Permaculture course: theoretical and practical
Earthcare Education Aotearoa (EEA) is offering what it calls "hands-on learning for sustainable land use" in a new format this year. The introductory weekend, entitled Introduction to Permaculture Design, will take place at GB Community Centre in Takaka on November 1 and 2.
"EEA usually offers this permaculture course as a two- or three-week residential course," explained spokesperson Inna Alex. "We think that more people will be able to find time in the weekends to do the 12 modules of the course. They will be run over nine weekends between this November and next June across the Top of the South. The course is great at teaching participants theoretical and practical tools for a more sustainable way of living."
Permaculture is an integrated landuse design methodology based on ecological principles, with practical application from sustainable household to eco-nation to global restoration. The aim of the main design project for the whole course is to apply permaculture design to a specific site.
The Saturday of the introductory weekend will be devoted to the ethics and principles of permaculture, its applications and design methods, and how it can be applied to different living environments.
On Sunday, the second day, participants will learn how to gather important information on the natural composition of sites.
The course will have access to the expertise of at least seven tutors, including Sol Morgan, gardening educator; Robina McCurdy, permaculture and community facilitator; and Inna herself, who is a landscape architect and environmental planner.
"We're grateful to the high school for putting some adult community education funding toward the introductory weekend," said Inna. "We hope that people will decide to complete the whole course once they've experienced the introductory weekend." Contact Inna at earthcarenz@gmail.com or 525 8399.
Neil Wilson
