Learning
Education for Sustainability at the Mount Pleasant Ecological Park
The Down to Earth Foundation organises educational programmes for all levels, held at the Mount Pleasant Ecological Park, Porthtowan.
About us
The Down to Earth Foundation is a small educational non-profit organisation that seeks to bring our vision of sustainable living ‘down to earth’ in realistic, artistic and practical ways through courses, talks and initiatives.
About what we do
At the heart of what we do is a vision to share a different worldview with our learners, one in which individuals realise their interdependence and connection with the natural environment.
We then work with learners to reflect on how this perspective can help them to develop as happy, healthy and inspired individuals.
About how we do it
At DTEF, we are guided by an emphasis on practical experience and activity based learning in the natural environment. Our holistic approach to learning engages the heads, hands and hearts of all who come to visit us whether for a day or one of our deep learning residential courses.
Situated within an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty that also features a World Heritage Mining site on the beautiful Cornish coast, we use the local landscape, heritage and environment as tools to learn more about the world we live in and our place within it.
We strive to create a safe and open learning environment at all times and work with learners and institutions to tailor our offerings to your needs, ever ready to help you on your own particular learning journey.
Facilities at the Eco Park
Whilst visiting us, learners have access to the Mount Pleasant Ecological Park and its facilities, including:
- The UK’s largest rammed earth building and examples of sustainable building methods.
- 42 acres of land in a UNESCO Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, rich in local history and within half a mile of Porthtowan beach.
- Organic Community Garden Scheme.
- A recycled tyre amphitheatre.
- Cob courtyard with a cob pizza oven and firepit.
- Outdoor canvas covered spaces.
- Campsite accomodation.
- Compost loos and solar showers.
- NEW Environmental/Ecology learning centre soon to be constructed, using local timber, with a sedum roof and powered by renewable energies. Natural materials such as earth plasters, straw bales non toxic paints and finishes help make this people-friendly building an inspiring and healthy space for your group to meet, use and learn.
Whether you are an individual, group or school and want to know more about how we can help you on your path to sustainable living, visit us at www.dtef.org.uk or email us at info@dtef.org.uk
