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Permaculture ...

... is a practical concept applicable from a balcony to the farm,
from the city to the wilderness, enabling us to establish productive environments
providing our food, energy, shelter, material and non-material needs, as well as
the social and economic infrastructures that will support them.

... is a synthesis of ecology, geography, observation & design.
Permaculture encompasses all aspects of human environments and culture,
urban and rural, and their local and global impact.
It involves ethics of earth care because the sustainable use of land
cannot be separated from lifestyle and philosophical issues.

... encourages the restoration of balance to our environments
through the practical application of ecological principles.
In the broadest sense, Permaculture refers to
land-use systems and lifestyle options which utilise
resources in a sustainable way.



From a philosophy of cooperation with nature and each other, of caring for the earth and people, permaculture presents an approach to designing environments which have the diversity, stability and resilience of natural ecosystems, to regenerate damaged land and preserve environments which are still intact.

Permaculture was first coined by Bill Mollison in 1976, several years later Bill Mollison and David Holgren wrote the first permaculture book, ‘Permaculture One’. This together with the following book, ‘Permaculture Two’ by Bill Mollison have been revised and rewritten as ‘Introduction to Permaculture’.

The Permaculture Institute was established and the first design courses conducted. Since then over 200,000 people around the world have been trained in permaculture design. Some nations now include permaculture in school curricula, some countries include permaculture in agricultural and planning policies.

In 1988 the definitive text “Permaculture - A Designers Manual” by Bill Mollison was published as the foundation work for the Permaculture Institute’s Permaculture Design Course.

PERMACULTURE INTERNATIONAL LTD is the International association of permaculture designers and supporters - you can become a member and keep up to date with permaculture projects and initiatives around the world. Support permaculture in action by making a tax deductable donation to Permaculture International's PermaFund. Visit their web site: www.permacultureinternational.org

DAVID HOLGREN, permaculture's co-originator has just released his new book "Permaculture - Pathways and Principles Beyond Sustainability" in March 2003. This book brings permaculture concepts into the context of the challenges we face in this new millenium.

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