Ecology Center Events
Saturday, June 26, 2021
Fantastic Fermentation: Hands On Cooking Class
 

We know that the average family of 4 is throwing out upwards of $2,000 worth of food annually. Much of this wasted food can be used in recipes that lend themselves preserving food scraps.     Fermentation is one of these methods and one of the oldest methods for preserving foods. It provides vitamins and probiotics, and strengthens our immune and digestive systems.  In addition, pickled and fermented products can be expensive. You can recreate them at home at a fraction of the cost of the store-bought product.   Chef Alison Mountford invites you into her kitchen to learn the fermentation tools and techniques to make your own sauerkraut and kimchi from food scraps. As she guides you in the process, step-by-step, she will discuss the environmental catastrophe that is food waste and ways you can contribute to the solution in your own kitchen. Everyone will leave the class with a basic understanding of safe fermentation practices, a bottle or two of sauerkraut and kimchee that you have made yourself and an action plan to create a zero waste kitchen. Chef Alison Mountford is the founder of Ends + Stems, a meal planning service with the goal of creating meals that have a meaningful impact on your life and your planet. A graduate of the San Francisco Culinary Institute, Chef Alison is passionate about helping others reduce their food waste by sharing meal planning, shopping, cooking and storing techniques. Become an Ecology Center member and you will receive a discount on registration and enjoy continued membership benefits including store and event discounts!
Time: 11:00am - 12:30pm
Location: Online Event, Online Event
Cost: 10 – 15
Info: 9254219574, cynthiamurdough@gmail.com, https://www.eventbrite.com/e/fantastic-fermentation-tickets-143192150577

Saturday, July 10, 2021
Garden Pests & Critters in Your Garden: Natural Ways to Control
 

Pests and hungry animals are an unfortunate, but manageable part of the gardening experience, but there are many ways that you can create your garden in a way that helps to limit impact on your plants.

In this class Lori Caldwell, owner of CompostGal Consulting will show participants easy and budget-friendly non-toxic pest control techniques to help tackle and prevent typical garden pests and animals that look at your garden as a good meal. From including plants that attract insect eating butterflies to enclosures to natural sprays, you will come away from this class with a list of methods that will support your sustainable garden in a way that will support the earth. 

Lori Caldwell is an Alameda County Master Composter, a Stopwaste Educator, a Bay-Friendly Qualified Landscape Professional and an avid edible gardener. She has been teaching sustainable gardening classes since 2007.

 
Time: 11:00am - 12:30pm
Location: Online Event, Online Event
Cost: 10 – 15
Info: 9254219574, cynthiamurdough@gmail.com, https://www.eventbrite.com/e/garden-pests-critters-in-your-garden-natural-ways-to-control-them-tickets-143224701939

Thursday, July 15, 2021
The Plastic Free Comeback: Reduce, Refuse, Reuse, and Refill
With the pandemic, the plastic industry successfully exploited the crisis to rollback efforts that reduced single-use plastics and to elicit fear and uncertainty around the safety of durable reusable items. And while the health restrictions on reuse have been lifted, the damage is done. Beyond plastics recycling, we must take local action and invest and support sustainable reuse systems that tackle the plastic pollution crisis at its root. We have our work cut out for us to resume our fight against disposable plastic and our forward momentum cannot slow down. Join the Ecology Center for a forward-thinking and action-oriented panel discussion with local and national leaders in the reuse movement to learn more about current and upcoming happenings in the fight against single-use plastic disposables. Panel discussion will be followed by a live audience Q&A. This is a free community event sponsored by the Ecology Center. All donations are greatly appreciated and go to support more programming like this. Note: Once you RSVP for the event, you will receive the meeting registration link to be added to your calendar and set up prior to the live webinar. [raw] [/raw]  
Time: 6:00pm - 7:30pm
Location: Online Event, Online Event
Cost: Free
Info: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/the-plastic-free-comeback-reduce-refuse-reuse-and-refill-tickets-157084097765

Saturday, July 17, 2021
Hands On Beeswax Wrap Workshop

This popular workshop is back! Come make a beeswax cloth food wrap at Ecology Center!

Steer away from disposable plastic wraps with a reusable, safe alternative: beeswax cloth food wrap. In this workshop we will make our own wraps that can be used to cover containers in the fridge, keep bread, your lunch, or vegetables fresh. It even works well for cheese!

We will discuss the different materials that go into this wrap, and you’ll be able to take one home of your own creation. We look forward to lots of plastic-free fun with you 

Becoming a member is easy! Simply make a donation at ecologycenter.org/donate and make sure to mention the event you came from in the comments!


Time: 11:00am - 12:30pm
Location: Online Event, Online Event
Cost: 10 – 15
Info: 9254219574, cynthiamurdough@gmail.com, https://www.eventbrite.com/e/hands-on-beeswax-wrap-workshop-tickets-143455887421

Sunday, July 18, 2021
Woven Market Tote – Creative Plastic Bag Reuse

Woven Market Bag Tote - Creative Plastic Bag Reuse Workshop

Do you save grocery or newspaper bags? Most of us do. They pile up and we reuse them, but the pile never seems to go down. We know they are harmful to the environment. In this class you will learn how to make the ultimate recycled market bag from “plarn” - plastic yarn, made from used plastic  bags. NOTE: We will be making a small version in the workshop, so you will have time to go through the whole process from beginning to end. Then you will be able to  add your personal style, colors and patterns, etc. to a future bigger bag - - a creative, functional carry-all that you can show off at your weekly Farmers Market shopping adventure. By using materials that would otherwise end up in landfill, in waterways or in our oceans, you are helping to support the environment and our wildlife. Judith Schonebaum is a popular functional textile art instructor in the Bay Area and beyond. She focuses on creating functional, decorative and wearable art from recycled textiles and plastic materials. She received her BA in Fine Arts from the University of Vermont, including attending an intensive Folk Art program at the Shelburne Museum. You will be sent a material and tool list prior to the class." Become an Ecology Center member when you register and you will receive a discount on registration and enjoy continued membership benefits including store and event discounts!

Time: 2:00pm - 3:30pm
Location: Online Event, Online Event
Cost: 10 – 15
Info: 9254219574, cynthia@ecologycenter.org, https://www.eventbrite.com/e/woven-market-bag-workshop-using-recycled-textiles-and-plastics-tickets-144272903137

Saturday, July 24, 2021
Ends & Stems: Meal Planning to Reduce Plastic & Food Waste
                                               

Celebrate Plastic Free July with personal action!  Most Americans waste an average of 25% of their kitchen food, at the cost of over $2,000 annually. Fresh produce tops the list of food waste items

  Chef Alison Mountford invites you into her kitchen as she shares how you can create a plastic free and zero waste kitchen in your own home. In this class you will be guided in creating your own meal plan, how to shop and what to do once you get the groceries back into your kitchen. Learn the best way to store food, create menus, prepare meals and use leftovers. This is an interactive class and you are encouraged to be in their kitchen so you can look through your hands-on groceries with other attendees.   You will leave with recipe cards and a 7-day plan that outlines the best way you can reduce food waste, and reduce stress at mealtime and a better understanding of the impact of food waste on our environment. Chef Alison Mountford is chef is the founder of Ends + Stems, a meal planning service with the goal of creating meals that have a meaningful impact on your life and your planet. A graduate of the San Francisco Culinary Institute, Chef Alison is passionate about helping others reduce their food waste by sharing meal planning, shopping, cooking and storing techniques.   Become an Ecology Center member and you will receive a discount on registration and enjoy continued membership benefits including store and event discounts!
Time: 11:00am - 12:30pm
Location: Online Event, Online Event
Cost: 10 – 15
Info: 9254219574, cynthiamurdough@gmail.com, https://www.eventbrite.com/e/the-plastic-free-kitchen-a-guide-to-zero-waste-meal-planning-shopping-c-tickets-143194756371

Thursday, July 29, 2021
Plastic Policy Roadmap to Rebound: Legislation for a Plastic-Free Future
Despite the many setbacks fueled by the plastics industry during the pandemic to halt forward momentum around reuse and reduction efforts, dozens of groundbreaking plastics policies have pushed through, sparking much hope in real solutions. With plastic production expected to grow 30% in the next five years, strong and comprehensive legislation that focuses on key issues in plastic and recycling industries is critical for historical and urgent shifts. Join the Ecology Center and a cadre of plastics policy experts, leaders, and organizers for an informative and encouraging overview of the 2021 plastics policy agenda. Learn more about these new and improved bills as we breakdown how they address significant issues impacting the plastic crisis such as extended producer responsibility for packaging, reuse, deposit-return systems, and what’s new in the Break Free From Plastic Pollution Act. Panel discussion will be followed by a live audience Q&A. Get informed and get involved- Register Today! The event will be moderated by the Ecology Center's Executive Director Martin Bourque and will include a live Q&A for the community to join in. This is a free community event sponsored by the Ecology Center. All donations are greatly appreciated and go to support more programming like this. Note: Once you RSVP for the event, you will receive the meeting registration link to be added to your calendar and set up prior to the live webinar.   [raw] [/raw]  
Time: 6:00pm - 7:30pm
Location: Online Event, Online Event
Cost: Free
Info: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/plastic-policy-roadmap-to-rebound-legislation-for-a-plastic-free-future-tickets-157088242161

Saturday, August 14, 2021
Eat What You Grow: Edibles in Your Garden

There is nothing more satisfying than eating food from your own garden.

Join Lori Caldwell, owner of CompostGal Consulting, as she guides you in the steps to create your own garden of edibles. Lori will cover topics that include crop rotation, seeds vs. starts, soil fertility, and plant succession, transplanting seedlings, watering /irrigation and the best crops for your garden. 

Learn how to reuse and recycle your garden containers and come away with the tools to create a garden that will supply a bounty of edibles for your table. Lori Caldwell, is an Alameda County Master Composter, a Stopwaste Educator, a Bay-Friendly Qualified Landscape Professional and an avid edible gardener. She has been teaching sustainable gardening classes since 2007.


Time: 11:00am - 12:30pm
Location: Online Event, Online Event
Cost: 10 – 15
Info: 9254219574, cynthiamurdough@gmail.com, https://www.eventbrite.com/e/eat-what-you-grow-tickets-143343727949

Saturday, September 25, 2021
Preparing Your Garden For Fall

One of the many benefits of the Bay Area climate is being able to garden year-round. Fall/Winter is still a great time to grow edibles and improve your landscape.

     

Lori “Compost Gal” Caldwell will share great techniques on how to transition to your Fall garden.  You will learn about seed saving, crop rotation, soil amending, cool-weather edible crops, starting seeds, crop rotation, sheet mulching and planting natives.

Whether you are brand new to gardening and are interested in growing your own food or you are a seasoned home gardener, this class will teach you valuable techniques on how to create or transition to a Fall garden. Lori Caldwell is an Alameda County Master Composter, a Stopwaste Educator, avid edible gardener and Bay-Friendly Qualified Landscape Professional. She has been happily teaching sustainable gardening classes all over the Bay Area since 2007. Her mission is to connect people to the soil and all that it provides.  
Time: 11:00am - 1:00pm
Location: Online Event, Online Event
Cost: 10 – 15
Info: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/preparing-your-fall-garden-tickets-143418599893



Community Events
Sunday, June 20, 2021
Welcome Back to Your Farm: Live at Urban Adamah!
After a long year we are thrilled to welcome you back to your community farm! Bring your friends and family along for an afternoon on the farm. This event is outdoors, masked, and in person! Get Your Hands Dirty... Participants are welcome to get their hands in the soil and reconnect with the land. We will have a myriad of farm tasks to complete from prepping beds to sifting compost. Lend A Hand… With our Free Farmstand temporarily suspended due to the pandemic, we’ve been busy mobilizing our distribution to community members in need and connecting with folks committed to feeding our neighbors and beyond. Join Iskender (Isky) Chishti, of the Dargahrden in West Oakland, and our very own Katie Myszka in preparing healthy hot meals to be delivered to those experiencing housing insecurity in Berkeley and Oakland. Help Build A New Offering… In the effort to feed as many neighbors as possible, we are excited to announce we have installed a new Community Free Fridge. Please bring food staples to donate and/or your creativity to help paint and beautify this resource just outside the farm! Zero-Waste Your Life... Our friends at the Re-Up Refill Shop will be popping up on the farm! Re-Up offers a range of ecological bath, body, pantry, cooking, kitchen, and cleaning products in refillable containers, reducing waste from single-use plastics. So… bring your own containers to refill on your home essentials! Enjoy Your Farm with Friends and Family.... Pizza and beverages available. Enjoy the children's garden, turf, and newly built amphitheater.
Time: 11:00am - 3:00pm
Location: Urban Adamah Farm, 1151 Sixth St, Berkeley, CA, 94710
Cost: Free
Info: 510-649-1595, info@urbanadamah.org, https://urban-adamah.secure.force.com/WebEvent?eid=welcome-back-to-your-farm-live-at-urban-adamah-2021620

Wednesday, June 23, 2021
Sustainability LIVE: Green & Growing – Urban Agriculture in Contra Costa
Free, monthly webinar. Episode 14: What's growing in Contra Costa County, who has lands to grow on, and how can you support local urban farms? Who has access to fresh, local food and how can that be improved? Join our free, live broadcast to meet Rob Bennaton, UC Cooperative Extension's Urban Agriculture Advisor, Doria Robinson, Executive Director for Urban Tilth, and Ray Harts, Executive Director for Healthy Hearts Institute, to learn about the many urban farms, community, school and other food growing groups across the county. You'll be surprised to find out what's going on! Learn about the Veggie Rx and food distribution work, and how you can get involved.
Time: 7:00pm - 8:30pm
Location: Online Event, Online Event
Cost: Free
Info: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/sustainability-live-green-growing-urban-agriculture-in-contra-costa-tickets-157854159039

Thursday, June 24, 2021
On Finding the Mother Tree
Join scholar Laura Pustarfi for a conversation with Suzanne Simard on her latest book, Finding the Mother Tree: Discovering the Wisdom of the Forest. Thursday, June 24, 7-8:30pm Pacific time
Time: 7:00pm - 8:30pm
Location: Online Event, Online Event
Cost: Free
Info: https://www.ciis.edu/public-programs/event-calendar/simard-suzanne-june-24-2021

Friday, June 25, 2021 - Sunday, June 27, 2021
UC Gill Tract Community Farm Introduction to Urban Agroecology Summer Short Course
Thorough weekend intensive on agroecological practices used at the Gill Tract farm and land sovereignty movements around the world, including intercropping, composting, and solidarity building! 6/25 5-8PM, 6/26 9AM-5PM, 6/27 9AM-5PM
Time: 5:00pm - 5:00pm
Location: UC Gill Tract Community Farm, 1050 San Pablo Ave, Albany, CA, 94706
Cost: 150,
Info: https://food.berkeley.edu/programs/community-engagement-edu/gill-tract-summer-short-courses/

Monday, June 28, 2021
Virtual ZOOM Field Trip: Glenn Keator: Mt. Eddy
Online event. This Zoom presentation will visit Mt. Eddy, the highest of the Klamath Mountains at just over 9,000 feet, with a tremendous host of fine wildflowers on an unforgettable hike. We’ll look at bogs with insectivorous plants, conifer forests, hanging meadows, and true alpine wildflowers, all on a serpentine rock base.
Time: 10:00am - 12:00pm
Location: Online Event, Online Event
Cost: 20
Info: bgardenreg@gmail.com, https://nativeplants.org/

Saturday, July 3, 2021
New Re-Up Refill Shop Soft Opening
The new Re-Up Refill Shop will have its soft opening on Saturday, July 3rd! Come by to see the new space, reduce waste, and fill up on bath, body, cleaning, and food goods. Our new space in Rockridge is much bigger, meaning customers are finally welcome to come inside to shop, and we have been able to add a bunch of new offerings: including essential oils, nut butters, and a full bulk food section. We can’t wait for you to come refill :)
Time: 11:00am - 6:00pm
Location: Re-Up Refill Shop, 6025 College Avenue, Oakland, CA, 94618
Cost: Free
Info: https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/0505/6915/0642/files/Soft_Opening_Flyer.pdf?v=1623357582

Saturday, July 24, 2021
SunWork Solar Installation Volunteer Training
Learn the basics of installing rooftop solar energy systems by volunteering with SunWork. This 3-hour online event teaches the basics of rooftop solar, solar equipment, electricity, and construction safety. This orientation is a great opportunity to learn about clean renewable energy. Once you've completed this training, you are eligible to join us to install residential and nonprofit solar systems in your community. Volunteers work together with SunWork's professional staff, attaching racking, running conduit, hanging inverters, and mounting the solar panels that make a solar system tick. Some of our volunteers leverage this experience toward a career in solar energy. Others plan to install solar on their own homes. Most volunteers enjoy supporting the expansion of clean renewable energy and helping provide solar energy for their communities. Please see our Bay Area and Central Coast web pages for the communities we serve. Requirements: This orientation session will be conducted online using Zoom. The session requires you to have access to a Smartphone, Tablet, or Computer with the Zoom App installed. Ideally, you will also have a camera available on your device. You must participate in the entire webinar at the time it is conducted (sorry, no time-shifting option.) You must be 18 or older to volunteer (or if 16 or 17, with parent or guardian permission.)
Time: 9:00am - 12:00pm
Location: Online Event, Online Event
Info: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/volunteer-solar-installer-training-webinar-with-sunworkorg-july-24-registration-154641915131?aff=efbeventtix

Friday, July 30, 2021 - Sunday, August 1, 2021
UC Gill Tract Community Farm Introduction to Herbal Medicine & Allyship Summer Short Course
This class will dive into the cultivation, harvesting and processing of medicinal herbs to create tinctures, infusions, and essences. You will learn about the importance of herbalism in social movements, self-care, community care, and pandemic resilience.   7/30 5-8PM, 7/31 9AM-5PM, 8/1 9AM-5PM
Time: 5:00pm - 5:00pm
Location: UC Gill Tract Community Farm, 1050 San Pablo Ave, Albany, CA, 94706
Cost: 150,
Info: https://food.berkeley.edu/programs/community-engagement-edu/gill-tract-summer-short-courses/