We invite you to join us for two days of Natural Building presentations and learning on April 1 and 2, 2017, at our annual Natural Building Conference. Like previous years, there will be a variety of workshops, round table discussions, and presentations on a variety of topics of interest to builders and potential owner-builders.
This conference is a great opportunity to connect with others in the natural building and straw bale community who we don't often get the chance to meet up with. Tasty libations and a music jam on Saturday evening will give everyone time to mix and mingle both personally and professionally!
The Ontario Natural Building Coalitions’ Annual General Meeting of members will take place at 9am on Sunday April 2, followed by further educational and social events.
Accommodation is available from Friday night (Friday night check-ins from 5 - 9pm) through to Sunday, and super delicious and healthy meals are included. (Most food sensitivities can be accommodated)
Accommodation is "Indoor Camping Style". Bedding and towels are not provided. You must bring your own sleeping bag, pillow and/or bedding, towels etc. A flashlight is a good idea too.
Schedule - Saturday
8:00 - 9:30 am Registration (please arrive early, so you can check-in, find your cabin etc., and not miss any of the conference!) 10 am Welcome and Introduction with Tim Krahn, ONBC President 10:30 am “In it for Life: Personal and Community Resilience” - Sally Ludwig, Transition Towns Guelph As citizens of Earth who care deeply about our world and our work, these difficult times mean that caring for our communities and ourselves is more essential than ever. We will explore some ways to stay inspired, work effectively, and support each other. Principles from Permaculture and the Transition Movement can provide antidotes to feeling daunted, and practice for finding our way forward on the long road to a life-sustaining society. 1:00 - 2:15 PM - Break-out Sessions a. "Air tightness tricks of the trade" with Craig Toohey, 475 High Performance Building Supply. b. Intentional Community Living, with Sally Ludwig, David Craig and Kristi Mahy A discussion about establishing and living in intentional community. Presenters will share their various experiences and facilitate a group Q&A and discussion. c. "Hempcrete How-to" with Benoit Chartrand. A review of recent residential construction using hempcrete as infill in a stud frame house. 2:15-3:15 PM - Break-out Sessions a. “Carbon accounting and the OBC, current and near future trends”, with Chris Magwood b. "Philosophy and Action of Green Building in a Waterloo Neighbourhood" with Will Winterfeld c. "Air tightness tricks of the trade" with Craig Toohey, 475 High Performance Building Supply. Break 3:30 PM - “Seeking Mino-Bimaadizwin: Living the Good Life”, with Nicole Bell, Trent University Nicole will present the Anishinaabe cultural concept of mino-bimaadiziwin (Living the Good Life) from teachings received from Elders and traditional teachers. She will apply the teachings of mino-bimaadiziwin in relation to the self, and the environment. 5:00 pm BaleHeart Bar opens with organic wines and craft beers and ales. 7:30 pm Slide Show of Recent Natural & Bale Buildings "5x5" Slide Show- photos and stories from over a dozen contributors (send your five photos to ckeetch@webhart.net before March 20) 8:30 pm Networking and Jam Session. Bring your instrument and join the Jam Session! 11:00 pm Last call at the bar.
8:00 - 9:30 am Registration (please arrive early, so you can check-in, find your cabin etc., and not miss any of the conference!)
10 am Welcome and Introduction with Tim Krahn, ONBC President
10:30 am “In it for Life: Personal and Community Resilience” - Sally Ludwig, Transition Towns Guelph As citizens of Earth who care deeply about our world and our work, these difficult times mean that caring for our communities and ourselves is more essential than ever. We will explore some ways to stay inspired, work effectively, and support each other. Principles from Permaculture and the Transition Movement can provide antidotes to feeling daunted, and practice for finding our way forward on the long road to a life-sustaining society.
As citizens of Earth who care deeply about our world and our work, these difficult times mean that caring for our communities and ourselves is more essential than ever. We will explore some ways to stay inspired, work effectively, and support each other. Principles from Permaculture and the Transition Movement can provide antidotes to feeling daunted, and practice for finding our way forward on the long road to a life-sustaining society.
1:00 - 2:15 PM - Break-out Sessions a. "Air tightness tricks of the trade" with Craig Toohey, 475 High Performance Building Supply. b. Intentional Community Living, with Sally Ludwig, David Craig and Kristi Mahy A discussion about establishing and living in intentional community. Presenters will share their various experiences and facilitate a group Q&A and discussion. c. "Hempcrete How-to" with Benoit Chartrand. A review of recent residential construction using hempcrete as infill in a stud frame house. 2:15-3:15 PM - Break-out Sessions a. “Carbon accounting and the OBC, current and near future trends”, with Chris Magwood b. "Philosophy and Action of Green Building in a Waterloo Neighbourhood" with Will Winterfeld c. "Air tightness tricks of the trade" with Craig Toohey, 475 High Performance Building Supply.
b. Intentional Community Living, with Sally Ludwig, David Craig and Kristi Mahy A discussion about establishing and living in intentional community. Presenters will share their various experiences and facilitate a group Q&A and discussion.
c. "Hempcrete How-to" with Benoit Chartrand. A review of recent residential construction using hempcrete as infill in a stud frame house.
b. "Philosophy and Action of Green Building in a Waterloo Neighbourhood" with Will Winterfeld
c. "Air tightness tricks of the trade" with Craig Toohey, 475 High Performance Building Supply.
Break
3:30 PM - “Seeking Mino-Bimaadizwin: Living the Good Life”, with Nicole Bell, Trent University Nicole will present the Anishinaabe cultural concept of mino-bimaadiziwin (Living the Good Life) from teachings received from Elders and traditional teachers. She will apply the teachings of mino-bimaadiziwin in relation to the self, and the environment. 5:00 pm BaleHeart Bar opens with organic wines and craft beers and ales.
Nicole will present the Anishinaabe cultural concept of mino-bimaadiziwin (Living the Good Life) from teachings received from Elders and traditional teachers. She will apply the teachings of mino-bimaadiziwin in relation to the self, and the environment.
5:00 pm BaleHeart Bar opens with organic wines and craft beers and ales.
7:30 pm Slide Show of Recent Natural & Bale Buildings "5x5" Slide Show- photos and stories from over a dozen contributors (send your five photos to ckeetch@webhart.net before March 20) 8:30 pm Networking and Jam Session. Bring your instrument and join the Jam Session! 11:00 pm Last call at the bar.
7:30 pm Slide Show of Recent Natural & Bale Buildings
"5x5" Slide Show- photos and stories from over a dozen contributors (send your five photos to ckeetch@webhart.net before March 20)
8:30 pm Networking and Jam Session. Bring your instrument and join the Jam Session!
11:00 pm Last call at the bar.
Sunday
8:00 am - Breakfast 9:00 am Annual General Meeting 10:00 AM - "Education, Resource Conservation and Community Building", - Emily Neihaus, Community Rebuilds Emily will inspire us with stories and ideas from her work building healthy and affordable new homes while training students and bringing community members together.
Emily will inspire us with stories and ideas from her work building healthy and affordable new homes while training students and bringing community members together.
1:15 PM - 2:45 Break Out Sessions a. Discussion with Emily Neihaus b. Attendee Selected Session 2:45 PM - Fun-Raising Raffle Draw 3:30 PM - Closing Remarks
a. Discussion with Emily Neihaus
b. Attendee Selected Session
PLEASE NOTE: Registering early, helps the kitchen staff plan our delicious meals!
Members will receive member pricing by logging in with your email address and password using the two boxes at the top of every page of this website.
Non-members can obtain member pricing, by becoming a new member (starts at $25) before registering.
Display Tables
There will be opportunity for free display tables (2’ – 4’ space only) for our Professional Members as well as presentation boards of current work to display.
Also, if you have a current straw bale or natural building you would like to show in our slide show, please send 2 – 5 pictures to Cheryl Keetch by March 20. 613-633-3557
OUR CONFERENCE SPONSORS:
www.zonengineering.com
Architects-InteriorDesigners.com
www.livingsol.com
www.livingrooms.ws
www.homesolbuildingsolutions.com
www.straworks.ca
http://endeavourcentre.org
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