The Green Apprenticeship
Center for Creative Ecology – Kibbutz Lotan
The Green Apprenticeship
The Permaculture and Ecovillage Design
and Training program of The Center for
Creative Ecology (Kibbutz Lotan).
Course formats in 2008-2010 include 6-10
week sessions on Lotan and a college
accredited fall semester
“Peace, Justice and the Environment”
program program in conjunction with
Living Routes and UMassAmerherst.
The Green Apprenticeship
The program focuses on the
ethical, physical and social
components of sustainable
development and sustainable
community from a Liberal
worldview and the experience
and tools we have acquire
while working to enact change
in our community.
The Green Apprenticeship
Elements of the program:
Practice meets theory in hands on work in
the organic garden and ecological building
techniques including adobe bricks,
geodesic domes, straw bale and
construction with recycled materials
Field trips to neighboring kibbutzim,
ecological sites and natural areas
Presentations, group discussions and films
present a broad view of Israeli and world
ecological and community issues
Graduates will receive an internationally
recognized Permaculture Design
Certificate and Ecovillage Design Diploma.
The Green Apprenticeship
The program utilizes the unique
facilities developed by Kibbutz Lotan
and the Center for Creative Ecology:
Ecokef Recycling and Organic
Gardening Education Park
Kibbutz Lotan Constructed Wetlands
Wastewater Treatment and Migratory
Bird Park (under construction)
Migratory and Desert Bird Reserve
Green Apprenticeship Solar
Neighborhood
Watsu (Water Shiatzu) Pool
Community Recycling Collection
Center
Media recognition of our work and outreach activities
The Jerusalem Post
Permaculture Magazine
Communities Magazine
Design Like You Give A Damn
United Nations - IRIN
The 2006 Award for Ecovillage Excellence has been awarded to Kibbutz Lotan by the
Global Ecovillage Network in recognition of its work in promoting ecological building,
waste management and environmental education; and also for its work in promoting
sustainability through the building of bridges between different ethnic groups in Israel.
Practical lessons are conducted at Kibbutz Lotan’s Center for
Creative Ecology’s EcoKef (“Kef” means Fun) Education Park
Green Apprenticeship
Hands on work in Lotan’s organic garden and…
Green Apprenticeship
…Alternative Construction Utilizing Natural,
Renewable and Recycled Materials
Green Apprenticeship
The same techniques are used for constructing a new
nature study classroom in the bird reserve and…
Green Apprenticeship
Link to Aaron Padwee’s (GA 2002) website
– construction photos
…a hand crafted waterless toilet facility.
Green Apprenticeship
The program is based at Kibbutz Lotan, where
participants will experience life in a
community that makes a living connection
between Jewish identity, cooperative kibbutz
lifestyle and environmental awareness
Green Apprenticeship – a unique
experiential program which offers
• Leadership training
• Hands-on environmental studies
• A tool box of practical skills
• Sustainable communal living
What have Green
Apprentice Alumni to say
about the program
and
How have they used the
tools and experience in
their communities?
Rachel Sandler is a second year medical student at the University
of Iowa. She is an on and off campus activist and founder of
Future Physicians for the Environment
“The GA is ten week
long permaculture
experience where you
gain hands on skills in
earth building, organic
gardening, and
environmental activism.
The GA involves
workshops, lectures, and
lots of fun. I think I use
skills and ideas I learned
at the GA virtually
everyday.”
Rachel Sandler is a second year medical student at the University
of Iowa. She is an on and off campus activist and founder of
Future Physicians for the Environment
“I learned
from the GA
How to compost,
Lots about plants,
How to see problems as solutions,
That environmental justice and social justice go hand in hand, &
How to design more sustainable systems.”
Rachel Sandler is a second year medical student at the University
of Iowa. She is an on and off campus activist and founder of
Future Physicians for the Environment
“I have used what I have learned to live a more sustainable life. I
also began a group at my school called Future Physicians for the
Environment. We aim to bring environmental awareness to future
medical professionals both in their personal and professional lives.”
Merav Carmi, 33, a third generation member of Nahalal, Israel’s
first Moshav Agricultural Cooperative is an organic gardener and
poet, has started the Yesh Meain Permaculture Education Farm,
runs a monthly Fair Exchange market.
“The GA for me was an
overwhelming
experience, a treasure
box filed with tools and
keys. The time in Lotan
made me believe again
that one can change on
a large scale as long as
you just - do it and not
get trapped in the fear
of making mistakes.”
Grandfather’s Tools at Yesh Meain Farm Photo: Dalia Bali, GA 2006
Merav Carmi, 33, a third generation member of Nahalal, Israel’s
first Moshav Agricultural Cooperative is an organic gardener and
poet, has started the Yesh Meain Permaculture Education Farm,
runs a monthly Fair Exchange market.
GA taught me that
“there are always
resources, always
solutions, always
amazing people to
co-operate with,
always love and
abundance that are
just waiting for us
to surrender
them.”
Yael-Maya-Merav-Dalia (all GA 2006) Photo: Dalia Bali, GA 2006
Merav Carmi, 33, a third generation member of Nahalal, Israel’s
first Moshav Agricultural Cooperative is an organic gardener and
poet, has started the Yesh Meain Permaculture Education Farm,
runs a monthly Fair Exchange market.
Merav’s Garden Photo: Dalia Bali, GA 2006
What am I
doing with
what I learned
from the GA?
“I pass it on,
create inspiring
projects, make
platforms for
people to learn,
talk and do
ecology like we
do here at my
farm.”
“ I use what I've learned in
the GA program every day.
I work for two nonprofit
organizations whose
missions definitely align
with the principles that I
learned at Lotan: The
Institute for Local SelfReliance emphasizes the
use and care of local
resources, promoting local
economies, renewable
energies, and zero-waste
initiatives; and the Healthy
Building Network
promotes environmental
health and justice
throughout the life cycle of
building materials.”
Sarah Gilberg, 23, Washington, DC
Sarah at Greenbuild 2007, Colorado, promoting a tool to
help building professionals choose environmentally and
socially responsible building materials
Sarah Gilberg, 23, Washington, DC, works as an accounting
associate with two nonprofit organizations: the Institute for Local
Self-Reliance (ILSR) and the Healthy Building Network (HBN).
Making a vertical structure for climbers while gardening in
the backyard of my parents' house
“I try to incorporate
permaculture principles
into my own personal
habits, from
transportation choices
(planning my life within
walking distance or at
least within reach of
public transportation) to
water conservation, to
backyard food
production and
composting.”
Sarah Gilberg, 23, Washington, DC, works as an accounting
associate with two nonprofit organizations: the Institute for Local
Self-Reliance (ILSR) and the Healthy Building Network (HBN).
Building an Earthship made from earth pounded in used
car tires, Jamaica 2008
“I also try to share what
I have learned with
others in my life. What
has been equally
important to me though
has been the friendships
that I have maintained
with other inspiring
individuals - having
this network helps keep
me motivated to
continue to improve my
own habits and seek
more ways to apply
what I now know.”
Josh Tolkan, 24, participated in the GA during his University of
Minnesota Master Degree Urban Planning studies.
“My work as an urban planner will allows me to draw on the same
principles that permaculture is based upon everyday… I believe with the
kind of job I could teach some sustainable living skills to urbanites, and
that is what I hope to work for. "
Josh Tolkan, 24, participated in the GA during his University of
Minnesota Master Degree Urban Planning studies.
Josh and friend at meeting on light railroad planning
“I plan on using the skills I learned in the GA in planning for cities that
allow people to live permaculture life styles.”
Support The Green Apprenticeship by
making a donation to our
Scholarship Fund and
Solar Panel Fund
Please Visit Our Websites for
Information and Updates About the
Green Apprenticeship at
Kibbutz Lotan’s Center for Creative Ecology
www.kibbutzlotan.com
www.birdingisrael.com