Pond Design and Construction - Weekend Workshop
A Water Stories event open to the public - no prerequisites required.
Taught by Zach Weiss of Water Stories and Elemental Ecosystems, and sponsored by Terra Vida Academy, we will cover the essential details for building a pond; from site assessment, to pond design, all the way through project preparation and execution. Spend the weekend with us at the the incredible Vernonia Springs Event Venue with Zach Weiss and our workshop team to watch a small pond project unfold in real time. Learn tips, tricks, and best practices for installing water retention earthwork features on a small scale! Three meals will be provided on Saturday, and breakfast and lunch will be served on Sunday. Accommodations and camping are available on site.
August 9th - 11th, 2024
Sponsored by Terra Vida Academy
Limited space available, first come first serve.
This workshop is designed to offer a crash course in pond construction. No experience is required for this workshop! If you are planning to build a pond on your property, this weekend class could save you THOUSANDS of dollars! We will cover the fundamentals of pond building, such as assessing soil types, siting pond locations, constructing a keyed earthen dam, how to shape a pond, earthworks best practices, and much more! There will be an excavator and operator constructing a small pond throughout the weekend. We will transition between outdoor lessons, observing the construction process, and indoor presentations within the serene setting of Vernonia Springs' stunning pavilion.
Reserve your spot now for a weekend of exploration, learning, and connection at Vernonia Springs! Come, be a part of this transformative experience, and witness the beginning of the creation of a pond in real-time
Please note that this event will be recorded.
This event is rain or shine! Please be prepared for prolonged periods outside in dusty conditions under the hot sun.
Weekend Workshop Flow:
Friday, August 9th: Check-in at 6:30pm - 7:30pm, Welcome at 7:30pm. Dinner will NOT be served, please bring your dinner or eat before you arrive.
Saturday, August 10th: Class starts at 8:00am. Please come prepared with materials for indoor presentations and outdoor exercises. Class ends at dinner time. Breakfast, lunch, and dinner will be served.
Sunday, August 11th: Class starts at 8:00am and ends at noon. Participants must leave the venue no later than 4pm. Breakfast and lunch will be served.
Workshop Topics:
Why Ponds?: Understand why ponds, infiltration basins, and other water management earthworks can benefit certain landscapes.
Reading the Land 101: Learn where ponds can be installed to cause the least amount of disturbance and maximize the health of an ecosystem.
Getting the Project Started: Let us show you how we site the placement of an earthen-dam pond and start the construction process.
Project Planning- Avoid Costly Mistakes: Sidestep the errors that can drain your resources. Identify and rectify common mistakes made by both DIYers and contractors. If you’re going to build a pond or water body this crash course will provide you with real world savings, this course will save you:
- $3,000 - $20,000+ on a Consultant / Designer
- $5,000 - $30,000+ on Contractor efficiency
- $10,000 - $100,000+ on the avoidance of common Contractor / Landowner mistakes
Working With Earth: Reshaping the land to positively impact the flow and infiltration of water cannot be done everywhere - we will walk you through understanding the specific conditions that must exist when working with earthen materials.
Project Completion - Next Steps: Yay! You've installed a pond... now what? We will discuss what makes a healthy pond and what should be done in the years to follow.
Accommodations:
Free Camping - First come first serve, but please let us know by including this in your ticket at checkout!
Microwave for people to supplement
Commercial bathrooms and shower rooms
There are 5 yurts and 5 platform tents. 2 person maximum per yurt or platform tent. Campfires are only allowed at central fire pit and no camp stoves are allowed due to extreme fire danger.
Food:
Your workshop ticket includes breakfast and lunch on Saturday and Sunday, as well as dinner on Saturday. Enjoy casual, high-quality fare featuring tacos and grilled dishes, available in both vegan and meat options (select your preference on the ticket).
NO open flame cooking allowed on property due to fire season restrictions! There will be a microwave available for use.
About Terra Vida Academy
Terra Vida (Earth + Life) Academy was established to provide practical in person training and solutions for living a more sustainable and healthy existence as we move into the climate change era.
TVA is moving forward with innovative training programs for people who understand that the challenges we now face are existential and require immediate action to thrive in today’s changing environment.
https://terravidaacademy.com/
Reserve your spot today!
Please note:
- No Children - an excavator will be working on site during the workshop, children are not allowed due to this hazard
- No alcohol consumption allowed on the premise
- This event will be recorded and you must sign a film and liability to participate
Location
Vernonia Springs, 97064