Guided Rafting Trips

hosted by the Mid Klamath Watershed Council

Raft the Klamath with expert guides from the Mid Klamath Watershed Council and you’ll see and experience the river that most people miss, while supporting the health and restoration of one of the most wild and scenic rivers in the US.  See wildlife such as black bear, osprey, eagles, herons and otters and learn about the migrations of anadromous fish such as salmon, steelhead, lamprey and sturgeon, as well as the natural and cultural history of this unique region.  Cost is $200/ person and all of it goes directly to supporting the Mid Klamath Watershed Council.  Sandy Bar Ranch is offering a 10% lodging discount.  Contact us for details. 


Internship Program

Each year we offer internships from April through November.  Interns gain experience in a diversity of gardening and homesteading skills including annual and perennial gardening, orchard management, plant propagation, animal husbandry, food preservation, and cottage industries such as beeswax candles, salves, dried flowers, and cheese making.  Activities are seasonal and interns experience will depend on the months attended, the longer the stay the more breadth to the internship.  Interns work 30 hours a week in exchange for room and board and a small stipend.  Those interested in interning can contact Mark Or Blythe at mail@sandybar.com.

Permaculture

Permaculture (a term coined by Australian Bill Mollison) is the design of sustainable human habitat.  We have sponsored many Permaculture workshops and events over the years and apply Permaculture principles in the design and management of our ranch.   Permaculture design principles extend from the position that "The only ethical decision is to take responsibility for our own existence and that of our children" (Mollison, 1990). Permaculture teaches a core set of design principles, as a foundation for  designing  increasingly self-sufficient human settlements — ones that reduce society's reliance on industrial systems of production and distribution that Mollison identified as fundamentally and systematically destroying the Earth's ecosystems.

For more information on Permaculture check out these websites:

Workshops & Events

We host  a variety of classes and workshops in the Spring and Fall, ranging from natural history to organic gardening to acoustic music.  We provide  shared lodging in our riverside cabins along with sumptuous meals prepared from our own organic produce.   Some events are very popular and fill up quickly, so we recommend pre-registering.  

Permaculture Design Course, May 8 - 22, 2010
Taught by Brock Dolman, Penny Livinston, Mark DuPont, Blythe Reis, and guest Instructors.  
Permaculture Garden

Permaculture is about designing ecological human habitats and food production systems.  It is a land use and community building movement which strives for the harmonious integration of human dwellings, energy systems, microclimate, annual and perennial plants, animals, soils, and water into stable, productive communities.  This two week intensive course is for aspiring  or experienced  gardeners, farmers, community organizers, land planners, builders and any active, engaged citizen seeking positive change.   We combine lecture, reading and hands-on activities based on our 18 year old Permaculture homestead and the surrounding Klamath River watershed.   Topics  include zone and sector analysis, observation as the basis for design, organic gardening and farming,  orchard management, plant propagation, animal husbandry, soil management, ethnobotany, pest management, natural building techniques, community process, watershed restoration, fire and fuels management and more.  Permaculture offers a positive way forward through the many pressing ecological issues of our time, from how to sustainably  basic needs of food, energy and shelter, to how to vitalize our communities and restore our watersheds.   Upon completion participants will receive a Certificate of Permaculture Design. 

Cost: $1300 per person, $1200 if registered at least two weeks in advance.  Includes lodging and two meals/day (cabins have kitchens where participants can cook their own breakfast).   Some partial work trade is available based on demonstrated financial need, contact us for details.    We offer a $100/ person discount for participants enrolling as a couple or  family.

For More Information on Permaculture and course instructors see our Permaculture Page


 

2010 Events, Exact dates to be announced:
January ,  Pruning Fruit Trees - Learn the basics of pruning fruit trees - How to train young trees, how to distinguish fruit wood from vegetative wood, how to prune for healthier trees and better production.  We'll also discuss the training and care of Espalier fruit trees - the European art and craft of training fruit trees on a fence for aesthetics, variety and efficient use of space.  Rain or shine, dress warmly.  Course Fee $15

 Bigfoot Birding Days May ,  Each Spring the Klamath River corridor comes alive with birds.  From returning raptors to colorful neo-tropicals migrating northward,  hundreds of bird species are attracted to nest in this area of abundant food and habitat.   Join us with local bird experts Keith Slausen and Tom Leskiw for a free series of slide shows and field trips.    Presentations are free! Contact us at Sandy Bar Ranch  for cabin reservations.

Klamath River Canyon Wildflowers.  Join us as we hike and explore the beatiful Klamath River Canyon  in search of spring wildflowers.  In addition to plant  identificationand botany  we'll cover the natural history and ethnobotany of plants via field hikes and slideshows.  Instruction on making cordage from natural materials will aslo be demonstrated.  Taught by Wendell Wood, sponsored by the Siskiyou Field Institute.  Cost $270, for morte details and to register visit the SFI Website.

Klamath River MandoJam, A three day music camp with acoustic workshops, jams, and fun in the sun on the Klamath River in Northern California.  Access to swimming, rafting, hiking, and more.  Come learn & play music in a supportive environment and a beautiful setting!  All levels and any players of acoustic string instruments are welcome!  Begins Thursday evening with a 6 PM potluck and goes until Sunday brunch. Cost $175/person, includes lodging (hostel style lodging in cabins or camping) 1 group meal/day (participants responsible for other meals) and all workshops and jam circles.  Visit our MandoJam page for more details and photos.