Permaculture at Heathcote

What is Permaculture?

Permaculture is the conscious design of "cultivated" ecosystems that have the diversity, stability, and resilience of natural ecosystems. It is a harmonious integration of people into the landscape in such a way that the land grows in richness, productivity, and aesthetic beauty.

It is an approach to planning human settlements that uses intelligent design to increase the abundance of natural systems and the efficiency of human activities. It is rooted in the careful observation of the natural patterns characteristic of a particular site. The integration of human environments with natural cycles is key to permaculture.

Permaculture applies techniques and principles from ecology, cooperative economics, appropriate technology, sustainable agriculture, and the wisdom of indigenous people to create sustainable human environments, at home, at work, at play, and in our communities.

Permaculture is an ethical design system for creating human environments that are ecologically sound and economically viable. Permaculture systems provide for their own needs, do not exploit or pollute, and are therefore sustainable.

Why Permaculture?

We are living on a planet in crisis. The political and economic systems that have given rise to our modern lifestyles have created societies that consume more than they produce. The products and by-products of this consumer culture are polluting the Earth’s biosphere and destroying our fragile life support systems.

During the mid-1970's in response to this growing threat to the world's environment, Bill Mollison, an Australian ecologist, began the development of the principles, philosophy, and methodologies of permaculture or "permanent culture".

To make the transition toward a sustainable society, it is imperative that we take responsibility for our own lives and meet our basic needs for food, shelter, energy, gainful employment, and supportive community. Permaculture is an ethical and holistic technique for creating sustainable culture.

To get better acquainted with the concepts of Permaculture, take our On-Line Permaculture Course

Permaculture Education

Permaculture education is one of the main focuses of the Heathcote Conference Center. We have been host to several permaculture design courses and hold periodic workshops. We will soon be offering college-level courses.

Demonstration Site

We are in the process of re-creating Heathcote as a permaculture demonstration site. This includes several gardens which supply much of our food, as well as ongoing projects such as a new greenhouse, composting toilet, and long-term plans for a new community building.

Greater Baltimore Permaculture Guild

Local permaculture enthusiasts and members of Heathcote have come together to form the Greater Baltimore Permaculture Guild (GBPG), an organization that seeks to demonstrate sustainable living and to educate the public and ourselves.

More About Permaculture

More information on permaculture is available at the following websites:

• Permaculture Resources
• Permaculture the Earth
• The Permaculture Activist
• Permaculture.net
• Barking Frogs Permaculture Center