Designed Visions - Sustainability through Permaculture - Courses, Design and Consultancy

This practical course will bring the possibility of significant and positive life changes. Although permaculture is most commonly thought about in connection with gardening & farming, its principles, ethics and design methods can be adapted and used in each individual's own work, interests and home to bring about a more harmonious & sustainable lifestyle. Permaculture offers a perspective on all aspects of building a sustainable future. Permaculture encourages us to use our individual skills, knowledge and interests, whilst drawing on traditional wisdom, science and our innate ability to observe and learn from the world around us.

Course participants will be awarded the Permaculture Association (Britain)'s internationally recognised Certificate in Permaculture Design.

Mossy granite boulders, woodland streams, low impact dwellings, circling buzzards, winding woodland paths and views out across Dartmoor all form the rich backdrop to courses at Steward Community Woodland. This intentional eco-community has hosted various courses and events since moving here in 2000, including four very successful residential Permaculture Design Courses in 2003, 2005, 2007 and 2008. Permaculture ethics and design have been played a central role in the community's development and its evolving vision, and the project offers many examples of real life applied permaculture in its 32 acres of mixed woodland and community of 16+ people. Steward Community Woodland offers you the possibility to learn and experience in nature and in community, among the trees and wildlife, around campfires, under canvas and close to the earth. Please note that all course food will be vegan.

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Website: www.stewardwood.org  

We use group work, discussions, videos, slide shows, observation, guided walks & practical activities as learning methods. These are supportive of different learning styles & for people with learning difficulties. We will also be visiting projects where permaculture theory is being put into action. Planned site visits include trips to the Agroforestry Research Trust & the Proper Job Recycling Project.

Design courses are not just about imparting information to the students, there is plenty of knowledge out there, the important thing is knowing how to use this & feeling confident to do so.

Empowerment is the essence of the course. We will be using practical and theoretical teaching methods to create a fun, lively & inclusive course. The course culminates in the main design activity that helps to consolidate all of the learning & empower students to take permaculture back into their own homes, lives & community. As a group we will benefit from collaborative learning & from having fun together. We don't expect any previous knowledge & recognise that everyone has their own unique skills, knowledge & areas of interest to bring to the course.