What is Permaculture?

• A design science rooted in observation of natural systems

• An ethical design system for ecological living

• A global grass-roots movement to build a sustainable world culture

• An ecological science: the study of nature and natural systems

• A lifestyle integrating ecologically sustainable qualities into our lives and communities

• A solution-oriented environmental movement

Goals of Permaculture:

• Reforest Earth

• Reclaim Soil

• Grow food where the people are

• Create long-term sustainability

• Create regenerative culture

  • Healing

  • Justice

  • Education for self-reliance

The ultimate goal is to learn how to design how we live that has the stability and

resiliency of a natural ecosystem.

Ethics

1) Care of Earth

2) Care of Humans (When humans
live sustainably, all other animals/
plants can care for themselves)

3) Share the surplus (limit consumption &
population, so there is surplus to give)

4) Respect the intrinsic value of all living beings

Principles

1. Observe and Interact

2. Catch & Store Energy

3. Obtain a Yield

4. Each Element Performs Multiple Functions

5. Design for Redundancy

6. Apply Self-Regulation & Accept Feedback

7. Use & Value Renewable Resources & Services

8. Relative Location

9. Use Energy Efficient Planning

10. Design from Patterns to Details

11. Produce NO Waste

12. Stack & Pack

13. Integrate Rather than Segregate

14. Use Small & Slow Solutions

15. Use Appropriate Technologies

16. Use & Value Diversity

17. Use Edges and Value the Marginal

18. Observe & Replicate Natural Patterns

19. Consider Succession

20. Creatively Use & Respond to Change