So what is Permaculture?
Permaculture is the synthesis of the words “Permanent-Agriculture” and “Permanent –Culture”. It is a holistic design science.
Permaculture or “permanent-agriculture” is an agricultural system that mimics the relationship found in natural ecologies. Permaculture design principles extend from the position that "The only ethical decision is to take responsibility for our own existence and that of our children" The intent is that by training individuals in a core set of design principles, those individuals could design their own environments and build increasingly self sufficient human settlements — ones that reduce society's reliance on industrial systems of production and distribution that are identified as fundamentally and systematically destroying Earth's ecosystems.
Permaculture or “permanent-culture” is a design system that recognises that our ways of living in communities (both rural and urban), need to become more sustainable. Transition Towns is a Permaculture design response to this in the face of climate change, peak oil, peak water, peak food, peak soil, human over-population, etc. Transitioning away from these ‘Peak Everything’ events can be designed for. In fact, as David Holmgren co-founder of Permaculture states, it’s likely the Post-Carbon Age will be design intensive: http://www.futurescenarios.org/
What is the Transition Nelson Permaculture Group aiming to do?
Some of the purposes of this group;
1. Support for PDC (Permaculture Design Certificate) graduates in Nelson and the region (a PDC is a 72 hour, 2 to 3 week residential intensive, or a modular course spread over a weekend a month for 9 months). Here’s a description of what a PDC is http://tinyurl.com/6lk8kh
2. Support for introductory one day and weekend Permaculture Design course graduates
3. Continue to co-ordinate and promote Permaculture training here
4. Continue to co-ordinate and promote co-operative working bees in our gardens
5. Assist TN with Permaculture Design inputs to the overall vision and especially the Nelson EDAP.
When do they meet?
The group meets on the third Monday of the month. The next 2 meetings are at the Williams Block Braemar Villiage 7.30pm 15th March and the 19th April. Check the events and meetings calendar or email Ted Howard on kitesfun@ihug.co.nz for further details.
Who do I contact?
To get involved in the Transition Nelson Permaculture Group, or to find out more please contact Ted Howard at kitesfun@ihug.co.nz
Further information
Permaculture in New Zealand (PiNZ) website: http://www.permaculture.org.nz/index.php
Contact: info@permaculture.org.nz
72 hour residential PDC: http://www.koanga.org.nz/articles/135903.html
72 hour modular style: http://www.ecomatters.org.nz/05_SLC/Permaculture_Series_brochure_final.pdf
