“Permaculture is a design system for creating sustainable human environments. It’s the harmonious integration of landscape and people.” -Bill Mollison
“What permaculturists are doing is the most important activity that any group is doing on the planet”. – David Suzuki
Founded in the 1970s’ in Australia, permaculture has grown into a global movement, with an increasing profile here in the Maritimes. Permaculture is a holistic, values-based design method that balances our human needs with our social imperative to care for our environment and each other. This full-day, participatory workshop, which offers both theoretical discussion and hands-on learning, is a comprehensive introduction to permaculture’s defining ethics and principles, and how they offer a progressive model for positive change. Perhaps you’ve heard about permaculture and want to learn more? Or maybe you’re interested in learning a new approach to designing your work? Or connecting your life more intimately to the natural world? Come join us for the day and gain insights, inspiration, and tools to become an active member of the global permaculture movement!
Program Cost: $125 registration, tuition and meals
Please register at least 2 weeks in advance to secure your place in this program.
Leadership
Ronaldo Lec Ajcot
Ronaldo Lec Ajcot, founder IMAP, a Maya Kaqchiqel, is from San Lucas Toliman in the central highlands of Guatemala. In 1990 he was forced out of the country because of the violence of the civil war. He received a BA in Cultural Anthropology with a minor in Peace Studies from the University of St. Thomas in Minnesota while in exile. He returned to Guatemala in 1996 where he hosted the first certified Permaculture Design Course in the region sponsored by Permacultura America Latina (PAL) as part of the search for alternative agriculture practice. He then adopted permaculture as a tool for the revitalization of local agricultural lands, culture and environment. In 1997 he hosted a permaculture course from which a community organization, the Associacon Ija’tz was formed to begin the regional restoration of land. After two years at Ija’tz, he devoted himself to the creation of his vision for the Mayan people by creating the Mesoamerican Permaculture Institute (IMAP) where he is now director. IMAP has supported numerous community initiatives for local women, farmers and communities affected by natural disasters. In 2000, IMAP established a permaculture reference centre on the shores of Guatemala’s Lake Atitlan.
Stephanie Hughes
Stephanie Hughes comes from 10 years of project management and communications experience in Nova Scotia’s non-profit sector. Working with organizations like the Ecology Action Centre, the Nova Scotia Food Action Research Centre, and the Nova Scotia Nature Trust, she has led community engagement campaigns and grassroots initiatives that connect people with the environment, and empower people to create positive change. Prior to earning her Permaculture Design Certificate, from the Finger Lakes Permaculture Institute in New York, Stephanie lived the permaculture experience as a volunteer in southern India and Thailand; and completed lengthy apprenticeships with Guatemala’s Mesoamerican Permaculture Institute, and Cuba’s Antonio Nunez Jimenez Foundation for Nature and Humanity. Inspired by these diverse international experiences, Stephanie is focused on highlighting permaculture’s incredible power to transform not just natural landscapes but all community environments where people struggle for change and social justice.