Workshops

The EAC offers programs and workshops on a wide variety of topics including  energy, ecology, wellness and wisdom traditions, for both students and adults, presented by leading energy and wellness educators from around the state. Many seminars are provided on a suggested donation basis. For a list of current events and details about our energy tours and seminars, click the links in the left sidebar. A sampling of recent workshops includes:

LESSONS FROM THE ZERO ENERGY HOME
with Christina Snyder

Christina Snyder presents the results of the Lawrence Tech. University students’ entries in the State of Michigan Zero Energy Home Competitions. Participants will discover how the lessons can be applied to owner’s or renter’s home construction and remodeling projects now, as well as future directions to explore in sustainable design.
Christina Snyder is an architect and principal of Sustainable Spaces, where she specializes in appropriate architecture, such as passive solar design, natural building materials and systems. She is an adjunct professor (at Lawrence Tech. U.) to the first and second place winning student teams in the first Michigan Zero Energy Home Competition.

UHEAC ENERGY TOUR & OPEN HOUSE
with Cliff Scholz

The Upland Hills EAC demonstrates ecological design principals in action including passive solar, green building, energy efficiency and conservation, as well as solar & wind renewable energy. Here’s your chance to learn about this one-of-a-kind-facility and the EAC’s timely energy and environmental message. Space is limited, so please confirm your interest by emailing clifford@uheac.org or calling 248-693-1021.
Cliff Scholz is UHEAC’s Education Outreach Coordinator and has designed many of its materials and presentations. Cliff is a gifted educator, able to make energy and ecological issues simple, relevant and fun for all ages.

DANCES OF UNIVERSAL PEACE
with Robin Mallor and Mary Fran Uicker IHM (Dance Leaders)

The new evening time slot for our Dances of Universal Peace has been a rousing success! The Dances of Universal Peace are a pathway to open our hearts into joy, love, and compassion, creating community through music and movement. These easy-to-learn dances reflect spiritual traditions from around the globe. No experience is necessary as we all learn together. Last month we had a wonderful group of attendees, from longtime dancers to first-timers, filling the space with music and love. Founded in the late 1960s by the American Sufi, Samuel L. Lewis, the Dances of Universal Peace have become an international phenomenon. Loose, comfortable clothing recommended. Potluck snacks will follow the dance. Call Clifford Scholz at 248 410-1762 for more information.

EXPLORE YOUR RENEWABLE ENERGY OPTIONS
with Wayne Appleyard

This workshop is designed for anyone, homeowner, builder, design student, or small business owner who may be thinking about how to reduce dependence on grid energy. Participants will learn how to assess needs, explore conservation measures, and evaluate cost-effectiveness and feasibility for renewable energy options including solar, (passive vs. active) wind, geothermal, radiant floor heat and other alternatives. Site analysis, remodeling, maintenance, "nega-watts" and solar space-heating will be among the many topics covered.
Wayne Appleyard is an architect and co-founder of Sunstructures Architects. He has been designing energy-efficient, passive solar buildings since the mid 70s. Early work included the Upland Hills Awareness Center and countless passive solar houses. More recent projects include The Leslie Science Nature House, Michigan’s first two cohousing communities: Sunward and Great Oak. Current projects include a CoHousing development for Corktown in Detroit; two strawbale buildings; The Parsons Center, a multidisciplinary environmental center for EMU and the conversion of a 50 year old factory in Detroit into a high school.

WILD ROOTS AND FALL FOLIAGE... MI's MEDICINAL PLANTS
with Jim McDonald

Autumn is the season of harvest, and the last opportunity to gather wild herbs before they are buried under winter snow.  Herbalist Jim McDonald will be leading participants around the fields and woods surrounding the EAC in Oxford to explore the medicinal virtues, identification, folklore and preparation of many of the common "weeds" we pass by every day.  The information presented will be both specific and practical, based on Jim's fourteen years experience in gathering, preparing, and using herbal remedies, and provide a basis for participants to incorporate what they have learned into usable skills with which to maintain and restore health. Some of the plants to be covered include Burdock, Yellow Dock, Solomon's Seal, & Wild Yam.
Jim McDonald has been practicing the Art of Herbcraft for over fourteen years, and offers a knowledge of herbalism that blends western folk and indigenous views of healing with the Vitalist traditions of 19th century western herbalism. He has taught classes and workshops throughout Michigan and the Great Lakes bioregion, hosts the website www.herbcraft.org and is currently writing "A Great Lakes Herbal". Jim is a community herbalist, a manic wildcrafter and medicine maker, and has been an ardent student of the most learned teachers of herbcraft... the plants themselves.

STONE PEOPLE'S LODGE
With Jorge Arenivar

The sweat lodge ceremony is common to indigenous peoples all over the earth and is part of the ancestry of most of us if we trace our roots far enough back. It is an opportunity to turn off the outside world, experience our connection with the land, and journey deeply into ourselves. Arrival time around 8 am is suggested. As always, please bring modest sweatlodge attire, a few towels and a healthy dish to pass. For more information e-mail: lodgecouncil@gmail.com or contact Karen at 248-670-2560. Note: It is not necessary to pre-register for this event.
Jorge Arenivar is a beloved friend and trusted teacher of many within the EAC community. A native of Mexico currently living in St. Louis, Jorge is a sundancer and pipe carrier in the Lakota tradition and has been leading Inipi ceremonies at the EAC for many years.

Quotes from workshop participants...

"This really opened my eyes to possibilities with renewable energy."

"I am so glad that you bring presenters like Christina to the center. Its a real treat."

"It was a full day of information and it was fun."

"The lodge ceremony is very meaningful for me. I am so glad that I have a place to connect like that."

"I had no idea where our energy came from. Now I know what I can do to use less."

"The kid's were really engaged, especially with the hands-on activities. Cliff did a great job of conveying the information in a fun and interesting way."

"5 stars all around!"

"Interesting, fascinating - I can't say enough."