How to design your life with the future of the planet in mind.

Based in the Horowhenua region of the lower North Island, our Permaculture Design Course is divided into 12 modules, held during various weekends throughout 2008. All modules are based on the Permaculture Design Certificate Course, and are offered in one or two day courses, which allows you the flexibility to choose courses that suit you. They are all hands-on workshops, with small group numbers. You may choose to participate in one or all of the modules, but if you decide you want to attain the Permaculture Certificate you need to attend all the modules, starting with modules one and two. If you have specific interest in one of our modules, but the time does not suit, we are open to discussing the possibility of an alternative date, or even location, depending on interest.

1. Philosophy & Design

This course introduces the ethics and principles of permaculture, and you will learn about its applications and methods of design. We will explore the aims and objectives of permaculture living and how it is implemented, how it can be applied to different living environments, the methods of ecological design, and the Permaculture approach to healthy, sustainable living.

2. Landscape & Site Assessment

We will look at the landscape and show you how to read the natural patterns, land forms and features of your site. It will include techniques of observation and awareness about landforms, topography, exposure to weather and other factors, and how to gather important information on both the natural site composition and its cultural implications.

3. Soils & Gardening

In this two day course we will show you the different approaches to designing a Permaculture garden that will work for you. You will have the opportunity to get your hands dirty learning the nature of soil, soil preparations, composting techniques, soil testing, and the relationship between soil, plants and animals. The second day will cover garden layout, design, preparation, the different types of gardens, plant health, weed management and seed propagation.

4. Water & Water Harvesting

This course takes a practical approach to understand- ing the nature and importance of water, identifying its sources and its cycles, analysing quality, purifying and treatment techniques, storage, harvesting, use and conservation, and aquaculture.

5. Air & Climate

The atmosphere and climate have a major impact on Permaculture design, and different climatic zones require different approaches to the way we live. In this course you will learn how specific climates effect us and our activities. We cover the nature of the atmosphere, its importance to plants and animals, climates and the factors that effect it, weather and micro-cli- mates, forecasting, air quality, pollution, and shade and shelter design.

6. Energy & Technology

We are entering the era of energy descent. In this course you will learn about the importance and nature of energy sources, and learn how to become more self reliant and energy. efficient. We will cover the nature and types of energy, the sources of energy, including fossil fuels, physical renewable and bio-renewable, energy analysis, technology and the application of science, transport and energy alternatives, including conservation, demand reduction and use of renewable resources.

7. Orchards, Row Crops & Small Animals

This course focuses on the basics of backyard food production, covering the design and layout of an orchard, and its integration with small animals. We cover the selection of the best crops for climate and site characteristics, the layout of the orchard including spatial needs and placement within the landscape, planting, propagation, and orchard management including soil fertility and plant health. We also cover the importance of small animals in pollination, manuring and recycling within the orchard, and the management of these animals.

8. Large Animals & Forestry

This course looks at the larger scale of farming, the management and care of large animals, and the importance and usefulness of forests. We will cover the role of large animals including the effects of grazing and manuring, the management and care of the animals, including grazing management, water demands, health care, and the construction of animal structures. We also look at the role of forests, the types and positive effects they give, forest regeneration, forest uses and services, and forestry management.

9. Hazards & Catastrophes

Life has its risks. In this course we look at the importance of acknowledging hazards, and planning accord-ingly to reduce exposure and risk. Permaculture design explores the nature of the world we live in, and we cover the different types of hazards including natural, personal, social, economic and societal hazards, the ways in which we can prepare against the risks, and practical tools to lower the risk factor.

10. Built Environment

Permaculture design teaches you how to build a living environment for physical, mental and emotional well-being while being in harmony with the surroundings. In this course we cover the principles of building biology and ecology, including using local, renewable resources, relating orientation and layout to the natural site environment and landform, and specifics to con- sider with your building design, such as interior and exterior layout, building materials and construction, and household services.

11. Urban Living

Over 86% of the developed world’s population lives in cities that are dependent upon the countryside for water, food, building materials, power etc, and to absorb all the waste. As energy descent impacts on our economy, this course looks at sustainable ideas for retrofitting cities. This includes the challenges of living in the city, suburban retrofitting and reducing your ecological footprint, responsible and sustainable apartment living, building urban eco-communities, and urban layout and development.

12. Culture & Invisibles

Who are we, and what are we doing on planet earth? This course covers the nature of culture, including personal beliefs, values, ideologies and paradigms, and looks at cultural transformation in both ourselves, our communities, and our economy. We also look at the invisible structures that shape our lives, such as the forms of ownership and access to resources, the function and issue of money, and decision-making and conflict management.

See a complete course outline

For more information about any

of the Permaculture Design

Courses please contact

Gary and Emily Williams

at (06) 362 6684

or email gary@waterscape.co.nz

Visit Gary and Emily's site www.waterscape.co.nz