Webinar Description

This seminar is intended for people of privilege who want to do environmental work in underprivileged communities that are not their own. It is based on Ben's pamphlet of the same name. The pamphlet contains a pattern language, a set of useful sayings that invoke actions guided by ethical principles as part of a whole-systems approach to change. The seminar will explain this pattern language and how to use it. Participants will be challenged to identify their own progress on the path of recognizing their own privilege as it relates to work in disempowered communities. The seminar and pamphlet are primarily intended for people who identify as allies of disempowered communities, however, those who identify as members of such communities are welcome, and will be given an opportunity, if they so desire, to offer feedback and criticism. 

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Presenter

Benjamin Weiss is a certified permaculture designer and teacher, a father, activist, herbalist, gardener, musician, and writer from Lancaster, Pennsylvania. Ben studied natural building and permaculture at The Farm Ecovillage Training Center, received a permaculture teacher certification from CRMPI, studied urban agriculture at Growing Power, and has studied herbalism with Sarah Preston of Radiance, shamanic dreaming techniques with Adhi Moonien Two-Owls, and earth-based Jewish spirituality with the P’nai Or community of Philadelphia. Ben has facilitated permaculture courses and many other classes and workshops, has designed and managed three organic farms, has foraged professionally, and continues to develop the Rewilding Design System with Wilson Alvarez. Ben was also the administrator and a long-time volunteer for the Lancaster Coalition for Peace & Justice, and has helped to organize many other initiatives and actions related to racial and environmental justice.