What is a Deep Time Walk?

A Deep Time Walk (DTW) is a transformative journey through 4.6 billion years of Earth's history...

It is a 4.6 km narrated walk, where every meter walked is equivalent to one million years. This experience transforms time into space and invites participants to perceive the world differently.

 
 

How to participate in a DTW?

We regularly organise public Deep Time Walks in different places in Belgium.

Stay informed about our next walks via our newsletter and social networks.

By connecting to the extraordinary history of our planet Earth through our steps, we become aware of the magnitude of the Earth's history and the evolution of living beings, humans arriving only at the very end.

From the formation of the solar system to mass extinctions, the formation of the Moon, the oceans, the atmosphere, the early evolution of single-celled life, plate tectonics, multi-cellular life and the arrival of our own species: humans - just in the last 20 centimeters - a Deep Time Walk covers some of the most significant events in Earth's history.

The Deep Time Walk was created by Stephan Harding (Schumacher College, UK) and Sergio Maraschin and is part of the Deep Time Walk Project.

In Belgium, the Deep Time Walk is a regular activity (conducted in FR/NL/EN) and also a training course provided by the Schumacher Sprouts.

What are the goals and what do we learn?

A DTW helps to contextualise humanity's rich ancestral heritage and provides insight into the interconnectedness of all life forms. It makes participants aware that the Earth is not a static and passive backdrop on which humans reside, but a complex and interdependent set of active actors who have within themselves the capacity to move and radically change the Earth.

A DTW, for whom, in which language?

The experience is open to adults and young people over 15, in all kinds of contexts (company, association, institution, education, family or friends...).

The course lasts between 2 and 3 hours (depending on the desired programme) and is offered in French, Dutch or English.

In 2022, a version for children (12-15 years old) and a corporate version of 1h30 will be offered.

 

A DTW on demand is possible!

 

Professional organisations

DTW is an ideal tool to integrate into an event or a greening of your organisation:

  • it fits perfectly into a strategic reflection on sustainability and regeneration of the organisation;

  • it responds to the challenges of our century and the urgency of the current collapses and raises the awareness of your teams;

  • it contributes to the implementation of a new approach because it allows you to decentralise your vision;

  • it contributes to inventing new ways of considering the role of the company and the entrepreneur;

  • it illustrates an innovative way of learning through a transformative experience.

Within a course

(higher education, universities and colleges)

Ideal to integrate into a course or training related to ecological transition, climate, biodiversity, global issues, sustainability, regeneration, DTW:

  • allows for the experience of deep time, which generates deep questioning and can lead to a deep commitment to personal and societal transition;

  • allows to experience what transformative learning is;

  • can be combined harmoniously with another Climate Fresco animation (which we can also provide) (duration 5 hours in total);

 
 

In practice

  • To guarantee a quality experience, we recommend a group of max. 25 people;

  • The Deep Time Walk takes place in quality natural sites, notably in Brussels (Rouge Cloître), Louvain-la-Neuve (Bois de Lauzelle) and Ottignies (L’Arbre qui Pousse);

  • Any other proposal for a site is welcome and will be subject to a prior reconnaissance of the route;

  • Price: Please contact us. The price includes the adaptation to your specific context, the support to the global project deeptimewalk.org, the support to the educational project of the Schumacher Sprouts Belgium, the services of two facilitators (FR/NL/EN) and their travel (Belgium).

 

Is it possible to become a Deep Time Walk facilitator?

Yes, we organise Deep Time Walk facilitation trainings in collaboration with the Deep Time Walk Project, the international and French speaking community of Deep Time Walk facilitators.

By training to facilitate the Deep Time Walk, you contribute to the dissemination of this transformative experience and you also support our holistic education and deep ecology project.

When will it take place?

Our next training in French will take place on Saturday 8 October at l'Arbre qui Pousse (Ottignies). From 10h to 17h. Chemin du Griffon, 1 - 1340 Ottignies.

Who is it for?

For anyone who wishes to acquire the basics of the Deep Time Walk experience, to appropriate the contents, to learn the facilitation techniques in order to feel confident, energized and able to lead this experience within their environment or community.

During this day, we will :

  • Connect around deep ecology

  • Explore the principles behind the Deep Time Walk experience

  • Understand the Deep Ecology learning cycle: deep experience - deep questioning - deep commitment

  • Explore the resources available: content and facilitation

  • Practice through exercises and role-playing

  • Exchange good practices around facilitation

  • Share the means of communication of the DTW community of facilitators to stay connected and grow together

  • Understand the history of the DTW and the persons and communities behind it.

In practice :

Dress suitable for outdoor use. Potluck lunch: bring something to share (soup, coffee and tea offered). Max. 30 participants.

Price according to your means:

  • Seed : 60€ (price if your budget is tight) (5 places max. for 25 participants)

  • Sprout : 80€ (the right price, which allows us to have a balanced budget)

  • Tree : > 100€ (to allow other people to participate and support our activities)

More info?

Anne-Kirstine de Caritat kirstine@thesprouts.co