Sustainability is core to Dartington. We view sustainability as transforming the way we live and work and as a touchstone for inspiration and creativity in all that we do. The wellbeing of the local economy and society, of broader humanity and of the abundance of life is a central concept to the Dartington experiment and in this sense we have always been focused, if not in name, on sustainability.
The Arts at Dartington explores and communicates our world, our work on Social Justice helps all to enjoy it, and our evolving understanding of ecology and earth systems is developing through Schumacher College, Conservation and Landscope. The land and the buildings have always been central to the experiment: they are a source of biodiversity and inspiration, a means of production and resilience, and a basis for local employment.
The Dartington Hall Trust is taking recycling to the next level, experimenting with the fastest composter in the UK – which is turning all their kitchen waste into compost or bio-fuel in a matter of hours.
On 1 December 2008, Charlie McConnell will take over as Dartington’s first Director of Sustainability – overseeing the internationally renowned Schumacher College, the Land Scope Project and Dartington’s much publicised sustainability drive.
Chief Executive Vaughan Lindsay said, “One year ago The Dartington Hall Trust announced that it was on an ambitious mission to turn an energy leaching 1,200 acre medieval estate into sustainable teaching trailblazer. In the last 12 months Dartington has reduced its energy use by 7% – just by improving energy efficiency and working closely with staff and residents to raise awareness.’
The largest straw bale building in Devon is being constructed on the Dartington Hall estate, as part of the new carbon and waste neutral community saw mill run by Greyfield Timber – a Dartington Land Scope project that will provide a year round supply of local, sustainable, and cost effective fuel to the Totnes and South Hams community.
Click here to see archived news on sustainability at Dartington
A one, two or three week course | David Peat, Amit Goswami, Peter Fenwick, Chris Clarke | The nature of consciousness has fascinated philosophers and scientists for centuries. Today, different fields of science are generating discoveries and insights which lead practitioners to expand existing theories of what consciousness is and what it can do. For further information visit the Schumacher College website.
A one, two or three week course | Manfred Max-Neef, Margrit Kennedy, Colin Hines, Wolfgang Sachs | Problems with the global economy are presented in the mainstream media as those that can be managed within existing systems. There is a need for a transformation of economics if human society is to survive and prosper. For further information visit the Schumacher College website.
Kate Davies| Education can play a critical role in helping to transform our society. A key question for educators is: How can we prepare learners to lead the changes that are necessary to achieve social and ecological sustainability? For further information visit the Schumacher College website.
A one, two or three week course | Gunter Pauli, Don Beck, Rob Hopkins, John Wood | A systemic approach is vital if we are to tackle successfully the complex problems facing society and the environment today, from community responses to climate change and social enterprise, to conflict resolution and social development on a global scale. For further information visit the Schumacher College website.
[what's this?]
The Dartington Hall Trust is a registered charity no. 279756. Company no. 1485560. Registered Office: The Elmhirst Centre, Dartington Hall, Totnes, Devon TQ9 6EL United Kingdom. Telephone 01803 847000; Fax 01803 847007;
