water can be lit of fire</a>!!!<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;">This is not right. This is not okay.</span><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBxXf2c_kd-XJqcNbIdLrCa_YZSt3Z2-MUOlzyXyTLC-ND70uIY0NKE0JxHDMYqcq264i8ESBdx7eBZMe4jT166D2YbfEM4oIgQNo3UncoiHtN5vn2khwSOC4TZWkYW6lw0P-gxJT5Bis/s1600/Explosive-Gas_web.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBxXf2c_kd-XJqcNbIdLrCa_YZSt3Z2-MUOlzyXyTLC-ND70uIY0NKE0JxHDMYqcq264i8ESBdx7eBZMe4jT166D2YbfEM4oIgQNo3UncoiHtN5vn2khwSOC4TZWkYW6lw0P-gxJT5Bis/s400/Explosive-Gas_web.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5609512708848016466" border="0" /></a><br />Yet the gas companies and the governments still claim fracking is safe. Despite thousands of reports of illness and even <a href="http://thetimes-tribune.com/news/nearly-a-year-after-a-water-well-explosion-dimock-twp-residents-thirst-for-gas-well-fix-1.365743">water wells exploding</a>. If there still can be a doubt if this is safe, read the recent <a href="http://www.propublica.org/article/scientific-study-links-flammable-drinking-water-to-fracking">study by Duke University</a> about the dangers of water pollution from fracking.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6ohtrhMS3QCC-QUZW1eO2Qtu2gpGiNvxpRq7cOdfPePQ0baD__mY1iRD2fJk36KfGXP2Yma9WuYxfQinkl0cS3wRNA_AjR4_U5fEZxjaIzoNNIhe1M8YxQr1cAShBqWOW8Ge2O3Yllv4/s1600/TN-another-flare-from-Arbaneys-well.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 379px; height: 286px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6ohtrhMS3QCC-QUZW1eO2Qtu2gpGiNvxpRq7cOdfPePQ0baD__mY1iRD2fJk36KfGXP2Yma9WuYxfQinkl0cS3wRNA_AjR4_U5fEZxjaIzoNNIhe1M8YxQr1cAShBqWOW8Ge2O3Yllv4/s400/TN-another-flare-from-Arbaneys-well.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5609508932858998530" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">America’s Worst Export</span><br />Both New South Wales and Queensland are being <a href="http://www.australian-shares.com/forums/discussion/comment/6801/">hailed as the future of energy</a> in Australia, with CSG and Liquified Natural Gas (LNG) as the main industries. <a href="http://www.dpi.nsw.gov.au/minerals/info/project-maps">Projections</a> are that Coal and Coal Seam Gas mining will increase 10 fold in the next 10 years. American Oil Companies are right into it, including ConocoPhillips.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihlQwLIsOTq2J2k-xwbpmKV3mcIYrCpj8qceeVwtaJZ669syYbfOvTWQQvqIdzFOf-JUk3-fRIaDGu9Z49PUb1fjGOAqZhCZN_YX2ISiGjHm_8T3FMinRDTfdy-L4kA2hXEMCkRVY4kAc/s1600/QLD+booming.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 166px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihlQwLIsOTq2J2k-xwbpmKV3mcIYrCpj8qceeVwtaJZ669syYbfOvTWQQvqIdzFOf-JUk3-fRIaDGu9Z49PUb1fjGOAqZhCZN_YX2ISiGjHm_8T3FMinRDTfdy-L4kA2hXEMCkRVY4kAc/s400/QLD+booming.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5609497388823793202" border="0" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaHk15is3HWz7-fq9QE2iaqNPTSQT-bHsrSPO5ggBlbFqrcXcj5f4mfBq5CjQVxZTyGfOvE6Nz_pXgNXEG6xaM7EIT5vICnWNrnOTTHdpCrxWqYvJz5eR9MNxgvUkmcbviI-ea4TQk-4s/s1600/ga-2009-map-gas-fields-scnned.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 344px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaHk15is3HWz7-fq9QE2iaqNPTSQT-bHsrSPO5ggBlbFqrcXcj5f4mfBq5CjQVxZTyGfOvE6Nz_pXgNXEG6xaM7EIT5vICnWNrnOTTHdpCrxWqYvJz5eR9MNxgvUkmcbviI-ea4TQk-4s/s400/ga-2009-map-gas-fields-scnned.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5609491677069613266" border="0" /></a><br />Oil Companies are actively placing gas wells on private property, often without the consent of landowners. Actually, <span style="font-weight: bold;">the Oil Co’s are granted rights to the mineral resources under private properties by the Australian Government, similar to the USA</span>. Watch the <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OaWA_TDG56I">60 minutes Aus report</a> on CSG in QLD.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqMPuNjbh-PbF-bUbky0h-oJV6X6xe1QoIrL5u7MiYrtvlpok7A2y8Q3GcSBAd0vrZfp6QTyCyv_UCG2ZPP9EfA7iPYzBbRgVXo0tcdUm6JnZdURprD1B3oBQjAFWnHuEoV1GLMm_GME0/s1600/aerial+view+csg.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 394px; height: 253px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqMPuNjbh-PbF-bUbky0h-oJV6X6xe1QoIrL5u7MiYrtvlpok7A2y8Q3GcSBAd0vrZfp6QTyCyv_UCG2ZPP9EfA7iPYzBbRgVXo0tcdUm6JnZdURprD1B3oBQjAFWnHuEoV1GLMm_GME0/s400/aerial+view+csg.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5609495412362995474" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Local resistance is on the rise.</span> The <a style="font-weight: bold;" href="http://lockthegate.org.au/">Lock The Gate Alliance</a> is creating a forum for people to express their concerns and the realities of CSG mining in Australia. They also take action- like <a href="http://lockthegate.org.au/tara/#video">blockading the miners</a>.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTDdHn_-l3uN2QYRBWDmjEBlic30x_hu3wN0teQfdM8SNAJ0ZaQ8epgBlAQtvR7L_zxnR7nNHYSUg5E_Z9t9nfBBwa2IxtrTchN9D5JPRPGC7TGLc6IxjA3Ke7bvm5TNmJxPZTkYZXQPs/s1600/P5132026.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTDdHn_-l3uN2QYRBWDmjEBlic30x_hu3wN0teQfdM8SNAJ0ZaQ8epgBlAQtvR7L_zxnR7nNHYSUg5E_Z9t9nfBBwa2IxtrTchN9D5JPRPGC7TGLc6IxjA3Ke7bvm5TNmJxPZTkYZXQPs/s400/P5132026.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5609505720441503890" border="0" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNZd0mWtJi_1cKK3AOYZnzm0dabmrANcR5bimgJdt878kIWTA11m5cE3786plRCNlZ8HSJTohOX1rjxRLjTxnyzerpPHLOyOvt1jucL2K6t1spwivBABhU6pxel8RqbR9Px1aF4Sp5Fkk/s1600/P5132009.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNZd0mWtJi_1cKK3AOYZnzm0dabmrANcR5bimgJdt878kIWTA11m5cE3786plRCNlZ8HSJTohOX1rjxRLjTxnyzerpPHLOyOvt1jucL2K6t1spwivBABhU6pxel8RqbR9Px1aF4Sp5Fkk/s400/P5132009.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5609505718233597490" border="0" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7PspS_exE_Gkz8Agj9LhP9a99QDJbw2L-5md-QWgt2e8q6RJZDinj5t6uMcDxRVCLwA2NJtiAMtN6d9445GI1TIfwDgA7hiBnQhzjTs8WLYKnfoYCV8Zd-3zg-0FqoHPl0VvO6y-iBI4/s1600/P5132070.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7PspS_exE_Gkz8Agj9LhP9a99QDJbw2L-5md-QWgt2e8q6RJZDinj5t6uMcDxRVCLwA2NJtiAMtN6d9445GI1TIfwDgA7hiBnQhzjTs8WLYKnfoYCV8Zd-3zg-0FqoHPl0VvO6y-iBI4/s400/P5132070.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5609505723015090178" border="0" /></a><br />We attended a rally in Northern New South Wales organized by Lock the Gate. Over 3000 people of all demographics peacefully marched the streets of Murwillumba NSW. The march culminated in a rally at the town park, where indigenous leaders, farmers, and concerned citizens educated the public on the dangers of CSG.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicg1QdkLw-jrM8aNIGuhcVpxMQRB6h-7k7UngHfG_VTfzRm4yyJ1EL9PXAtXjyx4NX1yY7MrSNo5nc-ZVYCMTP9aVD9vnI6wRVP6WTDVyw_bu2BODayhpa4IL0OXuBzsTlN2yDn2GtZ18/s1600/P5132116.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicg1QdkLw-jrM8aNIGuhcVpxMQRB6h-7k7UngHfG_VTfzRm4yyJ1EL9PXAtXjyx4NX1yY7MrSNo5nc-ZVYCMTP9aVD9vnI6wRVP6WTDVyw_bu2BODayhpa4IL0OXuBzsTlN2yDn2GtZ18/s400/P5132116.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5609507225058364002" border="0" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDcJKG21ucO0lQox4fjs31Dr02GQ1bFe0S-U3eyKaMlGiWpvxvgba-Uy6zK0jZ-MvG3TGDfvY4_Q9_uofgPXa-5dtsYau3BrDsFa4CciYXJtgUgkf_nnn8MHj80ZUu6SCJaVBVfop60tc/s1600/P5132102.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDcJKG21ucO0lQox4fjs31Dr02GQ1bFe0S-U3eyKaMlGiWpvxvgba-Uy6zK0jZ-MvG3TGDfvY4_Q9_uofgPXa-5dtsYau3BrDsFa4CciYXJtgUgkf_nnn8MHj80ZUu6SCJaVBVfop60tc/s400/P5132102.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5609507218183537986" border="0" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilufvjw20Akdks8F2SDNzLoV1uhRw0pujfOeoao41neTreOJFNImPDw5SYMuYg0vohowO8uSQyGkgQ3qyXK9HRhd37upRakMPPAXRaM82uX2Vf0G-F6eAHrP4nGB_-TbYdR0P0qDpE224/s1600/P5132122.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilufvjw20Akdks8F2SDNzLoV1uhRw0pujfOeoao41neTreOJFNImPDw5SYMuYg0vohowO8uSQyGkgQ3qyXK9HRhd37upRakMPPAXRaM82uX2Vf0G-F6eAHrP4nGB_-TbYdR0P0qDpE224/s400/P5132122.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5609507241153902466" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">So what’s the solution?</span><br />All of this nonsense and madness is not necessary. <span style="font-weight: bold;">There is no need to ruin groundwater supplies</span> for untold years for a supply of natural gas that may last less than one person’s lifetime.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnZkukPAXBGmgdlFcASzuKe-ml7r4WlzJoBcVIaYV174wBGSsbdc552EbzdCAwyKKZjcvmXWPEBsQHm9JsxQlRgwcUDYwxrQZsFXmo_v7dLq0obm6HEAxvx6zmQ0ujXibt-z27cqdWymA/s1600/canteatcoal.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 93px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnZkukPAXBGmgdlFcASzuKe-ml7r4WlzJoBcVIaYV174wBGSsbdc552EbzdCAwyKKZjcvmXWPEBsQHm9JsxQlRgwcUDYwxrQZsFXmo_v7dLq0obm6HEAxvx6zmQ0ujXibt-z27cqdWymA/s400/canteatcoal.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5609508913376134802" border="0" /></a><br />We have all of the energy we need right now, and it can be created from waste. Yes I am talking about BioGas again, or methane derived from rotting organic matter. This is in fact the same gas that they are extracting from the Coal Seam, so the infrastructure already exists to use methane for electricity generation. We can just substitute BioGas for CSG- no tweaking (or at least very little) needed.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8jjEhCQaNkwmQ-FjCyDIHehkvpjGpI6pRbpIQB0VaFEvzKeAGZ1llQ9sJATn3Iu62XHgXysr1JJ5AY6DRHR8o7TNKBHONejaTFnHboPVW-eUxLEdbiMe62PRjpqJIaCBd5dHTLGJxrFk/s1600/P5111943.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8jjEhCQaNkwmQ-FjCyDIHehkvpjGpI6pRbpIQB0VaFEvzKeAGZ1llQ9sJATn3Iu62XHgXysr1JJ5AY6DRHR8o7TNKBHONejaTFnHboPVW-eUxLEdbiMe62PRjpqJIaCBd5dHTLGJxrFk/s400/P5111943.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5609499720275930482" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:78%;">This landscape would be unaffected by small scale BioGas production, unlike CSG mines... </span><br /></div><br />BioGas generation is not complicated. In <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7O_l0d8vGms">India</a> households are installing small-scale BioGas Digesters that provide all of their gas needs for cooking, from vegetable scraps! What if we went the next step and connected digesters to septic tanks, and turned potential pollution into electricity?<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvMb4Jo5Kx5O1mbbOo3Py4yB8g7DwqY7777SeSuRxscwRIKMNwhMP3r6nat5NlK1KNFhLtIpAU4_JubOYmSrY-0lykWcl7HQKN1R4YHRSFuE47VLMy_Yt0Z5ZsAqUyZaubO6x_sAlR8n0/s1600/P5142127.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvMb4Jo5Kx5O1mbbOo3Py4yB8g7DwqY7777SeSuRxscwRIKMNwhMP3r6nat5NlK1KNFhLtIpAU4_JubOYmSrY-0lykWcl7HQKN1R4YHRSFuE47VLMy_Yt0Z5ZsAqUyZaubO6x_sAlR8n0/s400/P5142127.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5609512716436111426" border="0" /></a><span style="font-style: italic;font-size:78%;" >Keep it Green!</span><br /></div><br />Farms are using methane to power their operations all over the world. Communities are trapping gases from landfills and sewage treatment facilties that would otherwise cause air pollution. <span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;">This is the industry we need to support on a government level, instead of one that stands to benefit only Big Oil.</span><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgS4AC7bsXyzBjz3H59irjRf5SOua5uuyMfxBlMXJTwAa1uQzL3WXsJS5kt7nkzTWL9Veze0PSeYnwK31vYDE9RUXwpUvqfi5jOGYA5hmv_91B51C9B6bF8LeokJuUNbVBi_Oh8CdagHlI/s1600/P5132121.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgS4AC7bsXyzBjz3H59irjRf5SOua5uuyMfxBlMXJTwAa1uQzL3WXsJS5kt7nkzTWL9Veze0PSeYnwK31vYDE9RUXwpUvqfi5jOGYA5hmv_91B51C9B6bF8LeokJuUNbVBi_Oh8CdagHlI/s400/P5132121.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5609507230773666306" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:78%;">Would you mess with this girl?</span><br /></div><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Please educate yourself on the issue of </span><a style="font-weight: bold;" href="http://projects.propublica.org/gas-drilling-regulatory-staffing/">Coal Seam Gas Mining in your area</a><span style="font-weight: bold;">. Urge your State officials to demand transparency from the Oil Companies about their practices.</span><br /><br />Stay tuned for an Update on the Permaculture Tour Australia 2011, for more Solutions To Pollution Through Sustainable Design!<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;">Thanks for reading. Keep the faith.</span><br /><br />For more on the issues of CSG:<br /><a href="http://coalseamgasnews.org/">http://coalseamgasnews.org/</a><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Links specific for Australia:</span><br />Concerns over chemicals used in CSG mining:<br /><a href="http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2011/02/22/3145060.htm">http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2011/02/22/3145060.htm</a><br /><br />Pipeline location info:<br /><a href="http://www.qhgp.com.au/">http://www.qhgp.com.au/</a><br /><br />Interactive map for mine locations in QLD:<br /><a href="http://www.dme.qld.gov.au/mines/interactive_resource_data.cfm">http://www.dme.qld.gov.au/mines/interactive_resource_data.cfm</a><br /><br />Map of mining operations in NSW:<br /><a href="http://www.dpi.nsw.gov.au/minerals/info/project-maps">http://www.dpi.nsw.gov.au/minerals/info/project-maps</a>SWoBshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08161414403059411227noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2981031667524638180.post-70148850295781511812011-04-30T20:16:00.000-07:002011-05-01T16:01:14.506-07:00Te Wai Pounamu- Greenstone WatersSWoBs Down Under: Episode 2<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7LxBX_cDmemCz_E1J8tYCHMCZfD5u6hiU7f2XRMM02xvL4ArhEA1Au8fVWzDRDE-U1WBgZQi_MLUI0Re0iebjDZF4Eu_3LxkkN8hsFDLObsqVrYP7WJWAtFhKyd_tU747xmewWRuQjek/s1600/P4181165.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7LxBX_cDmemCz_E1J8tYCHMCZfD5u6hiU7f2XRMM02xvL4ArhEA1Au8fVWzDRDE-U1WBgZQi_MLUI0Re0iebjDZF4Eu_3LxkkN8hsFDLObsqVrYP7WJWAtFhKyd_tU747xmewWRuQjek/s400/P4181165.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5601613578433064930" border="0" /></a><br />Though the North and South Islands of New Zealand are only separated by the 40 mile Cook Strait, they are worlds apart. Entering into the Marlborough sounds we immediately noticed how little development there was, and how much open land.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAdAwsNjfH49g8C0eM-Fzi9LdSRbB12iMIjRwc2S0ELV6saSKpWPxxEP5MeVK0bKPqPAeRYaY4BecSOpkmBdKqA6yjh7R_CX-ScNqm6BgqBzfM4lXCfZ9oavdNJLxknC76oypdC_sGr3o/s1600/P4171029.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAdAwsNjfH49g8C0eM-Fzi9LdSRbB12iMIjRwc2S0ELV6saSKpWPxxEP5MeVK0bKPqPAeRYaY4BecSOpkmBdKqA6yjh7R_CX-ScNqm6BgqBzfM4lXCfZ9oavdNJLxknC76oypdC_sGr3o/s400/P4171029.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5601611120931186434" border="0" /></a><br />The South Island is a third larger than the North, yet has a quarter of the population. This translates into <span style="font-weight: bold;">large tracts of open land, and unspoiled vestiges of native forests.</span><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJwyidWA2l76MgI4CxlLmx1E3hKtg-AkJaaU1wUyN9CEnezAw63bkLfvj0HoyzVF_B46nGA_uou3WANX8Mscpf9OlqeDluuTT08BNG5zWEF7wDic_Hz6D718xzl9rjxPEaW2aAMiydbcw/s1600/IMG_1270.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJwyidWA2l76MgI4CxlLmx1E3hKtg-AkJaaU1wUyN9CEnezAw63bkLfvj0HoyzVF_B46nGA_uou3WANX8Mscpf9OlqeDluuTT08BNG5zWEF7wDic_Hz6D718xzl9rjxPEaW2aAMiydbcw/s400/IMG_1270.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5601664850695017666" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnEi8h39gQNQ5CGL073C-ygj6dYHPpohBTyeGEFmi1y8CDaqhSSJQ796yJO7rDKKK7mUnx-l3Io0jnWKG0gskeLaG2drBMN8oPlmEmnf0rGit-xxBeGPAIdAvfkTvj0blvkWWFePzF6Xk/s1600/IMG_1287.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnEi8h39gQNQ5CGL073C-ygj6dYHPpohBTyeGEFmi1y8CDaqhSSJQ796yJO7rDKKK7mUnx-l3Io0jnWKG0gskeLaG2drBMN8oPlmEmnf0rGit-xxBeGPAIdAvfkTvj0blvkWWFePzF6Xk/s400/IMG_1287.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5601611106014426082" border="0" /></a>Snow capped mountains dominate the backdrop of rugged coastlines.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgD4BSFWgfL97jw96qyFllNteRRp_994BUCIKoA4WHHHtY51q4EQq8tn6GUiU-nff-SYf7OMBSGLakt7lm3GdM1oz1SNa50EUGys7Jt1rwMzuseNFWUSmT-6nMvVN_8Q4byJ31kbdHxnBw/s1600/IMG_1238.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgD4BSFWgfL97jw96qyFllNteRRp_994BUCIKoA4WHHHtY51q4EQq8tn6GUiU-nff-SYf7OMBSGLakt7lm3GdM1oz1SNa50EUGys7Jt1rwMzuseNFWUSmT-6nMvVN_8Q4byJ31kbdHxnBw/s400/IMG_1238.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5601594254244561826" border="0" /></a><br />Heading south down the East Coast, our first stop was the scenic peninsula of <span style="font-weight: bold;">Kaikoura</span>, which translates into “Lobster Dinner” from the native Maori tongue. Though we didn’t sample any crayfish, as lobster are called in Kiwi, we did sample some fun little waves at a point outside of town.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgD4BSFWgfL97jw96qyFllNteRRp_994BUCIKoA4WHHHtY51q4EQq8tn6GUiU-nff-SYf7OMBSGLakt7lm3GdM1oz1SNa50EUGys7Jt1rwMzuseNFWUSmT-6nMvVN_8Q4byJ31kbdHxnBw/s1600/IMG_1238.jpg"><br /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtED1vk5Qd3kSw30qdfimPlf3Vte_W5_ru-uFV_YtAn5gqT939w73w9yPDfP99c040jPosOfmUyjb2hc4YIB8Yxm_Xkmx6E0zSW0s8iK3Jp4QIQ4DSd3gl6KLb3urrohgqWoMYBIxruQI/s1600/P4140890.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtED1vk5Qd3kSw30qdfimPlf3Vte_W5_ru-uFV_YtAn5gqT939w73w9yPDfP99c040jPosOfmUyjb2hc4YIB8Yxm_Xkmx6E0zSW0s8iK3Jp4QIQ4DSd3gl6KLb3urrohgqWoMYBIxruQI/s400/P4140890.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5601598054990765394" border="0" /></a><br />A late night internet session soon turned into a jam session at the local pub with <span style="font-weight: bold;">Christchurch based band </span><a href="http://www.myspace.com/soulsystemnz"><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;">SoulSystem</span></a>.<br /><br /><span>These guys really rocked it</span>, and to our surprise we ran into the lead singer Tu at the Gluten Free Bakery he works at in Christchurch 3 days later. Small freakin’ world… but no coincidences.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0y1nQrr4UtoV6T5erQ3a8g31tP7Dw92XhUqNvu_tAzgdxd4Jepf_RbMdbMFR72vGNnMv_N3GatNN2gOpLLIzEKC7SBM5p-FOiK2NVMBLwF5OIh3xfjgtc_woNNCpRPHtG6HBtJxBCO5Y/s1600/P4170985.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0y1nQrr4UtoV6T5erQ3a8g31tP7Dw92XhUqNvu_tAzgdxd4Jepf_RbMdbMFR72vGNnMv_N3GatNN2gOpLLIzEKC7SBM5p-FOiK2NVMBLwF5OIh3xfjgtc_woNNCpRPHtG6HBtJxBCO5Y/s400/P4170985.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5601601403631252514" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:78%;">Loren, Tu, and Aubrey gettin' their Gluten Free Fix</span><br /></div><br />The 6.3 earthquake on February 22nd left the historic town in shambles, including SoulSystem’s sound studio with all their new recordings lost as well as Tu’s house. <span style="font-weight: bold;">Despite this Tu was one of the most positive people we met</span>.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEganEa6LEURYQsJGn6AS_fSuuG3pTCVQuwX4rwmv0iU9cE5UDDlkM_GuM3llpMD_i6wbFxGo7pHlTyk7rulZ4fD9spOqJDDY07-2CMvbPEGni_YYLJvaGQ5byLHmcsAG6WYNfmrycY7yi0/s1600/P4170955.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEganEa6LEURYQsJGn6AS_fSuuG3pTCVQuwX4rwmv0iU9cE5UDDlkM_GuM3llpMD_i6wbFxGo7pHlTyk7rulZ4fD9spOqJDDY07-2CMvbPEGni_YYLJvaGQ5byLHmcsAG6WYNfmrycY7yi0/s400/P4170955.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5601601413577974466" border="0" /></a><br />Since the first shaker on September 4th, the city has had <a href="http://www.christchurchquakemap.co.nz/">1727 aftershocks</a>.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiYmhFdsmyNsjaca6AmOFEA-1EAYtfix0hHy2zGfRK5f8itlakuv-yKjgBQ8QZ_NouO11GyMyIWbHZpCjH4JC1nA4teey7iuN3fhF7DOat99h41xFW3BUjreXCMqCvfFe256BzETcR4GM/s1600/P4170953.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiYmhFdsmyNsjaca6AmOFEA-1EAYtfix0hHy2zGfRK5f8itlakuv-yKjgBQ8QZ_NouO11GyMyIWbHZpCjH4JC1nA4teey7iuN3fhF7DOat99h41xFW3BUjreXCMqCvfFe256BzETcR4GM/s400/P4170953.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5601601413662045890" border="0" /></a><br />One third of the downtown business district crumbled after the February tremor, the old stone and brick buildings unsuited to the <a href="http://www.nzherald.co.nz/christchurch-earthquake-videos/news/video.cfm?c_id=1503037&gal_cid=1503037&gallery_id=117058">liquefaction</a> of the estuarine soils that the city lies upon. <span style="font-weight: bold;">Many of the city’s iconic buildings are gone forever.</span><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCTDqWm41KAjjEHbrtXLN9RWK9ezZkHqXfBn5wb4bGZt-W_iC6u3yPmgRxnD3a81TeUwCHto_bC7N2WFgqd1-DABHYVAVKp3-U5bjmLxnLM8o-xpbsrVrK-aY_r_lHV_tf4bjTx06bV9E/s1600/P4170938.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCTDqWm41KAjjEHbrtXLN9RWK9ezZkHqXfBn5wb4bGZt-W_iC6u3yPmgRxnD3a81TeUwCHto_bC7N2WFgqd1-DABHYVAVKp3-U5bjmLxnLM8o-xpbsrVrK-aY_r_lHV_tf4bjTx06bV9E/s400/P4170938.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5601601407401217058" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:78%;">The Downtown Business District is pretty shattered...</span><br /></div><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Unfortunately, almost 180 innocent victims died due to poor location of the city itself.</span> <span style="font-weight: bold;"><br /><br /></span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUHnn0wpy50tbT2vKpkQzHf1wZA7zXRNucvqfnyAXNC3rtbIX4Uhbc-ob52nj4d6S6v1bXaWBayDFah09PM5sneK5W4euKhHFQDSQ8k9XatWAMDTcNfCacTMQpOU6iuuyuljqzInyvEVY/s1600/P4170930.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUHnn0wpy50tbT2vKpkQzHf1wZA7zXRNucvqfnyAXNC3rtbIX4Uhbc-ob52nj4d6S6v1bXaWBayDFah09PM5sneK5W4euKhHFQDSQ8k9XatWAMDTcNfCacTMQpOU6iuuyuljqzInyvEVY/s400/P4170930.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5601613562621066722" border="0" /></a><span style="font-weight: bold;"><br />The city is built on an alluvial flood plane, which is mainly sandy soil filled with water.</span> When this mixture shakes, it turns to quicksand, and any heavy object resting on top (i.e. a building) rapidly sinks.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi910_0dEUcwqLFNuHqYyVUDh-56n-Pzvx263azue0Kqn_j9jlckTSARrMUVGHXukQpuOS2zELlL27q6EcbAcoP9VzUcYsIxQGGm-aj1A0m6Jm0TV3jCi2Kr_FQF6STRF5E2APddTXFuc0/s1600/P4170925.jpg"><br /></a><span style="font-weight: bold;">Amongst the rubble and shattered lives, we found one kid who was silently leading a quiet revolution. </span><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi910_0dEUcwqLFNuHqYyVUDh-56n-Pzvx263azue0Kqn_j9jlckTSARrMUVGHXukQpuOS2zELlL27q6EcbAcoP9VzUcYsIxQGGm-aj1A0m6Jm0TV3jCi2Kr_FQF6STRF5E2APddTXFuc0/s1600/P4170925.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi910_0dEUcwqLFNuHqYyVUDh-56n-Pzvx263azue0Kqn_j9jlckTSARrMUVGHXukQpuOS2zELlL27q6EcbAcoP9VzUcYsIxQGGm-aj1A0m6Jm0TV3jCi2Kr_FQF6STRF5E2APddTXFuc0/s400/P4170925.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5601598058101414530" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:78%;">CJ and his little garden with a big message<br /></span></div><br />Though he may not have even realized it, his small garden out the back of the Camper Van rental company run by his mother, was a beacon in the dark for the residents of Christchurch.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi13crE11dxv8pvI8MLFkvxrrW7IA1ZUFnmv2iFZUhjTpjhE0cT2A388WPg2UGkM4VGou4VEsDS42Cad5dmz6xJCKaI4WKgasdLJZzCaRzJvouAkyFH7AIxC2v2y9dGFTKjE7atc3hVMB4/s1600/P4170927.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi13crE11dxv8pvI8MLFkvxrrW7IA1ZUFnmv2iFZUhjTpjhE0cT2A388WPg2UGkM4VGou4VEsDS42Cad5dmz6xJCKaI4WKgasdLJZzCaRzJvouAkyFH7AIxC2v2y9dGFTKjE7atc3hVMB4/s400/P4170927.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5601716627128019618" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:78%;">Recycled tires make good raised beds for potatoes and squash</span><br /></div><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">CJ was able to grow a literal cornucopia of produce in a space smaller than most suburban backyards, and all for very little money.</span><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0_16ecLjBNErM03g-DATmOrODGNed-eVxbOh1wEckYJ30y_ZUbbpa70gmq2a96HPWZ1aPpBOQQGtLQgBFlom0M83yRFwAI3lorH-ImbI-wJmIyaOkFnk59wFihY0LFVy4QRmDnT0d1ns/s1600/P4170926.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0_16ecLjBNErM03g-DATmOrODGNed-eVxbOh1wEckYJ30y_ZUbbpa70gmq2a96HPWZ1aPpBOQQGtLQgBFlom0M83yRFwAI3lorH-ImbI-wJmIyaOkFnk59wFihY0LFVy4QRmDnT0d1ns/s400/P4170926.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5601598060885812306" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:78%;">That's a lot of food in a little space</span><br /><br /></div> <span style="font-weight: bold;">The simple act of growing our own food makes us less reliant on fragile shipping systems, like the harbor at Lyttleton that was almost destroyed in the earthquake</span>. <span style="font-weight: bold;"><br /></span><span style="font-weight: bold;"><br /></span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOWfflRI3ol3sxiDg4RKHhrvuKKhEmC2eo1X8VcdREfGMVmASZWHQYvwxjRQSsnqWL0w_ez6XAiVq-H0uDzdblLyFjz7piTNZXyXfJSIFoj2xYKAKeURfZT9NOJHFB7cF9b8Yi8PwEF2I/s1600/P4170970.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOWfflRI3ol3sxiDg4RKHhrvuKKhEmC2eo1X8VcdREfGMVmASZWHQYvwxjRQSsnqWL0w_ez6XAiVq-H0uDzdblLyFjz7piTNZXyXfJSIFoj2xYKAKeURfZT9NOJHFB7cF9b8Yi8PwEF2I/s400/P4170970.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5601613571747380642" border="0" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCzX2k4gpjpeY5YjvnuLNyrRuImBwMEmvITqkMZWYmgAqLrxbMR0tcriEhTIK0y4Gtjp7_tdqJRB2eW-c4V9T-jWJCZ4sNs2TYdZyq8kGsy5oLN_r_jozyincl7LAzULUH5AoUtcU3Hes/s1600/P4170972.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCzX2k4gpjpeY5YjvnuLNyrRuImBwMEmvITqkMZWYmgAqLrxbMR0tcriEhTIK0y4Gtjp7_tdqJRB2eW-c4V9T-jWJCZ4sNs2TYdZyq8kGsy5oLN_r_jozyincl7LAzULUH5AoUtcU3Hes/s400/P4170972.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5601613573728772258" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:78%;">Lyttleton Harbor- what are we thinking?</span><br /><br /></div><span style="font-weight: bold;"> </span>Inspired by his simple example, we started the journey over the Arthur’s Pass with the West Coast as our destination.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJXjtGhNLGav9ejJGXTL_pMvSiya2ZxCIYyhUgm6cIeYVV4orlH3AdFlKp57miOEHGdY1P_xh8BRlgnNyNvwT4rPliZsdS8Ln5miS5_7hv5SPZxMtiXgY9vsUVL5Q16XVnfi5dOBoNXLo/s1600/P4171031.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJXjtGhNLGav9ejJGXTL_pMvSiya2ZxCIYyhUgm6cIeYVV4orlH3AdFlKp57miOEHGdY1P_xh8BRlgnNyNvwT4rPliZsdS8Ln5miS5_7hv5SPZxMtiXgY9vsUVL5Q16XVnfi5dOBoNXLo/s400/P4171031.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5601594255211440994" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgowOMbMqjI9-M7mfkogO0IxQvtR7_AwEixhsbAnaLkgBhz6ckYKHj1q3e0ymxDZwAOX4cx6sN4JroH6DsRuXF4jhVW59JqdYZyBvfBEhZRz-qxsUjNXxa_ubOhPHsui26se8jbnjoXUOY/s1600/IMG_1266.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgowOMbMqjI9-M7mfkogO0IxQvtR7_AwEixhsbAnaLkgBhz6ckYKHj1q3e0ymxDZwAOX4cx6sN4JroH6DsRuXF4jhVW59JqdYZyBvfBEhZRz-qxsUjNXxa_ubOhPHsui26se8jbnjoXUOY/s400/IMG_1266.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5601594250728537906" border="0" /></a><br />This pass is one of the only ways to get across the amazingly steep and rugged NZ alps, and also one of the most scenic.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEif92tWIpIskXboNUDU_i-xAdYI0jNPthZakB9RYFAQHgun3XPwPDzpQJzJHmK9VkMKTYSzc7b8afaNkrvAaWpS8qU798xPbLqkDXhWImkiDz1HRG7GKVSEjmgWV1YaAL8JxwH8tZ9D6rY/s1600/P4181152.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEif92tWIpIskXboNUDU_i-xAdYI0jNPthZakB9RYFAQHgun3XPwPDzpQJzJHmK9VkMKTYSzc7b8afaNkrvAaWpS8qU798xPbLqkDXhWImkiDz1HRG7GKVSEjmgWV1YaAL8JxwH8tZ9D6rY/s400/P4181152.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5601611111301079762" border="0" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisqwLI-XmTbbap6pGL7po78NlyG5ix2Q3p4-ds7c19KCro0R6_WizEvhQBpCbTNwLeb8OVGqjLKj2UhaocIMvVay1Zmo2a3eOHIolwaV36jEYUtUYMngzgY1WtV-HtRR2fzu0y5uX6C2g/s1600/IMG_1249.jpg"><br /></a>Castle Hill and the stone people of Kura Tawhiti beckoned us from our campervan. “Come play with us!” they shouted in silent ancient voices. “We are the guardians of the universe, and we welcome you.”<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNxCItz42jzr11sN5gMKLC7722-mc8aIygj1f83re8S2WkGIL94eel_mOkSJfX4n3sCerp_B-TQzNGUj3EuhUcVk6aWE0nzPo4n8DOVCAvqPH6ZSzIJxRMoDjYk8Iky4CtJHZJeP2urr8/s1600/castle+rock.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNxCItz42jzr11sN5gMKLC7722-mc8aIygj1f83re8S2WkGIL94eel_mOkSJfX4n3sCerp_B-TQzNGUj3EuhUcVk6aWE0nzPo4n8DOVCAvqPH6ZSzIJxRMoDjYk8Iky4CtJHZJeP2urr8/s400/castle+rock.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5601716622955308402" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisqwLI-XmTbbap6pGL7po78NlyG5ix2Q3p4-ds7c19KCro0R6_WizEvhQBpCbTNwLeb8OVGqjLKj2UhaocIMvVay1Zmo2a3eOHIolwaV36jEYUtUYMngzgY1WtV-HtRR2fzu0y5uX6C2g/s1600/IMG_1249.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisqwLI-XmTbbap6pGL7po78NlyG5ix2Q3p4-ds7c19KCro0R6_WizEvhQBpCbTNwLeb8OVGqjLKj2UhaocIMvVay1Zmo2a3eOHIolwaV36jEYUtUYMngzgY1WtV-HtRR2fzu0y5uX6C2g/s400/IMG_1249.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5601611099244771986" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPfX3jQ9kATM1J4TgzJWqyxug20_YLc6u3xFSwZfv5sGYz6_PAK1U9mRMAWtBTUV4oSBBXmoizT_PAV9r95h6GQdKgA5ucAyfmRLhyphenhyphen8DfpGSgJznNXvB9dWbs6k9gcd_K9HbYHaC360Qk/s1600/P4181093.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPfX3jQ9kATM1J4TgzJWqyxug20_YLc6u3xFSwZfv5sGYz6_PAK1U9mRMAWtBTUV4oSBBXmoizT_PAV9r95h6GQdKgA5ucAyfmRLhyphenhyphen8DfpGSgJznNXvB9dWbs6k9gcd_K9HbYHaC360Qk/s400/P4181093.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5601606208333319266" border="0" /></a><br />They stand waiting, watching, slowly returning to the earth as the rain gently washes them away. They are sentinels of acceptance, showing that love is to let be- to be a part of everything and to be a silent witness of the passing winds.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4Ol_ojTQcstvETYJ9d8KyrNFr1Vma-3UU0h4-X5TFmSAGwVuMQQdWHQ5c-7lzFelDK54JxAwnsnskSJpp1GDgb9uT_ZlnjZwokCrUPH61HNaNSwbnfRtlnqkvJui-q9wMKjMY9_ZA1nE/s1600/P4191185.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4Ol_ojTQcstvETYJ9d8KyrNFr1Vma-3UU0h4-X5TFmSAGwVuMQQdWHQ5c-7lzFelDK54JxAwnsnskSJpp1GDgb9uT_ZlnjZwokCrUPH61HNaNSwbnfRtlnqkvJui-q9wMKjMY9_ZA1nE/s400/P4191185.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5601606212289566002" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Arthur’s Pass is truly a mystical place, the place of Te Wai Pounamu- the Greenstone Waters. </span><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmb16tECrAPCI6_o4Y6ZxbGZSKWZhe8h17HLIWcbgNEqqNgsaKfVFF3BV7tevMFv014jPXjsx_7ZRbMKY2wq_SjnBJAk5KcEuuGdjLnRf1YfByBPsygIJUC_qPS3max-VdRwGenaUdkZw/s1600/P4191278.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmb16tECrAPCI6_o4Y6ZxbGZSKWZhe8h17HLIWcbgNEqqNgsaKfVFF3BV7tevMFv014jPXjsx_7ZRbMKY2wq_SjnBJAk5KcEuuGdjLnRf1YfByBPsygIJUC_qPS3max-VdRwGenaUdkZw/s400/P4191278.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5601617833459667330" border="0" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHP-A5hh-D6EiQSnmzIHD5gYir4DFVWmS2Zs7xy_yVNfBXDp9no6hL6YP_tFuS8GfYGOU3jLAi200WMsB-jc_SfptPJrbhp7CnDDGm0OoqznB3Cr6XFigRPnqc0HNKcjuKHtL8sAwdB9A/s1600/IMG_1269.jpg"><br /></a>The glaciers feed the infinite mountain streams, which feed the land and the people as they wind their way to the sea. This is the Birthplace of the Ocean.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnJ7ZcHm3x6N0P0y_HJzvbcJkFNecrXFrz3XQo3Or2KMCH0CJs9CFDjgUJN9YuDrqxL-Meu7jA4RaN-ECBizKL1wA68x52sLsqMd300Fw9BHufM_B8SIhf5t1PvlmzNQwKINRA3GW7hZg/s1600/IMG_1282.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnJ7ZcHm3x6N0P0y_HJzvbcJkFNecrXFrz3XQo3Or2KMCH0CJs9CFDjgUJN9YuDrqxL-Meu7jA4RaN-ECBizKL1wA68x52sLsqMd300Fw9BHufM_B8SIhf5t1PvlmzNQwKINRA3GW7hZg/s400/IMG_1282.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5601598046388061330" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:78%;">As pure as it gets- roadside fill up</span><br /></div><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8wjrmwV7ZCV0XZRS8VBlP2WjaKiOxyiB7swhoeotAtswQ9N1wMP5RFCuBEuRCkhxdai34vIqzF8me0m_mZjlL5Ws71H3cEN5c3je0CP6KY7RALZ1GVMTjsPM24_vi2wtOJRJj2t_GjuA/s1600/P4201381.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8wjrmwV7ZCV0XZRS8VBlP2WjaKiOxyiB7swhoeotAtswQ9N1wMP5RFCuBEuRCkhxdai34vIqzF8me0m_mZjlL5Ws71H3cEN5c3je0CP6KY7RALZ1GVMTjsPM24_vi2wtOJRJj2t_GjuA/s400/P4201381.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5601619859951684978" border="0" /></a><br />Heading up the West Coast of the South Island, we were engulfed in misty mountains and flourishing flora.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_vnInMZ1EVXyKDRqOapDhft4SOF-pTk-WvcuwWaIE2Vaa5Tjd57rCQKHnSBOw60ccZXNsg9W-bctpcFf0ueC4dK_TJyg8UFTjzdPUbeg5CS9IHTt2sv1lf9IQAxBfjM5oy5JtDdVs-sY/s1600/P4201362.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_vnInMZ1EVXyKDRqOapDhft4SOF-pTk-WvcuwWaIE2Vaa5Tjd57rCQKHnSBOw60ccZXNsg9W-bctpcFf0ueC4dK_TJyg8UFTjzdPUbeg5CS9IHTt2sv1lf9IQAxBfjM5oy5JtDdVs-sY/s400/P4201362.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5601619856154237986" border="0" /></a><br />Canyons and glades filled with Nikau palms and waterfalls open to the raging sea. <span style="font-weight: bold;"> It would take lifetimes to explore this land.</span><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjifNBsYOFi6dTrAXFYxjYsmmZsdhEn_NmnoFoJLE98TJ4xFKxFW2OFih3HwSrTSP0YHDlJ_Xkz2RT4q7WEOpChLk1h9KdEte4Wd2GfKHas2W5bT8oul36LmU8xO08mmim2iyBR6SpMBzU/s1600/P4191302.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjifNBsYOFi6dTrAXFYxjYsmmZsdhEn_NmnoFoJLE98TJ4xFKxFW2OFih3HwSrTSP0YHDlJ_Xkz2RT4q7WEOpChLk1h9KdEte4Wd2GfKHas2W5bT8oul36LmU8xO08mmim2iyBR6SpMBzU/s400/P4191302.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5601617838486427906" border="0" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyIHrIg-8yUHsiHDXgLFcleVplKqfkMF1Mxh_5fUD7Q5IxWDOHEXHXZ7dITyZ68wRxbYJZC6ljQfHIMPosjbvA-wGGpjtf_KOpRJMerdJW0ahojTr5qgQ_gzIOm8KzDmKstcX2RnQ6a4I/s1600/P4201339.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyIHrIg-8yUHsiHDXgLFcleVplKqfkMF1Mxh_5fUD7Q5IxWDOHEXHXZ7dITyZ68wRxbYJZC6ljQfHIMPosjbvA-wGGpjtf_KOpRJMerdJW0ahojTr5qgQ_gzIOm8KzDmKstcX2RnQ6a4I/s400/P4201339.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5601617838856826338" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:78%;">Punakaiki Pancake Rocks</span><br /></div><br />Still, we found evidence of humans and their battle against nature. <a href="http://www.careydillon.com/unpurenzfinal/grey_river.html">Dairy farming</a> is one of the largest industries in this area, and NZ as a whole. <span style="font-weight: bold;">The land is pushed to the brink, every square inch grazed, sometimes to the mud.</span><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-sXsfw5E_3rWTx3hRLlGMjYuujQt4yPn-O5EmMf4KJK3hSWG_OHplOdRaXHDm7DmrLer-4EFtOAH8w6WeO2GQulovm-G6l34sqocefK_Zk5xNMjHsfqH1jiSB8tc9p7FFWHcoX6_EZi8/s1600/mud+cows.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-sXsfw5E_3rWTx3hRLlGMjYuujQt4yPn-O5EmMf4KJK3hSWG_OHplOdRaXHDm7DmrLer-4EFtOAH8w6WeO2GQulovm-G6l34sqocefK_Zk5xNMjHsfqH1jiSB8tc9p7FFWHcoX6_EZi8/s400/mud+cows.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5601669256171469986" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:78%;">This is not cool, not for the cows or anyone. Pic stolen from <a href="http://www.careydillon.com/unpurenzfinal/grey_river.html">UnpureNZ.com</a></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div>This opens the soil up to the erosive influences of water, which gladly <span style="font-weight: bold;">washes away thousands of years of biological work in a moment’s time</span>. The rivers run brown with the product of the forest’s fecundity, added to it a toxic brew of animal manures.<br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyjXUKyS8hxeS9EDvi614-RjF8TC2OCMA4gvjXS4KGGleVPVBHDrzmpiUW_vS1sHSjv53uZjop5zBioNBe4NWQIRXKZi76WJsbRu_Gxs7FrLSjBGy6IG1jJQ-eJC5oGZ0pqEaXQzDuahE/s1600/P4261589.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyjXUKyS8hxeS9EDvi614-RjF8TC2OCMA4gvjXS4KGGleVPVBHDrzmpiUW_vS1sHSjv53uZjop5zBioNBe4NWQIRXKZi76WJsbRu_Gxs7FrLSjBGy6IG1jJQ-eJC5oGZ0pqEaXQzDuahE/s400/P4261589.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5601619858087865650" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:78%;">Slippage from over grazing. This soil ends up in rivers filling them with silt.</span><br /><br /></div>Golden Bay was a respite, and once again it was <span style="font-weight: bold;">no coincidence that we made it to the end of the road, where we found like-minded friends at <span style="font-style: italic;">Tui Community</span>.<br /><br /></span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_mYiPOI2LEkFvoZpJWPvW5irNwE1kbx8X5ECsBuHRiKHHDs7Oj41raYNj7MvNfDzvaTva_vn_9c3Q3woWlBMeIUk96i2ENFT7Y0MbeZWP-eJUEDhLY_VBmni_uMZmF26sqLDl0POLizw/s1600/P4221410.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_mYiPOI2LEkFvoZpJWPvW5irNwE1kbx8X5ECsBuHRiKHHDs7Oj41raYNj7MvNfDzvaTva_vn_9c3Q3woWlBMeIUk96i2ENFT7Y0MbeZWP-eJUEDhLY_VBmni_uMZmF26sqLDl0POLizw/s400/P4221410.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5601606210548844290" border="0" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPlkP60RQChzRFmRwXA3MFCUgJ577xHW_MvNIHrUjvSWK8LBx1i9xAc7joq8gkmErdHKjafzV2YehiPrajNl2k-mKyJ7PcUg2p-n6QeBimftUfHR1q_FR9HrUZNymWR0OVOQ-YB36ERrg/s1600/P4221404.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPlkP60RQChzRFmRwXA3MFCUgJ577xHW_MvNIHrUjvSWK8LBx1i9xAc7joq8gkmErdHKjafzV2YehiPrajNl2k-mKyJ7PcUg2p-n6QeBimftUfHR1q_FR9HrUZNymWR0OVOQ-YB36ERrg/s400/P4221404.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5601881468892339010" border="0" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjES5QClZnRA-z8_hf8FYJ9f7za1fZSoI4RLlU8j8uuwBFv8ENjO2R662eJzC3be-M_RIJN8Mz9bcAUkow2FhywOxagm_2_z8EcVtMIy7UBIshcAMEujuyjTO-Hd9fi28I87VyOpbuPztE/s1600/P4221467.jpg"><br /></a><span style="font-weight: bold;">Established 28 years ago, Tui may be one of the oldest intentional communities in NZ, if not the world.</span><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjES5QClZnRA-z8_hf8FYJ9f7za1fZSoI4RLlU8j8uuwBFv8ENjO2R662eJzC3be-M_RIJN8Mz9bcAUkow2FhywOxagm_2_z8EcVtMIy7UBIshcAMEujuyjTO-Hd9fi28I87VyOpbuPztE/s1600/P4221467.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjES5QClZnRA-z8_hf8FYJ9f7za1fZSoI4RLlU8j8uuwBFv8ENjO2R662eJzC3be-M_RIJN8Mz9bcAUkow2FhywOxagm_2_z8EcVtMIy7UBIshcAMEujuyjTO-Hd9fi28I87VyOpbuPztE/s400/P4221467.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5601619867115036834" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:78%;">Nano and Aubrey prepare apples for canning with a keen young fella</span><br /><br /></div>It was a honor to spend time there and get a glimpse of how they have managed to maintain their living situation with 30 residents and the challenges they have faced. Needless to say theirs is a story in itself.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3radFTMZrugFjRmgxUeFketVdELrw_XYuflK37zHy9YgpYiXdNqP3zYp9pQDFxn_lqxU3MGG92DT1o2e_UvuYWu46JMQZeK4P2i0wlgEB05Ewu3hJQD70tzhpBruho2BunIRGxA-kTtI/s1600/P4221477.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3radFTMZrugFjRmgxUeFketVdELrw_XYuflK37zHy9YgpYiXdNqP3zYp9pQDFxn_lqxU3MGG92DT1o2e_UvuYWu46JMQZeK4P2i0wlgEB05Ewu3hJQD70tzhpBruho2BunIRGxA-kTtI/s400/P4221477.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5601630898528959906" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:78%;">Ponga (tree fern) forests on the land at Tui</span><br /></div><br />Mature orchards dump fruit upon grazing chickens, and we were opportunists in a food forest.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhH2jQ1263qc8-j3N2zypbRTu8wr6egFFfOEfYwNR2Pu5CoYIPkWKkfZho31GIzv7wo1NA27C_eB6yUxKOitHgGSm8KJ289wsGhNVePJS90DFEjMCLbPQcomAEWuCd-Pq1lvGFXMQE8xp4/s1600/P4221423.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhH2jQ1263qc8-j3N2zypbRTu8wr6egFFfOEfYwNR2Pu5CoYIPkWKkfZho31GIzv7wo1NA27C_eB6yUxKOitHgGSm8KJ289wsGhNVePJS90DFEjMCLbPQcomAEWuCd-Pq1lvGFXMQE8xp4/s400/P4221423.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5601881469233646674" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgo4fPucNeOgUCFftvNZ5lby686oFTZqXHZMoKKWtwY4hOFxc2x7tvKIwUhfZZ1SkoiEY4Ne_oZeNrdUo8YL8s30XQ3-qhUIfCNhai5mmtc6dcTRf0mqXovoLLGPXpS2inL8ArDO-inNTQ/s1600/P4221432.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgo4fPucNeOgUCFftvNZ5lby686oFTZqXHZMoKKWtwY4hOFxc2x7tvKIwUhfZZ1SkoiEY4Ne_oZeNrdUo8YL8s30XQ3-qhUIfCNhai5mmtc6dcTRf0mqXovoLLGPXpS2inL8ArDO-inNTQ/s400/P4221432.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5601630899340546802" border="0" /></a><br />A diet of pineapple guavas, asian pears, and apples fueled us and our new found friends on several adventures around the area.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwoEo45j7vUcYXqLdp6vlBxDyD4m0gjoM982mT4jdBxFJcNkRyYnft690cqClDqbCxZ7Nq2Ti06BDCsmlf4T_UEKzu9jLlP7EYbvgIHcZSjcd4Pe7AkTtQ4CQSD5paWLPAqCsRDbhyphenhyphenX0M/s1600/P4241502.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwoEo45j7vUcYXqLdp6vlBxDyD4m0gjoM982mT4jdBxFJcNkRyYnft690cqClDqbCxZ7Nq2Ti06BDCsmlf4T_UEKzu9jLlP7EYbvgIHcZSjcd4Pe7AkTtQ4CQSD5paWLPAqCsRDbhyphenhyphenX0M/s400/P4241502.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5601630901099492274" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:78%;">(l to r) Loren, Andrew, Aubrey, Nano, Wyatt, and Muku the dog</span><br /></div><br />Wyatt is a community member and organic farmer, whose specialty is bringing life and commerce back to abandoned orchards. Andrew is an agricultural engineer and inventor, who has created a 3D puzzle based on sacred geometrical solids and magnets. Nano is a Spaniard exploring the New World of Kiwiland.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnnVIpAhIRZen80kuwoTUnOJNdiedi3EO7ZlRZY25xsnEl2jHQiohJw2kUteOWRAeO-bRM-5w0WXFAMGSIL0J2IV1eyMUb4DRatOj5CaLXf8cSi0GoN8IQJTBvWS0yXv4USl8m7JXE0WI/s1600/P4241553.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnnVIpAhIRZen80kuwoTUnOJNdiedi3EO7ZlRZY25xsnEl2jHQiohJw2kUteOWRAeO-bRM-5w0WXFAMGSIL0J2IV1eyMUb4DRatOj5CaLXf8cSi0GoN8IQJTBvWS0yXv4USl8m7JXE0WI/s400/P4241553.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5601669260056562738" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:78%;">Andrew and his Sacred Geometry Puzzle</span><br /></div><br />We bid “Farewell” to the Wharariki Spit and Golden Bay, as we reluctantly pushed on back to the North Island.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcG-cOQ36oIl7uKs6ERtwhNMO9Ebib4zoqUWAuU610sXuhKEdvE2uN-YbmkcRGMkrlIoPLr21dJCKRrJZ6a6_zm69Aw9FVwGBN6oZHhm6VfNAxLmfoib5CC2k2pE1cf_xbTkHqQP5Lo0o/s1600/P4211385.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcG-cOQ36oIl7uKs6ERtwhNMO9Ebib4zoqUWAuU610sXuhKEdvE2uN-YbmkcRGMkrlIoPLr21dJCKRrJZ6a6_zm69Aw9FVwGBN6oZHhm6VfNAxLmfoib5CC2k2pE1cf_xbTkHqQP5Lo0o/s400/P4211385.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5601669252613606802" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:78%;">The walk to Wharariki Beach</span><br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaG2Ki2Wly7pUlcXYLAsiyfkjPiE7j3OJO3TOWtJUpLt4RKiGbk7SsLS1VjErgEkErmnRqPYPA3zBbY6FR9ScMVW1vjN8X0U__eDnGggA6BRY8SlDWC_-hpScHCBoA-lSVCwopLBFQ4NQ/s1600/P4211392.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaG2Ki2Wly7pUlcXYLAsiyfkjPiE7j3OJO3TOWtJUpLt4RKiGbk7SsLS1VjErgEkErmnRqPYPA3zBbY6FR9ScMVW1vjN8X0U__eDnGggA6BRY8SlDWC_-hpScHCBoA-lSVCwopLBFQ4NQ/s400/P4211392.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5601664840469144642" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:78%;">Wharariki Beach</span><br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixAlDwLmEN8nRniRRK_w7TuPcsuH7ak96MFCc1imbu-4DarMN4USz34gTTT23QAscBeHMl26coZnLwPg9fUUS_8VmG74zvNXg56zAE4ZGB4dDaMzCB4VW2-NLhyf4DhCK1EwJgAYgt3WQ/s1600/P4241571.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixAlDwLmEN8nRniRRK_w7TuPcsuH7ak96MFCc1imbu-4DarMN4USz34gTTT23QAscBeHMl26coZnLwPg9fUUS_8VmG74zvNXg56zAE4ZGB4dDaMzCB4VW2-NLhyf4DhCK1EwJgAYgt3WQ/s400/P4241571.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5601617842976472418" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:78%;">You can see why they call it Golden Bay</span><br /></div><br />The ferry crossing is quite an exciting thing, especially in 150 kph winds. Luckily our 600 ft boat didn’t really feel a thing, and we landed safely back in Wellington. These same winds pushed and pulled at out little campervan, its hi-top acting like a sail. We slowly made our way up the West Coast with Taranaki as our goal.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7WKtNePZVVJvOyP2IcgTZsJxKjYAFS6OjbjBic7KZ9aO_yzcGRIoUIHx_mVJWrPavsYKhpJUcEv7kfUchCMzH4qKz2QzToH-nnyjNTYPBuiip-cGu2wNu0fyERBvYgaAYeCmUzn5SIa8/s1600/IMG_1298.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7WKtNePZVVJvOyP2IcgTZsJxKjYAFS6OjbjBic7KZ9aO_yzcGRIoUIHx_mVJWrPavsYKhpJUcEv7kfUchCMzH4qKz2QzToH-nnyjNTYPBuiip-cGu2wNu0fyERBvYgaAYeCmUzn5SIa8/s400/IMG_1298.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5601628922743492082" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:78%;">Hurricane Force winds greeted us on the North Island</span><br /><br /></div>White knuckled from the most harrowing driving conditions ever, we pulled into Oakura for a little reprieve from the tornado style winds. We were here to visit our friend Clive Neeson, the amazing adventurer behind the film "<a href="http://www.lastparadisefilm.com/">Last Paradise</a>".<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFVBXOcfhMpzHBc3SMQ5guECmPA-_6xwQYGJkxinfItqnsfBK9EFx6lK45BBu7gai_Hk40Ncv3UM3K7sYUb4emBbssdKgXx3kQdsxP5k0ejpPc0pigXjSI4M7FUwrrKXd2A4WxH3mhu_A/s1600/P4271678.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFVBXOcfhMpzHBc3SMQ5guECmPA-_6xwQYGJkxinfItqnsfBK9EFx6lK45BBu7gai_Hk40Ncv3UM3K7sYUb4emBbssdKgXx3kQdsxP5k0ejpPc0pigXjSI4M7FUwrrKXd2A4WxH3mhu_A/s400/P4271678.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5601689099447094354" border="0" /></a><br />Clive is a scientist and inventor, engineer and film-maker. He has spent the better part of his life traveling and documenting the antics of the thrill-seeking Kiwi. Archive footage from 45 years of work has been compiled into one of the most inspiring and incredible films on adventure sports and environmentalism we have ever seen.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilBFmCK82ypF7uTjOLWzExXPsTgxj0f4p1Gr7X8DmTzHY8nB1Qt2Lffz4QF1cMNp98gIHiVVjSfnZYY7uCpVZb1iqO4liRT6ElyZJkldAXF1ijia7oDBWJX3KZzR20DxBF8k-QzEmSz4Q/s1600/P4291771.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilBFmCK82ypF7uTjOLWzExXPsTgxj0f4p1Gr7X8DmTzHY8nB1Qt2Lffz4QF1cMNp98gIHiVVjSfnZYY7uCpVZb1iqO4liRT6ElyZJkldAXF1ijia7oDBWJX3KZzR20DxBF8k-QzEmSz4Q/s400/P4291771.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5601692817361078802" border="0" /></a><br />Taranaki was also host to the <a href="http://www.nzsurffestival.co.nz/">ASP Womens Surf Competition</a>, and the local community was given a great show from some of the best women surfers on Earth. Conditions calmed as the winds dropped to only 50 kph offshore, and the contest was able to continue on with Sally Fitzgibbons taking the win.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjJHQ8d87zO3HVU1YsKsGDxmQ7HSNXHo2h8VUC62po8CM_nb07G2Z34zyOpWTWcI2J2N6YZBCOBnjA5av6xSVOdCbxOuHAYDB8pLZ5c_YBoLeVGfGCQgTlhAG9Qpl_GhicKsVKfX1EYGk/s1600/P4271635.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjJHQ8d87zO3HVU1YsKsGDxmQ7HSNXHo2h8VUC62po8CM_nb07G2Z34zyOpWTWcI2J2N6YZBCOBnjA5av6xSVOdCbxOuHAYDB8pLZ5c_YBoLeVGfGCQgTlhAG9Qpl_GhicKsVKfX1EYGk/s400/P4271635.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5601672505328420130" border="0" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjJHQ8d87zO3HVU1YsKsGDxmQ7HSNXHo2h8VUC62po8CM_nb07G2Z34zyOpWTWcI2J2N6YZBCOBnjA5av6xSVOdCbxOuHAYDB8pLZ5c_YBoLeVGfGCQgTlhAG9Qpl_GhicKsVKfX1EYGk/s1600/P4271635.jpg"></a><span style="font-size:78%;">New Plymouth Mayor Harry Duynhoven, Clive Neeson, and Loren Luyendyk at the ASP banquet</span><br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjr2clNiRV5ys9yp-5-rrthZxH5x8QgkZpJXiqHjQXbSN8DkSrsbVqIjcAGN7hN6CPdkpEKGUJSiJ0sGq5WhpIO2paX9mPCXK_oqMdqh7JNEiDzQAKo9duClLDtUG0xG7EDclxhlHRYQf4/s1600/P4271638.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjr2clNiRV5ys9yp-5-rrthZxH5x8QgkZpJXiqHjQXbSN8DkSrsbVqIjcAGN7hN6CPdkpEKGUJSiJ0sGq5WhpIO2paX9mPCXK_oqMdqh7JNEiDzQAKo9duClLDtUG0xG7EDclxhlHRYQf4/s400/P4271638.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5601672508501390386" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:78%;">Holly and Barton Lynch with Clive Neeson and Aubrey Falk</span><br /></div><br />We participated in a dune planting with the New Plymouth Regional Council as part of the ASP event, setting out hundreds of spinifex grass starts to hold back the erosive forces of the wind and ocean. This led to a fortuitous meeting, as these things do.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrju8nAI-HzYte8aQvRmSLA2kmUyKO7KzKL52Z6xsxKaJ0GRGLGDYBCt4bMmiJx9qFjKHQOT8dRDhpqd4K3ePyQqCFxxPLJ0bfWzeSgJTA8PFBmnl2qxrXTaXrRWbkCswB9XKK8AUF9Q0/s1600/P4281733.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrju8nAI-HzYte8aQvRmSLA2kmUyKO7KzKL52Z6xsxKaJ0GRGLGDYBCt4bMmiJx9qFjKHQOT8dRDhpqd4K3ePyQqCFxxPLJ0bfWzeSgJTA8PFBmnl2qxrXTaXrRWbkCswB9XKK8AUF9Q0/s400/P4281733.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5601689095532220930" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiYEb-spiTp9OEX4IVPNf78sbASTca6K9bLbjFjb_ayp9VEPUZhhw0PLA8_K4tNn2j1dsULybKy6XMAc8z94W1QoBgbMw7VD94FNWdGQxjo3AlLmrMtn3YtkoBTEwvyFMtWh04Bni834Q/s1600/P4281721.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiYEb-spiTp9OEX4IVPNf78sbASTca6K9bLbjFjb_ayp9VEPUZhhw0PLA8_K4tNn2j1dsULybKy6XMAc8z94W1QoBgbMw7VD94FNWdGQxjo3AlLmrMtn3YtkoBTEwvyFMtWh04Bni834Q/s400/P4281721.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5601672511842679554" border="0" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrju8nAI-HzYte8aQvRmSLA2kmUyKO7KzKL52Z6xsxKaJ0GRGLGDYBCt4bMmiJx9qFjKHQOT8dRDhpqd4K3ePyQqCFxxPLJ0bfWzeSgJTA8PFBmnl2qxrXTaXrRWbkCswB9XKK8AUF9Q0/s1600/P4281733.jpg"><br /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKUhqSmaFp-K4Y1l5D5E-O4aTignV78ZidUJ-557GN9hz8K_nx5vJydY2g1q69lbX2kJnmcphFbi8WNYQOIkftwuPyxu_S1wW5YnLDFxlNWIoBzP5VOAoHSd9exZS4ejMPePXAJXPvW3w/s1600/P4281742.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKUhqSmaFp-K4Y1l5D5E-O4aTignV78ZidUJ-557GN9hz8K_nx5vJydY2g1q69lbX2kJnmcphFbi8WNYQOIkftwuPyxu_S1wW5YnLDFxlNWIoBzP5VOAoHSd9exZS4ejMPePXAJXPvW3w/s400/P4281742.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5601689088855800082" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:78%;">Dune plantings at Ahu Ahu beach</span><br /></div><br />David Marshall gave us a tour of his family’s incredible property with several bungalows constructed from salvaged materials. <a href="http://www.ahu.co.nz/">Ahu Ahu Beach Villas</a> is the business he created with his wife Naula on the coastal ranch.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEia_nJ9NbNtIIJh9y2ga22qvrEUro6Pq8QiKC0yDCE6e3VHReB7-4GB_pWwR8IdDI6KtCfisaSqpOdC_GoMGIsZCGIkMhppkV0-WI5icDNFbQhvbNcNm-t4mH1rQCf2Ay39BJNHFv_pONU/s1600/P4281744.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEia_nJ9NbNtIIJh9y2ga22qvrEUro6Pq8QiKC0yDCE6e3VHReB7-4GB_pWwR8IdDI6KtCfisaSqpOdC_GoMGIsZCGIkMhppkV0-WI5icDNFbQhvbNcNm-t4mH1rQCf2Ay39BJNHFv_pONU/s400/P4281744.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5601669254524239938" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:78%;">David showing us the cottage built from recycled materials</span><br /></div><br />The site offers unique and luxurious accommodations with an eco-twist. The Lodge could be one for Hobbits, as the roof is an extension of the lawn above. You would never see the building from on high, as it blends into the landscape.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZTUpN-bHSh6RpWS7K2dy9p6pAKwJs6568XAwImLIDgW4ULfFT-3yn46ec5ti07s-YnCk3kO30OzvGFebf115xnlB33zwAAe0IWkpDB8HjlyeAIuTrnWZoxFoQtLf2s74JKJvDFAr056M/s1600/IMG_1304.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZTUpN-bHSh6RpWS7K2dy9p6pAKwJs6568XAwImLIDgW4ULfFT-3yn46ec5ti07s-YnCk3kO30OzvGFebf115xnlB33zwAAe0IWkpDB8HjlyeAIuTrnWZoxFoQtLf2s74JKJvDFAr056M/s400/IMG_1304.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5601664854203413170" border="0" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCnPfB_f0voVfGuZl4hwFceTGvytiY-_iTgzWXOpWO6nXDF7QMlg4WhaOOfJUAjA-fXbF0OYd3cX2PFtdACAUlDuxXYI8ZXuvXqfwiG7iPM8aXKibLmx0Z1piZrtCMoQvVU0mAf_uaf3s/s1600/P4281761.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCnPfB_f0voVfGuZl4hwFceTGvytiY-_iTgzWXOpWO6nXDF7QMlg4WhaOOfJUAjA-fXbF0OYd3cX2PFtdACAUlDuxXYI8ZXuvXqfwiG7iPM8aXKibLmx0Z1piZrtCMoQvVU0mAf_uaf3s/s400/P4281761.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5601690570847432610" border="0" /></a><br />The next day we grabbed a few waves from one of the 50 local spots. Clean lines peeled along a rocky point into a scenic bay. The <a href="http://www.surfingtaranaki.org/">local boys</a> showed us how to grab a snack from the rocks after a session, all the while active volcano Mount Taranaki loomed ominously in the background.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLQty5WEkTVInqmDekfknKgcVMvpE1pQEdYJR0jxPw5v7bRzhf5SbW8rn1Vh9aEiKURg8-oVYyZsIMn9lf1bDoAjM_KOhRVyDiPL70JjssueTp94zpQKuhPYKmkwsFR6ro-MjApY0hq-E/s1600/P4291778.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLQty5WEkTVInqmDekfknKgcVMvpE1pQEdYJR0jxPw5v7bRzhf5SbW8rn1Vh9aEiKURg8-oVYyZsIMn9lf1bDoAjM_KOhRVyDiPL70JjssueTp94zpQKuhPYKmkwsFR6ro-MjApY0hq-E/s400/P4291778.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5601690576070191522" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiY-JjJFc51G9niHqW0aSPZzRUlli_tEm8jtYOotdakjdCUfAaAZrE_pddkc_HQYWJNrl1n4Nf6oWQct3YonU4XlIOMUTlHHF951a7S_vGJjycJSVEMgXDZ4C8Fl8TqOZ5seuxwvaUznwY/s1600/P4291784.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiY-JjJFc51G9niHqW0aSPZzRUlli_tEm8jtYOotdakjdCUfAaAZrE_pddkc_HQYWJNrl1n4Nf6oWQct3YonU4XlIOMUTlHHF951a7S_vGJjycJSVEMgXDZ4C8Fl8TqOZ5seuxwvaUznwY/s400/P4291784.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5601689103576977122" border="0" /></a><br />Taranaki also offered us a glimpse into the future of farming for this area and the world. A local pig farmer was recently given an <a href="http://www.trc.govt.nz/award-winners/">award</a> for environmentally beneficial resource recovery- or turning pig shit into electricity.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHF4VgQUvJWeLtgp3PJOLE0tHlwGT9EGm8E-OgnZtThbnMYmiTJ0dYL02W6LH0ejDECZtZzYLZb2W3s60wCflRjScehbg-Jg5AkGiEUwGQPwxYg_19mAeErkR3lUIJs72WO36we7OlFeA/s1600/methane+piggery.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 188px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHF4VgQUvJWeLtgp3PJOLE0tHlwGT9EGm8E-OgnZtThbnMYmiTJ0dYL02W6LH0ejDECZtZzYLZb2W3s60wCflRjScehbg-Jg5AkGiEUwGQPwxYg_19mAeErkR3lUIJs72WO36we7OlFeA/s400/methane+piggery.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5601692815914820994" border="0" /></a><br />The Lepper Trust is showing by example how a “waste” can be converted into a resource. Complaints from encroaching suburbanites on his once rural pig farm led Steve Lepper to develop a BioGas Digester to process the pig manure into methane, which is burned in a generator to provide the farm with two-thirds of their energy needs.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwtuXShVgA9eepRP-_PGlEqnZn5KUiFkTedXquxIRKSBqsNnmb38eZ5AXTjxkCXDiiL6qr0I3QS-AlIYE8BIIjxETZ2VldGhHfv7Zwt-OA0dCQ3o9VORJ1G0WfciUYWoS0B2I1_Wd27Ak/s1600/anaerobic+pond.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 193px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwtuXShVgA9eepRP-_PGlEqnZn5KUiFkTedXquxIRKSBqsNnmb38eZ5AXTjxkCXDiiL6qr0I3QS-AlIYE8BIIjxETZ2VldGhHfv7Zwt-OA0dCQ3o9VORJ1G0WfciUYWoS0B2I1_Wd27Ak/s400/anaerobic+pond.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5601692808804944034" border="0" /></a><br />He is also left with a compostable product, which he sells to gardeners and farmers. “Grunt” as it’s called, is really a by-product of the methane digestion process.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJsSC1BtFSIG2yx086jjBjLPpAlLXk2lgWYYbKVusCOEhjqOtLiRGURxx1IfFNaQUA1YyQ3aickS9XK_6bcgmQZ_BPT3iESPChLQtS7PxBAuJ0P68VS6D6fU4aMgCY1YBNZUSyzRXbgZc/s1600/solids+seperator.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 196px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJsSC1BtFSIG2yx086jjBjLPpAlLXk2lgWYYbKVusCOEhjqOtLiRGURxx1IfFNaQUA1YyQ3aickS9XK_6bcgmQZ_BPT3iESPChLQtS7PxBAuJ0P68VS6D6fU4aMgCY1YBNZUSyzRXbgZc/s400/solids+seperator.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5601694618126383858" border="0" /></a><br />Methane is one of the most powerful “greenhouse gasses” (GHGs), and NZ is one of the leading producers of the stinky stuff. Methane comes from rotting organic matter, and the 60 plus million sheep and 10 million cows are burping and pooping out tons of the stuff every day. This is an opportunity for energy independence and private rural enterprise.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTXbJ_UqKBVAGVXcJJkHCepFsf4dbqIXtOD-_9vlz_qDOYdR_BfVNsY083TGXEhLz8La-XJpZy_lNpPFRv1C1rtmOShcRUlCw4e6nDM28EVqj4dyygscxRv8OoO8myRMqCIh0B4UEN6Rg/s1600/grunt.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 209px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTXbJ_UqKBVAGVXcJJkHCepFsf4dbqIXtOD-_9vlz_qDOYdR_BfVNsY083TGXEhLz8La-XJpZy_lNpPFRv1C1rtmOShcRUlCw4e6nDM28EVqj4dyygscxRv8OoO8myRMqCIh0B4UEN6Rg/s400/grunt.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5601694618179745186" border="0" /></a><br />A full 90% of the methane produced by NZ is from agriculture. Cows produce about the equivalent of 500 liters of gaseous methane per day through burping, which is about 0.5 liters of petrol (1/8th gallon of gas). Do the math: 0.5 liters x 10,000,000= 5,000,000 liters or 1,250,000 gallons of gas being belched into the atmosphere every day, just from cows in NZ alone. Scary to think there is a proposal to used <a href="http://www.biotechlearn.org.nz/themes/new_zealand_views_on_biotech/new_zealand_views_on_biotech/public_acceptance_of_using_genetically_modified_bacteria_to_reduce_methane_emissions_of_sheep">genetically modified bacteria in the guts of ruminants</a> to decrease belching and therefore methane. What are we thinking?<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4qspMupewU-0tRpsP-z2sXDbIEiUi7sy-V7nJtLW-3cpiZmFharXFQF7LX0SGAuy3TX8MrcP5Nd6IAhUXIr4Em8_WFhH8zm_w6aFmypmS1PJ6HFw6pMwmZpDDiTAJLgtVCOo_k8H02Aw/s1600/P4261604.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4qspMupewU-0tRpsP-z2sXDbIEiUi7sy-V7nJtLW-3cpiZmFharXFQF7LX0SGAuy3TX8MrcP5Nd6IAhUXIr4Em8_WFhH8zm_w6aFmypmS1PJ6HFw6pMwmZpDDiTAJLgtVCOo_k8H02Aw/s400/P4261604.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5601694625047947010" border="0" /></a><br />To catch all of this may be practically impossible, but to catch some of it may prove profitable. It is estimated that by catching 10% of the manure from dairy cows, it would be possible to keep 24 million tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalents out of the atmosphere per annum, which would be like taking over 4 million cars off the road for a full year- more than the population of NZ itself! And, this can be turned into electricity!<br /><br />Furthermore, the <a href="http://www.climatechange.govt.nz/emissions-trading-scheme/">Emissions Trading Scheme</a> outlined by NZ in response to the Kyoto Protocol may allow farmers to sell carbon credits for converting their farm wastes to methane, while saving themselves money on electricity costs. This may prove to be not only a good idea, but a mandate, as these reductions in GHGs are required to be compliant with the Kyoto Protocol.<br /><br />Studies currently being carried out in the USA, <a href="http://www.landcareresearch.co.nz/research/globalchange/summaries/monitoring_nz_scarbon.asp">NZ</a>, and Australia are looking into the use of certain plowing techniques and livestock management regimes that may indeed use pasture to sequester CO2. Keyline Plowing (deep ripping) and Holistic Management practices improve soil quality and sequester atmospheric CO2 as a by-product. Who can argue with that?<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXCLWrkk6yvWgmfnN3xVfllMzPonp8kn3kXrNQEV-w_odd-_MNMiEJjVh6wV-F_2d3mWaolSVH0Qo6LIyW4Ij4K4sEzQr-3F559n5K2un3jg9J5KhGRbS79mDDOC841Jhb3GT9ERozPWI/s1600/IMGP3071.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXCLWrkk6yvWgmfnN3xVfllMzPonp8kn3kXrNQEV-w_odd-_MNMiEJjVh6wV-F_2d3mWaolSVH0Qo6LIyW4Ij4K4sEzQr-3F559n5K2un3jg9J5KhGRbS79mDDOC841Jhb3GT9ERozPWI/s400/IMGP3071.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5601698552089746658" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:78%;">The Keyline Plow</span><br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3bpwT8OyvNGGHTkT6AUjoSol7KqNvO1A5squ_l_u6QUGY9y3KPCdVmnaObZJDcUD9qaTJxTTZj4nNN-ElaoaEUZcb_hZx96dt0vNfbU_IAu0xhfhZIYj1rjfX4NujTUX0OX6xjGwgifM/s1600/IMGP3117.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3bpwT8OyvNGGHTkT6AUjoSol7KqNvO1A5squ_l_u6QUGY9y3KPCdVmnaObZJDcUD9qaTJxTTZj4nNN-ElaoaEUZcb_hZx96dt0vNfbU_IAu0xhfhZIYj1rjfX4NujTUX0OX6xjGwgifM/s400/IMGP3117.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5601698555380023362" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:78%;">Darren Doherty Keyline Plowing the <a href="http://www.orellastewardship.org/home.htm">Orella Ranch</a> in Santa Barbara</span><br /></div><br />The <a href="http://soilcarboncoalition.org/taxonomy/term/2">soil is the best place to store and sequester carbon</a>, and unfortunately current farming practices actually release, or oxidize, carbon into the atmosphere. Practices such as tillage or intensive livestock grazing may damage the soil’s ability to hold carbon, or store it.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLmNEKu8YVnyo6k5CRLsi8pVPP_tv_9ZWqIk4DFjpuLw1fI4QUak9TnT5BqIh7Bm53sdpTWG4OXjo0OqNmi1KjlvKS3AfFbSUdehyN34psFrcGAscDenFM3UpY2Qr5bmgwN8R1u8GweR8/s1600/hyphae.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLmNEKu8YVnyo6k5CRLsi8pVPP_tv_9ZWqIk4DFjpuLw1fI4QUak9TnT5BqIh7Bm53sdpTWG4OXjo0OqNmi1KjlvKS3AfFbSUdehyN34psFrcGAscDenFM3UpY2Qr5bmgwN8R1u8GweR8/s400/hyphae.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5601700646975340962" border="0" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLmNEKu8YVnyo6k5CRLsi8pVPP_tv_9ZWqIk4DFjpuLw1fI4QUak9TnT5BqIh7Bm53sdpTWG4OXjo0OqNmi1KjlvKS3AfFbSUdehyN34psFrcGAscDenFM3UpY2Qr5bmgwN8R1u8GweR8/s1600/hyphae.jpg"></a><span style="font-size:78%;">Fungal hyphae are the primary decomposers on Earth</span><br /></div><br />Furthermore it has been shown that <a href="http://www.rodaleinstitute.org/node/439">organic farming</a> increase the soil’s ability to sequester and store carbon. Chemical fertilizers, herbicides, and pesticides kill soil microorganisms that are responsible for converting organic matter into plant available nutrients. These microorganisms are the building blocks for life and represent a significant portion of the total biomass on the Earth.<br /><br />We are all in this together- so we are all to blame, and we are all responsible to help protect, preserve, and regenerate this beautiful Planet that so graciously gives us life. Thanks for reading the MegaBlog.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQwOmq77juPtE_pry2fL0ryBQX6xN2odAT4q3khpW7Mbr787aPQvsFZH_VaNyUXBFmC3ZG3zXM9F6y6_0QySoDs3WyGwp9pqNsh3AjfFcggJFhcjlFD4fI6Kgt6VWpLHKdy0FD7FF8uwQ/s1600/P4271645.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQwOmq77juPtE_pry2fL0ryBQX6xN2odAT4q3khpW7Mbr787aPQvsFZH_VaNyUXBFmC3ZG3zXM9F6y6_0QySoDs3WyGwp9pqNsh3AjfFcggJFhcjlFD4fI6Kgt6VWpLHKdy0FD7FF8uwQ/s400/P4271645.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5601694623348988402" border="0" /></a><br />Stay tuned for Australia mate!SWoBshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08161414403059411227noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2981031667524638180.post-938788726210030002011-04-16T16:08:00.000-07:002011-04-16T18:27:05.689-07:00New Zealand North: The Land of the Tree<span style="font-weight: bold;">SWoBs Down Under</span>: Episode 1<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgv0Wr0TSsmaa_hTd7y34fZs3Y1W3xdEWImxXr1mAbOfZdO3oUP7Qx5MHwB5H__oQK2Gj6fVfjvS-cZ31vphk_KeL_5zY8qxuvDET0otJx8iwOabvtq94nmwvgNoCCe4kyqwuOdPOm8lg/s1600/P4030446.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgv0Wr0TSsmaa_hTd7y34fZs3Y1W3xdEWImxXr1mAbOfZdO3oUP7Qx5MHwB5H__oQK2Gj6fVfjvS-cZ31vphk_KeL_5zY8qxuvDET0otJx8iwOabvtq94nmwvgNoCCe4kyqwuOdPOm8lg/s400/P4030446.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5596324599282196482" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:78%;">Aotearoa here we come!</span><br /></div><br />When someone mentions <span style="font-weight: bold;">New Zealand</span>, you may think of sheep quietly grazing green pastures, steep mountains covered in snow falling precipitously to the sea, forests filled with birdsong, and sheep. This is exactly what NZ is, and <span style="font-weight: bold;">so much more</span>.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh45ICct0cal_VpWCTh9sFXlDYJBGrT_PDHI7MMIbuChgEbQx8jpxaxwp0OK9lWzDWHi9J9MB27-8QO7HtJ0V22gSTE_pGclMZrv9U2ndPF8chA7Aw34_P3qvwdboPoVpYdyL5h_1YsGic/s1600/P4040458.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh45ICct0cal_VpWCTh9sFXlDYJBGrT_PDHI7MMIbuChgEbQx8jpxaxwp0OK9lWzDWHi9J9MB27-8QO7HtJ0V22gSTE_pGclMZrv9U2ndPF8chA7Aw34_P3qvwdboPoVpYdyL5h_1YsGic/s400/P4040458.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5596324601746725186" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:78%;">NZ also has the most rainbows of anywhere in the world, its a fact.</span><br /></div><br />SWoBs journeyed to the <span style="font-weight: bold;">Land of the Long White Cloud</span> to seek those greener pastures, and the empty point breaks along their shores. We also wanted to check out what makes NZ so green- not only the grass, but the people and the country itself.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQYyfYpABnIrX5pMEMqaRi29BHax1JFUY2xpp4RG_qbPlALAOyKfJ4vmASarfLXOlCjkIRWTD6JsEA_iE4bbbll4Ylt8c3xVvjeMItDM7-N2ID-XuNm10P3k_60GQ3FEd13CiWsV2iDwU/s1600/P4050494.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQYyfYpABnIrX5pMEMqaRi29BHax1JFUY2xpp4RG_qbPlALAOyKfJ4vmASarfLXOlCjkIRWTD6JsEA_iE4bbbll4Ylt8c3xVvjeMItDM7-N2ID-XuNm10P3k_60GQ3FEd13CiWsV2iDwU/s400/P4050494.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5596324609473467186" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:78%;">Pohutukawa trees are awesome. A little trek up Mount Maunganui.</span><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCIsBxYsbopvqVA3vJK2KzGA64UQHIYcaxXYbjVzDCQBXbEPYFy-vRyqHRfddoZ6LryTIh5LaP8Ix79VxgCdoxEqfjNApF1hQzRnz6lhyphenhyphenLKsI7tpc-kB24Iiwz4G2vvyh3K_zi1DCJPSM/s1600/P4090607.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 298px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCIsBxYsbopvqVA3vJK2KzGA64UQHIYcaxXYbjVzDCQBXbEPYFy-vRyqHRfddoZ6LryTIh5LaP8Ix79VxgCdoxEqfjNApF1hQzRnz6lhyphenhyphenLKsI7tpc-kB24Iiwz4G2vvyh3K_zi1DCJPSM/s400/P4090607.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5596355849781260434" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:78%;">Oh yeah... there are waves too.</span><br /></div><br />Arriving in Auckland we were met by our two friends Becca Davis and Sara Stuart. We proceeded to procure a deal on a relocation of an RV to Christchurch, recently smashed by a tremendous earthquake that left 10,000 homes condemned.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaB2eAURw2P2eKt9w9wOfljP8pBSX-vzYRF2XX-5ccfy9J2JF9RbnKJ2mk410fvH8wcy8gq8zDWZN1aCxlrZ8V6aWI-U_aaBVlSb7l8Lixn9fd-bgoHk7wmNlP1tEe_HizCaLe-qxpFok/s1600/P4060497.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaB2eAURw2P2eKt9w9wOfljP8pBSX-vzYRF2XX-5ccfy9J2JF9RbnKJ2mk410fvH8wcy8gq8zDWZN1aCxlrZ8V6aWI-U_aaBVlSb7l8Lixn9fd-bgoHk7wmNlP1tEe_HizCaLe-qxpFok/s400/P4060497.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5596324613730715826" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:78%;">Livin' off the land- wild apples anyone?</span><br /></div><br />Following the winds and swell, we went East, to the Coromandel Peninsula and around the East Cape and down the east coast to the southern part of the North Island.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3rCz3A1d2Weeie3vX02WoYEaEG9mr-mOwBOx7YfzG3ReZJjRV-5tibUQBSjQG2ZUPGAaiAATTi6GFyuRzCk_3ENhEJz-ZcWz2soujTb0qOzWrYc-rJIx_pEyH-SUhoB80lBsuuWb-Jqg/s1600/P4060506.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3rCz3A1d2Weeie3vX02WoYEaEG9mr-mOwBOx7YfzG3ReZJjRV-5tibUQBSjQG2ZUPGAaiAATTi6GFyuRzCk_3ENhEJz-ZcWz2soujTb0qOzWrYc-rJIx_pEyH-SUhoB80lBsuuWb-Jqg/s400/P4060506.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5596338180334742722" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:78%;">A Maori Marae on the East Cape.</span><br /></div><br />The first thing that struck us was how much the <span style="font-weight: bold;">people depend on the land</span>. Small farms dotted the landscape, cows and sheep quietly grazed, and forests covered the hills. We were sad to notice however, that the land seemed <span style="font-weight: bold;">overworked and overgrazed</span>, and the forests were a large part a monoculture of non-native pine farms.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9IGAtpaO7FWWTDILt3A4L6SVrp2Kxp8aFreWBHqpTo3iGkPlPMeYsP1b8_zby91zWrdnK0zc1dAHeKUmsSyeUjsDwUtvbqTa8BZE4V0EY9EyPIm5Dsm7Sgg7kuYcS4Zhnd1U-3harl3A/s1600/P4070520.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 383px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9IGAtpaO7FWWTDILt3A4L6SVrp2Kxp8aFreWBHqpTo3iGkPlPMeYsP1b8_zby91zWrdnK0zc1dAHeKUmsSyeUjsDwUtvbqTa8BZE4V0EY9EyPIm5Dsm7Sgg7kuYcS4Zhnd1U-3harl3A/s400/P4070520.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5596342514008669602" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:78%;">Not even NZ is free from the threats of offshore drilling.</span><br /><br /></div>The Monterrey Pine (Pinus radiata) was <a href="http://www.teara.govt.nz/en/radiata-pine/1">introduced to NZ</a> from our home, California, in the 1850’s for windbreaks and hedgerows. It was noticed that the trees grew straight and fast (7 times faster in fact), and had few pests in their new home. Commercial plantations were planted out in the 1870’s, with modern breeding leading to new cultivars planted out in the 1970’s.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkzDR9hggZbvfuvy2JZQRTxDNou2-XnCx97Nlh-Xsfg3S9L1l14Gs4KLUss5k_cd_o4wu2EFVnBr0o3cOFP3xj9n4OywkJdrR76B7BRz1W1wPa3beTZO0I8ZFN6RwHKpdHHKG12MLfrc8/s1600/P4120734.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkzDR9hggZbvfuvy2JZQRTxDNou2-XnCx97Nlh-Xsfg3S9L1l14Gs4KLUss5k_cd_o4wu2EFVnBr0o3cOFP3xj9n4OywkJdrR76B7BRz1W1wPa3beTZO0I8ZFN6RwHKpdHHKG12MLfrc8/s400/P4120734.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5596345691285980626" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:78%;">Aubrey on a solid one somewhere on the North Island, can't quite remember...</span><br /></div><br />Pine forestry is NZ’s <a href="http://www.maf.govt.nz/forestry.aspx">third largest industry</a>, amounting to NZ$5 billion per year and employing 20,000 people. Seven percent of NZ is planted to pine forest, or 1.7 million hectares.<br /><br />NZ has an <span style="font-weight: bold;">incredible amount of natural resources</span> for such a small place and with so few people. Water and land is abundant, and it would seem that there would be no end in sight, and predictions are that the forestry industry will “grow” even further.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWm7zsuFzXtfJlzegyRWxI5qWrDtTv_8fIg9oLuggT0aQpMMH24yzbWKdK5oa7-16iD0bJ9Wf1sqKvw5VrisLjBYuqgJeW3Sg34oewrUDEWw5Pp-i-sy-I7GjNIp7TVdKtRAF04a_bCPY/s1600/P4110709.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWm7zsuFzXtfJlzegyRWxI5qWrDtTv_8fIg9oLuggT0aQpMMH24yzbWKdK5oa7-16iD0bJ9Wf1sqKvw5VrisLjBYuqgJeW3Sg34oewrUDEWw5Pp-i-sy-I7GjNIp7TVdKtRAF04a_bCPY/s400/P4110709.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5596345686873568002" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:78%;">Paua (NZ abalone) thrive in the rich waters.<br />Silting of rivers from deforestation could threaten the sensitive molluscs.</span><br /></div><br />What’s wrong with Pine trees you may ask? Nothing really. Yet like most issues, <span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;">the devil is in the details</span>…<br /><br />Pine Forest establishment starts out with <span style="font-weight: bold;">spraying herbicides</span> to create open soil from unused land or pasture, in both cases once native forest. Around <a style="font-weight: bold;" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Deforestation_in_New_Zealand">75% of NZ native forests have been logged</a>, as NZ was renowned for quality timbers such as Kauri (Agathis australis), which fed a growing population in both the home country and Australia.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhk8l76Pk8pWXQJ9SCQTsIhZP4Skuy6scNoon7pZ6kOE5bSbCGbkkj6y2agJf6BkGoUNEYZ4lquQZBIP-6imlmjEFe2oYykTk0U3_sl5YqtSILhAZObzlp1pt8wXH-3PZYLma4FLr7gNWY/s1600/P4080550.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhk8l76Pk8pWXQJ9SCQTsIhZP4Skuy6scNoon7pZ6kOE5bSbCGbkkj6y2agJf6BkGoUNEYZ4lquQZBIP-6imlmjEFe2oYykTk0U3_sl5YqtSILhAZObzlp1pt8wXH-3PZYLma4FLr7gNWY/s400/P4080550.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5596338191718556770" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:78%;">A common site on NZ roads, trucks loaded with pine logs.</span><br /></div><br />Deforestation coupled with high rainfall has led to serious degradation of soils through erosion. Many sites were deemed unusable after slash and burn harvesting. Even today, the pine forest plantations are <span style="font-weight: bold;">clear-cut</span>, with resultant soil loss, which affects fisheries and groundwater reserves.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5LYqw5yMpXuTSzHU-GiC4ZOVqgdxUbg1D0VVUX2ap5nmQCEJhZitsWlbcObAIeo4HQOoSwefc5-kakXR6NWDc7Vvn0mkJTZS_9nJSOGka07aR2AwHqzuXbYluaM0U-T8oMb5aLQKZKOk/s1600/P4060502.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5LYqw5yMpXuTSzHU-GiC4ZOVqgdxUbg1D0VVUX2ap5nmQCEJhZitsWlbcObAIeo4HQOoSwefc5-kakXR6NWDc7Vvn0mkJTZS_9nJSOGka07aR2AwHqzuXbYluaM0U-T8oMb5aLQKZKOk/s400/P4060502.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5596357645908515010" border="0" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQdUeGJoDKJ8DX-WfA3Vm8q_TBGcKx-Ob7fmPZDZ-CwGj8IJEs4GSERK5BHYyopx3dLmj19D1t5C3dcvrFraySd9mSorT2IaGOD-p3o6ve8lagBFwJNUXlW-xd5XWJpVO9UQp63Vfr3h8/s1600/P4100627.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 284px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQdUeGJoDKJ8DX-WfA3Vm8q_TBGcKx-Ob7fmPZDZ-CwGj8IJEs4GSERK5BHYyopx3dLmj19D1t5C3dcvrFraySd9mSorT2IaGOD-p3o6ve8lagBFwJNUXlW-xd5XWJpVO9UQp63Vfr3h8/s400/P4100627.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5596342517985156578" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:78%;">The common practice of harvesting pine plantations is clear cutting using heavy equipment which scars the land. </span><br /></div><br />Often, pine forests are the only viable alternative to land-owners with degraded sites. <span style="font-weight: bold;">Carbon Credits</span> are sold on the open market to cover planting costs, yet the credits must be paid back upon harvest, so the credits are like a loan. Carbon sequestration is halted when the forest is cut, so it is <a href="http://www.nzgreen.org.nz/carbon">debatable</a> whether this is truly a solution for combating green house gasses.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwK5o-dTeUlJleIEnIAfYwN2vwCcUdjh8gbGA07zzMR9_uYAg9mYCoTApL83eCNm5ZQdKOCzJNwjrGMNN4efPJcb2ZkuJvOtD5k4JCzIKSKuKikAN8dzwspz4YT_I8XoIMS_RKp9fWGYI/s1600/P4090599.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 208px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwK5o-dTeUlJleIEnIAfYwN2vwCcUdjh8gbGA07zzMR9_uYAg9mYCoTApL83eCNm5ZQdKOCzJNwjrGMNN4efPJcb2ZkuJvOtD5k4JCzIKSKuKikAN8dzwspz4YT_I8XoIMS_RKp9fWGYI/s400/P4090599.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5596347742076174642" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:78%;">Another empty one...</span><br /></div><br />Another issue is that of <span style="font-weight: bold;">genetic engineering</span>. A NZ company was recently <a href="http://www.scionresearch.com/general/news-and-events/media-releases/2010-media-releases/Scions-application-to-grow-genetically-modified-pine-trees-approved">granted permission</a> to plant a research plot of <a href="http://www.scionresearch.com/research/forest-science/tree-improvement/molecular-breeding/genetic-modification">GM pines</a> infused with the genes of the bacterium, Bacillus thuringiensis, or Bt, to combat insect pests.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGBrNkSJF3gcz5l-Mb-D4VBsE3qyzd-i8Zb2kCf4pn6rwmyf-04c8S6pRJab1xrGT2ffxSn2JtpXP5d1nU_tBo8uMmbw1B6TTHVOL0-Ryltl-3RTak_1Gae_EMUEm49Ao74XKEg2R23BI/s1600/P4110700.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGBrNkSJF3gcz5l-Mb-D4VBsE3qyzd-i8Zb2kCf4pn6rwmyf-04c8S6pRJab1xrGT2ffxSn2JtpXP5d1nU_tBo8uMmbw1B6TTHVOL0-Ryltl-3RTak_1Gae_EMUEm49Ao74XKEg2R23BI/s400/P4110700.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5596345682467346770" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:78%;">This guy isn't too keen on genetic engineering...</span><br /></div><br />The <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Transgenic_maize">jury is still out</a> on the positive or negative effects of transgenic organisms on people and other life forms. More research is definitely needed before releasing these genes into the environment. This also presupposes that industry intends to patent pine trees, making it illegal to propagate them, further creating an <span style="font-weight: bold;">agribusiness monopoly</span>.<br /><br />After harvest (every 28 years), one third of NZ timber is shipped out via sea in log form, with a majority of NZ timber ending up in China and other Asian countries. It is estimated that almost 10 million cubic meters of timber was <a href="http://nzwood.co.nz/industry-news/2010/07/26/wood-exports-set-to-reach-record-in-2010/">exported in 2010</a>. That amounts to 250 million kgs, or 625 million pounds of carbon exported out of NZ, directly from their soils and air (<a href="http://docs.google.com/viewer?a=v&q=cache:TgW_lgBrjYIJ:www.sampsongroup.com/Papers/Monitoring%2520and%2520Measuring%2520Wood%2520Carbon.pdf+amount+of+soil+in+cubic+meter+of+wood&hl=en&gl=nz&pid=bl&srcid=ADGEESjQeXuCs4ZRuG5wfECc0EviNyysNk3AQ80lqqs_DmkYvu8PO8vDLvxeClWWnFNv_rUjtBFnYqw0tvQN1Apga8jM0bgN2d-YZyDYlAtPIsPITm0jumrZIWVQRwRanc2zGDfrs3K2&sig=AHIEtbQZBoXtvcekei3vMnRPHEjEEu_RnA">click for calcs</a>). <span style="font-style: italic;"> Take that out of the carbon credit budget.</span><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisPcXGJpACYQQE5x2-PWWYQAGHayP5gwcKBlvnYR8hyp5xauRWPCYEH5wapYelAJjjxmIkM6joPo3dLHQRZSPszKczzj6tdekxjVzXPL47oOTDyCUQxmk0KdJTrdDb-59TfnlVOGKetHU/s1600/P4080549.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisPcXGJpACYQQE5x2-PWWYQAGHayP5gwcKBlvnYR8hyp5xauRWPCYEH5wapYelAJjjxmIkM6joPo3dLHQRZSPszKczzj6tdekxjVzXPL47oOTDyCUQxmk0KdJTrdDb-59TfnlVOGKetHU/s400/P4080549.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5596338186670585042" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:78%;">Logs ready for shipping out in Gisborne harbor. NZ supplies almost 2% of the worlds' wood supply. </span><br /></div><br />So in reality, <span style="font-weight: bold;">NZ is exporting a large percentage of their soils</span> when they export wood. This further leads to degradation of soil structure.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj544fcci5Ykk-I1v72DlhyphenhyphenNPCcrAAuUCoSogLRK1UTaY6rdBKw2aMFfxKDxEbjN1yM-ooFoEaqE7GFvlWO5K09_Lxai7XeAhVlyQ5b9Yzh0MIkmZdlkVtB6EbJOQq8GW2cjzB-IJvIHKk/s1600/P4090614.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj544fcci5Ykk-I1v72DlhyphenhyphenNPCcrAAuUCoSogLRK1UTaY6rdBKw2aMFfxKDxEbjN1yM-ooFoEaqE7GFvlWO5K09_Lxai7XeAhVlyQ5b9Yzh0MIkmZdlkVtB6EbJOQq8GW2cjzB-IJvIHKk/s400/P4090614.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5596355852044710514" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:78%;">Aubrey and Becca met up with their friend Niki in the surf randomly... small world! Niki is a local charger and environmental activist who lives on the East Coast of the North Island.</span><br /></div><br />It is no doubt that <span style="font-weight: bold;">most Kiwis would prefer to preserve and protect their land</span> if given the option. People we met were proud of their country and were aware of the rest of the world’s view of their green islands. Untold economic pressures have forced people to push much of their land to the brink, and the future of their country may hang in the balance.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirREMRbvWotgbfcnGiJGIBOL8xWT-eNtXskRROl0yaz4uinADIXiI4-xbQS0u-JqfHeAqA8BL2AP_AGftQlOy_Iu3KvGsTVWdl0wmcJ2BnOsI82tVnvXHVr7jFqG480TwCjNaZJYyzyEw/s1600/P4120756.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirREMRbvWotgbfcnGiJGIBOL8xWT-eNtXskRROl0yaz4uinADIXiI4-xbQS0u-JqfHeAqA8BL2AP_AGftQlOy_Iu3KvGsTVWdl0wmcJ2BnOsI82tVnvXHVr7jFqG480TwCjNaZJYyzyEw/s400/P4120756.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5596347732964419266" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:78%;">Its all about the set up...</span><br /></div><br />We are not implying that farming pines is evil- it is far better than grazing or intensive farming. Furthermore, NZ is indeed better suited to growing wood than other countries, but at what cost?<br /><br />The <span style="font-weight: bold;">worlds’ demand for wood is ever increasing</span>, and NZ is just supplying a need for timber to build homes in countries that cannot provide their own wood for construction. <span style="font-weight: bold;">Other options exist</span>, however, for both carbon credits and materials for home building.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6pPMVQoQsOfzmYkUFUjRxbqjnaO7Bo45Du8E3qGuvN4q2i0890_LfNMJCWYlz3xW5jjFBLRDs8K6Pk_gqSFu14i07PdTVi5optoJgV36fxOEHDW788EIT_H3iZEtkz2LJKKzRTvwS9nU/s1600/P4130791.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 278px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6pPMVQoQsOfzmYkUFUjRxbqjnaO7Bo45Du8E3qGuvN4q2i0890_LfNMJCWYlz3xW5jjFBLRDs8K6Pk_gqSFu14i07PdTVi5optoJgV36fxOEHDW788EIT_H3iZEtkz2LJKKzRTvwS9nU/s400/P4130791.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5596347737859929442" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:78%;">Lots of wind turbines in the land of lots of wind.</span><br /></div><br />We always try to look at both sides of the issue, and <span style="font-weight: bold;">suggest solutions that are a win-win</span>. Building from <span style="font-weight: bold;">natural and local materials</span> is always preferred to imported materials. Cob construction, building from the earth, is a viable option, even in NZ. We visited a cob home built in the 1850’s that is still standing and lookin’ good.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEju5_R-zfe5w1xVYTZLRQycZ438Bm3tcUvFP8r61c8UF2w8X-SB4CE5xTIifngcdOoLzrzzqio54wiFCbg3GwJ33I6e0wocgXp46C0kI3oBk3KA9vCvlmFqOjff0Fdq7ZfmAlZa_vB-bxg/s1600/P4140836.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEju5_R-zfe5w1xVYTZLRQycZ438Bm3tcUvFP8r61c8UF2w8X-SB4CE5xTIifngcdOoLzrzzqio54wiFCbg3GwJ33I6e0wocgXp46C0kI3oBk3KA9vCvlmFqOjff0Fdq7ZfmAlZa_vB-bxg/s400/P4140836.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5596345695176850594" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:78%;">Cob house built in the 1860's.<br /></span></div><br />If we promote <span style="font-weight: bold;">truly sustainable building</span>, we can reduce our need for imported and exported wood, and NZ soils and water reserves will benefit. Native forest that is not harvested sequesters far more carbon and provides many more ecological benefits like improved habitat for endangered species and groundwater infiltration.<br /><br />Fortunately, there are several options for land-owners who wish to promote native forest regeneration. The <a href="http://www.maf.govt.nz/forestry/funding-programmes/permanent-forest-sink-initiative.aspx">Permanent Forest Sink Initiative</a> creates <span style="font-weight: bold;">funding for the planting of native trees</span>, and several organizations offer services to sell carbon credits for native forests.<br />(<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zDcUJxuwQws&feature=player_embedded#at=16">click for video of carbon farming with native trees</a>)<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEit6N-LAsOzheg0wN82roJt8gCmb_6ak_oEveT2fSn72iZCyFv3EbLXKlIHW_eXD-xEzoitWiEnqKpuYQ7kTTMcgfN72OGyka2lrgxSqlmuk0TS_POxErfeN5CbS6UjfHii0zDHQQuqdQs/s1600/P4110646.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEit6N-LAsOzheg0wN82roJt8gCmb_6ak_oEveT2fSn72iZCyFv3EbLXKlIHW_eXD-xEzoitWiEnqKpuYQ7kTTMcgfN72OGyka2lrgxSqlmuk0TS_POxErfeN5CbS6UjfHii0zDHQQuqdQs/s400/P4110646.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5596355856050837762" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:78%;">Sara, Aubrey, and Becca checkin' it.</span><br /></div><br />New Zealand indeed <span style="font-weight: bold;">leads the world in many areas</span>, including environmental protection. Unfortunately the global market has made carbon a commodity, and financial gains often outweigh true sustainability.<br /><br />If we can incentivize the planting of native trees, and also promote natural building, NZ and the world will benefit, as opposed to short-term gains that really benefit nobody in the long run.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEid20kX-ZkUth_yAYtdY2lF6uNn96ovHx9EECBiV46tRdBlNHE-brn0j2rpIjraRXPJcNsOG4qrot8F427Ve7q8nRhckiDzDYbNIcda2zYBjNGQbbDKcEobGpStMy6WVt_b-r6HxNw-G9k/s1600/P4120763.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEid20kX-ZkUth_yAYtdY2lF6uNn96ovHx9EECBiV46tRdBlNHE-brn0j2rpIjraRXPJcNsOG4qrot8F427Ve7q8nRhckiDzDYbNIcda2zYBjNGQbbDKcEobGpStMy6WVt_b-r6HxNw-G9k/s400/P4120763.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5596355848566972562" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:78%;">The long walk to surf... </span><br /></div><br />We finally made it to Wellington and parted ways with our friends Becca and Sara. Sara is looking into graduate schools in NZ for Environmental Science and Management. She works in Hawaii protecting native plants and birds, and has chosen NZ as a place to further her career in land stewardship.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjD3znc-lIkd93P2ql7kLX-qkQCeXkDs58PBdGQc1nzvHrw8ngluLZvsAy3yyH6xkZPeZTaTEjIoG6vUVUFjit8efc30SHykqnBvB3KNKXb8-3VxTrv_pHu3fQsya9vM4J15eDHqPAmiMU/s1600/P4110707.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjD3znc-lIkd93P2ql7kLX-qkQCeXkDs58PBdGQc1nzvHrw8ngluLZvsAy3yyH6xkZPeZTaTEjIoG6vUVUFjit8efc30SHykqnBvB3KNKXb8-3VxTrv_pHu3fQsya9vM4J15eDHqPAmiMU/s400/P4110707.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5596342520758307266" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:78%;">Really crazy seaweed... full of air pockets like bubble wrap.<br /><br /></span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8ECRlfhDw5x3auaNLA47HpCRHWKAuS89QnJE5s81wvjjfZu5PuKEeD3i_D54ruu-frVFtToYvToOhKclCXo7zOEJQkyaohLrBZd012CX4Hfkk5MgPpZupedrhjFNyNI0-4yiqC8A2Mb4/s1600/P4110703.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8ECRlfhDw5x3auaNLA47HpCRHWKAuS89QnJE5s81wvjjfZu5PuKEeD3i_D54ruu-frVFtToYvToOhKclCXo7zOEJQkyaohLrBZd012CX4Hfkk5MgPpZupedrhjFNyNI0-4yiqC8A2Mb4/s400/P4110703.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5596345682975083314" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:78%;">Nature has thought of it all, and never ceases to amaze...</span><br /></div><br />SWoBs are now traveling to the South Island and Christchurch, which continues to have after shocks of significant size. We hope to help the people of this historic town in any way we can… stay tuned!<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUFKCItH6bq3j0RmxPJBIXG5GvWiGZNHuShY05bUzGaty60Fp87HfrXQ9LeLb7RiBz65d21gL1pbdMc7k_pJCWXOEjsmNgNWenWs_CS2kS-Da0Mb4iEdMJhy4oXVMBYIDOCYrU7pD3ctE/s1600/P4110692.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUFKCItH6bq3j0RmxPJBIXG5GvWiGZNHuShY05bUzGaty60Fp87HfrXQ9LeLb7RiBz65d21gL1pbdMc7k_pJCWXOEjsmNgNWenWs_CS2kS-Da0Mb4iEdMJhy4oXVMBYIDOCYrU7pD3ctE/s400/P4110692.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5596357641474053746" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Links:</span><br />Carbon Credits from Native Forests:<br /><a href="http://www.nzgreen.org.nz/how_it_works">http://www.nzgreen.org.nz/how_it_works</a><br /><a href="http://www.ebex21.co.nz/">http://www.ebex21.co.nz/</a><br /><br />Video of carbon farming:<br /><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zDcUJxuwQws&feature=player_embedded#at=16">http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zDcUJxuwQws&feature=player_embedded#at=16</a><br /><br />Permanent Forest Sink Initiative:<br /><a href="http://www.maf.govt.nz/forestry/funding-programmes/permanent-forest-sink-initiative.aspx">http://www.maf.govt.nz/forestry/funding-programmes/permanent-forest-sink-initiative.aspx</a>SWoBshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08161414403059411227noreply@blogger.com99tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2981031667524638180.post-29410298855292504802011-02-14T19:24:00.000-08:002011-02-23T12:23:49.749-08:00Plastic to Oil!<div style="text-align: left;"><style>@font-face { font-family: "Times New Roman"; }@font-face { font-family: "Arial"; }p.MsoNormal, li.MsoNormal, div.MsoNormal { margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Times New Roman"; }table.MsoNormalTable { font-size:</style><br />For the past several years, <span style="font-weight: bold;">Surfers Without Borders have been researching various methods of producing energy from waste</span>. While there are many clean ways to get electricity from biomass or organic matter, we were <span>particularly looking for ways to</span><span style="font-weight: bold;"> create an incentive for people to clean up the ocean</span>, mainly the plastic that has gathered itself and our attention in the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/North_Pacific_Gyre">Northern Pacific Gyre</a>.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdgIMDESaq4zPg9k5RQdYimDy_VBSJq1PHYLCcaoYiU5swYCNrAIz_uu5ID9ZHTXrzhFLRq1ZJSq_E1WMuZj6ltkdnCXeYv3g24Cq9XOg6MD8PBhF9bin1YzNZveHasaImbDVkSb6s3H0/s1600/North_Pacific_Subtropical_Convergence_Zone.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 290px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdgIMDESaq4zPg9k5RQdYimDy_VBSJq1PHYLCcaoYiU5swYCNrAIz_uu5ID9ZHTXrzhFLRq1ZJSq_E1WMuZj6ltkdnCXeYv3g24Cq9XOg6MD8PBhF9bin1YzNZveHasaImbDVkSb6s3H0/s400/North_Pacific_Subtropical_Convergence_Zone.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5575158293187845426" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;">The Northern Pacific Subtropical Convergence Zone<br />aka the Pacific Garbage Patch<br /></span></div><br />There are more convergence zones than the Pacific Garbage Patch, and a total of <span style="font-weight: bold;">5 major gyres</span>. We now know with reasonable certainty that plastic is indeed accumulating in all of these areas of the ocean. <span style="font-weight: bold;"><br /><br />"Geez, Professor, thatsalotta plastic...</span> <span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;">Could it be worth something?</span><span style="font-weight: bold;">" </span><br />After all, its made from oil- isn't it?<br /><br />After many sessions surfing the internet, we came across a pretty promising process and series of machines designed by the <a href="http://www.blest.co.jp/englishcatalogue.html">Blest Corporation</a> of Japan.<span style=""> </span>After contacting them we were put in touch with their US representatives, <a href="http://www.e-n-ergy.com/">E-N-ergy Inc.</a><br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtAUMZWUDUe3v5i7uftivwcs3-uYXfThPHzoy2ZQQA3cknSy5eYdiNkhEPNbQEuVz0fgcUdTy2EEbbun5Jq5lxOtR0e8Xz59n-m-iYIduZlo6TsjgK1kHg-UHytmWRCF4KobgxyuIHE9Q/s1600/P2110119.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtAUMZWUDUe3v5i7uftivwcs3-uYXfThPHzoy2ZQQA3cknSy5eYdiNkhEPNbQEuVz0fgcUdTy2EEbbun5Jq5lxOtR0e8Xz59n-m-iYIduZlo6TsjgK1kHg-UHytmWRCF4KobgxyuIHE9Q/s400/P2110119.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5575198522829408978" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;">Jason Tanne, Harry, and Rod Sato of E-N-ergy</span><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><p class="MsoNormal"> </p> <p class="MsoNormal">This last week, <span>E-N-ergy visited Surfers Without Borders at the <a href="http://www.earthisland.org/index.php/projects/orella-stewardship-institute/">Orella Stewardship Institute</a> to</span><span style="font-weight: bold;"> demonstrate the innovation that turns common household plastics into usable oil </span><span>(<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RXMCgaWCX-0">click here</a> to watch the video of the demonstration- 3 parts)</span>. The machines range from a small desktop units to large continuous processing machines and refiners that can handle up to multiple tons of plastic waste.</p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJ1HtxNYcbOnoSpScXvHEth28lgBIgJ2L4zYmijXnqx4UhdwB3K2H4SdfpQelHlMP5DxlDSl7G8VfYlku56PrFz88IbN51iHJBDXZvfY0Mi1x_tsVVdkkr8tFBzwqOCR2s-8GQNk7WLUQ/s1600/P2110112.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJ1HtxNYcbOnoSpScXvHEth28lgBIgJ2L4zYmijXnqx4UhdwB3K2H4SdfpQelHlMP5DxlDSl7G8VfYlku56PrFz88IbN51iHJBDXZvfY0Mi1x_tsVVdkkr8tFBzwqOCR2s-8GQNk7WLUQ/s400/P2110112.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5575120286030394018" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-size:85%;">Over 50 people came out to view the Plastic to Oil demo<br />hosted by Orella Stewardship Institute<br /></span></span></div> <p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p> <p class="MsoNormal"> </p> <p class="MsoNormal">The Blest Be-h desktop unit was on hand <span style="font-weight: bold;">converting plastic grocery bags, milk and water jugs, margarine and yogurt containers into oil that can run generators and other engines</span>.<span style=""> </span>The desktop unit is ideal for classrooms, small offices or home use. (<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WQQcm0auP1s&feature=player_embedded">click here</a> to watch a video of the process)<br /></p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtvWlUOR5EAhDJuODANGpFdp-H5moa82RJ7CAmo9FxJHsU3F53nX8FF5zAmHDu7X4YoTs1iImoe_OU9tGwUB941gIBL8H6WzbCminNGVUGZwGjEgj395YjCszBZiGJ8LwlcuwAezwt-yY/s1600/P2110114.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtvWlUOR5EAhDJuODANGpFdp-H5moa82RJ7CAmo9FxJHsU3F53nX8FF5zAmHDu7X4YoTs1iImoe_OU9tGwUB941gIBL8H6WzbCminNGVUGZwGjEgj395YjCszBZiGJ8LwlcuwAezwt-yY/s400/P2110114.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5575120288015339890" border="0" /></a></p><p style="text-align: center;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:85%;">Cutting up an old tupperware for processing</span><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p> <p class="MsoNormal"> </p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Plastics of type #2, #4, #5, #6 and some #7 are usable, including bags, wrappers, and other thin film plastics that are not recyclable</span> (which are also the most damaging to the environment).<span style=""><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGi9ayzkiZEkoCnNgNnmvY7ANEOCxBWqC8Lk73Z6nkcqiWm9HL9VoeeWAzAgbWTOdexxAAvtHqyk6Ax2f36HQDcFLDlt27p_RfvUfVx7nsWsj4_DwEWXYxANuYgUMOV4c-LXLX1ahRjF8/s1600/recyclables.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 309px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGi9ayzkiZEkoCnNgNnmvY7ANEOCxBWqC8Lk73Z6nkcqiWm9HL9VoeeWAzAgbWTOdexxAAvtHqyk6Ax2f36HQDcFLDlt27p_RfvUfVx7nsWsj4_DwEWXYxANuYgUMOV4c-LXLX1ahRjF8/s400/recyclables.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5575243532134382482" border="0" /></a></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style=""> </span>The plastics are put into the melting chamber where they are heated to around <span style="font-weight: bold;">420 deg C</span>, at which point the plastic boils and the hot gasses are run through a water bath to be condensed into oil.</p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCiTq6hQuRu2a38sdgz9M595PI4sIJzGcLlGZFOZrmvbgjMnGjhuOSabYiA6b9Oe-ZsuGfsv64TRyv6N6DBKX-xScicY3GAnaGfojXdJagtxzj7oEu87OZytA1WXiWCre1ow5aBsgFXhg/s1600/P2110125.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCiTq6hQuRu2a38sdgz9M595PI4sIJzGcLlGZFOZrmvbgjMnGjhuOSabYiA6b9Oe-ZsuGfsv64TRyv6N6DBKX-xScicY3GAnaGfojXdJagtxzj7oEu87OZytA1WXiWCre1ow5aBsgFXhg/s400/P2110125.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5575204750090762514" border="0" /></a></p><p style="text-align: center;" class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><p style="text-align: center;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:85%;">The machine in action- the cylinder on the right contains the gas from plastic that has<br /></span></p><p style="text-align: center;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:85%;">heated and is being condensed through normal tap water</span><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjn4vIVKWWiZoY4NFPU3Z2xTxo9ZzeO8tdNeqT3G6P14FgLFGCE5tMAO2cgb-6MvxsrjTIwes1jMaVFDsAiDwojRr5RcFnIkA8fTvYs3mLvMk7z1D3nG6rKBNKa2m6rF5TiWyxEnpyO014/s1600/P2110129.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjn4vIVKWWiZoY4NFPU3Z2xTxo9ZzeO8tdNeqT3G6P14FgLFGCE5tMAO2cgb-6MvxsrjTIwes1jMaVFDsAiDwojRr5RcFnIkA8fTvYs3mLvMk7z1D3nG6rKBNKa2m6rF5TiWyxEnpyO014/s400/P2110129.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5575117013504139090" border="0" /></a></p><p class="MsoNormal"></p><p style="text-align: center;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:85%;">Touchscreen makes for easy operation</span><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p> <p class="MsoNormal"> </p> <p class="MsoNormal">The desktop unit uses 1 kilowatt of electricity to convert 1 kilogram of plastic into <span style="font-weight: bold;">1 liter of oil, at a cost of around US $0.25</span>.<span style=""> </span>The oil can then be further refined back through the same machine into gasoline, kerosene, and diesel.<span style=""> </span>A small amount of ash is left over, and the off-gasses are turned into CO2 and water with a catalytic converter, or can be used to run a generator.</p><p class="MsoNormal"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlQm0nKtBEQ-_FpCDUtGoG3tNa384nvZrvpkpmtks6Oshi5bjs8xo1N0TEBVQ9K0S0y267e5SQEkksPdD0O3t3PwhzXR6WgynAARKR6Td9Pxif5GQW264fe1Zf-atd4P3va6_MEKxU4E8/s1600/plastic+to+oil+systems.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 310px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlQm0nKtBEQ-_FpCDUtGoG3tNa384nvZrvpkpmtks6Oshi5bjs8xo1N0TEBVQ9K0S0y267e5SQEkksPdD0O3t3PwhzXR6WgynAARKR6Td9Pxif5GQW264fe1Zf-atd4P3va6_MEKxU4E8/s400/plastic+to+oil+systems.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5575243524885221298" border="0" /></a></p><p class="MsoNormal"> </p> <p class="MsoNormal">The process is called <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pyrolysis">pyrolysis</a>- and is a tried and true method for converting almost any type of material into energy.<span style=""> </span>Material is super heated in the absence of oxygen- so does not combust, but vaporizes into gas.<span style=""> </span>Since there is no combustion, <span style="font-weight: bold;">the process is relatively clean.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiev_6mpwkBpUk6V5AW1TJVYXy1TPjqasDiDft0LIHygX9FUCQ1iy7t4i2cjmP7u2uIW3NxUG1qhRHr2btLIjPQDmhOnCMHhiJROcAqaCV4g0bavR3Swk9tti84OE-YP9nsjiKHgMh_q0k/s1600/P2110123.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiev_6mpwkBpUk6V5AW1TJVYXy1TPjqasDiDft0LIHygX9FUCQ1iy7t4i2cjmP7u2uIW3NxUG1qhRHr2btLIjPQDmhOnCMHhiJROcAqaCV4g0bavR3Swk9tti84OE-YP9nsjiKHgMh_q0k/s400/P2110123.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5575117017591171442" border="0" /></a></p> <p style="text-align: center;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:85%;">Mark Morey and Glenn of SB Surfrider talk with Harry of E-N-ergy</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal">Joining us for the demo were representatives of <span style="font-weight: bold;">various interest groups in Santa Barbara, including the City and County solid waste managers</span>. SWoBs is trying to bring together all of the players in our area who have the influence to bring this technology to our area.</p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjL-BaM5V4PFux1G4eLCExJbWpqhtaxxk-TbEo3rVxFvY7hpLqelv6Xw3gY1xoZ33jUdWGXLZ8G5PNa_bDf4j0qVOc53I9LTl06JhJnGo7jBC9XC02y2uuGW_6rD2B4ss1AjgvCEt9lD4M/s1600/P2110121.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 290px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjL-BaM5V4PFux1G4eLCExJbWpqhtaxxk-TbEo3rVxFvY7hpLqelv6Xw3gY1xoZ33jUdWGXLZ8G5PNa_bDf4j0qVOc53I9LTl06JhJnGo7jBC9XC02y2uuGW_6rD2B4ss1AjgvCEt9lD4M/s400/P2110121.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5575198526538448706" border="0" /></a></p><p style="text-align: center;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:85%;">Rod Sato of E-N-ergy in blue on left talks with (l to r) Carlyle Johnston and Mark Tautrim of SB County Public Works Waste Management Division, and Eric Lohela, Environmental Specialist with the City of SB Recycling and Trash Division. In the background are Russ Teall of BioDiesel Industries and Micheal Chiacos of the Community Environmental Council. </span><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal">Santa Barbara County just recently put out a bid for waste conversion technologies, as our landfill is over 50% capacity and <span style="font-weight: bold;">we need to start looking at alternatives to dumping our trash into a hole in the ground</span>. This process seemed promising, with a City employee stating he was "Cautiously optimistic."<br /></p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZHlsv8CtzDDR-umutYcWrWqsvn33XfFzYYD-wJ5B-90ktn2JViURX5ojPfy5Fs3fjPHVYMYL5GHMu14KhjVVoZCtG0zeiqrI38I5QpvLhFZMlFxF-lPhaJrtsATUwqWTcLYxIphFi5rg/s1600/P2110138.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZHlsv8CtzDDR-umutYcWrWqsvn33XfFzYYD-wJ5B-90ktn2JViURX5ojPfy5Fs3fjPHVYMYL5GHMu14KhjVVoZCtG0zeiqrI38I5QpvLhFZMlFxF-lPhaJrtsATUwqWTcLYxIphFi5rg/s400/P2110138.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5575117003763666578" border="0" /></a></p><p style="text-align: center;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:85%;">The Blester Be-h desktop unit<br /></span></p><p style="text-align: center;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:85%;">The oil is visible as the upper dark layer of liquid in the cylinder on the right</span><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p> <p class="MsoNormal"> </p> <p class="MsoNormal">While this technology is <span style="font-weight: bold;">not a silver bullet</span> for the issue of marine debris, it is a start.<span style=""> </span>The real value of this process is to demonstrate that <span style="font-weight: bold;">plastic is a resource,</span> even that which cannot be recycled, like all those silly bags of corn chips and candy bars.<br /></p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /><span style=""> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"> </p> <p class="MsoNormal">Furthermore- we are <span style="font-style: italic;">not implying that we should continue to use more and more plastic because we can convert it to fuel</span>.<span style=""> </span>This technology offers one solution for plastic that is already in circulation, particularly that which is circulating the globe in the ocean. We must also continue to look at replacing plastics with other biodegradable or benign materials, like wax paper.<br /></p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal"></p><p class="MsoNormal"> </p> <p class="MsoNormal">If we as humans can <span style="font-weight: bold;">shift our perception of “waste”</span>, we can create jobs that clean up the planet.<span style=""> </span>If we consider our <span style="font-weight: bold;">trash as treasure</span>, people will think twice about throwing things “away”, wherever that is.</p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><p style="font-style: italic;" class="MsoNormal">Read more about Blest machines and the process at E-N-ergy's blog:</p><p class="MsoNormal"><a href="http://www.e-n-ergy.blogspot.com/">http://www.e-n-ergy.blogspot.com/</a><br /></p> <p class="MsoNormal"> </p> <p class="MsoNormal"> </p>SWoBshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08161414403059411227noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2981031667524638180.post-59325459819003848242010-10-09T13:01:00.000-07:002010-10-09T17:05:41.620-07:0010-10-10: Can We Save the World?<span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;font-size:130%;" >Does the world even need saving? </span><br />With all of the global crises lately- global warming, plastic in the ocean, oil spills- it sure seems that way. But the Earth will most likely not die or disappear if these crises remained unaddressed- but we will, just like the Dodo.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyKF-tVmit1ldgHmKCeVC7ruTHTkgO3X3w-MuseT81sUqZpzkTU8dms3hCfBtSOxCR98hEx2XbUcNwwKa6bst2e7tbFMePTvON-GYcGTKu0wpM7vqLr2HfGE6XIktKqKIPMegWRIjeAp0/s1600/deforestation.gif"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 257px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyKF-tVmit1ldgHmKCeVC7ruTHTkgO3X3w-MuseT81sUqZpzkTU8dms3hCfBtSOxCR98hEx2XbUcNwwKa6bst2e7tbFMePTvON-GYcGTKu0wpM7vqLr2HfGE6XIktKqKIPMegWRIjeAp0/s400/deforestation.gif" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5526172973393692242" border="0" /></a><br />Every gallon of oil in the ocean, every degree the Earth heats, just makes life a little more difficult for us, not to mention the myriad species of plants and animals that are not as adaptable as humans. And nobody wants more challenges, more difficulty, or more stress.<br /><br />So what we are really talking about is preservation- preservation of a quality of life, as well as species and habitats. But we must go beyond preservation at this point- just merely keeping the status quo is not enough. We must regenerate what we have destroyed in order to re-create the natural bounty enjoyed by our ancestors.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7TiVZMjKbKSV0sqtJbJNDBp6SqA3Z3cvyfn5qiU1bkRZXf65HEUOT6s8mjHofFwlB24MtwYkN1Nhs6FVysDo7Nen5yoPlBf2dSFjkIJ5Hnvsy3HHh4tOaUo54QVpRoL3ASBN3yt7yzFQ/s1600/350-carrotmob-logo-transparent+2.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 203px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7TiVZMjKbKSV0sqtJbJNDBp6SqA3Z3cvyfn5qiU1bkRZXf65HEUOT6s8mjHofFwlB24MtwYkN1Nhs6FVysDo7Nen5yoPlBf2dSFjkIJ5Hnvsy3HHh4tOaUo54QVpRoL3ASBN3yt7yzFQ/s400/350-carrotmob-logo-transparent+2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5526177975707950162" border="0" /></a><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;font-size:130%;" >Tomorrow is 10-10-10</span><br />This day was selected by the folks at <a href="http://www.350.org/">350.org</a> to challenge people to reduce their carbon footprint by 10% in the next year, with the goal to drop global CO2 concentrations to pre-industrial levels of 350 ppm.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;">Take the 10-10-10 challenge and join an existing event, create your own, or take the personal pledge to reduce you own emissions over the next year.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;font-size:130%;" >3 (incredibly easy and fun) ways you can reduce your CO2 footprint:</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">1. Grow (at least some of) your own food:</span><br />Planting a garden is not only funner and fresher, you also cut out an incredible amount of CO2 by reducing <a href="http://attra.ncat.org/attra-pub/foodmiles.html">food miles</a>.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPq9jRXDLIpRaiGHxQZOUaYiOuhmAmUZIIMkmjLo7mX3B1g_hu6hsa0je24PqBo_ysvRyI1G4be-u4cNSGTlG_k-jbo9FdoRpPk0WGlmkEYUxo8QVHHWsnAkl6I2SqYTp6Omfl8xXLdeA/s1600/283-food-miles.gif"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 197px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPq9jRXDLIpRaiGHxQZOUaYiOuhmAmUZIIMkmjLo7mX3B1g_hu6hsa0je24PqBo_ysvRyI1G4be-u4cNSGTlG_k-jbo9FdoRpPk0WGlmkEYUxo8QVHHWsnAkl6I2SqYTp6Omfl8xXLdeA/s400/283-food-miles.gif" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5526140114368627474" border="0" /></a><br />Did you know that the average salad travels 1500 miles on its way to your table?<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj50Do_g0sV4MEVz8iSy6jnJGH8rgsr1uyIM5NDaARIyfrcWQ96htASgqK17lrwSSz1NASX2sGrwmcnXAsAtunSpcVubNldHFvqyCvEqWuhREI-Ey-EsJz3C8RzX_0J-MwK5m4aFO_bTQk/s1600/leopold+labels.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 326px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj50Do_g0sV4MEVz8iSy6jnJGH8rgsr1uyIM5NDaARIyfrcWQ96htASgqK17lrwSSz1NASX2sGrwmcnXAsAtunSpcVubNldHFvqyCvEqWuhREI-Ey-EsJz3C8RzX_0J-MwK5m4aFO_bTQk/s400/leopold+labels.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5526172981856095538" border="0" /></a><br />Speaking of salad, a mostly vegetarian diet creates far less greenhouse gasses (unless you eat a lot of beans...) If you can't grow your own, support a <a href="http://www.localharvest.org/">local farmer</a>.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMVq5XUcGhrHa4QsbMUchxSUkKGIuIC35gxBZfGAbJ8HVTEyMVOtxMuTFK4Ju-RJO9UNJrAh3Vfkt_ih8jd2lJR_Y674yJzJGkfm3AqQ6HQtH6W-O_F4LO9HHhhPoTx_hnbGGakafPGQo/s1600/Food+miles.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 227px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMVq5XUcGhrHa4QsbMUchxSUkKGIuIC35gxBZfGAbJ8HVTEyMVOtxMuTFK4Ju-RJO9UNJrAh3Vfkt_ih8jd2lJR_Y674yJzJGkfm3AqQ6HQtH6W-O_F4LO9HHhhPoTx_hnbGGakafPGQo/s400/Food+miles.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5526140115960512674" border="0" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdgl6EXq3bT9DHA_LQTixuTH6J3XuLreTHbakPzcOjFQDwhYv0tYBMyTPDR7A47CoVSOcIA41zITVBBUkSsW80PnJH3Lu-1Ps2FG7V0a9fjtFVXXQgnA01_9oi7Qfglu_K_3pUt1kcTxc/s1600/14604-Woman-Hanging-Clothes-On-A-Line-To-Dry-In-The-Sunshine-Clipart-Illustration.jpg"><br /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMVq5XUcGhrHa4QsbMUchxSUkKGIuIC35gxBZfGAbJ8HVTEyMVOtxMuTFK4Ju-RJO9UNJrAh3Vfkt_ih8jd2lJR_Y674yJzJGkfm3AqQ6HQtH6W-O_F4LO9HHhhPoTx_hnbGGakafPGQo/s1600/Food+miles.jpg"><br /></a> <span style="font-weight: bold;">2. Dry your clothes on a line instead of the dryer.</span><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdgl6EXq3bT9DHA_LQTixuTH6J3XuLreTHbakPzcOjFQDwhYv0tYBMyTPDR7A47CoVSOcIA41zITVBBUkSsW80PnJH3Lu-1Ps2FG7V0a9fjtFVXXQgnA01_9oi7Qfglu_K_3pUt1kcTxc/s1600/14604-Woman-Hanging-Clothes-On-A-Line-To-Dry-In-The-Sunshine-Clipart-Illustration.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 292px; height: 385px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdgl6EXq3bT9DHA_LQTixuTH6J3XuLreTHbakPzcOjFQDwhYv0tYBMyTPDR7A47CoVSOcIA41zITVBBUkSsW80PnJH3Lu-1Ps2FG7V0a9fjtFVXXQgnA01_9oi7Qfglu_K_3pUt1kcTxc/s400/14604-Woman-Hanging-Clothes-On-A-Line-To-Dry-In-The-Sunshine-Clipart-Illustration.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5526152739817343554" border="0" /></a><br />Just like Grandma used to do... Do you think she was stupid? She knew that she could save money by using good ol' fashioned solar energy to get her whites whiter.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLjWgx1DN17RuG1c6QiNrQj0rYX3iyPbNWOntieYZmHpW7rB3e0FTDJld_pNytCh2-_jJ9ajbWLAo1RyHh4EkkW5jauk4bvoZVJ2tFJ66mGoZ3OAn6CquUiAnFdjl7BrOwB86cYkxctNg/s1600/positive-proof-of-global-warming-300x174.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 174px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLjWgx1DN17RuG1c6QiNrQj0rYX3iyPbNWOntieYZmHpW7rB3e0FTDJld_pNytCh2-_jJ9ajbWLAo1RyHh4EkkW5jauk4bvoZVJ2tFJ66mGoZ3OAn6CquUiAnFdjl7BrOwB86cYkxctNg/s400/positive-proof-of-global-warming-300x174.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5526154315397673954" border="0" /></a><br />Not only can you save money, but you could keep around 1000 pounds of CO2 out of the atmosphere by line-drying for only six months out of the year!<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTD2bxTMpZhNxwcbB5UvgGjdaY8n9N44YhXo2h4Do4ldwr1s59utJb7iazCt4uArUkd_RGBkp2zNF4UvLxY05BiWMzP21t9cfLjzbsq0M1eQo4wE5nv2dVLVtXMzQk4DaAxLionwIBbHU/s1600/simple+ecology.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 232px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTD2bxTMpZhNxwcbB5UvgGjdaY8n9N44YhXo2h4Do4ldwr1s59utJb7iazCt4uArUkd_RGBkp2zNF4UvLxY05BiWMzP21t9cfLjzbsq0M1eQo4wE5nv2dVLVtXMzQk4DaAxLionwIBbHU/s400/simple+ecology.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5526153433739328210" border="0" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLjWgx1DN17RuG1c6QiNrQj0rYX3iyPbNWOntieYZmHpW7rB3e0FTDJld_pNytCh2-_jJ9ajbWLAo1RyHh4EkkW5jauk4bvoZVJ2tFJ66mGoZ3OAn6CquUiAnFdjl7BrOwB86cYkxctNg/s1600/positive-proof-of-global-warming-300x174.jpg"><br /></a>You can even dry your clothes indoors in the winter if you are super core...<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJodH5f-qMUMv7hKmLwpN0vDMXbrgLRNpqqglkX97_1KpvsoeRpmzrc720_VbotF22sv-jjgqPSFwf6oZgX-46XQsksJS9Vrjapg_NZe2_GIcgJCFGV6JKGm9PyeaT1Ak_FrcjmuRfaGY/s1600/line+drying+indoors.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJodH5f-qMUMv7hKmLwpN0vDMXbrgLRNpqqglkX97_1KpvsoeRpmzrc720_VbotF22sv-jjgqPSFwf6oZgX-46XQsksJS9Vrjapg_NZe2_GIcgJCFGV6JKGm9PyeaT1Ak_FrcjmuRfaGY/s400/line+drying+indoors.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5526152753967865618" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">3. Walk, bike, or stay at home.</span><br />This is kind of a no-brainer, but the less you drive, the less CO2 you produce. Unfortunately, the current trend is more single drivers and less carpooling.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIIeTUl1Yb6p7A5QvTZ6EYzY2GqRlQx21U4e7YvF1yHMwpIrbWg15b5zm9ZIyX-CR7x1Jy4VW_6MUyaxF3W0dnExgOT2N9LzMI7_N2GHSzpm12EktkUIeMlzGxoPs-pP1x-LazaicG1n4/s1600/commuting_to_work_fig1.gif"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 209px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIIeTUl1Yb6p7A5QvTZ6EYzY2GqRlQx21U4e7YvF1yHMwpIrbWg15b5zm9ZIyX-CR7x1Jy4VW_6MUyaxF3W0dnExgOT2N9LzMI7_N2GHSzpm12EktkUIeMlzGxoPs-pP1x-LazaicG1n4/s400/commuting_to_work_fig1.gif" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5526171780855159874" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh972_ENbs_ncAisl_wGbrEASps3CcXx6BYTssD52p8-FZ3UnCfHMnvjxyMF47V7IFLhd7tPGKWy49I3ypTozT9e-Rx0XOlPTJuuCrKZ8xYmgkCPV4-aDo2G42V4Yt2iwPid7naaNr0AoA/s1600/american_commute_sm.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 363px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh972_ENbs_ncAisl_wGbrEASps3CcXx6BYTssD52p8-FZ3UnCfHMnvjxyMF47V7IFLhd7tPGKWy49I3ypTozT9e-Rx0XOlPTJuuCrKZ8xYmgkCPV4-aDo2G42V4Yt2iwPid7naaNr0AoA/s400/american_commute_sm.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5526158688617726898" border="0" /></a><br />In today's age of hyper-cyber-connectedness, many people can work from virtually anywhere. If you can't, carpool with a friend, or that cute someone from the office.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjt9upPKDBX8xCAyEy1ZG53otfUj0XcJaiHMQ-1tZuj_CvsLl5eeiq86TmRTtko_3qGDB2Za11fL-0H183DpJGAI3dwaaJU2sUIObcqowTyQjvGMuMipNe0Jtj8_LpBcx5SEpaDDGrygYc/s1600/carpool+to+the+max.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 269px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjt9upPKDBX8xCAyEy1ZG53otfUj0XcJaiHMQ-1tZuj_CvsLl5eeiq86TmRTtko_3qGDB2Za11fL-0H183DpJGAI3dwaaJU2sUIObcqowTyQjvGMuMipNe0Jtj8_LpBcx5SEpaDDGrygYc/s400/carpool+to+the+max.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5526170119878227378" border="0" /></a><br />Maybe talk to your boss about working more hours and less days. If we worked four ten-hour days we could cut out 20% of our CO2 emissions from commuting, or around 1250 pounds of CO2 per year per person.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRs2t5G5nW4ai8cwjPEKVKl7evpc7OlPnAfNg-2KlTz6iXqGQIMMLflIVfrpuBdjhInmr45r_dPj_y4QfRPdW9gphHss52ikwJqc1cRQRlfG5VGUsLjMkZ0TK5n6zh1sHTS_9ngFvBMNU/s1600/Green-Cars.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 270px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRs2t5G5nW4ai8cwjPEKVKl7evpc7OlPnAfNg-2KlTz6iXqGQIMMLflIVfrpuBdjhInmr45r_dPj_y4QfRPdW9gphHss52ikwJqc1cRQRlfG5VGUsLjMkZ0TK5n6zh1sHTS_9ngFvBMNU/s400/Green-Cars.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5526172980567158962" border="0" /></a><br />It really isn't hard, inconvenient, or boring to reduce your impact on the planet. In fact, you will feel better, be healthier, and appreciate what you have even more than you do now.<br /><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;font-size:180%;" >Upcoming events...</span><br /><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;font-size:180%;" >October 10th:</span><span style="font-size:180%;"> Carrot Mob "Buycott" at McConnell's Ice Cream</span> on Sunday from 1-4 pm. </span><br /><br />Come out and support the "Buycott" at <a href="http://www.mcconnells.com/">McConnell's Ice Cream</a> on the corner of Mission and De La Vina Streets in Santa Barbara. McConnell's has agreed to use all extra proceeds generated from the "mob" to improve energy efficiency in their store. Sounds like a sweet deal!<br /><br /><span style="font-size:180%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">October 15th-17th:</span> <a href="http://www.ecologistics.org/centralcoastbioneers/">Central Coast Bioneers</a></span><br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">Bioneers is inspiring a shift to live on Earth in ways that honor the web of life, each other, and future generations. Bioneers has two keystone goals to help make this shift successfully:</span> <p style="font-style: italic;"><span class="style1">Connect people with solutions by popularizing breakthrough ideas and practices, and</span> grow social capital by catalyzing, connecting and strengthening strategic networks, including bioregional and community based alliances.</p>SWoBs Founder Loren Luyendyk will be tabling at the event. Email <a href="http://www.blogger.com/info@surferswithoutborders.org">info@surferswithoutborders.org</a> for more info<br /><br /><span style="font-size:180%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">October 16th:</span> Santa Barbara Surfrider Paddle-Out for Clean Waves</span><br />from 11 am to 3 pm at Ledbetter Beach. Food, music, and games also!<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUJVrX8YpzuA5nhktUY7xJjZFFRHUeB6Pm7OZTDOYN7qSxaPsFvFQeXFwx1bLbREmPpLFKx7tmOA9jHMXaStaqrSQ_goXJi8gVw0hKi4yVVa0Q-DW0xB7xfvlK2Ike9BXmN4IkeFZewFM/s1600/PaddleOut2010_PosterSponsors2+sm.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 259px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUJVrX8YpzuA5nhktUY7xJjZFFRHUeB6Pm7OZTDOYN7qSxaPsFvFQeXFwx1bLbREmPpLFKx7tmOA9jHMXaStaqrSQ_goXJi8gVw0hKi4yVVa0Q-DW0xB7xfvlK2Ike9BXmN4IkeFZewFM/s400/PaddleOut2010_PosterSponsors2+sm.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5526182133644561154" border="0" /></a>contact Ken Palley at <a href="http://www.blogger.com/2palleys@cox.net">2palleys@cox.ne</a><a href="http://www.blogger.com/2palleys@cox.net">t</a> for more info.<br /><br /><br /><span style="font-size:180%;">October 20th: <a href="http://www.lastparadisefilm.com/">"Last Paradise"</a> Film</span><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhDOzC8uIZoFeVvlR9xBLb4lZwozMzAV7uidaJyUnuWKF0CDXSNQDPG2MGr8XEbNftkvQPXw6kY1W0VDPmoFdq0hnhYmU9qxPRiN3RzigvZU5r2pCjBx4uqMLmyQw7qJ_Xz-LruHBC4Wc/s1600/last+Paradise.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 309px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhDOzC8uIZoFeVvlR9xBLb4lZwozMzAV7uidaJyUnuWKF0CDXSNQDPG2MGr8XEbNftkvQPXw6kY1W0VDPmoFdq0hnhYmU9qxPRiN3RzigvZU5r2pCjBx4uqMLmyQw7qJ_Xz-LruHBC4Wc/s400/last+Paradise.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5526177560372991954" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:100%;">$10 general admission/$20 Center for Sustainability Supporters<br /></span><span style="font-size:100%;">Tickets at the door, or Arlington Ticket Office(805) 963-4408<br /><br /></span><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-style: italic;">An Eco-Adventure Film 45 years in the making with stunning original footage from Bali, Mexico, Portugal, New Zealand, Utah, and Australia.</span> <span style="font-style: italic;"> Young maverick sports pioneers exploring a world that no longer exists, meeting along the way surf legends, extreme sports pioneers, and scientists on the leading edge of alternative energy. </span> <span style="font-style: italic;">Clive Neeson, extreme sports pioneer, filmmaker & physicist will be available for Q&A following the film.<br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;"></span></span></span><span style="font-size:100%;">contact: Margie, <a href="http://www.blogger.com/msbushman@sbcc.edu">msbushman@sbcc.edu</a>, (805) 965-0581, ext 2177</span> <span style="font-size:100%;"><span>for more info</span><span style="font-style: italic;"><br /></span></span><span style="font-size:180%;"><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">October 23rd:</span> <a href="http://www.friendshippaddle.org/tfp/currentpaddle.php">Friendship Paddle</a><br /><span style="font-size:100%;">from Santa Cruz Island to Chase palm Park, event to follow</span><br /></span><span style="font-size:100%;"><br /></span><style>@font-face { font-family: "Times New Roman"; }@font-face { font-family: "Garamond"; }p.MsoNormal, li.MsoNormal, div.MsoNormal { margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Times New Roman"; }table.MsoNormalTable { font-size: 10pt; font-family: "Times New Roman"; }div.Section1 { page: Section1; }</style> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-style: italic;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-family:Garamond;">Seven years ago, a group of friends formed </span><span style="font-family:Garamond;">The Friendship Paddle</span><span style="font-family:Garamond;"> as a way to help a friend, Doug McFadden, battle an inoperable brain tumor.<span style=""> </span>In doing so, this group of friends raised funds and spirits for Doug and his family via a relay paddle across the Santa Barbara Channel.<br /></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-style: italic;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-family:Garamond;"><br /></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-style: italic;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-family:Garamond;">Following that initial success, </span><span style="font-family:Garamond;">The Friendship Paddle</span><span style="font-family:Garamond;"> has held a new event each year to support a family in need.<span style=""> </span>To date, with each member raising money for the paddle, the group has been able to provide financial and emotional support to seven special families who have faced life-threatening illnesses. The memories and the legacy created by this annual event had a very powerful and positive effect on the families and participants involved.</span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-style: italic;"><span style=";font-family:Garamond;font-size:100%;" ><br /></span></p> <span style="font-size:180%;"><span style="font-size:100%;">contact Alex Pappas at <a href="http://www.blogger.com/mystic_tubes@hotmail.com">mystic_tubes@hotmail.com</a> for more info</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">October 29th:</span> <a href="http://sohosb.com/2010/09/01/nightmare-at-gaviota-halloween-costume-party-benefit-for-sb-surfrider/">"Nightmare at Gaviota"</a></span><br />SB Surfrider benefit for the Gaviota Coast, SoHo Restaurant and Music Club with special guests Makai<br /><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"><br /></span><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;font-size:130%;" >Last but definitely not least....</span><br /><br />Our friends at <a href="http://www.quailsprings.org/">Quail Springs Learning Oasis and Permaculture Farm</a> just suffered a <a href="http://www.facebook.com/pages/Maricopa-CA/Quail-Springs-Learning-Oasis-and-Permaculture-Farm/89969464896#%21/album.php?aid=231212&id=89969464896">devastating flood</a> that wiped out their pond and gardens, amongst other things. All told the deluge took out $40,000 worth of infrastructure, not to mention the 1000's of hours of work lost over the last six years of soil building. Please support them any way you can, by donating time or money to our wonderful family out in Cuyama.<br /><br />Please contact <a href="http://www.blogger.com/info@quailsprings.org">info@quailsprings.org</a> to help<br /><span style="font-weight: bold;font-size:130%;" ><br /><br />wow... that was a long one. Thanks for hangin' in there if you made it this far. Until next time....</span><span style="font-size:180%;"><br /><br /></span><span style="font-style: italic;font-size:180%;" ><span style="font-weight: bold;">KEEP IT CLEAN!</span></span>SWoBshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08161414403059411227noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2981031667524638180.post-84675957405884636012010-06-17T09:33:00.000-07:002010-06-18T09:19:07.062-07:00Been a Long Time Comin'<span style="font-family:arial;">It has been a long time since our last update- sorry for the lag. We have had some consuming personal adventures lately that have kept us away from the blogosphere, but we have still kept our fingers on the pulse of the hottest environmental topics of the day.
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<br /></span><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzZn-veQ8SygbiMn_5ulqELQ5sg8rdKtALUx_t6UMp0TXV7BsYMfJgJaqgWj0v-bFD57mS47Uz2r8HofgMJgB9HoCDMKgzeOwrmEgPAiNrGktViHYN-IwC7LD2Gj_NfQ3M2dBDPKejcSU/s1600/P1010031.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzZn-veQ8SygbiMn_5ulqELQ5sg8rdKtALUx_t6UMp0TXV7BsYMfJgJaqgWj0v-bFD57mS47Uz2r8HofgMJgB9HoCDMKgzeOwrmEgPAiNrGktViHYN-IwC7LD2Gj_NfQ3M2dBDPKejcSU/s400/P1010031.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5483991416091960178" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-style: italic;">Lots of surf this winter- keeps one away from the computer</span></span>
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<br /></span><span style="font-family:lucida grande;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">The Great Pacific Garbage Patch has been pushed under a sheen of a floating ball of oil</span>. The nation and the world are now consumed with a more immediate environmental catastrophe- the Gulf Oil Spill from the failure of British Petroleum's Deepwater Horizon rig.
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<br /></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuwds5g_pr3iNb2zMWTW2hd-0YCQFAIVIt7Vbw69BrZewu5F_YJgdT3gobVwk1WDpodDxa1hZki4SaY4CLvhRy3nnVOcXReyKs6kGDDhoTBmHEiM217oS451astCSDLsHL27aEkPmxOnU/s1600/burning-oil-rig-explosion-fire-photo11.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuwds5g_pr3iNb2zMWTW2hd-0YCQFAIVIt7Vbw69BrZewu5F_YJgdT3gobVwk1WDpodDxa1hZki4SaY4CLvhRy3nnVOcXReyKs6kGDDhoTBmHEiM217oS451astCSDLsHL27aEkPmxOnU/s400/burning-oil-rig-explosion-fire-photo11.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5483996119229904962" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:lucida grande;">
<br /></span> <p class="MsoNormal" face="arial"><i><u>How Much Oil Does it Take to Run the World?<o:p></o:p></u></i></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">We are all responsible for the Gulf Oil Spill.</span><span style=""> </span>Our everyday life (at least of 90% of the US) relies heavily on oil.<span style=""> </span>Drive to work to earn money, drive to the bank to deposit it, drive to the store to buy food, drive home.<span style=""> </span>Even the food we buy wouldn’t be at the store without cheap oil, or clothes, or cars.</p><p style="font-family: arial; font-weight: bold;" face="lucida grande" class="MsoNormal">
<br /></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:arial;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">So how many more times do we need to learn the lesson of oil?</span><span style=""> </span>Seems like we still haven’t gotten the message.<span style=""> </span>Oil is harmful to the environment every step of the way, yet we are so dependent on it, there seem no easy way out of the cycle.</p><p face="lucida grande" class="MsoNormal">
<br /></p><p style="font-family: lucida grande;" class="MsoNormal"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRTtpj5mj9pC_XVJlITQyG1J0nEk1VdRzbYKixAwHxuHzWCNgenq4wFLH8DpnaYY4ia9FmPjA0DM38cpbTtciW_3_2ucI2qaYFGVQazvUr9aLhtnMu3eJ8kwPuDDWmzwyAs9KWyf4sAjQ/s1600/spillx-wide-community.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 268px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRTtpj5mj9pC_XVJlITQyG1J0nEk1VdRzbYKixAwHxuHzWCNgenq4wFLH8DpnaYY4ia9FmPjA0DM38cpbTtciW_3_2ucI2qaYFGVQazvUr9aLhtnMu3eJ8kwPuDDWmzwyAs9KWyf4sAjQ/s400/spillx-wide-community.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5483996506588945314" border="0" /></a></p> <p style="font-family: lucida grande;" class="MsoNormal"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwpIKcZTTwaY_XjCx_vNAxB3h1gJ5cYUVBAsZ_L7swZ4OPYDBGJ_nan3JaTMFBA58vyWjKmhG2KQvlczPAjRDIud737A4gqn9pGcRpAA0Pvn3L6aa_LjRA_pYPO2qG2i8d4MLrEAtb1Lc/s1600/oil_8.jpg">
<br /></a></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:arial;">That reality check in the bank, what can we do about the current reality- a <span style="font-weight: bold;">gaping hole in the Earth, 400 feet below the sea surface gushing oil in untold quantities into the Gulf of Mexico?</span><span style=""> </span>There is no accurate estimate at the exact volume of oil leaking, nobody can seem to measure it.<span style=""> </span>A federal panel to investigate the spill flow rate has been formed, and includes a researcher from UC Santa Barbara, Dr. Ira Leifer.</p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:arial;">
<br /></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:arial;">Dr. Leifer and the panel have determined that the original estimate made by the government of 5,000 barrels a day was way low- they put a conservative estimate of the low range of the daily amount of oil leaking at 12,000 to 25,000 barrels, maybe up to 40,000 barrels per day. <span style=""> </span><span style="font-weight: bold;">That’s around 504,000-1,050,000 gallons of oil leaking per day, </span><i style="font-weight: bold;">at the low end</i><span style="font-style: normal; font-weight: bold;">. <a href="http://www.science.ucsb.edu/news/ira_leifer_has_key_role_gulf_oil_spill_studies">Click here to read more of the panel and Dr. Leifer's findings.</a>
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<br /></span></p> <p style="font-family: arial;font-family:lucida grande;" class="MsoNormal">Of course <span style="font-weight: bold;">BP does not want anyone to know this</span>.<span style=""> </span>They are not being the most cooperative in the investigation, giving the panel poor quality videos and lagging on providing any real information.<span style=""> </span>Furthermore, <span style="font-weight: bold;">they have made things worse</span> with efforts to stop the spill- “Top Kill” may have increased the flow rate by many magnitudes.</p><p style="font-family: arial;" face="lucida grande" class="MsoNormal">
<br /></p><p style="font-family: arial;" face="lucida grande" class="MsoNormal">As if things couldn't get any worse, our friends at <a href="http://www.belowthesurface.org/">Below The Surface</a> have new information that there may indeed be <a href="http://waternewsnetwork.blogspot.com/2010/06/another-leaking-oil-well-in-gulf.html">more than one rig leaking in the Gulf</a>. This among news that there was <a href="http://www.reuters.com/article/idUSTRE64P04U20100526">another spill</a> of several thousand barrels on the Alaskan pipeline, which is mostly owned by BP. <span style="font-weight: bold;">Seems like spills are business as usual for the oil companies.</span>
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<br /></p> <p style="font-family: arial;" face="lucida grande" class="MsoNormal"><i><u>Surfers to the Rescue!<o:p></o:p></u></i></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:arial;"><span style="font-size:100%;">Who ever thought that Surfers could make a difference with what is rapidly becoming the World’s largest oil spill?</span><span style="font-size:100%;"> </span><span style="font-size:100%;">That is exactly what the founders of <a href="http://www.resurf.org/main/">ReSurf</a> are doing.</span><span style="font-size:100%;"> </span><span style="font-weight: bold;font-size:100%;" >They have created a containment boom that attracts oil like glue, and rejects water- out of waste polyurethane foam from shaping surfboards.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:arial;">
<br /></p><p style="font-family: arial;" face="lucida grande" class="MsoNormal"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwpIKcZTTwaY_XjCx_vNAxB3h1gJ5cYUVBAsZ_L7swZ4OPYDBGJ_nan3JaTMFBA58vyWjKmhG2KQvlczPAjRDIud737A4gqn9pGcRpAA0Pvn3L6aa_LjRA_pYPO2qG2i8d4MLrEAtb1Lc/s1600/oil_8.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwpIKcZTTwaY_XjCx_vNAxB3h1gJ5cYUVBAsZ_L7swZ4OPYDBGJ_nan3JaTMFBA58vyWjKmhG2KQvlczPAjRDIud737A4gqn9pGcRpAA0Pvn3L6aa_LjRA_pYPO2qG2i8d4MLrEAtb1Lc/s400/oil_8.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5483996131000414786" border="0" /></a></p><p face="arial" class="MsoNormal">
<br /></p><p face="arial" class="MsoNormal"><meta name="Title" content=""> <meta name="Keywords" content=""> <meta equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8"> <meta name="ProgId" content="Word.Document"> <meta name="Generator" content="Microsoft Word 11"> <meta name="Originator" content="Microsoft Word 11"> <link rel="File-List" href="file://localhost/Users/Loren/Library/Caches/TemporaryItems/msoclip1/01/clip_filelist.xml"> <!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <o:documentproperties> <o:template>Normal</o:Template> <o:revision>0</o:Revision> <o:totaltime>0</o:TotalTime> <o:pages>1</o:Pages> <o:words>19</o:Words> <o:characters>113</o:Characters> <o:lines>1</o:Lines> <o:paragraphs>1</o:Paragraphs> <o:characterswithspaces>138</o:CharactersWithSpaces> <o:version>11.1282</o:Version> </o:DocumentProperties> <o:officedocumentsettings> <o:allowpng/> </o:OfficeDocumentSettings> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:worddocument> <w:zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:donotshowrevisions/> <w:donotprintrevisions/> <w:displayhorizontaldrawinggridevery>0</w:DisplayHorizontalDrawingGridEvery> <w:displayverticaldrawinggridevery>0</w:DisplayVerticalDrawingGridEvery> <w:usemarginsfordrawinggridorigin/> </w:WordDocument> </xml><![endif]--> <style> <!-- /* Font Definitions */ @font-face {font-family:"Times New Roman"; panose-1:0 2 2 6 3 5 4 5 2 3; mso-font-charset:0; mso-generic-font-family:auto; mso-font-pitch:variable; mso-font-signature:50331648 0 0 0 1 0;} /* Style Definitions */ p.MsoNormal, li.MsoNormal, div.MsoNormal {mso-style-parent:""; margin:0in; margin-bottom:.0001pt; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:12.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman";} table.MsoNormalTable {mso-style-parent:""; font-size:10.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman";} @page Section1 {size:8.5in 11.0in; margin:1.0in 1.25in 1.0in 1.25in; mso-header-margin:.5in; mso-footer-margin:.5in; mso-paper-source:0;} div.Section1 {page:Section1;} --> </style> <!--StartFragment--> </p><p face="arial" class="MsoNormal">Furthermore, the waste left over is a mixture of oil and polyurethane filler, which is a great amendment to asphalt for paving.<span style=""> </span>Basically, the oil is not completely lost- it can still be used to build roads to carry our petro-chariots, and is actually improved by the foam additive.</p><p face="arial" class="MsoNormal">
<br /></p><p class="MsoNormal"><a style="font-family: arial;" href="http://www.wetsand.com/story/17908/Surfers+gain+EPA+support+for+their+Gul../"><span style="font-style: italic;">watch the video</span></a>
<br /></p> <!--EndFragment--> <p></p> <p face="arial" class="MsoNormal"><i><u>What’s the answer to the energy crisis?<o:p></o:p></u></i></p> <p face="arial" class="MsoNormal">How can the world wean it self off of oil?<span style=""> </span>We wish we knew.<span style=""> </span>Our best bet is there will be no silver bullet, but many solutions in the context of the local region and climate.<span style=""> </span><span style="font-weight: bold;">Bioregional ecological design will serve to solve the challenges of</span><span style="font-weight: bold;"> our energy needs.</span></p><p style="font-family: arial;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="">
<br /></span></p><p style="font-family: arial;" class="MsoNormal"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimknHK_iUl1hEkSinKt-58e3rJ8wT45h4uTdx6fQttaYtKalI-8JD9CAmkclFMLzhib0msE-2jwnWOVOAzyrhqFnR_MJLAb_voNJu7qGHtoXEoRn6iKmruXAUA_gEzWl68DzltvZPKhsk/s1600/P1010004.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimknHK_iUl1hEkSinKt-58e3rJ8wT45h4uTdx6fQttaYtKalI-8JD9CAmkclFMLzhib0msE-2jwnWOVOAzyrhqFnR_MJLAb_voNJu7qGHtoXEoRn6iKmruXAUA_gEzWl68DzltvZPKhsk/s400/P1010004.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5483991423775587138" border="0" /></a></p><p style="text-align: center;font-family:arial;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-style: italic;font-size:85%;" >One way to solve the energy crisis- grow your own food!</span>
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<br /><span style=""></span></p><p style="font-family: arial;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="">Solar, wind, hydroelectric, and geothermal are some of the many sustainable options that we have to provide clean, renewable energy for our growing masses of consumers. Other technologies that are still fringe are beginning to gather momentum.</span></p><p style="font-family: lucida grande;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="">
<br /></span></p> <p style="font-family: arial;" class="MsoNormal"><!--[if !supportEmptyParas]--> <!--[endif]--><o:p></o:p></p> <p style="font-family: arial;" class="MsoNormal">Methane production, or <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Biogas">Biogas</a>, from municipal waste offers huge potential.<span style=""> </span>Waste reserves can be converted to electricity through the burning of the methane gas released by bacteria during the decomposition of organic residues. Many cities in Europe are using methane to power their vehicles, with good results. <span style="font-weight: bold;">They are even </span><a style="font-weight: bold;" href="http://anz.theoildrum.com/node/3633">running cars on bananas</a><span style="font-weight: bold;"> in Australia!</span> </p><p style="font-family: arial; font-weight: bold;" class="MsoNormal">
<br /></p><p style="font-family: arial;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Compressed Air Technology</span>, or CAT, is a very promising solution to cheap, <span style="font-weight: bold;">emission free transportation</span>. <a href="http://www.ecogeek.org/content/view/659/"> India</a> recently put into production a car that goes 68 mph and has a range of 120 miles on a $2.00 fill up of air, or you can plug it in and it will be charged in 4 hours.
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<br /></p> <p style="font-family: arial;" class="MsoNormal"><!--[if !supportEmptyParas]--> <!--[endif]--><o:p></o:p></p> <p style="font-family: arial;" class="MsoNormal"><i><u>SWoBs in the News!<o:p></o:p></u></i></p> <p style="font-family: arial;" class="MsoNormal">SWoBs had two articles come out recently in <a href="http://www.exacteditions.com/exact/browse/409/458/6684/2/117/0/">The Surfers Path</a> and <a href="http://www.deepzine.com/">DEEP Magazine</a>.<span style=""> </span>The Surfers’ Path article was about the trip to Mexico from June 2008 to July 2009.<span style=""> </span>DEEP highlighted SWoB’s trip to Alaska in September 2009 with the Coastal CODE.
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<br /></p><p style="font-family: arial;" class="MsoNormal"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWSuEiXfUl2Vsr2tI2j4lygFgmamEOs2Q2-5LoXVSYW0K55QODTTu_p9MV-QFsibFudo8tDxmbNZkal_76a0Y6MmwxtME4gYl-XO-smJ5elPWY2QVCnQ-meda0KOneUtKwlEVkYvn8FOg/s1600/P1010056.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWSuEiXfUl2Vsr2tI2j4lygFgmamEOs2Q2-5LoXVSYW0K55QODTTu_p9MV-QFsibFudo8tDxmbNZkal_76a0Y6MmwxtME4gYl-XO-smJ5elPWY2QVCnQ-meda0KOneUtKwlEVkYvn8FOg/s400/P1010056.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5484000059313568770" border="0" /></a></p><p style="font-family: arial;" class="MsoNormal">
<br /></p><p style="font-family: arial; font-style: italic;" class="MsoNormal"><meta name="Title" content=""> <meta name="Keywords" content=""> <meta equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8"> <meta name="ProgId" content="Word.Document"> <meta name="Generator" content="Microsoft Word 11"> <meta name="Originator" content="Microsoft Word 11"> <link rel="File-List" href="file://localhost/Users/Loren/Library/Caches/TemporaryItems/msoclip1/01/clip_filelist.xml"> <!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <o:documentproperties> <o:template>Normal</o:Template> <o:revision>0</o:Revision> <o:totaltime>0</o:TotalTime> <o:pages>1</o:Pages> <o:words>2</o:Words> <o:characters>16</o:Characters> <o:lines>1</o:Lines> <o:paragraphs>1</o:Paragraphs> <o:characterswithspaces>19</o:CharactersWithSpaces> <o:version>11.1282</o:Version> </o:DocumentProperties> <o:officedocumentsettings> <o:allowpng/> </o:OfficeDocumentSettings> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:worddocument> <w:zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:donotshowrevisions/> <w:donotprintrevisions/> <w:displayhorizontaldrawinggridevery>0</w:DisplayHorizontalDrawingGridEvery> <w:displayverticaldrawinggridevery>0</w:DisplayVerticalDrawingGridEvery> <w:usemarginsfordrawinggridorigin/> </w:WordDocument> </xml><![endif]--> <style> <!-- /* Font Definitions */ @font-face {font-family:"Times New Roman"; panose-1:0 2 2 6 3 5 4 5 2 3; mso-font-charset:0; mso-generic-font-family:auto; mso-font-pitch:variable; mso-font-signature:50331648 0 0 0 1 0;} @font-face {font-family:Arial; panose-1:0 2 11 6 4 2 2 2 2 2; mso-font-charset:0; mso-generic-font-family:auto; mso-font-pitch:variable; mso-font-signature:50331648 0 0 0 1 0;} /* Style Definitions */ p.MsoNormal, li.MsoNormal, div.MsoNormal {mso-style-parent:""; margin:0in; margin-bottom:.0001pt; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:12.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman";} table.MsoNormalTable {mso-style-parent:""; font-size:10.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman";} @page Section1 {size:8.5in 11.0in; margin:1.0in 1.25in 1.0in 1.25in; mso-header-margin:.5in; mso-footer-margin:.5in; mso-paper-source:0;} div.Section1 {page:Section1;} --> </style> <!--StartFragment--> </p><p class="MsoNormal" style=""><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:10pt;" ><i><u><span style="font-size:100%;">Surfonomincs Study</span><o:p></o:p></u></i></span></p> <!--EndFragment--> <p style="font-family: arial;" class="MsoNormal">Have you surfed in Baja California Sur in the last year? If so, please take a few minutes to fill out the <a href="http://www.zoomerang.com/Survey/WEB22ASL2N2J2R">Surfing Survey</a> put together by the School For Field Studies. They are attempting to estimate the <span style="font-weight: bold;">value of surfing as a tourist attraction</span> to prove to the Mexican Governement the need to preserve their coastal habitats. </p><p style="font-family: arial;" class="MsoNormal">
<br /></p><p style="font-family: arial;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-style: italic;">Local Events</span>
<br /></p><p style="font-family: arial;" class="MsoNormal">This Sunday June 20th is <a href="http://www.intlsurfingday.com/events/">International Surfing Day</a>! Come celebrate and preserve our beaches and coasts in Santa Barbara at Surf into Summer, put on by <a href="http://surfhappens.com/sidebar/non-profit/special-events/">Surf Happens </a>and the Santa Barbara Chapter of the <a href="http://www.surfrider.org/santabarbara/">Surfrider Foundation</a>. Beach clean-ups, surfing, and live music by <a href="http://www.soulmajestic.com/">Soul Majestic</a> will help to ring in a super summer!</p><p style="font-family: arial;" class="MsoNormal">
<br /></p><p style="font-family: arial;" class="MsoNormal"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEBeaATvCg5PobZZ-wm_Q-bxMX1FY7mkjKiMXE2-SJl1hZQhzw_jkbv7hcztzHP0FTKxKes6oTkJT5A5Mmw6rkTCKpweAnr1A6w0Np-GD8DqS20i0TF5ak8JtV5unG9OwhnGnm8pmXNr4/s1600/P1010022.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEBeaATvCg5PobZZ-wm_Q-bxMX1FY7mkjKiMXE2-SJl1hZQhzw_jkbv7hcztzHP0FTKxKes6oTkJT5A5Mmw6rkTCKpweAnr1A6w0Np-GD8DqS20i0TF5ak8JtV5unG9OwhnGnm8pmXNr4/s400/P1010022.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5483996514494580674" border="0" /></a></p><p style="font-family: arial;" class="MsoNormal">
<br /></p><p style="font-family: arial; font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;" class="MsoNormal">Surfing connects us to the ocean, the air, and the earth. We are all in the ocean together! Let's keep it clean!</p><p style="font-family: arial;" class="MsoNormal">
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<br /><p class="MsoNormal"><!--[if !supportEmptyParas]--> <!--[endif]--><o:p></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><!--[if !supportEmptyParas]--> <!--[endif]--><o:p></o:p></p> <!--EndFragment--> SWoBshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08161414403059411227noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2981031667524638180.post-12649392724073420882009-10-04T19:42:00.000-07:002009-10-09T12:47:05.521-07:00From the Quench Summit to Alaska and....<span style="font-weight: bold;">In late August, SWoBs Founding Director Loren Luyendyk was a participant in the </span><a style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(0, 0, 153);" href="http://www.quenchworks.org/">Quench Summit</a><span style="font-weight: normal;">.<span style=""> </span>The summit was organized by </span><a style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);" href="http://www.safewaterintl.org/page10/page10.html"><b>Safe Water International</b></a><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);"> </span>and the </span><a style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);" href="http://www.eleosfoundation.net/"><b>Eleos Foundation</b></a><span style="font-weight: normal;"> with the goals of meeting the </span><b>“300 in 6” initiative </b><span style="font-weight: bold;">to provide safe point of use (POU) water filters to 300 million people in Sub-Saharan Africa in 6 years.</span><p class="MsoNormal"><!--[endif]--><o:p></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicVIJrWcX0d7KGn6VtF08MVBmpv7_1LYa9v9O8ojLA6pukUgoaOWEU62Qrk4ZmJ8mhFPOX-vB09wR73VfPOzyhg259CaTQybFqgz949_b7Ay4fTxiQWFAQ3EMleDyrX_ynGXGbKatFL_Y/s1600-h/africa_children_water1.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 327px; height: 367px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicVIJrWcX0d7KGn6VtF08MVBmpv7_1LYa9v9O8ojLA6pukUgoaOWEU62Qrk4ZmJ8mhFPOX-vB09wR73VfPOzyhg259CaTQybFqgz949_b7Ay4fTxiQWFAQ3EMleDyrX_ynGXGbKatFL_Y/s400/africa_children_water1.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5388966237727122178" border="0" /></a></p><p style="text-align: center;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-style: italic;">Clean drinking water is lacking for 1 billion people</span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal">The panel of international expert participants discussed water filtration and disinfection technologies that are currently available and that fit the criteria of being effective, easy to use, and affordable.<span style=""> </span><a style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/BioSand_Filter">Bio-Sand Filters</a> and <a style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Solar_water_disinfection">SODIS (solar disinfection)</a> were considered the two best options based on the criteria.<span style=""> </span>We also discussed the need for basic education about water-borne diseases. <span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);"> </span><a style="font-style: italic; color: rgb(0, 0, 153);" href="http://www.quenchworks.org/quench-summit">click to download the full Quench Summit report here</a></p><p class="MsoNormal"><a style="font-style: italic; color: rgb(0, 0, 153);" href="http://www.quenchworks.org/quench-summit"><br /></a></p><p class="MsoNormal"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0ZRkcT_xW1xgmrHk-OrMcA9Be-Wz2xQV-GmWmQPJF6uYxvPnnmnI32qz9WSzWWprUNEpNnDq20jUuTYnVOXiIgiMPSbDDeAvXb1AUvnW81pWIfpAGHlpIrnI9GnXJ6mK-O2T9rMNY8sM/s1600-h/alissa+sears.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 268px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0ZRkcT_xW1xgmrHk-OrMcA9Be-Wz2xQV-GmWmQPJF6uYxvPnnmnI32qz9WSzWWprUNEpNnDq20jUuTYnVOXiIgiMPSbDDeAvXb1AUvnW81pWIfpAGHlpIrnI9GnXJ6mK-O2T9rMNY8sM/s400/alissa+sears.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5388954609243190402" border="0" /></a></p> <p style="text-align: center;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-style: italic;font-size:85%;" >Alissa Sears of <a href="http://www.christiecomm.com/">Christie Communications</a> at the Quench Summit</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><!--[if !supportEmptyParas]--> <!--[endif]-->From September 13<sup>th</sup> to 20<sup>th</sup>, <span style="font-weight: bold;">SWoBs journeyed to Alaska </span>with the <a style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);" href="http://www.coastalcode.org/"><b>Coastal CODE</b></a><span style="font-weight: normal;"> and </span><a style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);" href="http://www.alaskanbeer.com/"><b>Alaskan Brewing Co.</b></a><span style="font-weight: normal;"> for a week of <span style="font-weight: bold;">beach clean-ups and adventure</span>.<span style=""> </span>Four people were chosen in an essay contest to participate in the trip: Loren Luyendyk of <a style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);" href="http://www.surferswithoutborders.org/Surfers_Without_Borders.html">SWoBs</a>, Jared Criscuolo of <a style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);" href="http://www.belowthesurface.org/">Below the Surface</a>, Kathleen Egan of<a href="http://groups.google.com/group/plastic-wave"> <span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);">Stop the Plastic Wave</span></a>, and Elizabeth Stergiou of Anchorage.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLXhZ7H8drr1Lbf7rl_Wy51ELsKvVTVY9Rm7m9jFaEJUT5hG5lBiWxjRO-ySmiKpclIXShfwTJA1gquhyCB8BtBNuRGYQg0kN_x6LOvsnV4MdZrKdisOmoCBQ0eY4Xc1wA5jrQGy6r2PI/s1600-h/IMG_0941.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLXhZ7H8drr1Lbf7rl_Wy51ELsKvVTVY9Rm7m9jFaEJUT5hG5lBiWxjRO-ySmiKpclIXShfwTJA1gquhyCB8BtBNuRGYQg0kN_x6LOvsnV4MdZrKdisOmoCBQ0eY4Xc1wA5jrQGy6r2PI/s400/IMG_0941.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5388976259715118594" border="0" /></a></p><p class="MsoNormal"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHVctjjPvX71fu4FwRp01VoavqqYoIBUTIzF3hvpGJz_wWNzl1PnTvJI735z-QKe9J7TrHm2JVzO1lJoqk9bZaXxxnCIplJAZoy4vjP4SCy1OYxjIOqyjrcNTlXMjLFOaOev7M6RctY-A/s1600-h/jared+camera+photos+128.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHVctjjPvX71fu4FwRp01VoavqqYoIBUTIzF3hvpGJz_wWNzl1PnTvJI735z-QKe9J7TrHm2JVzO1lJoqk9bZaXxxnCIplJAZoy4vjP4SCy1OYxjIOqyjrcNTlXMjLFOaOev7M6RctY-A/s400/jared+camera+photos+128.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5388964291099587554" border="0" /></a></p><p style="text-align: center;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-style: italic;">Make W.A.V.E.S.!</span></span><br /></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><!--[if !supportEmptyParas]--> <!--[endif]--><o:p></o:p></p> <p style="font-weight: bold;" class="MsoNormal">We helped the <a style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);" href="http://www.mcafoundation.org/">Marine Conservation Alliance Foundation</a><span style="font-weight: bold;"> and the </span><a style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153); font-weight: bold;" href="http://yakutatsalmon.org/">Yakutat Salmon Board</a><span style="font-weight: bold;"> to remove, categorize, and weigh literally tons of marine debris in three days.<span style=""> </span>Over the last six years, they have removed over one million pounds from the remote coastlines of Alaska.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFwe10ARRV7khkb4xvGt6unzF5bF6YTQfOVs6NZ32Ur69nzvfWJQcY8iZkJeiI8OhqFFe9aK8FnytrAOMHogYaazDLGsWiZWYlUXVeOk-hSICk7iw8v8EBuVMRZ8Ik3TnOS2vu7KwcMsY/s1600-h/jared+camera+photos+168.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFwe10ARRV7khkb4xvGt6unzF5bF6YTQfOVs6NZ32Ur69nzvfWJQcY8iZkJeiI8OhqFFe9aK8FnytrAOMHogYaazDLGsWiZWYlUXVeOk-hSICk7iw8v8EBuVMRZ8Ik3TnOS2vu7KwcMsY/s400/jared+camera+photos+168.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5388964301253537538" border="0" /></a></p> <p style="text-align: center;" class="MsoNormal"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFwe10ARRV7khkb4xvGt6unzF5bF6YTQfOVs6NZ32Ur69nzvfWJQcY8iZkJeiI8OhqFFe9aK8FnytrAOMHogYaazDLGsWiZWYlUXVeOk-hSICk7iw8v8EBuVMRZ8Ik3TnOS2vu7KwcMsY/s1600-h/jared+camera+photos+168.jpg"></a><span style="font-style: italic;font-size:85%;" >The Wrangel St. Elias Range north of Yakutat, Alaska</span><br /></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoqtVc1a7JsI6u2TnB4ippR46UkkkLnpp2EpKqCbL8T4zEVqb7zE1JJGNIbrPSQwpTueTnoulec9qP2RDpVBLLRvNZdZCR1jDHEr-GmKcW9WfaPFX4P2dANqpyUxtk6ggqlxU4flOhQdc/s1600-h/jared+camera+photos+060_2.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 284px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoqtVc1a7JsI6u2TnB4ippR46UkkkLnpp2EpKqCbL8T4zEVqb7zE1JJGNIbrPSQwpTueTnoulec9qP2RDpVBLLRvNZdZCR1jDHEr-GmKcW9WfaPFX4P2dANqpyUxtk6ggqlxU4flOhQdc/s400/jared+camera+photos+060_2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5388953889713188834" border="0" /></a></p><p style="text-align: center;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-style: italic;">our national bird abounds in the last fronteir</span></span></p><p style="text-align: center;" class="MsoNormal"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEju6HPouNih-q3dnzDCL0UadBt9A288ZovrBaCDIDrWWZs6rWXB7NBmragbIFYUnerU3CahgWGrFJ6T-a6ptYAKVZDthbp-Dqktdpgj9HkAmKWUaWcUrYvvmAQqQb5Zap8q18zCP1zShQY/s1600-h/jared+camera+photos+361.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEju6HPouNih-q3dnzDCL0UadBt9A288ZovrBaCDIDrWWZs6rWXB7NBmragbIFYUnerU3CahgWGrFJ6T-a6ptYAKVZDthbp-Dqktdpgj9HkAmKWUaWcUrYvvmAQqQb5Zap8q18zCP1zShQY/s400/jared+camera+photos+361.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5388974654739143954" border="0" /></a></p><p style="text-align: center;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-style: italic;">that's close enough...</span></span><br /></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><!--[if !supportEmptyParas]--> <!--[endif]--><o:p></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">The beaches of Yakutat are long and isolated, with the majestic Wrangell-St. Elias range as a dramatic backdrop.<span style=""> </span>Bald eagles soar overhead while seals chase the abundant salmon below.<span style="text-decoration: underline;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /><span style="text-decoration: underline;"></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitrJcLy7-ga68h2SFPdy8wWLt-QZEZiMYSbOveHD0dXhT3VrnfaBqZ1hQVbqs2-wIjFyztajFjzkYtq7uPzidYb_-IXENMlo_AKlauFN1VVhhC-Y79bL9N_1fI9_n_9WWe2F0Kx38gVTk/s1600-h/jared+camera+photos+193.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitrJcLy7-ga68h2SFPdy8wWLt-QZEZiMYSbOveHD0dXhT3VrnfaBqZ1hQVbqs2-wIjFyztajFjzkYtq7uPzidYb_-IXENMlo_AKlauFN1VVhhC-Y79bL9N_1fI9_n_9WWe2F0Kx38gVTk/s400/jared+camera+photos+193.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5388964306071054402" border="0" /></a></p><p style="text-align: center;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-style: italic;">Mount St. Elias stands foreboding in the sunset</span></span><br /><span style=""> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><!--[if !supportEmptyParas]--> <!--[endif]--><o:p></o:p></p> <p style="font-weight: bold;" class="MsoNormal">This place is so remote that you would never expect to find trash, but unfortunately that is not the case.<span style=""> </span>The <span style="font-style: italic;">Northern Pacific Gyre</span> and the Alaska current push debris from commercial fishing and recreational boats onto the beaches there.</p><p class="MsoNormal"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEineCEY0Crw9699Qp_cMsmQwXrmn_C676PIzAFX9YgqvXTu3S7YzvKr85MiqcqWdAHZT-XdfhRpecb-66TGH4o6wWN0wGN9TkBuln8T7Nj6CDseIln-SlIALhnUq56sNAziMK9YKNjHmQA/s1600-h/currents.gif"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 292px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEineCEY0Crw9699Qp_cMsmQwXrmn_C676PIzAFX9YgqvXTu3S7YzvKr85MiqcqWdAHZT-XdfhRpecb-66TGH4o6wWN0wGN9TkBuln8T7Nj6CDseIln-SlIALhnUq56sNAziMK9YKNjHmQA/s400/currents.gif" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5388969434944742434" border="0" /></a></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><!--[if !supportEmptyParas]--> <!--[endif]--><o:p></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">Small flakes of partially degraded plastic were evenly distributed in the shoreline sand, like imitation pieces of shell.<span style=""> </span>Plastic bottles that previously contained motor oil, hydraulic fluid, and Gatorade gathered at the storm line.<span style=""> </span><span style="font-weight: bold;">We spent several hours cutting up a tangle of nets and ropes that was the size of a small car that had beached itself on an uninhabited island. </span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0t5tSmonfqs5T6U_F9QmMSGtNsafvmkfXWQUQEMB6nzF8HCDXOncNIu5o098PwLPdvc8oL1DLPgPe6ZDKfCUzj1gsfHs7oBRjISx1qQu11Ya4cGurczoI5s61W2Dx_CuiD1rxahrBwX4/s1600-h/jared+camera+photos+048.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0t5tSmonfqs5T6U_F9QmMSGtNsafvmkfXWQUQEMB6nzF8HCDXOncNIu5o098PwLPdvc8oL1DLPgPe6ZDKfCUzj1gsfHs7oBRjISx1qQu11Ya4cGurczoI5s61W2Dx_CuiD1rxahrBwX4/s400/jared+camera+photos+048.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5388953871239134386" border="0" /></a></p><p style="text-align: center;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-style: italic;">Dave Gaudier of the Marine Conservation Alliance Foundation stands aside the net monster</span></span><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9j42IridckrpDlXLWfwB80qjYN-LFvqGcR-Mfm-sCHIFxf91_Awz8rS6JLMuX82rG9ZsmytRCFXVZdn41z7773G_uImU7pJlVdBSfiZ9UGeVWXDCK78IRYz7DS9_pXH6hW7hyphenhyphen5l7E_Xs/s1600-h/jared+camera+photos+049.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9j42IridckrpDlXLWfwB80qjYN-LFvqGcR-Mfm-sCHIFxf91_Awz8rS6JLMuX82rG9ZsmytRCFXVZdn41z7773G_uImU7pJlVdBSfiZ9UGeVWXDCK78IRYz7DS9_pXH6hW7hyphenhyphen5l7E_Xs/s400/jared+camera+photos+049.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5388953876226720194" border="0" /></a></p><p style="text-align: center;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-style: italic;">the monster up close- there must have been a thousand feet of rope and nets all tangled together</span></span><br /></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><!--[if !supportEmptyParas]--> <!--[endif]--><o:p></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">T<span style="font-weight: bold;">he locals in Yakutat were pretty darn friendly, and treated us like family</span>.<span style=""> </span>They even went as far as taking us out one morning, and we scored some pretty fun surf!<span style=""> </span><span style="font-weight: bold;">A huge thank you to local rippers Sam, David, and Joey, plus the friendly staff at <a href="http://www.icywaves.com/">Icy Waves Surf</a> Shop for hooking us up with boards and suits!</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjd2ug-fLpjr4y5Cvkhb8hWldRrmZ9_ud5Ceb0Xp-DTwRSKmbjfY7PjxPxLkYrLqJpGSdavQHolxjPjHvI1vRQGpPCAEZfTz9g7GEXatUaETUgnWx3fdbq9ImZSXdoXWVHGnxUIzehGvAw/s1600-h/jared+camera+photos+036_2.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjd2ug-fLpjr4y5Cvkhb8hWldRrmZ9_ud5Ceb0Xp-DTwRSKmbjfY7PjxPxLkYrLqJpGSdavQHolxjPjHvI1vRQGpPCAEZfTz9g7GEXatUaETUgnWx3fdbq9ImZSXdoXWVHGnxUIzehGvAw/s400/jared+camera+photos+036_2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5388971563235237186" border="0" /></a></p><p style="text-align: center;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-style: italic;">local grom David pausing off the bottom on a peeler</span></span><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMES94zp8bSxBYnh15NVoER_3o_rpsVpDg3cKBMsp5eeo-xdr1mkfno8ULkhkEM02iA1Q7XA-hSllKZhGuj__Q2cuMybRArLQzSdGpyzdsJOyrQiJcejCG4SdVWMFFxe7ImdhttfA2_Ok/s1600-h/jared+camera+photos+033_2.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 275px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMES94zp8bSxBYnh15NVoER_3o_rpsVpDg3cKBMsp5eeo-xdr1mkfno8ULkhkEM02iA1Q7XA-hSllKZhGuj__Q2cuMybRArLQzSdGpyzdsJOyrQiJcejCG4SdVWMFFxe7ImdhttfA2_Ok/s400/jared+camera+photos+033_2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5388971559328757298" border="0" /></a></p><p style="text-align: center;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-style: italic;">Kathleen lucks into a good one</span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitK-mWE77dotDOKTFWSamE5FehpXlmYKmnsacD0MARPNr-ZSy-_ubHBla4tvsmP4tETP-9oktoUuR6Z2tubSlSIMzSkhsXbmRD2KoJ3eGbkus-7M9xoMPiYHB59jym_xkW_IcKT1pJwec/s1600-h/Still+98.jpeg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 225px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitK-mWE77dotDOKTFWSamE5FehpXlmYKmnsacD0MARPNr-ZSy-_ubHBla4tvsmP4tETP-9oktoUuR6Z2tubSlSIMzSkhsXbmRD2KoJ3eGbkus-7M9xoMPiYHB59jym_xkW_IcKT1pJwec/s400/Still+98.jpeg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5388984034066373074" border="0" /></a></p><p style="text-align: center;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-style: italic;">lots of different waves in Alaska, you just have to show up</span></span><br /></p> <span style="text-decoration: underline;"></span> <p class="MsoNormal"><!--[if !supportEmptyParas]--> <!--[endif]--><o:p></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">From Yakutat we flew to the capital city Juneau, where we spent <span style="font-weight: bold;">International Coastal Clean-Up Day</span> pulling out trash from the inner coastal waterway around the city with owners and employees of the <a style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);" href="http://www.alaskanbeer.com/">Alaskan Brewing Company</a><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);">.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUY2sDqRIoIEZk9Zo2b8ZkYQmqTgmC-o86Ahtl4Dd4ZApQMiUz09E1rOuw8WalNqgMYrgnJXh4t-EmY3zJTeRwFZaFETcPXfsss-xKQmYHkfG2wIm4PR4twjy_Fvc8BG-QWfeBIR7BEKE/s1600-h/IBCUD.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 262px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUY2sDqRIoIEZk9Zo2b8ZkYQmqTgmC-o86Ahtl4Dd4ZApQMiUz09E1rOuw8WalNqgMYrgnJXh4t-EmY3zJTeRwFZaFETcPXfsss-xKQmYHkfG2wIm4PR4twjy_Fvc8BG-QWfeBIR7BEKE/s400/IBCUD.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5388975007255405010" border="0" /></a></p><p style="text-align: center;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-style: italic;">International Coastal Clean Up Day crew posing with the loot of trash</span></span><br /></p> <p class="MsoNormal"></p><p class="MsoNormal"><!--[if !supportEmptyParas]--> <!--[endif]--><o:p></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">Alaskan Brewing Co. was voted one of America’s 15 best places to work, and hanging out with the owners showed us why this is so.<span style=""> </span>They were so generous and genuine, feeding us fresh caught crab and listening intently to our ideas about ocean conservation.</p><p class="MsoNormal"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmFNtl3svK8L61pYip7zQ36oYv75foCJB4rUUAKfK8ukWOFa2xLNSwW0JHJp-yfd5HquvHEAf1k4-7ykwGxuWNFc7aqI-IRxiuoKBRedgeYJU3ldLe7pmOjovx5edjkd97rVHDEYlJA9g/s1600-h/jared+camera+photos+116.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmFNtl3svK8L61pYip7zQ36oYv75foCJB4rUUAKfK8ukWOFa2xLNSwW0JHJp-yfd5HquvHEAf1k4-7ykwGxuWNFc7aqI-IRxiuoKBRedgeYJU3ldLe7pmOjovx5edjkd97rVHDEYlJA9g/s400/jared+camera+photos+116.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5388964280980191250" border="0" /></a></p><p style="text-align: center;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-style: italic;">that's a pot full of crabs caught and prepared by AK Brew founder Geoff Larson, almost ready to eat!</span></span></p><p style="text-align: center;" class="MsoNormal"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYNEWx3e49soN4hmp0DX2aOJ60wSdmKyv61q1BukHzoicBXR1nxYfLOPdaxl9ILaz4jodEogaQgw0drRKA-BCWbhIYqqm29iDUu_ctmvEbwb6OY3_FW1m9ytV1XR1cEFeLYrdOpLfIW50/s1600-h/jared+camera+photos+369.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYNEWx3e49soN4hmp0DX2aOJ60wSdmKyv61q1BukHzoicBXR1nxYfLOPdaxl9ILaz4jodEogaQgw0drRKA-BCWbhIYqqm29iDUu_ctmvEbwb6OY3_FW1m9ytV1XR1cEFeLYrdOpLfIW50/s400/jared+camera+photos+369.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5388980039051026642" border="0" /></a></p><p style="text-align: center;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-style: italic;">(l to r) AK Brew Co-Owner Marcy Larson, Jared Criscuolo, (squatting) Ak Brew master Steve Sano, Kathleen Egan, AK Brew Co-Owner Geoff Larson, Loren Luyendyk, Elizabeth Stergiou</span></span><br /></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><!--[if !supportEmptyParas]--> <!--[endif]--><o:p></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">We left early in the morning on the 20th, exhausted from a grueling schedule, but super stoked on Alaska and fired up to protect the beach!<span style=""> </span><span style="font-weight: bold;">SWoBs was selected to join in this trip based on our work with waste-to-energy technology, specifically the gasification of plastic to produce electricity.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrfUzH6TJkTiSYacpeOjwHj6NQn_aIpCCI1xuIQvPZ6oPJUKUM9DM5ANLS__W8ciXNNaN4h2EdJrxSyQ0E3b19rSPJx7H0ACInNau06YTYROJhJPQrIKvwkYWy3rMcXTsSKORsmg2YgFA/s1600-h/jared+camera+photos+085.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrfUzH6TJkTiSYacpeOjwHj6NQn_aIpCCI1xuIQvPZ6oPJUKUM9DM5ANLS__W8ciXNNaN4h2EdJrxSyQ0E3b19rSPJx7H0ACInNau06YTYROJhJPQrIKvwkYWy3rMcXTsSKORsmg2YgFA/s400/jared+camera+photos+085.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5388964274452393810" border="0" /></a></p><p style="text-align: center;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-style: italic;font-size:85%;" >the Hubbard glacier near Juneau</span><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-style: italic;">, rapidly receding</span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><!--[if !supportEmptyParas]--> <!--[endif]--><o:p></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">We are seeking funding for the development of the gasification idea, coupled with a <b>marine debris study</b><span style="font-weight: normal;"> of the </span><b>Gaviota Coast</b><span style="font-weight: normal;"> from Point Conception to Campus Point.<span style=""> </span>The goal is to travel the coast by </span><b>boat</b><span style="font-weight: normal;"> (</span><b>powered by plastic</b><span style="font-weight: normal;">) and collect shallow water and shore debris for categorization and weighing, with the goal of determining the sources of oceanic trash.</span></p><br /><div> </div> <div> </div>Don't forget to register for the upcoming <a style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(0, 0, 153);" href="http://www.carboneconomysb.com/">Carbon Economy Series</a><span style="font-weight: bold;"> </span>at the <span style="font-weight: bold;">Orella Ranch</span> this fall. Courses include <span style="font-weight: bold;">Soil Food Web</span> with Elaine Ingram, <span style="font-weight: bold;">Holistic Management and Permaculture Design</span> with Darren Doherty and Kirk Gadzia, <span style="font-weight: bold;">Zero Energy Research and Intiatives</span> with Gunter Pauli, and <span style="font-weight: bold;">Pathways to Relocalization</span> with Joel Salatin. Only three weeks left until the first course! <a style="font-style: italic; font-weight: bold; color: rgb(0, 0, 153);" href="http://www.carboneconomysb.com/"><span>click here to register or learn more...</span></a><br /><br /><p style="font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-weight: normal;">Or come to the<br /></span></p><p style="font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-weight: bold;font-size:130%;" ><span style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);">Climate Action, Stand for Sustainability Community Event! </span><br /></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">When</span>: <span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(102, 0, 0);">October 24th, 6-9pm (Worldwide Climate action day!)</span> <span style="font-weight: bold;"><br /></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Where:</span> Faulkner Gallery at the Santa Barbara </span><span style="font-weight: normal;">Public Library</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">What:</span> </span><span style="color:black;">An open discussion forum to bring active local organizations together to share their ideas, projects and resources with the public about </span><span style="color:red;">global warming, sustainable agriculture, permaculture, reduction of ocean pollution and other pressing issues related to sustainability</span><span style="color:black;">. News will be shared about the <i>upcoming <a rel="nofollow" target="_blank" href="http://www.carboneconomysb.com/"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 191);">Carbon Economy Series</span></a> at the Orella Ranch.</i></span><span style="color:red;"> </span><span style="color:black;"> The goal is to raise awareness, build support and strengthen our community.</span><b><span style="color:black;"> </span></b><b><span style="color:black;">How:</span></b><span style="color:black;"> There will be a projector available to show short informational videos about projects, as well as a microphone for speakers.</span><b><br /><span style="color:black;"> </span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="color:black;"><br /></span></b></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="color:black;">Cost:</span></b><span style="color:black;"> Free (donations to pay for the room gratefully accepted).</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color:black;"><br /></span></p> <p style="font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-weight: normal;">Thanks for reading- We hope you enjoy it as much as we enjoy writing it! Please comment on our blogs if you feel so inspired- all input is useful and important!<br /></span></p><p style="font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-style: italic;">photo credits: Alaska photos courtesy of Jared Criscuolo</span></span><br /></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><!--[if !supportEmptyParas]--> <!--[endif]--><o:p></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><!--[if !supportEmptyParas]--> <!--[endif]--><o:p></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><!--[if !supportEmptyParas]--> <!--[endif]--><o:p></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><!--[if !supportEmptyParas]--> <!--[endif]--><o:p></o:p></p> <!--EndFragment-->SWoBshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08161414403059411227noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2981031667524638180.post-74726665991009437442009-08-31T17:31:00.000-07:002009-09-02T10:24:48.837-07:00Sustainable Aid and the Carbon Economy<div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8Ty3GUxmnOLbkL_pPBENgZVACkp-YyyErfd3rBCSg_soqBo8PEG2qb24o6ZzO8WsbYnSBGukYl8p0ILnxyPQ4O-kUsCZMdcSbVkUaDX5qg6meE65A1TcRY8aLUlz0_lGuyWMXb-o6_Jo/s1600-h/Quail+Springs.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8Ty3GUxmnOLbkL_pPBENgZVACkp-YyyErfd3rBCSg_soqBo8PEG2qb24o6ZzO8WsbYnSBGukYl8p0ILnxyPQ4O-kUsCZMdcSbVkUaDX5qg6meE65A1TcRY8aLUlz0_lGuyWMXb-o6_Jo/s400/Quail+Springs.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5376290763740425874" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-style: italic;">Natural Building in a natural setting - Quail Springs Learning Oasis</span><br /></span></div>> <!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <o:documentproperties> <o:template>Normal</o:Template> <o:revision>0</o:Revision> <o:totaltime>0</o:TotalTime> <o:pages>1</o:Pages> <o:words>610</o:Words> <o:characters>3477</o:Characters> <o:lines>28</o:Lines> <o:paragraphs>6</o:Paragraphs> <o:characterswithspaces>4270</o:CharactersWithSpaces> <o:version>11.1282</o:Version> </o:DocumentProperties> <o:officedocumentsettings> <o:allowpng/> </o:OfficeDocumentSettings> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:worddocument> <w:zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:donotshowrevisions/> <w:donotprintrevisions/> <w:displayhorizontaldrawinggridevery>0</w:DisplayHorizontalDrawingGridEvery> <w:displayverticaldrawinggridevery>0</w:DisplayVerticalDrawingGridEvery> <w:usemarginsfordrawinggridorigin/> </w:WordDocument> </xml><![endif]--> <style> <!-- /* Font Definitions */ @font-face {font-family:"Times New Roman"; panose-1:0 2 2 6 3 5 4 5 2 3; mso-font-charset:0; mso-generic-font-family:auto; mso-font-pitch:variable; mso-font-signature:50331648 0 0 0 1 0;} /* Style Definitions */ p.MsoNormal, li.MsoNormal, div.MsoNormal {mso-style-parent:""; margin:0in; margin-bottom:.0001pt; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:12.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman";} table.MsoNormalTable {mso-style-parent:""; font-size:10.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman";} @page Section1 {size:8.5in 11.0in; margin:1.0in 1.25in 1.0in 1.25in; mso-header-margin:.5in; mso-footer-margin:.5in; mso-paper-source:0;} div.Section1 {page:Section1;} --> </style> <!--StartFragment--><span style="font-weight: bold;">The course on Sustainable Aid for the 2/3rds World was an incredible experience for us</span>.<span style=""> </span>Held at the high desert <span style="font-weight: bold;">Learning Oasis and Permaculture Farm</span><span style="font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;">, <a href="http://www.quailsprings.org/content/view/111/85/">Quail Springs</a></span>, the course brought together some pretty amazing folks, a multi cultural group with lots of experience with international travel and tons of passion for service.<br /><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzZSMMxNxdtqtkugfCl-oXz8rQt0aeTfXuYSsAaI1H50JlUDQCt2EqSuFvNpHy4jvXjtbkQ5OZ_riIhkAxpDKztOvX4FkDnxhvAQkoi0FDtTdKJO1jnhLc0ZmHuPj4lMbPHLiC35CcD8Y/s1600-h/aid+crew.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzZSMMxNxdtqtkugfCl-oXz8rQt0aeTfXuYSsAaI1H50JlUDQCt2EqSuFvNpHy4jvXjtbkQ5OZ_riIhkAxpDKztOvX4FkDnxhvAQkoi0FDtTdKJO1jnhLc0ZmHuPj4lMbPHLiC35CcD8Y/s400/aid+crew.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5376290745053819826" border="0" /></a></p><p style="text-align: center; font-style: italic;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:85%;">Sustainable Aid Crew, ready to take on the <span style="font-size:85%;">challenges</span> of our times!</span></p><p style="text-align: center;" class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;">Robyn Francis</span><span style="font-weight: bold;"> led our class through the processes for creating long lasting, and therefore truly sustainable projects in communities of high need.</span><span style=""> </span>Her experience in the harsh conditions of the Australian Outback working with Aboriginals and 25 years of international travel working within communities, makes her a wealth of extremely valuable knowledge. She is also the founder of <a href="http://permaculture.com.au/central/">Permaculture Education and Djangbung Gardens</a>. She is a true legend!</p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEir1s0PGCtbiNIbr5hDnIk3vph04xtEvy7isgiVCKHr5c73tG7z6bTaE3T8OqBS1GGSAYYH5RVO8Af1UEVM-6UR3pV4ptStB_lgz10V_Gq2WVmk3PL04QcPb0pJDrJLR8lWhlAclTPqkgQ/s1600-h/studying.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEir1s0PGCtbiNIbr5hDnIk3vph04xtEvy7isgiVCKHr5c73tG7z6bTaE3T8OqBS1GGSAYYH5RVO8Af1UEVM-6UR3pV4ptStB_lgz10V_Gq2WVmk3PL04QcPb0pJDrJLR8lWhlAclTPqkgQ/s400/studying.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5376290754980541810" border="0" /></a></p><p style="text-align: center;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:85%;">Jeremiah, Cuahtemoc, Marisha, and Loren focused on the design</span></p><p style="text-align: center;" class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdRCtP3z_ZlbIxjtjGkD_auR_mOM-AEkCngkPDrd_xchjwWnYyyW0XUL6jZcRBqVzu4lG8AMwSMPJhul3JfLwjH5aKILauJ7dooaEbBEOL-aVdZG4WM-9CRjeCi_UWJK_tUYSgF0ZsM68/s1600-h/garden+view.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdRCtP3z_ZlbIxjtjGkD_auR_mOM-AEkCngkPDrd_xchjwWnYyyW0XUL6jZcRBqVzu4lG8AMwSMPJhul3JfLwjH5aKILauJ7dooaEbBEOL-aVdZG4WM-9CRjeCi_UWJK_tUYSgF0ZsM68/s400/garden+view.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5376290766047222866" border="0" /></a></p><p style="text-align: center;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:85%;">Cat, Vinay, and Grant, observing the garden</span></p><p style="text-align: center;" class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><p style="text-align: center;" class="MsoNormal"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1yVBTi4QKLyQqpqJ3hO3PHuDg6XZ2-rkL-H72QlWN3H8qmhQ7V3p6rXeVlLb5hOwbjhj4qZvnKm-pTK4qfcNDgBTtvoCkWKN1lvFo9eq5GP6IbAvhHjgX_frVQPXcg8on9wjJN8x8Uys/s1600-h/cob+ovens.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1yVBTi4QKLyQqpqJ3hO3PHuDg6XZ2-rkL-H72QlWN3H8qmhQ7V3p6rXeVlLb5hOwbjhj4qZvnKm-pTK4qfcNDgBTtvoCkWKN1lvFo9eq5GP6IbAvhHjgX_frVQPXcg8on9wjJN8x8Uys/s400/cob+ovens.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5376302094838053090" border="0" /></a></p> <p style="text-align: center;" class="MsoNormal"><span style=""> </span><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-style: italic;">Timelessly shaped earthen ovens</span></span><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal">It was a perfect opportunity to reflect on our trip, and share our challenges and successes, and recieve guidance from a proffesional aid worker like Roybn and support from the group. It was a challenging and humbling experience, but left us better equipped with tools to put to practice.</p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbkasSM6nTIEGUDqk8BfJavVqBkfeTyoIO3h7daBIMVHx8YXZdJo6vRFq5sbFUYig5Y0MrOCra4g78uqw2ZDmYxHIFWLJlt3wF4sQHv-fNmJc6wpjFfR21plgePA-ftr-TnF5LIYXdv0w/s1600-h/closingcircle.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbkasSM6nTIEGUDqk8BfJavVqBkfeTyoIO3h7daBIMVHx8YXZdJo6vRFq5sbFUYig5Y0MrOCra4g78uqw2ZDmYxHIFWLJlt3wF4sQHv-fNmJc6wpjFfR21plgePA-ftr-TnF5LIYXdv0w/s400/closingcircle.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5376302085814938898" border="0" /></a></p><p style="text-align: center;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:85%;">Closing circle- speaking from the heart always brings us closer</span></p><p style="text-align: center;" class="MsoNormal"><br /></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><!--[if !supportEmptyParas]--> <!--[endif]--><o:p></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">We are back on the Gaviota Coast on the <a href="http://www.orellaranch.com/OR/Welcome.html"><span style="font-style: italic;">Orella Ranch</span></a>.<span style=""> </span><span style="font-weight: bold;">The ranch is in full swing, preparing for an upcoming series of workshops that offer to be the cutting edge in sustainability.</span><span style="font-weight: bold;"> </span><span style="font-weight: bold;"><a href="http://www.carboneconomysb.com/"><span style="font-style: italic;">The Carbon Economy Series</span></a><span style="font-style: italic;font-size:85%;" > (click to link to site)</span> brings together an all-star line-up of farmers and thinkers to offer solutions to the various crisis that are unfolding across the planet.</span><span style=""><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style=""><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-iPoxIkTqlTmVWRdhtEpph1ciuO7JcfcTHuUk1dX79Zvi5hpwr0LjwA9_ME632CYWaacMt7-VcJ-eQqENvg-CYFrbZlrN-42Ah04aTgWDvCjOxQY-Y6iXOxxZqW_XyJ5a4vYoR5mfc84/s1600-h/cobathroom.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-iPoxIkTqlTmVWRdhtEpph1ciuO7JcfcTHuUk1dX79Zvi5hpwr0LjwA9_ME632CYWaacMt7-VcJ-eQqENvg-CYFrbZlrN-42Ah04aTgWDvCjOxQY-Y6iXOxxZqW_XyJ5a4vYoR5mfc84/s400/cobathroom.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5376368378152024962" border="0" /></a></p><p style="text-align: center;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-style: italic;">Low-carbon building</span></p><p style="text-align: center;" class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-weight: bold;">The creation of a carbon economy may provide financial incentive for farms and businesses to offset their own and more carbon emissions</span>.<span style=""> </span><a href="http://www.carboneconomysb.com/"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Click here to learn more and register</span></a></p><p class="MsoNormal"><a href="http://www.carboneconomysb.com/"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><br /></span></a></p><p class="MsoNormal"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaZhxXAIVv-KnSLvTq5h4goMHqvb4SqS-76n6GocLLaCq6DTnubyyx-6Bg6cWkDAQNteZIi7s4qZKhpUnuwZyUtsVGQbMOgRX1xw_Ea4CvHzNafyD4L4EjIXAhX1nml6h4Eruhf2VdM-8/s1600-h/inside+dolphin+rm.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaZhxXAIVv-KnSLvTq5h4goMHqvb4SqS-76n6GocLLaCq6DTnubyyx-6Bg6cWkDAQNteZIi7s4qZKhpUnuwZyUtsVGQbMOgRX1xw_Ea4CvHzNafyD4L4EjIXAhX1nml6h4Eruhf2VdM-8/s400/inside+dolphin+rm.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5376368388201292866" border="0" /></a></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><!--[if !supportEmptyParas]--> <!--[endif]--><o:p></o:p></p> <p style="text-align: center;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-style: italic;">Natural Plastering by Aubrey and others</span><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal">It is no doubt that <span style="font-weight: bold;">our lives are intricately linked to the production of carbon dioxide (CO2), a potentially harmful greenhouse gas</span>.<span style=""> </span>Basically, our entire modern <span style="font-weight: bold;">consumer culture is predicated on the indiscriminate burning of fossil fuels</span>, one of the leading sources of CO2.<span style=""> </span>Our water and food supply chains, the construction of our homes, and the jobs that pay for it all rely on cheap fuel to keep them running- and these systems have been designed around a continuous supply at affordable prices.</p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvM_bBSou-D4H3ZCYwQsAV2nZeAEh2pbGNcsdBeT-qraved-eN6oFfVaiCh2nuzxOU-iX1w8_GmkLhv5KpY7Tc3tU8FL_QFQTl_iYkEkxFH-EMpEylLB-7Wrv1cQnaebOtN7sNZSIx7hQ/s1600-h/Global_Warming.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvM_bBSou-D4H3ZCYwQsAV2nZeAEh2pbGNcsdBeT-qraved-eN6oFfVaiCh2nuzxOU-iX1w8_GmkLhv5KpY7Tc3tU8FL_QFQTl_iYkEkxFH-EMpEylLB-7Wrv1cQnaebOtN7sNZSIx7hQ/s400/Global_Warming.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5376370118018930802" border="0" /></a></p><p style="text-align: center;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-style: italic;">Yikes!</span></span></p><p style="text-align: center;" class="MsoNormal"><br /></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><!--[if !supportEmptyParas]--> <!--[endif]--><o:p></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">As some have stated: “The Party’s Over”.<span style=""> </span>We are in the age of “Peak Oil” and “Global Warming”.<span style=""> </span>Sounds like the solution is right there in the problem.<span style=""> </span>We have realized that our planes, trains and automobiles may have given rise to the temperatures climbing at the poles, and tiny islands being covered by the ocean.<span style=""> </span><span style="font-weight: bold;">Oil is being burned faster than it can be pulled out of the ground, and the prices are rising with the seas, and not much is being done about it.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijLSbBaHVeqX3naLs95yH4VYBIxKPaQx5I9LX8GZcV5jqCQcxwL5Ogerx-BT3eIRx-7UBA7kGcrjAoxiuMVUcT52YwbUmSUppa2RowQ1XMl5CgWS5aZeusrL1vb2clQ9QY3ag4ygFEhYE/s1600-h/Global_Warming_Map.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 298px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijLSbBaHVeqX3naLs95yH4VYBIxKPaQx5I9LX8GZcV5jqCQcxwL5Ogerx-BT3eIRx-7UBA7kGcrjAoxiuMVUcT52YwbUmSUppa2RowQ1XMl5CgWS5aZeusrL1vb2clQ9QY3ag4ygFEhYE/s400/Global_Warming_Map.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5376370123321389394" border="0" /></a></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><!--[if !supportEmptyParas]--> <!--[endif]--><o:p></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal">What a better time than now to re-design our lives! It is it not necessary to produce harmful gasses into the atmosphere to provide our basic needs.<span style=""> </span><span style="font-weight: bold;">We can also offset some of the impacts of our past actions by planting trees!</span><span style="font-weight: bold;"> </span><span style="font-weight: bold;">Most trees take up an average of 1 tonne of CO2 in their lifetime.</span><span style="font-weight: bold;"> </span><span style="font-weight: bold;">Most people need to plant around 7 trees per year to offset their CO2 use</span>.</p><p class="MsoNormal"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzeY-BJo6i5mez85iM8D3NZiwIX5qVtVIdESX_ykoB5S1XWzYabL-1UXevpeDPQD52DSL-SOudX-81ISQt1Tt6yoZqBnmF1VCHwmvgCjj0BlrpcWfY_xDbycRmmDioz-ZKfjuzP6TyaLU/s1600-h/Sustainable+circles.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzeY-BJo6i5mez85iM8D3NZiwIX5qVtVIdESX_ykoB5S1XWzYabL-1UXevpeDPQD52DSL-SOudX-81ISQt1Tt6yoZqBnmF1VCHwmvgCjj0BlrpcWfY_xDbycRmmDioz-ZKfjuzP6TyaLU/s400/Sustainable+circles.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5376371234724468706" border="0" /></a><br /><span style=""> </span><o:p></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><!--[if !supportEmptyParas]--> <!--[endif]--><o:p></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-weight: bold;">We planted the first trees in a series of plantings around our little compound to begin the process of offsetting our carbon use from our trip</span>.<span style=""> </span>Our rough calculation of our use (for the two of us traveling 10,000 miles in the cab-over for a year) is around 17 tonnes of CO2, that is around 8.5 tonnes each, or 60% <i>less</i><span style="font-style: normal;"> than the national average for USA of 20.4 tonnes.<span style=""> </span><a style="font-style: italic;" href="http://www.carbonfootprint.com/calculator1.html">Click here to calculate your own footprint.</a><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-style: normal;"><br /></span></p><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAtKekWah6qgE2dODZQT9bFgbWp6nlviDiJAJ5wfClyknaNLH8YaEKxtkO37ySb3j51WmYgYM5G1E5_UdQ5b-h0WICCSeWR4seQiQHhzcwOITrQA4W26gJj1mJsbK-bN6i0Y7f_bHUcS0/s1600-h/trees+y+billy.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 303px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAtKekWah6qgE2dODZQT9bFgbWp6nlviDiJAJ5wfClyknaNLH8YaEKxtkO37ySb3j51WmYgYM5G1E5_UdQ5b-h0WICCSeWR4seQiQHhzcwOITrQA4W26gJj1mJsbK-bN6i0Y7f_bHUcS0/s400/trees+y+billy.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5376347769774584290" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-style: italic;">Billy-goat Holmes eyeing the trees Loren is going to plant<br /><br /><br /></span></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIDJCoMnkCzo1VYhEywjafUiea_chrF6tGPQbgge-W-oIyI21FGVxB9sBV50XRNKZF0y63vtB1vL5INKrtyM0WG8_qC_Ah8J4UQtErAi-Cl9zzrOdDOyjUGTfLzWDWIdwTXL8Q7LlFkGs/s1600-h/watering+the+tree.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIDJCoMnkCzo1VYhEywjafUiea_chrF6tGPQbgge-W-oIyI21FGVxB9sBV50XRNKZF0y63vtB1vL5INKrtyM0WG8_qC_Ah8J4UQtErAi-Cl9zzrOdDOyjUGTfLzWDWIdwTXL8Q7LlFkGs/s400/watering+the+tree.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5376347778086130354" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-style: italic;">Giving little tree its first drink in solid ground<br /></span></span><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><br /></span><span style="font-weight: bold;">We estimate that we are already indirectly offsetting some of our CO2 emission through the programs we started on our trip.</span><span style="font-weight: bold;"> </span><span style="font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;">The Water bottle refill program</span><span style="font-weight: bold;"> alone could remove an estimated 100 bottles per week out of the waste stream.</span><span style=""> </span>Over the 20-week tourist season, that is around 2000 bottles per year at each of the three stores who started the program, for a total of 6000 bottles per year.<span style=""> </span>Each bottle generates 0.5 kg of CO2 in its production, for a total offset of 3000 kg, or 1.5 tonnes per year.</div> <p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="text-decoration: underline;font-size:85%;" ><br /></span><span style="font-size:85%;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfQr-aB6PZ1BssDlO50MOPvBOE_9fEjCm2pYWSJXMnVvSfXzDp3HiqFQU5Y5zP5oI2cqroo_COnIvUKkiQ_KpgT6ULDLqCOWJv_IJzOWvPBPQA-evuZBCNH4rCXLUU4oyv31KNYGcdZIM/s1600-h/lo+nursery+trees.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 286px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfQr-aB6PZ1BssDlO50MOPvBOE_9fEjCm2pYWSJXMnVvSfXzDp3HiqFQU5Y5zP5oI2cqroo_COnIvUKkiQ_KpgT6ULDLqCOWJv_IJzOWvPBPQA-evuZBCNH4rCXLUU4oyv31KNYGcdZIM/s400/lo+nursery+trees.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5376566639202683762" border="0" /></a>Loren ready to plant his trees at <span style="font-style: italic;">Orella Ranch. </span>Olives, Cherimoyas, Mulberries...<br /></span></div><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><!--[if !supportEmptyParas]--> <!--[endif]--><o:p></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-weight: bold;">We will plant at least 10 trees each over the next couple of months to offset our CO2 use for the trip.</span><span style="font-weight: bold;"> </span><span style="font-weight: bold;">We are also planting our vegetable garden, which can also significantly offset a persons’ CO2 use.</span><span style=""> </span>All of this helps reduce global climate change and support the Carbon Economy.<span style=""> </span>Plus we will have the added benefit of eating the fresh fruit and veggies!</p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi06P5zXc6qwXTce9l7QQ2hCuoD149BRnP5AAtq-Y_LL4frWqBO6UOTCQYKqL30aPdJOvWpkT-LsLuWa7Sqj7KqnfU8PpCGolmdjiGggvx0v2633UIML5yyohjjH0tEnXjKeVtw8BNKQUE/s1600-h/nursery.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi06P5zXc6qwXTce9l7QQ2hCuoD149BRnP5AAtq-Y_LL4frWqBO6UOTCQYKqL30aPdJOvWpkT-LsLuWa7Sqj7KqnfU8PpCGolmdjiGggvx0v2633UIML5yyohjjH0tEnXjKeVtw8BNKQUE/s400/nursery.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5376565166127580226" border="0" /></a></p><p style="text-align: center;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-style: italic;">Orella Ranch</span> Nursery</span></p><p style="text-align: center;" class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOj_1nwydUmMKj56V9Jk_s_e0On7TcohAO9WFZ__U39RdS8Yx2HhQZUxIVo2yrb-gZHgi56IORhXQmMC36HkDP8-hrfYsKTOz0noVwq83xBb-hGOesdsuqaL_biRQunGZST8_tabMRciU/s1600-h/cannas+and+mulberries.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOj_1nwydUmMKj56V9Jk_s_e0On7TcohAO9WFZ__U39RdS8Yx2HhQZUxIVo2yrb-gZHgi56IORhXQmMC36HkDP8-hrfYsKTOz0noVwq83xBb-hGOesdsuqaL_biRQunGZST8_tabMRciU/s400/cannas+and+mulberries.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5376565159634972578" border="0" /></a></p><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size:85%;">Green is good<br /><br /></span> </div><p class="MsoNormal"><!--[if !supportEmptyParas]--> <!--[endif]--><o:p></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">We are currently developing a survey to ask you, our faithful readers, what you think is the most pressing need of the oceans and the people right now in history.<span style=""> </span>We hope you will all participate, as this will help us to better understand peoples’ concerns, and therefore the projects that will most likely succeed with your help! </p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal">P.S.<span style="font-style: italic;"> there's more!</span><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-weight: bold;">We also highly recommend seeing the new movie "The Cove"</span>. It is currently playing at the <span style=";font-family:verdana,arial,helvetica;font-size:85%;" > Plaza de Oro (371 S. Hitchcock Ave)</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:verdana,arial,helvetica;font-size:85%;" ><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:verdana,arial,helvetica;font-size:85%;" ><span style="background: transparent none repeat scroll 0% 0%; cursor: pointer; -moz-background-clip: border; -moz-background-origin: padding; -moz-background-inline-policy: continuous;" class="yshortcuts" id="lw_1251832443_8">Movie Trailer</span>: <a target="_blank" href="http://www.thecovemovie.com/"><span class="yshortcuts" id="lw_1251832443_9">http://www.thecovemovie.com</span></a><br />Save Japan Dolphins: <a target="_blank" href="http://www.savejapandolphins.org/"><span class="yshortcuts" id="lw_1251832443_10">http://www.savejapandolphins.org</span></a><br /> Earth Island Instititue: <a target="_blank" href="http://www.earthisland.org/"><span class="yshortcuts" id="lw_1251832443_11">http://www.earthisland.org</span></a><br /> Great interview on NPR about the film: <a target="_blank" href="http://tinyurl.com/CoveonNPR"><span class="yshortcuts" id="lw_1251832443_12">http://tinyurl.com/CoveonNPR</span></a><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal">Also if you are in Oceanside tonight, Tuesday, Sept. 1st at 7pm</p><p class="MsoNormal">there is a Benefit Screening for the California Surf Museum of <span style="font-weight: bold;">"The Women and the Waves"</span></p><p class="MsoNormal">at The Grace Theater (102 N. Freeman St.)</p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal">* <span style="font-weight: bold;">On going Community Events in Carpinteria- Local Earth People</span> is presenting Social projects, art, music, and surf movies at the Women's Club every Friday night in September.</p><p class="MsoNormal">contact: Jason Lesh at <span widget="" cmd="headerView:senderSearch" class="cgSelectable cgSelectable-over" title="View all messages from this sender">BiggieBarge@aol.com</span><span class="dots" id="1_messageHeaderSender_dots"> for more info<br /></span></p><br /><br /><o:p></o:p> <!--EndFragment-->SWoBshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08161414403059411227noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2981031667524638180.post-22175920948075303992009-07-22T08:32:00.001-07:002009-07-22T14:06:36.639-07:00Closing the Loop<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7_QsniLliGsO1L__iOhBo7ItV1tkratHD7t1ZVUgSIkQxCd_7ej-ia0-HjgNielgNYauL_dzSAJvKb_DON8dGAyP8mxb4uChrFb1H_u815lLQWyzWL5O9jY-ZHuCKDv_IUBgZyNC_YF4/s1600-h/c+sunset.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5361308186067508290" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: pointer; HEIGHT: 225px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7_QsniLliGsO1L__iOhBo7ItV1tkratHD7t1ZVUgSIkQxCd_7ej-ia0-HjgNielgNYauL_dzSAJvKb_DON8dGAyP8mxb4uChrFb1H_u815lLQWyzWL5O9jY-ZHuCKDv_IUBgZyNC_YF4/s400/c+sunset.jpg" border="0" /></a><span style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold">One of the few things that moves fast while traveling through Mexico is time.</span> Our time here has flown by us, like the majority of cars who fly pass our big white turtle shell on the road.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEif4MECeKW7zIpY6Lhpl-bfqcKYNWUTo4U7z3ZvJWjWasDOnPcnDolP6J-5dx5RrU6EVrrR2xpptJGSPlD-MkNWiHtrNGgX9P8PwgbKm7H-phFQAfNsJXeHhOoTA3oDp6cxIq-6pL-hmFo/s1600-h/shining+palms.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5361308177472493394" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: pointer; HEIGHT: 225px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEif4MECeKW7zIpY6Lhpl-bfqcKYNWUTo4U7z3ZvJWjWasDOnPcnDolP6J-5dx5RrU6EVrrR2xpptJGSPlD-MkNWiHtrNGgX9P8PwgbKm7H-phFQAfNsJXeHhOoTA3oDp6cxIq-6pL-hmFo/s400/shining+palms.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />We felt we had accomplished, to the best of our present abilities, what we had come down to do, while learning much more than we could have imagined.<br /><br /><div style="TEXT-ALIGN: center"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4HKCn-e1nOb0dOUn6j58xwgXJHG2LjiKBzWG-KF8Ln_jTetBph7pWW0fkxAgeiujOADMMk4ik2ah2PK84GQDYaHwv9pNNooWKBFmRJq-nJiE_Jf9w_H76JAjerTlcJ9ax6yXERUuABEE/s1600-h/corny.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5361346028760561538" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: pointer; HEIGHT: 266px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4HKCn-e1nOb0dOUn6j58xwgXJHG2LjiKBzWG-KF8Ln_jTetBph7pWW0fkxAgeiujOADMMk4ik2ah2PK84GQDYaHwv9pNNooWKBFmRJq-nJiE_Jf9w_H76JAjerTlcJ9ax6yXERUuABEE/s400/corny.jpg" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="FONT-STYLE: italic">Keeping it local- corn harvest. photo by Ty Diffin</span> </span></div><br /><span style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold">Our goal for this trip was less about what we could “do”, but what could we “be” in the presence of a new culture and a new land. How we could relate, create and integrate.</span><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSx_Hd2tWH3jScOiWA5roLSgyRejhHl55sktvx-iXedckqjuNW7wJkFUu7YsswSoYekjXYQ1fgk3c4FpgMkZohQRvanK9dRpSPBRcPcCwQF_ahAQw30QWoVaaD3BO0UgracgnZ16Ieea0/s1600-h/board4daboys.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5361346022361904754" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: pointer; HEIGHT: 259px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSx_Hd2tWH3jScOiWA5roLSgyRejhHl55sktvx-iXedckqjuNW7wJkFUu7YsswSoYekjXYQ1fgk3c4FpgMkZohQRvanK9dRpSPBRcPcCwQF_ahAQw30QWoVaaD3BO0UgracgnZ16Ieea0/s400/board4daboys.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />The first step has been to form positive relations with the people – all people. Young, old, Rich, poor, educated, uneducated, local or foreign. All equally valuable, all have something to teach.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFn0YaiskYUgd8b6lgc9a-SY4FXswXa4d9xGq4Xs-wN_v2jm1oTZyqot6GsC1yuEd4IHVrRMocmepHqTxeJnWbht2RCwXspd8U219yf1ARPlataWPIDhoL7pBitCAXSlNL-XkZjzEkbzE/s1600-h/pescas.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5361349604963350402" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: pointer; HEIGHT: 266px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFn0YaiskYUgd8b6lgc9a-SY4FXswXa4d9xGq4Xs-wN_v2jm1oTZyqot6GsC1yuEd4IHVrRMocmepHqTxeJnWbht2RCwXspd8U219yf1ARPlataWPIDhoL7pBitCAXSlNL-XkZjzEkbzE/s400/pescas.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />The key to creating positive growth and change may be through the integration of merging the old ways and the new. Keeping traditions that have sustained life and have not sold out essential resources, like land, water and food. At the same time leaving room for new ideas and technologies that may support and enrich one’s life.<br /><br /><div style="TEXT-ALIGN: center"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggdxTAe-ir1teNyYaW2TzMdo_O4v_j7Y9FjoWg-FaHF2wHGRatoW3wp92S7wrkINLgNEw7n1ardli2G5Tos5iK1rpT-e3isYLZ7Nai5DqmZ0gLNZT87c1SbqUFaMrLq0GaSppNYaOs3lw/s1600-h/coco+farm.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5361308455026277970" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: pointer; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggdxTAe-ir1teNyYaW2TzMdo_O4v_j7Y9FjoWg-FaHF2wHGRatoW3wp92S7wrkINLgNEw7n1ardli2G5Tos5iK1rpT-e3isYLZ7Nai5DqmZ0gLNZT87c1SbqUFaMrLq0GaSppNYaOs3lw/s400/coco+farm.jpg" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="FONT-STYLE: italic">Cocos sustain life</span></span><br /><br /></div>Technological gadgets have been a great resource to us and gave us an opportunity to share with the locals something they had never seen before. <strong>We put together video clips of “La Banda”,</strong> the local surfer boys and others who had spent time in the town, and made them a short movie. <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oPCrxxK0hVE">Check it out here</a><br /><br /><div style="TEXT-ALIGN: center"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCT11YysVUFNHXacBAExFlfFYnd7lKV0N77ltsJPDpjaChyphenhyphenaE6YjK2ZvydD0QR8z0LEl8HYzBXJiEDsYXk7BZQZ4vGjHlkiZDe4CE5zTX5wfsNeVdjY6ekO33vl-IQVyy1e8GwdIRxUPg/s1600-h/bar+crew.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5361308444175795442" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: pointer; HEIGHT: 225px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCT11YysVUFNHXacBAExFlfFYnd7lKV0N77ltsJPDpjaChyphenhyphenaE6YjK2ZvydD0QR8z0LEl8HYzBXJiEDsYXk7BZQZ4vGjHlkiZDe4CE5zTX5wfsNeVdjY6ekO33vl-IQVyy1e8GwdIRxUPg/s400/bar+crew.jpg" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="FONT-STYLE: italic">La Banda premiere movie night</span> </span></div><br /><span style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold">The Water Bottle Refill Program and the Slow Sand Water Filter proved to be a good example of simple technologies that may simplify life.</span> Businesses that have been around long enough to see the build up of trash from selling disposable bottles were ready for a new alternative. The Water Bottle Refill has been a simple but effective start to decreasing the amount of single use bottles used everyday. Check out how the impact plastic water bottles alone are having on the planet (<span style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold; FONT-STYLE: italic">click to download 2 MB PowerPoint </span><a style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold; FONT-STYLE: italic" href="http://www.authorstream.com/presentation/Myrl-182439-Water-Disaster-Advise-Education-ppt-powerpoint/">Water Disaster</a>).<br /><br /><div style="TEXT-ALIGN: center"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJjnb7z3tqs0QKpa7DxWxjcwALVEuGPV6HmM5EiZ9qg3iiF1rAkIlfCTNiGh09qqIgFp99DuaXHdyfE5cbiNnCEa3K9nZw6u7YUi9INUbwK98-aYVkhp9TD4GvpDq1Hv80gYV71hjDYjw/s1600-h/bottle+art.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5361308446789876626" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: pointer; HEIGHT: 225px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJjnb7z3tqs0QKpa7DxWxjcwALVEuGPV6HmM5EiZ9qg3iiF1rAkIlfCTNiGh09qqIgFp99DuaXHdyfE5cbiNnCEa3K9nZw6u7YUi9INUbwK98-aYVkhp9TD4GvpDq1Hv80gYV71hjDYjw/s400/bottle+art.jpg" border="0" /></a><span style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold">LETS BAN THE BOTTLE!</span><br /></div><div style="TEXT-ALIGN: center"><br /></div>We were happy to help out at another popular surf destination hostel in Puerto Escondido called <span style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold; FONT-STYLE: italic">“Frutas y Verduras”</span>. The owner <span style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold">Tomo had used the Water Filter at Pepe’s and asked us if we could help him build his own</span>.<br /><br /><div style="TEXT-ALIGN: center"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiW_niTlXJXZF8izadeU_8hBk0TrkwGufE2DgYNCsK31qYkeslJh2UB35zPayCNxtS_aBiHmYSkFanM934UY9IffPY-q8TfMSsjnKyzyllsQJWGt1hxoW8RjPxs1pOTNwn1KiuNpUFHMt4/s1600-h/la+punta.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5361344513199040018" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: pointer; HEIGHT: 225px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiW_niTlXJXZF8izadeU_8hBk0TrkwGufE2DgYNCsK31qYkeslJh2UB35zPayCNxtS_aBiHmYSkFanM934UY9IffPY-q8TfMSsjnKyzyllsQJWGt1hxoW8RjPxs1pOTNwn1KiuNpUFHMt4/s400/la+punta.jpg" border="0" /></a><span style="FONT-STYLE: italic"><span style="font-size:85%;">The view from Frutas y Verduras</span></span></div><div style="TEXT-ALIGN: center"><span style="font-size:85%;"></span></div><br />Tomo said he goes through at least 8 plastic <span style="FONT-STYLE: italic">“garafons”</span> (5 gal jugs) of water a week (=160 liters). Even though <span style="FONT-STYLE: italic">garafons</span> are a better solution than selling 1 liter plastic bottles of water (=160 bottles per week), the <span style="FONT-STYLE: italic">garafons</span> are still known to leach unhealthy chemicals from the plastic bottle into the water. As an added bonus, <span style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold">he will be saving his business money</span>.<br /><br /><div style="TEXT-ALIGN: center"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiX1SBqUrkYqOkXbuXxN0daEb4geg43WA5pcN7lD8mEbS4zO9lZX3jvm4kC5b4MteTAIa4T5F_1Ll0UqCsu6kcy5XN-YTZoY7Bb4HTQFZDj-zMzp9SacKtnvHg-l7AgW6k31F76CRcFwHA/s1600-h/tomo+charcoal.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5361344519265037074" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: pointer; HEIGHT: 225px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiX1SBqUrkYqOkXbuXxN0daEb4geg43WA5pcN7lD8mEbS4zO9lZX3jvm4kC5b4MteTAIa4T5F_1Ll0UqCsu6kcy5XN-YTZoY7Bb4HTQFZDj-zMzp9SacKtnvHg-l7AgW6k31F76CRcFwHA/s400/tomo+charcoal.jpg" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="FONT-STYLE: italic">Tomol crushing the charcoal<br /><br /></span></span></div><div style="TEXT-ALIGN: center"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjANdfwGixLFEgDhWs6WzuLLRajOW6HGb5O99hCPY3-ivyWVKdYlAVWowkXucwUs4P4PinMK4c0iXIXAdpPxOyPUy5XyXl6zA8aScX7DLcsOoMrO1WUhMOBLiSGOwo7OjrxEOvUfs4G8sc/s1600-h/filter+shot.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5361344502893217346" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: pointer; HEIGHT: 225px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjANdfwGixLFEgDhWs6WzuLLRajOW6HGb5O99hCPY3-ivyWVKdYlAVWowkXucwUs4P4PinMK4c0iXIXAdpPxOyPUy5XyXl6zA8aScX7DLcsOoMrO1WUhMOBLiSGOwo7OjrxEOvUfs4G8sc/s400/filter+shot.jpg" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="FONT-STYLE: italic">Loren putting the rocks in the Slow Sand Filter<br /><br /></span></span></div><span style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold">Our next stop was to revisit another one of our projects’ sites</span>; Chicho’s Campground and Cabanas in Rio Nexpa. There sat our composting toilet that we built for him last year.<br />He was happy to have an alternative to his two flush toilets, yet was struggling with juggling all the responsibilities of running his businesses and was more <span style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold">preoccupied with the increasing mounds of trash that continues to grow everyday from his customers at the beach.</span><br /><span style="FONT-STYLE: italic"><br /></span><span style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold">His was the same story that plagued many communities from Mexico all the way through Central America- spotty or no public trash collection! He has no easy way to deal with the surging amounts of waste, </span><span style="font-size:+0;">though he is very responsible in taking care of it and keeps his beach very clean.</span><br /><br /><div style="TEXT-ALIGN: center"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjN01fBFieDCdvgugpiMNVDTkKSbg7sATo1ahS-SYjifdw-NjwQ2Y1niIMNQexCDj28zg7z1uXa9zKm-FGEos0pDNXuReBbn56ri9i9UPDeHxi0y_Kewcqw9VmfUc-qb25I1ANXKxrINp8/s1600-h/esquintla+river+close.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5361379608454148194" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: pointer; HEIGHT: 225px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjN01fBFieDCdvgugpiMNVDTkKSbg7sATo1ahS-SYjifdw-NjwQ2Y1niIMNQexCDj28zg7z1uXa9zKm-FGEos0pDNXuReBbn56ri9i9UPDeHxi0y_Kewcqw9VmfUc-qb25I1ANXKxrINp8/s400/esquintla+river+close.jpg" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="FONT-STYLE: italic">The river is the dump in many places. Monsoonal rains wash trash "away", righ into the ocean.</span></span><br /></div><div style="TEXT-ALIGN: center"><br /></div>Chicho instantly understood the benefits of the <a href="http://www.surferswithoutborders.org/Water_Bottle.html"><span style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold; FONT-STYLE: italic">Water-Bottle Refill Program</span></a>, so we made a sign for his restaurant on the beach so he could start reaping in more cash while the surfers pay half the price for water while using a lot less plastic, <span style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold; FONT-STYLE: italic">up to 150 bottles per week less, which saves almost 2 tons of carbon per season from entering the atmosphere.</span><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiq2cxp-tKGV7-jiBUYWiqzDxGm1wtXN9EsnlindRofHRFk6Z70owTVczfUkrZwBGOMuiUeoZXVFFShaSL-rR4cSez2fm3bLjDrdi26y7wysuXlJh2LpyomJLGIPToI_YtX6Ed6PKsI9HA/s1600-h/WBR.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5361344526791824642" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: pointer; HEIGHT: 187px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiq2cxp-tKGV7-jiBUYWiqzDxGm1wtXN9EsnlindRofHRFk6Z70owTVczfUkrZwBGOMuiUeoZXVFFShaSL-rR4cSez2fm3bLjDrdi26y7wysuXlJh2LpyomJLGIPToI_YtX6Ed6PKsI9HA/s400/WBR.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />Land wars in coastal Michoacan diverted the turtle to the road through the mountains, and into the high desert on our way north. We passed through Tequila, not stopping to sample, and winded through the green peaks on our way back to the coast near Mazatlan.<br /><br />In Hermosillo <span style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold">we had the opportunity to meet René Córdova, the Managing Director of <a href="http://alcosta.org/somos.html">ALCOSTA</a>, the North West Mexican Coast Sustainability Alliance. ALCOSTA represents a network of organizations dedicated to protecting the existing environment and promoting sustainable development along the coast of Baja and the mainland of the Sea of Cortes.</span><br /><br />He educated us on the impacts of typical tourist developments, noting that the<span style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold"> main impact of tourism was due to pollution</span>, from sewage and trash, and that the <span style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold">main source of this pollution is from the workers who come to service the industry</span>, who live in <span style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold">substandard conditions</span> in the surrounding areas, with no sewage or trash disposal.<br /><br /><div style="TEXT-ALIGN: center"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjc2GuxQTwbfvwN1kWNXzSSfMvldPIQTglLEmwVxG8p7fbRGP-ju0L7yOEIrCX-GogYpGg15VHt2ObWDL74FCgv7bHyiJqtcrcMLfmjn8yriKjnSI7vEkcL9LteocW7iHmPABqUJykI5tc/s1600-h/sunset+y+cocos.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5361349595004509970" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: pointer; HEIGHT: 266px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjc2GuxQTwbfvwN1kWNXzSSfMvldPIQTglLEmwVxG8p7fbRGP-ju0L7yOEIrCX-GogYpGg15VHt2ObWDL74FCgv7bHyiJqtcrcMLfmjn8yriKjnSI7vEkcL9LteocW7iHmPABqUJykI5tc/s400/sunset+y+cocos.jpg" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="FONT-STYLE: italic">let's not destroy<br />the paradise we enjoy</span></span><br /></div><br />This meeting with René served as a real summary of our trip, and so well timed with our crossing the border in the <span style="FONT-STYLE: italic">Sonoran</span> Desert. <span style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold">He showed by example the kind of passion and care it takes to protect something natural in the modern world.</span><br /><br />We crossed the border with the good ol’ US of A with no real fanfare, besides a secondary search. Moving right along, we <span style="FONT-STYLE: italic">almost</span> had a tailwind through the desert, and limped home on the lower 3 speeds of the transmission. <span style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold; FONT-STYLE: italic">We made it safe and sound.</span><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTnApAsRfzzFIDmN5msq0pNVuzIIKOtMUka72-Y2gMBSGa79HolX1wsv4VFYCYhl3XANqO0X80IuSM6G9sVd9M6VarQxE72PLbsM7X5yY3jNqWHisqXkx-DQKWtaeg_A3gYJV3Hwz6Fvk/s1600-h/sunset+lines.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5361308181547226450" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: pointer; HEIGHT: 225px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTnApAsRfzzFIDmN5msq0pNVuzIIKOtMUka72-Y2gMBSGa79HolX1wsv4VFYCYhl3XANqO0X80IuSM6G9sVd9M6VarQxE72PLbsM7X5yY3jNqWHisqXkx-DQKWtaeg_A3gYJV3Hwz6Fvk/s400/sunset+lines.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />Once home we will be taking a course on <span style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold">Sustainable Aid with Austrailan Permaculture teacher <a href="http://permaculture.com.au/central/">Robyn Francis</a> at <a href="http://www.quailsprings.org/index.php">Quail Springs</a></span>. Robyn has been working internationally for over 25 years, teaching and implementing projects in the “2/3rds” world. We are excited about this opportunity to reflect on our trip and learn more.<br /><br />Stay posted to our blog, as we will really be "Closing the Loop", by <a style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold" href="http://www.carbonfootprint.com/index.html">calculating our carbon footprint</a> for the entire trip, and offsetting what we burnt! And we will show you how you can do the same...<br /><br /><div style="TEXT-ALIGN: center"><span style="FONT-STYLE: italic">Thanks for joining us again, through many borders and beyond!</span></div>SWoBshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08161414403059411227noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2981031667524638180.post-3164511774347841862009-07-04T11:16:00.000-07:002009-07-07T13:48:35.762-07:00Soakin' it Up<div align="left"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5Wwz1BvEWbf7QYtpRcVXsl8eTDWvvHPqH7CrUit-xHs4nN-mloKW86_cRTAiOYOLn2rG5ZJuO7EDtf4a0LHrZC_D1kFuBHVAVmcacECKpqN9BpghxKUIRPVzGGDpLYCwFWlTCq3qUtls/s1600-h/el+rio+de+barra.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5354674687957309682" style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; width: 400px; cursor: pointer; height: 225px; text-align: center;" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5Wwz1BvEWbf7QYtpRcVXsl8eTDWvvHPqH7CrUit-xHs4nN-mloKW86_cRTAiOYOLn2rG5ZJuO7EDtf4a0LHrZC_D1kFuBHVAVmcacECKpqN9BpghxKUIRPVzGGDpLYCwFWlTCq3qUtls/s400/el+rio+de+barra.jpg" border="0" /></a>Returning to our favorite little gem on the Mexican coast was a welcoming relief from our journey south. <span style="font-weight: bold;">The <span style="font-style: italic;">unique young town of Barra de La Cruz</span> has become like our second home. </span>Upon our arrival it took us over an hour (that was going as fast as we could) just to drive through the less than a mile stretch to Pepes Cabañas because there were so many familiar faces to catch up with.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmm8FXaZa3auZqbwAqlsymz1kkR5IXwF35R3qHfcFdLijET1SRzaXqq9P5FZGv548C2V2ELr0rTfXttdo7k6X1vXzHacTQ46n4f6bTvTZoHunmb8xdMrIKpnwujl9QhOeUEva6ko81Wj4/s1600-h/little+amigas.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5354674685396936914" style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; width: 400px; cursor: pointer; height: 300px; text-align: center;" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmm8FXaZa3auZqbwAqlsymz1kkR5IXwF35R3qHfcFdLijET1SRzaXqq9P5FZGv548C2V2ELr0rTfXttdo7k6X1vXzHacTQ46n4f6bTvTZoHunmb8xdMrIKpnwujl9QhOeUEva6ko81Wj4/s400/little+amigas.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />The hardest part about traveling so far and visiting so many places is the lack of significant time you are able to spend at most of them. It is true that it really does take time to get to know a place, let alone form lasting bonds with the people who live there.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjblyVPHiw-3KECv-yt0hw6fboHDy7yR2rXQS2CzeyEBCKyyvBNqzuFWzlf_pcKxHn5onXdWgmvJDzNYTQCWRYN42L6QyLLoss_EE6bm8X2ooDQXnX9N6AFIkd61Xzp9aHENL5rP-_fnBc/s1600-h/paintings4estella.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5354676434442918578" style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; width: 400px; cursor: pointer; height: 306px; text-align: center;" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjblyVPHiw-3KECv-yt0hw6fboHDy7yR2rXQS2CzeyEBCKyyvBNqzuFWzlf_pcKxHn5onXdWgmvJDzNYTQCWRYN42L6QyLLoss_EE6bm8X2ooDQXnX9N6AFIkd61Xzp9aHENL5rP-_fnBc/s400/paintings4estella.jpg" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-style: italic;">Making friends is easy, just paint them a picture!</span></span> </div><br />Actually forming a close bond with the locals has been the easiest part for us and seems so for other travelers who take a genuine interest and have respect for their culture and way of life. <span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-style: italic;">"Mi casa es su casa”</span> is the motto, and the peoples' incredible hospitality and generosity proves abundance does not come from material wealth.</span><br /><br />We felt lucky to share some fun experiences with our muilti talented, energetic friends Anastasia Van Wingerden and Cyrus Sutton who came to meet up with us for a week.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpt4aw3G5A95ci0u6xdIp_7w7dpG73v4JFrduM-_DmEJPKMT8QUCxERnx3ImezFEriPbqtjAXv90_1KkKbFUPIKiFX3z7odVaBOurDARdbvapr7-_s1sPeBOJRtKY0DFaYHhIMZKtc-aQ/s1600-h/buddha+belly.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpt4aw3G5A95ci0u6xdIp_7w7dpG73v4JFrduM-_DmEJPKMT8QUCxERnx3ImezFEriPbqtjAXv90_1KkKbFUPIKiFX3z7odVaBOurDARdbvapr7-_s1sPeBOJRtKY0DFaYHhIMZKtc-aQ/s400/buddha+belly.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5355811864380059538" border="0" /></a><span style="font-style: italic;font-size:85%;" >Anastasia, Cyrus, and Loren trek'n</span><br /><br /></div>Anastasia 'Stas' is a great muscian, carrying her guitar and song writing skills from her recent residence in San Fransico, all the way to south of the border <span style="font-style: italic;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">(check her out on her <a href="http://www.facebook.com/inbox/?ref=mb#/profile.php?id=1063860067">FaceBook</a> page)</span>. </span>Cyrus is an accomplished film maker and recently released an <span style="font-weight: bold;">epic new surf documentary called</span> <em style="font-weight: bold;"><a href="http://www.cyrussutton.com/cyrussutton.com/latest_info_blog/Entries/2008/8/27_Under_the_Sun_West_Coast_Tour.html">''Under the Sun''</a></em><span style="font-weight: bold;">.</span></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivIID6eZVio7ZFC42W8936j10WPqZefpgOy7u8e-U0XZHlMPQ5urIMwWryJN8RzylTvoUebUIYyXHPjRTd9FqchIZ3SeBsNdtFu0sBTmTGUaEnBh7FJonPefZDRpmxY1gtky6f0gMJRNQ/s1600-h/cy+bodysurf2.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 225px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivIID6eZVio7ZFC42W8936j10WPqZefpgOy7u8e-U0XZHlMPQ5urIMwWryJN8RzylTvoUebUIYyXHPjRTd9FqchIZ3SeBsNdtFu0sBTmTGUaEnBh7FJonPefZDRpmxY1gtky6f0gMJRNQ/s400/cy+bodysurf2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5355812714938711090" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-style: italic;">Cy on the belly ride, pro hand planing style</span> </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div>Both <span style="font-weight: bold;">Cy and ‘Stas are into riding waves in organic fashion! They brought a quiver of ¨Aquatic Oddities¨, including the paulownia hand-planes custom shaped by Cy himself.</span> <div align="left"><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZIWJ99Lk6dzA6kkaVdFx2MCBGDTqoTEcIzw4FkhMDzfjh9qYkng-uXh3VOtG4U3n4VU2i1SyVhHxStI2v4ldCQQlsvWxaGTInBOkUDKD-1LEjJRrJpuVNbRArQkSpZAU6JSGVuVwQfho/s1600-h/stas+surf.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 259px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZIWJ99Lk6dzA6kkaVdFx2MCBGDTqoTEcIzw4FkhMDzfjh9qYkng-uXh3VOtG4U3n4VU2i1SyVhHxStI2v4ldCQQlsvWxaGTInBOkUDKD-1LEjJRrJpuVNbRArQkSpZAU6JSGVuVwQfho/s400/stas+surf.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5355809593504269858" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-style: italic;">'Stas charging it on an Aquatic Oddity</span> </span></div></div><br /><div align="left"> </div><span style="font-weight: bold;">Their interest to connect with the local people and to eat the fresh fruit of the land manifested beautifully on numerous occasions.</span><div style="font-weight: bold;" align="left"><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSGlePa2mXwTeHtchHlENF5mXo35P-wbu2BTTJDssDl0pI-2UYcdzdNwbFqL9LXHkkHDcGR0RpLZd5KydNBxY6yvFs9AxotFcmixOfbUH2zFCETS_ozWGUuuMe7N9ARippegFGFTn62HA/s1600-h/olgilver.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5354741929732170034" style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; width: 400px; cursor: pointer; height: 300px; text-align: center;" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSGlePa2mXwTeHtchHlENF5mXo35P-wbu2BTTJDssDl0pI-2UYcdzdNwbFqL9LXHkkHDcGR0RpLZd5KydNBxY6yvFs9AxotFcmixOfbUH2zFCETS_ozWGUuuMe7N9ARippegFGFTn62HA/s400/olgilver.jpg" border="0" /></a><span style="font-weight: normal;font-size:85%;" ><span style="font-style: italic;">Olgilver doing what he does best</span></span><br /></div><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-style: italic;"><br /></span></span></div>One adventure in particular took us on a scenic, though a little circuitous, hike along the coast and over into the next valley where our friends Olgilver and his father Faustino have a farm. They grow payayas, bananas, caña (sugar cane), and cocos. YUM! <span style="font-weight: bold;">Our treck turned into a mega fruit fest as they insisted we try lots of their delicious sweet caña and later piled on the cocos.</span><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdrGfiLP-pCq7rjSpWbZt8sfvc36wTYQ4iizqYE9wGHuACf0kWIMkPIrdYlz0UFd1z4p6yGH1NP0tZQXskjKK7VhzYzfSiuy3ehxAD3MocZYs70T9HFsFci4L2GI1yGMSbuAYooif2dxU/s1600-h/coco+feast.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5354744951789332386" style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; width: 400px; cursor: pointer; height: 295px; text-align: center;" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdrGfiLP-pCq7rjSpWbZt8sfvc36wTYQ4iizqYE9wGHuACf0kWIMkPIrdYlz0UFd1z4p6yGH1NP0tZQXskjKK7VhzYzfSiuy3ehxAD3MocZYs70T9HFsFci4L2GI1yGMSbuAYooif2dxU/s400/coco+feast.jpg" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-style: italic;">Coco loco</span></span><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh11vz-xPv5pe-dURt8JIe8knmZPqhaPn5RKuE8SGU1fBVXwonLrwVHP_CPE4YKfGIGB-lP1n5zWzyffDIIokJQyucWJUUCSO66v3GpCOIY-rJGny5R65z0z7gqxl_fPfmuwUpejXpMYtw/s1600-h/stas.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5354744954648734306" style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; width: 400px; cursor: pointer; height: 300px; text-align: center;" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh11vz-xPv5pe-dURt8JIe8knmZPqhaPn5RKuE8SGU1fBVXwonLrwVHP_CPE4YKfGIGB-lP1n5zWzyffDIIokJQyucWJUUCSO66v3GpCOIY-rJGny5R65z0z7gqxl_fPfmuwUpejXpMYtw/s400/stas.jpg" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-style: italic;">'Stas loving it!</span><br /></span></div><br /><div><span style="font-weight: bold;">We were the first “gringos” to have ever been over to their farm, and they were very excited that we had taken an interest to come see what they do. “Trust us, it was our pleasure!”</span><br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8SB9G7SgTb6tyouKgbsnxAobEUyKey9FUWWrnjWx3TdnTUb575f7524FYv5HgrHIbro4YRMqI9ioUZvvYKn36r6pbG1oBPb4o0IB6N1uGXAUUxcA1QhRyNxDfiMo_iT1QmRqW8rYt3OQ/s1600-h/hikingfeet.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5354682479460973954" style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; width: 400px; cursor: pointer; height: 300px; text-align: center;" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8SB9G7SgTb6tyouKgbsnxAobEUyKey9FUWWrnjWx3TdnTUb575f7524FYv5HgrHIbro4YRMqI9ioUZvvYKn36r6pbG1oBPb4o0IB6N1uGXAUUxcA1QhRyNxDfiMo_iT1QmRqW8rYt3OQ/s400/hikingfeet.jpg" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-style: italic;">after the mission</span></span><br /></div><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Then it was time to go back to school.</span> The kids were preparing for their summer's break so we were just able to catch them for a few days. It was perfect timing though as <span style="font-weight: bold;">our aim was to educate about the dangers of plastic in the ocean.</span> <div><strong><br /></strong>We have learned that children's attention is sustained for longer periods if you can make education fun. So <span style="font-weight: bold;">we played lots of games, which was a great way to implement new ideas and get them to think about the environment and do something about it.<br /><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9P3Qc8Mnsp8z_EFx3shuN95OwOoFuybLd_uYteOShcyAocer5fv1gqMhnFBwoBd3da5UcF5i-Wd-IsQ1TSuHVZ2K5iuXaF1oCypvBzzvsYwngm3KoBiXvdL85v_5eM2J7ONyX_X12XZ0/s1600-h/redrover.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5354667929649208434" style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; width: 400px; cursor: pointer; height: 300px; text-align: center;" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9P3Qc8Mnsp8z_EFx3shuN95OwOoFuybLd_uYteOShcyAocer5fv1gqMhnFBwoBd3da5UcF5i-Wd-IsQ1TSuHVZ2K5iuXaF1oCypvBzzvsYwngm3KoBiXvdL85v_5eM2J7ONyX_X12XZ0/s400/redrover.jpg" border="0" /></a><span style="font-style: italic;font-size:85%;" >Loren practicing his referee</span><span style="font-style: italic;font-size:85%;" > </span><span style="font-style: italic;font-size:85%;" >skills for the game</span><span style="font-style: italic;font-size:85%;" > "rover</span><span style="font-style: italic;font-size:85%;" > rojo"</span><span style="font-style: italic;font-size:85%;" > (red rover)</span><br /></div><span style="font-style: italic;font-size:85%;" ><br /></span>Aubrey read the book <span><strong><a href="http://www.allthewaytotheocean.com/">"All the Way to the Ocean"</a> <span style="font-weight: normal;">(in Spanish)</span></strong></span> by Joel Harper to the kids. This was a good introduction to the kids about trash in the ocean, specifically plastic. They got it immediately, and we devised a game to solve the problem.<br /><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_ynd21qS6wr7HB-BK3jKPrQRmM3V93SXUqVJH31x0-GhcbF2KN5rK2ABFsmBISY9yZbsS9ebDmJURM9fJSiKpgEifs4KKQTxrjfqE7LhN9ppXzohiChaWIr7W6BTRzESnZqgPT39vrzI/s1600-h/aub+kids.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5354741934628521890" style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; width: 400px; cursor: pointer; height: 225px; text-align: center;" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_ynd21qS6wr7HB-BK3jKPrQRmM3V93SXUqVJH31x0-GhcbF2KN5rK2ABFsmBISY9yZbsS9ebDmJURM9fJSiKpgEifs4KKQTxrjfqE7LhN9ppXzohiChaWIr7W6BTRzESnZqgPT39vrzI/s400/aub+kids.jpg" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-style: italic;">Aubrey reading "Al Camino del Oceano" to the niños</span></span><br /><br /></div>We came up with a game in which the children picked what they wanted to be, either dolphin, shark, or turtle. The dolphins and the sharks had to save the turtles from the poisonous jellyfish, or plastic bags. Then we ran around the village picking up the trash, or <span style="font-style: italic;">"agua malas"</span> (jellyfish).<br /><div><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6vJdq3_ug4IYOBY9zSk73D9cwg7NzSW3OgSnF0mKAbC6vw5T0jXbtlZW_kmRc0mowcVEdYbiiQIuHP6kxPpB-Xk4io5Yu1xoP5lx-jDiLcuwhPXPpK7w7tAQW5CMWMDMg5tiMLzeVUR4/s1600-h/ninas+limpia+basura.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5354667922627540898" style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; width: 400px; cursor: pointer; height: 300px; text-align: center;" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6vJdq3_ug4IYOBY9zSk73D9cwg7NzSW3OgSnF0mKAbC6vw5T0jXbtlZW_kmRc0mowcVEdYbiiQIuHP6kxPpB-Xk4io5Yu1xoP5lx-jDiLcuwhPXPpK7w7tAQW5CMWMDMg5tiMLzeVUR4/s400/ninas+limpia+basura.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhw_2T3RprQaImK_ZiW8q5UzwH-ybqPfn-XIv6ruCUfqGCdn4aqCmViXGZHJii0PjJ-hBlYBllA4u6yz_jME_xD3tmz6NVdxXc3wA3VE2Y_d2FFJuxiVsUZ_2SmWYnAUAJoPPMPBtKLDok/s1600-h/lo+y+ninos+basura.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5354682485556709618" style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; width: 400px; cursor: pointer; height: 300px; text-align: center;" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhw_2T3RprQaImK_ZiW8q5UzwH-ybqPfn-XIv6ruCUfqGCdn4aqCmViXGZHJii0PjJ-hBlYBllA4u6yz_jME_xD3tmz6NVdxXc3wA3VE2Y_d2FFJuxiVsUZ_2SmWYnAUAJoPPMPBtKLDok/s400/lo+y+ninos+basura.JPG" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-style: italic;">the cleanup crew</span></span> </div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"></div><strong>It is true that children are like sponges. So what a better way to clean up the mess we have all been making! They are ready to absorb, they just need something to soak up!</strong><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0Ew3VYJQe9JDzTlFOqytc5TSSvrOcwM-eRWKUOZ9RS0dAw_fhZ1rDIlaKuDj55GJtl8Mataewc-FJsSptIje1hX4lm1NlezaUMXNXgs_pVecwb0KPA91P9e3Hf5N_w8qO-b1awtxmfr8/s1600-h/rover+boys.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0Ew3VYJQe9JDzTlFOqytc5TSSvrOcwM-eRWKUOZ9RS0dAw_fhZ1rDIlaKuDj55GJtl8Mataewc-FJsSptIje1hX4lm1NlezaUMXNXgs_pVecwb0KPA91P9e3Hf5N_w8qO-b1awtxmfr8/s400/rover+boys.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5355818394399161154" border="0" /></a><br />The wave has been good to us, with plenty to go around. Check out a short video here on <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S0v4oviHBDg">YouTube</a> from the <a href="http://www.goprocamera.com/">GoPro SurfHero</a> water camera!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxG0nVHArffiVChU-TjKTDxIZYaa9NLQLBdfNqjQfikzUYEz22Rwsr3llFacEjZn63bYH49gS-zmBeJGFmk0EN9AggbMMqDec0RcGBKIV8NMh4kIPN5Q1B2jApmVwsxpLFWaaIdIq2BNY/s1600-h/aubGroPro2.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxG0nVHArffiVChU-TjKTDxIZYaa9NLQLBdfNqjQfikzUYEz22Rwsr3llFacEjZn63bYH49gS-zmBeJGFmk0EN9AggbMMqDec0RcGBKIV8NMh4kIPN5Q1B2jApmVwsxpLFWaaIdIq2BNY/s400/aubGroPro2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5355810231647950386" border="0" /></a>SWoBshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08161414403059411227noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2981031667524638180.post-43188599203231284842009-06-12T17:40:00.000-07:002009-06-16T18:35:37.618-07:00Finding Permanent Culture<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPChU9sKGo6mnKFGg4bmdwaY8_tDWRnV4bE0smQtGTpmxw8BgKpuSzcs5gjztMj5JkpeD3jaordgBDjH4GwzfHfSmGAIsOvEi1zLGbvMNyT91JGEp-IJPF-N9jd3ygXJ0ZGN0FZ2puQ18/s1600-h/aub+roca+tube+seq+1.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 225px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPChU9sKGo6mnKFGg4bmdwaY8_tDWRnV4bE0smQtGTpmxw8BgKpuSzcs5gjztMj5JkpeD3jaordgBDjH4GwzfHfSmGAIsOvEi1zLGbvMNyT91JGEp-IJPF-N9jd3ygXJ0ZGN0FZ2puQ18/s400/aub+roca+tube+seq+1.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5348093946260776066" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8VpE5eoC7BGetBm0v56bWuoYDmTo2WKaRu0onLhwOswyVwsLeYiZK01_Qxu3bCZHBrgM460Zw410lE5m-eCDHyDLE-An1UU0P4YCCcM4nd4RUZnEbBS7DmY8dHlrUVKn42BORgPdEB5w/s1600-h/aub+roca+tube+seq+2.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 225px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8VpE5eoC7BGetBm0v56bWuoYDmTo2WKaRu0onLhwOswyVwsLeYiZK01_Qxu3bCZHBrgM460Zw410lE5m-eCDHyDLE-An1UU0P4YCCcM4nd4RUZnEbBS7DmY8dHlrUVKn42BORgPdEB5w/s400/aub+roca+tube+seq+2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5348093950445066562" border="0" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOFuVolLiLH-dxsdLOd91lFRGkw0qosLMUUtwR_6gvrAhuyeQlli4gFcPnrWp5VQgyiahQPYoCaHUDld3hEiHNHR9nK_CXuTWCs2dE6t0LVYnvKx_aNU4e3zQEs1NfpD1nPNMucGtA2sw/s1600-h/aub+roca+tube+seq+4.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 225px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOFuVolLiLH-dxsdLOd91lFRGkw0qosLMUUtwR_6gvrAhuyeQlli4gFcPnrWp5VQgyiahQPYoCaHUDld3hEiHNHR9nK_CXuTWCs2dE6t0LVYnvKx_aNU4e3zQEs1NfpD1nPNMucGtA2sw/s400/aub+roca+tube+seq+4.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5348093952056432594" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-style: italic;">Aubrey beating the heat</span></span><br /><br /></div><span style="font-weight: bold;">El Salvador must be the hottest place in Central America.</span> The water, at 82 degrees F, doesn’t refresh that much. The waves are great and the people as friendly as it gets, but it was just too hot for a couple of super-hueros like us. The Familia Rotherham has adjusted well, and graciously hosted us again at their oceanside oasis. <span style="font-style: italic;"> Muchisima gracias Don Roberto y Jimmy!</span><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2ejk_TtOrS5Td-EOs6_nr868HWMhTwYX7qdMMMpsH61w6xtuZNKLU086crMhm0Zvv0ru0h4_dCd_1_R6TH3sTKeQYejQ2ScaaLQt2v0EktfVTspkGeQyRh957AS0_oDlTZRataBHt5qI/s1600-h/atitlan.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2ejk_TtOrS5Td-EOs6_nr868HWMhTwYX7qdMMMpsH61w6xtuZNKLU086crMhm0Zvv0ru0h4_dCd_1_R6TH3sTKeQYejQ2ScaaLQt2v0EktfVTspkGeQyRh957AS0_oDlTZRataBHt5qI/s400/atitlan.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5346613557844119186" border="0" /></a><span style="font-style: italic;font-size:85%;" >Lago Atitlan</span><br /><br /></div>Heading north from El Salvador we sought out some sweater weather and cooler climate scenery of the <span style="font-weight: bold;">highlands of Guatemala.</span> In the heart of the country the mountains rise steadily and hide some amazing cultural and natural gems, including el <span style="font-weight: bold;">Lago de Atitlan.</span><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCQZGn7qANbysZeJJ0yuJRP9A67zBbewCO5fIGWCGOJfOzqD3SXDgPvs21_UO6xP6u0C_cxxgQGciwPyDn8Tag8rWNhbqu2jy76dwWFxgzzS9EQa2WiR8yaF5OItJcZZCxHxjl_jjcF30/s1600-h/dock.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCQZGn7qANbysZeJJ0yuJRP9A67zBbewCO5fIGWCGOJfOzqD3SXDgPvs21_UO6xP6u0C_cxxgQGciwPyDn8Tag8rWNhbqu2jy76dwWFxgzzS9EQa2WiR8yaF5OItJcZZCxHxjl_jjcF30/s400/dock.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5346613564682998482" border="0" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijIXheE-_LgF9NbWhGO1ZPyeDFT_KxrHHGQZ7nyuE6ZN0ir3fpGSOPDIaNe0z-Sd2pRF1f27bNh-g4U0YWjHdj7rawsAjmAFnvLheTMXYf_h4IkZfFPn7wz1NRw9Mds4FpTEzswr0e4Qg/s1600-h/four+leaf+clovers.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijIXheE-_LgF9NbWhGO1ZPyeDFT_KxrHHGQZ7nyuE6ZN0ir3fpGSOPDIaNe0z-Sd2pRF1f27bNh-g4U0YWjHdj7rawsAjmAFnvLheTMXYf_h4IkZfFPn7wz1NRw9Mds4FpTEzswr0e4Qg/s400/four+leaf+clovers.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5346611612539677122" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-style: italic;">A magical place!</span></span><br /><br /></div><span style="font-weight: bold;">Lake Atitlan has supported life for thousands of years.</span> The highland mountains trap moist air as it passes to the north and coerce the clouds to free their weight of water unto the land. Frequent streams find their way to the valley floor, which is the lake, and fill it with the fertile soils from the mountain-sides. Fish thrive in the clear water, and trees line the shore.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvbfw-xfTyrK5fchzqP2mg9kKhQ7xfpNfGl0Kr6XinRwmYb_Z87wYix4lwcEnS44z0DuXL3b8HTLpandEvtSfm2KwydK8OHGbqYXvQAM_jGbaw_pi-omtKZdNEVeOiWGchoV6zVQ1b2cw/s1600-h/campesinos.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvbfw-xfTyrK5fchzqP2mg9kKhQ7xfpNfGl0Kr6XinRwmYb_Z87wYix4lwcEnS44z0DuXL3b8HTLpandEvtSfm2KwydK8OHGbqYXvQAM_jGbaw_pi-omtKZdNEVeOiWGchoV6zVQ1b2cw/s400/campesinos.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5346611610770135938" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-style: italic;">Watching the beans grow<br /><br /></span></span></div>Along with the trees and animals came the people. They too built their settlements along the shore. As their number grew, so did their range, eventually occupying the entire lake-shore. Each settlement developed its own language and style of dress. <span style="font-weight: bold;"> Still today you can tell if a person is from San Lucas Toliman or from Panajachel by the type of embroidery on their hand-woven clothing, or by what dialect they speak.</span><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMweEPzG9lA_2-suPnDfG1LyzSkHcbKijijNQq9QUvAHQ7wA0OykRKpsH-IQ5k2hF2uiandl4QmbFol7tbjmuJrEqHs4QnX39la8FERDMrU8Idhkpg_ush__itKk8ypMSxpk8PWbhODJY/s1600-h/mayan.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMweEPzG9lA_2-suPnDfG1LyzSkHcbKijijNQq9QUvAHQ7wA0OykRKpsH-IQ5k2hF2uiandl4QmbFol7tbjmuJrEqHs4QnX39la8FERDMrU8Idhkpg_ush__itKk8ypMSxpk8PWbhODJY/s400/mayan.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5348089494307428626" border="0" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxbSjA9EL-7Le0dOkjpgnUC69_D11YkqlGbWPKuz0btnQmH97sXNcpm1JaK856W2ZK591gNOBGSICtYajTIXJ-wKeHRT3LZNxJuQcC4rqYYUQ8sqVxj1bWasNFD9Sz4_DVsqk7KDwS3vg/s1600-h/aubs+dressup.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxbSjA9EL-7Le0dOkjpgnUC69_D11YkqlGbWPKuz0btnQmH97sXNcpm1JaK856W2ZK591gNOBGSICtYajTIXJ-wKeHRT3LZNxJuQcC4rqYYUQ8sqVxj1bWasNFD9Sz4_DVsqk7KDwS3vg/s400/aubs+dressup.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5346607515327001458" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-style: italic;">Aubrey blending in</span></span><br /></div><br />This diversity of culture mirrored the diversity of the forest. Many crops now replace much of the native vegetation; coffee can be seen planted on the most precipitous slopes all the way to the road side, and avocados fill in the alluvial flats surrounding the lake. <span style="font-weight: bold;">A wide variety of vegetables are grown in the region as well, the cool climate and fertile soils support cabbage and beets, alongside bananas and beans.</span><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVSJw-BmfpkGnqj8detZV89CIS0qqGuvt74tG-5VTx8PVLl-9CvKDaNX_50zF3R965_muBHsu-ZeXgcPLsAKJhK6cHiVZjBLbel3-rt6AuWsl5aLy5Ao4e4RDIJXdYmOp0Fpi067fVFqE/s1600-h/beet+farmer.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVSJw-BmfpkGnqj8detZV89CIS0qqGuvt74tG-5VTx8PVLl-9CvKDaNX_50zF3R965_muBHsu-ZeXgcPLsAKJhK6cHiVZjBLbel3-rt6AuWsl5aLy5Ao4e4RDIJXdYmOp0Fpi067fVFqE/s400/beet+farmer.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5346610290905533378" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-style: italic;">Some fresh organic beets!</span></span><br /><br /></div><span style="font-weight: bold;">We found our way along the lakes edge to our potential destination, </span><span style="font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;">Instituto Meso-Americana de Permacultura</span><span style="font-weight: bold;">, or IMAP</span> (<a href="http://www.imapermacultura.es.tl/">http://www.imapermacultura.es.tl/).</a> The Institute’s buildings are tucked into the hill just above the lake, nestled amongst huge Ficus trees. Many footpaths meander through the terraces, dragon fruit brushing your thighs as you walk. We met up with Sustainable Production Manager Ajcot Gregorio and Volunteer Co-ordinator Sarah for a little tour of the property.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5kfcce71F_BNHK5bnCTWA8NJ3zhnfX20xNWSAspfWEDnmeTLCAOVHh3NZeRUru-KCN9yXQrlZzcHhCpTO2AgLVGShrJOEtli0wpNj17nR13KKBF3Fxp6_eKhnPiRCi7g9Uhki7LZwNtE/s1600-h/IMAP+sign.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5kfcce71F_BNHK5bnCTWA8NJ3zhnfX20xNWSAspfWEDnmeTLCAOVHh3NZeRUru-KCN9yXQrlZzcHhCpTO2AgLVGShrJOEtli0wpNj17nR13KKBF3Fxp6_eKhnPiRCi7g9Uhki7LZwNtE/s400/IMAP+sign.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5346614592891972914" border="0" /></a><br />The property is a little sliver of the lake shore, filled with a virtual forest of food. Everywhere you step you need to look, so as not to crush a little carrot plant or some young bean plants growing under the mulberry bushes. As we walked, Gregorio explained the various design elements and the mission of IMAP.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjztZw6Ccd6vMWmd_Wz30y_MaVt1xULaJclE3touhalbgy0v41n04k3rk3-icjyK72qM763XS4QBPPXkQi1rzj4gXjR1VMzdrS0rah7oyOdcwwZUFXCUDm2kdjnaO3sBU1rR_ItmfjqerE/s1600-h/seed+garden.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjztZw6Ccd6vMWmd_Wz30y_MaVt1xULaJclE3touhalbgy0v41n04k3rk3-icjyK72qM763XS4QBPPXkQi1rzj4gXjR1VMzdrS0rah7oyOdcwwZUFXCUDm2kdjnaO3sBU1rR_ItmfjqerE/s400/seed+garden.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5348091913004310370" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-style: italic;">seed garden</span></span><br /><br /></div>Founded in 2002,<span style="font-weight: bold;"> IMAP serves as a nexus for central American Permaculture. They host workshops and colloquiums for locals and international students every year.</span> Many sustainable alternatives for living are on display and in use, including <span style="font-weight: bold;">rainwater harvesting, edible landscaping, composting toilets, natural building with cob and bamboo, solar and wind power, and more efficient types of cook stoves.</span><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBPqEBmIBsN4yWUEoM8s9weWmhDfixTyMn92no8QUZXQBEV_1A8xi6Wdh45eB4bqDIQJFZ76Ikru7cTCL7pUqICVgQjXt9XZ4JyoID35ThdsONRiO2QmcPJ-dFBjYnapIafe4Bol4ZIhE/s1600-h/bamboo+truss.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBPqEBmIBsN4yWUEoM8s9weWmhDfixTyMn92no8QUZXQBEV_1A8xi6Wdh45eB4bqDIQJFZ76Ikru7cTCL7pUqICVgQjXt9XZ4JyoID35ThdsONRiO2QmcPJ-dFBjYnapIafe4Bol4ZIhE/s400/bamboo+truss.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5346610290457280322" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-style: italic;">Bamboo trusses</span></span><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfQW2usEbo6Uys4NpvUegiLzd8YZqAW89K-vKXpoDdO79LvhVBOm_B280OoiixS-94nHJ1xPOTCB2KYZ4qBSIgoWNcJShGW0hhuZKcH6Ej4dpb1G1a524UB3Gm0VRKvtuk7HvGx-tLM74/s1600-h/outdoor+kitchen.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfQW2usEbo6Uys4NpvUegiLzd8YZqAW89K-vKXpoDdO79LvhVBOm_B280OoiixS-94nHJ1xPOTCB2KYZ4qBSIgoWNcJShGW0hhuZKcH6Ej4dpb1G1a524UB3Gm0VRKvtuk7HvGx-tLM74/s400/outdoor+kitchen.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5348090473105195202" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-style: italic;">Outdoor Kitchen</span></span><br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5oMiJ9t_sHeBGciuQ7g1VH45DISm7EZG4F0sPkaxOyk2aWdv0o1Gd3htUjYl0OSVBafx0NxTNpm40npQk4n-mwh3gFCLXi6F0m0AG7fQ9m7kghT7I6ylkmwDBtqmpZRPtRaT05a9C8vw/s1600-h/rocket+stove.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5oMiJ9t_sHeBGciuQ7g1VH45DISm7EZG4F0sPkaxOyk2aWdv0o1Gd3htUjYl0OSVBafx0NxTNpm40npQk4n-mwh3gFCLXi6F0m0AG7fQ9m7kghT7I6ylkmwDBtqmpZRPtRaT05a9C8vw/s400/rocket+stove.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5348090478498586290" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-style: italic;">Rocket Stove</span> </span></div><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">One main focus of IMAP is a seed bank.</span> They have been collecting, growing out, and distributing various vegetable and fruit strains that are suitable to intensive and sustainable farming. <span style="font-weight: bold;">They work with local growers just as a normal bank would; they loan local farmers one pound of seeds in exchange for two pounds after the harvest.</span> In this way, they can distribute useful seeds far and wide rather quickly.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0mav9jSY0859k41MkRloNjLmRQk7v58prKxmSNpwW23EY5qfzKiu3-yEh8-0hleYW-vKNpnPJZPAvxBE9fmesH-qRdRhDUMy_hjA_mM7ZDafyRFvBC7saoNik_eUmyZ8OufY_rr9vbQ4/s1600-h/banco+semilla.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0mav9jSY0859k41MkRloNjLmRQk7v58prKxmSNpwW23EY5qfzKiu3-yEh8-0hleYW-vKNpnPJZPAvxBE9fmesH-qRdRhDUMy_hjA_mM7ZDafyRFvBC7saoNik_eUmyZ8OufY_rr9vbQ4/s400/banco+semilla.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5346607520340959762" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-style: italic;">El Banco Semilla<br /><br /></span></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIU47A20b0SC9Z03-8UbXmffNCNJfQjrx95dK_m53398IWJ9unCLxKpFJb23dOt4qj5krLLNrZa3dhAZjbSeeLoywj4U9wygccM1OKOtAmMktnVhUUOrsSiWROY8Dws9mW4XM_Iv4zreA/s1600-h/seed+bank.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIU47A20b0SC9Z03-8UbXmffNCNJfQjrx95dK_m53398IWJ9unCLxKpFJb23dOt4qj5krLLNrZa3dhAZjbSeeLoywj4U9wygccM1OKOtAmMktnVhUUOrsSiWROY8Dws9mW4XM_Iv4zreA/s400/seed+bank.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5348091917845200818" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-style: italic;"><br /></span> </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEjlrJiVyDUdo-lYbORu-V_wubGp3LVo2w2sPv49qUWU7Bzf_ZyDc81JcBqPuidJREn_pWNRYFCCU0M7-_KcThFnJjMPTG33NC-o0vKL6imbM7tlz5n122uI_yN24NgFb-Wu9XMDFfGss/s1600-h/lo+sharing+seeds.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEjlrJiVyDUdo-lYbORu-V_wubGp3LVo2w2sPv49qUWU7Bzf_ZyDc81JcBqPuidJREn_pWNRYFCCU0M7-_KcThFnJjMPTG33NC-o0vKL6imbM7tlz5n122uI_yN24NgFb-Wu9XMDFfGss/s400/lo+sharing+seeds.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5348089491172295906" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-style: italic;">Seed-swap</span></span><br /><br /></div>Walking around IMAP, we were so grateful for what they were doing. <span style="font-weight: bold;">Simply to find a place to get fresh organic produce was a novelty in much of central America.</span> We grazed on lettuce and carrots, and picked beets and chard. What a great thing to cook vegetables that grew in the ground you were walking on that day!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_KDyyLBwNQzbMS09O77OZ0vtSS-ABCP_S97uIS3byvxON7iy8Ixd8706hyGcQlis_BXiFG7bikn_5-plmqo9LUHcTJ4qY-fVGqERPo4tFYj0T86M4VSF14jcm00BDp3UvcO7ySNNHBrk/s1600-h/jardin+maginfico.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_KDyyLBwNQzbMS09O77OZ0vtSS-ABCP_S97uIS3byvxON7iy8Ixd8706hyGcQlis_BXiFG7bikn_5-plmqo9LUHcTJ4qY-fVGqERPo4tFYj0T86M4VSF14jcm00BDp3UvcO7ySNNHBrk/s400/jardin+maginfico.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5346616280042199026" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipV008pdXZb3M2hkS6CcfcU2pUy9p6Hqb_1GnwiGtRvE_I24hxDQinVdGi7RvmzV92bs6fKpUVab71RKy3Xv6aZWdZlbhdkS0YwG0rNK7UkjIWhLZjgiaxRCYnl1n2Uhf9YjmB4WeyyjA/s1600-h/munchin.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipV008pdXZb3M2hkS6CcfcU2pUy9p6Hqb_1GnwiGtRvE_I24hxDQinVdGi7RvmzV92bs6fKpUVab71RKy3Xv6aZWdZlbhdkS0YwG0rNK7UkjIWhLZjgiaxRCYnl1n2Uhf9YjmB4WeyyjA/s400/munchin.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5346616279067132546" border="0" /></a><br />Leaving IMAP, we meandered north around the lake through some very narrow streets (designed for horse carts not semi trucks) in the many towns you must find your way through on your way to Quetzaltenango and further north to the border with Mexico. We learned the hard way that you should not try to navigate the hills of Guatemala during a fog and rain storm at night.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCKWnnKpk124ZAtQJ3fInRLJM7KYSIIN_mtdtDfIY2ZSzE-7R3mPrSWtAXkae14NdtgBei5VDrBPodrNIl7rbZIAi3HnC-PeHV6y9uwGJOtmp-jTtij8IrlI6Bmn-OI__XjsTxynsY1dY/s1600-h/aub+tube+gopro.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCKWnnKpk124ZAtQJ3fInRLJM7KYSIIN_mtdtDfIY2ZSzE-7R3mPrSWtAXkae14NdtgBei5VDrBPodrNIl7rbZIAi3HnC-PeHV6y9uwGJOtmp-jTtij8IrlI6Bmn-OI__XjsTxynsY1dY/s400/aub+tube+gopro.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5348094850955196690" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-style: italic;">Stay tuned for more <span style="font-weight: bold;">GoPro SurfCam</span> action!</span></span><br /><br /></div><span style="font-weight: bold;">Alas, we have found it safely back to Mexico, and have met up with some great friends. Thank you all for reading and please stay tuned soon for the next installment!</span>SWoBshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08161414403059411227noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2981031667524638180.post-926417687268669522009-05-26T09:43:00.000-07:002009-05-26T13:18:43.668-07:00Planting Seeds<div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJUH7Dt7yQwFDPv0iBPUxUl3LeWxF10qOW2kZjoJ0Mt3nCgSYDOQETs6TdTaIts4JgLijdfHxOnirfzWkJNKWXPkILJ7DVGdInohTo-NlCDmtiergoOI7qo4YjI7D0mgTjD5XOc2B_y8Q/s1600-h/ferry+omatepe.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJUH7Dt7yQwFDPv0iBPUxUl3LeWxF10qOW2kZjoJ0Mt3nCgSYDOQETs6TdTaIts4JgLijdfHxOnirfzWkJNKWXPkILJ7DVGdInohTo-NlCDmtiergoOI7qo4YjI7D0mgTjD5XOc2B_y8Q/s400/ferry+omatepe.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5340189382649364402" border="0" /></a><br /></div><span style="font-weight: bold;">We decided to venture away from the coast for once to check out a one of the wonders of the world, <span style="font-style: italic;">Omatepe Island</span> in Lake Nicaragua.</span><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhCRRkDVsp5awhAHWrE2uZrMZWpxcRQGn6ILjDkXibLuXBNNwr0uURc1Q67kaIi-tERGSyZnV2n70setBjsafLZKtJYJh2juZ7ZDFowyTxkr0BVHMJuQfeBHqVqy8qJNd59s_G8sdxB1o/s1600-h/sunset+volcan.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhCRRkDVsp5awhAHWrE2uZrMZWpxcRQGn6ILjDkXibLuXBNNwr0uURc1Q67kaIi-tERGSyZnV2n70setBjsafLZKtJYJh2juZ7ZDFowyTxkr0BVHMJuQfeBHqVqy8qJNd59s_G8sdxB1o/s400/sunset+volcan.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5340181842592281538" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;">Volcan Concepcîon</span><br /><br /></div><span>Omatepe Island is unique in many ways.</span> <span style="font-weight: bold;">It is the largest freshwater island in the world with two massive volcanoes, one of which is still active</span>. The lake has sharks, and is connected to the Carribbean via the San Juan River.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXLQu1DxqZqshh-YGzyySVHQVZbti9XMaqw0hD819C8u9dii894d84xLrBOVBKD3J45nqwf1mntFwfeTQmVVL5-QA2RKaQ7QhCzu1xZ2pkYCtT6nLhRsP_7wl0lzE1_ijaVqHKZy3Vhts/s1600-h/orilla+lago.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXLQu1DxqZqshh-YGzyySVHQVZbti9XMaqw0hD819C8u9dii894d84xLrBOVBKD3J45nqwf1mntFwfeTQmVVL5-QA2RKaQ7QhCzu1xZ2pkYCtT6nLhRsP_7wl0lzE1_ijaVqHKZy3Vhts/s400/orilla+lago.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5340190890113890066" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;">The lake shore</span><br /><br /></div>There are many farms on the island, the rich volcanic soil supports crops year-round. <span style="font-weight: bold;"> One such farm is unique to the island as well, demonstrating Permaculture Design and giving back to the locals.</span> <span style="font-weight: bold;"> <a href="http://www.projectbonafide.com/">Finca Bona Fide</a></span> is located on the northeastern slope of Volcan Maderas, with a superb view of Volcan Concepcion.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9j09RDf0M3Rk-DxyXCy6HSzCv-2DUvLK_q1qlWLYY3iOgQBz_WFeZPSJv74EWGPgtp2kjImaU2EPqODUL_T7l9ckcxnfDV_CIe22b3KEj7bqXDNRbr3O7OrC5UQjulsn7dVuTWsxNAKU/s1600-h/bonafide+nursary.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9j09RDf0M3Rk-DxyXCy6HSzCv-2DUvLK_q1qlWLYY3iOgQBz_WFeZPSJv74EWGPgtp2kjImaU2EPqODUL_T7l9ckcxnfDV_CIe22b3KEj7bqXDNRbr3O7OrC5UQjulsn7dVuTWsxNAKU/s400/bonafide+nursary.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5340184325180586738" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;">Bona Fide Nursery</span><br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjo6tw7KkHOZSejjMdU15PRAR09CEDTzXXsbChU11y9cFjvscdgfRUDxJJ2_RQY7TgK2xg5JTSlgs98e7YGTKS3lnCMYLYOJj4g29ZBtMVHyLygr8H0RwBUT7zn_wCgiyGTYjtUTN1BPvI/s1600-h/jardin+bonafide.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjo6tw7KkHOZSejjMdU15PRAR09CEDTzXXsbChU11y9cFjvscdgfRUDxJJ2_RQY7TgK2xg5JTSlgs98e7YGTKS3lnCMYLYOJj4g29ZBtMVHyLygr8H0RwBUT7zn_wCgiyGTYjtUTN1BPvI/s400/jardin+bonafide.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5340183244663482354" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;">veggie garden at Bona Fide</span><br /><br /></div><span style="font-weight: bold;">They are researching different varieties of food crops to create more dependable and longer lasting harvests for the locals.</span> Chris Shanks has been introducing many new food crops to the island, and sharing the seeds with the locals. He has planted many varieties of avocado and mango, hoping to dine on them year-round.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhjG7pXb3WbEN4XXH8PBec6cWYAr246DwDfACgd0jQRTvBMdIsC-FfOidfcpnQrgsPpQq5G7iM8_tXDqGgMsiEOgCT6OArTQvXMgYZCmpa3fUv2I0ugvgmvDvaC_q32P5LYgrJeBq8Ge4/s1600-h/toilet+bonafide.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhjG7pXb3WbEN4XXH8PBec6cWYAr246DwDfACgd0jQRTvBMdIsC-FfOidfcpnQrgsPpQq5G7iM8_tXDqGgMsiEOgCT6OArTQvXMgYZCmpa3fUv2I0ugvgmvDvaC_q32P5LYgrJeBq8Ge4/s400/toilet+bonafide.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5340181846395954946" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;">Cob Bathrooms</span><br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9zJmIS6GGKAAKhTE5msZQbljrS3N_X4PU0RsDTlA28ArJAcwCS6GN7sxzZBkI28a5mSdF7frQ_MQkzFvpj0g7v2MCouZukNIc3T7jbAg0YpTtCyIzQrRoLm4AXhQsdavc7zd7dEtfn6o/s1600-h/sink+bona+fide.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9zJmIS6GGKAAKhTE5msZQbljrS3N_X4PU0RsDTlA28ArJAcwCS6GN7sxzZBkI28a5mSdF7frQ_MQkzFvpj0g7v2MCouZukNIc3T7jbAg0YpTtCyIzQrRoLm4AXhQsdavc7zd7dEtfn6o/s400/sink+bona+fide.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5340191982417576866" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;">outdoor sink and tree platform</span><br /></div><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Project Bona Fide also has several programs that benefit the locals. “Café Infantil” feeds 60 children breakfast six days a week, and teaches them about basic dental care and hygiene.</span> They are also building a Community Center, to serve as a library and school for English.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJU27QdrR6cSd2wxatGDXyUziZpK9BQJITer5tkSIF32WUY4CXHCj25wxtdNrknDY7VV66dQWkYWAzWmaAInpPcLvVFrAm0AV3PSZWSHAhNuSirYcoTbsSXRp2mz15GazlA3vwF2TmXOo/s1600-h/coffee+y+coaco.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJU27QdrR6cSd2wxatGDXyUziZpK9BQJITer5tkSIF32WUY4CXHCj25wxtdNrknDY7VV66dQWkYWAzWmaAInpPcLvVFrAm0AV3PSZWSHAhNuSirYcoTbsSXRp2mz15GazlA3vwF2TmXOo/s400/coffee+y+coaco.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5340183259163430178" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;">fresh roasted coffee and cane sugar ready to mix with cacao</span><br /><br /></div>We toured around the farm, sampling delicious bananas and fresh roasted cacao with coffee bits. We took in the sunset with the sound of the wind generator humming with the persistent breeze.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjio4opgd0uINmWQywVZSmtJNyvir6uOouPl9BqPNrAeQHMSiGyyyqWnlguh55txnatB40WEoZhIPYEwdgWKfFUSO_se4utRtlnPisQrhbva1mpqidy9xImNrgYPTkaHGQxmacegSSjLPY/s1600-h/monkey+jump.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjio4opgd0uINmWQywVZSmtJNyvir6uOouPl9BqPNrAeQHMSiGyyyqWnlguh55txnatB40WEoZhIPYEwdgWKfFUSO_se4utRtlnPisQrhbva1mpqidy9xImNrgYPTkaHGQxmacegSSjLPY/s400/monkey+jump.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5340190892606637602" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;">howler monkeys a'bound</span><br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAU4JFVrAa4Rjex5A3-MSxkWeTbQiTT6hFj36Qh-zje10oOr9QlSMr8Pi9re_5mJB0pBvRlSy0L0koEXmLS-_7xmhkPyBu44-FMQE0UItm1Jzsuw2R4MejQ1hj6tuml8DFHxVNslrQ2cU/s1600-h/cacao+flowers.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAU4JFVrAa4Rjex5A3-MSxkWeTbQiTT6hFj36Qh-zje10oOr9QlSMr8Pi9re_5mJB0pBvRlSy0L0koEXmLS-_7xmhkPyBu44-FMQE0UItm1Jzsuw2R4MejQ1hj6tuml8DFHxVNslrQ2cU/s400/cacao+flowers.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5340189374036356706" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;">cacao flowers, on the trunk!<br /></span></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOFchot7nARiqkeM6m8PRxLjOE1I2sy5YK_W1yqiUD3_-9HdZgo-NBCeoQj8M3tRFZtLL-Je0TQ0YjWSXD8_3yNmXNyZqyVmFi_Y971tuhW8ayoBNgKrq1uOUuypvqKVXNIf_CTA_kaUA/s1600-h/petroglyph.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOFchot7nARiqkeM6m8PRxLjOE1I2sy5YK_W1yqiUD3_-9HdZgo-NBCeoQj8M3tRFZtLL-Je0TQ0YjWSXD8_3yNmXNyZqyVmFi_Y971tuhW8ayoBNgKrq1uOUuypvqKVXNIf_CTA_kaUA/s400/petroglyph.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5340190894148031346" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;">evidence of the ancients</span><br /><br /></div>We took the opportunity to climb Volcan Maderas, through coffee and cacao forests to the crater lake at the top. Trekking through the moss covered trees with our intrepid guide Marvin, who definitley resembled a mountain gnome, we reached the top and took a dip in the mud pit of a lake. Not as refreshing as you would have hoped after climbing 4000 verticle feet... but unique once again.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjY9XFBXpM7mhyphenhyphena85FAFdgIU4ZRs18y2-wRj1pYlCx_5uIC_Z4W227eNihSEjp9ao8plxSC-5_izOEthrlfcx29cgm3QkbJwUzT9GoQpdZkaJT_Ua-9Wbs2PI5OWFP4G6jnJUcpAYnBsGA/s1600-h/selva+maderas.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjY9XFBXpM7mhyphenhyphena85FAFdgIU4ZRs18y2-wRj1pYlCx_5uIC_Z4W227eNihSEjp9ao8plxSC-5_izOEthrlfcx29cgm3QkbJwUzT9GoQpdZkaJT_Ua-9Wbs2PI5OWFP4G6jnJUcpAYnBsGA/s400/selva+maderas.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5340190905675253746" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;">Aubrey and Marvin try not to get lost in the enchanted forest</span><br /></div><br />After returning to the mainland, we met up with some mutual friends that Loren had actually met 4 years earlier. <span style="font-weight: bold;">Roy and Linda are constructing an </span><a style="font-weight: bold;" href="http://www.casalachabola.com/La_Chabola/Home.html">"Earth Ship"</a><span style="font-weight: bold;"> </span>(click to visit their site)<span style="font-weight: bold;">, a house built into the hill and made mostly from old tires and cob</span>. They live on a precipitous slope overlooking the many wave options, perfect for sussing out that next session.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-11eo44I-9b0yOXfmDeYiIQdISEWgK3KpJmlMs0PFeo5nVLpS4Zd8bqpLmyWQhhEJ2-LzWBwWG8LduAUyTMAqMZ33QywjPAowOxBhCCcA8vaEe0lwN-BHnpkb8Cqm9WUW5egnd-qHkEs/s1600-h/cob+walls.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-11eo44I-9b0yOXfmDeYiIQdISEWgK3KpJmlMs0PFeo5nVLpS4Zd8bqpLmyWQhhEJ2-LzWBwWG8LduAUyTMAqMZ33QywjPAowOxBhCCcA8vaEe0lwN-BHnpkb8Cqm9WUW5egnd-qHkEs/s400/cob+walls.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5340189371359719538" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;">the front of the Earth Ship</span><br /><br /></div>The house is complete with an outdoor shower covered in passionfruit vines, and the greywater feeds their garden located just outside the kitchen window. <span style="font-weight: bold;">The local builders were pretty psyched on the idea of building with trash, which as we know, there seems to be shortage of...</span><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGoT0OUJUSxTqNAndPcyq0oO-ogc41tq1tx4N_nv_diDzrK3DY558_iHSNsyJCy-UNjgVr08WIoXTDNNKDmPKpCdy7KS616HZWP6_x8DeIfGa6ki27ZJqNdgr_xsjTQMJYbClD7JKL1y4/s1600-h/tire+walls.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGoT0OUJUSxTqNAndPcyq0oO-ogc41tq1tx4N_nv_diDzrK3DY558_iHSNsyJCy-UNjgVr08WIoXTDNNKDmPKpCdy7KS616HZWP6_x8DeIfGa6ki27ZJqNdgr_xsjTQMJYbClD7JKL1y4/s400/tire+walls.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5340184331738195602" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;">tires form the walls</span><br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhy2sxap_uRpS4xj-YRtppJzmg2lZ9kszAXIJYxIIRQSCaxzYSykgGcWOy7cXvuLRAtfNOc0wYEYPs1-dJ0ha6dgqVeP30I3dnQY6v8QFuEqcjtV-_-bKSmYPwOc8E8sWe0_jm7E-cavhI/s1600-h/cans+n+tires.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhy2sxap_uRpS4xj-YRtppJzmg2lZ9kszAXIJYxIIRQSCaxzYSykgGcWOy7cXvuLRAtfNOc0wYEYPs1-dJ0ha6dgqVeP30I3dnQY6v8QFuEqcjtV-_-bKSmYPwOc8E8sWe0_jm7E-cavhI/s400/cans+n+tires.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5340189367247740434" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;">detail of walls showing cans used to fill in space</span><br /></div><br />Moving north though the country, we came to another unique place, <a href="http://www.loscardones.com/index.html">Los Cardones Eco-lodge</a>. They have created a low impact and beautiful resort right on the beach in front of some great waves.<br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmJ9pVfywLir9K17rLK8Jj_DFpXqwB1_DfD3BNl8GQ_3diH59nsj4oqNr3en5GgIii8G-TyEY-gX7osmaQS5-K4pbN9WPsFWZ8011jzsJuJEJmiZWyB_BvvW_N_9-gwfQ7Y2JpB7GwP0c/s1600-h/cardones+roof.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmJ9pVfywLir9K17rLK8Jj_DFpXqwB1_DfD3BNl8GQ_3diH59nsj4oqNr3en5GgIii8G-TyEY-gX7osmaQS5-K4pbN9WPsFWZ8011jzsJuJEJmiZWyB_BvvW_N_9-gwfQ7Y2JpB7GwP0c/s400/cardones+roof.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5340194569149114146" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;">natural construction means low-impact<br /><br /></span></div><span style="font-weight: bold;">Compost toilets convert last night’s dinner into valuable fertilizer, and solar panels provide enough light to dine.</span> We discussed the possibility of having a Permaculture Design Course there in the future. The seed has been planted.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8whZwv6VNkfXiNouxPUP3mtXMldyMwLdOlhX0_vdwj2XCf4Mq96izgquCaTeKQlUoKGR928AI8l0s8fHiqtTvzLqhJqIjSiI8xStWWlPH9yvPLqGx9c9oFkkTGwPRh61m706JRXfQwfI/s1600-h/los+cardones+bano.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8whZwv6VNkfXiNouxPUP3mtXMldyMwLdOlhX0_vdwj2XCf4Mq96izgquCaTeKQlUoKGR928AI8l0s8fHiqtTvzLqhJqIjSiI8xStWWlPH9yvPLqGx9c9oFkkTGwPRh61m706JRXfQwfI/s400/los+cardones+bano.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5340194563566048066" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;">baño ecologico<br /></span></div><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">More seeds were planted with the help of Holly Beck and her partner Ryan, on their new little homestead in Northern Nicaragua </span><span><a href="http://www.surflifenicaragua.blogspot.com/">(click to read her blog surf life nicaragua)</a></span><span style="font-weight: bold;">. </span> They are building a few casitas to rest in while waiting for the next session, and <span style="font-weight: bold;">we helped them plant a garden that will hopefully feed them and their caretaker, Osmar, and their many amigos.</span><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIIDtyKRjRKUcdjK9G_APlm-IVCR9TwOSKUUf6Y-h-4Y7U3-8COQRjlUu_23_vxpbxORTVtpmktmG8Bmg4btvIOIC1BtXhwNmlpdSQ8VqqufJlKKD7ZjEs9WWOfIaRDlpGP5EtYOJiOMM/s1600-h/showin+seeds.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIIDtyKRjRKUcdjK9G_APlm-IVCR9TwOSKUUf6Y-h-4Y7U3-8COQRjlUu_23_vxpbxORTVtpmktmG8Bmg4btvIOIC1BtXhwNmlpdSQ8VqqufJlKKD7ZjEs9WWOfIaRDlpGP5EtYOJiOMM/s400/showin+seeds.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5340227609651148562" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;">Sharing the seeds</span><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjH-e-ASzVXOcR_acYoJUTlztdb0B43pyQksNNgxaV1mHwBRXgh4bhfgB5SVxA9qDhsFgFmba23FIlw-HuXNNenIKt6CMGfeQmW0Yxkuwt5t3O9RUHy7pfs7D8oUUYNrtclhuM3HSbb_gQ/s1600-h/planting+seeds.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjH-e-ASzVXOcR_acYoJUTlztdb0B43pyQksNNgxaV1mHwBRXgh4bhfgB5SVxA9qDhsFgFmba23FIlw-HuXNNenIKt6CMGfeQmW0Yxkuwt5t3O9RUHy7pfs7D8oUUYNrtclhuM3HSbb_gQ/s400/planting+seeds.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5340184330505092514" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;">the garden crew gettin' dirty<br /></span></div><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">They have planted a small food forest, including almendras, mangos, avocados, limes, and gunabanas.</span> We helped pull out some crabgrass in preparation for planting nitrogen fixing groundcover under the little trees.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgD86SwAko3SCNpXPQnAtsaETzu9RAkv0nfpY3n9p8kEOReK0CsJs4y-W1NW8L3-C2mYSDOAaa54ma943TZrV_I37_8CYQVXdOT__PMIV05E2Oz8rSaHz5tNI6YIAz7lOIY6KcEKZXr8V4/s1600-h/casita+holly.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgD86SwAko3SCNpXPQnAtsaETzu9RAkv0nfpY3n9p8kEOReK0CsJs4y-W1NW8L3-C2mYSDOAaa54ma943TZrV_I37_8CYQVXdOT__PMIV05E2Oz8rSaHz5tNI6YIAz7lOIY6KcEKZXr8V4/s400/casita+holly.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5340194558364997106" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-style: italic;">la Casita de Ryan y Holly, con sus arbolitos</span></span><br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisqWb3xRewvqKJdCdaSPX6MDuUJ_zw29M2dDJ0cUe3UCbleOqKnRqoewTdLROyTTkOz_SXAJm7mI0tlBjJ15XUxLbJrCGORhpTCf1y5ADF00ZzyhPhgAM5mwpDN9JBsam90rgyZnN1JwU/s1600-h/aubs+gardening.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisqWb3xRewvqKJdCdaSPX6MDuUJ_zw29M2dDJ0cUe3UCbleOqKnRqoewTdLROyTTkOz_SXAJm7mI0tlBjJ15XUxLbJrCGORhpTCf1y5ADF00ZzyhPhgAM5mwpDN9JBsam90rgyZnN1JwU/s400/aubs+gardening.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5340183256953408786" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;">Aubrey diggin' it<br /></span></div><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">It was nice to catch up with friends, share some good laughs, make good meals, sample the 12yr. Flor de Cana, dig in the dirt, and wash ourselves off in some fun waves.</span><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQb39qEBvicpBHUGk7rCTH9gdi5asLgU5FgAU9N-sVxVwRg5Cdh9aUvyxY-8HSqqDHJATYA-yi3IFXWorA608rrgrK0n-P5PcFPqOrCIOYXqSESgXrzGYffhHm3-_ogtEFPFgLsAiF56o/s1600-h/pretty+beachie.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQb39qEBvicpBHUGk7rCTH9gdi5asLgU5FgAU9N-sVxVwRg5Cdh9aUvyxY-8HSqqDHJATYA-yi3IFXWorA608rrgrK0n-P5PcFPqOrCIOYXqSESgXrzGYffhHm3-_ogtEFPFgLsAiF56o/s400/pretty+beachie.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5340224605734289682" border="0" /></a><br />Our time in Nica was just about up so we ventured on, just barely making it through the border at Honduras. This was our most difficult crossing yet, and still we finally made it through with a little help from good 'ol trusty green dollar!<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkBKJqjF1vvvbV3MSIjdZosQc55Hu1mAuAlY01fenKDYcJLM8zoJalXS6OuJuWvibTlx87-Eyo-onEb7jKYRVwn1zpqJhqFydo4XqKGI0mCwJZlTZUXgWQhg7OD5E_IlcC2uxYiHTeLFc/s1600-h/Still+3+copy.jpeg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 225px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkBKJqjF1vvvbV3MSIjdZosQc55Hu1mAuAlY01fenKDYcJLM8zoJalXS6OuJuWvibTlx87-Eyo-onEb7jKYRVwn1zpqJhqFydo4XqKGI0mCwJZlTZUXgWQhg7OD5E_IlcC2uxYiHTeLFc/s400/Still+3+copy.jpeg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5340226354043673330" border="0" /></a><br /></div>We are now in El Salvador. Looking out over the waves, feeling very grateful for the opportunity to experience this trip. <span style="font-weight: bold;"> Thank you all for your support and for taking the time to read our blog! Stay tuned, there will be more to come!</span>SWoBshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08161414403059411227noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2981031667524638180.post-62522873030245693552009-05-11T12:25:00.000-07:002009-05-19T12:19:33.764-07:00Waves Of Optimism<div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhABgEjckZdz5O1Bfci5Upmij1Zvzwq33kX6_-eRddaXSPMvUeg4g1hr0mlDMejnG_K2oEdtu2x2tzIuLnRm0f63muipG307lBpZmtKGcikjN9KcevRvDeYsmnPIfkniW8JYW9nIJLtymY/s1600-h/storm+drain.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhABgEjckZdz5O1Bfci5Upmij1Zvzwq33kX6_-eRddaXSPMvUeg4g1hr0mlDMejnG_K2oEdtu2x2tzIuLnRm0f63muipG307lBpZmtKGcikjN9KcevRvDeYsmnPIfkniW8JYW9nIJLtymY/s400/storm+drain.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5334670708684445458" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;">The average storm drain in Rivas Nicaragua<br /><br /></span></div>It is hard not to get cynical while traveling through Central America. It seems as if nobody cares about pollution or socio-economic issues, especially the locals. Trash covers many towns and beaches, while people lie in hammocks watching the offshore winds blow it into the sea.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWkdUudSFmV1rqofIDwJxYCVZxW2AgqxX8CGWiQ4R5ELI9-mj7JG_Omr2kC1pb4E1Wd9tRGl2nSH2_-MzqYQCeahmDHfqS5ZvuuLYgPsmUhyphenhyphenWb6d9tKEPRO3JzWumphsqxXWw8q8X2UDo/s1600-h/offshores.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWkdUudSFmV1rqofIDwJxYCVZxW2AgqxX8CGWiQ4R5ELI9-mj7JG_Omr2kC1pb4E1Wd9tRGl2nSH2_-MzqYQCeahmDHfqS5ZvuuLYgPsmUhyphenhyphenWb6d9tKEPRO3JzWumphsqxXWw8q8X2UDo/s400/offshores.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5337616630523307746" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjffS8z_u3YZrOSHgUtmp47La9VmQKE7LEg4zpW_xkz88dFJz4lEGvF2RgLnrMCCDlFl1sC1GSKDztSNsrjmqSjxeVzmo4JQlbQ2eQitAQImFxr5LszmVU3nU5KN2v99UoOYYFXAn00MWY/s1600-h/rancho+sant.jpg"><br /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size:85%;">Offshores are great for surf, not so for trash into the sea</span><br /><br /></div><span style="font-weight: bold;">The reality is the majority of people in Central America and many other poor countries in the world are more concerned with survival than pollution. The economic situation is pretty dire in Nicaragua: the average daily wage is US$5. Gringos show up with their flashy sunglasses (like us) and blow that in a minute ordering a few cervezas. </span><br /><br />The people may be lying in hammocks during the heat of the day, but that is because there is little work. It could be argued that they could be more proactive and seek work, but the capitalist reality is not their reality. Furthermore, <span style="font-weight: bold;">many people do not have transportation to get them to the bigger towns where there may be employment.</span><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjujji1_o6Y5rwAtxoWRph0DI5II8PvLnygy9qASndHf50N21_NWoH5V4IucqoRGlFcSFmQNIOHha6WjlOeASnHcbsQWVaBWkTyEFE6YCeCys29tV-Le6tuy-D6YYVbMCr6jm6zwXogALI/s1600-h/heavy+left.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 280px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjujji1_o6Y5rwAtxoWRph0DI5II8PvLnygy9qASndHf50N21_NWoH5V4IucqoRGlFcSFmQNIOHha6WjlOeASnHcbsQWVaBWkTyEFE6YCeCys29tV-Le6tuy-D6YYVbMCr6jm6zwXogALI/s400/heavy+left.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5337616619188258210" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;">There are some heavy waves down here...</span><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><span style="font-weight: bold;">A light amidst this darkness has emerged in Gigante, Nicaragua. A small fishing town with a population of about 400, they had no public transportation to get the kids to school or for the local businesses to get their sacks of rice from the city. Then a couple gringos with a mission showed up.</span><br /><br />Adam Monaghan and Nick Mucha were Peace Corps Volunteers in Honduras directly after college. They wanted to continue humanitarian work, and live closer to the beach. They found this calling in Gigante. <span style="font-weight: bold;">They created a project they dubbed Waves Of Optimism, or Project WOO</span><span style="font-weight: bold;"> </span><span style="font-weight: bold;">(</span><a style="font-weight: bold;" href="http://www.projectwoo.org/">http://www.projectwoo.org/</a><span style="font-weight: bold;">),</span><span style="font-weight: bold;"> to address the needs of the town.</span><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPwTg7TezH7-8EqFvYRyAWe6VmgziqUj-9eO16S-0nP96ddLaTH-NLkSSeM3Db6aykRt2ddB73HC4YuuLNolZMdyW-FKLHq54IybrptnYe685vIfGpF6lDWJM1i12tpik9G7hZvfvPuJg/s1600-h/get+on+the+bus+.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPwTg7TezH7-8EqFvYRyAWe6VmgziqUj-9eO16S-0nP96ddLaTH-NLkSSeM3Db6aykRt2ddB73HC4YuuLNolZMdyW-FKLHq54IybrptnYe685vIfGpF6lDWJM1i12tpik9G7hZvfvPuJg/s400/get+on+the+bus+.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5334659756088456530" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;">Adam Monaghan of Project WOO<br /><br /></span></div>They first performed a rigorous census of the community and consulted with its leaders. Then helped the locals get what they wanted and what they felt they needed most to become more successful in the capitalist world that is rapidly overtaking neighboring villages: a bad-ass bus.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiyz34vFU_YVxzPFFV8Qqwwpwloyg66uqfX-ER1fEXy7-RElyd46WM_nFVAGlnafjSa9aglBX3kOBOQlQsLsQtDW2IGIMeBIDmmJI1BVU649G05Kr9coVByug97_EloPE5aQZBF3TOVCA/s1600-h/woomobile.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiyz34vFU_YVxzPFFV8Qqwwpwloyg66uqfX-ER1fEXy7-RElyd46WM_nFVAGlnafjSa9aglBX3kOBOQlQsLsQtDW2IGIMeBIDmmJI1BVU649G05Kr9coVByug97_EloPE5aQZBF3TOVCA/s400/woomobile.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5334664257594270738" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;">Adam and Marlon take pride in their bus</span><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh28GVHKDPcul_TsO0aUGZoR-52joZZT-BsXs9LBJicRdsAdIZz3c0UhFKa5UHOc2OiNVF-qTWsKAa8Kuq6yI9wUlybtZoWHFb96NhkxpM3aHg_RX6t05pjsd4KucBg1a5EdCLkmepdYm8/s1600-h/lolo+bus+ride.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh28GVHKDPcul_TsO0aUGZoR-52joZZT-BsXs9LBJicRdsAdIZz3c0UhFKa5UHOc2OiNVF-qTWsKAa8Kuq6yI9wUlybtZoWHFb96NhkxpM3aHg_RX6t05pjsd4KucBg1a5EdCLkmepdYm8/s400/lolo+bus+ride.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5334676685529905570" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;">Enjoying the ride</span><br /><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8_zxPDxkkYWBiZ4Axxfbx-uk3dAwNleDXeSODV6ky6V_y0eH-s_Mu_NN8eoghNNPuGqbbXaHrtOnGGnhZK82wsP_kLDxwACxV4tj1MqImjHN3lRrv4GBrZ3VwkDtl7czyWdwY3Qj8aw4/s1600-h/back+of+the+bus.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 236px; height: 303px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8_zxPDxkkYWBiZ4Axxfbx-uk3dAwNleDXeSODV6ky6V_y0eH-s_Mu_NN8eoghNNPuGqbbXaHrtOnGGnhZK82wsP_kLDxwACxV4tj1MqImjHN3lRrv4GBrZ3VwkDtl7czyWdwY3Qj8aw4/s400/back+of+the+bus.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5334668086790697922" border="0" /></a>The WOO-Mobile is an old coffee delivery truck, which WOO had converted to people hauler. They put in folding benches so that the bus could double as a materials transport while not delivering students to their teachers- whom he also helped. <span style="font-weight: bold;">WOO raised the money for the salaries of three full time teachers</span>, much of it coming from the rich gringo homeowners in the neighboring bays of the south coast of Nicaragua.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">WOO also started an after-school program to help the kids with their homework and to teach them English and organic gardening.</span> We joined in the fun with Club WOO, and Aubrey brought out the paints for the kids to experiment with. We demonstrated how they could use local materials to paint- <span style="font-weight: bold;">palm fronds make great brushes and ground up bricks make nice pigment.</span><br /><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrTF40tdJQYzGTYgQVXZxRxsSCYMv3Xryc2-xcl6FtbeS3tqZhdg_dvKaVtBVsDLEwCXp1OrHD9szLTs7hXL-2HhE93bxBt3nAF7HrNnyoRsDwGk1FoXIh-im5E7oYIDF3cirwUqU22OU/s1600-h/pincel.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrTF40tdJQYzGTYgQVXZxRxsSCYMv3Xryc2-xcl6FtbeS3tqZhdg_dvKaVtBVsDLEwCXp1OrHD9szLTs7hXL-2HhE93bxBt3nAF7HrNnyoRsDwGk1FoXIh-im5E7oYIDF3cirwUqU22OU/s400/pincel.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5334666454090652914" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;">Palm fronds for brushes and ground-up rocks for paint<br /><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiv80dxGmjByvK2nYSmhfD9JlW7YpXUH_VmIHrEMmfDfp35IC7UpHse21Jtr0ZsR6QbE5Bb3A3o5Hgm0v3jdjULUNZhytzAFOoVe2x7ylIJsZF97XfMSE_z5uPvChywYzNHkbA3bOInCFo/s1600-h/aub+y+ninos.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiv80dxGmjByvK2nYSmhfD9JlW7YpXUH_VmIHrEMmfDfp35IC7UpHse21Jtr0ZsR6QbE5Bb3A3o5Hgm0v3jdjULUNZhytzAFOoVe2x7ylIJsZF97XfMSE_z5uPvChywYzNHkbA3bOInCFo/s400/aub+y+ninos.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5334655130214159058" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;">Aubrey demonstrating color blending<br /><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-b7qEFhNrdk56yDwdfTuYN-iRf2H02jaTi2-ZJS-wVjcL5qurbpZV92OVAhfHXB3xrtUGgHWWVng2tnnIp7_fOH4bQKtV-Q8_NQa8Tw9wAjbLcEAePcI_IZyF5DzPgi6GBrb7kABrZdg/s1600-h/pinturas.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-b7qEFhNrdk56yDwdfTuYN-iRf2H02jaTi2-ZJS-wVjcL5qurbpZV92OVAhfHXB3xrtUGgHWWVng2tnnIp7_fOH4bQKtV-Q8_NQa8Tw9wAjbLcEAePcI_IZyF5DzPgi6GBrb7kABrZdg/s400/pinturas.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5334666460436584674" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;">The results</span><br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0iauhJDWa0Caup04FyqA9LjhQYQ7x9pYwXUjV1gFaDnCfNbNtMHLmPN_-66zg_f84kixTrGJxcBn2tmZek7LbN11P8JMeSPP2MNC2YQQhKV0o-qKJVIbzPHUkuAyt9ixq87CQQ_RXOtM/s1600-h/sirena.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0iauhJDWa0Caup04FyqA9LjhQYQ7x9pYwXUjV1gFaDnCfNbNtMHLmPN_-66zg_f84kixTrGJxcBn2tmZek7LbN11P8JMeSPP2MNC2YQQhKV0o-qKJVIbzPHUkuAyt9ixq87CQQ_RXOtM/s400/sirena.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5334659759133194722" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;">Face Painting is fun too<br /><br /></span></div><span style="font-weight: bold;">WOO employs two other locals full time.</span> Marlon drives the bus and heaves the sacks of rice into the rig for the passengers, and Norma runs the after school program and takes care of the books. Norma is also training to take over the project full time in the near future, and well deserved, as she embodies a huge wave of optimism that can be felt by anyone in her presence. Both <span style="font-weight: bold;">Norma and Marlon are super stoked to be working for such a different project, and to be contributing to the education of local kids.</span><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRCxWXHMACQAGIjLOsliPIsCep12j7Lb_IiNjr7psnmwxQKHUQjNkkc8fEUjTZ5HTYBAHVO4W6iNRWoFz-MyrtE-1mQhBYmd4ps4Xuqz6i86uOp_l00OZW1xMPW7rzlA-m5zg3-eqFTXI/s1600-h/arte+club+woo.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRCxWXHMACQAGIjLOsliPIsCep12j7Lb_IiNjr7psnmwxQKHUQjNkkc8fEUjTZ5HTYBAHVO4W6iNRWoFz-MyrtE-1mQhBYmd4ps4Xuqz6i86uOp_l00OZW1xMPW7rzlA-m5zg3-eqFTXI/s400/arte+club+woo.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5334655122868973602" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;">Norma (in the bright green shirt) joining in the painting<br /><br /></span></div>WOO is an example of what two motivated people can do when they put their minds to it. It is also an example of grass roots organizing at its best: they worked with the locals every step of the way. <span style="font-weight: bold;">Adam stresses the importance of community buy-in for the success of any project- if the locals are not into it, and more so have a vested interest, a project will not be successful.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">They have created a great model that could be applied to any community in need, and used by any humanitarian organization hoping to help. Take the time to look at their website and support the work they are doing!</span> <span style="font-weight: bold;">(</span><a style="font-weight: bold;" href="http://www.projectwoo.org/">http://www.projectwoo.org/</a><span style="font-weight: bold;">)</span> <span style="font-weight: bold;"><br /><br /></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfqzJ46druPOe0ila77ygJ3TRjNJdYBiXyu3xxFjsnwx32tqGbdpzVUczDTjoCZRfdSDU_4Z_urjq3r5qktvOzdZDCNgAfnPEpxrsQFtz5Ak56XXV0Hewd7HGZboiuGPEQdUflHJc6IZk/s1600-h/beachie.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 279px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfqzJ46druPOe0ila77ygJ3TRjNJdYBiXyu3xxFjsnwx32tqGbdpzVUczDTjoCZRfdSDU_4Z_urjq3r5qktvOzdZDCNgAfnPEpxrsQFtz5Ak56XXV0Hewd7HGZboiuGPEQdUflHJc6IZk/s400/beachie.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5337616616422542642" border="0" /></a><br />Thanks for reading- stay tuned for more adventures as we return north, making our way back up, across many borders, for the long journey home!SWoBshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08161414403059411227noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2981031667524638180.post-62959715384508141882009-04-27T08:50:00.000-07:002009-04-27T10:29:02.559-07:00Plastic, Plastic, Everywhere- Does anybody care???<div style="TEXT-ALIGN: center"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCMOWrAbkMWXwyy7JeKJPHqBFDobzThxNbZtFxRTtwpzZEdH8ah2GcZUz26Ks35RouWgXTTudejr430jMXPMN-XIhpK4D6rIPbUhyphenhyphennWFHvOoLY94zkw5vhyyKFG8uYuDcpzpwuuTJDnXk/s1600-h/Champer+trash.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5329401293632792290" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: pointer; HEIGHT: 225px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCMOWrAbkMWXwyy7JeKJPHqBFDobzThxNbZtFxRTtwpzZEdH8ah2GcZUz26Ks35RouWgXTTudejr430jMXPMN-XIhpK4D6rIPbUhyphenhyphennWFHvOoLY94zkw5vhyyKFG8uYuDcpzpwuuTJDnXk/s400/Champer+trash.jpg" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWfCKxxEAQDyKaQqVxKCBeXNgwbKA_QOgRCibv3kkygEtCMdLkboCc8DNt-v0RFaYeNO9EZhZwCeIjNznD9UwtugIOdWpcYSp3ggc5DnTHd59A-DrUSRy9zzhi-LClOa4D0k1rbkU-KbM/s1600-h/champer+trash+close.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5329400498836370434" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: pointer; HEIGHT: 225px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWfCKxxEAQDyKaQqVxKCBeXNgwbKA_QOgRCibv3kkygEtCMdLkboCc8DNt-v0RFaYeNO9EZhZwCeIjNznD9UwtugIOdWpcYSp3ggc5DnTHd59A-DrUSRy9zzhi-LClOa4D0k1rbkU-KbM/s400/champer+trash+close.jpg" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;">Playa Champerico, Guatemala</span><br /></div><br />After returning to Mexico and driving further south, we have realized that <span style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold">the most pressing issue for the ocean and humanity is not human waste or chemical pollution, but plastic waste.</span><br /><span style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold">Plastic has become the number one pollutant in the open ocean</span>, outnumbering plankton 6 to 1 in the North Pacific Gyre (source: <a href="http://www.algalita.org/">Algalita Marine Research Foundation</a>).<br /><br /><div style="TEXT-ALIGN: center"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmeELROD9OybffSs5WSGIXEVNGqpw7IOu5KNst4MnggiaXb07Ni9D3lyotNDp0uWhJRJqPTOPlc2Q6imCs1b0NqMYlCkPiXWhfufuRe_mBXU-yvhA4F3bXtx4zajmgAV7keqin1BP-GWs/s1600-h/esquintla+river+long.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5329401297625756162" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: pointer; HEIGHT: 225px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmeELROD9OybffSs5WSGIXEVNGqpw7IOu5KNst4MnggiaXb07Ni9D3lyotNDp0uWhJRJqPTOPlc2Q6imCs1b0NqMYlCkPiXWhfufuRe_mBXU-yvhA4F3bXtx4zajmgAV7keqin1BP-GWs/s400/esquintla+river+long.jpg" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhT5TLt5y1hqLOP6BjnUDGJVhmLeKcfkHNXHSXv_Rc01Fvn61TWv0v6oEN6WGtLoRBZ14etbbTrJR_HL23qaTnKqMariVPL5RLGMsUc1HMmvtfkoEVtdgnYLceRgVt4mFiUXXxkdZP4J94/s1600-h/esquintla+river+close.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5329400498116009346" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: pointer; HEIGHT: 225px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhT5TLt5y1hqLOP6BjnUDGJVhmLeKcfkHNXHSXv_Rc01Fvn61TWv0v6oEN6WGtLoRBZ14etbbTrJR_HL23qaTnKqMariVPL5RLGMsUc1HMmvtfkoEVtdgnYLceRgVt4mFiUXXxkdZP4J94/s400/esquintla+river+close.jpg" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;">Esquintla River, Guatemala<br /><br /></span></div>Plastic debris in the ocean is not only unsightly, it is harmful to marine life. Birds, fish, and turtles consume the plastic because it resembles food.<br /><br />Plastic does not bio-degrade, it photo-degrades, that means it breaks into smaller and smaller pieces. It breaks down to the point at which even plankton consume it, as it slowly sinks to the bottom.<br /><div style="TEXT-ALIGN: center"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNFKGNO6BHebWxlw3OxHRvXdAPcyr1KssYfnVEoU9Mv8s9ws2a9toD93StP91j22ZyElmD7nvR19ya06SgXhEYYszHLszvktk1qCLGttkSjk02ud6qQk7CUV6ursxSmDWp4V3wMKjww6U/s1600-h/aub+big+bottomturn+PR.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5329402970352822258" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: pointer; HEIGHT: 225px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNFKGNO6BHebWxlw3OxHRvXdAPcyr1KssYfnVEoU9Mv8s9ws2a9toD93StP91j22ZyElmD7nvR19ya06SgXhEYYszHLszvktk1qCLGttkSjk02ud6qQk7CUV6ursxSmDWp4V3wMKjww6U/s400/aub+big+bottomturn+PR.jpg" border="0" /></a></div><div style="TEXT-ALIGN: center"><span style="font-size:85%;">Don't trash this wave, please! Aubrey setting up.<br /><br /></span></div><span style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold">Traveling through Central America, the story is no different: in fact it is the worst we have seen. Local trash collection is often unsatisfactory or completely absent, because it is either voluntary or costs money.</span><br /><br />At Playa Zonte in El Salvador, we saw a local man throw a bag of trash onto the beach. We explained to him the problem with plastic in the ocean.<br /><br /><div style="TEXT-ALIGN: center"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjU8cWUNJ3ucf1gxyhAveb8aes9kocWFdum-aZHc2x0amqrdLshGf_XuIs53_Ubc19UtGFISJYRjfjUZuQMUIjF_Qwu7Q1i0lIiUVKb_TSah47PNHSDzLSe13wbhqp8K7CCZc3T2RHIOR4/s1600-h/jimmy+59+air.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5329402973864335266" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: pointer; HEIGHT: 225px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjU8cWUNJ3ucf1gxyhAveb8aes9kocWFdum-aZHc2x0amqrdLshGf_XuIs53_Ubc19UtGFISJYRjfjUZuQMUIjF_Qwu7Q1i0lIiUVKb_TSah47PNHSDzLSe13wbhqp8K7CCZc3T2RHIOR4/s400/jimmy+59+air.jpg" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;">Local ripper Jimmy Rotherham rising above the plastic</span><br /><br /></div>Unfortunately, he viewed plastic and leaves in the same category, as “basura” (trash). <span style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold">The local practice is to throw everything into the ocean.</span> Currents drag the trash further out to sea, into the Gyre. As a result, the volume of trash is not obvious on the coast.<br /><br />In El Salvador, many people cannot afford trash collection, or are unwilling to pay. They believe that the government should take care of it. Because of this, most trash is either burned or thrown to the wayside.<br /><br /><div style="TEXT-ALIGN: center"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg22HHvHGYCS6VUiz2HIVqPNgr6KpeEGjCc07aGqC08ExO-5gXHYMTMaSxdl_26LKJ79xn38KmHifi1nfNxVsvfPWNyUqd5nzhvs-MBkuVy0lOLND-gTII-nD58dukL-HqHCA5CS2tbTUg/s1600-h/PUNTA+R.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5329405352902103890" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: pointer; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg22HHvHGYCS6VUiz2HIVqPNgr6KpeEGjCc07aGqC08ExO-5gXHYMTMaSxdl_26LKJ79xn38KmHifi1nfNxVsvfPWNyUqd5nzhvs-MBkuVy0lOLND-gTII-nD58dukL-HqHCA5CS2tbTUg/s400/PUNTA+R.jpg" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;">some nice set-ups in El Salvador</span><br /><br /></div><span style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold">Education is a huge factor- the people do not see why plastic pollution is a problem. It has yet to affect them, and their health or their pocketbooks.</span><br /><br /><div style="TEXT-ALIGN: center"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghgDUSNlyF_3l5I11YN0CiAXh65_xU2_VTLM8_FoYSM-ffY5FsFlZGG84u0js8lsJA7xGk3b2YuhDN0Cftqr5O7MO3GYH-waJbdOBy-cPS_PUMc44NH5kR9L_WPqJqQ7StnAy1EhR9jkI/s1600-h/reading+with+kids.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5329405348774774290" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: pointer; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghgDUSNlyF_3l5I11YN0CiAXh65_xU2_VTLM8_FoYSM-ffY5FsFlZGG84u0js8lsJA7xGk3b2YuhDN0Cftqr5O7MO3GYH-waJbdOBy-cPS_PUMc44NH5kR9L_WPqJqQ7StnAy1EhR9jkI/s400/reading+with+kids.jpg" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;">Aubrey reading to Jimmy's kids</span><br /><br /></div><span style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold">We are starting by educating the children. Aubrey has been reading a children’s book by Joel Harper, </span><a style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold" href="http://www.allthewaytotheocean.com/">“All The Way to the Ocean”</a><span style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold">, to local kids. The book explains what trash does when it reaches the sea.</span><br /><div style="TEXT-ALIGN: center"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjMhk4mxn6hVhVYlEYW5EZ7vb-Zo_b6ACKUqov720sPDnj9hDvS6whvjKaPyUQHHrMGmKxZ6QB-9qnqwU0D_4duOncpKZt-MqgJHL9r7Om2x_1l5G595_s2sBzuqKZXQsgX90_MYhZoVg/s1600-h/girl+lecture.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5329402969812268162" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: pointer; HEIGHT: 225px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjMhk4mxn6hVhVYlEYW5EZ7vb-Zo_b6ACKUqov720sPDnj9hDvS6whvjKaPyUQHHrMGmKxZ6QB-9qnqwU0D_4duOncpKZt-MqgJHL9r7Om2x_1l5G595_s2sBzuqKZXQsgX90_MYhZoVg/s400/girl+lecture.jpg" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;">Students of the Traveling School learning Permaculture</span><br /><br /></div>Loren also taught a group of girls enrolled in <a href="http://www.travelingschool.com/">The Traveling School</a> and Introduction to Permaculture. They were all excited at the opportunity to create careers in the environmental field.<br /><div style="TEXT-ALIGN: center"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgW-jF_VQMTtX8RPxLot8VGSK5O1avVFvPOKjEZWvFe2OiYWfAbdDslnMWD5ozQswvRmrX3KAa5HGaP8Cz6CIk3jVX3170ks-Dn5O18NtmYG9bhUHSfzZX-Tvp0MrutnsSsqAeN2mn1r5o/s1600-h/libertad+clean+up.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5329402979108939026" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: pointer; HEIGHT: 225px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgW-jF_VQMTtX8RPxLot8VGSK5O1avVFvPOKjEZWvFe2OiYWfAbdDslnMWD5ozQswvRmrX3KAa5HGaP8Cz6CIk3jVX3170ks-Dn5O18NtmYG9bhUHSfzZX-Tvp0MrutnsSsqAeN2mn1r5o/s400/libertad+clean+up.jpg" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;">Libertad beach clean up<br /><br /></span></div><span style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold">We did see signs of progress in La Libertad. A group of local women were picking up trash along Playa La Paz at Punta Roca</span>. This is a step in the right direction, but a small band-aid at best.<br /><br /><span style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold">We need to change our thinking about plastic, and see it as a resource. If plastic were worth money, not a single piece would be left on any beach.</span><br /><br /><div style="TEXT-ALIGN: center"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9iOVrHqX6ZI0kKaQZD5o5ml7MIPLAa7k5lZwRiIrwbzxg2FHIq7_KqTH1oYU85IXWh2PgQjIEbbpwyGuVqEza2g_4w4juFwABXC1SvytpnehnYzTW_6dPxgiX3HStXPdlF5DbtRTeDJQ/s1600-h/Biomass+Gasification+3.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5329409480397721970" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: pointer; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9iOVrHqX6ZI0kKaQZD5o5ml7MIPLAa7k5lZwRiIrwbzxg2FHIq7_KqTH1oYU85IXWh2PgQjIEbbpwyGuVqEza2g_4w4juFwABXC1SvytpnehnYzTW_6dPxgiX3HStXPdlF5DbtRTeDJQ/s400/Biomass+Gasification+3.jpg" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;">A wood gasifier running a tractor. Plastic could be used as a substitute for wood</span><br /><br /></div>New technologies are here to use waste plastic. Gasification is not new, though the burning of waste plastic for electricity generation is a new idea. An Australian company named <a href="http://www.ozmotech.com.au/">Ozmotech</a> has created a generator to burn waste plastic at high heat to turn a steam turbine, with no exhaust.<br /><br />Also, a <a href="http://www.indiacar.com/infobank/Plastic_fuel.asp">woman in India</a> has figured out how to turn waste plastic of all categories into fuel and high viscosity oil. <span style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold">What if you could clean the beach to run your car!</span><br /><br /><span style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold">Plastic is made from petroleum after all. Why not return it and burn it! We can solve two problems with one solution- plastic pollution and the energy crisis.</span><br /><br /><div style="TEXT-ALIGN: center"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjc3B_9zIIOE9lTLxOxZOVxEU4IQ5ahLC0PkDpKZ68DTa4pSotgHv8a-U6r0UaUI5-50_qhcaYG_yNI9lG-vpUaZH875eS0TopMnpciSn04RqetkYDrpsGCgz-ts6MoT_NWQjhs84Ql0PE/s1600-h/lo+top+turn+1.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5329411041909115826" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: pointer; HEIGHT: 225px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjc3B_9zIIOE9lTLxOxZOVxEU4IQ5ahLC0PkDpKZ68DTa4pSotgHv8a-U6r0UaUI5-50_qhcaYG_yNI9lG-vpUaZH875eS0TopMnpciSn04RqetkYDrpsGCgz-ts6MoT_NWQjhs84Ql0PE/s400/lo+top+turn+1.jpg" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;">We hope to find more of this along the way...<br /><br /></span></div>We are heading south to Nicargua to see what we can find there. This will be our final destination, and we will turn around retracing our steps and revisiting friends we met and projects we started along the way.SWoBshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08161414403059411227noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2981031667524638180.post-30658642671775546412009-04-08T11:06:00.000-07:002009-04-22T20:18:26.144-07:00The Easy Road, and What is Sustainablity?<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiml21aHdlrO5tHZLmoXBy5qAInlvso4dKtRL5opQcN6IT1q5-j8j6L_YnCui4puSDPDuIkxxaGvAhNGZ1TrgRmfvsQIDjlR7Za0g6yd44h_7DoVC-oVCrMmsGWlsgAzrsBeGzSoTdDgmU/s1600-h/bougainvillea.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiml21aHdlrO5tHZLmoXBy5qAInlvso4dKtRL5opQcN6IT1q5-j8j6L_YnCui4puSDPDuIkxxaGvAhNGZ1TrgRmfvsQIDjlR7Za0g6yd44h_7DoVC-oVCrMmsGWlsgAzrsBeGzSoTdDgmU/s320/bougainvillea.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5322388007666822594" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">We have been blessed to take the easy road.</span> We have the means to buy a bus ticket, to get on a plane and fly 3,000 miles down to Mexico. We are able to bring our surfboards, an extra bag full of books, presents, art supplies, special favorite food items and have our personal backpacks stuffed to the brim with lap-tops, cameras and other random gear.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEik7FVl8FJCVW2IhUf3KyKVSO80KsOCZakbwXN17xbCpaQIEo5L91RLi5FE5qg-ACdlUp_n0c5JllYTP5SY21KqPk1y3EatAkCINAEGPCPEipFCdsReevTKLFGJRbJ8ficgVYc8aUtFn14/s1600-h/mexico+city.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEik7FVl8FJCVW2IhUf3KyKVSO80KsOCZakbwXN17xbCpaQIEo5L91RLi5FE5qg-ACdlUp_n0c5JllYTP5SY21KqPk1y3EatAkCINAEGPCPEipFCdsReevTKLFGJRbJ8ficgVYc8aUtFn14/s320/mexico+city.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5322388009442876130" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-style: italic;">Mexico City- Can it ever be sustainable?</span></span><br /></div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPy9IvWd0sGav2URkczcCqesURlxf4Un8NMQ57QbmRnyLCoXi1jpg229OOJxs_PXRTsf45VYu73T5YPxhw4WYXqTXs72DkFvm1jO2rpDYmeEBxzGmFsNSeXvDnlfy23gv_kidctQhF3N4/s1600-h/lo+back+with+eli.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPy9IvWd0sGav2URkczcCqesURlxf4Un8NMQ57QbmRnyLCoXi1jpg229OOJxs_PXRTsf45VYu73T5YPxhw4WYXqTXs72DkFvm1jO2rpDYmeEBxzGmFsNSeXvDnlfy23gv_kidctQhF3N4/s320/lo+back+with+eli.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5322388898829471010" border="0" /></a>Arriving in Hualtulco’s picturesque palm lined airport we are pleasantly surprised to be greeted by our friend Pepe who has come to escort us back to his home where our Truck and our home on the road, Ellie the Dodge has been awaiting us.<br /><br />Why are we here again? To share ideas about sustainability? How much carbon have we created to make this journey? How is it we are giving talks about environmental awareness yet we ourselves are sucking up diesel fuel to power our way across borders?<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">It would be very easy to go on and on about the details of our daily lives that conflict with the mottos of being sustainable. In the end only nature is truly sustainable. We must design systems that mimic nature, regenerating resources rather than depleting them. So, we continue on…</span><br /><br />The bottom line is many of us take the easy road because we <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg66XRIsiMk5qMi6k6-LB9SwlbpKwBKZoEgS4KpM7MuZP57uvp9qOqELJr_pDEAjENcigecx9rTStgYrwcLolahgptUv6Z8s6BkYUSFTKNj5LJuJCiN9WopsWwuxlLYXU5K8Q2zT6rmHwU/s1600-h/la+madre.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg66XRIsiMk5qMi6k6-LB9SwlbpKwBKZoEgS4KpM7MuZP57uvp9qOqELJr_pDEAjENcigecx9rTStgYrwcLolahgptUv6Z8s6BkYUSFTKNj5LJuJCiN9WopsWwuxlLYXU5K8Q2zT6rmHwU/s320/la+madre.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5322388909981143234" border="0" /></a>can. We use what we have, and maybe that is the best we can do for now. We talked about bailing everything, just riding bikes or kayaking down the coast (hah, talk about new ideas!).<br /><br />The justification for driving is that we are carrying tools and supplies to do projects, and hope to introduce novel ideas that may improve lives and the environment, thereby offsetting our impacts. Also, reality is we knew we wouldn’t be able to cover as much territory and be as equipped with any other method of transportation.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Once again, there are many ways to do things, there are many ways to live. We are blessed to have choices.</span><br /><br />We found that we are not the only ones who chose the easy road. We were disappointed but not surprised to find that the composting toilet we built for Pepe had not been used. He has three other toilets for his 10 cabañas and it obviously wasn’t a necessity for him.<br /><br />But after a week here we were able to talk him into getting it going again and helped him construct a privacy structure for it. It will serve as an extra toilet for his many customers from all parts of the globe.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9UjAmcuagM41jkG6xhxqGsVfO3cHBzkHGxd7KnGU-hG5M1TPuYBLhU8mJamgYCC0euuGeSp1VYVKutXkeveTjavs2yMuSfRc6igGjNEKmxj0Bx8iDjFxZvh7HrOuq-XLXy-7aYN-Gw88/s1600-h/bano+shelter.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9UjAmcuagM41jkG6xhxqGsVfO3cHBzkHGxd7KnGU-hG5M1TPuYBLhU8mJamgYCC0euuGeSp1VYVKutXkeveTjavs2yMuSfRc6igGjNEKmxj0Bx8iDjFxZvh7HrOuq-XLXy-7aYN-Gw88/s320/bano+shelter.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5322389983469982098" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-style: italic;">Privacy structure built from local materials</span></span><br /><br /></div> <div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZbo0oBZlWTVLvsaNk2_4CP5ts1ip80zBOD0RfddXAlbQbuvRJ8HnpaAIF7rrbR3CCEmhYGFSGvFXIZstnB8SCqDpXmh9ib2VdfwmM3elLnL4vedwnb19kxzTbOCJHhVoy-kX8Emu3ANU/s1600-h/bano+ecologico.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZbo0oBZlWTVLvsaNk2_4CP5ts1ip80zBOD0RfddXAlbQbuvRJ8HnpaAIF7rrbR3CCEmhYGFSGvFXIZstnB8SCqDpXmh9ib2VdfwmM3elLnL4vedwnb19kxzTbOCJHhVoy-kX8Emu3ANU/s320/bano+ecologico.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5322389980906791458" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-style: italic;">The "Nature Toilet"</span></span></div><br />We checked out another property in town that is owned by a man from New Zealand. The only toilet they had on the land was a composting toilet, which they have been using for the last 5 years. They add lime powder (calcareous, or cal) and have not had to empty it yet, and it didn’t smell.<br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1nOUIa9x0jD_gstmc9NSOQz91rwtRGrozKRfANZYq_340_Xftc25mbdU-DoPIfAmbMTGQzja1DSRtdjf-IKARo4uFEVTYYMl7zTN0rGTG0YICtjm5E4KLFATudSL95jMugbQVUS8ZfBY/s1600-h/toilet+barra.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1nOUIa9x0jD_gstmc9NSOQz91rwtRGrozKRfANZYq_340_Xftc25mbdU-DoPIfAmbMTGQzja1DSRtdjf-IKARo4uFEVTYYMl7zTN0rGTG0YICtjm5E4KLFATudSL95jMugbQVUS8ZfBY/s320/toilet+barra.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5322390969999795410" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-style: italic;">Colorful Composting Toilet</span></span><br /></div><br />The <span style="font-weight: bold;">Slow Sand Water Filter</span> we constructed before we left town last October is still up and running, getting a lot of use from Pepe. Our recent water quality tests turned out good and we have been drinking from it for over a week, with no ill effects.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSK6NkloLLAb5oBgogqLDuKYsyZKemUXElu_XDLFRRJoSkMKC9RbYYzLBZDC0ohFL0wtCgIq3oLVWG_BoMnOmAOXtnYS5dfEl27wB0rmVp8Ixe5xDadoqp3FahEIRWb40ig1y4TDgw_Qg/s1600-h/aub+y+lo+water+filter.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSK6NkloLLAb5oBgogqLDuKYsyZKemUXElu_XDLFRRJoSkMKC9RbYYzLBZDC0ohFL0wtCgIq3oLVWG_BoMnOmAOXtnYS5dfEl27wB0rmVp8Ixe5xDadoqp3FahEIRWb40ig1y4TDgw_Qg/s320/aub+y+lo+water+filter.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5322390979895831026" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-style: italic;">Tastes Great!</span></span><br /><br /></div><span style="font-weight: bold;">Loren gave a talk and showed a slideshow on Permaculture</span> to an interested group of some traveling Irish and Aussie surfers. They were builders and educators, and hoped to learn more about Permaculture down the road.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuljiSsg41WL5LOf_0y8bzbEa4W4CSbyIVFk_cg1JL23xtxNYH4zlzeewp3x259P8i_f8BypygYYPeKcsuFybZ16Xakx3Hka7_NX9-n1W5a5Jq0WIwsAyI4J4hyphenhyphenUZKTqQOi_HUpRP1qOQ/s1600-h/lo+perma+talk+barra.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 234px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuljiSsg41WL5LOf_0y8bzbEa4W4CSbyIVFk_cg1JL23xtxNYH4zlzeewp3x259P8i_f8BypygYYPeKcsuFybZ16Xakx3Hka7_NX9-n1W5a5Jq0WIwsAyI4J4hyphenhyphenUZKTqQOi_HUpRP1qOQ/s320/lo+perma+talk+barra.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5322391915423176098" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-style: italic;">Passionate about Permaculture</span></span><br /></div><div style="text-align: center; font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-size:85%;"><br /></span></div><span style="font-weight: bold;">The Water Bottle Re-fill program has been working as well</span>, and everyone seems to be enjoying the benefits of less plastic being used. The customers are happy to pay less for water, and the business owners happy to earn more money from the repeated sales.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgddkPRs2cy-o0q86J7IRY-0EADdG_LUq-ryCIHvUTl-3smTWfOPbt1Pg8IOJNyXXauO8Ei5GmD8jDyOIsYfniHlmQQTKmPTsD9hQXN_YQGso450s8Z-Yw8fyCzF3E5QYkrf2AF7ZE6we0/s1600-h/solid+barra.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 194px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgddkPRs2cy-o0q86J7IRY-0EADdG_LUq-ryCIHvUTl-3smTWfOPbt1Pg8IOJNyXXauO8Ei5GmD8jDyOIsYfniHlmQQTKmPTsD9hQXN_YQGso450s8Z-Yw8fyCzF3E5QYkrf2AF7ZE6we0/s320/solid+barra.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5322391921212337490" border="0" /></a><br />All the while we have been enjoying some fun surf sessions. We were greeted by the familiar transition of coming from a cold climate with white skin, to the scorching blast of the tropical sun that singed our pasty flesh. Those midday surfs will do it! Mornings and evenings are the best working hours- you’re a bit safer from heat stroke.<br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;">Stay Tuned! We will be heading further south to Guatemala, El Salvador, and Nicaragua- in search of good work and good waves!</span>SWoBshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08161414403059411227noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2981031667524638180.post-82078947255717106662009-01-15T21:55:00.000-08:002009-01-15T22:25:49.877-08:00Presentation in Santa Barbara February 21st!<span style="font-size:180%;"><span style="font-family: lucida grande; font-weight: bold;">The SWoBs Fundraiser Event is on!</span></span><br /><br />Come join us on <span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Saturday, February 21st from 7:30pm-9:30pm</span></span><br />at the <span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Faulkner Gallery in Santa Barbara</span></span> <span style="font-style: italic;font-size:85%;" ><a href="http://www.mapquest.com/maps?city=Santa+Barbara&state=CA&address=40+E.+Anapamu+St.+">click here for map<br /></a></span><br />We will be premiering our <span style="font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;">SWoBs in Mexico movie</span>, along with a fun <span style="font-style: italic;">slide-show</span> of pictures from the trip. We will also have a <span style="font-style: italic;">Presentation on Sustainability</span> and the methods of <span style="font-style: italic;">Permaculture</span>, as well as <span style="font-style: italic;">how to build Composting Toilets</span> and <span style="font-style: italic;">Slow Sand Water filters.</span><br /><br />The only way to solve global problems is with local solutions. Small scale and decentralized projects are the best way to deal with localized pollution. We will explore ideas of how to legalize sustainability here at home as well.SWoBshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08161414403059411227noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2981031667524638180.post-36426693745862908152008-12-09T20:32:00.000-08:002008-12-19T16:30:36.621-08:00On the Home Front<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><span style="font-size:130%;"><a href="http://www.youtube.com/user/SurfrsWithoutBorders"><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;">Check out the Trailer for the SWoBsMovie!</span></a><br /><span style="font-size:85%;">(click bottom right to watch in high quality)</span><br /></span><br /></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYoKM_J9I7k0W5EWJ90CZwRUfWOjor8qo0go12dyqdCOv7F8vrKFa1ylv1Jo6RxCU2kTOhOvPvL60wcaGc7j0xoa8nJWrskNS7siTgCIEEgHxWkP16K5tNm3HlhGH32hshkaMzjYot_K4/s1600-h/moss+landing+right.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 278px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYoKM_J9I7k0W5EWJ90CZwRUfWOjor8qo0go12dyqdCOv7F8vrKFa1ylv1Jo6RxCU2kTOhOvPvL60wcaGc7j0xoa8nJWrskNS7siTgCIEEgHxWkP16K5tNm3HlhGH32hshkaMzjYot_K4/s400/moss+landing+right.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5280820955063052226" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-style: italic;">Home is where the heart is...</span></span><br /><br /></div>It is great to be home, but as always, a bit overwhelming. The majority of the energy swirling through the state of California runs on a completely different speed from the tranquil coastal villages in it's neighboring country of Mexico. <span style="font-weight: bold;">It's hard not to get swept up in the whirlwind of it all. The pressure to make money, to "do" something and the fear of the "unknown" seems to make for a somewhat frantic </span><span style="font-weight: bold;" class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">society</span><span style="font-weight: bold;">.</span><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjus5Y_f2_pR8ufEY8qmsaol3mNHsqT-ecARxFg96afV24fgFk_sTy1Mb-n6kWtPkd-z_-HxUwyIZif6gVZVRCpT5ebkXLBv5qoJ0BPsDAWTmeVC_XWYJAHTUna4vGN8sSIDa03KFeYs9s/s1600-h/aub+down+dog.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 189px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjus5Y_f2_pR8ufEY8qmsaol3mNHsqT-ecARxFg96afV24fgFk_sTy1Mb-n6kWtPkd-z_-HxUwyIZif6gVZVRCpT5ebkXLBv5qoJ0BPsDAWTmeVC_XWYJAHTUna4vGN8sSIDa03KFeYs9s/s320/aub+down+dog.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5280817227956967794" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:78%;"><span style="font-style: italic;"><span style="font-size:85%;">Aubrey stretching it out</span><br /><br /></span></span></div><span style="font-style: italic;">Still, inspiration is to be found here as well.</span> <span style="font-weight: bold;">We arrived home just in time to catch the last day of the </span><span style="font-weight: bold;"><a href="http://www.naturalbuildingnetwork.org/colloquium.htm#InternationalNBC">2008 International Natural Building Colloquium</a> </span><span style="font-weight: bold;">held at the</span><span style="font-weight: bold;"> <a href="http://www.orellaranch.com/OR/Welcome.html">Orella Ranch</a></span><span style="font-weight: bold;">.</span> <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/kellyhart/2999458921/in/set-72157608621992530/"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">Guner</span> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">Tautrim</span>’s</a> family has lived on the ranch for seven generations, continuously making it more amazing and beautiful. <span style="font-weight: bold;"> Seventy of the world’s leading builders who specialize in using natural materials convened at the majestic event site called </span><span style="font-style: italic;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">The Oaks</span>.<br /><br /></span> <div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCd0sc6JLMM0J1LxdUumtEHnnbIuJMMjPJ0SQAZy8Rr-0RnQd5skKGr5Thr8T_5_m05Hnp45pUMuIKNgx-RXmfqcPh7At3cBxZfFLFWfNMXbaUWBbEotPMJfeFFXBmE-9NYyqZkyeTYLc/s1600-h/NBC+OR.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCd0sc6JLMM0J1LxdUumtEHnnbIuJMMjPJ0SQAZy8Rr-0RnQd5skKGr5Thr8T_5_m05Hnp45pUMuIKNgx-RXmfqcPh7At3cBxZfFLFWfNMXbaUWBbEotPMJfeFFXBmE-9NYyqZkyeTYLc/s320/NBC+OR.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5278031973502038050" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-style: italic;">Guests included Penny Livingston-Stark</span></span><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEix4n29k2nDMZBnemWJ4Nrqn6TGCP8LRkS1PMKun4eaS_J7DVaDw8soQo6HAb7tUokWOn7fdoK_h0JBko137QSReO9KJH64LkKoyceejjCaZK56Ql-nnOVjz6Ie-QnlXS1J2f-4lBA9FFc/s1600-h/NBC+OR+2.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 195px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEix4n29k2nDMZBnemWJ4Nrqn6TGCP8LRkS1PMKun4eaS_J7DVaDw8soQo6HAb7tUokWOn7fdoK_h0JBko137QSReO9KJH64LkKoyceejjCaZK56Ql-nnOVjz6Ie-QnlXS1J2f-4lBA9FFc/s320/NBC+OR+2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5278032095056447106" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-style: italic;">Bamboo Classroom</span></span><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGFfKxwzxwTR8yk-qCSTi0tjHwywqXwlxEWbBLQa0Gs4Gv3AKJ2aRDbvzq0c51Bkte9rtnZu22dVVRXFdeweDw1QhyphenhyphenIh2gfG0y-GFpMw85CRUB1YHesuLRwtTDtLwABwHR9-D4Tu6L4Ow/s1600-h/bano+crew.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGFfKxwzxwTR8yk-qCSTi0tjHwywqXwlxEWbBLQa0Gs4Gv3AKJ2aRDbvzq0c51Bkte9rtnZu22dVVRXFdeweDw1QhyphenhyphenIh2gfG0y-GFpMw85CRUB1YHesuLRwtTDtLwABwHR9-D4Tu6L4Ow/s320/bano+crew.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5280817232985258018" border="0" /></a> <span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-style: italic;">The Orella </span><span style="font-style: italic;" class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">Baño</span><span style="font-style: italic;"> Team makes working fun!</span><br /><br /></span></div>A five-stall bathroom was the project, constructed from locally harvested and milled timber and a selection of different experimental infill techniques using cob as the base. <span style="font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;">Cob </span><span style="font-weight: bold;">is made from clay soil, sand, and straw. It is like adobe, just not formed into bricks.</span> The sewage is piped into a <a href="http://www.oasisdesign.net/compostingtoilets/watsonwick.htm"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Watson Wick</span></a>, which leaches nutrients into the active layer of the soil. It is a brilliantly simple solution to flush toilets and septic systems.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDMnDiGBRpxOQcwKePHg1WHZ3kO0sGvyYSwgcbbF_vH_pbDS9te5918-5bDdiEDG2bdIlOygSCv-ALQDBakMUWbn-ySMKz6I6pev1rxB_F4SZA0DbGlwiVj54IR-5qQgcIO-qud9vlIoc/s1600-h/making+cobb.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 249px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDMnDiGBRpxOQcwKePHg1WHZ3kO0sGvyYSwgcbbF_vH_pbDS9te5918-5bDdiEDG2bdIlOygSCv-ALQDBakMUWbn-ySMKz6I6pev1rxB_F4SZA0DbGlwiVj54IR-5qQgcIO-qud9vlIoc/s320/making+cobb.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5280630570832143154" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-style: italic;">Stompin' Cob!</span></span><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEja84ld0BZ0RD_aJniIMfTKRhPTp7aba5GBMt6_8WkuFc4SUs9wKmpkg1ZyoaEaP6w6aQU_iOuMRYH9zDCbYnr0gvI8LIKadfhF0aPrWb_fODIdS03-H37-pvU9_J9tGtxM9O_aiV2W3s8/s1600-h/maya+catus.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEja84ld0BZ0RD_aJniIMfTKRhPTp7aba5GBMt6_8WkuFc4SUs9wKmpkg1ZyoaEaP6w6aQU_iOuMRYH9zDCbYnr0gvI8LIKadfhF0aPrWb_fODIdS03-H37-pvU9_J9tGtxM9O_aiV2W3s8/s320/maya+catus.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5280823220894739938" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-style: italic;">Maya preparing cactus for the plaster mix</span></span><br /><br /></div><span style="font-weight: bold;">The resulting structure is super strong and completely natural, utilizing local and renewable materials. It is also a work of art, as <span style="font-style: italic;">cob</span> allows ultimate freedom in shaping and forming the walls and windows.<br /><br /></span><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxOTn8BTAigEafhcRNa7IPXcuOYkN4w_oDlRPiQnl8Ctiu8fFg-RJ3hynRM_yy76aRgMv7PaRb5bLWILy6O2wnlalWW2_Ra6xjfMzJ2hanuWBMVF-PzwzLnaOoPIaOZEf83hj_gVawPdw/s1600-h/gunnie.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxOTn8BTAigEafhcRNa7IPXcuOYkN4w_oDlRPiQnl8Ctiu8fFg-RJ3hynRM_yy76aRgMv7PaRb5bLWILy6O2wnlalWW2_Ra6xjfMzJ2hanuWBMVF-PzwzLnaOoPIaOZEf83hj_gVawPdw/s320/gunnie.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5280823215770588482" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-style: italic;">Guner plastering the "Salmon Room"</span></span><br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrMW-LcG0ioFSVt-hpDXHKKyvEf_U660F5FJAbC7YSkw4bQKRSLtvA0v64MG5mC9H9JlXK6zC8Jv5rrP3YjS0h5lIX9Jo7n6ExuPbAOZxyL9kTENHzoMMaRMzHyc0hB6gzzEDNTivS80Y/s1600-h/aub+dolphie+cob.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 274px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrMW-LcG0ioFSVt-hpDXHKKyvEf_U660F5FJAbC7YSkw4bQKRSLtvA0v64MG5mC9H9JlXK6zC8Jv5rrP3YjS0h5lIX9Jo7n6ExuPbAOZxyL9kTENHzoMMaRMzHyc0hB6gzzEDNTivS80Y/s320/aub+dolphie+cob.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5280817951056222450" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-style: italic;">Aubrey and her dolphies</span></span><br /><br /></div>Holiday time sent us on a trip up North to catch up with more family and friends. <span style="font-weight: bold;"> </span><span style="font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;">Santa Cruz </span>is a unique town, overflowing with an abundance of <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_6">trippy</span> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_7">hippy</span> outdoorsy folks (our favorite kind!), <span style="font-weight: bold;">artists and athletes all mesh together</span>, making a hot market for the restaurants to offer a delicious variety of quality foods and bumping musicians to keep everyone move’n.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg982F0Nsyj47g0jbS5SKpPD_09hQ0ayQojJCQPbDUKZmW4fUQERRekPKoQoSi1lATUpk2iUPX6kl5riBLbpbpSdKgdLghGql5bwNWnF3Qf4bP7QhnHYyctgN8e0w4mn7j50928fKUFZJ8/s1600-h/bryna+art.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 257px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg982F0Nsyj47g0jbS5SKpPD_09hQ0ayQojJCQPbDUKZmW4fUQERRekPKoQoSi1lATUpk2iUPX6kl5riBLbpbpSdKgdLghGql5bwNWnF3Qf4bP7QhnHYyctgN8e0w4mn7j50928fKUFZJ8/s320/bryna+art.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5280836968813669474" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><a href="http://profile.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=user.viewProfile&friendID=42503387">Bryna "Isabel"</a> art is our favorite! We took this piece home!</span><br /><br /></span></div><span style="font-weight: bold;">There always seems to be surf hitting somewhere up there but we definitely lucked into some solid swells with pristine conditions.<br /><br /></span><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlBbVZQQgDLuUxbL5L4v9aNWY4QWMokqG6rqc6bEws7lzBFC_ePGR9xqZQW3HFSq_JBdjdJIAfCz-sNpocBhClD7QPhDhtf1LL1YF_RFN3GgqlyHt6AnC5ZbIdxv6CJ9LapsfcWvHut9U/s1600-h/steamers+firing.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 198px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlBbVZQQgDLuUxbL5L4v9aNWY4QWMokqG6rqc6bEws7lzBFC_ePGR9xqZQW3HFSq_JBdjdJIAfCz-sNpocBhClD7QPhDhtf1LL1YF_RFN3GgqlyHt6AnC5ZbIdxv6CJ9LapsfcWvHut9U/s320/steamers+firing.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5280631648880813218" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-style: italic;">The Lane holding</span></span><br /></div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1R2I1NPryMWqy65WUTnJDUzejJcZq73nUCZWCChKR6KU70X4TbdpJ3KdHIRCunLkB1Hg212NWLrF61KOwwRIsxpxM0z_0n1Od-9HID3RuArmQC0Ej1PE2vXcOgFeRjCzGJxR1Iu2G0MY/s1600-h/lo+tipi.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1R2I1NPryMWqy65WUTnJDUzejJcZq73nUCZWCChKR6KU70X4TbdpJ3KdHIRCunLkB1Hg212NWLrF61KOwwRIsxpxM0z_0n1Od-9HID3RuArmQC0Ej1PE2vXcOgFeRjCzGJxR1Iu2G0MY/s320/lo+tipi.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5280811675824137458" border="0" /></a><span style="font-weight: bold;">We also “lucked” into finding and purchasing our future home. Yes, we were able to buy our first house together, a 20 foot <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_8">tipi</span>! </span>We bought it outright for a whopping $500 cash. We were even able to bundle it up and transport it back down with us atop of my old little rust’n crust’n Honda. The poles were the only things that <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_9">couldn</span>’t make it, so we figured we could make our own with some of the many local Eucalyptus saplings.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPqJRQDQCbrUzfh3CmID5psJf42KpqCds0jp62XTXXgqnL7v21ic_inZGSkJHco_ppFn3KE-RSuwDsiLsjoxyYdORHxPAFzKr8PDPW7GouPdZ6l_F1yC0ZTFyMDkFvK_QAaIu7gADmCqs/s1600-h/lo+trees.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPqJRQDQCbrUzfh3CmID5psJf42KpqCds0jp62XTXXgqnL7v21ic_inZGSkJHco_ppFn3KE-RSuwDsiLsjoxyYdORHxPAFzKr8PDPW7GouPdZ6l_F1yC0ZTFyMDkFvK_QAaIu7gADmCqs/s320/lo+trees.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5280819353237816386" border="0" /></a><br /><br />In between all the continuing adventures we’<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_10">ve</span> been getting to work on our own projects and editing the many hours of video we took along the way through Mexico. <span style="font-weight: bold;"> Check out our <a href="http://www.youtube.com/user/SurfrsWithoutBorders">Trailer for the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_11">SWoB</span>sMovie</a><a href="http://www.youtube.com/user/SurfrsWithoutBorders">! </a></span><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqVhkeacA_TPQ4tGyQ3eZu_xg3dr2N3198tFKJ4w2edsEHusjDwEunkNdYaC0LSbKvza9g3vQnu08pP3m_zx36DtNSk4RKssx8lFrlsfZDzEKVXLbENQcwxPqLZUKr4iynXvScn-yZB3c/s1600-h/moss+left.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 221px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqVhkeacA_TPQ4tGyQ3eZu_xg3dr2N3198tFKJ4w2edsEHusjDwEunkNdYaC0LSbKvza9g3vQnu08pP3m_zx36DtNSk4RKssx8lFrlsfZDzEKVXLbENQcwxPqLZUKr4iynXvScn-yZB3c/s400/moss+left.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5280832106966292146" border="0" /></a><br />Also in some more exciting news, the lovely spunky hunky Canadians who traveled to Mexico and stayed in <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_12">Barra</span> for a couple weeks in October have joined forces with local <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_13">restaurant </span>owner Pablo, to create a Library for the town. They are calling it <span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;">Books for <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_14">Barra</span></span>, and it will <span style="font-weight: bold;"><span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_15">officially</span> be the first Library the town has ever had. To find more about it or get involved contact: </span><a style="font-weight: bold;" ymailto="mailto:booksforbarra@gmail.com" href="http://us.mc539.mail.yahoo.com/mc/compose?to=booksforbarra@gmail.com"><span class="yshortcuts" id="lw_1229544470_1">booksforbarra@gmail.com</span></a><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;"><br /></span><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSx222JF-njS7Zz_6AXEtT7gy-_mgEk_Mcplkc3l77JkUEYvoCr9YkshuNh5xXmjgt4_yhCY2gATZHI-Ky01-dmk6XOauiagjBNJ5tEwFvNJfkhIk1jXIOC5Mx7capxdoIVAdAPXtMbYQ/s1600-h/refug+sunset.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSx222JF-njS7Zz_6AXEtT7gy-_mgEk_Mcplkc3l77JkUEYvoCr9YkshuNh5xXmjgt4_yhCY2gATZHI-Ky01-dmk6XOauiagjBNJ5tEwFvNJfkhIk1jXIOC5Mx7capxdoIVAdAPXtMbYQ/s320/refug+sunset.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5280831186241101490" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-style: italic;">Refugio Gold</span></span><br /><br /></div><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic; color: rgb(0, 0, 153);">We will be hosting a Fundraiser at the end of January to support more projects for our next mission to Mexico.</span> <span style="font-weight: bold;">For every $100 raised, we can build one composting toilet or one sand filter in a town in need of appropriate technology. </span><span style="font-weight: bold;">Please help us spread the word of sustainability and the joy of creativity!</span><span style="font-weight: bold;"><br /><br />We return to Oaxaca end of February to revisit our projects that we started throughout <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_16">Mexico</span>. We hope to continue to Nicaragua if we can raise the funds. Thanks for all your interest and support!<br /></span><span style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;"><br /><a href="http://www.surferswithoutborders.org/Get_Involved.html">Contact us!</a></span></span><a href="http://www.surferswithoutborders.org/Get_Involved.html"> </a><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;"></span><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPqJRQDQCbrUzfh3CmID5psJf42KpqCds0jp62XTXXgqnL7v21ic_inZGSkJHco_ppFn3KE-RSuwDsiLsjoxyYdORHxPAFzKr8PDPW7GouPdZ6l_F1yC0ZTFyMDkFvK_QAaIu7gADmCqs/s1600-h/lo+trees.jpg"><br /></a>SWoBshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08161414403059411227noreply@blogger.com2