It’s not everyday in the hustle and bustle of our 21st century world, that we can both regress and progress at the same time.  The Nature Center at Shaker Lakes’ new Stewardship Center, being constructed out of cob and straw bales, is exactly that kind of unique opportunity.  By volunteering to participate in the Center’s construction this month and next, you can relive the mud-pie making days of your childhood but create the future home of our volunteer corps.  You can learn an art of homebuilding that dates back the ancient communities of Mesopotamia, but today is being hailed as a modern technological solution to energy-intensive, conventional buildings.   Buildings across the US consume 40 percent of all energy resources and emit a third of the greenhouse gases released into the atmosphere (Nature Resources Defense Council).  Join in on any of the activities outlined below to celebrate the best of the past and collaborate on the best of the future.  And while it may be an innovative green building project, it’s still a building project---check our website often for up to the minute workshop details!  Thanks all.

Join the FUN, bring a FRIEND - Build and Craft the Cob Walls
 Participate in the Stewardship Center Green Building Events. Sign up at  www.shakerlakes.org or call Sara Thorne-Briechle at (216) 321-5935 x 237.
Target Dates: Sept. 22-Oct. 28, 8 a.m. to 12 p.m. OR  1 p.m. to 5 p.m.
Volunteers Needed: 6-per shift
Description: Volunteers will use prepared cob to build Stewardship Center walls; prep and clean up projects as needed; mix and apply natural plaster; and work with local artist Katherine Chilcote to install artwork in and on the walls. View the chronology here:

http://www.shakerlakes.org/stewardship/index.html