Our goals in 2013 for activities at Belipola over a period of 4 years, are as follows. Some have been realised but there are many that are opportunities waiting for more energy to see it to fruition.
Signs & mapping
New signs (educational and colorful)
Map the place out and create a design that incorporates:
Trails
o Cultivation areas
o Structures (new and existing)
o Important trees/teaching points
o Area next to river as a recreation spot
o Trails on the other side of the river (possibility)
o Ponds and potential water catchment areas
Upgrade facilities
o New kitchen/outdoor dining
o Cottage revamp
o Dorm revamp
o Extend/repair the deck
o Re-establish a tree nursery
o Fix the area with bromeliads collection o Create a processing facility
o Internet
Install eco-friendly living spaces/model ecological living
o For example we could install earth bag, cob, adobe and bamboo huts that function as dormitory space, teaching opportunities, and/or eco-tourism guesthouses o Institute practices where we use only natural products
o Composting
o Gray/black-water systems
Income generation ideas
o Herbs and salad
o Hosting international volunteers
o Researchers and students
o Student groups (international schools)
o University students (summer experiential learning)
o Interns
o Eco-tourism (stay, eat, enjoy nature, hike, organic food, bird watching, conservation tours, etc.)
o NGO retreats (training or relax space)
o Think about developing some cottage industry to value add to commercial crops (kittul, flowers, herbs, honey, jams, weaving, bamboo) • Seed saving and organic agriculture
o Indigenous varieties
o High value crops
Medicinal plants & herbal remedies
o Demonstration patch
o Training
o Making remedies – practice
Ideas for trainings that could be hosted at Belipola
o Analog Forestry
o Deep Ecology
o Organic Agriculture & forest gardening
o Eco-village design course (link to GEN)
o Permaculture (we know some experienced teachers) o Introductory courses on above topics (basic level)
o Reconciliation through environment (experience and training) o School nature camps
o Yoga, meditation and connection to environment
Documentation and Story telling
o Create media to tell the story of Belipola
o Compile stories of Belipola establishment and development
o Interview present and past students, teachers, researchers, founders o Create some short educational films
o Photography