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The Center for Creative Ecology’s education programs

Here you can find information about our courses and workshops that take place at Kibbutz Lotan.

Our passion is to educate and inspire people to be the change in the world. We believe that we must be part of the solution and not part of the problem. Our focus is on organic farming, permaculture, natural architecture, alternative energy, community and peace building strategies. Come and learn with us or study online with our experienced teachers.

The Green Apprenticeship

Our Gold Signature Program offering the world renowned PDC (Permaculture Design Certificate)! An intensive and inclusive one month practical training course for hands-on capacity building in natural construction, organic local food production, appropriate technologies, waste management, ecological design and community living. 

For more information, please fill the form  or
contact Mark mark@klotan.co.il   +972-54-9799033

Eco Experience

Our famous work / learning experience in Lotan with flexible dates. Become part of the Center for Creative Ecology team. Hands-on work and skill development in organic gardening, natural sustainable building projects, green architecture, landscaping, and maintaining the Eco-Campus and Eco-Park.  Depending on the dates you come, there may be the possibility of attending environmental studies and lessons on ecological design, renewable energy, organic gardening, permaculture, and sustainability. You are also welcome to participate in all the cultural events of the Kibbutz and the region and live alongside community members in all ways.

For more information, please fill the form  or
contact Mark mark@klotan.co.il   +972-54-9799033

Short Workshops and Tours

From our one hour Eco Tour, our half day workshops and our full day and weekend training’s, we have something to suit everybody. Introduction or advanced workshops in earth building, geodesic dome construction and efficiency building is one range of topics. Another is the magic of compost, organic gardening, permaculture principles and food production. We also educate on team building, sustainable leadership and sustainable communities. We can cater specifically for your needs.

For more information, please fill the form  or
contact Mark mark@klotan.co.il   +972-54-9799033

Sustainable, Community and Leadership Programs

We offer a range of programs in this area which enable, activate and inspire transformative action in the world. We look at sustainable leadership and sustainable communities and what we have learned over the years through our own experience of living in an ‘intentional community’. We also cater for specific groups around these topics – for example we offer a week-long practical workshop in eco-Judaism and a program on Capacity Building & Practical Training for International Development.

For more information, please fill the form  or
contact Mark mark@klotan.co.il   +972-54-9799033

School Programs

Faced with ecological and social challenges of our times such as climate change and food security, we strongly believe that education for sustainability within the school setting is of paramount importance. The most effective way to implement this is through practical, hands-on experiences that (re)connect students to nature, to each other and to their cultural traditions.

The aim of this workshop is to provide teachers with applicable, transferable practical tools that can aid in developing a culturally-informed, place-based, multidisciplinary approach to education for sustainability. Over three days we will combine hands-on workshops with theoretical knowledge and show how these skills can be implemented within the school setting, engaging and empowering students to become agents for positive change within their own communities.

For more information, please fill the form  or
contact Mark mark@klotan.co.il   +972-54-9799033

Building Walls / Breaking Walls

Our international peace building program incorporating young adults from Israel, Palestine, North and South Ireland and Switzerland. It is an amazing experience to be part of this international youth exchange. While the group are adding value to the community by building, they’re also discussing intercultural differences, misunderstandings and obstacles are being clarified and cleared. It’s a wonderful stepping stone for young people to be part of this experience as they move on through their life.

For more information, please fill the form  or
contact Mark mark@klotan.co.il   +972-54-9799033

the

Eco Campus

The Ecological Campus (EcoCampus) is a prototype model for sustainable development and offers residential students daily opportunities to experience living together as a micro community, creating an integral part of the educational experience. The mission of the EcoCampus is to teach and empower residential program participants to live an ecological lifestyle, to maintain a low carbon footprint and to advance environmentally appropriate housing and technologies.

The housing units are created from geodesic dome frames, straw bales and earth plaster. The straw bales and earth plaster together create super insulated structures with thick interior mass for temperature stability. In winter months the buildings are passively heated by sunlight entering the southern windows, where the heat is then stored in the walls and the floors. Night Time ventilation in the spring and fall cools the buildings which remain comfortable all day when the window shades are closed. In the summer the energy efficient domes out-perform all of the conventional buildings in the region by using considerably less electricity for cooling. The neighborhood is Carbon Negative as the solar panels produce more electricity than is needed to run the air conditioners and all the other appliances. Cooking gas is methane, produced by our unique biogas digester from kitchen scraps. All together a wonderful living experience. 

 
view from Kibbutz Lotan eco campus (bustan)

What people say about us

Kibbutz lotan echoes the past of Israel and vividly informs of the future! Walking toward work in the organic food gardens at dawn one feels sure of all purpose for good under heaven. There is no stillness like that in the Arava valley desert. To farm there is a very spiritual experience.
Blanche Lenine-cruz
Blanche Lenine-cruz
It would be a shame to come to Israel and not visit Kibbutz Lotan. The Green Apprenticeship sustainable development and permaculture design course greatly influenced my personal and professional growth. Whether you are stopping by for a quick tour or staying for an extended period of time, Kibbutz Lotan is one of the those special places around the world that is a must see!
Joshua Zuckerman
Joshua Zuckerman
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