Program
The style of the program is learning by action with a strong experiential base. The participants will have practical tools to work with including the local Lisu people, the Mae Tang River catchments, plant/seed nurseries, and reforestation sites. The emphasis of the program will center on mindfulness of our relationships with nature, the environment, and building relationships with others.
Each day includes a healthy breakfast, lunch and dinner
Day 1: Checking the Earth Pulse
Welcomes/Introductions/Orientation/Agenda
Group activity, talent, contribution, passion with focus
Setting the working culture and individual journals
Sharing sessions, purpose, listening, and feedback
Exploring inner-outer nature around the lodge or along the local stream how students feel about his/her chosen spot and/or being there
Exploration of life in a stream (1st monitoring point, upstream of the village or Lisu Lodge)
Noticing stream animals and their homes
Assessing stream water quality
Planning water quality investigation
Carrying out the investigation (2nd monitoring point, downstream of the village or Lisu Lodge)
Discussion & review: why study streams & rivers (health check up of the bloodline of catchments)
Dinner, creative activity, sharing session
Day 2: Interacting With the Local Community
Morning stretch/exercise/breakfast/opening the senses
Exploring and learning about the local community: perception, culture, positive/negative/neutral impact on the stream + environment
Investigate the water quality of the village
How do/can we as visitors contribute to this
Group activity, the power of teams
Sharing/feedback/journal
Dinner, Culture and You exercise
Dinner, body awareness exercise
Day 3: The State of The Mae Tang Catchment
Early morning stretch/exercise/breakfast
Bird-watching with Dr. Mong early morning
Exploring watershed forest of Mae Tang (and forest restoration)
Bicycle ride, elephant ride, white water rafting along the river and exploring the impact of environmental health
Biodiversity & water quality near raft landing
Sharing/feedback/journal, body movement exercise
Day 4: Reforestation Discover with FORRU
Morning stretch/exercise/breathing
Exploring a nursery forest trail at Ban Mae Sa Mai
Explore a nearby cave and the life surrounding the site
Explore the local village with a member of the village environment committee
Visit a reforestation site and all the activities surrounding the project
Open discussion before returning to Lisu Lodge
Day 5: Plan and Action
Individual and group activities focused on what each person can action in their own lifestyle tomake a difference to the environment. We will emphasize again the uniqueness of each person and the fact that it doesnt matter how small a difference they perceive it to be as it has a huge impact regardless.
Each person to present their own plan and spending time with each person exploring the connection/links.
Making the commitment activity
Moonlight reflection time on the 5 days and sharing of what was learned
Evenings
A variety of activities including: Wave dance (5R) with exercises exploring the world/nature of movement
Power point and DVD presentations of related topics