Take action. Learn through experience. Build together. Get dirty.

In-person Workshops

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A movement based in action

Learn to trust your intuition

Our goal is to hold space for people to practice creating positive interventions on the land. Water Stories Workshops offer a deep dive into the practical aspects of reshaping landscapes to benefit local communities.

> Experience the transition from design to implementation

> Assess soil composition and learn how it continually influences the installation process

> Work as a team and practice communicating effectively on a job site

Zach explains an important part of landscape restoration to a group of students in front of an excavator at a project site

Zach watches the movement of water in a test slice

Gain practical experience

Every workshop is a unique opportunity

Our objective with each workshop is to offer participants a diverse range of hands-on, educational experiences. Installing substantial earthworks projects, like ponds, requires a significant amount of time. However, thanks to the generosity of our workshop hosts, we are able to provide a wide array of workshop styles, durations, and locations. Each workshop presents distinctive opportunities for learning, tackling challenges, and forging connections.

Workshop Testimonials

Grab a shovel, make connections, regenerate landscapes

What participants have to say about our workshops:

Petros

I really felt in love with the experience. The event had so much important information about water cycle restoration. It was truly in depth learning both in practice and theory. I was so inspired that after the event i was determined to follow this path seriously. Thank you very much water stories team, looking forward for the next events to come

Zach M.

This two-day immersive course covered an array of topics related to water retention earthworks -- from pond siting, to calculating catchment area, to the specifics of implementation. It was truly a world class event; highly recommended to all aquatic aficionados!

Janell Howard

I was so surprised at how much more I learned even after taking the course, it’s helped me to see that I have a lot more to learn!! I’m so unbelievably grateful we came, the content was incredibly helpful and networking with others around the world was an unforeseen benefit!!

Antonis

I enrolled in the Pond Design and Construction workshop with the expectation to learn what is needed to design and implement a pond. During the workshop I received a vast but structured amount of knowledge and most important in a short period of time. After this, there was an opportunity to implement some of this knowledge to our current location and the learning curve rose exponentially day by day. Definitely, after this workshop I feel confident enough to design and apply the design into pond making. Recommend 100%.

Jonny A.

I am so happy to have attended this hands-on training that included actual contract work for the site. I loved the way the process moved …The keystone activity that we returned to several times throughout the four days was building the full scale sediment trap. This project applied the skills of understanding the problem, the site selection, the laser leveling, the spillway design, rock armoring and looking both upstream and downstream for unintended impacts. I witnessed the value of good communications and a good operator. Zach, Megan and Nick created the conditions for good vibes and intensive learning. I am so grateful for all their wisdom and knowledge.

Oja

The entire weekend was a stellar experience that far exceeded all expectations! Thank you so much for your hard work to make it all happen so beautifully.

Peter Ye

Whether you intend to build it yourself or network with someone who can, if you've ever been curious about what it takes to make a man made pond, take this workshop. Not only will you learn how to build a pond, but where and when to save yourself additional expenses in materials and time. What equipment and what size do you need to get the job done quickly and effectively. Important considerations, like where is that water coming from? And where will the overflow go? So many questions I didn't consider asked and answered. A great way to meet like minded folks who you may work with in the future.

Women's Workshop Participant

Thank you from the bottom of our hearts for hosting the women’s workshop. It was truly one of the most inspiring and beautiful experiences to witness. We left with so much more confidence and joy... Our little one still talks about that magical excavator day with such pride. You made such a lasting impact on their heart that one of their dolls is now named Megan.

Workshop Testimonials

Our Intensive Workshops

What Water Stories Core Course students have to say:

Aline

The intensive workshop was indeed intensive! Expect to be as water: flexible, flowing, adaptive, communicative. Be ready for using Head, Hands and Heart. Absorb as much as you can, and be gentle with yourself (and others) should your cup overflow. Walk away satisfied with a job well done, Analysis Paralysis overcome, new skills learnt, others sharpened, and above all... feeling part of a tightly woven family of Water Workers.

Peter W.

Warning! water cycle restoration can be highly addictive and the intensive could drastically change your life for the better. Side effects may include telling everyone you meet about it enthusiastically, an obsession with spring water, incredible new friends and a sunny disposition.

Jun

The intensive is a great opportunity to take the online Core Course to a more physical level. The Core Course itself allows you to deepen your understanding and improve your skills through your own actions, but for those who are not yet familiar with that knowledge and skills, this course will broaden your path, make it easier to walk, and give you the experience to be able to walk without hesitation in the face of the various difficulties you may encounter along the way. There is no doubt that this is one of the best Water Stories programs that we would recommend to many Core Course participants.

Axel

There wasn't one particular highlight... everything was great! The lectures, the depth of relationships formed, the food, the beauty of Marc's place, the competence and personalities of the Water Stories staff. No one was expecting the level of emotion and openness that the intensive elicited. Someone mentioned that it was a "transformative experience" and I fully agree with that.

Josephin

The intensive course was fantastic. By the end, we were stuffed full of knowledge, had built check dams with our own hands, and learned holistically with our heads and bodies. We also had the best excavator training imaginable. We were greatly encouraged and supported to take as much as possible from this course, and everything was done to ensure that it was most useful for us and that we left with the greatest possible self-confidence. And it worked! After the course, we started our first construction projects with great motivation.

Joy

There are too many highlights to mention. Besides, I don't think I could remember all of them - I have been transformed - now an excavator-dump-lover, a rock-dam star :). There was so much care in the learning, the listening, the eating, the cooking, the dancing, the storytelling, the magic of all beings in one farm of the bees! I am grateful to be part of it all. Let's do it again!!! :)

Kate K.

It really was a remarkable and essential event. If it can be made a part of your WS training for more folks, I think it would be profoundly helpful…Otherwise, I am a completely different person because of this training … Zach and Megan's energy, commitment, and patience...wow. Thank you for investing so much time and effort in our learning!!!!!!

Taylor D.

The Water Stories Intensive Workshop is one of the best experiences I have had in my lifetime. The amazing Water Stories Staff and the unique, and fullhearted community they attract. The knowledge and friendships that I gained, I will be forever grateful.

Preview

The Core Course

Want to get a better feel for the course? Watch the introduction videos to the course to get a better feel for the content and format, what to expect, and what we expect of you.