PERMACULTURE DESIGN COURSE
ecoliteracy and ecodesign

March 1-14, 2009

With internationally experienced educators and designers
MORAG GAMBLE & EVAN RAYMOND
plus many guests

COURSE ORGANISERS SEED International at Crystal Waters College

VENUE Crystal Waters Permaculture Village, QLD Australia

ACCREDITATION This course is accredited by the Permaculture Institute and is a foundation course for the new nationally accredited permaculture qualifications.

INTRODUCTION

SEED International offers holistic, integrated and balanced programs that combine practical, theoretical and philosophical approaches to ecoliteracy and ecodesign. This course provides a unique opportunity to spend two weeks living at the World Habitat Award-winning Crystal Waters, exploring healthy and ecologically sustainable ways of living.

The SEED International Permaculture Design Course provides tools to help you design and develop your own property sustainably, revitalise your local community, and restore an ecological balance. This course is recognised by the Permaculture Institute and includes all core topics of the Permaculture Design Certificate Curriculum. We emphasise the development of community food systems, community gardens ecovillages & urban sustainability strategies.

The course covers themes such as: ecological systems understanding, organic food production and food security, natural soil improvement, water conservation and management, harvest forests, natural habitat restoration, healthy buildings and human settlements, renewable energy systems, sustainable community development, local economics, reducing our ecological footprint, and ecological planning and design methods.

We examine the underlying assumptions of the current culture of consumerism and economic globalisation, and encourage exploration of ways to contribute to the emergence of a culture of sustainability, compassion and equity.

Join with others from around the world in a dynamic, ecological and cross-cultural experience.

COURSE CONTENT
The Permaculture Design Certificate course covers a broad range of subjects to provide a holistic overview of permaculture systems and sustainable living.

Topics include:

Ecoliteracy
Introduction to ecological systems
observation of patterns & cycles of nature
reading the landscape
site analysis

Water in the landscape
the water cycle
water storage and management
dams and swales ponds
aquaculture and edible water plants
waste water treatment and use

Healthy Soils
introduction to soil ecology
soil assessment methods
strategies for improving your soil naturally
green manures and cover crops
mulching, compost, and worm farming
erosion control
mechanical and mineral rehabilitation of soils

The cultivated ecosystem
establishment of organic vegetable and herb gardens
plant propagation, seed saving and plant selection
establishment and maintenance of orchards
integrating animals into backyards and farms
ecological pest management

Natural Forests and Harvest Forests
forest ecology and succession of ecosystems
wildlife corridors and habitat restoration
design of windbreaks
woodlots for firewood, timber and other yields food forests

Healthy buildings and sustainable settlements
selecting a house site
energy efficient design
healthy building materials
appropriate technologies
village and community design

Community Food Systems
city farms and community gardens
community supported agriculture

Community Revitalisation and Local Economics
urban and suburban revitalisation strategies
strengthening local community economics
sustainable community development
right livelihoods and co-operatives
working effectively in groups

Eco-Design
methods and process of ecological planning and design
concept planning
zones and sectors
drawing techniques
problem solving
individual design projects and designing with a group

DEMONSTRATIONS, HANDS-ON ACTIVITIES AND SITE VISITS

During the course there are plenty of opportunities to view permaculture systems in various stages of establishment and to be involved in practical permaculture work. You will see many areas of Crystal Waters not normally open to visitors, and visit other properties in the region. Some of the things you will have the opportunity to see and do during the courses include...

sheet mulch, no-dig garden construction, plant propagation and seed saving, inoculating seed, pH testing and soil texture analysis, soil improvement techniques, swale construction, bamboo forest and crafts, animal forage systems, woodlot trail plots and tree-planting, reedbed water purification, natural homes (solar, rammed earth, pole frame, strawbale, mud brick and sod roof buildings) various composting toilet systems, food forest walk, seasonal fruit tasting, remnant rainforest walk, group design exercises.

RESOURCES

While participating in the course, you will have access to a large library of Permaculture related books, journals, wall-charts, files, designs and audio-visual materials. There will also be Permaculture resources available for sale.

WHO IS THIS COURSE FOR?

This is a course for everyone. The principles of Permaculture relate to any scale of design, to highly urbanised areas as well as remote rural communities. The Permaculture approach crosses between disciplines and creates links between them.

here are no prior qualifications required in the fields of environmental studies or design for attendance. However, we do highly recommend that you read Introduction to Permaculture by Bill Mollison prior to the commencement of the course.

People from around the world, of all ages and from all fields of work have enjoyed and benefited from attending this Permaculture Design Course. This diversity creates a rich learning environment. The age of previous PDC participants has ranged from 14yo - 78yo.

The occupations of participants have included:

Accountants - Aid Workers - Air Traffic Controllers o Architects - Artists and Craft workers - Bakers - Builders - Business Development Managers - Chiropractors - Community Gardeners - Community Housing Workers - Computer Programmers - Conservation Volunteers - Developers - Dress-Makers - Economists - Eco-Tourism Operators - Education Consultants - Engineers - Environmental Campaigners - Environmental Managers - Environmental Planners - Farmers - Flight Attendants - Forest Managers - Gardeners - Hairdresser - High School and TAFE Students - Horticulturalists - Interior Designers - Labourers - Landscape Architects - Lecturers - Mail Contractors - Massage Therapists - Mechanics - Medical Scientist - Mothers - Musicians - Naturopaths - NGO Executives - Nurses - Pest Controllers - Pilots - Planners - Psychologists - Retirees - School Teachers - Steiner School Teachers and Students - Social Scientists - Social Workers - University Students - Waste management consultants - Writers - Yoga and Meditation Teachers - Youth Workers

People come from all over Australia and around the world to attend this course at Crystal Waters. Countries from which people have attended:

Argentina - Australia - Bangladesh - Belgium - Cameroon - Canada - Columbia - Denmark - England - Germany - Holland - Hong Kong - India - Israel - Italy - Japan - Mexico - New Zealand - Scotland - Slovenia - Solomon Islands - South Africa - South Korea - Spain - Sri Lanka - Thailand - USA

PERMACULTURE DESIGN COURSE GRADUATES

Upon satisfactory completion of this course a Certificate of Permaculture Design is issued. Graduates are then eligible to use Permaculture in the promotion of designs, teaching and landscaping. Following at least two years of applied work, you are eligible to apply for a Diploma of Permaculture Design.

This course is also the foundation program for the nationally accredited permaculture qualifications.

THE TEACHING TEAM

SEED International courses are led by a team of internationally experienced permaculture designers and teachers. Their broad-ranging skills, knowledge and experience, and their passion for the themes they teach provides an engaging learning environment and a holistic perspective of permaculture system design and establishment.

KEY TEACHERS AND COURSE FACILITATORS

Morag Gamble and Evan Raymond, are international Permaculture teachers and eco-designers. They are based at Crystal Waters Permaculture Village.

Morag and Evan work closely with Permaculture and sustainability networks throughout the Asia-Pacific region and internationally - having worked in over 20 countries.

In Australia they have co-founded the Australian City Farms and Community Gardens Network, Northey Street City Farm and Permaculture Brisbane. Morag has published several articles and is directly involved with the development of an ecoliteracy program for Indonesian schools.

Morag and Evan have been working in the field of ecological planning and design and actively contributing to the establishment of local community-based projects for the past twelve years.

GUEST TEACHERS

A number inspiring guest speakers from Crystal Waters and the region often join the teaching team to share their knowledge and experience in specific areas of Permaculture.

Guest Teachers on previous courses have included:

Frances Lang, Jenny Allen, Julie Shelton, Pat Forsman, Lorelle Fisher, Peter van der Duys, Paul Williamson, Barry Goodman, Hans Erkin, Barry O'Connell, Rob Swain, Dr Eric Kawabe, Max Lindegger, Barb Knudsen, Jill Jordan, John Muir, Delia Catacutan, Steve Cran, Michael Cowan, John and Mary King, Peter Pamment.

REGISTRATION DETAILS
COURSE FEE: AU$1495

FEE INCLUDES ...

Professional Permaculture teachers
Comprehensive course notes
All course materials
All field trips
Three delicious and healthy meals a day plus morning and afternoon tea
Access to extensive library of books, videos and journals.
Extensive tours of Crystal Waters Permaculture Village - including visits to private properties not usually open to the public.
Practical permaculture field work
Hands-on design experience
The opportunity to stay in an award-winning Permaculture Village.
GST (Goods and Services Tax)

MAKING A BOOKING

To ensure your place please send a AUD$300 deposit with the registration form. Course numbers are limited to provide individual attention and early registration is advised. You can make a booking by mail, by email, by fax or by phone.

Discount
A $100 discount is available for registrations with full payment received 3 months prior to the commencement of the course.

PAYMENT
We accept paypal, cheque, money order and direct deposit payments. All cheques should be made out to SEED International and be in Australian Dollars. The balance of fees can be paid by on or before arrival. (sorry,no credit card).

To make a payment of the $300 deposit using Paypal, please click button below:

Confirmation of booking
Once your registration (with deposit or full payment) has been received, confirmation will be sent with a receipt and further details about what to bring - including detailed directions to Crystal Waters.

Cancellation policy
If for some reason you cannot make it to the course, a $100 adminstration fee will be charged. The balance of your payment will be promptly refunded to you.

If you let us know 21 days in advance your deposit can be transferred to another Permaculture Design Course offered by SEED International at Crystal Waters.

If you cancel within 7 days of the course start date, no refund will be issued.

If for some reason the course is cancelled, you will receive at least 21 days notice and your full payment will be refunded.

Please note, we do not take responsibility for any flight arrangements you have made. Please take out travel insurance.

ACCOMMODATION OPTIONS

There is a range of accommodation available at Crystal Waters. We prefer course participants stay in the Community Co-op's visitor area as it is close to teaching and eating facilities.

Camping sites: $60/week.
Bunkhouse Cabin: $110/week ($120 with Linen set).

You may wish to stay in the guesthouse or B&B run by local residents - prices start from $55/night.

MEALS

All meals and refreshments are provided during the course. Experienced course caterer, Rebecca Hopkins, prepares delicious and healthy meals for course participants. Rebecca is able to cater for most special dietary requirements. Please give us advance notice of any such needs. The main fare is varied and tasty vegetarian food, although meat options are available if requested. We actively seek GE-Free, local organic produce as the main ingredients of the course meals.

go to printable REGISTRATION FORM

For more information, please contact:

MORAG GAMBLE
SEED International: Sustainability Education and Ecological Design
50 Crystal Waters, Kilcoy Lane, Conondale, QLD 4552 Australia
phone: +61 (0)7 5494 4833
info@SEEDinternational.com.au