We have developed a range of short courses covering a variety of subjects. These courses are occasionally run through local colleges or other environmental education providers but may also be delivered in house for organisations requiring training.
Short courses are intended to take about 16 hours teaching; they may be delivered either as an intensive course over two days or as series of shorter classes.
We have highlighted a selection of our courses below, however please contact Sage if you do not see the subject you want; we are always keen to develop training to meet the needs of our customers.
An Introduction to Permaculture
Permaculture offers a positive and constructive framework that can help create personal solutions to some of the problems we face as a result of environmental damage and social disruption. This course covers the ethics and principles underlying permaculture design and looks at some of the practical techniques that can be used.
Aims
- To introduce the principles and ethics of permaculture design, illustrated by relevant practical applications.
Objectives
By the end of the course you will be able to:
- List the three ethics of permaculture design,
- Explain the application of permaculture design principles,
- Describe how they could use permaculture to create a solution to an issue in their life.
View the current course programme
Permaculture Gardening
The origins of Permaculture lie in Permanent Agriculture, an agriculture which is based around perennial plants and little if any soil cultivation. It is fitting, therefore, to offer an introductory course which focuses on the application of permaculture in the garden.
Aims
- To present the concept of permanent agriculture and explore its use in the garden.
Objectives
By the end of the course you will be able to:
- Explain the principal and advantages of permanent agriculture,
- Illustrate the application of permaculture design principles in the garden,
- Plan how they could introduce permaculture to their garden.
View the current course programme
Renewable Energy and Energy Conservation for the Home
There is now widespread scientific agreement that we need to reduce carbon emissions by 60% to stabilise global warming. While some of this reduction will need to come from Government led initiatives, the role of the individual citizen in reducing their own energy use will also play a vital part in achieving these targets, and also offers an opportunity to save money as energy becomes increasingly expensive. This course will give householders an overview of the typical energy use in their home and will describe ways in which this can be reduced or replaced with energy from environmental sources.
The following renewable energy technologies will be covered during the course:
- Micro-wind turbines
- Solar Photo-voltaic panels
- Solar thermal panels
- Ground source heat pumps
- Micro-hydro turbines
Aims
- To give an overview of renewable energy technologies applicable to domestic situations and the importance of energy conservation.
Objectives
By the end of the course you will be able to:
- Quantify the major energy uses in a typical home,
- Identify methods to conserve energy in their home,
- List the sources of renewable energy that can be used in a domestic building,
- Describe the technologies used to harness renewable energy for domestic use.
View the current course programme
Climate Change and Peak Oil; Finding a Personal Response
Climate Change and Peak Oil are the two biggest challenges which human society faces on a global scale. Climate Change is at least partly attributable to human activity and if we do not act could lead to catastrophic effects. Added to this is the likelihood that world oil production will peak in the near future leading to increased energy costs. This course will look at the scientific background to both Climate Change and Peak Oil and will investigate some of the likely consequences of both phenomena. While the consequences of inaction in the face of these challenges could be catastrophic, the course will introduce participants to solutions which will increase the quality of their life as well as addressing the need to reduce our energy consumption and carbon emissions.
Aims
- To explain the scientific background and probable consequences of climate change and peak oil and introduce life enhancing solutions which will mitigate their effects.
Objectives
By the end of the course you will be able to:
- Outline the scientific theories behind peak oil and climate change,
- Describe the probable consequences, both locally and globally, of failing to take action to mitigate the effects of climate change and peak oil,
- Identify actions which they can take, both as individuals and in their communities, which will help to reduce carbon emissions and dependency on cheap energy.
View the current course programme
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