The Sustainability Institute is a non-profit trust, founded in 1999. An international living and learning centre focussing on studies and experience in ecology, community and spirit, we work in partnership with the School of Public Management and Planning, University of Stellenbosch in the following areas of  education (Masters and PhD degrees in Sustainable Development Planning and Sustainable Agriculture), Early Childhood Development, Community Development Practice and Management, project facilitation to establish Sustainable Neighbourhood Developments in various localities,policy research in the sustainable development sector. The Institute is located in the Lynedoch EcoVillage, a place where we have provided development facilitation to create a space for sustainable living and learning.

Winter Women's Day @ Lynedoch

The garden is now in the cusp of autumn and winter. All crops have been taken off and beds are being cleaned of weeds and prepared for Spring planting. Seedling trays have been sown in the Nursery for later planting out. For the first time we have sown "green manure" in beds that are "resting", with a combination of oats and lupins. That will give a great display of colour in Spring but more importantly replenish the beds with nitrogen. The rains have arrived and the dams we dug out in the wetland last year are filling again. Most beautifully, the waterblommetjies have reappeared from muddy depths. The new Woodland awaits the Spring for fresh growth and an outburst of indigenous bulbs planted in recent months.

The following winter photos were taken by Bryce Anderson (Waterblommetjie) and Luke Metelerkamp (gardens).

Green Economy Summit

 

Mark Swilling Presenting at the Green Economy Summit
Mark Swilling presenting at the Green Economy Summit on 20 May 2010 - the Summit was convened by the SA Government and was addressed by several Ministers and President Zuma.

Sustainability Skills for Youth


Our Sustainability Skills for Youth programme is starting to take shape. I have been on a number of site visits to local projects and places of further study to get an idea of the opportunities currently available for our youth. We have commenced our weekly career visits, including a trip to the local police station, having a clothing designer come in and a visit from CityVarsity for Media & Creative Arts (the kids were positively buzzing about pursuing their passions in film and media after this visit!).

Read more...