Introduction to Permaculture Design

Permaculture is a design process that guides human communities in achieving the resilience and regenerative capacity of natural ecosystems. The principles and practices are drawn from ecological knowledge of traditional and Indigenous cultures integrated with modern scientific understanding and selected technology. Permaculture design can be applied from transitioning your home landscape into attracting pollinators, conserving water, and growing primarily perennial edible food and forage systems, to helping build community.

During this two-hour workshop we will:

• Explore the ethics and principles guiding the permaculture design framework;

• Calculate our rainwater harvesting potential based on average annual rainfall amounts in Salt Lake City;

• Explore alternative ways to use household and stormwater in an integrated design;

• Discuss your own landscapes in a facilitated discussion; and

• Practice applying real-world examples of permaculture design principles.

Participants who are interested in a deeper dive will also learn about an upcoming permaculture design certificate being offered in Utah this spring.